He Was Smiling

The autumn winds were strong, howling as they swept across the Eight Trigrams Platform.

The chief minister's body seemed to sway slightly in the wind.

After a long silence, he opened his mouth, a hoarse voice escaping his throat. "He was involved in the massacre of Huai Prince, wasn't he?"

The supervisor did not respond; his silence signified acquiescence.

The elderly man, well past fifty, gradually turned deathly pale, his eyes becoming lifeless.

"Why did you never stop it?" Prime Minister Wang's voice was hoarse.

"This empire belongs to him, doesn't it?" the supervisor retorted with a smile.

The chief minister was speechless, his eyes filled with deep incomprehension and confusion. It was precisely because the country belonged to that person that it was even more incomprehensible and hard to understand.

Until he stepped into the Star-Gazing Tower and before this conversation, Chief Minister Wang remained skeptical of his own conjectures.

The supervisor then added, "But this land also belongs to the common people."

After saying that, he fell silent.

The Grand Secretary Wang walked to the edge of the Eight Trigrams Platform, gazing towards the direction of the Imperial Palace, his eyes filled with grief, anger, confusion, sorrow, and disappointment.

Your Majesty, why have you rebelled?!

The Grand Secretary bowed again, but this time he did not ask any questions. Instead, he turned and left.

The Star-Gazing Tower.

In the bedroom, Xu Qi'an lay half-dead beside the bed, and a white-robed Warlock was changing his bandages.

Song Qing, along with a group of white-robed Warlock who admired Young Master Xu, watched from the sidelines.

"Oh, this, the injury is so serious."

"With such a severe injury, even if it heals, it will likely leave lasting health problems."

"Why don't we give Young Master Xu a different body? I think it would be very interesting."

"Then, this body will be left for Senior Brother Song to use for bio -Alchemy experiments?"

"Young Master Xu has been obsessed with Alchemy all his life, and I imagine he would be happy to dedicate himself to Alchemy."

The white-robed Warlock whispered among themselves.

"Are you devils?!" Li Miaozhen's eyes widened, and she almost grabbed her sword to chase them away.

Song Qing gestured to stop his junior brothers' noise, and said irritably, "Nonsense! How can we use Young Master Xu's body for experiments? We should at least ask for his opinion; that's basic courtesy."

"Go! Go! Go!"

Li Miaozhen spat and chased away all the annoying Warlock.

"None of the supervisor's apprentices are normal."

She complained to Chu Caiwei, who was sitting at the table.

Upon hearing this, Chu Caiwei nodded in deep agreement. "Among the senior brothers and sisters personally taught by our teacher, I am the most intelligent and the most normal."

"May I ask, young lady, where does your confidence come from?" Li Miaozhen glanced at her.

The Imperial Palace.

Inside the magnificent palace, the old eunuch vividly recounted the rumors circulating in the streets.

"In the marketplace, everyone is talking about the deeds of that scoundrel Xu Qi'an. Some say he killed 100,000 enemies, some say 150,000, some say 200,000, and some even say 500,000 elite troops."

The old eunuch's voice was soft and feminine. "That's why they say gossip is a fearsome thing. No matter if it's good or bad, if it's spread too much, it will change." However, although Xu Qi'an is hateful and murderous, he's not entirely useless.

Emperor Yuanjing glanced at his attendant, whose expression betrayed his underlying joy, and said expressionlessly:

"Summon Yuan Xiong and Qin Yuandao to me."

The old eunuch was very good at reading people's expressions. Seeing that His Majesty seemed unhappy, he tactfully withdrew.

Emperor Yuanjing's face twitched violently. He took a deep breath and forcefully suppressed the raging anger surging within him.

The Witch God Cult was so incompetent that its 80,000 elite troops were decimated by a mere youth, with even its two commanders dying at his hands.

If they cannot slaughter the three prefectures of Xiang, Jing, and Yu, they cannot extinguish the Great Feng's fortune or ruin his good deeds.

"Wei Yuan, oh Wei Yuan, it seems it's your destiny to be infamous for eternity after your death!"

Emperor Yuanjing muttered to himself with a gloomy expression.

Half an hour later, the old eunuch came in to report, "Your Majesty, Qin Yuandao and Yuan Xiong are waiting outside."

Emperor Yuanjing nodded. "Let Qin Yuandao in first."

