Chapter 1749: It's Only Natural for a Few Unexpected Things to Happen, Right?

At Wang Ji'en's signal, Wang Shouzhong quickly and efficiently revised the report, essentially scrapping it entirely and starting over. Naturally, the supporting witnesses, physical evidence, and even the criminals were all prepared. After all this was done, Wang Ji'en entered the palace to meet the Emperor.

Upon receiving the Palace City Office's investigation report on the explosion case, Emperor Liu immediately flew into a "towering rage" and issued an edict summoning the Crown Prince and all the ministers to Chongzheng Hall for deliberation.

Inside the hall, the empire's highest-ranking powerholders sat in order. After the investigation report was passed around for everyone to read, Emperor Liu, with a cold expression, asked in a stern tone: "What do you all make of this matter?"

"These Tangut barbarians refuse to abandon their treacherous designs—utterly vicious, audacious beyond measure, daring to commit such an act of treason here in the Eastern Capital! This old minister believes that their kind deserves death without pardon and must be met with severe retaliation as a warning!" Han Tong immediately rose and declared with righteous indignation.

Inwardly, though, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief. During this period, that pack of hounds in the Palace City Office had been striking out in all directions like mad dogs, summoning people for questioning everywhere, looking as if they would bite anyone at random. The Ministry of War under his charge had been a key target, and at one point Han Tong had felt as though disaster was looming and trouble was clinging to him.

Now, after all that grand and thunderous investigation, to end up with such a result—for Han Tong, nothing could be more fitting. He had to "support" it. Never mind what the truth behind it was; at present, no one was better suited to take the blame than the Tangut. Since it could give everyone up and down the line an explanation, and also divert contradictions and soothe popular grievances, it was a deal that killed two birds with one stone—worth doing.

After Han Tong finished speaking, he subconsciously swept his gaze around to observe everyone's reactions. Emperor Liu's face was expressionless. The others, including the Crown Prince, were all pondering, but they showed some signs of unease.

Emperor Liu naturally saw through Han Tong's little scheme. This old fellow was becoming more and more slippery and cunning—beneath that crude and violent exterior, his heart had already turned black.

"Minister Han truly hates evil as much as an enemy! But there's no need for haste. Let's hear what the others have to say first," Emperor Liu said flatly.

Although there had been no prior coordination, the performance of ruler and minister in tandem was extremely obvious. Zhao Kuangyi was quick to react. He rose right after, his face showing anger, and said in a stern tone: "Your Majesty, the rebels are rampant, offending the majesty of Heaven, harming our scholars and people. Nothing short of the harshest punishment can atone for their crimes and quell the people's wrath!

According to the investigation report, the rebels come from the Yulin Tangut. Tracing it to its root, the source of the chaos still lies in the northwest. This minister believes that if we wish to retaliate, we must deploy further measures through the Yulin bandit-suppression field headquarters!

The Tangut menace has become a chronic disease. For the long-term stability of the state and the lasting peace of the common people, this scourge must be eradicated completely, by any means necessary!"

After Zhao Kuangyi finished, Song Qi, Wang Zhu, Lü Duan, and several other ministers also spoke up in succession, all basically following the thread set by Han and Zhao. From the very beginning, the tone of this imperial conference had been set. These men had always had keen noses, and having served Emperor Liu for so long, they naturally would not undermine the proceedings on such a matter.

Besides, pushing the Tangut out to take the blame was fitting however one looked at it. Although they all knew perfectly well in their hearts that Yulin had been sealed off for nearly half a year now, and with such a powerful blockade, the difficulty of the Tangut breaking out and making their way to the Eastern Capital to cause trouble could well be imagined.

Moreover, these ministers knew the situation of the Yulin Tangut very well—their people were nearly all dead. However, such matters could not deceive those of them who stood at the top of the food chain; but it was still enough to fool the lower cattle, to fool the ignorant masses across the realm.

"What does the Crown Prince think?" Emperor Liu glanced at the silent Liu Yang.

Called upon, Liu Yang showed no change in expression. Meeting Emperor Liu's gaze, he replied calmly: "If that is the case, then how should we mete out punishment to the Tangut rebels?"

"Tell me what you think!" Emperor Liu said directly.

Liu Yang thought for a moment, then said: "Under the court's unremitting strikes, the Yulin rebels have been largely pacified, most of Yulin has returned to calm, and the Tangut have already declined. It has always been true that great chaos is easy to settle while small bandits are hard to eliminate. Rather than simple retaliation, the court should seek a method to completely eradicate this source of chaos!"

"Oh?" Liu Yang's words seemed to strike a chord in Emperor Liu's heart. A somewhat incongruous smile actually bloomed on his face as he continued to ask: "And how does one eradicate it completely?"

Upon the question, Liu Yang fell silent for a moment, then spoke four words in a low voice: "As always before!"

What Liu Yang's mood was at this moment, whether his words were sincere, even Emperor Liu could not quite grasp. However, his words made one thing clear: wasn't the court's previous approach precisely aimed at solving the problem from the root? And the Crown Prince, who was "soft-hearted and weak-handed," clearly had a sound understanding in this regard.

Emperor Liu furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked: "How many Tangut are still in Yulin now?"

