I really became a king.

Chapter 323

The Emperor of Dali, Jiang Zhenyi, stared at Jiang Yi motionlessly, knowing in his heart that his grandson was simply retreating in order to advance, and did not really want to resign from all his official positions, but was instead forcing the emperor to abdicate in another form.

"I'll give you one last chance. Have you thought it through?"

He came to power through bloody means, and has been in power for so many years. Although he turned a blind eye to some things, once he made a decision, it was always his own decision, and no one had ever blatantly disobeyed him like this.

Jiang Yi knelt there with his upper body straight, looking back, without any intention of retreating.

He sensed what the Dali Emperor Jiang Zhenyi meant and sighed inwardly, fearing that he would really become a penniless person today.

Unless he goes along with the other party and takes back what he just said, but this is impossible.

Although the words just now were more of a strategic retreat to advance, and he did not really want to give up the power in his hands, but the arrow was on the string and had to be shot, and he would never take another step back.

The worst outcome is to be stripped of all official titles.

This is good. Although the starting point is low, I can concentrate on managing the Taimang tribe in the Yinshan Realm.

If that really comes to pass, the [Shadow Pigeon] and [Blood Robe Guard] under his command, as well as the new force in Ding Ren's hands, will definitely still be firmly in his hands.

As for the 100,000 Sun and Moon Dual Wheels, Jiang Yi had made careful arrangements last night. Even if he couldn't take away the 100,000 troops, he had to take away the 100,000 sets of Sun and Moon Dual Wheels.

As long as one has 100,000 Sun and Moon Wheels, one can rebuild the Sun and Moon Platform in the Taimang Tribe.

So today he would not make any compromise. If he wanted to take over the military power of the Sun and Moon Terrace, he could also take away all his official titles.

Inside and outside the entire palace, with hundreds of thousands of people staring intently, Jiang Yi just stared at the Emperor of Dali. The whole scene was shrouded in an extremely depressing atmosphere.

Someone tried to say something to ease the almost suffocating pressure, but when the two people looked at each other, they consciously suppressed the thought.

Because they have already sensed that this is a confrontation between a grandfather and his grandson, one is strong, the other is stubborn, and outsiders have no way of getting involved.

Jiang Zhenyi was waiting for Jiang Yi, with a hint of inexplicable disappointment in his eyes. He believed that only by enduring what ordinary people could not endure could great things be accomplished, but his grandson seemed to not understand at all.

Jiang Yi really didn’t understand? He understood, but he really didn’t want to retreat anymore, because once he took a step back, he might really be on a cliff, and he would fall to pieces.

Just looking at the sadness in Jiang Zhenyi's eyes as a grandfather, he was vaguely touched. He remembered the scene in his previous life when he was a child and deliberately used various actions and words to irritate his mother because he was angry with her. He couldn't help but slowly lower his eyes.

"Since ancient times, it has been difficult to be both loyal and filial. I, your grandson, only want to serve my father by his bedside during these last few days. I hope you will grant my wish, grandfather." Jiang Yi bowed again.

In the end, he chose to take a step back, but it was only a step back in terms of family affection.

Hearing this, many people present secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Things finally had room to ease, and it all depended on what the emperor would do and how he would respond.

When Jiang Zhenyi heard this, his imposing aura subsided a lot, but he still didn't say anything. As for Ye Xinmei and others, they were a little disappointed. They hoped that the Prince of Yi would continue to be tough, but he just "cowarded" at the last moment.

Yes, in a sense, he was cowardly. He no longer used fatigue and mediocre talent as an excuse, but played the family card in the name of filial piety, which was equivalent to giving the emperor a way out in disguise.

"Confused! Your Majesty is confused!" At this time, a voice suddenly sounded, breaking the awkward atmosphere on the scene.

An old man dressed in the guise of a county prince walked out. Perhaps due to his old age and frailty, he walked unsteadily, and his eyes seemed to be half-closed due to his age.

This man's name is Jiang Huan. He was born into the royal family of Dali and was also one of the eight military leaders.

He is also the most senior of the eight military leaders, but he was also the first to fade out of the center of power, especially in the past ten or twenty years. He has almost turned a deaf ear to what is happening outside, and even started to become confused because of his old age.

Therefore, he was called the Confused Prince.

But those who know some inside information, all know that this foolish prince is an absolute supporter of the current emperor, and he made an unprecedented contribution to the emperor during the great struggle back then.

Although he appears confused at the moment, he still possesses great prestige in the army, otherwise he would not have been able to become one of the eight military leaders.

