80: Harem Rebellion

Chapter 80: Turmoil in the Inner Palace

Zheng Yi still underestimated the lethality of modern artillery against ancient armies.

When he received the battle report sent by Chen Hongxiu and the others, he was stunned for several seconds himself.

The content was very simple: the Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry was completely wiped out, most of them were captured, and the rebel leader Cheng De was killed.

The Shenji Camp suffered no casualties, while the Imperial Guards suffered no more than a hundred casualties.

Now the Shenji Camp had already joined forces with the Imperial Guards and was marching towards Yan City.

They wanted to strike in one go, march straight to Yan City, and capture the Pseudo Prince Yan Zheng Yuantao!

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

Looking at the battle report in his hand, Zheng Yi also clicked his tongue in wonder.

He did not expect that the Red Barbarian Cannon would achieve such battle results in its first battle.

Thinking about it, it was quite normal; for cold-weapon warriors, firearms were fundamentally a dimensionality-reduction strike.

Whether infantry or cavalry in this world, they had never seen the Red Barbarian Cannon, let alone heard that kind of huge roar.

Two hundred cannonballs fell simultaneously, bombarding the cavalry formation. Cavalry that had never experienced hot-weapon warfare simply could not withstand it and could only flee in a panic.

Especially the warhorses under the cavalry.

Whether it was the artillery fire or the loud roar, for them, these were factors sufficient to startle them.

Zheng Yi guessed that the reason why the more than twenty thousand Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry collapsed so quickly might have a lot to do with the warhorses between their legs being startled.

The next day, at the morning court.

When Zheng Yi announced the battle report of the Shenji Camp against the Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry, dozens of ministers were all stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Th-This battle report must be fake!"

"Your Majesty! With the Pseudo-Yan army at hand, the commander of the Shenji Camp actually falsified military intelligence like this; according to the law, he should be beheaded!"

"Three thousand infantry and twenty thousand cavalry actually completely annihilated the opponent, and even captured more than twelve thousand people. How is that possible?!"

"It is not infantry, it is artillery!"

"What on earth is artillery? But this battle report is definitely fake!"

"Your Majesty, this battle report must not be believed..."

Several officials immediately stepped out to question it. It was not that they did not believe it, it was simply... impossible!

Zheng Yi said calmly, "This battle report is 100% true. By tomorrow at the latest, all of you will be able to see the Pseudo-Yan cavalry escorted back to the capital."

"These more than twelve thousand people are all elite members of the Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry. Now that they have surrendered, how should they be dealt with?"

As his voice fell, the entire grand hall was silent.

There were still quite a few people who simply did not believe the battle report reported by the Shenji Camp.

But some people quickly reacted: regardless of whether the battle report was true or false, the escorted captured soldiers could be seen tomorrow.

When the time comes, whether it is true or false will be known at a glance.

The most urgent task was to consider the emperor's view.

Minister of Rites Kong Xiangsi took the lead in saying, "Your Majesty, Heaven has the virtue of loving life. These more than twelve thousand Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry are also the subjects of our Great Yu and the warriors of our Great Yu."

"After the Shenji Camp and the Imperial Guards crush Yan City and capture the Pseudo Prince Yan Zheng Yuantao, Your Majesty can issue an imperial decree to spare the crimes of these surrendered soldiers and generals, making them turn back and mend their ways."

"Finally, scatter them and incorporate them into other border armies, commandery troops, or even the Imperial Guards for gradual assimilation, so as to protect the mountains and rivers of our Great Yu."

"This minister seconds the motion!"

"This minister seconds the motion!"

After Kong Xiangsi, several officials stepped forward and successively seconded Kong Xiangsi's proposal.

After a few breaths, Cui Jinghao suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Kong's move is a strategy of nurturing a tiger to cause trouble later."

"Since these soldiers led troops to launch a sneak attack on our capital, I am afraid they have long harbored rebellious hearts. Now, if they are integrated into various units and happen to be used by someone with ulterior motives, other troops of our Great Yu will be in danger."

"Oh?"

Zheng Yi frowned and asked, "What insights does Lord Cui have?"

"Lord Cui!"

Before Cui Jinghao could speak, Kong Xiangsi glared at Cui Jinghao and said, "These are twelve thousand lives! And they are all battle-hardened people. If they can turn back and become the army of our Great Yu, the overall strength of our Great Yu's army will definitely improve!"

"More than twelve thousand people! Behind them are nearly one hundred thousand family members, as well as countless common people in Yan!"

"If they are all slaughtered, what face will the Great Yu Dynasty have to face the subjects of the world!"

"At that time, Yan will definitely fall into chaos, and our Great Yu will have to spend countless soldiers, funds, and food to suppress it!"

