New and dark light years

Chapter 503 Everyone Knows
Beijing.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his face grim.

The ministers below bowed their heads, not daring to speak.

The atmosphere was quiet.

Not long after, a eunuch ran in, knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty, the Di army has crossed the river."

These words caused an uproar among the officials.

They actually crossed the river.

What should we do?!
Zhu Jing's face darkened even more.

This is a perfect re-enactment of what happened more than sixty years ago.

Are you suggesting that the current empress should perform a striptease on the city wall again?

Of course... the Evil Phoenix Empress from sixty years ago was actually a monster; what she shed was human skin.

Whether taking off clothes is useful is worth investigating.

"What suggestions do you all have?" Zhu Jing straightened up slightly, glanced around, and asked.

No one speaks.

After a while, still no one spoke.

Zhu Jing laughed in anger: "In the past, you ministers spoke eloquently and your voices resounded throughout the hall; now the entire hall is silent. Why is everyone so quiet?"

Still no one speaks.

Well... there are three rebels in the southern border region, and one of them is preparing to rebel.

The long northern border had only a little over 30,000 soldiers, and it was riddled with holes.

Previously, they could rely on the natural barrier of the Yellow River to stop the Di people from advancing south. At the same time, they planned to transfer 30,000 border troops to various passes within a month. However, before they could implement this plan, an early cold wave disrupted all of the court's plans.

Zhu Jing waited a while longer, his anger growing stronger. He roared, "Very well, no one wants to speak, right? Zhu Huan, as the new crown prince, what are your thoughts?"

Zhu Huan had been trying to keep a low profile and avoid attracting attention, but when his father called his name, he hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, holding the jade tablet, and bowing, saying, "Father, I am ignorant of military affairs and dare not speak nonsense here. As the chief military officer, Liu, the Grand Councilor, should relieve the worries of the Great Qi for Father."

Everyone's gaze turned to Liu Song, who was pretending to be dead.

Some gloated, some frowned, and some looked on with anticipation.

Regardless, many people are well aware of the minor friction between the new crown prince and the privy councilor.

After all, a year ago, Zhu Huan was not yet the crown prince, so it was understandable that the Privy Councilor would side with someone else.

Zhu Jing's gaze fell on Liu Song.

Liu Song bowed, not daring to look up. Holding the jade tablet, he said, "Your Majesty, I am unwell and unable to shoulder great responsibilities. I wish to retire and return to my hometown."

The court officials were in an uproar.

Zhu Jing's eyes flashed with murderous intent: "Privy Councilor, have you grown old and your mind become muddled? How can a commander-in-chief desert his post in the face of battle!"

Liu Song said solemnly, "Then Your Majesty would be willing to let me lead the troops into battle!"

"You're too old. It's freezing cold. Don't even mention riding a horse. Just carrying a sedan chair out would probably make you catch a cold," Zhu Jing said irritably.

“Therefore, I must relinquish the position of Privy Councilor, or at least let a strong and capable person take it.” Liu Song said with righteous indignation, “This humble subject is not doing this for himself, but for the Great Qi and for the court.”

Everyone thought the statement was ridiculous, but no one could actually laugh at it.

Although the other party's reasoning seems a bit off, it is still valid.

Zhu Jing wanted to lash out, but looking at the old and frail Liu Song, he had no choice but to suppress his anger and said, "Let's put aside the matter of Liu Qing's retirement for now. Is there anyone willing to lead the Imperial Guards out of the city to stop the Di people from advancing south?"

No one answered.

Even the usually arrogant and haughty Wu Xun remained silent.

The Imperial Guards... how strong are they? Which aristocratic family in the capital doesn't know?

Even if we lead 40,000 men into battle, what then? They'll still be wiped out by the Di people's charge.

Seeing that no one spoke up or stepped forward, Zhu Jing was truly enraged this time. He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, about to curse, when he saw a eunuch rush in from outside.

"Report!"

"Zhang Fei from Yu Commandery is leading an army of over 200,000 men toward the capital."

wow...

The court officials couldn't help but exclaim in surprise and anxiously exchanged words among themselves.

Zhu Jing had a headache.

Since he achieved some minor success in his cultivation, this situation has almost never occurred again.

At this moment, a military officer stepped forward and laughed loudly, "Your Majesty, this is a great thing! Let the Di people and the rebels fight each other, and we can reap the benefits."

"What if they don't fight?"

“The Di people would never stand idly by with a large number of Qi infantrymen right in front of them.”

The Di people were almost entirely composed of horse archers, and they preferred to charge and cut through infantry formations.

It's a hunting instinct that comes from one's bloodline.

For them, killing was no different from drinking water or eating.

In any case, this can be considered good news to some extent.

At least it can draw some of the Di people's attention away.

But at that moment, another eunuch rushed in.

"Report...a message from Jin County."

Jinjun!

Everyone was looking at the eunuch.

Zhu Jing leaned forward instinctively: "Tell me quickly, what happened in the Southern Frontier? Could it be that Jin County has been breached by barbarians or Qin traitors?" The little eunuch held up a sealed post station letter with both hands.

At that moment, an old eunuch rushed forward, took the letter, and came to Zhu Jing's side.

"Daban, open the letter and read it aloud," Zhu Jing snorted.

The old eunuch quickly opened the letter and, under everyone's expectant gaze, read it aloud in a clear voice.

