Chapter 106 Chapter 106 The wind rises alone...
Zhao Tingyue was indeed old, approaching fifty. If not for these events, he would have retired in two years. However, while he was retiring, his descendants were serving in the imperial court. Zhao Tingyue had served for many years, and his descendants also held important positions.
Xiao Xun said to Lin Qiuran, "It's said that the court has been lacking capable generals in recent years, which is why Zhao Tingyue has been forced to don his sword and armor and return to the battlefield. Some say that if he's convicted based on a few defeats, it's a completely unprovoked disaster."
Lin Qiuran thought to himself, it was there originally, so why is it gone doesn’t he know it himself?
Xiao Xun said: "Besides, this person is not easy to deal with."
Today was Xiao Xun's first day at court. The Emperor sat aloft on the Dragon Throne, with civil and military officials flanking the main hall. With the year drawing to a close and the military victories won, the court was relatively quiet, and the matter should have been closed. However, several officials impeached Zhao Tingyue.
Zhao Jinshan, the Minister of Dali Temple, and others.
Zhao Tingyue quickly admitted his guilt, kneeling on the ground. "My poor decision-making led to three disastrous defeats, nearly resulting in heavy casualties among Dai Viet soldiers. I accept my guilt and punishment."
Zhao Tingyue knelt on the ground with his broad back bent, but as soon as he finished speaking, many people pleaded for him.
There were both civil officials and military generals. The Minister of Justice stepped forward, raised his tablet, and said, "Your Majesty, Dai Viet has been engaged in minor wars with foreign tribes for decades, with only the last two years being the major ones. I understand that General Zhao is old, and his service in protecting the safety of the Northwest over these years is invaluable. The Northwest is bitterly cold, and he is seriously injured. Now that we've suffered a defeat, General Zhao must be feeling bad. If I punish him for this, I'm afraid it will chill the hearts of the soldiers."
Zhao Tingyue's deputy, General Xu, also stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the victory is the credit of Dai Viet and the soldiers. We can't blame General Zhao for the defeat. Although Xiao Xun is not from the Zhao army, he followed General Zhao to the northwest this time and achieved something under his influence. This is not without General Zhao's contribution."
Someone else stood up and said, "There are victories and defeats. Who can guarantee that they will never lose a battle in their lifetime? If they act recklessly and take risky measures, causing serious mistakes, they should be punished. But General Zhao did not do that. If he were to punish him, it would be inhumane. The emperor just rewarded the troops, and now he wants to punish the commander-in-chief. This is..."
Minister Jiang snorted. It was he who started it all, but now that this group of people were talking back and forth, he was the villain. "Victory is rewarded with titles, gold and silver, and treasures. Even the troops of Dai Viet have to bear the Zhao family's name. But when we lose a battle, it's just because we're old and injured, and our merits and hard work are taken into consideration.
But the merits have already been read out once, so why do we need to read them out again? What kind of merits are these? Why can we use them over and over again without ever running out of them?
Minister Jiang was a civil servant, eloquent and articulate. "Your Majesty, the state has its laws, and families have their rules. If merits and demerits were balanced, General Shen's entire family wouldn't have been executed, and so many officials wouldn't have been dismissed and punished. Times may change, but laws don't. If this precedent is set, how will we punish those in the court who follow suit in the future?"
Minister Jiang looked at Lieutenant General Zhao Tingyue and said, "General Xu, what you said is ridiculous. General Xiao is from Xiaojia Village. As far as I know, news of his death was reported back to Xiaojia Village three years ago. I haven't found out whether there is any hidden reason behind this. How can you become Zhao Tingyue's own person just because you have made a contribution?"
"Your Majesty, for the past twenty years, there have been no capable military commanders in the court. Most of them are lieutenants or subordinates of General Zhao, with mediocre abilities. Two years ago, we suffered several defeats and nearly lost Zhuzhou. Isn't this considered a major disaster?"
Zhao Jinshan also stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I think Lord Jiang is right. General Zhao has indeed made great contributions to Dai Viet, but his merits and demerits cannot be offset..."
Before Zhao Jinshan could finish his words, Zhao Tingyue's deputy general, General Xu, knelt and kowtowed. "Your Majesty, no matter what the punishment is, can you please let General Zhao get up first? General Zhao has been in the northwest for many years and has old injuries on his waist and legs. The pain is unbearable when the weather gets cold. It's freezing cold today, and kneeling for too long is harmful to his health, Your Majesty!"
Minister Jiang almost couldn't help rolling his eyes. Zhao Jinshan pursed his lips and finally sighed.
The emperor waved his hand and said, "I am tired. Let's go today."
The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, and no one dared to look directly at his face. When Xiao Xun heard the emperor's voice, he felt an inexplicable chill.
Xiao Xun felt exhausted when he recalled it. He said to Lin Qiuran, "With so many people pleading for mercy, His Majesty cannot ignore it."
