[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber":3,"chapter-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-905":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Life as a Rising Force in the Red Chamber",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2311703,4515,"Chapter 905","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-905",905,"\u003Cp>The Great Zhou Imperial Palace, Fengtian Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the vast, solemn, and majestic hall, the ceiling’s coffered dome was painted with endless brilliant patterns, dragons and phoenixes coiled around the beams and pillars, ministers lined up in orderly rows, solemn and dignified, radiating imperial grandeur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Jiazhao was an exceptionally diligent ruler; even as the Northern Three Passes burned with war, and a major military conspiracy erupted within Shenyang City, stirring unrest inside and out, the morning court session remained unshakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, as usual, officials from various departments reported on state affairs; Emperor Jiazhao either questioned them on the spot or issued decrees to decide matters—between ruler and ministers, there was both confrontation and consultation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the ministers attending today’s court were all unsettled: yesterday’s shocking battle outside the city, witnessed by thousands of soldiers, had spread through the entire capital within a day, causing a great uproar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials were terrified and uneasy that tens of thousands of enemy troops had taken root beside the capital; for a foreign power to invade and covet the imperial capital was an unprecedented catastrophe and a disgrace beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their sovereign would surely be furious and demand accountability from officials—but half the morning court had passed, and Emperor Jiazhao had merely conducted routine governance, never once mentioning the incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left many officials puzzled, yet reminded them of yesterday’s rampant rumors: that Bo Jia Cong had arrayed his troops outside the city to confront tens of thousands of Mongol cavalry, in a battle of astonishing ferocity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some claimed Jia Cong had faced tens of thousands of Mongol cavalry with only eight hundred men; others said two thousand; though accounts varied, all agreed he had been vastly outnumbered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others claimed that during yesterday’s battle outside the city, Jia Cong had been possessed by a war god, unstoppable, slaying two thousand Mongol cavalry in less than half an hour—and escaping unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others claimed Jia Cong had indeed slain many enemies, but the Mongol cavalry were too numerous; he ultimately failed to escape their pursuit and had died on the battlefield, sacrificing himself for the nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But among the ministers present, such as Marquis Niu Jizong and Viscount Liu Fang—descendants of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes—had closer ties within the military and knew far more than others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had heard that yesterday, Jia Cong had not fought alone: Marquis Zhongjing had led several thousand elite cavalry out of the city to reinforce him, and Shi Ding had returned to the city unharmed and intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the several thousand troops he had taken out had returned with only a hundred personal guards; the whereabouts of the other thousands remained unknown, a most peculiar and suspicious matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Shi Ding had indeed gone out to reinforce Jia Cong, and if Jia Cong had truly died on the battlefield, how could Shi Ding return as if nothing had happened? And neither of the Jia households had issued any mourning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ding had attended today’s court as usual; the Shi and Jia families were bound by blood and marriage. Yet Shi Ding’s calm, composed demeanor bore no trace of someone who had just lost a relative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Niu Jizong and Liu Fang were crude men, they were certain Jia Cong had not perished; if he still lived, having defeated a vastly superior force and slain two thousand enemies, it was a great merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, recalling the past two years, Jia Cong’s bizarre deeds had always brought him fame—this time, he would surely shine. The two thought that after court, their families should increase their visits…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the morning court had nearly reached its first hour, Emperor Jiazhao suddenly said: “Some time ago, the Ministry of Justice investigated the military supply leak case; the facts are now clear, and it is time to announce them to the court and realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Emperor Jiazhao glanced at the officials of the Three Judicial Departments. Wei Guanyao immediately understood and stepped forward to say: “As His Majesty has said, the truth of this case is now fully revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principal offender in the military supply leak case, Duan Chunjiang, was originally a Battalion Commander under An Da Han, ordered by An Da Han to disguise himself as a grain merchant and infiltrate Shenyang to spy on military affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principal offender, Chen Ruichang, was a fifth-rank military officer in charge of land reclamation under the Right Military Command, who, under Duan Chunjiang’s influence, leaked the location of Donggang Town, allowing the Mongols to launch a surprise attack and seize the military supply depot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men have now been captured and brought to justice; all accomplices and lesser offenders involved have been apprehended. The Three Judicial Departments are currently reviewing the case and will soon render a final verdict and announce it to the realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had Wei Guanyao finished speaking than the court erupted in uproar. Everyone knew who Chen Ruichang was—he was the second grandson of Duke Qi, Chen Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Justice had intended to arrest Chen Ruichang at Duke Qi’s mansion; had the matter proceeded thus, it would have become public knowledge. Instead, they happened upon his carriage and seized him on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Justice, wary of Chen Ruichang’s status as Chen Yi’s second grandson—and Chen Yi’s position as Deputy Commander of the Northern Three Passes’ campaign against the Mongols—had kept the matter secret until the case was concluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Three Judicial Departments had not yet disclosed it, Duke Qi’s mansion naturally clung to hope, tightening their lips even further, secretly maneuvering connections to secure Chen Ruichang’s acquittal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ruichang had been missing for days; officials of the Five Military Commands soon learned the news, but out of respect for Chen Yi’s face as Left Military Commander, none dared speak up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, this case involved the major military supply leak, which had