Xie Ming

Li Shichun was a complex and multifaceted person.

On the surface, he has a fiery temper and dares to speak his mind.

However, beneath this fiery temper lies a deep understanding of power struggles and shrewd calculations.

Therefore, taking advantage of the list of meritorious soldiers submitted by the Ministry of War, they deliberately obstructed the process and launched an attack in court.

If it's not really as he said, why argue about right and wrong?

Behind the scenes, who knows what kind of treacherous power struggles are taking place.

Xiao Yuanfu was contradicted by this scoundrel in the palace. Before he could speak, in order to protect his own people, he was forced to speak on their behalf.

Seeing that his attack had missed, Grand Secretary Li was also surprised, and his eyes sharpened.

"Ha, Chief Justice Chiu, you're exaggerating."

However, before he could offer any excuses, Qi Gang stepped forward and added his own words.

"In my opinion, what General Secretary Qiu said is absolutely right."

As the saying goes, haste makes waste.

"Just as the Duke just said, this matter can be discussed again after the New Year when the various departments and government offices resume their duties."

"I think the generals and soldiers in the army are also understanding."

"The Duke's considerations are thorough; I agree with them."

Qi Gang adopted a firm stance, intending to secure a definitive conclusion.

However, it was clear that Li Shichun was unlikely to give up so easily.

"Humph!"

"A sycophant, a bootlicker."

Attacking and annihilating others, speaking in a sarcastic and unsettling manner.

Li Shichun's actions were certainly not those of a gentleman.

Listen, Qi Gang is speechless and unable to utter a proper curse.

"you!"

Seeing the man's firepower, Li Shichun was even more disdainful. He didn't get entangled with him, but instead pulled his accomplices and subordinates aside to bolster his own momentum.

"Grand Secretary Lin, Minister Zeng, what is your intention?"

"Surely I, Li Shichun, am the only minister who dares to speak frankly and offer honest advice? Huh?!"

Upon hearing this, all the officials in the hall understood.

As expected, this thief clearly had ulterior motives and was looking to use this incident to provoke trouble.

"Ah, uh"

"this."

At the same time, Lin Zengzhi was suddenly called out by Li Erhe. Reluctantly, he had no choice but to stand up and speak.

"Grand Secretary Li is upright and outspoken, and what Lord Jing just said, in my opinion, is not entirely without reason," Lin Lai said, seemingly ambiguous and unwilling to offend Xiao Qu.

Look at this, Li Shichun said with resentment.

"Hey! You, Lin Renxian, you're always so good at smoothing things over."

They were about to jump into their nest, and without waiting for further discussion, they immediately broke their silence.

Seeing this, Lin Zengzhi looked even more troubled.

To be honest, I was thinking, conspiring with someone with such a fiery temper is truly a bitter pill to swallow.

"Oh, Grand Secretary Li, let me finish what I have to say. What's the rush?"

Helpless to proceed, the two old men pulled and tugged at each other in the hall, creating an absurd and embarrassing scene.

One is as explosive as fire, the other as slow as an ox.

"Uh"

"Upon arriving, Minister Qi proposed a strategy of 'delaying is better than speed'."

"I think it's quite appropriate."

"One should not be greedy for quick success and instant benefits in anything."

"With the New Year approaching and the matter involving various levels of government, the Ministry of War is particularly vulnerable to ensure that everything goes smoothly."

"Then, in my opinion, we should simplify things."

"Hehe, this is the list presented by Vice Minister Gang Ma, which lists thirty-five generals who have made meritorious contributions."

"Could we first select the top five and work hard to submit the bestowal of favors before the end of the year?"

"Take Li Huchen as an example. He was loyal to the emperor, brave and fierce, and a rare and capable general."

"Now, he has personally beheaded the enemy chieftain Bahana."

"His outstanding achievements make him a role model for the entire army."

"Such a person should be richly rewarded and promoted to boost the morale of the army in the future, huh?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he spoke slowly and deliberately, his words carrying a sinister and dangerous undertone.

Lin Zengzhi spoke calmly and deliberately, yet his words precisely reversed Li Erhe's downward spiral. In other words, his fist was replaced with cotton, making it even more difficult for Li Erhe to exert force.