"Yes!"

The old eunuch withdrew, and a moment later, he led Qin Yuandao, the Vice Minister of War, inside.

You did a great job!

Emperor Yuanjing sat behind a large table covered with yellow silk, looking down at Qin Yuandao.

He didn't say what it was about, but both the emperor and his minister knew perfectly well.

Emperor Yuanjing continued, "The Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet are the pillars of the nation. After careful consideration, I believe that Minister Qin is the most capable in this role."

"Your Majesty flatters me; I am unworthy of such praise."

Emperor Yuanjing waved his hand and said, "Minister Qin, please do not refuse. Once the matter of Wei Yuan is settled, the situation in the court should change."

Qin Yuandao bowed deeply. "I eat the emperor's food and bear the emperor's worries. It is the duty of a subject to share the emperor's burdens."

Emperor Yuanjing nodded in satisfaction. "You may leave."

He then turned to the old eunuch and said, "Let Yuan Xiong come in to see me."

Soon, Yuan Xiong entered the imperial study.

Emperor Yuanjing's expression softened, his face turning cold as he said indifferently:

"It is said that the most important principle of being an official is not serving the country, the emperor, or the people, but rather 'blending in with the world.' Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Yuan truly understands this principle."

Yuan Xiong was greatly alarmed, knelt down on both knees, and cried out, "Your humble servant knows his crime!"

Emperor Yuanjing sneered, "Oh? What crime have you committed? Why don't you tell me?"

Having spent many years in officialdom, Yuan Xiong was well aware of the dangers of serving an emperor, and he said with trepidation, "My greatest sin is failing to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Emperor Yuanjing's expression softened, and he said:

"Now that Wei Yuan has died in battle at Jingshan City, the headquarters of the Witch God Sect, the Nightwatchers cannot be without a leader. They need someone to lead Nightwatchers, as well as the censors. I originally intended to have Minister Yuan."

Yuan Xiong could almost hear his own heart pounding wildly; his emotions surged with excitement, but he remained outwardly calm, showing no sign of it, and bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to give my life for you."

Emperor Yuanjing then asked, "What are your thoughts on the war in the Northeast, Minister Yuan?"

Yuan Xiong said loudly, "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"

The court assembly was held as scheduled the following day.

For the past three days, the court has been actively discussing the aftermath, but the officials all know that the real main event has not yet begun.

This battle, ostensibly to aid the demons and attack the Witch God Cult, must eventually be defined.

Only after the nature of the crime has been determined can it be announced to the world, giving the people an explanation. The historian also needs to know how to write it, whether to praise or criticize.

Yuan Jing has been dragging his feet, and some astute veteran officials have already figured things out in the past few days.

His Majesty is waiting for someone to voice a different opinion.

However, this is a taboo subject, and the person who bears the brunt of it will inevitably be condemned.

Which civil official doesn't cherish their reputation?

This matter is different from ordinary factional struggles. If it is messed up, you will be branded as a treacherous official in no time, and then you will be purged, demoted or dismissed, and then the history books will have to record it.

Before dawn, amidst the resounding tolling of the bells, the officials entered one by one through the side gate of the Meridian Gate, crossed the Golden Water Bridge, and entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Rows of gilded dragon candles illuminated the magnificent hall.

The officials entered the hall and waited for a quarter of an hour before Emperor Yuanjing, dressed in a yellow robe, slowly arrived.

After the emperor and his ministers discussed the post-war matters, the Ministry of Revenue stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty, the matter of compensation should not be delayed any longer. Please do it as soon as possible, at least to give an explanation to the people of the land and to the families of the fallen soldiers."

This time, Emperor Yuanjing did not evade the topic. Looking down at the officials in the court, he slowly asked, "What are your thoughts, my dear ministers?"

Imperial Censor Zhang Xingying stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, Duke Wei has captured the headquarters of the Witch God Sect and massacred the inhabitants of Jingshan City, setting a precedent never before seen in the Central Plains dynasties. I humbly request Your Majesty to posthumously confer upon Duke Wei title of First-Class Duke of Wei and the posthumous name of Zhongwu (Loyal and Martial)."

This is absolutely the highest honor since Emperor Wuzong.

The title of First-Class Duke of Wei is the highest noble rank.

Zhongwu is the highest posthumous title for a military general.