Even Prince Duan Jiang Lie was once a general under his command and was promoted by him. From this point of view, he and Jiang Yi have a deep connection.

"Uncle." Jiang Yi looked up and called respectfully.

"Your Majesty, do you really think your father wants you to do this? To abandon all your official titles and come to his bedside to show your filial piety?"

"You are wrong!" Jiang Huan walked to Jiang Yi tremblingly, as if he would be blown down by a gust of wind.

"Just a few days ago, I contacted your father. He had high hopes for you and was very proud of you. He even said that there is someone to take over your throne. How could he expect you to give up everything and serve him in his bedside?"

As soon as these words were spoken, almost everyone secretly shook their heads in their hearts. When it comes to telling lies with open eyes, no one can compare to this foolish prince.

Prince Duan Jiang Lie is bedridden and has long been unconscious. He doesn't even recognize people. How could he possibly say such words? The other party is simply lying with open eyes.

But no one dared to say anything, and in today's scene, the only one who could play the role of a peacemaker between the grandfather and grandson was this foolish prince, because the other party was of a much higher generation and was also loyal to the current emperor.

If it were anyone else, no one would dare to openly admit that they had private dealings with Prince Duan Jiang Lie, as this would be a serious taboo.

"Besides, your father was the one who respected your grandfather the most. Now that he cannot continue to be loyal and filial to you due to special reasons, he still expects you to be loyal and filial to him on his behalf. How could he allow you to resign from your position and give up your title!"

"This is really nonsense!"

By the end of his speech, he had a furious look on his face, and it seemed that if he hadn't been in physical condition, he would have kicked the man long ago.

Jiang Yi lowered his eyes, as if his thoughts had been told, and once again kowtowed to Emperor Jiang Zhenyi without saying a word.

Jiang Huan then turned around and bowed to Jiang Zhenyi, saying, "Prince Yi has come to his senses. Please calm down, Your Majesty."

Everyone looked at this scene and sighed in their hearts, if this confused prince was really confused, then there would be no wise people in the world! With just a few words, this sudden confrontation was completely resolved.

Of course, the prerequisite is that both of them are willing to come down this step. Prince Yi has already made his attitude clear with his actions. Now it depends on the emperor.

As for the Dali Emperor Jiang Zhenyi, he had said nothing from beginning to end. Only then did he snort coldly, glance at Jiang Yi who was kneeling there, and say:

"Next topic!" Most people secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although it was not expressed clearly, the matter should just be over. As long as everyone understands the situation, it will be fine.

Of course, there were also many people who secretly felt sorry in their hearts, especially Ye Xinmei, whose face turned very ugly, and she was very dissatisfied with her husband's inconsistent behavior.

Since the matter of the prince title has come to nothing, the matter of taking back the military power of Sun and Moon Terrace has naturally also fallen through.

Jiang Yi, who was lying on the ground, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He really didn't want to give up the power in his hands unless it was absolutely necessary.

Now the storm has passed. Whether it is because of the other party's loyalty or because he is still useful, this drama of "releasing military power over a cup of wine" has been resolved.

Jiang Huan stroked his beard, shook his head and wanted to walk back to the line, but when he saw Jiang Yi still lying on the ground, he kicked him lightly.

Jiang Yi then climbed up and hurried forward to support the other party and walked back to the queue together. His face had the ingratiating look of a filial son and grandson, without any of the iron-blooded ferocity of the former Sun and Moon Governor.

When Jiang Zhenyi saw this scene, he couldn't help but snort coldly again.

Hearing this voice, Jiang Huan, who was originally walking leisurely and slowly, immediately shook off Jiang Yi's supporting hands and walked quickly towards the queue.

Jiang Yi didn't care. He quickly caught up with him and continued to support the other person's arm. His expression had become flattering and really docile.

Seeing that Emperor Jiang Zhenyi's face was getting uglier and uglier, Pang Xuan quickly stepped forward and said, "Next topic, the world is plagued by disasters and the treasury is empty, so we have decided to cut down on the redundant and abolish the academies in the world!"

After Pang Xuan finished speaking, Emperor Jiang Zhenyi asked as usual: "Do any of you have any objections?" After saying that, he looked in a certain direction.

Jiang Yi thought to himself that it was indeed so, but at this moment he looked at his nose and his heart, with an indifferent look. Being able to keep the power in his hands today was already a perfect achievement, and it would not be easy for him to cause trouble again.