After speaking, he glanced at her again.

Li Shichun looked him in the eye and realized how skilled he was!
So he quickly understood and followed suit, and started cooking dumplings in a hot pot.

"Yes, that's exactly what I meant." It was as if she had just realized something.

"Well, if you really have to say that things are difficult to do, then just pick a few typical examples to show off your achievements, that would be the same."

"As for Li Huchen, Lao Lin and I are old acquaintances of his."

"When the late emperor was alive, he led troops to break through the siege at Xizhimen in the capital. This tiger minister was a fierce general under Wu Linzheng."

"His heart was loyal and righteous, so he resolutely followed the late emperor south to serve him. Along the way, he traveled south of the capital, fought in Baoding, and defended Shandong."

"Later, he expanded Henan and quelled Zuo Liangyu's rebellion. He always led from the front and achieved numerous military exploits."

"Such a person is truly a pillar of our Great Ming Dynasty, a general who can defend the country."

"At present, he is only a minor general, with the title of Dragon Tiger General, a mere second-rank military officer."

"Such talent, how can it be buried like this?"

"If you ask me, Empress Dowager, His Majesty, and all the officials..."

"We should follow the example of the late emperor's decisiveness."

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

"Li Huchen's achievements are great, and his talent as a general should not be overlooked."

"Therefore, he may be specially promoted and granted the title of Duke. He shall be given the title of Duke Zhenguo."

"To praise his loyalty and bravery, to honor the three armies, and to boost the prestige of our Ming army."

Li Shichun spoke fluently and was quite pleased with his good looks.

Inside the hall, Xiao Jingchuan, upon hearing this, finally became convinced that it was these old scoundrels who were after him.

The idea that the army is hoping for a reward is pure nonsense.

They deliberately confused right and wrong, and forced Li Huchen to be brought before others for discussion.

Their intentions are despicable, and their motives are extremely sinister.

In this way, it would truly be killing two birds with one stone and failing to resolve the predicament.

Firstly, if they succeed in causing trouble, they will be unable to resolve the situation themselves, and if one of them gives in...

Then, Hu Chen was promoted to Duke, all thanks to the recommendation and promotion of Li Erhe.

Afterwards, it was inevitable that this would become a tool to check and balance Xiao.

It is difficult to determine whether Li Huchen had any private dealings with him at this time.

However, even if they didn't, it was inevitable that rifts would develop between their comrades afterward.

And then, even if the trick fails, it will be a second time.

Xiao Yuanfu refused in the palace.

Then, will the remarks made in court be leaked afterward?

If such rumors are spread widely within the military, it could create a rift between the generals and the commanders.

After all, from ancient times to the present, blocking someone from getting promoted and making money has always been a big deal.

According to his method of stirring things up...

He was guaranteed to make a profit; aside from some verbal sparring, he didn't have to put in much effort.

But it truly brought great suffering to Xiao Jingchuan, causing calamity to the entire army.

Whether it succeeds or fails, whether it's blocked or not, it's all about feeling disgusted and repulsed.

Such a vicious and insidious scheme could not have been more ruthless.

He spouts platitudes about benevolence and morality, but his heart is black and rotten; his cunning and despicable nature is utterly despicable.

Xiao harbored resentment, but as he said before, he was concerned about his status and being caught in the middle, so he couldn't vent his anger in court. He was caught in a dilemma.

Feeling frustrated and threatened, Xiao kept quiet and desperately sought a way to resolve the situation.

Not far behind, Zhizhong saw it all in holography.

At this critical juncture, for Gu Xiao's sake, he should be selfless and charge forward in the verbal battle.

Then the man flicked his sleeves, took two steps forward, and boldly interrupted, speaking loudly.

"Grand Secretary Li, what you say is quite absurd."

"The one who made the greatest contribution by guarding the emperor's southward journey and protecting the late emperor as he ascended the throne is none other than Duke Jing."

"You have come all the way from Beijing, so you must have seen, heard, and felt it all with your own eyes and ears."

"Why are you avoiding the important issues and deliberately confusing the public at this moment?"

"You bring up the old story of the late emperor's ascension to the throne, but you never mention Duke Jing. What exactly are you trying to achieve?!"

(End of this chapter)