Jiuxi

Chapter 1022

In the northeast of Zhuoyuan, there is a pavilion named Pianyun.

This place was built according to the terrain, located on a gentle slope. The three main rooms have no partitions, but are all connected, showing the grandeur and openness.

From the outside, the shape of this pavilion looks like a floating cloud, so it is called Katayama Pavilion, which is similar to Katayamatai.

Because it is located at a high point, it is best to lean on the railing to enjoy the view. In addition, only one door on the east side of the pavilion is connected to the Nine-Curve Corridor, and the rest of the sides are planted with rare flowers and plants. If it is the turn of spring and summer, you can see flowers in full bloom and the scenery is picturesque.

Queen Mother Ning and Lu Chen walked around for half an hour and decided to take a rest here.

The maids arranged by Lu Chen served fragrant tea and snacks, and then carefully withdrew. Apart from the king and his ministers, the only one left in the pavilion was the female official Ruolan.

Queen Mother Ning looked at the desolate and lonely scene outside the window and smiled, "It's a pity that the time is wrong."

Lu Chen said calmly: "It's indeed not a coincidence, but when the spring comes next year, why don't you take the emperor to visit Zhuo Garden again?"

Queen Mother Ning was slightly tempted, then shook her head and said, "Although Zhuo Garden is beautiful, it is not easy to come here often. It is understandable that I occasionally come here on a whim, but if I take the emperor out of the palace again, I am afraid that Prime Minister Xue and Prime Minister Xu will be angry."

"Your Majesty is really——"

"Do you want to praise my wisdom and virtue again?"

Empress Dowager Ning interrupted Lu Chen abruptly, with a hint of cunning in her eyes.

Lu Chen lowered his eyes slightly.

If I remember correctly, this was the first time that Empress Dowager Ning showed such a coquettish attitude in front of him.

Putting aside their identities and status, they are actually of similar age and both have remarkable wisdom and vision. If there were no struggle for imperial power between them, they might be able to become friends who can chat with each other. However, under the current situation, this is ultimately just a fantasy.

At this time, Queen Mother Ning still did not express her intention to invite Lu Chen to visit Zhuo Garden. Lu Chen would naturally not be anxious, nor would he let his guard down, so that his heart would not be disturbed by a genuine smile from Queen Mother Ning.

Queen Mother Ning realized that she had lost her composure, but she did not try to hide it. Instead, she calmly changed the subject and asked, "How is the progress of the firearms research in Dingzhou?"

Although she seemed to be here just to visit the garden today and the topics they talked about were rather scattered, Lu Chen still gradually figured out some clues.

The issues that Empress Dowager Ning was concerned about were all related to his trip out of Beijing to inspect various places. Simply put, she really wanted to know whether Lu Chen was really going there for the new policy, or whether he was going to various places to meet his loyal subordinates and discuss some crucial matters.

Of course, it is also possible that both exist at the same time.

Lu Chen now knew very well how meticulous this woman's mind was, so he did not hide anything and briefly recounted the Firearms Bureau's achievements.

Queen Mother Ning nodded repeatedly and said approvingly, "So, in two years, it will be time to attack Jing?"

Lu Chen replied: "Although Jing State has been hurt, its basic base is still there, so I think we can't give them too much time. The attack on Jing can't be hasty but it can't be delayed too long."

"I trust your judgment."

Queen Mother Ning nodded slightly, and then said: "Prince Qin, I didn't ask about Yang Guangyuan just now on impulse. For a long time, I have been thinking about a question. When a person makes a mistake, the best solution is to admit it and correct it. This is obviously an extremely simple truth. Why can't so many powerful people figure it out?"

"Because they can't bear to lose their face, even if they think they still have it."

Lu Chen sneered and said slowly: "Of course, the officials in the court have their own reasonable explanations for this, such as grace comes from the superiors and resentment belongs to the inferiors, and thunder and rain are all grace from the emperor. If it is so open and aboveboard, it can easily cover up those ugly things. If it is really impossible to cover it up, you can also bury your head in the mud. As long as no one can see it, it does not exist. After a long time, it will be completely forgotten, as if some things have never happened."

In fact, he usually doesn't ridicule so bluntly.

It’s just because Yang Guangyuan’s experience is really regrettable.

Queen Mother Ning did not refute or defend certain people. She looked at Lu Chen calmly, as if she had made up her mind, and said softly: "If you are wrong, you must admit it, and the royal family is no exception."

Hearing the deeper meaning in her words, Lu Chen was slightly surprised.

Empress Dowager Ning continued, "The Yang Guangyuan case is the biggest injustice in the past hundred years of Da Qi, and it is also the root cause of the turmoil in the country for more than two decades. Emperor Chengzong...he has paid a heavy price for this mistake, but Yang Guangyuan still bears the name of a criminal. He has never owed Da Qi anything, but Da Qi owes him too much."

"When he was alive, he made countless military achievements and once made the three northern tribes surrender. Even though he was later suspected and suppressed, he still did his best to build the Jing River defense line like a solid wall. I have often read the old files in the palace in recent years. I have a good understanding of these past events and I always feel guilty."