Wei Yuan was not a scholar who came from the imperial examination system and did not hold any official rank; otherwise, Zhang Xingying would not have dared to ask for the posthumous title of "Wenzheng".

The officials in the court looked at each other, unusually silent, including former political enemies.

In the past, the civil servants would definitely have jumped out and collectively refuted this statement.

But now, there's no need.

First, Wei Yuan's achievements were worthy of these honors. Second, once a person dies, it's like a lamp going out; what's wrong with giving him a posthumous reputation? Wouldn't that just demonstrate the magnanimity of these officials from orthodox scholarly backgrounds?

Officials from Wei's faction stepped forward one after another to echo Zhang Xingying.

Emperor Yuanjing remained silent, but glanced at Yuan Xiong, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief. The latter understood immediately, stepped forward, and loudly proclaimed:

"Nonsense! Zhang Xingying and the others are spouting nonsense! Your Majesty, you must not be misled by these treacherous officials!"

A small commotion erupted in the hall, and the officials leaned back in surprise, wondering what kind of trouble this guy was up to now.

Emperor Yuanjing was also displeased, and frowned, saying:

"Why do you say such a thing, Minister Yuan? Wei Yuan was a Great Feng Dynasty, who rendered great service to the country and sacrificed his life for it. During his lifetime, he was also one of my confidants. It is only right that he be posthumously granted a noble title."

"His Majesty!"

Yuan Xiong shouted, "Wei Yuan deserves to die! He's a ruthless brute who brought disaster to the country and its people, not a meritorious official!"

"You bastard!"

Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong was furious.

He was a trusted confidant promoted by Wei Yuan, and like the Minister of War, he was a key member of Wei's faction. Zhang Xingying was one of his subordinates.

Snap!

Liu Hong's angry shouts were met with an even louder lash of the old eunuch's whip and a rebuke, "No noise!"

With someone backing him up, Yuan Xiong remained completely unfazed, ignoring the indifferent, hostile, or mocking glances from the assembled officials. He spoke with passionate emotion:

"That's right, Wei Yuan did indeed capture the headquarters of the Witch God Cult, setting a precedent in history. For this alone, Wei Yuan's crimes are too numerous to mention."

Zhang Xingying narrowed his eyes and sneered:

"Is capturing the headquarters of the Witch God Cult a crime? Your Majesty, Yuan Xiong colluded with the Witch God Cult, committing treason and colluding with the enemy. Please behead this wicked dog."

Yuan Xiong was not intimidated at all, and snorted:

"The purpose of our army's expedition was to aid the barbarians and stop the Witch God Cult's ambition to annex the northern border. But look at what Wei Yuan did! He led his army to the Witch God Cult's headquarters in Jingshan City, causing more than 80,000 of my Great Feng soldiers to be buried in foreign lands."

"Wei Yuan was clearly acting out of selfishness and greed for merit, which caused such a great loss. Your Majesty, there were more than 80,000 soldiers who had parents to support and children to raise."

"Just because Wei Yuan was greedy for merit, his soldiers died in battle far from home. How can such a traitor who brought disaster to the country and its people be granted a title? How can he be given the posthumous name of Zhongwu (Loyal and Martial)?"

Qian Qingshu, a member of the Wang faction, stepped forward to refute:

"Yuan Xiong, stop spouting nonsense and misleading the public. If you want to aid the barbarians and force the Witch God Cult to withdraw its troops, is there a better way than to capture their headquarters? After Wei Yuan captured the headquarters, Jingguo immediately withdrew its troops, which is the best proof of that."

"Furthermore, casualties are inevitable in battle, but capturing the headquarters of the Witch God Cult is unprecedented. How dare you slander us like this?"

Yuan Xiong scoffed, "Slander? If you want to force Jingguo to withdraw its troops, there are plenty of ways. Is conquering Yanguo harder than capturing Jingshan City? Is capturing Jingguo's capital harder than capturing Jingshan City?"

"Wei Yuan was a master of military strategy, and he must have known these principles, but he chose Jingshan City, which ultimately led to the near annihilation of his 100,000-strong army, with only a little over 10,000 escaping."

"Why? Isn't Wei Yuan simply trying to break new ground in history and make a name for himself?"

The officials in the hall began to discuss the matter again, whispering among themselves.

Is there any merit to what Yuan Xiong said?

some.