Lin Qiuran thought, the emperor was being roasted on the fire. If he punished him, it would chill the hearts of the old ministers, not just Zhao Tingyue, but other ministers as well. But if he didn't punish him, Zhao Tingyue's repeated impeachments were not groundless.
The verbal sparring in the court was not easy to endure. Even Xiao Xun's military achievements could be attributed to Zhao Tingyue. In the past, countless others had done the same. Dai Viet hadn't seen any rising military leaders in the past twenty years. Whether this was due to a lack of resources or simply being suppressed by him, no one knew.
Lin Qiuran said, "General Zhao has been stationed in the northwest for many years and is very popular among the people."
Moreover, he had admitted his fault today, kneeling on the ground for a long time without saying a word to excuse himself. If he knelt again and fainted in the Golden Palace, the news would only make people say that the emperor had chilled the hearts of his meritorious officials.
Lin Qiuran couldn't help but ask, "But wasn't the Shen family convicted of the same crime back then? Why is it different now?"
Xiao Xun said, "Some court officials said that the high number of casualties was General Shen's fault. He didn't die to appease the public anger. Two years ago, we suffered several defeats and Yingzhou was almost lost. The court officials said that I made a contribution by defending Yingzhou. The fact that no major mistakes were made was also due to General Zhao's good use of people."
Although the Dali Temple is now investigating the Shen family's case, there has been no progress after such a long time.
Xiao Xun lowered his head. He had made a contribution, and in the eyes of these people, Zhao Tingyue also contributed. But if the situation had not been urgent, Zhao Tingyue would never have let him take the lead.
Zhao Tingyue knew how he had gotten to where he was now, and there was no way he would repeat the mistakes that General Shen had openly made. He was old, and his generals were inferior to him in martial arts and military tactics, and the situation was complex and intertwined, protecting each other.
There are dozens of soldiers pleading for him today.
Lin Qiuran pondered for a moment and said, "Would it be easier if we could start with the people around General Zhao?"
Otherwise, even if he handed the evidence he found to Xiao Xun, those people would say that General Zhao was old and occasionally careless, and perhaps someone would volunteer to take the blame for him.
Xiao Xun couldn't handle the situation alone, and perhaps he failed to shake Zhao Tingyue, and he also got a reputation as an ungrateful person who would cut off his own efforts.
A lean camel is bigger than a horse. Not to mention that Zhao Tingyue was only impeached and had not even been sent to the Dali Temple, how could he be convicted so easily?
Moreover, although Lin Qiuran felt that these evidences should be handed over to the Dali Temple, they could not be handed over now.
Xiao Xun nodded, "Well, you make sense. I'll think of a solution."
Lin Qiuran consoled her, saying, "He's now the Duke of Zhao and a general. The Emperor has his concerns. You've just entered the court, and your foundation is still shallow. Just take it slow and don't get yourself into trouble."
Xiao Xun hummed, "I know."
Having said that, Xiao Xun still couldn't help but get angry.
He had been going out early and coming back late these days, busy with work, so Lin Qiuran made soup according to the medicinal recipe. During this period, he went to the clinic for a follow-up check. The old doctor said that he was feeling better, but he was still depressed.
He prescribed some prescriptions to reduce heat, and I had to continue taking the original medicine.
Lin Qiuran sighed occasionally, but family matters couldn't be delayed. He had met with several farmers in the past few days, asking about their crops. The rest of the time, he stayed at home, avoiding banquets. He had received invitations from outsiders, including from the Anyang Marquisate, but Lin Qiuran didn't attend either.
It snowed again in the second half of the month, and on the 25th of the twelfth lunar month, Xiao Dashi came from Yu'an.
Lin Qiuran had been counting the days, having his servant wait at the city gate. After several days of waiting, he finally managed to fetch Xiao Dashi. Xiao Dashi arrived in the afternoon, and Lin Ming arranged for the escort agency and the driver to arrive, then took the government carriage back home.
Xiao Dashi had never been to the capital before, so he found everything new and exciting. When he arrived at the Dingyuan Marquis's residence, his eyes widened, and he didn't even bother to hold the glutinous rice balls. After looking around for a while, he stammered, "Is this our new home?"
Sun said, "Look at your useless appearance. This is a reward from the emperor."
Xiao Dashi looked left and right, "It's quite nice, it's really big... Where's Xiao Xun? Didn't he say he was coming back?"
Lin Qiuran said, "My husband hasn't resigned yet."
Xiao Xun had been leaving work late these past few days, and arriving home even later. Lin Qiuran said to Xiao Dashi, "Dad, go back to Shou'an Hall and rest first. Then, when my husband comes back, we'll bring the glutinous rice balls over for dinner."
The two of them lived in Shou'an Hall and were elders, so naturally they couldn't be allowed to move to the main courtyard. They must have gone to Shou'an Hall.
