Chapter 730 - Impeaching Jing Rong
Nobody would have expected that the person selected would actually be Ji Huan. All eyes immediately shot towards him.
He had been filled with malcontent and aggravation because his brother’s position had been taken away. He didn’t expect that it would now be his turn.
Normally, there would be no issue for a general like him to lead troops to exterminate the Barbarians. However, everyone knew that he was the renowned Changlin General who held significant military power. Something as minor as the Barbarians would never require his presence; any other general would do as well.
Thus, this odd command from the Qizhen Emperor surely had a deeper meaning.
Ji Huan immediately stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands. “Your Majesty, this subject…”
Before he could finish speaking, Jing Yi spoke over him. “Imperial Father, the Barbarians may be unruly and uncivilised, but sending out an army of a hundred thousand would be more than sufficient. There is entirely no need for such a highly ranked general like General Ji to lead the troops.”
“We have already considered all the variables.” There’s no room for discussion.
“General Ji keeps watch over the capital and has an outstanding military service record. Imperial Father could very well send General Gao or General Shao to eliminate the Barbarians instead.”
There was a reason why Jing Yi was so anxious.
This was exactly the time when he was most in need of people. However, the Qizhen Emperor removed Ji Li from his post and now intended to send Ji Huan to the remote and desolate borderlands. Of course he wasn’t willing to have his newly full-fledged wings torn away just like that.
Within his sleeves, the Qizhen Emperor clenched his hands into a tight fist. The Imperial visage was visibly displeased as he said sternly, “Ji Huan certainly has countless military achievements and even conquered many cities and territories on behalf of Great Lin. Having him lead troops to eliminate the Barbarians at the borderlands is rather like using a hammer to crack an egg; however, We have also stated that we have considered all that.
“The Barbarians have been at our borders for over a hundred years and have just had a change of regime; we cannot underestimate them. As a precaution, We must send someone who is trustworthy, courageous, and strategic to lead the troops. In the entire Imperial Court, the most suitable candidate would only be Ji Huan.”
“Imperial Father, please reconsider.”
“We have already reconsidered.” The Emperor immediately slammed a hand on the table and barked out an order. “Ji Huan, We order you to lead an army of a hundred thousand and secure the head of the Barbarians’ new leader within three months, in order to protect the peace of our borders.” The Imperial edict has been issued!
Ji Huan is a general who holds military authority, but his superior was ultimately still the Qizhen Emperor. He naturally had a bellyful of rage after first his older brother and now he himself was subject to these ridiculousness.
But now… Ji Huan had no choice but to accept the edict. Grudgingly and unwillingly, he received the edict and replied, “Yes. This subject...is at Your Majesty’s command.” Good boy!
By this time, Jing Yi’s expression had turned black. What a masterful tactic of the ‘late Emperor’s edict’! Just like that, his wings had been easily broken off. He glared angrily at Jing Rong.
Jing Rong still maintained an expressionless visage, staying completely mum as if he were someone who had entirely no part to play, nor skin in the game. Although he appeared calm, internally a great wave of relief swept across his body. The Qizhen Emperor’s strategic decisions were all within his expectations.
After the courtiers had calmed down, the Qizhen Emperor intended to play ignorant and not mention whether Jing Rong was to stay within the capital. He merely said, “If there are no other matters, court is dismissed.”
Of course there are other matters! The group of courtiers that had received Jing Yi’s instructions yesterday immediately started their charade of ‘attack from all sides’. One of them said, “Your Majesty, I wonder how Prince Rong’s matter should be dealt with?”
“What matter is that?” He continued to feign ignorance.
“Back then, Your Majesty had said that Prince Rong would be forbidden from returning to the capital if he could not resolve the matter of the Yufu disaster funds. Since Prince Rong has already delivered the late Emperor’s edict, shouldn’t he also immediately return to Yufu and continue investigations?”
The Qizhen Emperor remained silent for a long moment, seemingly contemplating the matter. “We certainly did decree that, but Jing Rong’s contribution is invaluable towards solving the problem of the Barbarians.”
