145. Final

Inside the Xuanzheng Hall.

"If the Huns want money, then just give it to them. This way you can get peace without sacrificing your people. Why do you have to waste your people and money on this war?"

Cao Lun asked frankly. He had already lost the game and could only accept his fate. His ambitions had died down, but he still believed that he was right about what happened in Guzhuling back then.

"The Major General sounds so innocent." Rong Se sneered mercilessly and asked, "According to you, if the robber wants money, just give it to him? Lord Cao, listen to it yourself. Is this excuse reasonable?"

If the war had not started yet, there might have been a chance for peace talks, but the front line was already in turmoil. Not only did Cao Lun and Rong Xu cut off the retreat of the Jinbei Cavalry, but they also let Duan Chao, a chess piece, backfire on their own people.

Cao Lun was choked by Rong Se and was speechless.

"Uncle is right." Rong Zhan agreed with a cold face, "Since the Xiongnu are invading and refuse to submit, we have no choice but to fight. Today they want money, tomorrow they want land, and the day after tomorrow they want the entire Jin Dynasty! If we just avoid fighting, the Xiongnu will only think that the royal family of Jin Dynasty is cowardly and incompetent!"

"But that war has been going on for too many years!" Cao Lun growled, "If we continue to fight, it will only drain Dajin of its resources and bring it to ruin!!"

"The ones who really dragged down Dajin were Zhu Lanshan and Zhang Haicheng." Rong Se got angry when he heard his cunning defense and scolded him, "You can't afford to raise troops and fight wars, but you can afford to raise evil people? Cao Lun, you and your good sister, one is stirring up trouble in the former court, and the other is bullying in the harem, making the former court and the harem a mess. Forget it, there is no need to talk too much. Since you have pleaded guilty, there is no need to say more. The Cao brothers and sisters are unforgivable. They will be taken to the Ministry of Justice first, and Duan Chao and those so-called witnesses will be taken away together! Order the imperial guards to search the Cao family's mansion and investigate for me to see how many dirty things they have done!"

Zheng Fu and Zhao Yun were dumbfounded. They kowtowed and begged for mercy, tears streaming down their cheeks.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, I know I am guilty. Yes, it was Li Yushi. Li Yushi gave me money and asked me to testify! I dare not lie. Your Highness, please spare my life!"

"Yes, yes, it was Lord Cao and Li Yushi who ordered this. I am willing to confess. Your Majesty, please spare my life. Your Majesty, please spare my life!"

Ever since Li Yanheng's tongue was cut, they were both frightened. Only Yan Shuning had a pale face, and he looked like a dead branch in winter.

Rong Se remained unmoved, he was sure of victory. Moreover, he was not the one being criticized by thousands of people today, so he could drastically fulfill the original owner's wish, seek justice for San Lang, and clear out the garbage for Dajin.

Outside the Xuanzheng Gate, the bluestone bricks were stained with blood, and Yun Zhi had ordered the disposal of the corpse.

Xiao Mufeng was waiting at the entrance of Xuanzheng Hall. His body was also stained with blood. His hair was a little messy after the fight. He hugged his shoulders and turned around in circles. When he saw Yun Zhi coming back, he immediately went forward and asked nervously, "What happened in there?"

"Everything is going well, everything is as planned." Yun Zhi whispered.

Xiao Mufeng nodded, snorted, lowered his eyes and said, "This time, the prince will not let the Cao family go, right?"

Yun Zhi was silent for a moment, then he patted Xiao Mufeng on the shoulder and said softly, "As you wish."

Xiao Mufeng laughed again, but his eyes were cold. "Things have changed. The Cao family and that woman should pay back their debts. Otherwise, they will be sorry for the humiliation my mansion has suffered over the years."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw someone escorting Cao Lun and his sister and Duan Chao out of Xuanzheng Gate. The person who came bowed and said, "The boss asked us to hand these three people over to the imperial guards and take them to the Ministry of Justice for trial. Also, the prince has ordered to search the Cao residence and arrest Xiao Shujing and Cao Haoyun."

"Thank you." Yun Zhi waved his hand, and the imperial guards took the prisoner from the other side.

Xiao Mufeng really couldn't help laughing this time. He laughed a few times before walking up to Cao Lun, stroking the hilt of the sword with his fingertips, and whispered maliciously, "Lord Cao, I never thought you would end up like this. God is watching over me, allowing me to see with my own eyes how the Cao family was destroyed."

Cao Lun valued the reputation of his family, and said with a stern face: "Although I was defeated by Rong Se today, I have assisted three generations of emperors. When I talked about state affairs with the late emperor, you were still a brat. Now you are just an obedient and loyal dog for Rong Se. You are not even worthy of being a servant in my house!"

Xiao Mufeng narrowed his eyes, but heard Yun Zhi say, "That's enough."

"Xiao Yun, what are you doing?" Xiao Mufeng frowned.

"Why bother with a drowned dog?" Yun Zhi was a man of few words, but when he did, his words were as sharp as a knife, and he said with a hint of meaning, "The prince has ordered the imperial guards to arrest Cao Haoyun. Don't delay."

Xiao Mufeng saw Cao Lun's extremely ugly face for a moment, and then he understood what was going on. He immediately smiled and said, "You are right. The prince has just issued an order, and we cannot delay."

