23: Great court meeting, Emperor Wanwu

Martial God Calendar, Yi Hai Year, Chrysanthemum Month, fifteenth.

Dawn was breaking.

From the tall tower overlooking the Imperial Palace, a resounding bell echoed throughout the Imperial Capital.

On this day, outside the Imperial Palace, carriages and horses bustled, and countless officials arrived from all over.

The Imperial Capital’s security, from ordinary soldiers, was completely replaced by the Heavenly Martial Army, whose fame spread through the ages.

No one dared to speak loudly on the streets; all that could be heard were rapid hoofbeats.

Inside the extremely luxurious Nine Dragon Hall, civil and military officials filed in.

In front of the elevated Imperial Throne, a screen stood, concealing the true appearance of the one in power.

Xia Xuan was participating in a Grand Court Assembly for the first time; his previous self had disliked such formal occasions.

Inside the Hall, Prime Minister Prime Minister stood on the right, and the various Princes on the left.

The civil and military officials lined up outside the Hall, numbering several thousands.

The palaces in this world were built on a massive scale, beyond ordinary imagination, yet even so, not all officials could fit inside the Hall.

At a glance, inside the Nine Dragon Hall, golden Dragons coiled around pillars, with carved beams and painted rafters, and gold and jade were everywhere; even the floor was paved with priceless spiritual jade.

It came with its own temperature regulation, making the officials present very comfortable.

“Third Brother, why have you been cooped up in your mansion lately? Big Brother wanted to invite you to a pleasure boat, but why have I not received your reply several times?”

The Crown Prince lowered his voice, winking.

Xia Xuan snorted, flicked his sleeve, and remained silent.

The Crown Prince frowned, pondered for a moment, and shifted his gaze to Prince Qi.

Prince Qi smiled: “Your Highness the Crown Prince, do I have flowers on my face?”

“These past few days, people from Prince Qi’s Mansion have been running to Prince Chu’s Mansion daily; this fellow must have given Prince Chu some kind of enchanting potion!”

The Crown Prince guessed the truth in his heart and snorted: “I just fear that Second Brother will be overjoyed and then suffer a calamity.”

“No need for Your Highness to worry, this Prince is doing very well,” Prince Qi said indifferently.

Behind him, Savage Tiger and the Fifth Prince from the Crown Prince’s faction, and the Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince from Prince Qi’s faction, also sparked a gunpowder-like tension, with both sides on the verge of conflict.

If not for the occasion, they might have already started fighting.

Prime Minister Prime Minister sighed softly.

The situation among the Princes was such mainly because of secret news spreading from the palace.

Emperor Wanwu, in his prime, had suffered a Qi Deviation during his cultivation and did not have long to live.

Otherwise, with Emperor Wanwu’s formidable cultivation and potential, living for several more centuries would not be an issue.

The Crown Prince might remain the Crown Prince until his death, and the struggle for the throne would continue for several generations; the first generation of Princes would certainly not be in such a hurry to turn on each other.

The most severe situation now was that the first generation of Princes had not truly grown up, and ambitious individuals were stirring, putting the Wu Dynasty, which had a Legacy of nearly two thousand years, at risk of disintegration.

Who knew what the supporters behind the Crown Prince, Prince Qi, or even Prince Chu were thinking?

If someone were to “command the feudal lords in the name of the Emperor,” he, Prime Minister, constrained by all sides, would also find it difficult to turn the tide.

“His Majesty arrives! The Great General arrives!”

Beside the screen, a pale-faced, beardless eunuch with an ordinary appearance and an effeminate voice announced loudly.

This voice carried a magical power, echoing in everyone’s ears.

Instantly, the Hall fell silent.

Outside the Hall, Xu Tianlang, dressed in a python robe, with eyes as deep as water, carried his saber and entered the Hall.

Through the passage behind the screen, a man in an Imperial robe, but looking withered and with sinister eyes, slowly appeared and walked behind the screen.

“May His Majesty live ten thousand years!”

Including Xia Xuan, all the Princes and all the civil and military officials knelt in obeisance.

Xu Tianlang stood out like a crane among chickens, appearing particularly conspicuous.

However, no one dared to say more.