enraged His Majesty and drawn the attention of the entire court. The Ministry of Justice had summoned officials from every department involved, stirring up a great commotion; all officials were deeply wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Chen Ruichang emerging from the Five Military Commands, suspicion was already unavoidable; those officers who knew the truth feared nothing more than being drawn near, and none would dare speak out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, though Chen Ruichang had been imprisoned for days, many who knew the truth remained silent; and since the Three Judicial Departments had not yet reached a verdict, who could guarantee no further twists? Silence was best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For these reasons, many court officials had remained unaware—such deep, treacherous secrecy in officialdom was merely the common tactic of self-preservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with the Three Judicial Departments exposing this before the court, and under the Emperor’s instruction, it was certain: Duke Qi’s second grandson, Chen Ruichang, was the principal offender in the military supply leak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many court officials immediately thought: Duke Qi’s mansion was finished. Chen Yi, a high-ranking military officer and renowned veteran of Great Zhou, would likely never recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the old noble families of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, Duke Qi’s mansion had always ranked second only to Rongguo Jia’s in prestige and influence, with deep-rooted connections within the military.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the death of Duke Rong, Jia Dai Shan, and before Jia Cong’s rise, Chen Yi had still held high office; Duke Qi’s mansion had even seemed poised to surpass Rongguo Jia’s in reputation and power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of the military nobles present had ties to Duke Qi’s mansion. Upon hearing the Ministry of Justice expose this in court, all military officers fell into a collective silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who among the generals would dare speak now? To speak would be to invite suspicion—even Niu Jizong and Liu Fang, who had long-standing ties to Duke Qi’s mansion, wisely kept their mouths shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the civil officials were not silent. Many were outraged and stepped forward to impeach, accusing Duke Qi, Chen Yi, of failing to govern his household, of allowing his kin to leak military secrets and bring disaster upon the nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shouzheng, a seventh-rank censor of the Yuzhou Circuit under the Censorate, stepped forward boldly to submit an impeachment: Chen Yi had failed to discipline his household, his private morals were corrupt, his kin were rebellious, bringing ruin to the state and suffering to the people—his crimes were unforgivable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mongols seized the military supply depot and breached the Xuanfu Garrison, causing the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians; the root of this disaster was Chen Ruichang. How could Chen Yi, as Deputy Commander of the campaign against the Mongols, still retain his post? He must be immediately stripped of his military office and investigated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shouzheng’s bold impeachment silenced even those civil officials who had just begun to denounce Chen Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To impeach him for misconduct was expected; but to demand his removal from the post of Deputy Commander of the Mongol campaign involved matters of state and military survival—civil officials dared not speak lightly. It was the Emperor’s prerogative to decide; there was no need to delve too deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet all officials at court knew Sun Shouzheng was infamous as a troublemaker—he had exposed the cheating scandal in the spring imperial examinations, causing a massive uproar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this, Sun Shouzheng had gained great fame: known for speaking fearlessly, for not fearing death, for exposing any scandal whatsoever. Emperor Jiazhao had specially praised him and promoted him beyond protocol; no one dared provoke him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he had opened fire, many civil officials wisely fell silent, watching from the sidelines, letting the bold Sun take the lead while they waited to see how events unfolded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xianyang, Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Liu Yuqing, Deputy Censor-in-Chief, seeing Sun Shouzheng speak without restraint, could not help but frown deeply, each feeling a headache coming on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Duke Qi’s mansion did not fall, it would surely become the Censorate’s mortal enemy. But why had His Majesty ordered the Ministry of Justice to expose this now? Was the meaning not clear enough?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shouzheng seemed a reckless fool, yet he was no idiot—no wonder His Majesty had favored him. Zhou Xianyang and Liu Yuqing exchanged glances, then both stepped forward to support the impeachment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the entire Censorate mobilize to impeach and demand the removal of Duke Qi Chen Yi’s military post, Emperor Jiazhao, seated upon the golden throne, remained silent, offering no objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any official who attended morning court was a rising star in the bureaucracy—none were fools. Who, at this point, could fail to discern the Emperor’s true intent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, civil and military officials began stepping forward in small groups, one after another, supporting the Censorate’s impeachment. The atmosphere of the morning court became astonishingly unified, flowing as one, harmonizing with the Emperor’s will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the civil and military officials who later stepped forward to support the impeachment harbored different motives. The civil officials’ intent was clear: they wished to demonstrate their alignment with the Emperor’s will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the intentions of some military officers were far more complex: by supporting the impeachment and removal of Chen Yi, the post of Deputy Commander of the Mongol campaign would become vacant—many generals now saw an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon the throne, Emperor Jiazhao gazed coldly down upon the court, his gaze sharp and dark, as if seeing through every demon and specter; a faint, almost imperceptible sneer curled his lips—full of mockery and disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: “Chen Ruichang has ruined the army and betrayed the state; Chen Yi has lost his virtue. He is unfit to remain Deputy Commander of the campaign against the Mongols. I approve the Censorate’s and your ministers’ petitions: he is hereby stripped of his military office.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1951,"2026-06-20T12:19:58.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d8f44b9d914b86652608cefc7ec933244d5a94e60a1f01ee3802255b4f831dbf","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-906","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-904",920,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-cover.jpg"]