Chapter 165: Is He Crazy?!

"Hehehehaha!"

Chu Yuan's laughter grew wilder and wilder.

Seeing his expression, Cheng Chengxuan looked away.

His face full of disgust.

Tch, what an ugly laugh.

Chu Yuan was right—the Shunhe Emperor's face was indeed ugly.

The Capital, Taihe Hall.

Another day of Early Court.

Watching the civil and military Imperial Officials below squabble into a single mass, so angry they could spit at each other's faces, the Shunhe Emperor's face was ashen, and he felt his head throbbing with pain.

Once again, he glanced toward the spot where the Cheng Family brothers had once stood.

Within the realm, two princes had raised armies; disaster victims rioted. Beyond the borders, Xiyue and Nanjiang stirred restlessly.

In less than a year, how had Da Yin fallen into such a state?

Glancing once more at the Imperial Officials, who had argued all morning without settling on any plan, the Shunhe Emperor felt utterly exhausted. He turned his head again toward the spot where the Cheng Family brothers had once stood.

If only Cheng He and Cheng Song were here…

No!

The Shunhe Emperor withdrew his gaze, a flash of viciousness passing through his eyes.

Eliminating the Cheng Family had been his lifelong wish for decades. Now that he had his heart's desire, there was nothing to regret.

Without the Cheng Family, at worst, he could simply prop up another one.

Just as his ancestors had once propped up the Cheng Family's forefather to become the War God of Da Yin.

If the ancestors could do it, I certainly can too!

At this moment, the Shunhe Emperor's heart surged with boundless heroic spirit.

But who should he prop up?

The Shunhe Emperor's gaze swept over the Imperial Officials one by one, and he began to consider whether each family had any promising young talents.

But he soon lost heart, because every one he looked at, he found fault with.

In the end, he discovered that among this entire court of civil and military officials, it seemed only Minister Sun and Vice Minister Meng's families—currently feigning illness and recuperating at home—could actually get things done.

However, both families had inextricable ties to the Cheng Family and could not be relied upon either.

Suddenly, an Old Minister stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, this old minister believes the best course of action is to swiftly execute the National Preceptor, negotiate peace with Prince Jing, and after appeasing Prince Jing, devote full effort to dealing with Prince Kang."

Censor Lin also stepped forward and shouted loudly.

"Your Majesty must not!"

"The two princes have the hearts of wolves—how could killing one National Preceptor pacify them?"

"If we compromise with these traitorous rebels now, it will truly damage the Son of Heaven's dignity!"

As he spoke, Censor Lin frantically winked at the Crown Prince, blinking so hard his eyelids were nearly cramping.

Say something too, will you!

Yet the Crown Prince didn't so much as glance his way.

Censor Lin was so anxious that sweat poured from his forehead.

What is wrong with His Highness the Crown Prince?

Isn't Qin Shou one of His Highness's men?

He's about to be killed—why does His Highness show no reaction at all?

If the Crown Prince knew his thoughts, he would surely loudly retort.

That kind of turncoat who switches allegiances with every shift of the wind—I don't want him! Better to chop him down early and save myself the trouble!

The Empress Dowager had already told him: the National Preceptor had long since secretly defected to Prince Kang, and Prince Kang's current armed Rebellion was very likely instigated by him!

Anyone who threatens my smooth succession to the throne—let them all die!

It had to be said, Censor Lin's two phrases—"traitorous rebels" and "Son of Heaven's dignity"—struck exactly at the heart of the Shunhe Emperor.

"Then what does Beloved Minister Lin think? Feel free to speak."

Censor Lin rubbed his slightly cramping eyelids and had completely given up on the idea of shooting glances at the Crown Prince.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister believes we should divide and attack. The urgent priority is to dispatch troops as quickly as possible to suppress the Rebellion. If the two princes gather together, it would be disastrous."

The Shunhe Emperor nodded slightly.

"In Beloved Minister Lin's opinion, who should be sent to lead the troops in suppression?"

Censor Lin did want someone under the Crown Prince to go, but the last time he tentatively put forward Ning Jiang, Your Majesty had immediately sent that man off to the border.

Moreover, the Crown Prince's forces were better preserved than squandered.

After deliberation, he replied cautiously.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister believes that the Eastern Prince Jing's army route will pass right by the Eldest Prince's garrison. Why not have the Eldest Prince lead troops to suppress the Rebellion?"

"As for the Western Prince Kang's army, let Zhou Old General lead troops to suppress it. It can also be considered giving Zhou Old General a chance to atone for his crimes by…" meritorious service.

"The Cheng Family Army must not be moved!"

The Shunhe Emperor sternly cut him off and emphasized once more.

