Chapter 78

Kong Renyi suddenly felt his mind go blank, already suffering from a severe illness due to anger, and now he was even more furious, trembling as he pointed at Li Yunxiao, “You, you, you...”

After trembling for a while, he suddenly stopped, his pupils gradually dilating.

“Pfft!~”

Kong Renyi spat out a mouthful of blood, the pent-up frustration in his chest finally released. After this last action, he fell backward, landing heavily on the golden hall floor with a “thud,” completely lifeless.

A great Confucian scholar had actually been angered to death!

The entire hall was shocked!

Li Yunxiao laughed wryly and said, “Indeed, he is the descendant of a sage, a contemporary Confucian scholar, who atoned for his mistakes with his death. This shows he understood righteousness and knew shame. As the saying goes, the dead should be respected, so we should forgive the mistakes of Teacher Kong. I humbly request the emperor's decision.”

All the officials in the hall exchanged glances, secretly thinking that Li Yunxiao was too ruthless. Kong Renyi had been angered to death, yet he still refused to give him a clean name, insisting on pinning a crime on him. This young man was vengeful and relentless, even after death. No one should provoke him.

Emperor Qin Zheng coughed violently a few times before regaining his breath and said, “What Li Yunxiao said is correct. The dead should be respected, and the past should be forgiven. Teacher Kong was, after all, a great Confucian scholar. We will choose a day for a state funeral and a national mourning period!”

As a long-reigning emperor, he understood that it was not worth offending the Li family over a dead, valueless person. Therefore, he followed Li Yunxiao's words, speaking ambiguously, neither confirming the crime nor clearing his name.

If Kong Renyi were aware, he would probably be angered back to life.

Soon, eunuchs and palace maids carried Kong Renyi away and cleaned the hall. Outside, the Grand Tutors of the Imperial Academy were all in tears. However, many of them, after hearing Li Yunxiao's words, began to reflect and calmly consider the situation.

Emperor Qin Zheng, feeling a bit tired from sitting for so long, leaned back on the dragon throne and asked, “Duke Jing, Li Yunxiao, what urgent military situation required you to kill the guards and rush in?”

The old man shifted his body to the side, indicating that his grandson would take charge today. All eyes in the hall immediately focused on Li Yunxiao, various complex thoughts flashing through everyone's minds. Qin Yang's face was dark and gloomy.

Li Yunxiao said loudly, “The Whitehead Town has fallen, and a million troops from the Hundred Wars Nation are besieging Kunjin City. I humbly request the emperor to send troops immediately for relief!”

Emperor Qin Zheng listened quietly, then realized there was no more to come and asked, “Then what?”

Li Yunxiao stared with wide eyes and said, “Then? That's it. We are waiting for the emperor's order to mobilize troops.”

“Ah?” Emperor Qin Zheng opened his mouth in surprise, “This, isn't this the military situation from a few days ago? Is this what you call an urgent matter?” A hint of anger appeared on his face, “I already knew about this!”

Qin Yang also said angrily, “Li Yunxiao, you have a lot of nerve! To kill the palace guards and the Grand Tutor for an outdated military situation, you deserve to be executed!”

Li Yunxiao glanced at him with disdain and said, “Don't talk about execution here and there. If you have the ability, go to the front lines and kill the enemy. You only know how to execute your own people, truly remarkable!”

“You!...” Qin Yang was speechless with anger, his neck turning red. But he quickly realized that Li Yunxiao was a smooth talker and should not be argued with. Even Kong Renyi had been angered to death by him. If he continued, he might be next.

After this realization, he shot Li Yunxiao a fierce glance and then closed his mouth.

“Ah!” Li Yunxiao suddenly seemed to realize something and said, “I forgot, the Golden Lion Corps of Whitehead Town was the First Prince's army, which has been wiped out by the Hundred Wars Nation. No wonder the First Prince can only execute his own people in the capital.”

His words were direct and pointed out the key issue, both mocking Qin Yang and holding him accountable. It was his army's defeat that led to the current situation.

Emperor Qin Zheng also narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly glancing at Qin Yang intentionally or unintentionally.

Qin Yang felt a chill down his spine. The Golden Lion Corps had guarded Whitehead Town for over a hundred years, with the Great Mang Mountain, where monsters roamed, just ahead. The Hundred Wars Nation had never been able to break through. This incident was extremely suspicious, and the ministers in the court were all speculating. Emperor Qin Zheng, who had ruled for many years, could not have been unaware of the underlying issues.

If his father knew that he had deliberately led the enemy into the country to seize the throne, he would not only lose the throne but also his status as a prince! He broke out in a cold sweat but thought to himself: As long as I deny it, no one can find evidence!

