Chapter 110: Chapter 79: Harem Turmoil

Zheng Yi still underestimated the destructive power of modern artillery on ancient armies.

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

The content was simple: the Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry was completely annihilated, more than half captured, and the leader Cheng De was killed.

No casualties in the Divine Strategy Camp, and less than a hundred casualties in the Imperial Guard.

Now the Divine Strategy Camp and the Imperial Guard have merged and are advancing toward Yan City.

Aiming to press on and directly strike Yan City to capture the Pseudo-Yan King Zheng Yuantao!

“Tsk tsk tsk…”

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

He did not expect the Red Coat Cannon to achieve such a result in its first battle.

After thinking about it, it seemed logical as firearms were a completely different level of attack compared to cold weapon warriors.

In this world, neither infantry nor cavalry had ever seen a Red Coat Cannon, let alone heard such a tremendous roar.

Two hundred shells fell simultaneously, bombarding the cavalry camp. The cavalry, who had never experienced a hot weapon war, simply couldn’t resist and could only flee in panic.

Especially for the horses under the cavalry’s command.

Whether it was the cannon fire or the loud noise, these were factors sufficient to shock them.

Zheng Yi speculated that the swift collapse of the over twenty thousand Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry might have a lot to do with their horses being startled.

The next day, at the morning court session.

When Zheng Yi announced the Divine Strategy Camp’s battle report against the Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry, dozens of ministers were stunned, their faces full of disbelief.

“This, this battle report must be fake!”

“Your Majesty! With the Pseudo-Yan army imminent, how could the Divine Strategy Camp’s Commander falsely report military affairs like this? According to the law, he should be executed!”

“Three thousand infantrymen against twenty thousand cavalry, completely annihilating the enemy and capturing over twelve thousand people, how is that possible?!”

“It’s not infantry; it’s artillery!”

“What is artillery anyway? But this battle report is definitely fake!”

“Your Majesty, this battle report is absolutely untrustworthy…”

Immediately, several officials questioned it. It wasn’t that they didn’t believe it; it was just… impossible!

Zheng Yi calmly said: “This battle report is absolutely true. At the latest, you will see the captured Pseudo-Yan cavalry being escorted back to the capital tomorrow.”

“These over twelve thousand elite Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry have now surrendered. How should they be dealt with?”

As his voice fell, the entire hall fell silent.

There were still many people who didn’t believe the battle report from the Divine Strategy Camp.

However, some quickly realized that regardless of whether the report was true or false, they could see the captives tomorrow.

By then, the truth would be apparent.

The urgent task at hand was to consider the Emperor’s opinion.

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Kong Xiangsi, first said, “Your Majesty, heaven cherishes life. These over twelve thousand Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry are also our Great Yu citizens, also our Great Yu warriors.”

“Once the Divine Strategy Camp and the Imperial Guard decisively defeat Yan City and capture the Pseudo-Yan King Zheng Yuantao, Your Majesty could issue a decree to pardon these surrendered troops, making them repent and reform.”

“Finally, disperse them into other border armies, county soldiers, or even the Imperial Guard, gradually assimilating them to safeguard our Great Yu Realm.”

“I second this!”

“I second this!”

After Kong Xiangsi, several officials stood up to support his proposal.

Moments later, Cui Jinghao suddenly stood up and said, “Your Majesty, Lord Kong’s action is like raising a tiger for trouble.”

“These soldiers, having led an attack on our capital, most likely already have rebellious thoughts. If they are integrated into various units and used by ill-intentioned people, the other troops of our Great Yu would be in danger.”

“Oh?”

Zheng Yi frowned and said, “What is your opinion, Lord Cui?”

“Lord Cui!”

Before Cui Jinghao could speak, Kong Xiangsi glared at him and said, “These are over twelve thousand lives! And they are battle-hardened individuals. If they can repent and become part of our Great Yu army, our military capabilities will definitely improve!”

“Over twelve thousand people, behind them are nearly a hundred thousand relatives and countless people from Yan Land!”

“If they are all slaughtered, how will our Great Yu Court face the people of the world!”

“By then, chaos will arise in Yan Land, and our Great Yu will have to spend countless soldiers and resources to suppress it!”

“Can you take responsibility for that?”

Cui Jinghao said, “Lord Kong, I haven’t finished speaking yet.”

“Your Majesty, those among the surrendered Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry who wish to live are primarily ordinary soldiers simply following orders from their superiors.”

