457: Reversal, the imperial edict comes again, can it still be played like this?

The King of Yan gave a look.

The Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet deliberated for a long time, finally nodding: "For the soldiers of Great Chu's border army, and for the safety of our common people. The Inner Cabinet will immediately draft an imperial decree, ordering Chu Jiang to be recalled and executed according to law!"

imperial decrees generally come in two types: one is an edict issued by the Inner Cabinet, called a 'middle decree', and the second is an edict issued by the Chu Emperor, called an 'imperial decree'.

However, externally, both are referred to as imperial decrees.

It's just that the latter has greater authority.

The Chu Emperor has been in seclusion for many years, and the Inner Cabinet is basically responsible for all national affairs; there is no difference whether the emperor is present or not.

Everyone remained silent.

Jing Tian Hall, at this moment, had completely become a solo show for the King of Yan's faction.

Just as Yan Zheng was drafting the imperial decree, a clear, resonant bell toll suddenly echoed from outside the hall. Unlike a usual brief bell sound, this bell rang continuously, a full nine times.

"The Supervisor arrives!"

The officials instantly changed their expressions and bowed. A trace of unusual color flashed in Zhu Gongliang's cloudy old eyes, and his Dragon staff trembled slightly on the ground.

A middle-aged man dressed in a dark python robe strode in; it was the King of Jin. He held a scroll of bright yellow imperial decree in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the officials like lightning: "I heard that someone wants to cut down Great Chu's heaven-supporting pillar?"

Zhu Gongliang was about to speak when the King of Jin had already walked up to him: "Zhu Lao, Chu Jiang beat your good-for-nothing nephew at Jixia Academy. He caused chaos among the people in the Three Prefectures and was beheaded by Chu Jiang. Are you harboring personal vendetta?"

Zhu Gongliang trembled all over: "This old official... this old official..."

"No need to explain." The Supervisor turned to face the officials, "I have just rushed here from Father Emperor's seclusion place. This is Father Emperor's handwritten order—" He unrolled the imperial decree, "Chu Jiang suppressed the rebellion in the Three Prefectures, he is hereby promoted to a Double First-Class Marquis, granted a four-clawed python robe, and three Iron Vouchers for Exemption from Death. As for the matter of Wu Ling King, I am already aware of it; Chu Jiang did overstep his authority and is guilty, one Iron Voucher for Exemption from Death will be deducted. This matter ends here and needs no further discussion. By imperial command!"

What?

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Can it be played this way?

First, give you three Iron Vouchers for Exemption from Death, then deduct one. Doesn't that mean he's innocent? And he's even given a promotion and ennobled as a First-Class Marquis.

It both protected Chu Jiang and provided an explanation, killing two birds with one stone.

Awesome.

Zhu Gongliang knelt and kowtowed: "Your Highness! This Chu Jiang is unruly; if he is not punished..."

"Zhu Lao!" The King of Jin suddenly interrupted sharply. He took out a tortoise shell, "This is the divination Father Emperor left before going into seclusion—the cracks form the character 'Xing' ( punishment), yet there is a faint Dragon Qi lingering. Can you decipher its mystery?"

Zhu Gongliang trembled all over, unable to speak.

A flicker of unusual color flashed across the face of the Right Prime Minister Han Fei, Former Right Chancellor. This King of Jin had always been known for being muddle-headed and indecisive, having the least political acumen among the Three Kings.

How come he seemed like a different person today?

He even left a hidden message.

These words had three layers of meaning.

First, the character "Xing" ( punishment) represents that Chu Jiang violated ancestral rules and was indeed guilty. This was a response to Zhu Gongliang and others.

Second, the lingering Dragon Qi. Dragon Qi symbolizes the Qi of the emperor and the pulse of national fortune. The Dragon Qi faintly appearing on the tortoise shell hinted that although Chu Jiang had made mistakes, he carried the national fortune of Great Chu and was a key figure in resisting foreign enemies and protecting the country, thus he could not be easily moved.

