Chapter 392: Deeply Popular
Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations
The soldiers fighting came from various races. If those patriarchs were roped in by Chercha, how could he dare to use them even if they didn’t retreat?
Chernan gritted his teeth. He was the commander-in-chief of this expedition, but now, he could not make any other decisions other than calling for a halt. ’ “Sign it.”
A few days later, the news of Xiongnu signing the alliance was sent back to the Imperial Capital. The Emperor and the ministers were pleasantly surprised by the benefits of the alliance to Great Xia.
In addition to the compensation for the ceasefire, Xiongnu also obediently handed over two iron mines and many ores that had already been mined. “Your Majesty, the Third Prince has contributed to the retreat of the enemy. He led the army well and is the pillar of the country!”
‘■That’s right, Your Majesty. Originally, all we wanted was for Xiongnu to retreat. I didn’t expect the Third Prince to actually take the most desirable iron ore back to Great Xia. This is really a pleasant surprise!”
However, there were also voices of objection. “Your Majesty, I heard that the Third Prince disregarded the Imperial Court’s decree and sent troops to attack Xiongnu without permission. This action is clearly rushed for quick success and does not take the emperor’s order seriously at all. Please issue the decree and pursue the responsibility of the Third Prince for disobeying the decree!” “Is there something wrong with you? Not only did you not support rewarding the Third Prince when he won the battle, but you even asked His Majesty to punish him?”
“There are family rules and national laws. If everyone is as maverick as the Third Prince, will all the generals who lead troops in the future be able to disobey the imperial edict on the grounds that they won’t obey the orders of the external ruler? In that case, where will His Majesty’s might be?” “Moreover, who can guarantee that the Third Prince will be lucky enough to win? What if he advances rashly next time and implicates the entire Great Xia?” “Official He is simply unreasonable. Can you not hope for something good?” The court was in a heated argument in the morning, and the ministers were unwilling to give in to each other. After the morning, there was still no useful outcome. This matter could only be left unsettled for the time being. After the court session ended, the Emperor came to Noble Consort Ji’s palace. She still looked indifferent.
The Emperor asked, “Third Prince has made a contribution. What do you think I should reward him with?”
Noble Consort Ji was focused on her teacup and didn’t even look up. “As a prince, it s his duty to share His Majesty’s burdens.”
The Emperor asked again, “Someone asked me to punish him for defying the decree and advancing rashly. What do you think?”
Noble Consort Ji didn’t stop moving. “It’s indeed a little risky.” The Emperor rested his chin on his hand and watched her make tea. “Speaking of which, the Crown Prince has contributed to sending food to the border city. I haven’t rewarded him yet. What do you think I should reward him with?” Noble Consort Ji almost immediately looked up, but in the next moment she quickly lowered her head. “The harem can’t interfere with politics, so His Majesty can naturally reward whatever you want.”
The Emperor took the teacup and took a sip, not commenting.
As usual, he didn’t stay over. He left after drinking a cup of tea. This made the palace servants wonder day after day-was Noble Consort Ji favored or not?
In terms of favor, His Majesty never spent the night at Noble Consort Ji’s place. Every time he came, he would only sit down and say a few words.
In terms of not being favored, even the Empress couldn’t compare to the rewards she received this year. Moreover, no matter how busy His Majesty was, he would always personally visit Noble Consort Ji every once in a while.
Not long after the Emperor left, the Empress came, but her tone was not too good.
“I heard that His Majesty came just now? What did he say to you?” Noble Consort Ji didn’t hide it, but just as she finished speaking, the Empress’s face darkened. “In the past, you always said that you doted on the Crown Prince. Why didn’t you praise him more when His Majesty asked? Didn’t I tell you last time that my son has been idle for a long time? Coincidentally, there was a vacancy at the entrance examination, so it’s just right for the Crown Prince to go and train.”
Noble Consort Ji didn’t seem to care about the Empress’s reproach and dissatisfaction. She continued to grind her tea slowly. “Your Majesty, it’s not that I’m unwilling to speak up. It’s not like you don’t know His Majesty well. If I ask for an official position, I might make him think that I was instructed by the Crown Prince. Wouldn’t that have the opposite effect?”
The Empress thought for a moment and exclaimed, “I misunderstood my sister. I was also a little anxious. His Majesty values the imperial examinations and has also thought highly of the new students in recent years. The other princes can see the mystery behind this and are also eyeing the positions related to the imperial examination. It’s not easy for one of them to be free. I’m also worried that someone will make the first move.”
Noble Consort Ji handed her a cup of tea. “How could I not understand Her Majesty’s concerns? Don’t worry, didn’t we suppress the Crown Prince’s contribution to delivering food until now for that position? Now, as long as we get the right candidate in the court to speak at the right time, the Crown Prince will definitely get what he wants.”
The Empress was in a good mood after being coaxed. Recently, things had been going smoothly for the Yan Family. They had obtained both wealth and power. Although they had yet to obtain military power, as long as the Crown Prince controlled those students, the Yan Family would still have the final say in the court in the future.
The Empress left in satisfaction. Noble Consort Ji sat alone in the hall for a while before getting someone to come up and clean up.
“Throw them all away. There’s no need to keep them.”
Although the palace maid did not understand, she still did it obediently. The Empress quickly contacted the Crown Prince’s party and tried her best to help the Crown Prince take over the important position in the imperial examination before Rong Yan returned. Things went very smoothly, or rather, too smoothly…
At another morning court assembly, the Emperor looked at the ministers who wanted to praise the Crown Prince’s achievements together and said meaningfully, “The Crown Prince is really popular.”
Some of the ministers wanted to speak, but Prime Minister Yan hurriedly stopped them with a look.
The Emperor asked with a meaningful smile, “Since the Crown Prince is so outstanding and has worked so hard, what do you think I should arrange for him, dear officials?”
No matter how stupid a person was, they could hear the Emperor’s dissatisfaction. The ministers, who had been talking one after another just now, quietened down and did not know what to do. At this moment, Premier Shen, who had not spoken much, stepped forward. “Your Majesty, weren’t you worried that there was no reliable person to take charge of the subsequent maintenance of the dam in Xijiang County?”
Prime Minister Yan gritted his teeth. This old man must have done it on purpose! He wanted the Crown Prince to take care of the dam?
Everyone knew that the Yan Family was the one who had gotten into trouble with the dam previously. This matter had already faded, but he had to mention it! He was afraid that others would forget about Yan Lu, right?
Originally, His Majesty wanted to reward him for doing a good job. Now, it had become making up for his mistakes?
The efficiency of Great Xia’s court had never been high, so today’s matter had yet to be decided. On the other hand, Premier Shen was called by the Emperor to have a private conversation. After thinking about it, Prime Minister Yan invited the few ministers who were asking credit for the Crown Prince in the court today.
After being in the court for so long, who didn’t know that they had gotten into trouble?
“Prime Minister, please forgive me… I was instructed by the Empress to take the position of the head of the Imperial Examination for His Highness the Crown Prince. Who would have thought…”
“Who would have thought that?” Prime Minister Yan was dignified without being angry. “It’s your first day in court. Don’t you know that you have to read the room? So many people are talking at once. Are you afraid that His Majesty won’t be suspicious of the Crown Prince?”
The officials were timid, but they were not convinced. If not for the Empress’s orders, they would not have done such a rash thing. Now, they were all to blame for the problem!
Prime Minister Yan was naturally angry with the Empress, but he did not know that the Empress did not inform so many people..
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