Prince Rong will have the intention to rebel
Beijing!
News of the Shanhuai County incident quickly spread to the capital.
The Qizhen Emperor's health was improving day by day. Although he did not attend court recently, the memorials submitted by the officials were delivered to the inner hall by the eunuchs.
When he found out about this incident, he immediately threw the memorial on the floor!
With a wave of his hand, the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table were all swept to the ground.
The ministers in the inner hall bowed and retreated to the sides, not daring to make a sound.
Even Jing Yi stood quietly to the side!
After all, no one dared to pluck the fur off the tiger's head at this time.
"Ridiculous! How could a prince cause such a ruckus as soon as he left the capital?"
In the end, it was a matter of appearance!
His Highness was ambushed by bandits, how humiliating was that!
No one said a word.
The anger in Qi Zhen Emperor's chest rose and fell uncontrollably. His stern eyes were filled with coldness.
The Minister of Personnel, Lord Liu, hesitated for a moment before finally stepping forward. He bowed his head and asked, "Your Majesty, Prince Rong has ordered for the Shanhuai County Magistrate to be removed from his post, leaving it to this official to handle.
His voice was calm, but it was difficult to conceal the fear in his heart.
Qi Zhen Emperor took a deep breath, displeased. "Make it clear? How could he make it clear? The Shanhuai County Magistrate will definitely punish them for this. If you don't know how to punish them, go read the Great Lin's laws. "
He swung his arm!
Another booklet fell from the table.
Liu Shang shuddered.
"Yes, yes …"
He hurriedly lowered his head and retreated dejectedly.
Thus, no one dared to step forward anymore.
At this moment, Jing Yi's brows tightened. His expression was calm, but he was secretly smiling.
His gaze swept across the crowd before he stepped forward and said, "Imperial Father, please quell your anger. Jing Rong being ambushed by bandits was unexpected. Although it was his fault for not reporting to the imperial court before the attack, fortunately, it was a daunting experience without any real danger."
More daunting than dangerous?
Qi Zhen Emperor was shocked.
"According to what you're saying, I shouldn't punish him, but reward him?"
"I just feel that Jing Rong was on a mission to Yufu County to investigate the missing disaster relief silvers. If an accident happened on the way, it's only natural for us to send troops to encircle him."
How rare!
Jing Yi was actually speaking up for Jing Rong.
However, Qi Zhen Emperor's eyes darkened and he did not respond. He stared coldly at the booklet he had flung away, thinking about something.
In the eyes of the crowd, Qi Zhen Emperor was furious.
However, no one could understand what he was angry about.
They didn't even lose any soldiers from the imperial court. Even if Gao Shan was here, he would still be annihilated.
The heart of an ancient emperor was like a needle at the bottom of the sea!
At this moment —
The eunuch bowed and entered.
"Your Majesty, Lord Qin requests an audience."
Qin Shiyu?
That old man hadn't been involved in politics for several hundred years and his legs weren't nimble. Naturally, he didn't come to drink tea at this time. Presumably, he had heard some news and came because of Jing Rong's matter.
Qi Zhen Emperor snorted. He couldn't just push him away.
"Let him in."
The eunuch accepted the order.
Qin Shiyu's legs weren't good, so he limped and walked slowly. It took him quite a while to reach the center of the inner hall.
He cupped his hands and bowed, "This subject greets the Emperor."
"You don't have to be so polite, Lord Qin."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Qi Zhen Emperor swept his gaze across the court officials and waved his hand, "All of you may leave."
Everyone bowed.
"This subject shall take his leave."
One by one, they left.
They all slipped away.
Jing Yi scrutinized Qin Shiyu, trying to figure something out, but he didn't say anything.
He bowed to Qi Zhen Emperor, "This son shall take his leave."
He left as well.
Even the few eunuchs in the hall were dismissed by Qi Zhen Emperor.
Qin Shiyu was left alone.
"We heard that Lord Qin's leg pain has flared up again. Why aren't you resting at your residence?"
Qin Shiyu bowed his head respectfully, "This subject's leg is just an old ailment. It's nothing serious."