"Your subject, Li Lin, the military governor of Cangwu, respectfully reports: I have heard that the Di cavalry have invaded the south, and the rebellious minister Zhang Zouzhi is leading an army of 200,000 men and approaching the capital. His intentions are unknown. I have specially led 30,000 elite troops to rush to the aid of the emperor under the cover of night, and respectfully carry out the duty of serving the emperor."

The once noisy hall suddenly fell silent.

Zhu Jing's face contorted in pain, and finally he slammed his hand on the dragon throne. His slam left a handprint on the pure gold armrest.

"Very well, very well, loyal to the emperor! What a fine act of loyalty to the emperor!" Zhu Jing roared, "Everyone knows Li Kunge's intentions!"

At this moment, a phoenix cry suddenly rang out in the main hall.

Zhu Jing looked up at the elegantly dressed woman floating in the air: "Great-grandmother."

Only a small number of people can see the strange things.

Most of the court officials only felt a chill on their heads.

Xie Feng laughed heartily, "Your Majesty, this is the debt your Zhu family must repay. Now not only have the Di people arrived, but also the traitors and the Li family. How lively!"

Zhu Jing took a deep breath: "Great-grandmother, could you lend my Zhu family a hand?"

Why should I help you?

"I am of your bloodline, and you also have a share in this Great Qi."

Xie Feng sneered, "How ridiculous! If I were part of the Great Qi, your Zhu family wouldn't have kept me trapped on the city wall for decades. If you had even a shred of respect for me, you would have ordered me released when you ascended the throne, instead of waiting for the people of the Immortal Execution Society to come and then reluctantly using me to shield you from disaster."

The emperor could hear Xie Feng's words, as could several ministers who were originally from the Spirit Hunter class.

But these ministers all kept their heads bowed low.

They didn't want to hear it; royal secrets were not something they could meddle in.

"If you're not going to help me, why did my great-grandmother come over?"

Xie Feng pursed his lips and said, "I can help you, but that woman named Yang Yourong needs to be dealt with."

"That is my imperial concubine."

Are you going to give it to me or not?

Zhu Jing pondered for a moment and said, "May I have a few days to consider this?"

"It's alright, you can consider it for half a month if you want," Xie Feng laughed. "Anyway, neither the Di people nor the rebels will arrive in the capital within ten days."

After saying that, the evil phoenix flew away.

The courtiers stood quietly.

They couldn't hear what Xie Feng was saying, but from the Emperor's words, they knew that the two seemed to have reached some kind of agreement.

It seems to be related to the Imperial Concubine.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, pondered for a long time, and then waved his sleeve and said, "My dear ministers, after you return, think carefully about how to handle the important matters of the future. Court adjourned."

After saying this, the emperor got up and left.

Fang Fengyi also returned home.

Snow was already falling from the sky. Although he returned in a sedan chair, he inevitably got some snowflakes on his clothes when he got out of the chair.

Upon entering the inner courtyard, he saw his wife, Huang Ling, carrying a coat.

"My lord, it's getting cold, please wear more clothes." Huang Ling's eyes held a hint of flattery.

The Huang family in the capital has lost power. Although her father, Huang Yan, is still serving as a prefect in another region, everyone can see that it is only a matter of time before Huang Yan is demoted.

After all... one of Huang Yan's sons-in-law was Li Lin, the military governor of Cangwu Road.

Fang Fengyi sat down and carefully examined Huang Ling. He felt that this woman... seemed to have lost her former charm, liveliness, and cuteness.

It has lost its spiritual energy.

Fang Fengyi sighed and said, "Your brother-in-law has already led 30,000 elite troops to come to the aid of the king."

“Serving the King…” Huang Ling’s expression was somewhat dazed, then she sneered, “Does he deserve it? He’s just a sycophant.”

Fang Fengyi stared at Huang Ling with a strange look: "Are you really stupid, or are you pretending? You really can't understand Li Jiedushi's intentions for coming to the capital at this time!"

"What is his intention? He just wants to show off in front of the emperor! He just wants to take this opportunity to catch the emperor's eye."

The sound of the yellow bell was sharp and piercing.

Fang Fengyi frowned: "Your attitude is problematic."

"My lord, what's wrong with my attitude?"

“You get very excited. As soon as you hear about Li Lin, you easily lose your composure and become crazy.”

Crazy and insane!

Huang Ling swayed slightly; in a marriage, this was already a very serious 'accusation'.

Huang Ling straightened her expression and said with a gentle smile, "I just... don't like Li Lin, after all, he lied to my older sister."

"What did he lie to Li Huangshi about!" Fang Fengyi retorted. "Did Li Lin divorce your eldest sister Li Huangshi, or did he ignore her and treat her like an outsider, or... let his concubines and servants bully her?"

"This... Eldest sister likes a peaceful life. Li Lin said before that he prefers quiet to activity, doesn't like pursuing power and wealth, and only wants a peaceful life, which tricked her into marrying him. But now he's caused so much trouble. Hasn't he been deceiving her?"

Fang Fengyi closed her eyes slightly and then said, "No, you think he lied to you."

Huang Ling's body stiffened as if struck by lightning, her face turned deathly pale, and she dared not move. She could only look at Fang Fengyi pleadingly, hoping that he would stop talking.

Looking at his wife's expression, Fang Fengyi sighed and closed his eyes: "Just as I thought."

(End of this chapter)