Faced with the repeated urging of the officers and soldiers under his command, Marshal Ge Long sternly refused. "Never bring this matter up again. My lifelong conviction is loyalty to the Heaven Dou Imperial House. How could I become a rebel?"
"Today, His Majesty sent twelve gold tablets in succession, ordering me to return to Sea-Sky City. Naturally, I must obey the imperial command," Marshal Ge Long said.
With that, Marshal Ge Long followed Emperor Xue Beng's orders. After settling the army, he immediately set off for the capital to report back.
Within Sea-Sky City, after discovering that he could no longer get hard, Xue Beng's voice became increasingly shrill and effeminate, while his temper grew more and more violent. He often killed people at the slightest provocation.
Just after having a palace maid executed, Qin Gui entered the palace and said, "Your Majesty, Marshal Ge Long has come to report back."
"He actually gave up military command just like that and fully obeyed my decree?" Xue Beng asked in surprise.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good, good, good. Very good indeed! He truly is a loyal and devoted minister," Xue Beng said mockingly. "So in the end, he wants to force me into becoming an unjust ruler?"
Having been hailed as a wise and sagely ruler in his previous life, Xue Beng cherished his reputation greatly in this life. That was why he had sent twelve gold tablets in succession.
He wanted to force Marshal Ge Long into rebellion.
If Marshal Ge Long rebelled, Spirit Hall would have nothing to say.
And dealing with a rebel would do far less damage to his reputation than dealing with a loyal minister.
Yet faced with all those harsh orders, Marshal Ge Long had obeyed every one of them. That left Xue Beng