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Chapter 497: Benevolence, Righteousness and Morality (asking for monthly ticket)

Your Majesty invites you?

Right Prime Minister Feng Yuning's thoughts froze. He didn't know why, but everything was clearly under control. Even if the King of Qin suddenly attacked, he could retreat step by step according to his own arrangements.

Finally, he gained a reputation for leaving calmly and boating on the lake.

Everything is arranged and under control.

But, you, you——!
His sleeves were rolled up and his palms were clenched tightly. He felt an irritable feeling that everything was ready but was shattered by others. This irritability came from his trusted butler, from his nephew, and from every inch of land in the prime minister's mansion.

Those people who used to order him around and lead him around, now became part of the force that controlled him, as if they were his own flesh and blood, who dared to rebel against him.

This irritability came from the King of Qin who suddenly tore apart this chaotic world.

It came from the invitation from His Majesty Emperor Chen at this critical moment.

These people, these people!
Why don't they want to be used as pawns? Why do these so-called heroes, heroes, common people, lackeys, all have their own ideas, why don't they want to obey?

As the saying goes, human hearts are like this. At this moment, Feng Yuning had a feeling of wanting to resist, but he raised his head and saw the gentle and peaceful gaze in the eyes of the eunuch in charge of ceremonies. The latter took a half step forward and said in a low voice: "The rebels are surrounding our capital, and your majesty is a little worried about state affairs."

"It really requires the help of the nobles, loyal officials and righteous men."

"Right now, General Zhao, Lord Liu, and Minister Wu are all here..."

Feng Yuning's tense nerves relaxed.

He subconsciously chose the possibility that he hoped for in his heart, that is, when the national capital was besieged and there were wars on all the borders, the emperor would eventually become panic-stricken and finally frightened.

These kings usually pretended to have lofty ambitions and bravery, but history records many of them, saying that before the fall of their country, they were no better than ordinary people, let alone the great scholars with righteous indignation.

But it's just an act.

It was probably at this time that I became too scared to bear it.

So he needed to let these loyal gentlemen gather around him. Feng Yuning felt at ease. He had read a lot and knew that such things had happened in every dynasty in ancient times. Even the so-called emperor would be afraid at this time.

All the officials in the court can escape or surrender, and even enjoy wealth and glory after surrendering; the so-called aristocratic families, who have money and land and know how to stand on side and support others, can also have a future, and this is what the so-called thousand-year-old aristocratic families are like.

Even those who bowed their heads in the dust and had their hands and feet in the mud could survive.

But, only the king.

You can't surrender and then live.

What’s more, it’s a person like Emperor Chen?

But you are also a coward. Your Majesty, please go to the underworld alone. We will use your death to gain a firm foothold in the new era and achieve wealth and glory. When the time comes, you will burn some incense for me in the underworld.

So he calmed down, swept his sleeves to calm his nephew, pointed at the two dead bodies, and said: "These two slaves, who eat the state's salary, are colluding with others to tip off the King of Qin."

"I was anxious and angry. After I knew the news in advance, I punished them according to the family law. I was just about to take them to the government office to surrender. Moreover, the army is approaching the city and the country is in turmoil. Even if Your Majesty did not come to call me, I would go."

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies asked gently, "King of Qin?"

Feng Yuning's thoughts froze for a moment.

He felt an indescribable aura from this feminine, neither male nor female person, which made his heart palpitate. So he did not change his expression, but showed sadness and resentment on his face, and sighed:
"No matter what, it is a title bestowed by His Majesty the Red Emperor himself."

"The hatred of the country and the hatred of the family are here. What can we do about it?"

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies said, "The Right Prime Minister is loyal and devoted, and this is so touching. I know this too. Your Majesty is anxious and hopes to see you all right away. Please follow me and enter the palace together."

"it is good."

Feng Yuning felt more and more at ease, and no longer had any doubts. He instructed his family, pointed at the two bodies that he had beaten to death, and shouted, "Such traitors are really despicable. Did you remember what I told you just now?"

His nephew said respectfully, "Yes!"

"Everything will be done according to my uncle's instructions. It will be done properly and there won't be any mistakes."

