After noon, the order in Tiewan Mountain stabilized.
Although Emperor Ningkang's side has completely controlled the situation in Tiewan Mountain, Emperor Ningkang's troubles have just begun.
Princes, clansmen and ministers who had just escaped from the war heard that Emperor Ningkang's troops rushed into the palace of the Supreme Emperor. Not only did they put the Supreme Emperor and the Queen Mother under house arrest, they also killed the close associates around the Second Saint.
The prisoners were all very angry.
After trying to break into the Emperor's palace to no avail, they united together and angrily rushed outside Emperor Ningkang's palace to admonish and protest, hoping to make Emperor Ningkang, the emperor who had gone astray, return from his lost ways.
It's not that they didn't know that their actions might offend Emperor Ning Kang.
They just felt that, firstly, they were outnumbered, and secondly, they, these high-ranking nobles, were the foundation of the empire, and even Emperor Ningkang did not dare to do anything to them easily.
Otherwise, who will help him protect the country left by his ancestors?
Since they are filial sons and grandsons, the most loyal ministers of the empire, they naturally cannot remain indifferent at such a time when the life and death of the empire is at stake.
They thought that even if they could not rescue the Emperor and the Queen Mother, they would still show their attitude to Emperor Ningkang. They wanted to let Emperor Ningkang know that even if he was the emperor, he could not act willfully or be treasonous.
Of course, some of them have their own vital interests and have to stand up.
For example, Mr. Xiao Jing, one of the current cabinet ministers, is Xiao Ge.
As the prince's father-in-law, he still wanted to save the prince.
Despite the current situation, unless the Supreme Emperor escapes from trouble, it is impossible for the Crown Prince to stand up again.
But at least the prince must save his life first. Only by saving his life can we plan for the future.
The prince must not be executed because of Emperor Ningkang's anger.
Therefore, even if he knew that Emperor Ning Kang didn't like him, he had to stand up and take the lead at this time.
A dark group of people knelt outside the palace gate, and from time to time they sang "Please think twice, your majesty" in unison, and the sound was very scary.
I don't know how long I knelt before I finally saw Dai Quan leading a team of eunuchs majestically coming from the palace.
Everyone who was kneeling breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Emperor Ning Kang was finally influenced by them, compromised, and wanted to tell them the truth and reason.
They like to present facts and reason the most, so the outcome of the subsequent negotiation depends on the ability of the leading prince and the powerful ministers in the court.
There were so many of them, so it was naturally impossible for everyone to go into the palace and discuss matters with the emperor.
Most of the people were thinking this, but Xiao Jing, who was at the front, felt slightly uncomfortable when he noticed Dai Quan's pitiful eyes as he glanced at him.
Sure enough, when Dai Quanxing came to Xiao Jing, he raised his voice and sang without saying a word:
"His Majesty decreed:
This time the prince conspired to rebel, kidnapped the two saints, and caused countless loyal and brave people to die in vain. What he did was unpunishable and extremely foolish.
As the prince's father-in-law, the prince's teacher, and the chief lecturer in the study, Xiao Jing should strictly teach the prince so that he knows loyalty, filial piety, kindness, and justice, and can distinguish right from wrong.
Now that the prince has fallen to this point, Xiao Jing has an unshirkable responsibility.
I specially ordered the imperial staff to be of eighty-year length to serve as a warning to others."
After Dai Quan finished reading the oral edict, his attendants captured Xiao Jing.
People around were frightened.
The prince made a mistake, and it makes sense that Xiao Jing, who has been tutoring the prince all year round, is responsible for teaching him unfavorably.
But an eighty-year-old stick is still a royal stick. Is this too much?
With Xiao Jing's old arms and legs, how could he withstand an eighty-inch cane?
So they all came out to plead for mercy, especially several princes. At this time, they no longer cared about "petitions" and stood up to intercede for Xiao Jing.
