Chapter 213 Proving One's Integrity Through Death
"The Zhao family of Gusu are loyal to the emperor and love their country. They generously donated money and supplies to the soldiers of our Great Jin Dynasty during times of national crisis, but never sought credit for it. They deserve the title of the first imperial merchant. Zhao Yuanying is a woman who is no less capable than men. She has made great contributions to the country. I have decided to confer upon you the title of County Princess, with the title of Zhaorong, and grant you the fief of Yanshan County and a fief of five hundred!"
Zhao Yuanying respectfully kowtowed, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"
Du Zhong and Prime Minister Cui looked extremely grim. Not only had the counterfeit money incident failed to convict the Prince of Zhenbei, but it had also allowed a female merchant to be granted the title of County Princess. For a mere County Princess to be granted a fiefdom was an immense favor!
Du Zhong's face darkened. There are no secrets in the palace. Although His Majesty and the Empress did not announce Zhao Yuanying's identity to the world, he still managed to find out that Zhao Yuanying was the Empress's biological daughter who lost her younger sister years ago, and was the Empress's own niece.
The Zhao family is extremely wealthy in Suzhou. With such financial backing, the Crown Prince has a better chance of ascending the throne in the future.
At this moment, Qin Jinzhi spoke up: "Since everyone has brought up the issue of supplies for the soldiers, let me tell you something. The national treasury is empty, and the grain and pay sent to the border are far from enough. In recent years, most of the soldiers' grain and pay have been provided by the Zhao family and the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion. I want to ask you a question: Is the Zhenbei Army protecting the common people of Jin?"
The officials looked at each other, puzzled.
"The Zhenbei Army naturally protects the people of Jin."
Qin Jinzhi sneered, "Since you are all citizens of Jin, after decades of war, there have been hundreds of letters to the court requesting aid due to the shortage of food supplies at the border. You all hold important positions and wield great power, but is there even one person who cares about the soldiers and thinks of relieving our army of this urgent crisis?"
The officials remained silent.
Qin Jinzhi's face was full of sarcasm. "What were you high-ranking officials doing when the State of Jin was in danger? You were indulging in pleasure, abusing your power, forming cliques and engaging in self-serving activities. Now you are slandering and framing an old man who has devoted his entire life to the State of Jin. Gentlemen, it is midnight. Do you still have a clear conscience?"
Before anyone could react, Qin Jinzhi drew her sword and held it to her neck.
The Emperor and the Prince of Zhenbei immediately stood up. "Jinzhi, what are you doing!"
Qin Jinzhi looked directly at the ministers without glancing to the side.
"My grandfather spent his life on the battlefield, dedicating himself to the State of Jin. I will never allow anyone to tarnish his lifelong reputation. Since you gentlemen have slandered my Zhenbei Prince's Mansion in this way, then today I will prove my innocence with my death and ask the heroic spirits of the State of Jin to uphold justice for my Qin family!"
"No!"
"Princess Jinzhi, please wait!"
"Princess, please reconsider!"
Unexpectedly, the two who led the obstruction were Du Zhong and Prime Minister Cui.
The fact that the Qin family was manufacturing counterfeit money was already a done deal the moment Zhao Yuanying took out the ledger.
Qin Jinzhi was often outrageous in the capital, but the Prince of Zhenbei and the Zhenbei Army were very popular with the people.
Especially since the great war with the State of Chu had just ended.
If Qin Jinzhi were to die in this hall today...
They can't quell the public grievances alone.
The Qin family was full of loyal martyrs, but all the male members died.
Qin Jinzhi was the only granddaughter, and she was forced to death by the officials after the war. Even loyal ministers met such an end, so how could ordinary people live in peace?
This matter was spearheaded by Prime Minister Cui and Du Zhong.
When Qin Jinzhi dies, her political enemies will impeach her, the emperor will be furious, and most importantly, the million-strong Zhenbei Army will be in danger!