He felt relieved, knowing what his uncle meant. It was for him to go and deal with Emperor Chen. The matter here involved his life and property, so he had to do it well. He respectfully watched the eunuch in charge of ceremonies and the right prime minister Feng Yuning leave.

When Feng Yuning walked out, her sleeves swayed slightly.

Jiangzhou City was unusually quiet, yet bustling.

There were no civilians on the road, and the dull sound of swords could be heard outside. The wide road was always crowded with people, and sedan chairs were not allowed to move forward. When he went out, he had to sit in a sedan chair, and there were three sedan chairs in front and behind.

There was a family-born boy who had practiced martial arts in front to lead the way.

There were still young men from aristocratic families and scholars who had studied poetry and books for twenty years and came here. They were like moths to a flame, squeezing out of the crowd, resisting the violent urging of the servants, and trying to squeeze next to the sedan chair.

Go and put in the land deeds, silver bills, and the poems that you have worked so hard to think of.

There was a silver stove with carved ornaments inside the sedan chair.

Stuffing it with beautiful articles, lighting a fire and warming the body is quite elegant and interesting.

But today, when she looked around, there was no one there, and there was no gorgeous sedan chair like in the past. Feng Yuning suddenly realized at this moment -

Are the streets of Jiangzhou City so wide?

Wide and open.

In the past, servants always complained that the front of the prime minister's mansion was too busy, with people coming and going, and the doorway floor made of fine stone could never be swept clean. Now that there was no one in front of the door, the ground was spotless, grayish white, and empty, like transparent ice.

When the wind blows past, there is an inexplicable feeling of desolation.

Feng Yuning was stunned by what she saw.

The eunuch smiled and said, "Sir, please come in."

Feng Yuning turned around and saw two white stone lions in front of the prime minister's residence. Inside the gate, the family members were looking at him. Feng Yuning turned around and nodded to the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, saying, "Thank you, sir, for leading the way."

........................

The carriage started off.

Feng Yuning closed his eyes in the sedan chair, organizing his thoughts and thinking about what he would do next. Gradually, as his thoughts became clearer, his spirit calmed down.

He experienced ups and downs in officialdom for decades and served many emperors.

I have also seen the bravery of Regent Chen Fu-bi.

Could it be possible that the Emperor Chen at this moment, a mere king of a fallen country, could surpass the courage and spirit of his predecessors? Could it be that Chen Dingye also had the courage and means of the Chen Fu-Bi brothers?

There is absolutely no such possibility.

The Prime Minister's Residence is actually quite a distance away from the Imperial Palace. In the past, when he had to go to court too early, he could close his eyes in the sedan chair, take a short rest, and take a nap. When he woke up, he would have arrived.

But this time, the journey was so short and the time went by so quickly.

It's already here.

He got off the sedan chair and saw that many sedan chairs had stopped around him. The gate of the palace in front was open, but there were no arrangements. So he straightened his clothes and tried to calm himself down.

Then he followed the eunuch in charge of ceremonies and walked forward into the main hall. He vaguely heard someone coming. It was Minister Wu who said in a shocked voice: "Your Majesty!!! Right now, the country is in a critical moment. You don't care about state affairs, but bring me here. Is it just for such a ridiculous thing?!"

"Your Majesty, where are the teachings of the saints!"

"Your Majesty, where is the dignity of our ancestors? Our ancestors are leading the army in battle, but you are here, doing such a ridiculous thing. Isn't it a disgrace to our ancestors and the indignation of Emperor Wu?"

"Your behavior is extremely absurd. You are simply, simply unworthy of being a king!!!"

This roar was full of righteousness and could be said to be filled with a sense of righteousness.

The weight of these words was extremely heavy, so heavy that the Right Prime Minister Feng Yuning raised his eyes, and then lowered his eyebrows. He knew that this old minister was a man of talent and ability. When he was young, the State of Chen was peaceful.

However, the aristocratic families were rampant, and in the files submitted, there were too many missing household registrations and fraudulent registrations of the elderly and children. These missed young and strong men were all used by these aristocratic families, big and small. Such things were a common occurrence in all dynasties.

