Chapter 194: Jing Sheng Di: What's there to congratulate

In the Qian Qing Gong main hall, Xu Qianxue, angered by Zhang Tingyu's advocacy of war, spoke out, accusing him of being a treacherous minister.

Zhang Tingyu gave Xu Qianxue a bland glance, his grayish brows furrowed slightly, and did not rush to retort.

Meanwhile, everyone in the hall turned their surprised, doubtful gazes to Xu Qianxue, wanting to hear what he meant by that.

If it's merely because of differing political views and you resort to personal attacks, that's simply too low!

Xu Qianxue's expression stiffened as he cupped his hands before the emperor and said:

"Your Majesty! When the court initially discussed the northwest matter, Zhang Tingyu uttered not a word; back then he did not say that Marquis Jingwu could defeat the enemy and win, nor did he advocate war."

"But after many days, news of defeat arrived from the northwest, the border situation became critical, and even the strength of our Da Han Empire would be affected."

"Yet he now acts in defiance, neither considering the safety of the state nor thinking of Your Majesty's holy name, stepping forward to insist on war."

"In fact, he is not sincerely advocating war; he merely wants to push the blame for peace onto Your Majesty and us, so he can gain a reputation for being unyielding and principled."

"His motives are wicked; throughout history, none have surpassed him in the guise of loyalty while being treacherous."

Xu Qianxue's words rang out with force and reason; the audience's faces varied—some agreed, some scoffed, some were astonished.

Zhang Tingyu's face was blank, his heart feeling neither joy nor sorrow.

He paid little heed to Xu Qianxue, for this person does not understand the emperor's mind, fails to grasp the larger situation, and only seeks to win with words.

He is merely a clownish jumper, not worth a glance.

How could Zhang Tingyu be someone who pursues empty fame while neglecting real duties!

Back when deliberations were held, his reason for not expressing support for war was mainly his fear that after Jia Jing won another great victory, his power would become uncontrollable, and martial men would bring disaster to the state.

But now the front lines have suffered a series of defeats, and the situation is in ruins.

Even if Jia Jing is exceptionally brave and capable of stemming the northwest's decline, a great victory would be hard to achieve, let alone worry about his dazzling military achievements overshadowing the ruler.

Therefore, if Jia Jing kept winning, Zhang Tingyu would instead need to guard against him somewhat.

However, with defeat on the front lines, Zhang Tingyu could more readily set his mind and firmly support war.

Moreover, at this critical juncture for the court, with popular sentiment unsettled, he, as a cabinet minister, must also share the court's worries and relieve the emperor's difficulties.

He believes that at this moment the emperor needs someone to step forward and show support.

But…

Zhang Tingyu furrowed his brows and inadvertently glanced at the emperor's expression.

Seeing that the emperor's calmness was somewhat excessive, his heart gave a sudden jolt.

The emperor's demeanor today seems somewhat abnormal!

Given that the northwest war concerns the state, if Yu Lin Cheng were truly breached and countless civilians killed or wounded, the emperor ought not to be so calm!

He knows the emperor's temperament; the emperor is a man of feeling, yet today he seems unusually composed—this is not right!

Could it be…

In Zhang Tingyu's aged eyes, surprise and doubt wavered… This can't possibly be true!

The hall fell silent for a while; seeing the emperor say nothing, Zhang Tingyu also seemed lost in thought, appearing as if he didn't care about him at all.

Kneeling on the floor, Xu Qianxue could not help but continue:

"As a cabinet minister, Zhang Tingyu disregards the safety of the world, speaks recklessly and disrupts governance—he is a treacherous minister disguised as loyal!"

"I implore Your Majesty to swiftly punish Zhang Tingyu's crime, to unite the hearts of court and populace, and to perfect Your Majesty's virtue!"

Zhang Tingyu's grayish brows twitched; his thoughts were disrupted by Xu Qianxue, and a flicker of coldness flashed in his eyes.