Emperor Qin Zheng slowly said, “Kunjin City is guarded by the Flying Dragon General and his 400,000 Flying Dragon Corps. Even with a million enemy troops, it is difficult to break through. Therefore, I and my ministers believe that this request for aid is a ruse. The enemy's true intention is to divert our central army and then advance south directly, aiming for the capital. This is their real goal!”

“So, if the military situation is real...” Li Yunxiao said solemnly, “If the Hundred Wars Nation breaks through Kunjin City, they can advance south, and the thirteen main cities of the Heavenly Water Nation will fall into their hands. At that time, can the emperor's central army hold back a million troops?”

This point was exactly what everyone was worried about, and they all fell silent.

Qin Yang, with a cold face, gave a signal to a minister in the court. The minister's body trembled, and he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, stepping forward and shouting loudly, “Li Yunxiao, your father is trapped, so you are naturally anxious. Exaggerating the situation is understandable, but war is a matter of national importance and cannot be taken lightly. We must deliberate carefully.”

This minister was also full of helplessness and tension. After witnessing Li Yunxiao's prowess, he was secretly afraid. But he dared not disobey the First Prince's order and had to step forward to oppose him.

“Clang!~”

The Taiyin Cold Sword suddenly struck, a chilling light piercing the sky and stopping just before the minister's throat. The golden hall was immediately in chaos, with many guards rushing to protect Emperor Qin Zheng, shouting, “Protect the emperor!”

Li Yunxiao sneered, “Traitor, you disregard the Heavenly Water Nation's江山社稷 (江山社稷 refers to the state and its people, often translated as 'the nation and its people'). Before the army sets out, you will be sacrificed as a flag!”

Emperor Qin Zheng was also furious, coughing violently and saying, “Li Yunxiao, you dare to draw your sword in the hall. What do you intend to do?!”

Li Yunxiao said solemnly, “Your Majesty, I came with an urgent military situation. The situation is too urgent, so I did not disarm. Please forgive me! Today, I have exposed a traitor, and he must be removed from the court!”

His cold sword lightly touched forward, not breaking the skin but the coldness penetrated, causing blood to flow and turn purple-black. The minister was so frightened that his legs trembled, and he fell to his knees, his pants emitting a disgusting stench. He cried out, “Your Majesty, save me! First Prince, First Prince, save me!~”

Qin Yang could no longer hold back, stepping forward and saying, “Father, Li Yunxiao treats the lives of the state's ministers as a game, acting madly in the court! Please order his execution!”

Li Chunyang's face darkened, and his aura suddenly burst forth, overwhelming Qin Yang with a force that sent him flying into the walls of the golden hall, breaking his ribs and spitting out blood.

The old man said angrily, “Who wants to execute my grandson? Step forward now!”

“Sizzle!~”

The entire hall was shocked. Who dared to directly assault a prince in the golden hall?

The trembling minister was also stunned. His support was nothing in the eyes of the other party, and he was completely finished. He fainted, his eyes rolling back.

Emperor Qin Zheng's pupils contracted, a hint of shock and fear flashing in his eyes. Li Chunyang's aura was even stronger than before, indicating significant progress over the years. His heart sank even further.

“Your Majesty! Is the Heavenly Water Nation's江山社稷 (nation and its people) more important, or is this old man more important? Do you still need to hesitate?” Li Yunxiao's face turned cold, and he stared at Emperor Qin Zheng, saying, “If Your Majesty thinks I am being unreasonable, then I will consider the urgent military situation as if it never happened. The Li family will be happy to retire. This matter will be dropped!” His gaze swept over the surrounding ministers, and he sneered, “If the nation and its people change hands, you, these wine bags and rice sacks, can still serve the new ruler, keeping your titles and salaries. But the emperor... well, well, what a loyal heart!”

The grandfather and grandson, one with sharp words and the other with divine might, left the entire court silent, no one daring to challenge them.

Qin Yang struggled out of the cracks in the wall, covered in blood, his eyes full of venom. He had learned his lesson and did not speak, returning to his place in the line.

Qin Yue, on the other hand, was overjoyed, her heart racing. From the looks of the Li family, if Emperor Qin Zheng did not send troops, a change of dynasty in the court was not impossible!

Emperor Qin Zheng's serious face gradually relaxed, and he said with a tired tone, “What Li Yunxiao said is very true. Since that is the case, I will order Duke Jing to be the commander-in-chief, and he will select troops from the central army to set out immediately!”

Li Chunyang raised an eyebrow and said loudly, “I have been weak in recent years and cannot take on such a great responsibility. However, I will find a reliable person for this position. Please rest assured, Your Majesty.”

“Damn, from that aura, he is almost as strong as a Martial King, and he still claims to be weak!” All the officials in the court cursed inwardly.

Emperor Qin Zheng also