Intercession was of course useless. When the attendants placed the instruments of torture in the middle of the gate, the officers and soldiers immediately escorted Xiao Jing over.
Xiao Jing was naturally frightened and turned pale, but after seeing the sincere pleas of a group of respected old princes and counting the contributions he had made to the Wei Dynasty and the imperial court in the past decades, it still had no effect.
Dai Quan didn't even have the intention to symbolically ask Emperor Ningkang for instructions.
Xiao Jing then knew what Emperor Ning Kang was thinking.
Frustrated, he felt calmer. He straightened his back and shouted towards Emperor Ningkang's chamber: "Since Your Majesty insists on killing me, I would like to thank you for your kindness!"
I just hope that your majesty can, for the sake of father and son, forgive the prince this time and at least spare his life. In this way, I will be grateful to your majesty for your great kindness!
Your Majesty! I am leaving, my old minister. May your Majesty’s dragon body be in good health, and may I, the Wei Dynasty, be prosperous for all generations!”
After saying that, he let the officers and soldiers peel off his clothes and robe, then lay down on the long torture bench and closed his eyes.
The two muscular eunuchs who were executing the execution received Dai Quan's signal and immediately raised the wooden sticks in their hands without hesitation and struck hard at Xiao Jing's bony back.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
“…”
The heavy knocking sound hit the hearts of everyone who came to petition. Unbearable, fearful and other emotions lingered in their hearts for a while, making them all stand up, and then took a few steps back unconsciously.
In Emperor Ningkang's chamber, when Xiao Jing's voice came in, the monarchs and ministers who were discussing matters also stopped talking.
But Emperor Ning Kang didn't speak, and others naturally didn't dare to say anything.
Until an internal prisoner ran in and reported: "Back to Your Majesty, Xiao Ge Lao fainted once when the execution reached seventeen strokes, and then when the execution reached twenty-nine strokes, it was found that he was no longer breathing.
Manager Dai asked the slave to come and ask for instructions, do you want to continue the execution?"
Emperor Ning Kang asked: "How are those people outside? Have they dispersed?"
"Not yet. They are all watching the execution. Many old princes are crying..."
"I understand, let's go down."
The eunuch was stunned when he heard this, wondering if Emperor Ning Kang had not heard clearly what he said before.
Fortunately, the chief eunuch serving in the palace winked at him, and he then retreated obediently.
…
The imperial staff continues.
Seeing Xiao Jing, who had been silent for a long time and was beaten to a bloody pulp, many people burst into tears.
In the cry, there is no lack of sorrow for the death of the rabbit and the fox.
Because the country was relatively stable in the middle and later periods of the Emperor's reign, the Emperor was also known for his generosity towards his subordinates and rarely abused them.
Many people have forgotten how many years ago the last first-rank official was killed by a cane in front of everyone.
Especially, now, after being killed with a stick, his body still cannot be saved in the capital, he is still the noblest and most aristocratic minister in the cabinet who is the most desired by all civil and military officials, who is like a holy place.
Since the establishment of the cabinet, there have been many ministers who have been accused and died, but after decades of ups and downs, the number cannot exceed two hands.
But... no one was stripped and beaten to death in public like this!
Not to mention, now that the man is clearly dead, his body is not even spared.
For a time, many civil servants who had made it their lifelong goal to join the cabinet could not accept it.
An old minister with white hair and beard rushed forward crying and pushed the execution eunuch away with all his strength. After being pulled away, he followed Xiao Jing's example before and wailed toward the palace:
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, if you continue to be so stubborn and perverse, you will one day incur the wrath of heaven. You will definitely regret it, you will definitely regret it..."
"Old man, I'm here to accompany you!"
Then, he suddenly rushed towards Xiao Jing's execution bench and died after touching the bench.
Following his heroism, the civil service group burst into tears.
However, in contrast, the more numerous clan members quietly retreated.
