sbdcsierra Chapter 872 Killing Chongwen
Chapter 872 Killing Chongwen
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
No sooner had Zong Que's request for an imperial decree to launch a northern expedition been made than ministers stood up and strongly opposed it.
"The Crown Prince is the heir apparent and has the responsibility of overseeing the country. Since ancient times, it has been the rule that the Crown Prince does not lead troops, and there has never been a precedent for the Crown Prince to go to the front lines. In my opinion, the Crown Prince's words are extremely inappropriate!"
"I second that the Crown Prince must not lead troops on a northern expedition!"
Throughout history, the establishment of a crown prince was a means to ensure the stability of the nation.
Even in unavoidable circumstances, the emperor would personally lead an expedition while the crown prince oversees the state, all to stabilize the empire—a rule established by our ancestors. Since the emperor has already ordered the reinstatement of the crown prince, there is absolutely no question of the crown prince leading an expedition, unless, of course, the reinstatement of the crown prince is merely a pretext.
Amidst the impassioned speeches of several courtiers, some had already calmed down, breaking out in a cold sweat as they subconsciously observed the emperor's attitude.
As expected, the emperor did not immediately respond to the crown prince's request for permission to launch a northern expedition.
"Father, the Northern Yan has repeatedly invaded our borders. This time, they have occupied two cities of our Great Zhao. If the north falls, and the Northern Yan were to cross the Shun River, the capital would be in grave danger. Your son begs Your Majesty to issue an edict to immediately proclaim the whole story of the Chenzhou case to the world, to clear General Rong's name, to execute Duke Xiao as a sacrifice to the flag, and to use the remaining power of the Rong family army to march north in one fell swoop." Zong Que looked up and met the emperor's gaze. "Your son is the best candidate. Your son hereby swears that he will never return to the court until the Northern Yan is destroyed."
We will never return to the court until the Northern Yan is destroyed.
Everyone looked at Zong Que in shock, recalling the Chenzhou case that had just ended. Zong Que had been dismissed for trying to reopen the Chenzhou case, and it took more than two years to find evidence and punish the wicked. If he could lead the army to the north, our army's morale would be greatly boosted, and we might even have the strength to resist Northern Yan.
only……
Even the court officials who were initially hesitant due to the Crown Prince's status were now wavering.
According to custom, the Crown Prince should not go to the front lines, but the Great Zhao and Northern Yan have been locked in a stalemate for many years. Since the founding of the Great Zhao, Northern Yan has been a major threat. More than twenty years ago, Northern Yan attacked the Shun River, and the Great Zhao was almost destroyed as a result. This time, Northern Yan has made a comeback. If it is just like before, once they cross the Shun River, the capital will be in grave danger.
Even if the country is not destroyed, it will inevitably have to move south to save its life, which would be a great disgrace.
Moreover, once they migrate south, the north will become prisoners of the Northern Yan, and it is unknown how many people will suffer as a result.
These people claim to be acting for the sake of the people, but now that the time has come, they lack the courage and resolve of the Crown Prince.
"Excellent!" the emperor clapped his hands, exclaiming excitedly, "My son has ambition!"
"The Northern Yan have repeatedly invaded our borders and disturbed the people. For so many years, the people of the North have suffered unspeakably. I wish I could personally take up arms and drive these traitors out of the capital. But alas, Heaven has not granted me the life I desire, and my wish remains unfulfilled." The Emperor looked at Zong Que with deep affection. "Now the Crown Prince has risked his own safety to request a northern expedition. He does this for me, for the sake of the country, and for the sake of the people. I am deeply gratified."
"Guards, draft an imperial edict ordering Crown Prince Zong Que to personally lead the Northern Expedition in my stead, to fight a decisive battle against Northern Yan! Gather 100,000 troops, kill the traitor Xiao as a sacrifice to the flag, and set off northward in three days!"
Once the emperor issued his decree, even though the court officials had different thoughts, they couldn't help but be passionate and enthusiastic!
"Long live my emperor! Long live!"
"Long live the Crown Prince!"
"Drive out Northern Yan! Reclaim the lost territory!"
Lu Yangyang knelt on the ground with the court officials, but couldn't help raising her eyes to look at the Crown Prince, who stood straight at the front.
I couldn't understand why His Majesty would so easily reinstate the Crown Prince and even severely punish Xiao Chong to exonerate the Duke of Rong, but now I understand it all.
The Northern Yan had long been eager to make a move, and the emperor not only knew this but had also ordered his men to conceal the news.
He had known all along that Zong Que was still alive. All his previous tests of her, including his indulgence of her after she returned to the capital, were just waiting for Zong Que to show up and reopen the Chenzhou case.
Sacrificing Duke Xiao to legitimately reinstate the crown prince, and then leaking urgent military intelligence about Northern Yan's growing impatience, were all aimed at forcing Zong Que to take a stand and resolve this major threat. Zong Que had two options: either follow the example of Crown Prince Chongwen, who went north as a hostage to negotiate peace and maintain the peace between the two countries, or, like Duke Rong, devote all his strength to fighting Northern Yan.
Regardless of the reason, he never intended for Zong Que to come back.
They either end up like Crown Prince Chongwen, spending their entire lives in Northern Yan without ever returning to the capital, or they die on the battlefield like Duke Rong.
In that case, reinstating the crown prince is only a temporary matter, and the emperor doesn't mind doing this for show.
The emperor and Zong Que, father and son, the emperor and the crown prince, were not only father and son, but also rivals.
Zong Que had long anticipated the emperor's intentions, and at this critical juncture, he launched a grand reopening of the Chenzhou case, personally entering the fray to force the emperor to agree to the Northern Expedition.
From the very beginning, Zong Que wanted to resolve more than just the Chenzhou case.
Instead, he wanted to launch a northern expedition.
This was his true scheme.
At this moment, Lu Yangyang realized clearly that he was her most beloved crown prince, and also a true politician.
Having decided on the Northern Expedition, the emperor adjourned the court.
The court officials rose and began to leave. The emperor looked at Zong Que.
"Ah Que, it has been a long time since we, father and son, have seen each other. I have many things I want to say to you."
Zong Que walked to Lu Yangyang's side and took her hand. "Father, I haven't seen the Crown Princess for two years. Please understand. You must be tired today. I will come to pay my respects to you later."
"Hahaha," the emperor laughed with the eunuch Feng beside him, "Look, Ah Que has a crown princess now, and he doesn't even care about his father anymore. Fine, fine, take your crown princess back to the East Palace. Keep your things safe, I haven't asked anyone to touch them."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I take my leave now," Zong Que said respectfully.
A harmonious scene of father and son.
Zong Que led Lu Yangyang around, and the emperor watched their retreating figures, his smile gradually fading.
Once the main hall was empty, the emperor gazed intently at the dark sky outside.
“Send a message to Prince Lu, demanding that he kill Chongwen at any cost, and I will grant him the title of Crown Prince.”
Feng Dajian glanced at the emperor in surprise, then quickly lowered his head.
"What? Why was it Chongwen who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who killed him? If they want to fight for my position, they have to have the ability to fight for it. Killing him would be too much of a waste of time and too many variables.
"Besides, how could I bear to do that? These are the children I raised with my own hands. Now that they're old, I have to be wary of them. A letter came from the south earlier that Yu Jing is dead and Zong Ke is dead. Tell me, did A Que hesitate for even a moment when he took his own life? I think of him, but he was the most ruthless of all."
Supervisor Feng hurriedly replied, "His Highness is most respectful to you."
The emperor scoffed and said coldly, "In my life, I have won and lost, but I will never lose to Chongwen."