Chapter 86: Jing Sheng Di: I Am the Resounding Iron‑Boned, Hard‑Man Emperor!

Needless to say, the Da Han Law enacted by Emperor Taizu explicitly stipulates: for crimes committed by the eight categories of people, a special review must be conducted and a petition made to the emperor for a decision.

They are, respectively, the deliberations on kin, grievance, virtue, ability, merit, rank, diligence, and guest.

Lord Linchuan satisfies both the "merit" and "rank" criteria, meaning he is a person who has rendered great service to the court and holds a noble title above a marquis or a civil official of the second rank or higher.

The law provides: for crimes committed by those who fall under the "Eight Deliberations," ordinary judicial bodies have no authority to interrogate or convict; the matter must be collectively discussed by senior officials of the three courts and then submitted to the emperor for personal judgment.

Of course, this does not mean the emperor will automatically grant immunity; depending on political balance, the nature of the case, and the emperor's own will, the punishment may be light or severe.

This provision is, on one hand, akin to the privilege that officials are above the law, but primarily serves to strengthen imperial authority by providing the aristocratic class with a statutory buffer.

Its ultimate outcome is entirely dependent on the emperor's will.

Nevertheless, according to the legal procedure, only the emperor can order punishment for these eight categories of people!

Therefore, Duke Chengguo uses this as evidence to claim that Jia Jing's actions were procedurally improper, constituting an overreach and murder.

Jing Sheng Di stared at Duke Chengguo with a lingering gaze, saying nothing!

What are the eight deliberations? What is immunity from death? What is the procedure?

In the end, it's because his own prestige is insufficient that these people dare to force their way into the palace to argue with him.

If Emperor Taizu or Emperor Cheng were on the throne, would they dare to press the palace in this way?

In Emperor Taizu's later years, a major case led to the execution of several thousand officials, including many high-ranking nobles with dukes and marquis titles; they also possessed iron tickets of immunity and met the eight deliberation criteria.

But Emperor Taizu said "kill them" and carried it out; who would dare to utter a "no"?

Now, they shamelessly boast before me! Arrogant and rebellious!

When the Jingnan Wuxun held military power, they only knew that the Retired Emperor did not know me, acting recklessly without regard for law; now they claim to know the Da Han Law!

In terms of law, I understand it better than you!

A bunch of treacherous ministers!

Seeing Jing Sheng Di remain silent, Lord Yongjia, standing beside Duke Chengguo, followed quickly and shouted:

"Indeed! Since Emperor Cheng, Bashang Daying has always been under the command of my Jingnan Wuxun!"

"Jia Jing, a mere child, has only been in office for a day and has already caused such a disaster, inciting heaven's wrath and people's resentment!"

"Your Majesty should know that Bashang Daying has a hundred thousand troops and is not far from Shenjing City."

"The soldiers have always revered Lord Linchuan, Lord Zhongqin, and others; if we do not severely punish Jia Jing this time, the troops may become restless and cause trouble in Shenjing City, which would be no small matter!"

If Duke Chengguo's words were merely veiled threats, Lord Yongjia's statement is an outright show of force!

Jing Sheng Di's expression turned uneasy; he furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice:

"Oh! What do you mean? If we do not deal with Marquis Jingwu, will Bashang Daying rebel against the throne?"

"Is Bashang Daying only usable by the court when it's in your Jingnan Wuxun's hands?"

Lord Yongjia straightened his neck and replied:

"I have no such intention! I am merely concerned for the court! As the saying goes, a country with outspoken ministers will not perish."

"Since ancient times, military affairs have never been trivial; soldiers differ from ordinary civilians, and if they rise up, the trouble will be considerable!"

"In my view, it is best to let Duke Chengguo retake command of Bashang Daying to soothe the troops; moreover, Emperor Cheng once said…"

"Enough!" Jing Sheng Di roared, hurling the cups and bowls on the imperial desk onto the floor with force.

Dark clouds gathered over his cold, hard face, and a surge of anger could no longer be restrained.

"You arrogant soldiers and fierce generals, how dare you deceive the emperor! I see you're not targeting Marquis Jingwu; you're after the military authority of Bashang Daying and me!"

"But I tell you, I am not the Retired Emperor born of a palace woman; I am the successor of Emperor Taizu, a resounding iron‑bony, hard‑man!"

"I grew up among the common folk of the outer provinces; what have I not seen? I have been emperor for nine years, facing either False Qing invasions or civilian rebellions—what scenes have I not endured? Yet you still fear a band of mutinous troops will overwhelm me!"

Jing Sheng Di's expression hardened, and his cold, indifferent voice rang through the hall like a sudden thunderclap, exploding in the heart of Jingnan Wuxun.

Just as the crowd was at a loss, a report from the inner surveillance came from outside:

"Your Majesty! Zhonglang General Zhang Yi is seeking an audience outside the palace, claiming he is acting on the orders of Marquis Jingwu Jia Jing, bringing a memorial and several case files!"

"Summon!" Hearing Jia Jing's name, Jing Sheng Di suppressed his anger; though unaware of Jia Jing's purpose, he immediately issued a summons.

A moment later, Zhu Que hurried in, ignoring the murderous glare of Jingnan Wuxun and the heavy atmosphere in the hall.

After bowing, he handed the memorial and case files to Xia Shouzhong.

Jing Sheng Di also did not know what Jia Jing had sent, but he opened them immediately.

With a stern expression, Jing Sheng Di sat behind the imperial desk, first reading the memorial, then turning the case files page by page, while Xia Shouzhong refilled his cup of tea.

Below, Jingnan Wuxun, after the recent outburst, felt a mix of shock and anger.

They did not expect Jing Sheng Di's hard stance; today the Bashang military authority may never be reclaimed!

Nevertheless, Jia Jing, the child, must be punished no matter what!

As long as Jia Jing no longer serves as Military Governor of Bashang, Jingnan Wuxun will have a chance to regain the military command.

A few exchanged glances, silently reaching a consensus!

Meanwhile, Jing Sheng Di's pace of flipping through the case files grew faster,

and the anger on his face became increasingly uncontainable, his brows and eyes gradually taking on a rare fierce hue.

"Ping!" another crisp sound rang.

Jing Sheng Di slammed the newly delivered tea cup onto the table once more, his body shaking as he clasped his forehead, clearly furious to the limit!

Xia Shouzhong saw that Jing Sheng Di seemed unwell, hurried forward to help, but Jing Sheng Di brushed him aside with a single hand.

Jing Sheng Di steadied himself, his gaze as sharp as a blade, glancing at Jingnan Wuxun in the hall, and said coldly:

"Summon the Grand Scholars of the Wenhua Hall, Zhang Tingyu; of the Wuying Hall, Li Guangdi; of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Chen Tingjing; and of the Baohe Hall, Gong Dingzi, for an audience!"

Seeing Jing Sheng Di's stance, Xia Shouzhong realized Jia Jing's report could not be trivial, and hurried down to order messengers to summon the scholars.

The scholars usually work in the Wenyuan Pavilion at the southeast corner of the Eastern Gate, within the inner court, not far from Qian Qing Gong.

Of course, this arrangement also allows the emperor to summon them at any time for counsel on state and military affairs.

Before long, Zhang Tingyu and his companions arrived inside Qian Qing Gong, glanced at the Duke Cheng and others standing nearby, and they probably understood what was happening!

The killing of Marquis Linchuan is such a huge matter; how could their cabinet possibly not have received the news?