When they saw the officers and soldiers from the pro-military camp, they dragged Xiao Jing away after the execution and the old minister who died after touching the bench, as if they were just two insignificant people who died.
At this moment, they suddenly understood.
Thousands of people died on Tienwang Mountain this time, including many people who were usually very powerful.
Under such circumstances, it seems that it is not a big deal if a few more noble people die.
Jia Lian also witnessed this "tragedy" from a distance.
At this time, he was quite free.
Ever since he captured the Emperor's Palace, the entire Tienwang Mountain seemed to have no use for him.
Emperor Ning Kang never summoned him again, and others, even those who had a good relationship with him, did not dare to get close to him.
He just wandered around with his own soldiers.
No one dares to get close to him, and of course, no one dares to find trouble with him.
It is not difficult to draw the conclusion from this: Emperor Ning Kang has not yet decided how to deal with him, the most loyal minister turned into a cheap nephew!
"Master Hou!"
Suddenly I saw Jun and Jia Yu coming on horseback.
Jia Lian looked back at them and asked, "What's the matter?"
Xie Jun said anxiously: "Master Hou, it's not good.
Just now, He Lianxiong and Xie Jing came to the camp together, took out His Majesty's handwriting, and asked Su Keguang to lead the artillery force to assist Xie Jing in setting up defenses at important transportation thoroughfares at the foot of the mountain to guard against possible rebels."
"This man named Su is in vain for the Marquis to have such trust in him. If it hadn't been for the Marquis' promotion, he would still be sitting on the bench in the Shenji Camp. Where would he be today?
It's good now, seeing the Marquis in danger, he was the first to jump out and stab the Marquis in the back, what a complete villain!"
Xie Jun has been following Jia Lian since he took up the post of commander of the Xicheng Army and Horses Division, and he can be said to be loyal.
He also noticed that Jia Lian's current situation seemed a bit bad, so he was very dissatisfied with Su Keguang for "adding insult to injury" at this time.
After all, logically speaking, if the emperor wanted to mobilize the artillery army, it would be normal for him to go through Jia Lian, the commander of the firearms battalion.
Now this transfer order obviously bypassed Jia Lian and was issued directly to Su Keguang and the artillery army. This had to make all the officers of the firearms battalion feel that Su Keguang had betrayed Jia Lian.
After Xie Jun finished speaking angrily, he found that Jia Lian seemed to have nothing to do with him and showed no signs of anxiety. Instead, he looked at Jia Yu next to him.
"Has your Majesty mobilized the Musketeers?"
"Never."
Jia Lian shook his head and smiled.
It seems that His Majesty the Emperor feels that the artillery force is the real threat.
Without saying much, he could understand some of Emperor Ning Kang's concerns.
After all, when he gave up on being the Supreme Emperor and decided to follow Emperor Ning Kang wholeheartedly, he already anticipated the possible situation that would arise later.
No one said anything to Jia Yu and others. At this time, the more you do, the more mistakes you make, and the more you talk, the more mistakes you make.
Only when Emperor Ning Kang wants to see him will he have room to show off.
"Go back." Jia Lian said to Xie Jun.
"I won't go back, I will follow the Marquis!"
Xie Jun felt that the emperor had gone too far. It was clearly their marquis who brought the entire firearms battalion to come to King Qin to protect him and made the first contribution. However, because the emperor told a specious "secret", their marquis suffered the consequences.
Such unfair treatment, with unclear rewards and punishments, is extremely stupid!
In his opinion, if the Marquis is really the bloodline of the Supreme Emperor, and the Marquis does not even choose the Supreme Emperor as his biological grandfather, but chooses him as his uncle, shouldn't he be moved, and then get closer to, trust, and reuse the Marquis?
He made the same promise in the morning in front of tens of thousands of soldiers, but turned around and ignored the Marquis, and now he is here to seize the Marquis's military power!
It's so heartless and ungrateful...
