Chapter 715: First Volume, Chapter 715: Zhen Jian vs. Mai Mang

First Volume, Chapter 715: Zhen Jian vs. Mai Mang

Li Xu's words were extraordinarily bold!

Dead people? Can those inside the Imperial Ancestral Hall be called dead people?

In the past, just those words from Li Xu would have been enough to convict him.

But times have changed—Taolin Party's power is simply too great, so great that even the Liang Emperor must tread carefully and pretend not to hear.

Tian Yuanshou was left speechless by Li Xu's retort, his face flushing red and white, several times trying to accuse Li Xu of grave disrespect.

But sensing the fierce glares of the Taolin Party ministers beside Li Xu, and the warnings from the Imperial Party officials around him, he could only back down.

"Lord Li, as National Teacher, I oversee ancestral rites and religious ceremonies—all for the protection of the Liang Empire's realm and altars of state, its peace and prosperity."

"I naturally have the authority to offer advice on state affairs."

The Minister of Court of Imperial Sacrifices immediately snorted: "Lord Tian may offer advice—you already have, and it was rejected. What more do you have to say?"

Tian Yuanshou's face darkened: "Rejected? The Emperor hasn't spoken yet—your words are premature!"

Hearing this, the Minister of Court of Imperial Sacrifices said nothing further, bowing directly to the Liang Emperor: "What is His Majesty's view?"

Since ascending the throne, the Liang Emperor had felt for the first time the pressure of being coerced by his ministers; though uncomfortable, he forced himself to adapt.

The Ministers of War, Revenue, and Personnel—all three of the Six Ministries' heads—are core members of the Taolin Party.

Behind them stand the Minister of Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Head of the Imperial Academy, and the Dragon Tiger Army Grand Commander.

Beyond them are the Marquis of Yong'an, the Duke of Ning…

Only far behind them are Qin Feng and all the Northern Border troops.

Military affairs, finance, official appointments, governance, discipline, noble titles—even popular reputation—all are firmly in the hands of the Taolin Party.

These ministers and generals have long been bound together as one rope; the Liang Emperor dare not strike at any of them.

The Liang Emperor slowly closed his eyes, then exhaled deeply after a long while, conceding: "Lord Tian, your devotion is noted, but to spend half a year selecting a Taishi Taibao is simply too prolonged."

Tian Yuanshou knew perfectly well the Liang Emperor had been forced into compromise under pressure.

At this moment, the Liang Emperor could not directly reject the Taolin Party's proposal—at least not without a reasonable justification.

Tian Yuanshou immediately signaled to Ma Mo behind him.

Ma Mo understood, stepped forward, and bowed: "Your Majesty, I believe the position of Taishi Taibao is not unappointable."

"But it must not fall into the hands of the Taolin Party."

"With the Taolin Party's overwhelming power, if they also gain the Taishi Taibao title, who in the Imperial Court will be left to check them?"

"If the Taolin Party seeks any one of the Taishi Taibao positions, they must exchange it for the Dragon Tiger Army Grand Commander post!"

Ma Mo had dropped all pretense, tearing away the glittering facade of "realm and altars of state," reducing the appointment to pure power struggle.

Since the Imperial Party had abandoned decorum, the Taolin Party would not hesitate either.

Zhao Li shouted loudly: "You wish to strip me of my military command? Your ambitions are truly monstrous!"

"I give you only four words: delusional fantasies!"

Qin Tianhu's gaze was resolute—Zhao Li's military command was no less valuable than the Taishi Taibao position.

Qin Feng's troops, though elite, were simply too few in number.

The true trump card that terrified the Liang Emperor was Zhao Li's Dragon Tiger Army.

As the Capital Elite Garrison, its sheer size meant that if war broke out, the Dragon Tiger Army's numbers could force the Liang Emperor to abandon his "Jin Ji Miao Sha" strategic goal entirely, and create an opening for Northern Border forces to respond.

Once deprived of the Dragon Tiger Army's protection, Qin Feng's meager forces stationed in Jingdu would likely be surrounded and swiftly crushed by the Jingji Garrison.

The Jingji Garrison, with its overwhelming numerical superiority, could afford a three-to-one casualty ratio—and Qin Feng still couldn't withstand it.

Moreover…

Warfare isn't as simple as one plus one equals two.

One-on-one, victory is fifty-fifty; two against one, victory rises to seventy percent; five against three, it may reach ninety percent; once a ten-to-five absolute advantage forms, the attacker might annihilate the enemy without losing a single soldier.

"Two fists cannot fight four feet"—this old saying holds true everywhere.

Qin Tianhu cast a sidelong glance; the Minister of Personnel, Wu Mian, immediately stepped forward and barked:

"General Ma, you wish to strip General Zhao of his command? Who gave you that authority?"

"General Zhao's position as Dragon Tiger Army Grand Commander was conferred by the late Emperor; he has earned countless meritorious deeds on the Front Line. Unless General Zhao shows signs of rebellion, no one may touch him!"

"General Ma, as commander of the East Camp, you should avoid meddling in state affairs—but you have repeatedly interfered in court politics."

"You hold military power, yet covet political power—do you intend to seize both? I suspect you are the one with rebellious intentions!"

Ma Mo turned pale—Wu Mian's words struck straight at his core weakness!

As a general holding military command, one must not interfere in court politics; Ma Mo may follow orders, but he must never take the lead in court.

Had the Imperial Party's civil officials been strong enough to compete with the Taolin Party, would Ma Mo have risked being branded a traitor by stepping forward?

Seeing Ma Mo falter, Wu Mian pressed his advantage, pointing two fingers like a sword at Ma Mo and bellowing: "General Ma, if you dare interfere in politics again, I shall impeach you immediately!"

"Let's see whose military command is revoked first!"

Ma Mo said nothing, quickly retreated—he could not afford to lose his command, or the Imperial Party's strength in Jingdu would suffer a fatal blow.

And…

If he were convicted of meddling in state affairs, the Taolin Party would exploit it mercilessly, forcing Ma Mo to surrender his command.

Ma Mo would never submit—so the hidden figure behind the Taolin Party, Qin Feng, that demon of chaos, would surely lead troops directly to attack the East Camp's ZhuZhen.

Meanwhile, the West Camp could not send reinforcements, because… the Taolin Party was acting to quell rebellion, with legitimate justification; if the West Camp intervened forcibly, wouldn't that be Zhu Zhou Wei E, making them rebels too?

Who ever heard of the Imperial Party rebelling against itself?

The Liang Emperor, having witnessed the entire scene, now held no illusions—the Imperial Party's strength in court could not possibly compete with the Taolin Party.

If Li Yong and the Grand Tutor joined this party struggle, perhaps there might still be a chance.

Alas, Li Yong and the Grand Tutor had retreated too swiftly, refusing absolutely to get involved.

Just as the Liang Emperor was about to give up, a calm and unyielding voice rang out.

"Your subject believes that the appointment of Taishi Taibao must be based solely on merit, not on who wields greater power or holds higher GovernmentPosition and can thus appoint at will!"

"If this continues, does the Shedynasty belong to the Li family or the Qin family?!"

The Liang Emperor fixed his gaze on the middle-aged man in the crowd, his eyes brightening—finally, the upright minister had stepped forward!