https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-86-The-Grand-Commander-is-Far-Superior-to-Lu-Lingxiao/12582512/
Chapter 85: Cleaning House, She is Xiao Huhu
Chapter 85: Cleaning House, She is Xiao Huhu
This formidable aura caused everyone to momentarily hold their breath, as a long-forgotten sense of oppression returned to the imperial court.
Lu Yuan never spoke harshly, and even his voice was gentle and refined. At first glance, his gentle smile seemed to convey indulgence, but it made everyone feel as if a sharp dagger were hanging over their heads.
The Golden Luang Temple was silent.
Lu Yuan walked to the very center and repeated with a smile, "Your Majesty, this subject has returned."
The young emperor stammered, "It's good... it's good that you're back."
Lu Yuan straightened his sleeve and casually said, "During my absence, some filthy creatures emerged from within my household. I've cleaned house, and thus, I am late for the morning court. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Cleaning house? Isn't he essentially admitting that he was behind last night's incident?
Coupled with his fearless attitude, he was clearly saying: I killed those people, what can you do about it?
Arrogant!
Too arrogant!
The civil and military officials grit their teeth in anger.
Those who had not betrayed Lu Yuan, either out of fear or because they hadn't had the chance, now felt a sense of relief at having escaped death.
With a smile, Lu Yuan asked, "General Zhou, Prefect of Jingzhao, what important matter were you discussing just now?"
Clearing his throat, General Zhou turned to the Prefect of Jingzhao.
The Prefect of Jingzhao kept his head down, feigning death.
It was then that Minister Xing spoke up, explaining the murders of several high-ranking officials and royal merchants that had occurred the previous night. Due to the lack of clues at the scene, they could only identify the weapon used based on the knife marks, and thus, the perpetrator remained unknown.
Lu Yuan said, "Prefect of Jingzhao, these deaths occurred in your jurisdiction. You must investigate thoroughly. Additionally, given the seriousness of the matter, perhaps the Court of Judicial Review should also be involved in the investigation."
The Court of Judicial Review oversaw criminal laws and the administration of prisons. Although they also handled cases, by the time a case reached them, it was usually already concluded, and they would simply review and approve the verdict, similar to the imperial decree of excommunication issued by the Grand Emperor.
The Court of Judicial Review would review the case, and if there were no issues, they would assign it for execution.
The Prefect of Jingzhao and the Chief Justice had no choice but to accept the case, gritting their teeth as they did so.
They both knew that the case would be quickly resolved, but it would never implicate Lu Yuan.
Over the past two months, he had eliminated half of his followers, but instead of proceeding cautiously upon his return, he boldly wielded the butcher's knife, hunting down those who had betrayed him one by one!
Even if he was greatly weakened, he would never hide his edge. He would rather die standing than live on his knees!
If it came down to it, he would rather have a mutual destruction; he would die arrogantly!
They had long realized that Lu Yuan was a madman, but each time, he managed to surpass their expectations for insanity!
Lu Yuan took in the wary glances and gritted teeth of the officials, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of his lips. Once again, he turned to the young emperor seated on the dragon throne, as if he had only just remembered to seek the emperor's opinion.
"Ah, Your Majesty, do you have any objections?"
The young emperor smiled broadly and said, "Your words echo my thoughts, Master Lu. You've been away for so long, and I'm glad you're finally back. I shall host a banquet to welcome you and the officers."
Lu Yuan's appearance at court was brief; he didn't even take his seat beside the emperor. He submitted a list of rewards and punishments before excusing himself from the court, citing health reasons.
General Zhou turned to the two veteran officials beside him and said, "Minister Yang, didn't you say that if the emperor didn't punish Lu Yuan, you would smash your head against the Golden Luang Temple and die?"
Minister Yang's eyes flickered, "When... when did I say that?"
General Zhou then looked at the other official, Auditor Wang, and asked, "Auditor Wang, you love to file grievances against Lu Yuan. Why aren't you doing so this time?"