"Can you bear this responsibility?"

Cui Jinghao said, "Lord Kong, I haven't finished speaking yet."

"Your Majesty, those who surrendered from the Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry must have the desire to survive, and the vast majority of these people are just ordinary soldiers; they merely obeyed the orders of their superiors."

"The chief culprits are still the Pseudo Prince Yan, as well as his staff, officials, and generals!"

"Therefore, this minister requests that all officials under the Pseudo-Yan of the seventh rank and above, regardless of whether they are civil or military officials, be executed!"

"As for the ordinary soldiers under their command, their lives can be spared and they can be dispersed among various armies."

"Ordinary soldiers will surely be grateful for Your Majesty's heavenly grace and sincerely submit."

"In this way, major affairs can be settled, and Yan can be settled!"

As soon as his voice fell, the entire grand hall was silent for a moment.

Cui Jinghao's words were not to slaughter these surrendered soldiers, but only to kill the officials, military officers, and others among them.

If this strategy were implemented, the people executed would amount to over a thousand.

But compared to the more than twelve thousand Dragon Cavalry, it was undoubtedly much more lenient.

After all, ordinary soldiers merely obeyed the orders of their superiors.

After a few breaths, Kong Xiangsi took the lead in saying, "Lord Cui's strategy is something this official is ashamed to fall short of; it is truly a grand plan to pacify the country!"

"This minister seconds the motion!"

"This minister seconds the motion!"

"This minister seconds the motion!"

Soon, more than seventy percent of the many officials in the grand hall expressed their support one after another.

Zheng Yi looked at the few people who had not spoken and asked, "Beloved Minister Lu, what do you think?"

Lu Xiangqing turned sideways and said, "This minister seconds the motion."

"However, since the Pseudo Prince Yan is still around, we need to wait until the Shenji Camp completely captures Yan City and takes the Pseudo Prince Yan prisoner before making further plans. How about that?"

"Very well."

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Chengen, draft an imperial decree."

"Understood!"

"The Pseudo-Yan cavalry, bewitched by the rebels, threw themselves into rebellion, and according to the law, should be beheaded."

"However, Heaven has the virtue of loving life, and We are not indiscriminate killers either. All military officials of the seventh rank and above... execute their three clans!"

Before the voice had even fallen, the expressions of many officials in the grand hall changed slightly.

Several people's faces turned even paler, as if they had thought of something.

"The remaining ordinary soldiers shall be detained on the spot and dealt with together after the Pseudo Prince Yan is brought to justice!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The many officials bowed down together, and Zheng Yi said again, "Beloved Minister Cui, this matter shall be left to you to handle."

"This minister obeys the decree!"

"Court dismissed!"

The grand court withdrew, and the many officials walked outward. Soon, a large circle gathered around Cui Jinghao and the others, and many officials squeezed toward the inside.

"Lord Cui, this subordinate obtained a fine tea the other day; please do me the honor of tasting it!"

"Lord Cui, that piece of Purple Jade Guanyin you mentioned last time, this subordinate feels it is truly a perfect match for you!"

"Lord Cui, tonight this subordinate wishes to visit for a chat, I wonder..."

In the crowd, Cui Jinghao's expression was as usual, but in his heart, he was very pleased.

"Fellow colleagues, this official still has important matters at hand, so I will take my leave first."

"If you colleagues have any questions, submit your calling cards first, and this official will handle them."

"Farewell, farewell!"

Disregarding the interception of the many officials, Cui Jinghao walked out of the imperial palace on his own and got into a sedan chair to return to his residence.

He had full authority to handle the matter regarding the surrendered Pseudo-Yan soldiers; this power was immense.

When the Pseudo-Yan declared itself a kingdom, quite a few people in the imperial court also secretly contacted the Pseudo-Yan.

And now, the Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry had been annihilated, and the mansion was about to collapse.

If people investigated and found out that they had previously communicated with the Pseudo-Yan, then they would undoubtedly die!

If they didn't hurry to butter up Cui Jinghao now, it would be too late once the butcher knife hung over their heads!

Behind the crowd, officials led by Lu Xiangqing and others coldly watched Cui Jinghao's back, their eyes differing.

"Elder Lu, Your Majesty has given Lord Cui full authority to handle the matter of the Pseudo-Yan surrendered soldiers; will it implicate us?"

"What, are you afraid?"

Lu Xiangqing said calmly, "As long as none of you had contact with the Pseudo-Yan, what is there to fear?"

"Or could it be that you are also involved in it?"

The expressions of several people changed drastically, and they hurriedly said, "Elder Lu, rest assured, we would never be so lacking in a sense of proportion."

"That Pseudo-Yan envoy did look for us, but I had people beat him out with random sticks!"

