The First Marquis of Leisure

What?

Bai Xinghe, the heir apparent of the Marquis of Zhenguo of Zhao?

Bai Xinghe, who plotted to usurp the throne, assassinated the former emperor of Zhao, and was always regarded as a spendthrift and a spoiled brat, later became famous in the Yan-Zhao Grand Tournament.

When Yuan Aofang directly revealed Bai Xinghe's true identity, the scene erupted in uproar.

Instantly, everyone's eyes turned to Bai Xinghe!

This news is so shocking, so devastating!

No one could have imagined that the talented and sensational top scholar of today would be none other than Bai Xinghe!

Li Chentian's face twitched. He hadn't expected that the Yuan family would find out Bai Xinghe's true identity so quickly!

Qiu Qingtian was equally shocked, and he and many other officials who supported Bai Xinghe did not ask any questions.

Since these were all important figures in officialdom, the fact that Yuan Ao dared to say such a thing in this setting clearly shows that it was not a fabrication or baseless rumor!

"Your Majesty, what this old minister has said is absolutely true."

"Bai Zhen is Bai Xinghe, the descendant of the late Zhao Kingdom's God of War, Bai Tianque. He was also a traitor who assassinated the former emperor of Zhao. He should have been sentenced to death by a thousand cuts by the new emperor of Zhao, but he escaped by sheer luck!"

"But unexpectedly, they escaped to my Great Yan, changed their name to Bai Zhen, and manipulated us like puppets!"

"Your Majesty, this is a crime of deceiving the emperor!"

Yuan Aofang, with an air of righteous indignation, frantically incited and provoked others.

With the help of his faction, the atmosphere at the scene began to change strangely.

At this moment, Bai Xinghe was also somewhat shocked, not expecting that Yuan Aofang already knew his background.

However, he quickly calmed down, because it was only a matter of time before his true identity was exposed.

"Your Majesty, how can such a treacherous minister who betrayed the Zhao Kingdom, assassinated the Emperor, and plotted to usurp the throne be appointed as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War of our Great Yan?"

"We humbly request Your Majesty to issue a decree imprisoning this man for the crime of deceiving the Emperor!"

Yuan Aofang, along with many of his former students and officials, and ministers, petitioned for his services.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" At this moment, Li Chentian also became anxious and hurriedly stood up and knelt on the ground to beg for mercy.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty. I learned of the top scholar's identity a few days ago. However, I believe that our Great Yan has always been open-minded and unconventional in its selection of officials!"

"Bai Xinghe's talent was already widely known during the Yan-Zhao Grand Competition. It is the current emperor of Zhao who is incompetent and cruel, framing loyal officials!"

"Your Majesty, you must not punish Bai Xinghe!"

Following Li Chentian's lead, many scholars from the Imperial Academy, the Hanlin Academy, and the Imperial College also pleaded for leniency.

Only the factions of Qiu Qingtian and Qian Guanglu remained inactive for the time being, observing the situation.

Qian Guanglu was equally astonished, never expecting Bai Xinghe to have such an identity.

He was unsure whether to stand up for Bai Xinghe alongside Li Chentian, join forces with the Yuan family to punish Bai Xinghe, or remain neutral.

"Your Majesty, since Li Chentian knew this person's identity all along but failed to report it, he is also deceiving the emperor!"

"Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty!"

Yuan Aofang not only turned his attention to Bai Xinghe, but also directly turned his guns on Li Chentian!

Li Chentian wasn't stupid either, and he forcefully retorted, "Yuan Aofang, who in the capital doesn't know him now? The Yuan brothers, Yuan Benchu ​​and Yuan Yao, have a grudge against Bai Xinghe. You keep saying you're doing this for my Great Yan, for His Majesty."

"In my opinion, you are nothing more than a narrow-minded, power-hungry, opportunistic, and jealous villain!"

"You old scoundrel, don't you dare slander me! Every word I've said is true! Are you trying to protect a traitor?"

The two sides exchanged words and immediately launched their offensive.