The Great General was a veteran official of three Imperial Dynasties, over a hundred years old; even the previous Emperor respected him, and he no longer needed to bow to anyone.

“Rise!” Emperor Wanwu’s aged voice was somewhat hoarse.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” The officials rose.

“Grant the Great General a seat.” As Emperor Wanwu’s command was given, the plain-looking chief eunuch, with a smiling face, brought out a huanghuali wood grand chair, “Great General, please!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Xu Tianlang replied casually and sat down calmly.

“Today’s Grand Court Assembly, all my beloved ministers may speak freely.”

“Your Majesty, a small vassal state in the southwestern border of our Imperial Dynasty, the Jinmu Kingdom, recently suddenly announced its secession from our Imperial Dynasty to align with the Sun Moon Imperial Dynasty.” An official guarding the border stepped forward and said.

“Your Majesty, the Jinmu Kingdom’s action is tantamount to provoking the national prestige of our Wu Dynasty; troops should be immediately dispatched to suppress them, to warn all parties!”

“The Jinmu Kingdom occupies three prefectures, and its territory is rich in spiritual ore veins, making it a strategically important place that must not fall into the hands of the Sun Moon Imperial Dynasty.”

One piece of news prompted several ministers to offer advice.

“In recent years, the Sun Moon Imperial Dynasty’s power has expanded rapidly, becoming a grave concern for the Wu Dynasty; the three prefectures of the Jinmu Kingdom must not be conceded under any circumstances,” Prime Minister said.

“The Prime Minister’s words are reasonable!” All the civil and military officials echoed.

Emperor Wanwu remained silent for a long time, then hoarsely said: “What does the Great General think?”

Xu Tianlang snorted: “I think they have forgotten about the Yue Kingdom ten years ago. The Prime Minister is right, the three prefectures of the Jinmu Kingdom must be held by the Wu Dynasty.

The strength of a small country is nothing to fear, but how could that Empress be an incompetent fool? The Sun Moon Imperial Dynasty will definitely fully protect the Jinmu Kingdom’s defection.

This minister believes that if we act, we should do so with the force of a thunderbolt, to eliminate future troubles permanently, and incorporate the three prefectures of Jinmu into our Wu Dynasty’s territory.”

“As the Great General says.”

Emperor Wanwu paused, then asked: “Who is willing to lead the army to confront the Sun Moon Imperial Dynasty?”

Among the military generals in the Hall, no one spoke.

The power of the Sun Moon Imperial Dynasty was deeply ingrained in their minds; no one wanted to go to their deaths.

A few young, hot-blooded generals volunteered and stepped forward, but Emperor Wanwu directly ignored them.

“Does the Great General have a candidate?” Emperor Wanwu continued to ask.

Xu Tianlang scanned his gaze around, finally landing on a formidable general who was as steady as a deep pool and as formidable as a lurking tiger.

“General Yue Changting can bear this heavy responsibility.”

“General Yue, are you willing?”

General Yue Changting looked at Xu Tianlang in surprise, somewhat puzzled as to why the Great General would designate him.

It wasn’t that he feared the Sun Moon Imperial Dynasty, but he bore the heavy responsibility of guarding the Imperial Capital, and he was not related to the Great General by blood or friendship, having few interactions.

Was it a coincidence?

Thinking this, General Yue Changting still stepped forward and respectfully said: “This minister is willing to go!”

“This time you will be taking command and heading far to the southwest; the Valiant Cavalry Camp will temporarily be commanded by your deputy general,” Emperor Wanwu instructed.

“This minister accepts the order.” General Yue Changting had no objections; for him, he sought to fulfill his duties in his position.

Next, some important ministers reported on various local incidents and the progress of development and construction.

After half an hour, a supervisory minister from the Censorate, appointed by Prince Qi, stepped forward and impeached: “Your Majesty, this minister impeaches the Minister of Justice for abusing his power for personal gain and using illegal torture.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes slightly chilled. Was Prince Qi so eager to deal with him?

The Crown Prince’s uncle, the Minister of Justice who oversaw punishments, stepped forward and sneered: “Lord Mo, the Censorate must speak with evidence. When have I ever abused illegal torture?”