Xie Jun didn't want to work for such an emperor, nor did he want to see Su Keguang's proud face. He wanted to follow Jia Lian, thinking that if the emperor had evil intentions, he would risk his life to escort Jia Lian down the mountain.
Jia Lian naturally saw the firmness in Jie Jun's eyes, and felt a little moved in his heart. At the same time, he was sure that if he really chose to take risks to help the Supreme Emperor in the morning, they would probably follow him...
However, wasn't that why he couldn't exchange their precious lives for false promises and slim opportunities?
There is nothing to regret. Maybe Emperor Ning Kang is just too busy at the moment and has no time to think about how to arrange him.
He believed that Emperor Ning Kang would be able to "figure it out".
Because, in all aspects, he has done well enough.
"Go back, you are the commander of the artillery army. Please keep an eye on the artillery army for me during this period. Remember, if you want to save your life, don't complain about me at this time, and don't get into trouble with Captain Su because of something that is nothing.
, this is not good for you or me.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! I will tell you everything after I come back..."
Jia Lian didn't want to say too much at first, but he couldn't bear that Xie Jun lost his life for no reason because he was too loyal, so he gave him a few words.
Xie Jun wanted to say that he was not a person who was greedy for life and afraid of death, but when he faced Jia Lian's confident eyes as always, combined with Jia Lian's specially accented word "come back", he suddenly realized something.
Just as he was about to ask, he saw Su Keguang riding alone from the direction they came from.
"My subordinate has met the Marquis!"
Su Keguang turned over and dismounted, cupped his fists and saluted.
Jia Lian rode on his horse, nodded and said, "I heard that Your Majesty asked you to lead the artillery army to assist General Xie in garrisoning at the foot of the mountain?"
"My subordinate came here precisely to report this matter to Lord Marquis. I also just..."
"You don't need to say much, I understand everything."
Su Keguang was a former captain of the Shenji Camp, and he met Jia Lian when he was the deputy commander of the Shenji Camp.
Later, Jia Lian was ordered to set up a firearms camp and needed to recruit a group of skilled craftsmen from the Shenji Camp, so he was included.
Perhaps the original intention of the imperial court was to let him check and balance Jia Lian, and not let the entire firearms camp be filled with soldiers and horses purchased by Jia Lian himself.
Despite this, he was still very grateful to Jia Lian.
After all, if it weren't for Jia Lian, the Firearms Battalion would not have existed at all, and it would have been impossible for him to rise from the pension department to become a fourth-grade military attache in the Royal Guards, only one step away from becoming a general in the true sense.
And he felt that following Jia Lian, it would not be difficult to take this step. This can be seen from the fact that everyone around Jia Lian has been promoted step by step because of him.
Not to mention, he sincerely admired Jia Lian's ability to get close to demons!
Therefore, although he was ordered to lead the artillery troops down the mountain immediately, when he realized that this special order was aimed at Jia Lian, he immediately came to Jia Lian to explain the situation.
He didn't want Jia Lian to misunderstand, because he knew it would make it difficult for him to move forward in the entire firearms camp.
Didn't see Jia Yu and Xie Jun, the two captains, ran to find Jia Lian without saying hello. Didn't see Xie Jing. After He Lianxiong left, did the senior officer of the firearms battalion look at him with dissatisfaction?
However, Jia Lian seemed to be more open-minded and reasonable than he imagined. After interrupting his explanation, he looked at him solemnly and said: "Due to personal reasons, I may not be able to command the artillery army for the time being.
However, the Artillery Corps and even the Firearms Battalion are not just owned by me, Jia Lian, but they were built by you and me after two years of hard work.
I hope that in the next period of time, you and Xie Jun will work together to take good care of the artillery army and not let any brother or artillery fail.
Could you possibly do it?"
Su Keguang was stunned. After a while, he nodded heavily, then knelt down on one knee and said, "A humble position will not disgrace your destiny."