This expedition is intended to contain the Jing Kingdom and force it to withdraw its troops. If Wei Yuan cripples the Yan Kingdom, besieges its city, and then cripples the Kang Kingdom that comes to its aid, how can the Jing Kingdom not withdraw its troops?

Wei Yuan has already accomplished what he set out for: besieging the capital of Yan. Now, all that's left is to surround the city and intercept any reinforcements.

Or wouldn't it be better to launch a surprise attack on Yasukuni?

However, he chose to attack Jingshan City, ultimately perishing along with the main altar of the Witch God Sect. This was unprecedented in history, but it also led to the destruction of his army.

Of the 18,000 remnants, most were soldiers who had retreated from Yan State; fewer than 5,000 soldiers survived the battle of Jingshan City.

The officials present did not believe that Wei Yuan had no ambition for personal gain or reckless advancement.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Qin Yuandao, the Minister of War, stepped forward and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, I believe that Imperial Censor Yuan is absolutely right. Wei Yuan's greed for merit and recklessness not only led to the loss of 80,000 troops, but also provoked the retaliation of the Witch God Cult. If Xu Qi'an had not happened to be at Yuyang Pass in Xiangzhou at that time, Xiangzhou would probably be a wasteland by now, with the people suffering a brutal massacre and retaliation, repeating the tragedy of forty years ago."

The expressions of Wei's officials changed slightly.

Qin Yuandao actually used this incident to attack Duke Wei, and it was indeed true, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Once Yuyang Pass falls and the people of Xiangzhou suffer retaliatory massacres, then Duke Wei's actions will be rendered utterly meaningless.

The chief minister frowned, a strange feeling rising in his heart. This time, the allied forces of Yan and Kang attacked Yuyang Pass, which was simply paving the way for His Majesty to eliminate Wei Yuan.

It's unlikely to be for mere posthumous fame; there must be more to it than meets the eye. Perhaps, suppressing Wei Yuan's achievements is only one of the objectives. The chief minister's heart sank, and he stepped forward, saying:

"To be honest, I have already met Xu Qi'an. He told me that the reason he went to Yuyang Pass was at the request of Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan knew that the Witch God Sect would definitely retaliate, so he left himself a backup plan."

Pretty!

Zhang Xingying and the others' eyes lit up.

Qin Yuandao used Xu Qi'an's achievements to attack Duke Wei, and Chief Minister Wang's move was tantamount to cutting off the fuel supply.

This is something that cannot be verified, because regardless of whether it is true or false, Xu Qi'an will inevitably stand on Duke Wei's side.

Old ginger is spicier.

Yuan Xiong retorted, "Since you've already foreseen the Witch God Cult's retaliation, why not inform the court instead of entrusting it to a commoner out of office? Does the Grand Secretary perhaps consider His Majesty a three-year-old child, easily fooled?"

Yuan Xiong and Qin Yuandao's henchmen echoed and supported the views of the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief.

The three parties were arguing fiercely.

At this moment, a prince from the imperial clan stepped forward, choking back tears, and said:

"Your Majesty, Wei Yuan's greed for merit and reckless advance have resulted in heavy losses for our Great Feng. Even the Great Feng have not suffered such devastating losses. Is this aiding the barbarians? This is weakening our own nation! Jingshan City may have fallen, but what victory has our Great Feng achieved?"

"The demons and barbarians are probably overjoyed right now. They've reaped the benefits without lifting a finger. What if they invade the Chuzhou border again next year?"

The prince's meaning was simple: although Jingshan City had been captured, the Great Feng had already lost strategically.

Wei Yuan deserves to die!

Several more nobles and relatives stepped forward to support Qin Yuandao, the Vice Minister of War, and Yuan Xiong, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief.

"Alright!"

Emperor Yuanjing's face showed sorrow, and he said in a deep voice, "Wei Yuan was my confidant, who had been with me for more than twenty years. I am deeply saddened that he sacrificed his life for the country. Let us discuss this matter again tomorrow."

He immediately got up and strode away.

With his back to the assembled officials, Emperor Yuanjing slowly curled the corners of his mouth into a smile.

He was smiling.

PS: Requesting monthly votes.

The Great Feng girl group has some recent activities, and since the content is quite long, I won't include it in the main text. Please see the author's note below for details.

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Fuxiang vs Zhong Li

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