Third, the Supervisor used the tortoise shell as a guide to expose Zhu Gongliang's selfish motives. Chu Jiang had killed Zhu Gongliang's nephew, and Zhu Gongliang held a grudge, taking the opportunity to retaliate. The character "Xing" ( punishment) on the tortoise shell outwardly pointed to Chu Jiang, but in reality, it implicitly referred to Zhu Gongliang's abuse of power and personal vendetta.

Most likely, this tortoise shell was something the King of Jin just casually pulled out.

After all.

He had never heard that the Chu Emperor was skilled in fate divination.

Only today did he see just the tip of the iceberg of this King of Jin.

Was he faking it all this time?

He was too patient, pretending in front of outsiders and even in front of his own people, deceiving everyone. He truly was a ruthless individual.

No wonder he was appointed Supervisor by the Chu Emperor; he was indeed no fool.

Thud!

The King of Jin strode quickly, walking to the palace gate and pointing to the east: "The Sun Moon Country's million-strong army is pressing on our borders. Instead of thinking about repelling the enemy, you want to break your own sharp sword? Although Chu Jiang is guilty, Great Chu needs this peerless sharp sword at this moment!"

Zhu Gongliang still wanted to argue, but the Supervisor had already spoken coldly: "Zhu Lao is old; he should retire and return home immediately. As for Chu Jiang..." He turned to face the officials, "I will personally vouch for him. After the enemy is repelled, we will discuss other matters!"

Minister of War Sun Wu suddenly laughed aloud: "The Supervisor is wise!"

Yan Zheng and the others exchanged glances, then could only follow suit and kowtow: "The Supervisor is wise!"

The King of Jin put away the imperial decree, his gaze sweeping over the officials: "Remember, the Great Chu's empire was built with these sharp swords, and whether it can be defended also depends on them. If we cut down this sword today, tomorrow the enemy will cut off our heads!"

The King of Yan's expression was cold and sinister, cursing inwardly: You old geezer, what exactly are you doing? You oppose everything I do.

Damn it.

Zhu Gongliang slumped to the ground, his expression dim. He knew he was finished; he had completely lost the gamble.

"Supervisor, what should be done about the Three Prefectures' border? If we don't hand over Chu Jiang, are we really going to war with the Sun Moon Country?"

Minister of Justice Liang Long was still unwilling. If Chu Jiang returned to the capital, he would definitely settle scores with him. He was already on Wu Ling King's side and couldn't escape.

If it were someone else, they might be able to escape punishment.

But if it was Chu Jiang.

Even if Wu Ling King died, he would not escape responsibility.

"Go to war?"

"Since the Sun Moon Country wants to play, then Great Chu will accompany them!"

"The Inner Cabinet will immediately draft an imperial decree, dispatching elite troops from the Eastern Ten States to the Three Prefectures of Wu, Lan, and Yue. The Tiger Brave Camp, Five Army Camp, and Shenji Camp of the Seven Great Camps will march to the border!"

"The Ministry of Revenue, all funds and provisions will be given top priority!"

"The Ministry of Works, supply military weapons!"

"The Sun Moon Country has extensively captured Great Chu citizens; their crimes are too numerous to count. Within ten days, compensate Great Chu with five billion Spirit Stones and one thousand fourth-grade or higher blood spirit stones, otherwise, we go to war!"

As soon as his voice fell, the entire hall was silent.

They hadn't expected the King of Jin to play such a big game. If a war truly broke out, it would undoubtedly lead to rivers of blood and millions of casualties.

Was this still the King of Jin they knew?

It was as if he had transformed into a different person, full of vigor and radiating authority.

"Yes!"

At this moment, not a single official voiced opposition. The King of Jin arriving with the imperial decree had already made the Chu Emperor's stance clear.

The imperial decree was issued immediately.

The massive state machinery began to mobilize.

Armies from all routes marched to the border, and even previously unseen weapons were unveiled.

Throughout Great Chu's forty-nine states, winds rose and clouds gathered, with undercurrents surging.

A thick cloud of war enveloped everyone in Great Chu...