Chapter 260: Urgent News from Xiping
No one expected that Prince Jin also contributed to this.
"Prince Jin's actions truly benefit the country and the people, and he deserves to be rewarded."
Immediately, someone followed suit and praised Xiao Yanci highly.
Xiao Yanqing gritted his teeth when he heard this, wishing time could go back.
If he could turn back time, he would definitely offer the potatoes as soon as possible without any delay.
It’s a pity that there are no ifs in the world.
When Emperor Defeng heard everyone praising Xiao Yanci, he also felt proud.
He had already thought about how to reward him, and was about to speak when a hurried voice came from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, there's urgent news from Xiping, eight hundred miles away!"
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense, and the smile on Emperor Defeng's face instantly disappeared.
"pass!"
The soldier who came to report the news had collapsed unconscious due to excessive fatigue.
The urgent report in his hand was delivered into the hall by palace servants. At the instruction of Emperor Defeng, Feng Youcai began to read it aloud.
"According to a report from Gu Qishan, the commander of the Xiping border, at midnight on June 3rd, the Qiangdi tribe assembled 30,000 elite cavalry and launched a surprise attack on the border. Although our army fought hard to hold the city, the plague was rampant within, the soldiers were insufficient, and the enemy was fierce. We were ultimately defeated. Our army suffered heavy casualties and the situation is critical. We urgently need assistance..."
When all the ministers heard this, they all gasped. The joy on Emperor Defeng's face disappeared, and a layer of coldness enveloped his whole body.
"What a daring Qiangdi!!"
The ministers followed suit and attacked Qiang Di in indignation.
Feng Youcai took the urgent report and looked at the subsequent content, with a strange look on his face.
Emperor Defeng noticed this and ordered in a deep voice, "Continue reading."
Feng Youcai composed himself before continuing, "I, as the garrison commander, failed to keep the enemy out. I deserve death and humbly beg Your Majesty to punish me severely! However, before I die, I dare not withhold the truth, fearing I would betray Your Majesty's trust. This defeat was not solely due to military failures, but also to the rampant epidemic in the city. The soldiers were sick and weak, with only three out of ten surviving."
"Last year, Xiping suffered a severe drought, locusts ravaged the area, and then an epidemic broke out. Fortunately, the Taicang Merchants donated medicine for free, which helped us overcome the difficulties. I am deeply grateful, and I purchased all the medicine needed for this epidemic from the Taicang Merchants. However, the medicine they provided was often mixed with chaff, making it completely ineffective. As a result, the epidemic spread, and most of the soldiers defending the city fell ill, leaving them unable to fight the enemy."
"Furthermore, the Xiping epidemic broke out suddenly, and the cause is mysterious. Military doctors have concluded that this outbreak is closely related to last year's locust plague, likely due to adulteration of the medicinal materials used. The Taicang Trading Company is claiming credit for donating medicine, but in reality, their actions are completely unscrupulous and constitute the grave crime of deceiving the emperor. I intended to arrest and punish them, but Prince Jin personally arrived and intervened, insisting on using the Taicang Trading Company's prescriptions to treat the epidemic, which has only exacerbated the disease. As a humble official, I dare not disobey."
"I know my sins are grave, and I dare not shirk them. However, considering the unjust deaths of soldiers at the border and the suffering of civilians, I fear I would be betraying Your Majesty's wisdom if I remain silent. Although the Qiang flutes have temporarily retreated, the plague remains, and the city defenses are not strong. If the court does not thoroughly investigate the malpractices, disaster may resurface! I am willing to bear the brunt of my guilt and defend the ruins of the city until my death, awaiting Your Majesty's judgment."
After Feng Youcai finished reading the last word, the hall fell into a deathly silence. Everyone's face was filled with shock and horror, except for Xiao Yanqing, who had a gleam of light flashing in his eyes.
As early as several months ago, they sent people to Xiping to make plans, determined to prove that Taicang Trading Company donated fake medicine and turn their world-renowned achievements into a crime of deceiving the emperor.