Xiao Dashi didn't quite understand, so he asked Sun, "Why is there a Shou'an Hall? What's going on?"
Sun straightened her back and said, "Now that there are so many courtyards, we can live separately. We can have one courtyard, Tangyuan can have another, and Qiuran and Xiaoxun can have another."
Sun said, "There are maids serving in the courtyard. I can do whatever I want on weekdays. It's more comfortable."
She would not wake up Lin Qiuran even if she got up early. Otherwise, they would be bored living in such a big yard with so many people living together.
After Sun finished speaking, she said to Lin Qiuran, "Okay, I'll take your father back to rest for a while. Xiao Xun has been coming home late these days, so let's wait for him. Your father is hungry, so he can eat something else first."
Lin Qiuran nodded. Xiao Dashi had just returned and was exhausted from the journey, so she didn't ask him about his hometown. She told the maid to ask the kitchen to make some noodle soup and send it over to Xiao Dashi to fill his stomach. She would discuss other matters tomorrow.
Lin Qiuran looked down and saw Tang Yuan staring longingly in the direction the two had left. Tang Yuan said, "Grandfather didn't even hear me."
Lin Qiuran said, "There are a lot of people here, and you're small. How about this? Go and stay with your grandparents for a while."
Tang Yuan nodded vigorously. After moving here for several months, Tang Yuan missed Xiao Dashi very much. He chased after him and circled around Xiao Dashi's thighs, but Xiao Dashi was busy looking around the mansion. He thought it was too big. It had been a long time since he left. Yu An's house was not this big.
Moreover, in such a large area, trees have been planted and pavilions have been built.
Sun pulled Xiao Dashi, and Xiao Dashi came back to his senses, "What's wrong?"
Sun: "Tangyuan has spoken to you several times, but you just keep looking at the yard. When will you be able to see the yard?"
Xiao Dashi said embarrassedly: "Isn't this new?"
He picked up Tangyuan and grinned foolishly. The three of them returned to Shou'an Hall and disappeared around the corner.
Lin Qiuran went back to the main courtyard to wait for Xiao Xun. She didn't know what was going on today. She felt a little uneasy and kept looking at the moon-shaped gate in the courtyard.
The sky gradually darkened, and it was the time when Xiao Xun usually left his post. Lin Qiuran asked the maid, "Is the uncle back?"
The maid shook her head and said, "Madam, there is no movement up ahead. I will go check again."
Lin Qiuran nodded slightly. Yesterday, Xiao Xun told her that the emperor would seal the imperial seal in the next few days, so she should leave work earlier than usual today. Why didn't she come back so late?
Lin Qiuran asked the maid to go to the main kitchen and tell them to prepare the dishes and send them over so that Xiao Dashi could eat first. She had come to the capital from Yu'an before and knew that the journey was difficult, so she only ate dry food.
Besides, it was autumn when they came and the weather was still comfortable, but when Xiao Dashi arrived, it was already extremely cold.
The carriage on the road could not withstand the cold wind. After all, we were family, and there was no need to wait for Xiao Xun for just a meal. There were still many days to come, and there would be plenty of time to eat together.
Xiao Dashi was hungry. When the meal was served, his eyes lit up and he didn't insist on waiting for Xiao Xun.
It was getting late, so I ate the dumplings with them.
At the dinner table, Xiao Dashi couldn't help but ask, "Why is Xiao Xun so busy? Isn't it almost Chinese New Year?"
Sun said, "I don't understand court affairs. How would I know? I used to be a sixth-rank official, but now I've been promoted to the third rank. Naturally, things are different now. I have to get up early to attend court and leave at 3:00 AM. Our family has produced a capable person. Tangyuan will also be capable in the future and strive to be more powerful than your father!"
Halfway through eating the glutinous rice balls, he put down his chopsticks and cheered for his grandmother, "Don't worry, grandma, I will study hard and practice martial arts, and strive to surpass you!"
Xiao Dashi also laughed, but it was a bit forced. In the past, as a family, he was content with Xiao Xun's ability, but after all, Xiao Xun was not his biological son.
Xiao Dashi recalled what his family had said, "No matter how capable he is, he's not your biological son. If you have a nephew, who wouldn't be filial to you?"
Xiao Dashi was thinking, these past few months, his nephews in his hometown have been very nice to him, and every time they go back, they cook a table full of delicious food, but Xiao Xun... He came to the capital, but he was busy here and there.
Sun didn't notice Xiao Dashi's expression. After dinner, she asked her maid to go to the main courtyard to ask and send the dumplings back, but Xiao Xun had not returned yet.
Lin Qiuran guessed that something was going on in the palace, and Xiao Xun might not even be back tonight. She said to the Shou'an Hall maid, "Go back and tell the old lady that the uncle is not coming back tonight, but don't worry, just go to sleep."
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