"Me too!"

Several people swore one after another, resolute and decisive.

Lu Xiangqing then said, "Cui Jinghao... In handling the Pseudo-Yan matter, one careless move and he will bring trouble upon himself."

"Do not meddle in this matter."

"Understood!"

After finishing dealing with the surrendered Pseudo-Yan soldiers, Zheng Yi had just returned to the inner palace when he heard a shocking matter.

"What did you say?"

"Consort Wang and seven other beauties were locked up in the Cold Palace by the Empress?"

Zheng Yi listened to Xu Qingluan's narration in surprise and asked strangely, "Why? What mistake did they make?"

A few days ago, the Empress Dowager fell gravely ill, and it had continued until now.

On her sickbed, the Empress Dowager spoke up and asked Zheng Yi to consider handing over the power of managing the inner palace to the Empress.

After thinking for a few minutes, Zheng Yi agreed to the matter.

The position of the Empress had not committed any major errors, and the power to manage the inner palace was inherently the Empress's right.

If this power remained all along in the hands of Consort Duan Xu Qingluan, the court ministers would react sooner or later.

In order to stabilize the outer court and the inner palace, after careful consideration, Zheng Yi still agreed to the Empress Dowager's request.

As for Xu Qingluan, she still retained the right to assist in managing the inner palace.

Xu Qingluan shook her head with a wry smile and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is also related to you."

"Me? What do you mean?"

"Didn't you order the Ministry of Works last month to make a little gadget called... Mahjong?"

Xu Qingluan's eyes were also filled with excitement as she said, "That little gadget is simply too fun! Not only can it entertain everyone, but it also contains military strategies and tactics within it. Not just this concubine, but within a few short days, the entire inner palace has spread it around!"

"Now the Ministry of Works has built at least over a hundred sets of Mahjong, and has also developed many new ways to play."

"Those newly entered beauties, madams, noble ladies, and so on, under the influence of their respective eunuchs and palace maids, all indulged in it."

"A few days ago, the Empress Dowager fell gravely ill and was bedridden. The Empress ordered the suspension of all entertainment activities in the inner palace to pray for blessings for the Empress Dowager."

"Who would have thought that under such strict orders, Consort Wang and seven others were still secretly playing Mahjong in the palace, and happened to be discovered by eunuchs inspecting the inner palace."

Xu Qingluan said helplessly, "All seven of them were banished to the Cold Palace, and without the command of Your Majesty or the Empress, they are not allowed to leave the palace!"

"Consort Wang?"

Zheng Yi thought for a moment, unable to quite recall the appearance of this beauty.

There were simply too many beauties in the inner palace now; unless they possessed Martial Dao cultivation or a special Physique, he really couldn't remember them.

However, the Empress's punishment was also considered standard, and he immediately said, "The Empress Dowager is gravely ill. As imperial concubines of the inner palace, they should naturally set an example."

"In this matter, Lin'er did the right thing."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

zhengyong Year 5, April 4th.

During the period of the Empress Dowager's serious illness, Consort Wang and seven other beauties played and amused themselves in private, committing the crime of gross unfiliality.

The Empress enforced the law impartially and banished them to the Cold Palace.

Their palace attendants were all punished by the Inner Penal Department to suffer punishment for three years!

zhengyong Year 5, April 6th.

When Consort Chen was playing in the Imperial Garden, she collided with Consort De, causing Consort De to be startled and almost fall into the water. Consort De was furious.

zhengyong Year 5, April 7th.

The Shadow Guard reported that five death row warriors had their Martial Dao cultivation upgraded, and their strength stepped into the First Grade Realm!

The Empress ordered their banishment to the Cold Palace.

zhengyong Year 5, April 8th.

Madam Lin and Consort Mei had a martial arts duel in the drill ground. Consort Mei inadvertently injured Madam Lin, and the Empress was furious.

Under the charge of 'lese-majesty', she heavily punished the two women, ordering them to reflect behind closed doors and not go out for three months.

zhengyong Year 5, April 9th.

Imperial Concubine Wan, surnamed Zhu, peeped at Your Majesty retiring for sleep in White Jade Capital, was startled away by Your Majesty, and halfway through encountered Imperial Concubine Qin, surnamed Qin. The two of them fought under great rage and were discovered by the patrolling Imperial Guards.

Your Majesty issued an order that Imperial Concubine Wan, surnamed Zhu, and Imperial Concubine Qin, surnamed Qin, were impulsive and lacked decorum, committing the crime of lese-majesty.

They were to reflect behind closed doors for half a year and not go out without an imperial decree!

zhengyong Year 5, April 10th.

The Great Yu's Shenji Camp and Imperial Guards, totaling over fifty thousand men, surrounded Yan City!

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