"The Cheng Family Army must remain at the border to guard against Nanjiang taking advantage of the chaos to counterattack!"

The Imperial Officials: "…"

Censor Lin: "…"

If you won't let the Cheng Family Army act, then how on earth are we supposed to play this?!

That Eldest Prince is also stationed at the Eastern Border — how could you agree to let him lead troops to suppress the rebellion? You should know, the two places are quite far apart.

Aren't you afraid Dongxun will take the chance to cause trouble?

Censor Lin, his face looking constipated, tactfully reminded him.

"But the Western Border army also needs to guard against Xiyue, who's been itching to make a move. If we want to suppress the rebellion, we don't have enough troops."

His words did remind the Shunhe Emperor.

The border garrison can't all be pulled away.

Perhaps it's better to borrow troops from Muyuan Kingdom after all.

After a moment's deliberation, the Shunhe Emperor said in a heavy voice.

"Since that's the case, then—"

"Report!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it's an urgent military dispatch sent back by the Western Border general, eight hundred li express!"

A soldier, his face frostbitten and lips cracked, rushed in looking panicked.

"Your Majesty, the Xiyue army is making unusual movements!"

"What?!"

"What?!"

The Imperial Officials in the hall turned pale with shock, momentarily losing their composure, beginning to mutter in low voices, and finally breaking into outright uproar.

"How could it be so sudden?"

"With two princes raising troops in rebellion within, and the Xiyue army pressing at the border without — what on earth are we to do now?"

At this moment, the Imperial Officials truly lost their composure.

The Shunhe Emperor, seated high on the Dragon Throne, took a deep breath, the veins at his temples bulging as he struggled to suppress his fury.

What to do?

I want to know too!

When problems arise, all they can do is ask what to do!

What a bunch of idiots!

"Otherwise, send a princess to Xiyue for a marriage alliance!"

One Imperial Official suggested in a low voice.

At these words, the surroundings fell silent for a few seconds.

The other Imperial Officials: "..."

The other side has only just moved troops — they haven't even fought yet — and already they're discussing peace.

Feels pretty cowardly.

What's the difference between this and outright surrender?

But then again, it is a bit cowardly, yet if the problem can be solved without bloodshed, that would indeed be a good method.

Besides, having just gone through a great war, Da Yin needs to recover and recuperate; the common people cannot be made to suffer the misery of war again.

The Imperial Officials comforted themselves with such thoughts.

Completely forgetting that those among them who truly caused the common people to suffer were certain people of their very own.

Several Imperial Officials launched into a heated discussion over the "marriage alliance princess."

"Among those currently unmarried and of suitable age, there is only the Sixth Princess."

The crowd stole a glance in the Crown Prince's direction.

The Sixth Princess is the Empress's daughter — the legitimate princess who shares the same mother as the Crown Prince.

Moreover, they had heard rumors that the Empress and Crown Prince intended to let Minister Sun's grandson become the Sixth Princess's consort.

Would the Empress and Crown Prince agree to send the Sixth Princess off for a marriage alliance?

If the Crown Prince knew what they were thinking, he would surely shake his head and say:

You're overthinking it.

Disagree?

Doesn't exist.

I couldn't agree more.

Previously, his mother the Empress and he had both hinted to the Sun Family about wanting a marriage alliance with them, but that grandfather and grandson pair played dumb, changed the subject, and stubbornly refused to take the bait.

The Sun Family is a century-old noble house, with very high prestige at the Imperial Court.

His mother the Empress and he wanted to use the marriage alliance to bind the Sun Family — they wanted to emulate what had been done with the Pingnan Marquis Residence, fearing that Minister Sun might grow weary of the scheming at court, become disillusioned, resign and return home, and no longer continue to serve the Imperial Court.

But thinking carefully, even though the Sun Family is powerful, they still can't compare to the strength of an entire nation like Xiyue.

If Little Six were to be more capable and win the favor of the National Lord of Xiyue, wouldn't he, as her full-blooded elder brother, gain an incredibly powerful ally?

At this thought, a sharp glint flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes, and his breathing quickened.

This plan will work!

It will work perfectly!

The Crown Prince stepped forward two paces.

"Father Emperor, your son also believes that a marriage alliance is the best of all strategies."

……

After the Early Court, the Imperial Officials walked back with heavy hearts.

The reason was none other than that His Majesty had pulled another outrageous stunt.

And upon hearing the news, Vice Minister Meng was at Minister Sun's place drinking tea.

The page had only spoken halfway when Vice Minister Meng directly sprayed out a mouthful of tea.

"Pfft!"

He stared with eyes wide in disbelief.

"Has he lost his mind?!"

"Borrowing troops from Dongxun — isn't that inviting the wolf into the house?!"