This question was not easy to answer, because there was simply no answer at all, let alone an accurate number. After a brief silence, Zhao Kuangyi took the initiative to report: "Your Majesty, according to the previous memorial from the Yulin field headquarters, the Tangut who surrendered, capitulated, or were taken prisoner number roughly thirteen thousand or more. As for how many Tangut still remain among the common folk of Yulin, that is not yet known."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu actually nodded, looking quite satisfied with such a result. Without further ado, he said directly: "Transmit the edict to the Yulin field headquarters: all Yulin Tangut are to be relocated away! I have been thinking lately—the Tangut submitted for over twenty years, yet in the end they became estranged and defiant, brazenly rising in rebellion. Truly, their hearts never accepted vassalage, and their nature is hard to tame.

Since they cannot regard themselves as Han subjects, then Han territory cannot accommodate their kind. The Great Han embraces all rivers and seas, can contain ten thousand peoples, but it absolutely does not include these traitors and rebels. As the old saying goes, 'Since they have come, let them be at peace.' The Great Han has spent over twenty years proving that the Tangut cannot be at peace—so let them go!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Emperor Liu's speech immediately drew praise from the entire hall, though the flattery felt a bit too thick.

"May I ask Your Majesty, where are the remaining Tangut to be relocated?" Liu Yang took the initiative to ask.

Emperor Liu answered almost without thinking: "I think Liuqiu would be fine. If they cannot be at peace within the seas, then send them off beyond the seas!"

Hearing this proposal, Zhao Kuangyi could not help but voice his concern: "That may be so, but the Tangut were disloyal even holding Yulin. If they are exiled overseas, I fear it would be like releasing a tiger—a disaster. Should anything happen, the court would find them even harder to control!"

"Minister Zhao speaks well!" Emperor Liu's reaction was somewhat strange. His two eyes stared fixedly at Zhao Kuangyi, his gaze deep and cold.

As if stared at by a fierce beast, Zhao Kuangyi felt a great palpitation in his heart. At the same time, as if he had understood something, he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is wise!"

He had suddenly realized—most of the Yulin Tangut had already been wiped out in the earlier wars and internal strife. Of the remaining twenty or thirty thousand people, some would die along the way during the relocation, and if some "accident" occurred during the sea transport, that would hardly be surprising. In the end, the Tangut's complete disappearance from the family of nations would appear all the more natural. Even the court sending them off could be counted as granting them a measure of "dignity."

"Your Majesty, the Tangut are widely distributed across the northwest. The Yulin Tangut are naturally the most deeply rooted, but besides them, there are also the Tangut of Shanyang, Hexi, and Longyou. Together, these people number no less than a hundred thousand. What policy should the court adopt toward these remaining Tangut?" At this point, Chancellor Song Qi raised a matter—he always considered things comprehensively.

To this, Emperor Liu did not let them discuss it but directly gave instructions: "Those who change their names and surnames and abandon their clan identity may stay. All others are to be dealt with by 'relocation'!"

"Yes!"

And so, a conclusion was reached on the Yanqing Ward explosion case, and a solution was produced. Next, Emperor Liu said to Liu Yang: "The people of Yanqing Ward have suffered heavy losses. For the deceased commoners, the court shall allocate a batch of money and grain as condolence and compensation, to help them rebuild their homes. For the officials who perished and their families, grace shall be extended according to the law, and people shall be sent to offer sacrifices at their funerals."

"Yes! Your servant will make the arrangements!" Liu Yang replied solemnly. On such matters, he was absolutely supportive.

After a moment's deliberation, Emperor Liu's gaze fell upon Han Tong again, and he said indifferently: "Though this disaster was caused by Tangut rebels, the workshops, storehouses, supervision, and defenses all bear the guilt of negligence and dereliction—none more so than your Ministry of War's subordinates. The officials involved cannot be let off either. All are to be dealt with severely!"

Han Tong, who had thought he had already passed the test, felt his heart tighten again upon hearing these words. Indeed, it was not so easy to get through. This fire had not only burned Yanqing Ward—it was clearly going to spread to his Ministry of War as well.

However, Han Tong dared not raise any objection to this. Could he possibly oppose the old Emperor's decision? His mind turning quickly, Han Tong said with a grave expression: "Your Majesty speaks truly. As the head of the Ministry of War, this old minister failed in supervision and bears the primary responsibility. I am willing to accept guilt and request resignation!"

"Granted!" Emperor Liu said curtly upon hearing this.

And Emperor Liu's curtness was clearly something Han Tong had not expected. He subconsciously raised his head and stared blankly at him.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu said softly: "What, do you feel the punishment is too light?"

"Thank you for Your Majesty's leniency!" Han Tong hurriedly responded, though bitterness was unavoidable in his heart. Wanting to resign was one thing; having the Emperor agree on the spot, so curtly, without the slightest attempt to retain him—that feeling was quite another, and it was truly awful.

However, things had already reached this point, and the words had already been spoken. Even if Han Tong had more grievances and reluctance, he could no longer give vent to them. He could only sigh that his fortune had run out and his late years would not end well.

The others were equally surprised. This was Han Tong, after all! But then again, with a Minister of War and founding meritorious noble falling, the story did seem more convincing...

Emperor Liu, however, showed no sign of being satisfied. He continued: "The Ministry of War should also be thoroughly reorganized from top to bottom. If even a vital place like the gunpowder depot can be neglected and slackened, how can one feel reassured about other matters?"

Clearly, Emperor Liu was about to stir up trouble for the bureaucracy again.