He made no attempt to explain, only asking lightly:

"\"Great Treason Disguised as Loyalty\"? Elder Xu, do you know how to write the character for \"treachery\"?"

"……"

Zhang Tingyu's single remark nearly caused Xu Qianxue to break down.

The others present also flashed a hint of a smile, as if recalling the earlier scene in this very hall when Jia Jing likewise rebuked Xu Qianxue.

Xu Qianxue's face instantly darkened, a shade of shame and anger overlaying his aged features.

That sentence Jia Jing once used to question him spread quickly and is fast becoming a popular anecdote among officials and scholars.

Fellow officials often tease him with it, and he's nearly developing a reflexive reaction to the phrase.

How do you write the character for "treachery"?

I write &……

Just as Xu Qianxue's anger surged and he was about to continue his memorial,

"Cough……"

The emperor set down his teacup, gave a light cough; he had already roughly grasped the officials' attitudes and gazes, and saw no need to continue probing.

The emperor furrowed his brows, composed his expression, and spoke in a deep voice:

"\"When did I ever say that Yu Lin Cheng had fallen into enemy hands? You, as ministers of the court, can't you stop believing every rumor as fact?"

The emperor first shifted the blame.

He then fixed an unfriendly gaze on Xu Qianxue and Wang Ziteng—this bowl of water is still too shallow; giving you a chance is useless.

"My generals on the front lines have already won; yet you are still here urging peace!"

"If I had listened to your foolish talk back then, Yu Lin Cheng would likely truly be breached now, and I would have nowhere to cry!"

"A bunch of useless idiots occupying positions without doing any work!"

"How can they bear the responsibility of senior state officials!"

The emperor now somewhat regrets having assigned Wang Ziteng to reorganize the Jingying, fearing that, as Jia Jing said, he would end up creating a camp of weaklings.

The emperor stared at Wang Ziteng and Xu Qianxue for a moment, then turned his gaze away and gave Zhang Tingyu a slightly relieved look.

Still, he is an upright minister loyal to the state, with the ability to discern people.

At such a time, he can still step forward, resolutely advocate war, acknowledge Zi Jie's capability, and know that he can defeat the enemy and achieve victory.

This is truly the emperor's trusted minister, one who understands the big picture and looks after the overall situation—the backbone of the state!

Xu Qianxue and Wang Ziteng felt a chill run through their bodies under Emperor Jing Sheng Di's gaze, they stared at each other, and asked, "Haven't the city gates all been breached?"

It hasn't fallen yet?

When did the Ji An Marquis become so good at fighting?

Xu Qianxue had a vague bad premonition, but he still rose to his feet and bowed, saying:

"Yu Lin Cheng hasn't fallen? That must be because the Ji An Marquis lived up to expectations, leading the city's troops in brave resistance—our Da Han Empire has such a fine general; I, your subject, congratulate Your Majesty!"

The Ji An Marquis is a Jingnan Wuxun, also a supporter of the Retired Emperor, and he is on good personal terms with Xu Qianxue.

Xu Qianxue also hoped to make up for his earlier hasty remark with a few words of congratulations.

"Congratulate what? You probably think you're offering congratulations to me!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di's good mood was completely worn away by Xu Qianxue's few words, his face suddenly darkened, and he coldly shouted at Xu Qianxue:

Xu Qianxue was startled by Emperor Jing Sheng Di's outburst; he is a veteran official who served three reigns and a leader of the pure-stream scholar-officials.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di usually treats him with only three parts courtesy, which is why he dares to speak bluntly without thinking; he never expected the emperor to suddenly fly into such a rage today.

He couldn't figure out exactly what he had said wrong to provoke such imperial wrath!

Emperor Jing Sheng Di stared at Xu Qianxue for a moment, remained silent for a while, then suddenly asked:

"Officer Xu, I recall you are sixty-five this year, right?"

Hearing this, Xu Qianxue's frail old body trembled, a feeling of sorrow welled up in his heart, and he replied in a hoarse voice:

"I, your subject, am only sixty-two years old!"