Chapter 715: Chapter 715: Bright Moon Above

The Emperor’s face was sullen, and he said nothing.

Chief Minister Pan, who had been silent, suddenly moved his body, sighed slowly, and said, "The old minister heard that during the late Emperor’s time, Black Wind Village claimed it would never rebel against the Da Xing Kingdom or the Emperor, only against the treacherous officials and injustice in the world. Therefore, the late Emperor could tolerate them.

In recent years, Black Wind Village has repeatedly wanted to negotiate peace, but has consistently failed.

According to the old minister, today’s events must have hidden reasons."

Cheng’en Marquis interrupted, "They’ve already rushed into the Capital City, what hidden reasons could there still be?"

The civil servants present all respected Chief Minister Pan, and their expressions immediately turned unfavorable.

Chief Minister Pan continued at his own leisurely pace, "Since Cheng’en Marquis says there are no hidden reasons, then there are some things that the old minister cannot fathom, and I would ask Cheng’en Marquis to enlighten me. Does Cheng’en Marquis know which side Monk Zhiguang is on? Why did he hide the dirty silver in the temple of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion? What is the relationship between Black Wind Village and Monk Zhiguang, why would they willingly enter the Capital City to break into prison for him, and what is the connection between tonight’s arson and Monk Zhiguang?"

Cheng’en Marquis’s face gradually paled, his lips trembling, unable to speak.

The Crown Prince remained silent.

The Huying Platform was silent, with a pin-drop audible.

After a while, the Emperor sternly asked, "What does Chief Minister Pan propose?"

Chief Minister Pan continued slowly, "The old minister believes that although there are the Five Cities Military Department and the Patrol Camp closing gates to capture thieves, these bandits kill people like pulling up weeds. Unable to calm the situation for years, it is rather thorny, and it would be best to troubled the Dingbei Marquis to lead troops to suppress it slightly. As for any hidden reasons, once the people are caught, an interrogation will reveal all."

With both the Five Cities Military Department and the Patrol Camp inside, and Dingbei Marquis leading troops outside, indeed it was secure.

The Emperor said, "Let it be as my loyal subject suggests."

The accompanying Old Wang hastily arranged to announce the decree, and after a while, the messenger returned and reported, "Dingbei Marquis went to oversee the city gates after archery practice, by now he’s likely already confronted the Black Wind Village bandits. The Assistant General hastily reinforced troops and pursued after receiving the decree."

Fearful the Crown Prince might say something more, Marquis Wuding hurriedly said, "Reporting to the Emperor, Dingbei Marquis is also responsible for supervising two city gates outside the city. It seems after archery practice he would have rushed to watch over the city gates."

The Emperor nodded happily, "With Dingbei Marquis going forth, I am much relieved."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Chief Minister Pan slowly smiled, "Congratulations to the Emperor. With Dingbei Marquis holding the fort, today we might be able to eradicate Black Wind Village, making bandits dare not cause any more trouble in the world. This is also a good thing."

The Emperor laughed, "Dingbei Marquis is indeed my fortunate general."

His literary and martial prowess far exceeds that of the late Emperor, in the future his spirit tablet will undoubtedly have a place in the Imperial Temple.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince and others’ faces turned somewhat somber.

Cheng’en Marquis and Yelv Guza’s expressions were even more extremely unpleasant.

If Monk Zhiguang was caught and the city became a trap, inside and outside all besieged, should the bandits of Black Wind Village be captured... many things might not stay hidden.

In the distance, King Tushan softly said, "Dingbei Marquis indeed carries a bit of fortune with him."

Prince Qi sneered, "So what, when needed, he’s a fortunate general, when not, he’s merely a minister for the Crown Prince to vent on."

King Tushan was silent for a while, then sighed, "We princes cannot fare well either."

Clearly, he had taken Prince Qi’s previous words to heart, feeling somewhat like a fox grieving for a dead rabbit.