And now, it’s finally done!
General Gu Qishan, the Great General of Zhenxi, personally wrote a letter to expose the crimes of Taicang Trading Company and also filed a complaint against Xiao Yanci. This is really a great joyous event.
By the way, why did Xiao Yanci go to Xiping?
The ministers also had this question in their minds.
Emperor Defeng was also the same, with countless guesses flashing through his mind.
"Your Majesty, if Taicang Commercial Bank truly dares to commit such deceitful acts, they should be severely punished according to the law to serve as a warning to others!"
"I second the motion. The Taicang Trading Company's actions are truly detrimental to the nation and its people. We must investigate thoroughly. Otherwise, it will be insufficient to comfort the innocent soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives in Xiping City!"
Everyone took the lead and spoke angrily, wishing to kill Taicang Trading Company.
As for Xiao Yanci, he was a prince, so everyone was lenient with him and didn't dare to say anything, but the emperor had his own decision.
After hearing these words, Lu Guanxuan's legs couldn't help but soften and he knelt down.
"Your Majesty, the facts of this matter still need to be verified. How can we jump to conclusions based on this urgent report? I implore Your Majesty to send an envoy to Xiping to investigate this matter!"
Taicang Trading Company is Lu Zhiran's property. If this crime is brought against her, she will not be able to escape responsibility. The former meritorious official will become a criminal, and her old father will also be implicated.
And there is Prince Jin, who is his future son-in-law. If Prince Jin is also convicted, it would be adding insult to injury.
Fu Zicheng, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, also seconded the motion, requesting the emperor to send troops to support Xiping and thoroughly investigate the matter.
The other officials from Prince Jin's faction also came forward to second the motion.
When Xiao Yanqing saw this, a dark light flashed in his eyes.
He didn't expect that so many people in the court would turn against Xiao Yanci.
I must seize the opportunity to get rid of him and never let him return from Xiping alive.
Emperor Defeng's face was as gloomy as water and he didn't speak for a while.
Xiao Yanqing gritted his teeth and stepped out on his own initiative.
"Father, I also believe this matter should be thoroughly investigated. No meritorious official should be wrongly accused. Although I am not talented enough, I will lead the troops to Xiping to provide support and thoroughly investigate this matter. If there is truly something fishy going on, I will return the Taicang Trading Company and give justice to my seventh brother."
Fu Zicheng's expression changed slightly when he heard this.
King Wu and King Jin were not on good terms. If he really went to Xiping, he would not only fail to give King Jin justice, but would add fuel to the fire and confirm the matter.
But he was of low status and his words had no influence, so he had absolutely no reason to speak up to stop it.
At this time, Prince An Xiao Yanheng spoke up.
"Sixth brother, the war in Xiping is critical right now, and there's also the epidemic. You've lived a life of luxury and comfort, and I'm afraid you're not suited for this important task. Even if you're willing to share our father's worries, please don't cause more trouble."
Xiao Yanheng rarely attended court in the past, but recently he has suddenly become diligent. Emperor Defeng even praised him for becoming more stable after getting married.
When Xiao Yanqing heard him start to ruin his own plan, he immediately became angry.
"I'm in good health and practice martial arts diligently. How can I not go? If I can't go, does that mean my fifth brother can go?"
Xiao Yanheng frowned at him. "With my impoverished body, I'm staying in the capital, behaving myself, and not causing trouble for the Emperor. This is all to relieve his worries. I have some self-awareness. What I just said was only sincere and honest. Why are you deliberately mocking me, Sixth Brother?"
Emperor Defeng had not originally intended to let Xiao Yanqing take the risk of going to Xiping, and when Xiao Yanheng got involved, he felt that he was causing more trouble.
"Your fifth brother is absolutely right. Do you think that just because you practice some mediocre martial arts every day, you can go on the battlefield and kill the enemy? That's ridiculous! And what was your attitude just now? Disrespectful and aggressive, is this how you treat your brothers?"
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