Chapter 1224 "Declaration of War"
As the group arrived at the gate of the Prince of Qin's residence, they indeed saw a group of guards and eunuchs escorting the eunuch Liu Yu as he entered. Liu Yu held up the imperial edict in one hand, and Yuwen Ye immediately led the group forward to pay their respects.
Liu Yu simply nodded to him, then gracefully walked into the hall and announced loudly, "The imperial edict has been issued!"
Everyone hurriedly knelt down to receive the imperial decree.
Liu Yu unfolded the imperial edict and proclaimed: "I hereby issue this edict to the Secretariat and the Chancellery: I, having received the Mandate of Heaven, govern all regions and nurture the people. I am diligent and conscientious day and night, prioritizing the well-being of the nation and the well-being of its people. Luoyang, the eastern capital, is the heart of China and the pivot of the nine provinces. With its magnificent mountains and rivers, abundant resources and prosperous people, it is truly the foundation of the world. It is bordered by Hulao Pass to the east, Xiaohan Pass to the west, Mount Song to the south, and the Yellow River to the north. Its strategic location and formidable defenses make it a battleground for military strategists. Throughout history, emperors have all relied on it as the foundation to secure the dynasty and ensure the well-being of the people."
General Shen Tu Tai, a cavalry general, is exceptionally brave and resourceful, renowned for his loyalty and diligence, and has repeatedly achieved remarkable feats, making him a formidable figure in all directions. Vice Minister Pei Xingyuan, a man of great talent and destiny, is honest and dedicated to public service, ensuring the people's well-being. Both of these ministers are my pillars and the backbone of the nation.
Luoyang is a vital city in the Central Plains, the key to the nation's stability. Only virtuous and capable officials can be entrusted with its affairs. Therefore, I hereby appoint Shen Tu Tai as Sima (military commander) and concurrently as the Director of the Arsenal, and Pei Xingyuan as the Chief Administrator of Luoyang, to jointly manage military and political affairs and bring peace and prosperity to the people. These two ministers should work together with one heart and one mind to ensure the safety and tranquility of Luoyang and not fail the great trust I have placed in them.
You shall depart for your post within one month of receiving the imperial decree, without delay.
So be it.
Having already received advance notice from Yuwen Cheng, the imperial edict wasn't so surprising. What surprised Yuwen Cheng was the latter. Upon hearing the last two sentences, he couldn't help but straighten up, his brows furrowed, and said, "Didn't it say we would depart immediately?"
Everyone glanced at him. Liu Yu finished reading the last word expressionlessly, then bent down and said to Shen Tu Tai and Pei Xingyuan not far away, "General Shen Tu, Lord Pei, accept the decree. The Emperor has entrusted you with an important task. You two must serve the country loyally."
The two men remained silent, rising quietly to accept the imperial edict.
It was Yuwen Cheng who refused to give up. He suddenly stood up and walked to Liu Yu, saying with a displeased expression, "Didn't Father Emperor promise—didn't he say—that they should set off immediately after receiving the decree? How come it's now set for within a month?"
Liu Yu smiled and said, "Only he and his close friends know the Emperor's thoughts. How dare this servant speculate?"
Yuwen Cheng frowned.
Yu Mingyue, however, seemed to have gleaned something from Liu Yu's words. She stepped forward and asked, "Eunuch Liu, did Father Emperor meet with anyone?"
Liu Yu glanced at her and smiled, "His Majesty has caught a chill these past two days, and it is Consort Tao who is taking care of him."
Shang Ruyi's eyes lit up immediately.
In contrast, Yuwen Cheng and Yu Mingyue's faces immediately darkened, especially Yuwen Cheng, whose face turned ashen, and he even gritted his teeth.
After Liu Yu finished speaking, she turned around and cupped her hands to Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi, saying, "This servant has other matters to attend to in the palace, so I will not disturb the Prince and Princess any longer. I would like to offer my congratulations on your housewarming."