The military minister ordered a re-inspection of the household registration. If one person was false, the official would be dismissed. He also allowed reports from the public. If someone reported an extra man, the family of the man who was reported would be required to pay taxes and labor service.

It is very effective in gaining insight into people's hearts.

In that year, the counties counted 243,000 young and able-bodied men and 641,500 new households.

Therefore it is valued.

Running to other things, just looking at this point, it really hit the custom of aristocratic families keeping slaves at that time, and caused many people who were dependent on the aristocratic families and whose lives and deaths were controlled by their masters to be recorded again in the books of the State of Chen.

Because this Minister Wu was such a person when he was young, forgotten by the country and the world. He was only under the control of aristocratic families, and his life and death were determined by the will of his masters - because he was not even recorded in the country's files.

As long as he is alive, the country will not protect him.

His death was like pulling out a weed, and the people above him would not know about it. So he studied hard and learned secretly while cleaning the house for his master. Eventually, he made a name for himself. When he was young, he vowed to break the control of the aristocratic families over the population.

It's like a knight drawing his sword to slay a tiger roaming the road.

But later, some things changed.

This minister, perhaps because of his background, was particularly good at waiting for the emperor's slightest wishes.

Whoever the king wants to punish, he will bend the law to make him guilty.

Those whom the king wishes to release will be given light punishments and released accordingly.

After that, all cases, big or small, were handed over to Wu Shilang. No one in the Ministry of Justice or the Supreme Court dared to argue with him. He had to submit his advice before making a decision. He was a man of great talent, good at making arguments, and could speak eloquently. Whether it was a serious or minor case, it was all up to him. His analysis was so clear and sharp that people at that time could not question him.

"He is just a small-minded person trying to please his superiors."

"However, considering Wu Yun's personality, he didn't intend to please the emperor at this time, but said such words. From this point of view, I'm afraid he is also ready to escape, right?"

“But it is true.”

Feng Yuning saw it clearly.

I'm just curious. There must be a reason for someone to be angry. What on earth is so absurd that makes Minister Wu Yun so "indignant"?
But after going up, I found that it was even more ridiculous than I expected.

In the solemn and dignified hall, there were tables and tables with various hot and cold dishes, fruit platters, and fine wines. This turned out to be a palace banquet. When the enemy army had already attacked to the foot of the imperial city, the grandson of the founding emperor was personally wearing armor and fighting in the front, and the emperor actually held a banquet to invite all his ministers, his descendants, and his grandchildren.

Especially, it happened in the hall where loyal ministers and famous generals used to hold court.

Even in every dynasty there have been absurd rulers.

But Feng Yuning had never seen anything so absurd in all her history.

"Has the Right Prime Minister arrived?"

Chen Dingye spoke and Feng Yuning saluted. They saw the king sitting cross-legged at the top of the mountain, wearing a loose robe with an open collar. He had a calm look in his eyes and was holding the white bone pipa. His white hair was loosely tied up and hung down his back.

Feng Yuning bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty." Chen Dingye smiled and said, "Now that the Right Prime Minister has arrived, please take a seat first. When the other gentlemen arrive, it will be time to start the banquet."

Feng Yuning looked at the table and was confused for a moment.

Everyone was wondering if Chen Dingye had gone crazy under the enormous pressure of having his country destroyed, his death, and his eternal infamy.

But the gentlemen had already taken their seats. Under the enormous and indescribable pressure of the general trend, Feng Yuning did not choose to stand up and refute Emperor Chen at this time, but just sat down.

Chen Dingye tuned the strings of the pipa, and the civil and military officials were standing below.

Depression, an indescribable feeling of depression.

This kind of repression is no longer a feeling of oppression brought by words, but a surging trend, a feeling of pressing down. There is no talking, only the sound of breathing and the simple sounds of musical instruments.

Those who are here are the backbone of the entire Chen State, the civil and military officials of the entire Chen State, and the pillars of the country. Feng Yuning felt at ease. If he was taken to a hidden secret room, he would be terrified.

Now this is safe.

However, under such pressure, these civil and military officials behaved out of character. They lost their former composure and self-control, and each of them was more or less uneasy. People kept saying that the world was in a state of chaos and that the country was in danger.

