Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Defeat

Capital City.

This is a delayed morning court assembly.

Many officials had already gotten up at midnight to prepare, and now, even though the sun is almost at noon, there is no sign of the court dispersing.

They are so hungry that their stomachs are practically sticking to their backs, yet they must stand upright. After all, debates over the life and death of a Fifth Rank Governor have drawn all the senior ministers into the fray, and the Crown Prince and Prince Li are at loggerheads.

Moreover, ancestral teachings and the Nanxia Law Code have been mentioned, making the matter increasingly severe.

The people who can hear inside have already mentally lit candles for Shang Jingwang, while those standing further away, even if unaware of the discussions or debates taking place, can clearly feel the oppressive atmosphere. In such situations, someone is almost certain to lose their head.

Who would dare touch such bad luck? Naturally, they stand even straighter, unwilling to invite trouble through poor posture.

With the conclusion that Huangfu Yuxuan should be executed expressed, the Crown Prince wants to say something, but as he opens his mouth, he finds he cannot muster a strong rebuttal. After all, everyone has argued themselves red in the face, and all conceivable counterarguments have been exhausted. He, the dignified Crown Prince, thinks it better not to speak if his reasoning mirrors that of others.

More importantly, he is both the Crown Prince and elder. If he cannot strike Huangfu Yuxuan down effectively, leaving no room for rebuttal, it would only embarrass him and undermine his authority.

At this point, he doesn’t expect Huangfu Yuxuan to give him any face.

After all, Huangfu Yuxuan’s current stance with Prince Li shows he is determined to rival him.

The Crown Prince remained silent, and the court fell quiet.

Everyone seemed to be still engrossed in Huangfu Yuxuan’s recent righteous statements.

The Emperor scanned the crowd of ministers and said blandly, “Does the Crown Prince have anything to add?”

Filled with unwillingness and anger almost bursting forth, the Crown Prince suppressed it forcibly, saying in a muffled voice, “Your servant has nothing to say!”

Pushed to silence by Huangfu Yuxuan, a junior, the Crown Prince was deeply resentful.

He wasn’t really concerned about Shang Jingwang’s fate—after all, he was just a minister of Nanxia, and there were countless aspiring officials—if Shang Jingwang dies, there would surely be replacements. Not to mention that Shang Jingwang isn’t one of his people, and even if he were, he would discard him if he couldn’t protect him.

It’s just a matter of swallowing this bitter pill.

But he knows he has to swallow it.

Slightly carelessly, letting a young wolf nip at him, he has to endure today’s loss, but he will surely strike back in the future.

The Emperor spoke lightly, “So you’re saying Shang Jingwang indeed deserves to die!”

He didn’t use an interrogative tone, but it seemed like a question. Clearly, Shang Jingwang’s fate will soon be clarified.

At this moment, someone hesitantly said, “Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don’t know if it’s appropriate or not!”

The Emperor, having aged and fatigued from sitting for long, shifted positions, leaning slightly against the right side of the dragon throne, saying moderately, “Speak!”

The person approached, wearing a prince’s court attire, over forty years old, with a square face, and a somewhat earnest appearance, upon closer look, bore a five-point resemblance to Huangfu Jinxuan.

This was Huangfu Jinxuan’s father, King Kang, Huangfu Mian. Performing the courtesy, he said, “Your Majesty, Shang Jingwang’s actions were indeed inappropriate, but he is not the same as Huangfu Chi during Prince Ping’s time. When the flood disaster struck Qinghuang Prefecture in Qinzhou, Huangfu Chi sent a message to the Capital City and then neglected it, failing to seize the best opportunity, leading to an uncontrollable disaster with irreversible consequences. Huangfu Chi deserved his punishment, and Prince Ping’s clear rewards and punishments were meant to prevent future incidents and protect the people, hence such strict orders. However, Shang Jingwang did not, like Huangfu Chi, wait idly for the Imperial Envoy but personally went to the plague site!”

He looked at the Emperor with sincerity, “Local officials with the hearts for the people, at least are capable ministers who do practical work. Although there were mistakes, there are merits. Can we offset merits with faults? If inadequate as a warning, what about demotion or a salary cut, but could he be spared the death penalty? I worry that if Shang Jingwang is given a death sentence, it would lead local officials to act rigidly, aiming not for merits but merely avoiding faults, reducing the willingness to take personal risks!”

Huangfu Yuxuan sneered coldly, sharply saying, “Uncle Kang, nephew cannot agree with your words.” He looked even with King Kang, pressure emanating from his demeanor, “As Prefect, Shang Jingwang personally going to the site is his duty. In Uncle Wang’s eyes, how does it become a rare occurrence? Are Nanxia’s officials only capable of this step by Shang Jingwang? The law is ruthless, the crime of execution cannot be offset by a minor merit within duties.”

Shang Jingwang had no enmity with him, nor did he know Shang Jingwang, but since the Crown Prince wants to protect him and he is ready to show his sharpness, he takes this as an opportunity.

King Kang had nothing more to say.

Indeed, personal risk is a duty; yet many officials let others handle matters, claiming achievements for themselves, thus turning the duty into a rarity.

Since it is a duty, it can be rewarded, but in reality, what merit is there?

King Kang sighed inwardly.

As a member of the Imperial Family, he understands the power struggles in the court too well. A diligent official like Shang Jingwang, crushed without ever showing his face in these court disputes.

Crown Prince, Prince Li!

Previously it was the former Crown Prince, Prince Zhuang, Prince Li.

Now that the former Crown Prince is out, his son has emerged, Prince Zhuang became Crown Prince, but Prince Li still stood opposite him.

The struggle is endless.

Why do they fight and what for, covered as it is, is not difficult to guess.

Unfortunately, the Emperor seems indifferent, perhaps even… indulgent?

The former Crown Prince was the Emperor’s legitimate eldest son, his mother was the Emperor’s first wife, and despite his mediocrity, he remained Crown Prince for forty years.

Prince Zhuang wise, Prince Li filial, now with Huangfu Yuxuan helping him, this is truly equal competition.

No, judging by this conflict, the Crown Prince lost.

He couldn’t absolve Shang Jingwang, even if he pretends indifference, but still lost.

This kind of conflict will likely become more frequent in the future.

Yet the Emperor does not care, even lets it be, he is only a member of the Imperial Family, with limited ability.

Shang Jingwang, quite a pity!

At this moment, Marquis Anning watched Huangfu Yuxuan’s back, just a young man yet his momentum, sharpness, vision, and presence were no less than the Crown Prince; he made the Crown Prince lower his flags and retreat.

This is the person he pledged loyalty to.

The Emperor’s dark brown eyes swept across the hall, clouds unseen within, silencing the court further. He waved a hand and said, “Come forward!”

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