Auditor Wang waved his sleeve, "This official only files grievances when there is evidence!"
"He never gets involved in matters without evidence. On the contrary, if the evidence is solid, he would even send his own father to jail!"
After the court session, the young emperor summoned Zhang Feihu.
Having served at the border for many years, Zhang Feihu rarely had the opportunity to meet with the emperor. The last time he had an audience in the Imperial Study Room, it was with the previous emperor, and now he was facing the previous emperor's son.
"Your subject pays respect to Your Majesty," Zhang Feihu bowed.
"Rise, General Zhang," the young emperor said.
In the study room were also the Minister of War and several other military ministers.
Zhang Feihu greeted them all with respect.
The young emperor first praised him greatly and then asked, "Is it an oversight that General Song is not on the list of rewards?"
Zhang Feihu then explained how Song Biao had disobeyed military orders.
The Minister of War politely said, "The Grand Marshal has never been on the battlefield and lacks experience. General Song also considered the overall situation and did not immediately attack the city, so his actions are somewhat understandable."
Zhang Feihu disagreed, "I, Old Zhang, strongly disagree with what you said! Although when it comes to military strategy... the Grand Marshal might be slightly inferior to me, Old Zhang! But the Grand Marshal knows how to make the best use of his talents, is wise and resourceful, a brilliant strategist, and an excellent commander. Which soldier doesn't respect him? I understand that General Song wanted to show him a thing or two, but then he should have let his achievements speak for themselves! Deliberately losing and delaying military intelligence is truly despicable!"
If one were to say that Lu Yuan was deliberately suppressing those who didn't get along with him, then Han Ci's name at the top of the list of merits for the battle of Feng County would contradict that.
The Minister of War and Zhang Feihu had known each other for a long time, and he glanced at Zhang Feihu, "Your speech has become quite refined."
Zhang Feihu patted his chest and said, "The Grand Marshal said that even military men should read more books!"
Zhang Feihu also saw Han Ci's name and said, "The assassination of General Han should have nothing to do with the Grand Marshal. He is not that kind of person."
After this, the young emperor inquired about the battle situation at the border, including the negotiations with the King of Beiliang. Zhang Feihu truthfully recounted the events, including how he had witnessed the King of Beiliang storming out of the tent, looking furious and frustrated, as if he wanted to kill someone but dared not.
The Minister of War asked, "So, it was indeed the Grand Marshal who persuaded Beiliang to surrender?"
Zhang Feihu looked at him in shock, "How could that be fake? Sixty thousand troops were watching! Also, I, Old Zhang, would like to correct you. It wasn't persuasion, it was a defeat! To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest excellence!"
Afterward, Zhang Feihu proudly spoke about Lu Yuan's achievements, and the listeners felt that the Lu Yuan he was describing was not the same person they knew.
When Lu Yuan first led his troops to the border, everyone thought he was overly confident and reckless, and that he would surely suffer a heavy lesson. They expected him to return and find his base uprooted and the overall situation changed.
Unexpectedly, not only did Lu Yuan make great achievements, but he also greatly boosted the morale and support of the people and soldiers.
"Who is the successor of Yin Hu?" the young emperor asked.
"Oh, Meng Xiaojiu!" Zhang Feihu replied.
"Who is Meng Xiaojiu?" The young emperor had never heard of this person.
Zhang Feihu smiled, "She's the Grand Marshal's bodyguard!"
After Zhang Feihu retired, the Minister of War said solemnly, "In the court, there is no one who can restrain Lu Yuan anymore."
The young emperor looked towards the west, "Summon the prime minister back to the capital."
...
Outside the south gate, a man in black clothes and white hair looked up at the towering city gate and sighed in relief, "We've finally arrived in the capital. Should I go see Shen Hou's daughter first, or look for that little tiger?"
The amount of information in these two chapters is a bit too high, stroking his chin
(End of Chapter)
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