Chapter 644 - Storms in Cour
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The Imperial Examinations were over. Prince Yi’s marriage had also been settled.
Qizhen Emperor had thought that Prince Yi would feel more secure in his position now that he had successfully roped in the Ji brothers to his faction, and would then settle down quietly in his position.
However, just when he thought that everything would calm down, a document from Yufu was hurriedly sent into the capital. It immediately created a huge commotion in court.
The document was beautifully written with dense characters that covered several pages. However, it claimed that the case of the missing disaster relief funds in Yufu could not be solved. This hot potato of a document turned into a live fuse in the Imperial struggle for power between factions.
Now that Jing Rong could not resolve the matter of the disaster relief funds, he might never be able to return to the capital. As a result, the officials that had been anticipating Jing Rong’s return had all given up hope and were prepared to abandon ship. They lined up in one neat row to switch to Jing Yi’s faction.
To Jing Yi, this was undoubtedly an unexpected stroke of luck.
During the court session.
The hundred-odd civil and martial officials were present for the morning court session. One of them submitted a memorial and said, “Your Majesty, the disaster relief funds for Yufu could not have vanished into thin air. There must be more to it than meets the eye.”
“What does Lord Li mean to say?”
“Since the silver had been lost in Yufu, it must also be possible to find them in Yufu. The only question would be whether Prince Rong has the ability to recover them. Moreover, Prince Rong had volunteered for this assignment on his own volition. This subject thinks that Prince Rong should remain in Yufu to investigate this case until he has discovered the whereabouts of the missing silver; only then should he return to the capital.”
Someone else immediately stepped forward to concur. “This subject thoroughly agrees with Lord Li. The Yufu case has been under investigation for many years without resolution and many officials have also died on their way back to the capital after investigating. In order to get to the bottom of the matter and minimize the burden for the Imperial Court, this subject also thinks that Prince Rong should continue to stay in Yufu.”
“This subject thinks so as well.” Several officials stepped forward in agreement one after another.
……
On the dragon throne, the Qizhen Emperor’s expression was extremely ugly. He scanned the officials present one by one and stopped when his gaze landed on Jing Yi. “Jing Yi, what do you think?”
Jing Yi bowed and walked forward to stand in the middle of the hall. “It has already been several months since Jing Rong left for Yufu. The case of the disaster relief silver hasn’t had any progress after years of investigation; it is understandable even if JIng Rong could not resolve the problem. Regardless, Jing Rong is a prince and it isn’t appropriate for him to stay in Yufu forever either.”
“Then do you mean that We should issue an edict to allow him to return?”
“This subject does think so, but…” he paused for a moment before continuing, “what the officials have said are not wrong either; the matter of the disaster relief funds cannot be delayed further or it may affect the Imperial Court. Jing Rong had volunteered for the assignment at Yufu. This subject also thinks that, with his stubborn personality, he would not be satisfied if he was unable to resolve the matter; even if Imperial Father really summoned him back to the capital, he may not be willing.
“Furthermore, in the past, the officials that had investigated this case all were killed on their way back to the capital; this subject is worried about Jing Rong’s safety on his way back to the capital as well. Why not let him stay in Yufu instead? On one hand, he may continue investigating the case, on the other hand, Imperial Father also knows that Jing Rong has always preferred a leisurely lifestyle; why not grant his wish for such a life? I believe this would be exactly as he wishes.”
His implication was clear. Jing Yi claimed to wish that Jing Rong would return, but his detailed analysis advocated for Jing Rong to remain in Yufu instead.
The Qizhen Emperor understood his implications clearly as well. He also understood that everyone present in court right now was forcing him to issue an edict that forbade Jing Rong’s return.
The officials waited with bated breath for the Emperor to make his decision. Faced with the pressure from the officials and Jing Rong’s clear incompetence, the Emperor turned towards Ji Li, who was standing amongst the other officials. “War Secretary Ji, what is your opinion?”
Oh! The Emperor normally would never ask for Ji Li’s opinion unless it were regarding matters related to troop movements or the security of the Imperial Palace. What is he playing at now?
Ji Li sneaked a look towards Jing Yi. He met that deep, foreboding gaze that carried a warning. Ji Li’s own sister had already married into Prince Yi’s household, and if Jing Yi revealed the incident on how Ji Muqing’s purity had been destroyed, the entire Ji family would be done for. He had no choice but to stand with Jing Yi.
Ji Li stepped forward and bowed, “Your Majesty, this subject thinks that Prince Rong should be allowed to remain in Yufu until he has finished investigating the matter of the disaster relief funds.”
If even Ji Li, who held military power, would say something like that, what else was there for the Emperor to say?
Finally, he issued an oral decree. “Convey Our decree. Prince Rong must remain in Yufu and clearly resolve the matter of the disaster relief funds before he can return to the capital. If he resists the decree, he will be punished according to the laws of Great Lin.”
The proclamation resounded powerfully within the hall.
Jing Yi smiled secretly. Mission accomplished. He thought to himself, Jing Rong, you can forget about returning to the capital in this life.
As they walked out from the Imperial Court, several ministers started to swarm around Jing Yi.
“Prince Yi, since Prince Rong will not be able to return to the capital this time round, I believe that Your Highness will soon be declared the heir apparent.”
“Your Highness is destined to be the heir apparent; you also have the bearing of a true dragon.”
“That’s right. These subjects congratulate Prince Yi in advance.”
……
That band of sycophants pasted on faces full of flattery, just like a troupe of clowns.
Jing Yi was secretly gleeful, but didn’t reveal any of his feelings on the surface. He smiled at the crowd assembled around him. “Everyone, please don’t speak so highly of this prince; what heir apparent, what true dragon? Imperial Father still has no intention of designating his heir apparent, so ministers, please refrain from saying things that you should not.”
“With the current situation, the only person that could become the heir apparent is you, Prince yi.”
“That’s right. Besides, Prince Yi has married the eldest daughter of the Ji family as his consort, so the Ji brothers must stand with Prince Yi. Ascension to the dragon throne will happen sooner or later.”
In the past, they would still restrain their words, but now that Jing Yi’s bid for the throne is secure, they hold no such compunctions anymore.
Jing Yi only smiled as well, not revealing any satisfaction at this development in his expression. He noticed that Ji Li had also exited the hall, and quickly waved the sycophants away, calling out to Ji Li.
“Is something the matter, Your Highness?”
“Just now in the Imperial Court, Imperial Father decided to issue the edict precisely due to War Secretary Ji’s reply. The only person whose opinion matters to Imperial Father is you, War Secretary Ji.”
“Your Highness is overstating things. This subject merely spoke the truth.”
Jing Yi smiled. “Whether War Secretary Ji merely spoke the truth or said so due to other reasons, you have helped this prince.” Hehe.
Ji Li's expression was serious, his brows knitted tightly together.
Looking at his expression, Jing Yi leaned closer to him and said in a low voice, “This prince has said before that, if this prince succeeds, you will gain success as well, if this prince fails, you will fall too.”
Once he had said his piece, Jing Yi left.
Ji Li remained where he stood, impenetrable thoughts flashing through his eyes. It was not Ji Li’s accustomed style to bend and be restrained by other people.
Not far away, the Minister of Personnel, Peng Yuanhai, happened to witness this scene. He narrowed his eyes slightly and turned to leave.
Instead of heading to the palace gates to exit, he went towards Jing Xian’s Tongren Hall.