The courtier retorted, “The posthumous edict was given to Marquis Kang by the late Emperor. If we were to calculate the contributions, it should be given to Marquis Kang; there’s nothing to do with Prince Rong at all.”
What do you mean nothing to do with him? He painstakingly delivered it to the capital; how could he have nothing to do with it? Truly, this courtier could tell lies without even blinking.
After this courtier said his piece, the courtiers behind him started to voice their agreement as well.
“Your Majesty, Prince Rong cannot return to the capital before solving the case. Your Majesty’s oral decree takes precedence and Prince Rong must fulfil his duty.”
“I beseech Your Majesty to issue an order for Prince Rong to return to Yufu.”
“Beseeching Prince Rong to leave the capital.”
……
They started talking all at once. How noisy. The furrows in the Qizhen Emperor’s eyebrows deepened. He knew that he couldn't continue pretending ignorance any longer. He also understood very well that these courtiers had clearly been incited by Jing Yi. “We understand our beloved courtiers’ concerns. As a prince, Jing Rong should have returned to the capital only after determining where the Yufu disaster relief funds had gone. But in any case, he was the one who delivered the posthumous edict back to the palace; even if this were not considered meritorious service, he still put in physical effort. We will naturally send someone else to investigate the Yufu disaster funds’ issue.”
They were not willing to listen! “Back then, Prince Rong personally requested to take charge of the Yufu funds matter. Since he accepted the responsibility, he naturally should thoroughly investigate. Moreover, Your Majesty had issued an oral decree. Hence, I beseech Your Majesty to immediately issue a decree ordering Prince Rong to return to Yufu.” They were incessant with their demands!
The Qizhen Emperor had anticipated this and wasn’t surprised. However, he had to keep Jing Rong here. Jing Yi was too impatient now and, amongst his sons, he could only rely on Jing Rong.
Just then, the courtiers all got down to their knees as one. “We beseech Your Majesty to issue a decree ordering Prince Rong’s immediate return to Yufu.”
Coercing him! The entire hall was filled with kneeling courtiers. Have all of them acquired the guts of a leopard? How audacious! The Qizhen Emperor was speechless, looking at them with brows tightly knit together.
Jing Yi, who had just lost both his ‘wings’, was snickering internally.
At that moment, Jing Rong suddenly stepped forward. “This son risked his life to deliver the late Emperor’s edict and has solved a thorny problem for Great Lin. If Imperial Father wishes this son to return to Yufu, this son naturally will accept.”
What? He isn’t resisting? The crowd was stunned. Jing Rong endured so much hardship in order to return to the capital and almost died under Ji Li’s sword. He clearly intended to settle into the capital and participate in the struggle between imperial factions, so why is he presenting such an obliging front now? However, this was also in line with his reputation as a prince who neither coveted nor fought for power.
Qin Shiyu, who had remained silent all this while, also stepped forward. “Your Majesty, although Prince Rong volunteered for the task and received an oral decree, Prince Rong is still an imperial prince. If the case of the Yufu disaster funds is never resolved, wouldn’t Prince Rong be unable to return to the capital for the rest of his life?
“Firstly, Prince Rong has not violated any of Great Lin’s laws; Secondly, he has never had any intention of rebellion. Moreover, Your Majesty also knows that Prince Rong is not one who would disturb the laws and discipline of the imperial court. Since he isn’t guilty of any mistakes or crimes, he naturally should not be forced to stay at Yufu forever. I beseech Your Majesty to benevolently allow Prince Rong to remain in the capital.”
Qin Shiyu was someone with significant clout within the imperial court. His words in favor of Jing Rong certainly had their use.
However, in this situation, the courtiers were all on their knees and there was an oral decree working against them. If the oral decree were retracted, it would compromise the Emperor’s prestige and the reputation of his words having the weight of nine sacred tripods.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Lord Yu, also spoke up. “Lord Qin spoke judiciously. Prince Rong committed neither a crime nor a mistake. I beseech Your Majesty to benevolently allow Prince Rong to remain in the capital.”
The two factions were both unwilling to give way.
Jing Yi and Jing Rong stood side by side.