Chapter 196: I Have No Interest in Being a Restorer Ruler

Qian Qing Gong,

As Gong Dingzi's words fell, the other officials, regardless of what they thought in their hearts, all bowed and congratulated Jing Sheng Di:

"We congratulate the Da Han Empire! We congratulate Your Majesty!"

Speaking of nothing else, this victory alone is certainly worth celebrating; it is already a great triumph the Da Han Empire has not seen against the Northern Yuan in decades.

Seeing this scene of officials congratulating him, Jing Sheng Di subconsciously sat upright.

His usually composed face relaxed considerably, his steady breathing gradually grew heavy, and an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart.

The restorer ruler!

This is the first time this group of senior officials has so solemnly praised him as the restorer ruler in such a formal setting.

He again thought of Jia Jing far in the northwest; these two great external victories were both achieved under Jia Jing's leadership.

If I were the restorer ruler, Zi Jie would certainly be the Da Han Empire's restorer minister!

Jing Sheng Di let out a long breath, slightly calming his emotions; his gaze swept over every face in the hall, and then he spoke loudly:

"I have never thought of being a restorer ruler! I have no interest in this! Moreover, I never thought of comparing myself with Taizu and Chengzu!"

"Although I have made some modest achievements in military affairs these two years, compared to Taizu's founding and establishing the capital's merit and Chengzu's pacifying and securing the borders' merit, I am still far short! Our Da Han Empire is still far from true restoration."

"What I currently seek is not these empty honors, but to live up to the ancestors above and the common people below."

Jing Sheng Di paused at this, directed his stern gaze at Xu Qianxue, and said coldly:

"I only hope that henceforth no one in court will submit memorials accusing me of being single-mindedly warmongering, recklessly militaristic, an immoral and foolish ruler; then I will thank heaven and earth!"

"Recently, the peace proposals I've received, stacked together, would be as tall as a person; especially the admonitions and doubts from the censorial officials and the pure-stream officials have never ceased."

"What I am fortunate about now is that I have once again withstood the pressure. All officials suspect, yet I do not suspect; all officials slander, yet I do not slander."

"If one were to say I have any merit in this northwestern campaign, it is that I fully trusted Minister Jia, fully trusted our Han soldiers, and never doubted."

"If I had wavered in my resolve to fight, I would have been coerced by the peace-advocating officials in court; by now, the Northern Yuan would likely have captured Yu Lin Cheng."

"And now I fear I have already lost all face, preparing to grovel before the Northern Yuan and other states, ceding territory and paying indemnities!"

"I dare not imagine how the officials would then discuss me, how the world would view me! Xu Qing, am I right?"

Jing Sheng Di asked Xu Qianxue with a blank expression, yet in his heart there was an indescribable sense of relief.

He felt as if the great stone blocking his chest had suddenly fallen away; sitting on the dragon throne, he felt light as air.

Now, the victory in the northwest proves the wisdom of his decision.

No matter how much earlier debate there was, in the end we must look at the outcome of the situation's development.

And the fact that Xu Qianxue and his peace faction played the opposing role only further proves his sagacity in withstanding pressure and his rare preciousness.

Xu Qianxue at this point was already dazed and dared not utter another word of dissent.

Being publicly questioned like this by Jing Sheng Di simply made his vision go black.

This is not merely the outcome of losing his office; he fears he will also leave a condemned name in the histories.

Xu Qianxue's cheeks flushed red and white, his heart filled with loss and resentment; in the end he could only kneel on the ground, kowtowing and saying:

"Your subject is old and foolish, lacking energy, dull and unaware of the great trends, nearly delaying state affairs, damaging the sage's brilliance; I beg to retire and return to my hometown."

Xu Qianxue knew he had already lost the emperor's favor; the emperor had just hinted that he should retire, so he could only go along and actively request to resign.

Jing Sheng Di heard this and fell silent for a moment.

According to court protocol, when a grand councilor like Xu Qianxue resigns, the emperor should symbolically retain him twice to show favor.

But Jing Sheng Di did not wish to go through this procedure with Xu Qianxue.

Not only because Xu Qianxue repeatedly urged peace, and he opposed him.