Ji Tiansheng remained silent, simply watching his various factions attack each other.

He was surprised by Bai Xinghe's identity, but not angry.

Because the states of Yan and Zhao were sworn enemies, having fought each other for many years.

However, because the Zhao state once had a war god named Bai Tian who lacked the ability to command troops, the Yan state did not gain any advantage.

With Bai Tianque already dead from a poisoned arrow, the Zhao state, under the planning of the Shadow Guard organization, experienced turmoil from within and without.

Even the sixteen crucial cities of Nanjun have been ceded!

Therefore, Bai Xinghe's identity was completely unimportant to him.

Moreover, he was fully aware of the internal strife in the State of Zhao and controlled everything behind the scenes.

Therefore, Ji Tiansheng could only sneer at what Yuan Aofang said.

"Your Majesty!" Qiu Qingtian finally stepped forward at this moment.

As a Zhou citizen who rose from humble beginnings, he has risen to the top and is now the prime minister of the Yan state.

Deep down, he certainly wanted to win over an outsider like Bai Xinghe!

Furthermore, Bai Xinghe's talent truly impressed him, so after much consideration, he decided to stand up and protect Bai Xinghe together with Li Chentian!

"I believe that what Dr. Li said is not without merit. The political situation in Zhao is chaotic, filled with jealousy of the virtuous and capable, and especially the new emperor Zhao Xing is cruel and inhumane!"

"Furthermore, wasn't His Majesty's establishment of the Golden Terrace precisely to attract talented individuals from across the land? Bai Xinghe's talent far surpasses that of us!"

"How can we punish him because of some unfounded and erroneous rumors?"

Seeing that Qiu Qingtian had also stood up to speak for Bai Xinghe, Yuan Aofang became anxious.

"Your Majesty, the crime of deceiving the emperor must be punished, otherwise it will surely damage Your Majesty's dignity."

"Even if His Majesty grants Bai Xinghe a pardon, his background is tainted, and he is absolutely unfit for the position of Vice Minister of War!"

"Your Majesty, one should trust those one employs and not employ those one one distrusts. I believe the internal strife in Zhao has nothing to do with Bai Xinghe!"

The two sides started arguing again, and the argument escalated.

"Your words are all reasonable," Ji Tiansheng said at this moment, and the ministers immediately fell silent.

Then Ji Tiansheng stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Bai Xinghe, who hadn't said a word from beginning to end.

"The two states of Yan and Yan have been at war for years. Your father was invincible in battle, causing great losses to the Great Yan."

"Furthermore, I might as well tell you that your father died during a war waged by my Yan state, struck by a poisoned arrow!"

"Don't you hate my Yan Kingdom?"

Ji Tiansheng's questions were undeniably sharp and hit the nail on the head.

After all, this was a blood feud for killing one's father, so Li Chentian, Qiu Qingtian, and the others couldn't help but feel nervous.

If Bai Xinghe answers even slightly carelessly, he will surely face death!

"I hate it!" Bai Xinghe replied loudly after a brief moment's thought.

This answer chilled Li Chentian, Qiu Qingtian, and the others to the bone, while Yuan Aofang and the others were overjoyed.

"I certainly hate the murder of my father, but since ancient times, the success of a general has been built on the bones of countless others. My father was a general of Zhao, and each served his own lord!"

"Life and death are predestined. To die on the battlefield is my father's honor, far better than dying amidst the intrigues and schemes of the court!"

Hearing Bai Xinghe's answer, the ministers who supported him breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hahaha!" Ji Tiansheng suddenly burst into laughter.

"Let me ask you again, as a citizen of Zhao, if I were to send you to fight in the Zhao army in the future, how would you deal with your own flesh and blood?"

This question was equally tricky, essentially setting a dead end for Bai Xinghe.

If one were to single-mindedly lead an army to attack the Zhao state, one would be a heartless and ruthless person who would not even spare his own flesh and blood!

If one harbors compassion, then one has ulterior motives.

Either answer is a recipe for disaster!