But he still felt a little unhappy. The treasury was empty, and the government was trying to cut costs. How much could the academy get? It was really absurd!

Jiang Huan, who was standing next to him, suddenly opened his squinting eyes a little, glanced at Jiang Yi, and without moving him, closed them again.

There were no less than 100,000 people in the entire Auditorium Square, but no one spoke.

"Your Majesty, I have objections!"

A voice was heard from afar in a most remote corner. The distance was too far and if it were not for the sound amplification formation, no one would have heard it.

Jiang Zhenyi showed no surprise, as if he had expected this to happen, and gestured to Pang Xuan. Pang Xuan understood, took a half step forward, and spoke again:

"If you have any objections, please come forward and make your case."

As soon as the voice fell, a figure walked out of the queue from a distance and walked forward quickly.

The inner square is neither big nor small, and is several hundred meters from north to south. Although the figure is walking quickly, it takes time to cover the distance of several hundred meters.

All 100,000 people at the scene focused their attention on this figure. Then there was a buzz of discussion, filled with ridicule.

But some people had inexplicably heavy expressions, such as Jiang Yi.

Looking up, there were a total of 100,000 people in the square of the Auditorium, but there was only this one real scholar present, and he was at the very end of the queue.

Moreover, this scholar was the chief academician of the Dali Dynasty and was in charge of a bookstore. In any feudal dynasty in the previous life, he would have been a high-ranking official in the court at the ministerial level.

But now, he calls himself a commoner and even his official status is not recognized.

Just like that, amid tens of thousands of gazes and buzzing discussions and ridicules, the figure finally arrived on the platform, then leaned forward and kowtowed, saying:

"I, Dong Chengyang, come to see Your Majesty and beg Your Majesty to revoke your order and keep the academy."

Jiang Zhenyi did not reply immediately, but asked Dong Chengyang to stand up, then raised his head and asked, "What do you think?"

"Your Majesty, the academy is a waste of money and is useless. It should be closed down." A military general stepped forward and said.

Dong Chengyang first bowed to Jiang Zhenyi, then said to the general, "My Lord, why are you saying that? The academy is for young children to learn and understand how to read and write, how can you say it is useless?"

The general sneered: "What's the use? The Dali Dynasty was founded on military power. Can your academy be of any help? Or are there any of you bookworms who have achieved anything in martial arts?"

Dong Chengyang wanted to say something, but he didn't know how to refute for a moment, because what the other party said was true. Almost all calligraphers had made no achievements in martial arts, including himself.

But he still said, "How can it be useless? After reading more, it will definitely be easier to understand the mysteries of martial arts..."

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by a voice: "What a joke, what a joke, do you mean that you book craftsmen can guide the practice of martial arts?" Another general flashed out.

"That's right. If it's really useful, you might as well explain your understanding of martial arts on the spot, so as to guide us rough guys..." another person said.

This sentence immediately caused a burst of laughter. It was really a joke to let a bookmaker teach martial arts.

Dong Chengyang opened his mouth but said nothing. He knew nothing about martial arts, so how could he guide others in it?

"Hmph, stop talking. The academy system is a waste of money and is useless. It should be abolished!"

At this time, Ye Xinmei, the Queen of Dali, who had been sitting there without saying a word, suddenly said something in a cold voice, and immediately received a chorus of agreement.

Dong Chengyang stood there, alone, his face full of despair. Even though he had thousands of words in his mind, he understood that the Queen's words were tantamount to a direct death sentence for the academy, and there would be no possibility of changing it unless the Emperor of Dali intervened.

In the final analysis, it is because they, the scholars, have too little say, or to put it bluntly, they have no say at all in the court.

Just when Dong Chengyang was alone and hopeless, a burst of howling suddenly came from outside the palace. It turned out to be the tens of thousands of book craftsmen gathered in the square outside the palace. They knew that there was no hope of turning things around today, and they all fell to the ground and cried bitterly.

Dong Chengyang looked around, his eyes blurred with tears, and he couldn't help but sigh: "The world is so big, but there is no place for us scholars. How sad!"

After hearing this, many people's expressions changed inexplicably, but in the end no one said anything.

Everyone present understood that the so-called empty treasury had nothing to do with the academy, it was just an excuse. The fundamental purpose was to monopolize, a monopoly of cultural heritage, and of course, a disguised martial arts monopoly.

There are no noble sons from poor families. Only when this sentence becomes an eternal iron law, can these wealthy and noble families maintain their status forever!
(End of this chapter)