Moreover, Xu Qianxue belonged to the old faction, and he repeatedly opposed the court's implementation of the New Policies, obstructing it many times.

Even the last time Jing Sheng Di appointed him as governor of Jiangnan to assist the court in carrying out the New Policies and rectifying Jiangnan's administration, he merely paid lip service while acting contrary.

Not only did he achieve nothing, he even dared to accept the Yangzhou thin horses and various tribute gifts sent by the great clans of Jiangnan.

Relying on his status as an elder official, after returning to the capital he repeatedly submitted memorials speaking for those Jiangnan officials, effectively becoming the protective umbrella of the great clans of Jiangnan.

Jing Sheng Di boasted that he had given him many opportunities, but Xu Qianxue failed to grasp the situation, disregarded the emperor's mind, and was simply stupid beyond measure.

Therefore, Jing Sheng Di felt extremely disappointed and displeased with him.

He looked at Xu Qianxue kneeling on the ground; after a moment of silence, the hall fell so quiet that a dropped pin could be heard.

Xu Qianxue, kneeling there, felt a chill in his heart; as a leader of the pure stream and a senior official,

At this moment, requesting to retire, Jing Sheng Di actually was unwilling to even go through the motions of retaining him; this was too cold-hearted and ungrateful for him.

The officials nearby saw Xu Qianxue's deathly pale face as he knelt to confess guilt; none spoke up to retain him, instead choosing to coldly watch from the sidelines.

Li Guangdi and his ilk were all members of the new faction, naturally at odds with Xu Qianxue; at this point it was utterly impossible for them to step forward to mediate on his behalf.

Wang Ziteng did want to say a few words for Xu Qianxue, but he simply could not bring himself to move his legs.

He had also just been given a cold glance by Jing Sheng Di; at this point he could barely protect himself, and dared not step forward to draw fire upon himself.

Jing Sheng Di gave Xu Qianxue kneeling on the ground a deep look, then, still suppressing his displeasure, said to Xia Shouzhong at his side:

"Grand Companion! Help Xu Gegelao up; he is advanced in years, support him and let him rest!"

Although Jing Sheng Di's words were not explicit, they had already announced that Xu Qianxue's official career had reached its end.

Xia Shouzhong hurriedly went up to the steps, helped Xu Qianxue to his feet, summoned two eunuchs, and supported the ill‑faced Xu Qianxue out of Qian Qing Gong.

Jing Sheng Di looked at the remaining officials and continued:

"Now that Zi Jie is in the northwest, this battle no longer needs excessive worry! The court should still focus its energy on implementing the New Policies and training the troops."

The officials in the hall, hearing this, all nodded.

The Northern Yuan was repulsed; Hunye and the False Qing could not hold out alone!

Even if they did not withdraw, with Jia Jing's ability, defeating them would not be difficult.

Wang Ziteng's spirit was shaken; he knew his chance to reorganize the Jingying had finally arrived.

This time, he must handle the assignment well, so that His Majesty knows that the Da Han Empire is not only capable because of Jia Jing alone.

Jing Sheng Di pondered for a moment, not rushing to arrange troop reorganization and the New Policies.

Instead, he recalled what Jia Jing's memorial had said about the Ji An Marquis and the Jin merchants; his face turned frosty, a cold light flickered in his eyes, and he ordered in a low voice:

"Grand Attendant!"

"I am here!" Xia Shouzhong lowered his head, bowed, and said.

"As the Ji An Marquis, a martial marquis of the court, he has received great favor from the state, holds the weight of the military tally, and bears the responsibility of guarding the land."

"Yet he abandoned the city and fled, putting the lives of the Yulin soldiers and civilians at risk; he ought to be severely punished according to law."

"Convey my orders! Have the Imperial City Guard immediately confine the Ji An Marquis's residence, making sure not a single person escapes."

"Once Zi Jie's further detailed report arrives and the Three Offices verify it as true, immediately strip the Ji An Marquis of his title."

"The Ji An Marquis himself shall be sentenced to death according to law; his family shall be punished by association, exiled three thousand li, and their property confiscated by the state."