“The main culprits are still the Pseudo-Yan King and his subordinates, counselors, and officers!”

“Therefore, I propose that all Pseudo-Yan subordinates of rank seven or above, whether civil officials or military officers, should be executed immediately!”

“Their ordinary soldiers can be spared and redistributed among the troops.”

“Ordinary soldiers will surely be grateful for Your Majesty’s benevolence and sincerely submit.”

“With this, the matter can be settled, and Yan Land stabilized!”

With the end of his words, the entire hall fell silent again.

Cui Jinghao’s words did not advocate slaughtering these surrendered troops but instead targeted only officials and officers among them.

Implementing this strategy would mean executing over a thousand people.

However, compared to the over twelve thousand Dragon Cavalry, it was undoubtedly much more lenient.

After all, ordinary soldiers were just following orders from their superiors.

Moments later, Kong Xiangsi first said, “Lord Cui’s strategy is far beyond mine, indeed a grand plan for securing the nation!”

“I second this!”

“I second this!”

“I second this!”

Soon, over seventy percent of the officials in the hall expressed support.

Zheng Yi looked at a few people who hadn’t spoken and asked, “Lu Aiqing, what do you think?”

Lu Xiangqing turned and said, “I second it.”

“However, since the Pseudo-Yan King is still present, we need to wait until the Divine Strategy Camp completely breaches Yan City and captures the Pseudo-Yan King to make a plan, don’t you think?”

“Agreed.”

Zheng Yi nodded and said, “Cheng’en, draft the Holy Decree.”

“Yes!”

“The Pseudo-Yan cavalry was lured by traitors to rebel and, by law, deserves death.”

“However, heaven cherishes life, and I am not one to kill indiscriminately. All military officials of rank seven or above…execute their families of three generations!”

Before the words even fell, many officials in the hall turned pale, as if remembering something.

“The remaining ordinary soldiers will be detained on the spot, and after the Pseudo-Yan King is executed, they will be dealt with together!”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

The numerous officials all bowed together, and Zheng Yi continued, “Cui Aiqing, this matter is entrusted to you for handling.”

“I, your servant, obey the decree!”

“Court is dismissed!”

As the grand court session ended, the multitude of officials began to leave. Soon, a large group gathered around Cui Jinghao and others, with many officials pushing their way in.

“Lord Cui, Xia Pass obtained a good batch of tea the other day; please, do grace us with your presence!”

“Lord Cui, the Purple Jade Guanyin you mentioned last time, I believe it’s truly perfect for you!”

“Lord Cui, I wish to meet with you tonight. May I know if that’s possible…”

In the crowd, Cui Jinghao maintained a composed face, but inwardly he was quite pleased.

“Fellow colleagues, I have important matters to attend to, so I must take my leave for now.”

“If you have any issues, please send your visiting cards, and I will attend to them accordingly.”

“Farewell, farewell!”

Ignoring the many officials trying to stop him, Cui Jinghao walked out of the Imperial Palace on his own accord and took a sedan back to his residence.

He had full authority to handle the matter concerning the surrendering soldiers of Pseudo-Yan, a substantial power.

When Pseudo-Yan declared independence as a king, many in the Imperial Court secretly communicated with Pseudo-Yan.

And now, with the Pseudo-Yan Dragon Cavalry annihilated, the great tower was about to fall.

If it were discovered that they had previously communicated with Pseudo-Yan, they would undoubtedly face death!

It was essential to curry favor with Cui Jinghao now before the axe fell!

Behind the crowd, officials led by Lu Xiangqing coldly watched Cui Jinghao’s departing figure, their expressions varied.

“Elder Lu, now that His Majesty has entrusted Lord Cui with full authority over the handling of the Pseudo-Yan surrendering soldiers, do you think it will implicate us?”

“What, are you afraid?”

Lu Xiangqing said calmly, “As long as you haven’t had any dealings with Pseudo-Yan, what is there to fear?”

“Or are you saying you are also involved?”

Their expressions changed drastically, and they hastily said, “Rest assured, Elder Lu, we would never be so reckless.”

“Those Pseudo-Yan envoys indeed approached us, but I had them driven away with sticks!”

“Same here!”

They all vowed earnestly, absolutely resolute.

Lu Xiangqing then said, “Cui Jinghao… handling matters concerning Pseudo-Yan, one wrong step, and it could implicate himself.”