Shang Ruyi said, "Thank you for your trouble, sir."
After saying that, she prepared to personally see him out.
At this moment, Yuwen Qian sighed softly and said, "Very well, we're just here to sit for a while. Second brother, you have a lot of people here, and you'll have to go through the trouble of entertaining them. We'll be leaving now."
Yuwen Ye said, "Brother, won't you stay and have another cup of wine?"
"No,"
Yuwen Qian smiled faintly and said, "We're brothers, there will be plenty of opportunities."
His words were not meant to imply anything, but Yuwen Cheng on the other side glanced at him, seemingly somewhat displeased—after all, his words had almost ruined the atmosphere of the entire Prince Qin's mansion today. Not only Shen Tu Tai and Pei Xing Yuan, who received the imperial decree, but even Shen Wu Zheng and others had lost their joy. Although Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi maintained their composure, they were burning with anxiety inside—he couldn't wait to stay and enjoy this "scenery" more.
So he said, "Brother Emperor—"
Yuwen Qian said, "Let's go."
Yuwen Cheng had no choice but to roll his eyes, stand up, and deliberately walk around in front of Yuwen Ye, laughing, "Then, Second Brother, you can keep this cup of wine for yourself."
Yuwen Ye looked at him calmly and said, "Thank you for the 'gift' I sent today, Third Brother."
After saying that, the group left with Liu Yu. Yuwen Ye, along with Shang Ruyi and the others, escorted them to the gate of the mansion and watched their carriages depart before turning back.
Shang Ruyi's face was already extremely pale.
It wasn't just that Yuwen Yuan disrupted Yuwen Ye's plans in Luoyang, nor was it just that he cut off Yuwen Ye's arm with a single imperial edict. More importantly, this imperial edict wasn't issued separately to the residences of Shen Tu Tai and Pei Xing Yuan, but rather to the Prince of Qin's residence when all the guests had gathered. In other words, the emperor was clearly announcing to everyone that this world was still his world, this dynasty was still his dynasty, and no one could make decisions for him.
The father and son were almost at the point of openly declaring war.
She couldn't help but say, "My father—"
Before she could finish speaking, she felt a warm, large hand caress the back of her hand, then tightly grasp it. Yuwen Ye's expression was solemn, unmoved by the imperial edict and Yuwen Cheng's provocation. He calmly said, "No matter what, we have to get through this situation first."
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath: "Okay."
After saying this, the two of them returned to the mansion with smiles on their faces. Whether they stayed behind out of genuine or feigned sincerity, or whether they had gleaned something from the imperial edict and were considering how to adjust their allegiance, the dignity of the Prince of Qin's mansion still had to be maintained. Therefore, the two of them greeted the guests with smiles as always.
Before long, a banquet was set up in the mansion. The guests took their seats, and everyone toasted and laughed, having a great time.
This commotion lasted until late at night.
Once the last guest left, the mansion finally quieted down.
However, not everyone left. Around the table, which was littered with cups and plates, sat more than ten people, including Shen Tu Tai, Shan Tong Er, Shen Wu Zheng, and Pei Xing Yuan. They faced each other, and for a moment no one spoke, making the atmosphere somewhat tense.
Actually, no one invited them, and Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi didn't try to stop them. They stayed on their own without realizing it, as if they had a vague feeling that they should stay. As for what they were going to do after staying, everyone knew the answer without saying a word.
Shang Ruyi said, "Everyone, please sit down first."
Upon hearing Princess Qin speak, Shen Tu Tai immediately sat down, and the people around him also took their seats. Yuwen Ye remained seated at the very top of the hall, his posture upright and his aura restrained. Even sitting there motionless, his appearance and presence were like a crouching tiger, exuding authority without anger.
His cold gaze swept over every familiar face, finally settling on a lamp in front of him. The candlelight flickered, but reflected in his eyes, it revealed a sharp glint.
Yuwen Ye said in a deep voice, "Those who remain are all people from my Prince Qin's mansion."
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