Prince Qi raised his cup, stopped at his lips without drinking, and pouted, "You’re different from me. Perhaps there’ll be a day when the clouds part and the moon shines, and when you go to your fief, won’t you be much freer?"

"But you must have a life to enjoy it," King Tushan sighed, "My mother’s rank is low, she isn’t favored by the Emperor. I’ve lived carefully until now, which is already not easy. If truly..."

Prince Qi gently put down his cup, not looking at him, gazing ahead, said faintly, "These are all destiny."

King Tushan was angry, "I don’t accept it. If it were the former Crown Prince or you, that’d be fine, but why him?"

Prince Qi quickly looked towards the direction of the Crown Prince and others, speaking hastily in a low voice, "Be careful with your words, don’t implicate me in your death wish."

King Tushan fixedly looked at him, with a look of persistence, "I know you have plans, just not talking about them. After all, we are brothers, can you really bear to watch with open eyes?"

Prince Qi leisurely observed Cheng’en Marquis and others’ gloomy expressions for a while, then opened his lips, "If I help you, will you help me?"

King Tushan immediately pledged his word, "With the Bright Moon as witness, if you help me, in the future when you need help, just ask."

Only then did Prince Qi turn his face to look at him.

"We’ll discuss it another day."

King Tushan was taken aback for a moment, then immediately smiled, "Then I’ll wait for good news."

Prince Qi nodded coldly.

If others saw, they would think he was impatient to talk too much with King Tushan, not knowing the two had quietly formed an alliance.

"Report! Dingbei Marquis has already closed the outer city gates."

Within nine outer seven Imperial City four, as the Capital City’s population grows increasingly larger, the outer city houses ordinary people, cutting off their access by closing all seven outer city gates.

Marquis Wuding laughed, "Dingbei Marquis takes decisive action, surely they have no return."

Chief Minister Pan also nodded slightly, although he didn’t speak, a slight smile appeared on his face.

Dingbei Marquis managed two city gates, but in such a short time had closed the other five gates as well, showing his decisiveness and quick reaction.

The Emperor’s expression also relaxed a bit.

Cheng’en Marquis, however, was stricken with fear, feeling the situation worsening.

Black Wind Village acted early without warning, Monk Zhiguang didn’t escape but was caught red-handed, and Chief Minister Pan, who always remained neutral with the Lin siblings, suddenly made an issue... Every point made him feel like sitting on pins and needles.

The glances from Empress Lin only added to his loss of composure, blurting out, "Now if Dingbei Marquis harbors treasonous intent, wouldn’t the Capital City fall into his hands?"

Peeking at Empress Lin’s face often resulted in the Emperor’s leniency towards him.

Thus, Cheng’en Marquis spoke without much consideration, as he’d usually slander Dingbei Marquis on a whim.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor flew into a thunderous rage, "Insolent, Dingbei Marquis is not someone you can disparage lightly!"

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pan’s leisurely glare and the silence of others further embarrassed him, subconsciously wanting to kneel muttered in his hardheadedness, "I also sincerely meant it for the Emperor’s concern, for Da Xing Kingdom’s sake out of loyalty."

Chief Minister Pan indolently remarked, "Cheng’en Marquis’s loyal words, we all heard. May I ask the Emperor, does the promise made to the old minister still count?"

The Emperor glared angrily at Cheng’en Marquis, forced a smile and said, "He lacks insight, doesn’t know the proper measure, only spoke such foolish words among the people but without any malicious intentions. Why should the Grand Secretary stoop to his level?"

Chief Minister Pan leisurely brought up past matters, "Back then the Emperor said, the Lin Family was weak and without foundation, only afraid they couldn’t match the Empress’s dignity. The Empress’s full brother being given a Marquis title was to facilitate movement within the palace, with no participation in court affairs. Yet, Cheng’en Marquis tangled multiple times, even attacking Dingbei Marquis at this crucial moment, what does it mean?"

The Crown Prince, who was about to speak for his uncle, suddenly fell silent.

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