How can you sit here?!
Suddenly, an old general slammed his hand on the table and said angrily, "Your Majesty, the prosperity of the country and the changes in the world all depend on you and the others. Moreover, the generals are fighting outside and the enemy is already at the gates of the city."

"At this time, instead of thinking about protecting our country, you have gathered us all here. Aren't you afraid that people in the future will scold us? For thousands of years, the pen of history is as sharp as a knife. Who will be spared?!"

"If you want to continue playing here, go ahead!"

"I can't accompany you anymore."

He was furious, with a look of sadness and anger on his face, as if he was disappointed with someone. He stood up suddenly, saluted, and strode outside. But at this moment, he heard the whistling sound of weapons.

At the entrance of the hall, the Jinwu Guards on the left and right had already stepped forward, blocking the way with their two long spears. They were wearing armor and had resolute and solemn expressions. However, the old general burst into laughter, holding his spear with both hands, and said angrily:

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Are you going to kill me?"

He pushed forward suddenly, pushing the two Jinwu Guards away, then reached out and grasped his clothes, and suddenly pulled them to both sides, revealing his upper body. There were many sword and knife scars on his body, and many of the wounds were even overlapping.

A solemn and tragic atmosphere hit me in the face.

The old general laughed: "I am not afraid of death. I joined the army at the age of fifteen. Now it has been sixty-five years. I have fought in many battlefields. My life has long been lost on the battlefield along with my ancestors!"

"Come on, kill me!"

He laughed to himself:
"Wonderful, wonderful!"

“Hahahaha, for a general, he cannot defend his country and die on the battlefield. It is not bad to die in this palace. It is good enough to leave his name in history and be passed down to future generations!!!”

These words were almost a show of disrespect, pointing at Chen Dingye's nose and cursing him as a tyrant. Many civil and military officials were stunned, their eyes crossed, and they were all slightly frozen.

There was disbelief and a hint of confusion between them.

Everyone is just pretending, just to express their indignation and concern for the country and the people.

I didn't expect you to really come up.

Are you serious?

For a moment, the noisy and chaotic hall, which seemed to be eager to clarify itself and analyze its loyalty and courage, became quiet. Feng Yuning stood up and said, "General Zhao, you are just worried about the country and the people. How can you really do this and ignore your emperor?"

"Oh, maybe the people from the imperial kitchen delivered the food too late."

"There is wine and fruit, but no main course. General Zhao, you must be getting anxious."

He and General Zhao were old friends, so he gave him a way out. General Zhao was silent for a moment, put on his clothes, and returned to his seat.

Chen Dingye put down his pipa and said, "You are right. It is indeed my fault. There is no main course to eat, nor any singing and dancing to entertain you. So, let's serve the main course first."

He tapped the dragon throne gently.

Strong men had already come in carrying things. They were large pieces of white paper files, piled up in the hall like a snow mountain. It was quite spectacular and impressive, and all the civil and military officials were puzzled.

Chen Dingye said: "This is today's main dish."

"My Lords, doesn't this look familiar to you?"

He lazily propped his chin with one hand, and looked down at the nobles below with a calm gaze, and said: "It was you who contacted the four directions, transported our Dachen's things to other countries, and exchanged letters to surrender to Li Guanyi."

"How could I forget?"

In an instant, the atmosphere became grim, as if falling into an ice cave. The faces of many ministers changed. Footsteps were heard outside, as well as the sound of armor plates rubbing and colliding.

The Jinwu Guards and the Suwei were all in armor and formed a battle array. Under the command of the Jinwu Guard General, they lined up outside the hall, with long spears and heavy shields pointing here. A sense of panic and fear made all the officials change color.

The military evil spirit surges.

The army was heavily armored, with spears and powerful crossbows. In the narrow space, the threat posed by them increased rapidly. Even General Zhao, who was at the sixth level of martial arts, could not defeat the brave fifth level general outside, who was wearing heavy armor and leading the guards.

Feng Yuning's palms began to tremble.

My mind goes blank.

He actually did this...

How dare he do this.

He, is he crazy? !
Emperor Chen brushed his sleeves and said with a smile: "My dear ministers, my lords, please don't lose your mind. Why are you afraid? I don't want to kill you. It's just that at this time, at this point, these things still need to be said and explained clearly."