“Do not get involved in this matter.”

“Understood!”

After handling the surrendering soldiers of Pseudo-Yan, Zheng Yi had just returned to the harem when he heard a shocking piece of news.

“What did you say?”

“Beauty Wang and six other beauties have been confined to the Cold Palace by the Empress?”

Zheng Yi listened in surprise as Xu Qingluan explained, perplexed, “Why? What crime did they commit?”

A few days ago, the Empress Dowager fell seriously ill, and it continued to this day.

On her sickbed, the Empress Dowager suggested that Zheng Yi consider handing over the harem management rights to the Empress.

After contemplating for a while, Zheng Yi agreed to this proposal.

The Empress’s position had not committed any major mistakes, and managing the harem was originally the Empress’s right.

If the power remained in the hands of Consort Duann Xu Qingluan, the courtiers would sooner or later react.

To stabilize the front court and the harem, Zheng Yi, after careful consideration, agreed to the Empress Dowager’s request.

And Xu Qingluan still retained the right to assist in harem management.

Xu Qingluan bitterly shook her head and said, “Your Majesty, this matter is also related to you.”

“Me? What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you instruct the Ministry of Industry to create a small gadget called… Mahjong last month?”

Xu Qingluan’s eyes were also filled with excitement as she said, “That little gadget is just too fun. Not only does it entertain everyone, but it also contains military strategy. In just a few days, it spread throughout the entire harem, not just to me!”

“The Ministry of Industry has already created over a hundred sets of Mahjong, and they’ve even developed many new game variations.”

“All the new Beauty, Lady, and Noble Ladies who entered the palace have become addicted under the influence of their eunuchs and palace maids.”

“A few days ago, when the Empress Dowager fell ill and was bedridden, the Empress ordered the cessation of all harem entertainment activities to pray for the Empress Dowager.”

“Who would have thought that under such strict orders, the seven individuals, including Beauty Wang, still secretly played Mahjong in the palace, just in time to be spotted by a patrolling eunuch.”

Xu Qingluan said helplessly, “All seven of them were banished to the Cold Palace and cannot leave without orders from either Your Majesty or the Empress!”

“Beauty Wang?”

Zheng Yi thought for a moment and couldn’t quite remember the appearance of this beauty.

With so many beauties in the harem now, if they didn’t possess martial arts cultivation or have a special constitution, he truly couldn’t remember them.

However, the Empress’s punishment was appropriate, so he immediately said, “With the Empress Dowager seriously ill, the harem consorts should set an example.”

“Lin’er did nothing wrong in this matter.”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

In the 5th Year of Zhengyong, on the fourth day of the fourth month.

The seven beauties, including Beauty Wang, committed the great sin of filial disrespect by secretly playing during the Empress Dowager’s illness.

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

All their palace attendants were punished by the Internal Criminal Justice Department and sentenced to three years!

In the 5th Year of Zhengyong, on the sixth day of the fourth month.

While playing in the Imperial Garden, Pretty Chen inadvertently startled Consort De, nearly causing her to fall into the water, provoking Consort De’s anger.

In the 5th Year of Zhengyong, on the seventh day of the fourth month.

The Shadow Guard reported that five Death Warriors increased their martial arts cultivation, reaching the first-grade realm!

The Empress ordered them to be sent to the Cold Palace.

In the 5th Year of Zhengyong, on the eighth day of the fourth month.

In the martial arts training ground, Madam Lin and Beauty Mei competed, and in an accident, Beauty Mei injured Madam Lin, inciting the Empress’s wrath.

Under the charge of ’great disrespect,’ both women were severely punished and were not allowed to leave their chambers to reflect for three months.

In the 5th Year of Zhengyong, on the ninth day of the fourth month.

Consort Wan of the Zhu Clan, while peeking at His Majesty of Baiyu City resting, was discovered by Qin Fei of the Qin Clan on her way, leading to a confrontation, which was witnessed by patrolling Imperial Guards.

His Majesty decreed that Consort Wan of the Zhu Clan and Qin Fei of the Qin Clan acted recklessly and were guilty of great disrespect.

They were ordered to reflect in seclusion for half a year and could not leave without an imperial edict!

In the 5th Year of Zhengyong, on the tenth day of the fourth month.

The Great Yu Divine Strategy Camp and the Imperial Guard, totaling over fifty thousand, surrounded Yan City!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep