The night deepens.
Lin Zhao, practicing his boxing on the mountain peak, stiffened slightly, realizing that another thirteenth-realm cultivator had appeared on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. As he looked up, he saw heavenly destiny swirling all around, pouring down onto the entire Snow Domain Heavenly Pond like rain.
For a moment, Lin Zhao's heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.
There was only one scholar on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond qualified to enter the thirteenth realm: Gu Lingyu.
This torrential downpour of heavenly destiny was clearly Gu Lingyu's way of not hogging all the celestial fortune for himself. Instead, he transformed what should have been his own share into a silent, nurturing rain, feeding back into the entire Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. His intention was to cultivate more scholarly seeds and exceptional talents in the Dao of Literature among these children in the future.
Such magnanimity was beyond compare.
It was precisely because of this broad-mindedness that Gu Lingyu had so openly stepped into the thirteenth realm, becoming a Confucian sage whose name would be recognized even in the scholarly circles of the entire Confucian domain.
"Lingyu."
Lin Zhao ceased his boxing stance, his thoughts echoing with a smile, "You've finally broken through!"
"Yes, Junior Uncle!"
Gu Lingyu replied with a gentle smile, "Thanks to the tempering on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, otherwise, this thirteenth realm of mine would probably have arrived seventy to eighty years later."
"You are too humble."
Lin Zhao said, "Lingyu, your entry into the thirteenth realm was silent and subtle, but its significance is no less than Huang Tingyu's thirteenth realm. Shall we hold a banquet to celebrate?"
"No need."
Gu Lingyu said, "Junior Uncle, the situation is precarious, like the calm before a storm. It is not suitable to be too ostentatious. I have already concealed the heavenly secrets when I broke through. It is best not to let the demon race know of this."
"Alright, I understand."
Lin Zhao nodded and chuckled, "It's just a bit unfair to you. Our lineage's Lingyu has entered the thirteenth realm, and it's so quiet. It doesn't feel quite right."
Gu Lingyu couldn't help but chuckle, "Junior Uncle, what exactly do you want?"
"This way."
Lin Zhao said, "Tomorrow, I'll ask Dongcang to cook a few good dishes and send some good wine to you. Consider it a celebration."
"Good!"
The young Confucian sage, who had just attained enlightenment, smiled and nodded from afar, "As Junior Uncle wishes."
...
Early morning, Baidi City.
It was another day for the imperial court assembly. Some officials who lived further away had already bathed and changed by the third watch and set off. On the cold, deserted streets, numerous palanquins moved through the dim light, accompanied by dozens of guards. Such processions were common on the streets of the capital.
In the palace.
Zhao Jingheng was awakened early by the calls of the eunuchs. After washing up, he first recited the scriptures he had learned the previous day from the Sages, and then proceeded to have his meal. The emperor's breakfast was governed by strict etiquette, with even the number of bites for each dish being regulated. Zhao Jingheng was long accustomed to the elaborate ceremonies of the palace.
"Please, Your Majesty, change your robes."
An old servant said respectfully, "The grand court session is about to begin."
"Mm."
Zhao Jingheng frowned and glanced into the distance. A young warrior in golden armor walked over and asked, "Your Majesty?"
"What did my sister say?"
"It's today."
The young warrior nodded, "Half an hour ago, Her Highness the Eldest Princess sent someone to inform us."
"Mm."
Zhao Jingheng nodded and smiled lightly.
Shortly after, in the Taiqian Hall, the Grand Court Assembly of the Great Shang Dynasty.
The young Emperor, clad in dragon robes, entered the court surrounded by a group of guards. Civil and military officials stood on both sides. As Zhao Jingheng stepped onto the golden steps, all the officials knelt down, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
"All my ministers, rise."
Zhao Jingheng smiled and raised his hand, saying, "Recently, what important matters do you have? You may speak freely."
"Your Majesty!"
A Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue stepped forward and said respectfully, "For several days, the spring rains have been flooding, and the canal transportation is showing signs of blockage. I request Your Majesty to decree the conscription of laborers and the allocation of silver from the national treasury to clear and dredge the canal transportation, ensuring unimpeded waterway passage."
"Lord Liu."
Zhao Shutong frowned and said, "Every spring it's the same story, and every year the canal transportation gets blocked. What are the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works doing? Can't you do anything productive? Moreover, today's grand court session has more important matters to attend to. Such trivial matters can be discussed later in the Ministry of Revenue hall after the court adjourns."
"Yes..."
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue gritted his teeth and said, "As you command, Her Highness the Eldest Princess."
"Your Majesty!"
Zhao Shutong walked onto the red carpet in the center, clasped her fists, and said, "Your subject has an important matter to report!"
"Good."
Zhao Jingheng nodded and smiled, "Please speak!"
Zhao Shutong said solemnly, "Although the Battle of Yumenguan ended many days ago, the elites of our Human race, the Cangnan Iron Cavalry, suffered heavy losses in that battle. The Dinghai Navy also lost a considerable number. These were losses that should never have occurred."
She frowned and continued, "The Grand Pillar Wen Hao, after marching south to Furong Prefecture, commanded five hundred thousand elite troops. However, he delayed issuing orders to reinforce Yumenguan, instead repeatedly evading and finding all sorts of excuses to refuse battle. Even when Marshal Chen Xi requested him to flank and attack the Southern Barbarian soldiers from the ancient path, Wen Hao still delayed and did not advance, only entering the battlefield after the great battle had concluded. Not a single soldier from the fifty thousand Furong Prefecture elite was lost."
She said with a bitter laugh, "Isn't this incredibly strange?"
"How could this be!?"
Zhao Jingheng raised an eyebrow slightly, "Wen Hao, is what my Imperial Sister said true?"
Wen Hao hurriedly stepped forward and clasped his fists, "Your Majesty, please be enlightened. Although I did not arrive in time for the great battle at Yumenguan, there were indeed reasons. We were on a long march, and provisions must precede us. However, the provisions in Furong Prefecture were not prepared in time!"
He spoke with some urgency, "Upon arriving at Chun'an City, I mobilized provisions from the prefectural treasuries of various counties day and night. This was for the sake of the three armies. Furthermore, the Southern Barbarian ancient path is deep and difficult to navigate. The Furong Prefecture cavalry under my command are unfamiliar with the terrain. If we were to enter the Southern Barbarian ancient path without guides, and tens of thousands of soldiers were to get lost, the consequences would be unimaginable!"
"Excuses abound!"
Zhao Shutong frowned and sneered.
Zhao Jingheng frowned and asked, "Marshal Chen Xi, is that so?"
Chen Xi stepped forward, standing behind Zhao Shutong, clad in deep blue armor, looking valiant and heroic. She clasped her fists and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, there were one hundred thousand piculs of grain stored at Yumenguan. There was no situation where provisions could not be sent to the front line. Although the Southern Barbarian ancient path is winding, we had also sent terrain maps. Where would the need for guides arise?"
"Your Majesty!"
Behind Chen Xi, Marshal Lin Ruo also stepped forward, clasped his fists respectfully, and said, "The Grand Pillar Wen Hao feared the enemy and delayed the opportune moment for battle, resulting in heavy losses for the Cangnan Iron Cavalry and the Dinghai Navy. This is a hard fact, indisputable!"
"Mm."
Zhao Jingheng nodded.
Among the generals present, Chen Xi and Lin Ruo's words carried the most weight, as they were known as the twin pillars of the dynasty and were the true top generals of the Great Shang Dynasty's younger generation. They had grown through countless battles and represented the true future of the Great Shang Dynasty.
The reason Zhao Jingheng agreed to weaken Wen Hao was not solely due to his sister Zhao Shutong's influence, but also because Wen Hao belonged to the faction of Duke Juyang Lin Yan and was the son-in-law of Marquis Chun'an Zhang Yu'an. Weakening Wen Hao meant weakening Lin Yan's influence, and to some extent, also weakening the influence of Prince Jinan Zhao Qiyang.
"Your Majesty!"
The aged Lin Yan, clad in magnificent court robes, glanced at his grandson Lin Ruo. He felt a touch of disappointment in his heart. In the court, his most beloved grandson had finally stood on the opposing side.
He frowned and said, "The hundreds of thousands of Southern Barbarian cavalry arrived too quickly, as if they were divine soldiers descending from heaven. Thus, the southern three prefectures of Furong, Yu, and Huang had little preparation. As the Grand Pillar Wen Hao commanded the three southern armies, he naturally had to consider things more thoroughly. In my opinion, Wen Hao made minor errors but not major transgressions."
"Oh?"
Zhao Jingheng smiled and asked, "Duke Juyang, how do you think this matter should be handled?"
"There are precedents for these matters."
Lin Yan said respectfully, "During the reign of the late Emperor, General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhong Hun was also punished with half a year's salary for delaying the battle due to preparation of provisions. Ultimately, his starting point was for the good of the three armies. His Majesty may follow the late Emperor's wisdom!"
"Your Majesty, please be enlightened."
Zhao Qiyang said solemnly, "Your subject believes that Duke Juyang's words are reasonable."
"Jingheng."
From nearby, Empress Dowager He, who was listening to the court proceedings, looked at Zhao Jingheng and said, "Since your uncle and Duke Juyang have said so, and the Grand Pillar has no major transgressions, let's handle it according to your father's precedent."
"..."
The young Emperor remained silent. He rose, holding the Imperial Sword, and silently surveyed his ministers.
"Your Majesty!"
Zhao Shutong frowned and said sternly, "The one hundred and eleven thousand Cangnan Iron Cavalry guarding Yumenguan suffered losses of sixty thousand! These elite cavalry are the elites of the Great Shang Dynasty! How can you say there were no major transgressions!?"
"Your Majesty!"
Lin Ruo clasped his fists and said, "Wen Hao feared battle and the enemy, and delayed his advance. If this is considered a minor error, then what is considered a major transgression among our three armies? How can we command respect in military matters in the future!?"
"Two Marshals, aren't you exaggerating?"
Zhao Qiyang narrowed his eyes, slowly knelt down, and said solemnly, "Please Your Majesty handle this matter according to the precedent of the late Emperor!"
For a moment, a large section of civil officials knelt down, shouting in unison, "Please Your Majesty handle this matter according to the precedent of the late Emperor!"
Even old ministers like Lin Yan and Marquis Chun'an Zhang Yu'an knelt down one by one.
"Please Your Majesty handle this matter according to the precedent of the late Emperor!"
The voices in the court were remarkably uniform.
Zhao Jingheng's hand holding the long sword trembled slightly. These powerful ministers, step by step, coerced the civil and military officials, gradually suppressing his imperial authority to within a few meters of the dragon throne.
"Are you forcing the palace!?"
Chen Xi let out an angry roar, stepped forward, and unleashed her transcendent boxing intent, standing in front of the golden steps. She shouted, "How to deal with Wen Hao is up to His Majesty's own decision! Do you need to be so hypocritically earnest here?!"
Saying this, Chen Xi, in a fit of anger, drew her sword with a clang!
"Chen Xi, do not be presumptuous!"
Zhao Qiyang looked up and roared, "Are there no men in the court anymore? To behave like this!?"
At that moment, Cao Ying and Huang Qingning, both twelfth-realm cultivators, stood up simultaneously, their eyes fixed on Chen Xi.
"Too much!?"
Lin Ruo also drew his sword and stood shoulder to shoulder with Chen Xi beneath the young Emperor's golden steps. At the same time, a group of military generals in the court drew their swords, pointing them directly at the kneeling officials.
At this moment, the court of the Great Shang Dynasty seemed on the verge of disintegration.
...
Just then, a rather aged voice was heard, "In our Great Shang Dynasty, does the Emperor have the final say, or not?"
As he spoke, a figure, enveloped in a majestic boxing intent, descended from the sky. With a gentle tap of his foot, he nearly bent the sword in Cao Ying's hand. And the warrior capable of bending the sword of a twelfth-realm sword cultivator could only be a Rebirth Realm warrior.
Marshal of the Wu Zhen Lou, Rebirth Realm cultivator Lü Fengxian, had arrived.