However, these were not the most important pieces of news. The most shocking news was that on the 16th of October, Princess Ding fell off a cliff in the Stopping Cloud Mountain Range between Hongzhou City and Ruyang City in Da Chu State. Her whereabouts were unknown. What was even more strange was that at that time, it was not the enemy that was guarding the foot of the mountain, but more than seven thousand Da Chu State soldiers. After the incident, Prince Ding was furious. The seven thousand soldiers, including all the generals, were all executed. Not a single one was spared. It was said that the bright red blood dyed the wide river at the foot of the mountain red. Once this news came out, the world naturally discussed it. Some scolded Prince Ding for being cruel and killing the innocent. Some defended Prince Ding, saying that someone was slandering him. There were even some who secretly guessed that Princess Ding's disappearance had something to do with the seven thousand soldiers. However, no matter how the world discussed it, the Mohist army and Prince Ding, who had already reentered Hongzhou City, did not express anything. It was as if all of this had nothing to do with them.
When the news reached the Chu capital, it was the morning court session. The hall was completely silent. Everyone did not even dare to breathe loudly as they carefully waited for the Emperor's decree with a twisted expression on his face. Mo Jingqi almost could not hold the booklet in his hands. It was unknown whether it was from anger or fear, but his hands were trembling non-stop. After a long time, he roared, "Impudent! Mo Xiuyao, how dare you?! He killed seven thousand soldiers without saying a word. Is he trying to rebel?! "His Highness, a few old officials lowered their heads and twitched their mouths without leaving a trace. Your Majesty, did you not see the main point? Princess Ding might be dead. With the importance Prince Ding placed on Princess Ding and Princess Ding's reputation in the Mohist army and even the entire Da Chu State, do you really think that seven thousand people is a big deal? Also … even if you really think that Prince Ding wants to rebel, you don't have to say it in front of the civil and military officials.
"Your Majesty, Prince Ding has executed seven thousand soldiers and several generals of the Imperial Court without permission. This is truly treason. If we don't punish him severely, the soldiers of Da Chu State and the common people will be bitterly disappointed. Would Your Majesty please issue an edict to punish Prince Ding severely? "Prime Minister Liu, who was currently in the limelight, stepped forward and asked. The other ministers who were Mo Jingqi's trusted aides also stepped out to support the proposal. Mo Xiuyao was about to speak when someone suddenly stepped out, "Your Majesty, you can't." Mo Jingqi looked up. It was indeed the old minister, Su Zhe, who was over sixty years old. Mo Jingqi's expression darkened slightly, calmly asking, "Elder Su, what do you think?" Su Zhe bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, King Ding's concubine has been killed. King Ding must be extremely sad and indignant at this time. We can only appease him and not pressure him." Prime Minister Liu turned to look at Su Zhe and said mockingly, "Don't tell me that the seven thousand soldiers died in vain? Elder Su, you are also a scholar. You should understand that if a prince breaks the law, he will be punished the same as a commoner. Besides, this Prince Ding is only Your Majesty's subject. We naturally express our deep condolences for Princess Ding's death. Could it be that Princess Ding's life is a life and those 7,000 soldiers are weeds? " These words were indeed dignified, but which one of those who could stand in the imperial court was a bookworm who only knew how to read? A prince breaking the law, he will be punished the same as a commoner? If this rule could really be fulfilled, the domineering Liu family should have been exterminated long ago.
Su Zhe looked at Prime Minister Liu and sighed softly. He continued to speak to Mo Jingqi, "Your Majesty, please reconsider. Now that the Da Chu State is in chaos, His Highness Prince Ding acted unfairly this time. But now, the Da Chu State can't do without His Highness. Your Majesty, please forgive His Highness Prince Ding's mistake. "
Prime Minister Liu snorted, "Can't do without His Highness Prince Ding? Could it be that all the civil and military officials of the Great Chu Dynasty are useless? Could it be that the Great Chu Dynasty can't do without Prince Ding? "
Su Zhe said lightly, "I've heard that Lord Liu's manor has a general. But I don't know how many soldiers General Liu can lead and what achievements he has? Can he replace Prince Ding to pacify the war in the Northwest? " Prime Minister Liu's face turned green and white. Mo Jingqi slapped the table heavily, angrily saying, "Enough! Do you think the Imperial Court is a place to bicker? All of you, shut up! Pass down my decree. Prince Ding, Mo Xiuyao, killed the innocent without permission. He is deceiving the Emperor. Remembering the merits of our ancestors, I pardon his death. Prince Ding will be given the title of Duke and his salary will be deducted for three years! "
As soon as he said this, the hall was silent. It took a long time for someone to react. "Your Majesty, please reconsider …"
"Shut up! I've made up my mind! "
The news from the Imperial Court quickly spread to the Imperial Harem. Empress Hua was originally receiving the worship of the concubines and the madams. When she heard the news from her trusted maid, she couldn't help but feel dizzy. Her body swayed, but she finally sat firm. She waved her hand to let the concubines and madams who didn't know what had happened leave. Then she asked in a low voice, "Is this true?" The maid said in a low voice, "The news just came from the Imperial Court. I'm afraid that the Emperor's decree has already left the capital." The Empress weakly fell back into the phoenix chair, murmuring in a low voice, "He's crazy … Princess Ding … Princess Ding …" The maid said, "Our family has also received the news. I'm afraid that Princess Ding's life is in danger." The Empress thought of the gentle woman she had seen several times. She looked gentle and graceful, but always had a feeling of intimacy and a calming aura. That woman … stunned the world on the Northwest battlefield, but the next moment, she withered away? Sure enough … Heaven was jealous of her beauty …
Very quickly, the Empress regained her composure. Restraining the expression on her face, she said, "Personally leave the palace and meet with my father. Tell him … tell him that the Hua family is of utmost importance. There is no need to worry about I. "
The maid hesitantly looked at the Empress. The Empress waved her hand and said, "Go. Father will understand my intentions." The maid worriedly withdrew. Only then did the Empress lean against the phoenix chair and deeply sigh. Her beautiful face was filled with worry and helplessness.
"Imperial Mother …" Princess Changle ran into the hall with small steps. Seeing the exhausted expression on her mother's face, she worriedly asked, "Imperial Mother, what's wrong? Did something happen? "
The Empress pulled Princess Changle into her embrace, gently patting her back and softly saying, "It's nothing. Nothing will happen. Good child … Imperial Mother will arrange everything for you … "Although the Empress was unwilling to speak clearly, Princess Changle knew in her heart that something big must have happened. Obediently leaning into the Empress's embrace, she said, "Changle will also protect Imperial Mother. Changle wants Imperial Mother and Changle to be safe and sound together."
"Good child …"
Hongzhou City
Although it was still the governor's residence, the atmosphere was completely different. Unlike Xinyang, other than a few city gates, Hongzhou City's losses were negligible. What caused people to tremble with fear was the bloody battle that had lasted for one day and one night. By the time the reinforcements arrived at Hongzhou City, the original 30,000 Mohist army had been reduced to a little more than 10,000 soldiers. As for the 70,000 Xiling soldiers, they had been reduced to less than 30,000 soldiers. The entire city reeked of blood. With every step, the ground would be stained with dark red blood. The corpses were quickly removed and disposed of. The blood-stained streets were quickly cleaned up. Apart from the faint smell of blood that permeated the air, everything seemed to have returned to how it had been before the great battle. However, on the city gate tower, within the governor's residence, there was no longer that seemingly leisurely blue-clothed woman who made people feel at ease. As for the other leader of the Mohist army, he was still in a deep sleep, unconscious.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