"Then you came to the palace today to visit us? Or do you have another purpose? "
Another purpose?
What a serious word!
Qin Shiyu immediately lowered his body and cupped his hands. "This subject wouldn't dare. I came to the palace recently because I heard that Prince Rong wiped out the bandits in Shanhuai County and slaughtered a few hundred people from the Gaoshan Gang. I came to the palace to understand the details."
"Then do you understand the details?"
"This subject knows that this incident did not harm the people around Shanhuai County. Moreover, the Gaoshan Gang has always been a threat to the imperial court. Prince Rong has instead solved this problem for the imperial court and Great Lin."
What a glib tongue!
Jing Rong didn't shy away from flattery.
It couldn't be helped; Qin Shiyu had always been straightforward with his words.
Hmph!
Qi Zhen Emperor rolled his eyes at him.
"According to what Lord Qin has said, Prince Rong should indeed be credited with a meritorious deed."
His tone was cold.
Qin Shiyu nodded, not saying a word.
Qi Zhen Emperor sneered, "Lord Qin, you didn't come to the palace just to say this, did you? We have already forced others to retreat. If you have anything to say, please speak. "
Qin Shiyu straightened his back, his hands still hanging respectfully by his sides.
"This subject knows what Your Majesty is worried about. I came to the palace today to resolve Your Majesty's worries."
"Speak."
"Your Majesty is worried that … Prince Rong will have the intention to rebel."
Ugh!
Qin Shiyu, oh Qin Shiyu!
You're really audacious!
It had to be said that Jing Rong had instantly revealed Qi Zhen Emperor's worries.
Qi Zhen Emperor was neither annoyed nor surprised. Instead, he narrowed his eyes, intending to continue listening.
"This time, Prince Rong did not send anyone to report back to the capital. Instead, he went to Jingzhou to borrow three thousand troops from Marquis Kang. However, when Marquis Kang was in the imperial court, he had no personal dealings with Prince Rong. Why would he borrow Prince Rong's troops? Therefore, Your Majesty's suspicions are understandable. However, although Marquis Kang does not care about the imperial court's affairs, from what this subject knows, he has always known about the rampant bandits in Shanhuai County. During the imperial court, he had even suggested exterminating the bandits. Therefore, isn't it reasonable for Marquis Kang to agree to Prince Rong's request to borrow troops? "
Now that he put it that way, it was indeed reasonable!
When Marquis Kang was in the imperial court, he did mention exterminating the bandits, but was suppressed by Qi Zhen Emperor. After all, Shanhuai County was located at a strategic location and could not be easily dispatched.
Because of that, Marquis Kang was dissatisfied. Coupled with the accumulation of various incidents, he eventually withdrew from the imperial court!
Qin Shiyu continued, "Your Majesty should understand Prince Rong's temperament. If you say that he had the intention of rebelling, privately roped in, or colluded with, Marquis Kang, then that would be unjustifiable. After all, a tall tree attracts the wind. No matter how stupid Prince Rong is, he would not borrow Marquis Kang's troops to arouse Your Majesty's suspicions."
At this point, Qi Zhen Emperor's suspicions lessened.
He said in a low voice, "According to what Lord Qin has said, this Emperor is overthinking things."
"Think about it, Your Majesty. Jingzhou is the closest to Shanhuai County. According to the situation at the time, if Prince Rong had submitted a petition to the capital and had the Ministry of War organize the troops, it would have taken a lot of time. However, the situation was urgent and Prince Rong had no choice but to borrow troops from Marquis Kang. Moreover, the Gaoshan Gang was attacked this time, and the two thousand men lost were all Marquis Kang's men. All these years, hasn't Your Majesty been worried about Marquis Kang's men? This time, Prince Rong destroyed the Gaoshan Gang and removed a hidden danger for the imperial court. Secondly, he also reduced Marquis Kang's troops. For the imperial court, and for Your Majesty, this is the best of both worlds. Therefore, not only should Prince Rong not be punished, he should be rewarded instead. "
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