"The reason why Da Chen has come to this point is entirely my fault."

"But it's not on you."

"Civil officials and military officers are all good officials and loyal ministers. There is not a single treacherous minister!"

"Lift your heads, everyone."

The civil and military officials raised their heads tremblingly. Chen Dingye said, "You can all leave here alive. The Great Chen family has reached such a state. Li Wanli has already died of poisoning at this banquet."

"There can't be a second one."

"only……"

Feng Yuning was gasping for breath, her face was pale. Chen Dingye stretched out his hand, his palm was white and powerful, and pressed on a sword lying horizontally next to the dragon throne. He slowly pulled out the sword, and the low humming sound of the long sword was extremely harsh.

He shook his hand.

The sword circled and fell, with the blade stuck upside down on the ground, making a whistling sound.

Chen Dingye's eyes were calm and playful:

"Only one person can get out alive."

Hence, there was only deathly silence in the hall. General Zhao clenched his fists, and Minister Wu turned pale. All the civil and military officials, all the nobles with benevolence, righteousness, propriety and virtue, were reading the books of sages and were role models and leaders.

They looked at the sword.

Only one person can get out alive, which means...

General Zhao said angrily: "You, what are you talking about? Where is benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom? Even if you are the emperor, you have no right to say that!" He rushed forward and went straight to the throne, intending to pull the emperor down, but he only heard the sound of swords.

The sword that was stuck upside down on the ground flew up and pierced directly through General Zhao's chest.

General Zhao's body stiffened.

Emperor Chen raised his palm and pressed it on his face. Little by little, he calmly pressed the once good general to the ground. He raised his head and said, "What are you waiting for?"

"Or, I will decide who lives?"

There was a chilling and murderous whistling sound.

The Jinwu Guards outside stepped forward, raised their crossbows, and pointed them grimly at the hall in front. After a moment of suppressed silence, one of the usually gentle and elegant men let out a scream, picked up a stool and threw it forward.

This thing hit another adult's head, breaking his hair crown and messing up his bun. Bright red blood mixed with white hair dripped down and landed on the white jade-like bricks and stones. Along with heavy gasps and screams, the man who did it burst into tears:

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Brother Liu."

"I, I didn't do it on purpose. I was forced to do it."

"You!!! I was the one who saved you back then, and you actually..."

"Hateful, hateful!"

He suddenly rushed forward in a rage, knocked down his friend who was dressed in gorgeous clothes, and poked his finger forward, directly into the censor's eyes, then hooked his finger and pulled it out fiercely.

Screams broke out, and the Imperial Censor checked all the officials with his keen eyes.

It was taken out just like that!

But the man who made the move was knocked to the ground the next moment. The wood debris penetrated from under the jade crown and pierced through his mouth. Blood gushed out and his screams were drowned out.

In just a moment, the tense atmosphere completely collapsed, and those nobles who used to be dignified, majestic, unyielding and like saints in front of everyone started fighting in this hall.

When officials are fighting each other, all civility is lost.

A hollow and cold voice sounded.

Chen Dingye played the pipa made from the thigh bone of a Turkic envoy. The sound was so eerie and deep that it made people feel cold in their bones. After the song, Chen Dingye casually picked up the wine cup beside him and raised it.

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies respectfully poured wine for the king.

The wine is amber in color.

Chen Dingye shook the wine cup indifferently, his eyes overlooking the Golden Palace. Gentlemen were fighting, great scholars were gnawing at each other, blood was dripping, all over this once most majestic place. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, his eyes were indifferent.

This is the other side of the world.

Benevolence, righteousness, and morality.

Hahahaha, bullshit.

Blood, desire, the desire to live, the unwillingness to die, others die, but I live alone.

Tearing off the disguise, trampling over morality, the former elegance is like the blood stain under his feet. Chen Dingye holds the wine, raises it calmly, facing the screams, broken fingers, bloody palace, facing this bloody and distorted world, he calmly raises the glass, his eyes are indifferent, and he murmurs:
“This is the world.”

"But also..."

"It's so beautiful."

(End of this chapter)