Chapter 163: Great Victory

On the Minor New Year, good news finally arrived from Jinzhou.

The imperial army clashed with the Jinzhou rebels at Gaoping, fighting for days until the rebels were defeated and fled in disarray. The imperial army won a great victory and seized five cities in the aftermath.

The army then split: some were redeployed locally, some pursued the fleeing rebels, and others remained to restore production and daily life while purging the rebels.

When the news reached the capital, the entire city erupted in cheers.

Inside the palace, lanterns and decorations were hung everywhere, and everyone wore joyful expressions.

In the Taiji Palace, led by the senior eunuch Qiu Defu, all the eunuchs and palace maids knelt together to congratulate Emperor Taixing.

"Your Majesty's blessings rival heaven itself!"

"A holy sovereign walks among us!"

Emperor Taixing, utterly satisfied, laughed heartily—his long-standing worry over the Jinzhou rebels was finally gone. He could now enjoy a good New Year.

Next, let's see who dares criticize his pursuit of the Dao and immortality because of the Jinzhou rebellion.

After laughing, Emperor Taixing said: "Pingjiang Marquis has rendered great service in this campaign. I always knew that the affairs of the realm still rely on these old men. In court, they can debate for three days and nights without repeating themselves—but when it comes to actual work, they are utterly useless. And yet, the court cannot do without them."

"Your Majesty, on such a joyous day, do not let trivial matters spoil your mood," Qiu Defu bowed nearby, whispering gently.

Emperor Taixing sneered, "I have no wish to spoil my mood, but the ministers refuse to let me be. Just wait—they'll come to the palace to petition soon. Order the two Grand Secretaries to gather the senior ministers and deliberate on Pingjiang Marquis's merits. This victory was entirely due to Pingjiang Marquis's skillful planning and command—he eradicated the Jinzhou rebels, removed the court's greatest internal threat, and calmed the nation's restless heart. I have decided to reward Pingjiang Marquis lavishly. Let the court's pillars deliberate on how to apportion the honors accordingly."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Qiu Defu received the order and hurried personally to the duty offices to notify the senior ministers.

"The Emperor cares most about the merit review for Pingjiang Marquis. Please, Your Excellencies, give this your full attention—do not let morale sink."

"Merit review is simple—it's just promotion and titles. The court has standards and precedents for that. The real issue is the reward silver. We've done a rough calculation: at least one million taels are needed, or the soldiers won't be satisfied. If the silver isn't delivered, Your Excellency Qiu, you know Jinzhou can't endure another disaster."

"Exactly! These past years, the rebels have turned Jinzhou into a wasteland—countless families destroyed, left with nothing. Another military calamity would be adding frost to snow. So, the merit review for Pingjiang Marquis can wait, but the soldiers' reward silver must be paid without delay."

"But the court's finances are limited. The Ministry of Revenue's treasury is so empty it could host rats. The remaining thirty thousand taels are already earmarked—the capital officials' salaries have been unpaid for over half a year, and with the New Year approaching, we must at least give them some money to buy meat and celebrate."

"The Emperor has spent three million taels this year alone on building the Taiji Palace, not even counting the garden expansions. Pulling out one million taels to reward the soldiers shouldn't be a problem. Your Excellency Qiu, please don't refuse this."

Qiu Defu's face turned purple with rage—he had only come to deliver the Emperor's orders, yet now he was being roasted by the ministers.

Truly…

These court officials know how to exploit every crack. The moment they open their mouths, it's about money. The moment they lay eyes on me, they scheme to pry coins from the old Emperor's purse.

I don't have three heads or six arms. I can't afford to lose more of my head to the old Emperor's wrath.

Everyone knows the old Emperor grows greedier with age. Anyone who dares take from his purse is treated as a rebel. Even the Crown Prince, trying to borrow valuables from the inner treasury to sell for cash, is viewed as a thief—so much so the old Emperor nearly had him executed on the spot. For money, he has no filial affection left. Add to that the power struggle, and the old Emperor has already begun considering deposing the Crown Prince.

Though he has never voiced this thought aloud.

But Qiu Defu—who has served beside the old Emperor for two or three decades, the longest-serving attendant in his court—knows the old Emperor's inner mind better than anyone alive.

Yet he cannot speak. Not even a hint or a whisper of warning is allowed.

The moment any whisper stirs in court, the old Emperor will strike him first.

He cannot outright refuse these ministers—they hold high rank and power. Even if he dislikes them, he must still coexist with them.

He could only offer a bitter smile: "Your Excellencies, don't put me in this bind. I can only say I'll do my best to mention it to the Emperor. But please don't place all your hopes on me alone. This matter concerns soldier rewards—it's a court consensus, a military tradition. Please submit formal memorials detailing your requests."

"Before the Emperor, only Your Excellency Qiu can speak for us. We will submit our memorials. When will the Emperor receive us? I have words I must speak face-to-face."

"Please, Your Excellency Qiu, inform us when the Emperor will grant us an audience."

"The Emperor is in high spirits today and has ordered the alchemical furnace lit—he's preparing for his cultivation. If you wish to see him, you must wait a while longer. Perhaps tomorrow he'll have time to receive you."

Hearing this, the ministers were deeply disappointed—and their resentment toward the old Emperor grew.

Some even secretly cursed him as a fool, unworthy to rule.

He has no time for state affairs, yet finds time to dally with Daoists. He has no silver to reward soldiers, yet spends lavishly on palaces and gardens.

Utterly foolish.

Worse still, the old Emperor, though ancient, remains vigorous and healthy—with not a single sign of death approaching.

The Crown Prince has been Crown Prince for thirty years, now middle-aged, yet still only a prince.

Not only the Crown Prince is impatient—these ministers are even more so. They are desperate to see the Crown Prince ascend the throne and reshape the court.

Qiu Defu left the duty office, his mind full of turmoil, and hurried back to the Taiji Palace.

As expected, the palace was thick with smoke.

Emperor Taixing sat cross-legged on a mat, meditating in silence amid incense and candles, seeking the path to immortality.

Qiu Defu stepped forward quietly, waved his hand, and dismissed the young eunuchs. Only he would remain to serve the Emperor.

The old Emperor did not open his eyes, but knew he had returned. "Well?"

Qiu Defu lowered his voice: "Your Majesty, the ministers have received your orders and are proceeding according to precedent to review Pingjiang Marquis's merits. They also ask: where should the reward silver for the soldiers come from?"

"Has the Ministry of Revenue no money?" Emperor Taixing's tone carried a hint of irritation—these incompetent ministers, troubling him over such a trivial matter.

Qiu Defu hesitated, then said: "The Ministry has only thirty thousand taels left, to be disbursed to the capital officials to cover their overdue salaries—so they can at least buy meat for the New Year."

"Everyone knows they need meat for the New Year—do you think I don't need meat?" Emperor Taixing suddenly roared in fury.