It's one thing to seize power legitimately, but to force the young master of the Zhenbei Army to his death for military power, and then have the iron cavalry raid and massacre the capital, would put the Cui and Du families in grave danger.
Qin Jinzhi can die, and military power can be seized, but not at this critical juncture!
Prime Minister Cui said coldly, "Princess, the matter of counterfeit money was due to our oversight, but it was absolutely not an attempt to slander His Highness. His Highness is a meritorious official of our Jin Kingdom, and we would never have done this if we had not been deceived!"
Du Zhong quickly added, "Prime Minister Cui is absolutely right, Princess, please put down your sword."
"Princess, please reconsider!"
If Jinzhi dies in the main hall today, all of them will be responsible!
Qin Jinzhi has been gradually eroding the power of the prominent families in the capital.
Similarly, the clever people in the capital also had this idea.
What makes the Zhenbei Army so terrifying is that they recognize their master and are united as one.
The bond forged on the battlefield made the Zhenbei Army an unbreakable unit.
If the morale of the army were to collapse now, they would have no worries about the rear, but right now the Zhenbei Army only has Qin Ye!
With Qin Jinzhi dead, if Qin Ye harbors rebellious intentions, military power will never be regained.
Qin Jinzhi looked at everyone coldly.
"My grandfather fought for the State of Jin his whole life, and now, in his sixties, he is being wantonly humiliated and slandered!"
As a member of the Qin family, although I could not go to the battlefield with my grandfather, I still have the pride to defend my family.
When Prime Minister Cui and Minister Du led their officials to attack my elderly grandfather, did they ever consider that if the people of the world believed their lies, my grandfather would be ridiculed for the rest of his life?
Now, I will die to prove my innocence and clear my grandfather's name; the people will judge for themselves!
Prime Minister Cui hurriedly said, "I am willing to admit my mistake to the Prince of Zhenbei!"
Du Zhong took a deep breath. "I am also willing to admit my mistake to the Prince of Zhenbei."
"Your Highness, please forgive us. We were negligent and beg Your Highness's forgiveness."
Qin Jinzhi snorted coldly, "Gentlemen, you are truly remarkable. With just words, you can bring someone to their death. Such a crime is easily dismissed with a mere apology. Qin Jinzhi has truly seen the light today!"
Prime Minister Cui took a deep breath. "What does the Princess think we should do?"
Du Zhong also spoke up, "Please enlighten me, Princess."
Qin Jinzhi's expression changed instantly, her previous impassioned demeanor turning into a nonchalant one.
She raised an eyebrow and put the sword down.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Qin Jinzhi then spoke up, "Since you gentlemen have asked so sincerely, I, the princess, will not refuse your kind offer. How about compensating the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion for such a serious crime as slandering a prince of a different surname?"
Du Zhong rolled his eyes. This little bastard had been trying to extort money all along.
Prime Minister Cui also silently gritted his teeth.
"Let's do as the princess says."
It's just some money; if we let today's matter pass, it's not a loss.
Qin Jinzhi nodded with great satisfaction and said, "Prime Minister Cui is very generous. In that case, officials of the third rank and above shall compensate my Zhenbei Prince's Mansion with 100,000 taels of silver, and those below the third rank shall compensate my Zhenbei Prince's Mansion with 50,000 taels of silver. Let's consider today's matter settled."
Du Zhong was about to reprimand Qin Jinzhi when he saw Qin Jinzhi slowly place the sword on her shoulder!
They knew perfectly well that this bastard was just trying to rip them off.
But they dare not gamble!
Qin Jinzhi is a madwoman; it's not surprising that she would do anything!
Qin Jinzhi smiled slightly, "What would Minister Du like to say?"
Du Zhong felt as if his heart was about to jump out of his chest from anger.
"As Your Highness wishes!"
Qin Jinzhi nodded. "What do you gentlemen think?"
"Princess Yi!"
Qin Jinzhi smiled slightly, "In that case, Grandfather, please forgive these officials. Although they slandered our family without distinguishing right from wrong, we were deceived. Look how sincere they are!"
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