"Attend court!"
May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!
"No need for formalities!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Another morning court session began. The ministers first discussed how to deal with the Qiang rebellion in Xiliang, but the chaotic situation there was destined to end inconclusively. The only option was to recruit and appease Han Sui, Ma Teng, and other rebels from Xiliang, appointing them as generals. Their troops were then transformed from rebel forces into government troops and stationed in various parts of Liangzhou.
Following that was the memorial from Sun Jian, the Prefect of Changsha, requesting a reward. Some time ago, Qu Xing, a powerful clan in Changsha, rebelled, and it was Sun Jian, who had withdrawn from the Liangzhou battlefield, who went to quell the rebellion.
Now that several prefectures in Jingnan are at peace and the bandits have fled far away, it would be unreasonable not to reward them. Therefore, he was promoted to Marquis of Wucheng and given some money, grain and silk as a reward.
"Your Majesty, I, He Jin, have something to report!"
Soon, the main event that Liu Hong was looking forward to was finally about to begin.
"Oh? General, what brings you to report?"
"Your Majesty, the foreign minister, General Zhao Hao, led his troops into Luoyang and, without authorization, massacred my younger brother He Miao and his entire family of over a thousand people. The rest, including my brother, were all taken captive to the northern camp of the city..."
"General, before that, I have something else to report."
Zhang Yi interrupted He Jin's report. Liu Hong's lips curled up slightly, and he hurriedly asked.
"Minister Zhang, is it something important that you would interrupt the General?"
Zhang Yi bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from Bingzhou. The Xianbei people have sent Moba Hutou people to pay tribute and express their submission. At the same time, they are negotiating with us about the ransom of the prisoners."
If the negotiations go smoothly, our Celestial Empire could gain tens of thousands of warhorses, and countless cattle, sheep, geese, and other livestock!
These words shocked everyone present.
However, they then remembered that Zhao Hao had captured the nominal leader of the Xianbei. And with so many prisoners, he could exchange them for such valuable supplies!
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! You truly deserve to be my General Who Guards the North!"
Seeing Liu Hong's beaming face, He Jin felt very uncomfortable.
At this moment, he surprisingly looked at the Yuan and Yang families with pleading eyes, and then took a step forward.
"His Majesty!"
He Jin actually knelt down on both knees and pleaded.
"No matter how great the merits of the General Who Guards the North are, he has now allowed his troops to plunder the residences of court officials. His crime must be severely punished! I hope Your Majesty will have pity on my brother Kele's family of more than a thousand innocent souls. If this villain is not severely punished, how will the people of the world view the laws of our Great Han?"
"Your Majesty, if this matter is verified, please first imprison General Zhao for interrogation before making a judgment."
"This old minister also intends to do the same. At the same time, his subordinates can be dispersed among the Eight Schools of Xiyuan to prevent any unforeseen circumstances!"
When Liu Hong saw that it was still the two old guys, Yuan and Yang, he wasn't too surprised.
But the angry look they expected from Liu Hong did not appear the next moment.
Among the officials, three stepped forward and launched a series of attacks!
"Your Majesty, your subject Wang Zifu impeaches Zhao Hao for tarnishing the royal family's reputation by spending his days frequenting brothels!"
"Your subject Zhong Ji hereby impeaches Zhao Hao for forcibly purchasing properties in various parts of Luoyang. He should be severely punished!"
"Your Majesty, I, Wang Yun, beg Your Majesty to consider General Zhao's service in defending the borders and to punish him leniently. Perhaps he could be sent back to Bingzhou to continue his garrison duty?"
Liu Hong actually thought more highly of Wang Yun because of his words.
However, no matter what they said, it wouldn't affect Liu Hong's next decision.
"Oh? In that case, why not summon He Miao and Zhao Hao to the court for a confrontation?"
Let us see who is right and who is wrong, who is more serious and who is less serious. What do you all think, my dear ministers?
"That's only natural!"
Seeing that no one had any objections, Liu Hong instructed Zhang Gong and Zhao Mu, who were standing beside him, to quickly make the arrangements.
A moment later, He Miao, who was barely breathing, and Zhao Hao, who seemed calm and unaffected, were led into the main hall.
"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"
"Hmm, no need for formalities. The whole court knows about your affair. General of Chariots and Cavalry, you are the 'victim' on the surface, why don't you tell us?"
He Miao was taken aback, but quickly realized what was happening and hurriedly said.
"Bi, Bi Xia, Cheng Yuanwang, Yuanwang ah! Waaah..."
He Miao had already been beaten until he looked like a pig's head. When he was carried into the main hall by the guards, even his elder brother He Jin, who was like a father to him, did not recognize him.
After he sobbed and managed to explain himself, he concluded that he was innocent, that Zhao Hao had mobilized troops without cause, and that he begged Liu Hong and the officials to give him justice.
"Yes, I understand. General Zhenbei, what about you?"
After He Miao finished speaking, it was naturally Zhao Hao's turn to speak.
But why would Zhao Hao let him take the usual path?
"Your Majesty, I, Zhao Hao, have lived up to my conscience and the lives of the innocent souls who were killed by He Miao."
There's no excuse for killing such a parasite!
Liu Hong's lips twitched. It seemed that he would have to make this kid say it himself.
"Hahaha, no wonder the General of the North was able to drive those northern barbarians away in disarray. This kind of spirit is what a true man of the Han Dynasty should have!"
Slap! Slap!
All the officials were stunned. Zhao Hao's response meant that they should not punish him.
Is the applause a sign that Zhao Hao made a good point?
As everyone pondered whether to applaud and celebrate like Liu Hong, the guards outside carried in several large boxes. After they were placed heavily on the ground and opened, they found countless bamboo slips inside.
Liu Hong stepped forward, picked out the bundles of bamboo slips he had arranged, and threw them in front of Zhao Hao.
“My good son-in-law, read what’s written here for your father-in-law. After all, this is what you found out for him, even at the cost of your reputation, by going to the brothel.”
Zhao Hao's lips curled into a slight smile. Liu Hong's attitude proved that what he wanted was about to come true!
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