"After Yang Guangyuan passed away, the wealth he left behind is still protecting Da Qi. For example, the Prince of Loyalty was once taught and guided by him, and the Duke of Rong was a famous general brought up by him. Not to mention you, a genius. I know that your father was one of the most trusted arms around Yang Guangyuan."

"The fact that Da Qi was able to survive and avenge its past humiliation is, of course, inseparable from the hard work of countless people with lofty ideals, but we cannot ignore the great role played by the sparks left by Yang Guangyuan."

Queen Mother Ning's tone was not hurried at all, but gentle as a spring breeze, but the determination revealed in her words still surprised Lu Chen. "Your Majesty, aren't you worried that this will remind people of that difficult and humiliating time?"

The implication is that bringing up the Yang Guangyuan case again is obviously not a good thing for the royal family. The best thing would be for everyone to bury their heads in the mud and forget the past as Lu Chen said just now.

However, Queen Mother Ning was determined. She shook her head and said, "Not mentioning it doesn't mean it didn't happen, because there will always be many people who remember it, such as you."

She wanted to resolve one of Lu Chen's problems.

Lu Chen did not dissuade or accept it immediately, but asked calmly: "I wonder how Your Majesty would like to proceed?"

Empress Dowager Ning said two words directly: "Overturn the verdict."

To avoid misunderstanding, she added: "In the name of the Heavenly Family, we will vindicate Yang Guangyuan."

It has to be said that this is a decision with far-reaching and immeasurable impact.

The imperial court has avoided talking about the Yang Guangyuan case for more than 20 years, and Li Duan has not tried to make corrections. It is not only because he has to consider the ethical system of father-son relationship and monarch-subject relationship, nor is it because he lacks the courage to do so, but because this case involves the most serious problem.

If the imperial court admitted that Yang Guangyuan died unjustly, then the responsibility for the collapse of the Jinghe River defense line, the fall of Heluo, the massacre of royal family officials, the fall of Jiangbei to the enemy, and the deaths of millions of people at the hands of the Jing army would all be attributed to the Li royal family.

In short, since Yang Guangyuan’s death caused various terrible consequences, once the verdict is overturned, the world will understand who caused the overthrow of half of the Da Qi territory.

The reason why Da Qi almost lost the world was not because the Jing army was invincible at that time. Although they were indeed very powerful, why couldn't they cross the Jing River defense line before Yang Guangyuan's death?
So the answer is the royal family’s own stupidity, corruption, cruelty and incompetence.

This will expose the illusion that everyone is barely maintaining and directly shake the righteous foundation of the Li royal family's rule over the world.

Even though he had seen this woman's intelligence and determination many times and had a vague premonition, Lu Chen remained silent for a while before saying, "Your Majesty, have you ever thought about the consequences of doing this?"

"I thought about it."

Queen Mother Ning met his gaze calmly, and then said: "You said that if you make a mistake, you have to pay a price, whether it is a person or a clan. The royal family did pay a heavy price for that case, and the royal family has withered and the bloodline is weak. But these are passive prices, not a sincere explanation to those loyal and righteous people. Emperor Gaozong has already written a memorial for the 8,000 warriors in Shazhou. Now that I am in power on behalf of the royal family, I should make this redress that has been delayed for more than 20 years come true. This is one of the few things I can do now."

When she said the last sentence, her expression remained calm, without any obvious resentment.

Lu Chen sighed softly.

He stood up and bowed to Empress Dowager Ning.

This time, Queen Mother Ning was not as polite as before and accepted the gift quietly.

She looked at Lu Chen quietly, her eyes revealing a bit of loneliness.

The next moment, Lu Chen said, "Your Majesty's move should comfort the spirit of Marshal Yang in heaven and comfort many living people. I thank Your Majesty for their grace. I was originally planning to petition for this matter at some time next year, so Your Majesty also fulfilled my wish. Your Majesty has worked hard over the years and carried the weight of the country on your weak shoulders. It is not easy. If Your Majesty needs my service, please let me know and I will do my best."

Empress Dowager Ning's eyes lit up slightly.

Lu Chen had anticipated this, and he didn't think it was a conspiracy.

Empress Dowager Ning had been keeping a low profile since her oral instruction the day before. Of course, she was holding out for some kind of hope, otherwise she wouldn't have gone to so much trouble.

As for what kind of hope it is...

Lu Chen didn't want to speculate endlessly, so he chose to speak frankly.

Queen Mother Ning seemed a little nervous. She looked at Lu Chen's calm face and said slowly, "The political situation is becoming increasingly turbulent and the undercurrent is difficult to calm down. No matter what position people hold, they are almost unable to hold back. King Qin, I have always believed that you are a gifted talent. You can always solve the problems in this world. Therefore, I sincerely ask you if you can find a way to break the situation and have the best of both worlds?"

Hearing this, Lu Chen was not disappointed, at least she did not make any harsh demands.

However, the best of both worlds solution...

Lu Chen fell into long contemplation.

"Your Majesty, this question——"

Looking at the hope in those phoenix eyes, Lu Chen lowered his head slightly and said, "There is no solution."

(End of this chapter)