Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 351 Choice (Part 1)

Emperor Jian'an's eyes were too cold.

Zhang Jingwan's heart sank inch by inch, her mind went blank, and she couldn't even hear what she was saying: "There must be a way. We can't just do nothing and wait for Pei Qinghe to lead his troops here."

"We will give Madam Li and the others a proper burial, and tell the outside world that they suddenly contracted the plague. Bohai County will be under lockdown immediately, and no one will be allowed to leave. We will keep the news within the city..."

Emperor Jian'an gave a sharp, cold laugh, interrupting Zhang Jingwan's ramblings: "The Empress is truly bold and outspoken. If I were to do that, I would be waiting for General Pei to lead his troops to attack Bohai County. At that time, I would be a ruler of a fallen kingdom. The Empress need not share my hardships anymore; go back to your Zhang family. With 80,000 Bohai soldiers protecting you, you will be safe."

Tears welled up in Zhang Jingwan's eyes as she was stung by these harsh words. She gritted her teeth and continued, "Then what will the Emperor do? Does he intend to imprison my father and brother?"

Emperor Jian'an coldly said, "A life for a life! This is a matter of course. Guards, summon General Zhang and Vice Minister Zhang to the imperial prison. I will personally interrogate them and give General Pei an explanation!"

A group of imperial guards loudly acknowledged the order and came over with their long swords.

General Zhang, who had been silent until now, suddenly sneered: "Who dares to touch this General!"

Zhang's elite soldiers, still covered in blood, suddenly let out a cold shout, their faces contorted with rage, and drew their swords in confrontation.

So many people have already been killed today; in a moment of impulse, killing a few more wouldn't hurt. No matter how noble or powerful you are, even the emperor's head will fall.

Meng Liulang snorted coldly, stepped forward, and drew his long sword: "With the Beiping army here, who dares to disrespect the Emperor?"

Clang, clang, clang—the sound of swords being drawn rang out incessantly!
The atmosphere was tense, ready to explode at any moment!
The military officers looked at each other, some staying where they were, others silently going behind General Zhang. The civil officials, however, were all loyal to the emperor, each standing beside him with a tragic expression.

Prime Minister Pang angrily pointed at General Zhang and cursed, "Traitorous minister! You rely on your military power to commit disloyal and unjust acts, and you will surely be punished! If Heaven doesn't punish you, General Pei will definitely come back to punish you!"

General Zhang's waist and abdomen were still aching, but he fought it off with sheer willpower while sneering back, "Without me, the Jing Dynasty would have perished years ago. There would be no current emperor. You, Prime Minister Pang, were saved by me back then."

"Over the years, I have supported the court, shared the emperor's burdens, and done my utmost to protect the country. Yet I have become the treacherous minister in the prime minister's eyes. It is truly absurd and laughable."

"It was the Emperor who forbade the old women of the Pei family from leaving, and wanted to use them as hostages to force Pei Qinghe to come to Bohai County. The old women of the Pei family then decided to fight to the death, deliberately insulting the Zhang family in front of their gate and willingly going to their deaths. This mudslinging was done to the Zhang family."

"I did kill the person, so what's wrong with admitting it?"

"The Emperor's break with the Zhang family at this time has played right into the hands of the old women of the Pei family. Once Pei Qinghe arrives with his troops, he can take over Bohai County without any problem. At that time, there will be no need for Jingchao; the country will simply be changed to the Pei family."

"His Majesty is so devoted to him, perhaps General Pei will be moved and spare his life, allowing him to serve in the harem."

General Zhang tore off his mask of loyalty and unleashed a torrent of furious and unrestrained rant.

The officials were in uproar, and they all angrily retorted with curses. The civil officials quoted classical texts, their insults vicious and fluent. The military generals were much cruder and more direct, their curses even dragging in eight generations of Zhang's ancestors.

Emperor Jian'an's eyes flashed with a cold, angry light, and his chest heaved violently.

As soon as he waves his hand or speaks, Meng Liulang's elite Beiping troops will rush forward immediately, along with the emperor's personal guards beside him.

The Zhang family has a limited number of personal guards, at most around a thousand. Some have been killed or wounded, leaving only eight or nine hundred. In a full-scale battle, the outcome is fifty-fifty.

No, it's not a 50/50 split. As long as General Zhang and his son Zhang Yun are killed, he wins! But that would completely unleash chaos within the 80,000-strong Bohai Army camp. The Beiping Army only has 10,000 elite troops, more than enough to protect the city, but they might not be able to defeat the Bohai Army, which outnumbers them eight to one. Furthermore, if things descend into chaos, and Pei Qinghe arrives with his main force, who can withstand the Pei family army?

Is it really as General Zhang said, that I am destined to be a king of a fallen kingdom, living a humiliating life in the new emperor's harem?

No! Absolutely not!
General Zhang sneered disdainfully. No one understood Emperor Jian'an better than him.

Mediocre, weak, incompetent, yet with Xie's stubborn arrogance at heart.

The Zhang family had played a crucial role in supporting the emperor's ascension to the throne, while the Pei family was powerful. Emperor Jian'an would rather be controlled by the Zhang family than bow down to Pei Qinghe.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

Emperor Jian'an's face remained stiff for a long time before he suddenly raised his voice and said, "Everyone, step back and put away your weapons!"

Meng Liulang's eyebrows twitched sharply, and he abruptly turned his head.

Prime Minister Pang was startled, then his eyes darkened, clearly understanding the Emperor's choice.

The emperor's personal guards reacted quickly; at the emperor's command, they sheathed their swords and retreated.

General Zhang abandoned his arrogant demeanor and, supported by his personal guards, bowed and pleaded guilty: "Your Majesty, the Pei family suddenly came to our door today to insult and cause trouble. I ordered Zhang Yun to lead men to drive them away; I had absolutely no intention of harming anyone."

"This matter sounds absurd and bizarre, but it is true that they deliberately came here. They wanted to risk their lives to force Zhang Shi and the Emperor to turn against each other, clearing the way for Pei Qinghe."

"The Zhang family has already stepped into this dead end, and they have no way to defend themselves."

“Zhang’s loyalty to the Emperor is as clear as day and night. We, father and son, will have no complaints about whatever the Emperor decides to do with her. We only hope that the Emperor will prioritize the well-being of the country and not allow the throne to fall into the hands of a woman.”

Meng Liulang couldn't hold back any longer and spat heavily: "General Pei is a hero of our time. To protect the people, General Pei led his troops to fight the Xiongnu barbarians to the death, suffering heavy casualties. You just open your mouth and smear General Pei's face."

"Everyone has discerning eyes; loyalty and treachery aren't determined by mere words."

"To protect the evil deeds of you Zhang father and son, you think you can preserve the country? General Pei comes here and wants to usurp the throne? What kind of bullshit is that? Who would believe such nonsense?"

"General Meng!" Emperor Jian'an said in a deep voice, "This matter has not yet been investigated, and the General must not be humiliated."

Meng Liulang: "..."

Emperor Jian'an did not meet the gaze of the furious Meng Liulang, and ordered expressionlessly: "I will handle this matter carefully. General Meng, please return to the city gate first."

A gust of wind, seemingly out of nowhere, whipped up a bloody stench and lashed against Meng Liulang's face.

Meng Liulang's face was as cold as ice, and he did not move.

Prime Minister Pang snapped out of his shock and repeatedly winked at Meng Liulang: "General Meng, what are you still standing here for? Get out of here now. His Majesty is handling this matter personally and will surely give General Pei an explanation."

(End of this chapter)