Cao Lun was narrow-minded and greedy for power, but he only cared about his blood relatives, such as his sister and son. He was able to raise a playboy like Cao Haoyun who was neither good at literature nor martial arts, which shows how much he indulged and doted on this only son.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Cao Lun felt hurt and his face changed drastically.

Xiao Mufeng saw that he was immediately interested, and walked up to him and said with a malicious smile: "Master Cao, wait a minute, you will be able to reunite as a family soon."

It was just a reunion in the big prison.

In the hall, seeing Cao Lun and Cao Yumin being taken away, Rong Se was still furious. He turned around and looked coldly at Rong Jing, who was already sweating profusely.

"Since ancient times, it has been difficult for generals to have a good end, but the Liang family's sons died unjustly. They were not buried in the mountains, but died in the hearts of the people." Rong Se stared at Rong Jing. His Sanlang was not here today, but someone had to say these words.

This was not meant for Rong Jing alone to hear, but for all the civil and military officials in the court to know that the disastrous defeat at Guzhuling was not the fault of Marquis Dingbei and the Crown Prince, and the Jinbei Cavalry were not to blame either. These men shed blood on the battlefield, and the murderers were not just the Huns.

Among these people in the Manchu Dynasty, no one is innocent.

"The late emperor tolerated Xu and forced the imperial concubine to sleep with him. He also allowed officials to slaughter the people and extort money. As the emperor, he ordered the enemy to kill Dingbei Marquis and his two sons. He acted absurdly and was foolish and incompetent. The tablet in the imperial temple was burned unjustly that day. It shows that all the ancestors of the Rong family looked down on him."

Rong Se stood up, stared at Rong Jing with sharp eyes, and asked loudly: "Your Majesty, do you still think this is a family matter?

Things had come to this point, and no matter how stupid Rong Jing was, he would not continue talking. He could only smile bitterly and said, "I don't know about these things... I..."

"Now the court and the public know about this," Rong Se interrupted him, speaking in a tone as gentle as an elder, but not in a discussion, but in an order. "Your Majesty, you must give an explanation to the people of the world. Otherwise, how can the Rong family survive in the Jin Dynasty with the reputation left by the late emperor? It is better to hand over the throne and change the dynasty."

Rong Jing could no longer laugh, his lips turned pale due to fear. He didn't even have the courage to look Rong Se in the eye, so he dodged and lowered his eyes.

He had never been so terrified and desperate before. He was even afraid that Rong Se would order him to be killed. Now he no longer had any chips to compete with Rong Se. His arrogance was completely annihilated. He spoke with difficulty: "Uncle Emperor...what do you want?"

Rong Se sat back on the Qilin throne and said softly, "Then write a letter of apology for the late emperor. Write it down clearly what the late emperor did. Use more stern words so that the people of the world will know. The royal family will take responsibility. What do you think?"

It seemed like a polite inquiry, but the adults didn't dare to express any opinions at all.

At this point, the situation is so clear, how can anyone dare to object?

All the officials said in unison: "Your Majesty is wise."

Rong Jing didn't even dare to refute. The situation was already hopeless for him. Even though he hated her to death, he was still more afraid.

"It's good that there are no objections. Let's do it this way." Rong Se said calmly, "After writing the edict of guilt, Your Majesty should write another edict of abdication. Your Majesty has been ignorant of current affairs since you took the throne, and it is difficult for you to take on this important responsibility. The previous emperor did so many shameful things. The son has to pay for the father's debts. How can you still occupy the position of the ruler of the world? It is better to give it up and let the wise take it."

Rong Jing stood up suddenly, his eyes wide open, and after a long while, he managed to utter: "Uncle, I..."

"What?" Rong Se's tone sounded calm, but in fact, he was sharp and said coldly, "Your Majesty is reluctant to give up the throne? Your Majesty knows how much you are capable of. Now that things have come to this, for the sake of the people of the world, asking to abdicate is already giving Your Majesty face. Otherwise... if Your Majesty dies, the new emperor can still ascend the throne."

Rong Se had never been willing to deliberately seek reputation for his merit, after all, he had no use for it. Especially at this moment, when the situation had been decided, he no longer cared and brazenly threatened Rong Jing in front of all the ministers.

You don't have to write the edict, then you can just die.

Rong Jing was afraid of death, and also afraid of Rong Se. He was as weak as a little white flower swaying in the wind. He trembled and said, "...I understand. I will write it now. I cannot shoulder the heavy responsibility. I will abdicate on behalf of my father and hand over the throne to my uncle."

Every word was squeezed out from between the teeth.

Especially the last sentence, Rong Jing still hated it, but he didn't want to die.

All the civil and military officials in the court were silent as they watched this scene. Even the former royalists did not say a word for the emperor.

Rong Se suddenly raised his eyes, raised his eyebrows, and said, "Who asked you to pass the throne to me?"

When Rong Se heard Rong Jing's words, he almost jumped up and waved his hands wildly.

No need to!

No, no, no, no, he finally managed to escape from this damn life of working as a social animal, getting up early and going to bed late, working day and night, he really doesn't want this throne!

Not only Rong Jing was confused, but all the ministers were stunned. They looked at each other secretly and asked each other: What does the Regent mean?

It has come to this, he doesn't want the throne? Then who will be the emperor if the emperor abdicates?

Your Highness, Rong Zhan, who knew Rong Se's plan, remained silent.

There are still surprises, but also some understanding.

After watching this drama, he roughly understood why Rong Se had gone through so much trouble to get to where he is today.

It's not the throne, but justice.