The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 477 Hostages
In the autumn of the first year of Taichu, on the eve of the Qi army's entry into the pass, the retired emperor summoned important imperial officials who had returned from exile in various parts of Liaodong in Shenyang, including Kang Yingqian, Qiao Yiqi, Wang Huazhen and others.

Liu Zhaosun was quite indifferent to these former trusted subordinates. After stripping Kang Yingqian of his power, he squeezed him out of the core power of the Great Qi. The ministers who once held great power in Qi were now treated as mascots to add to the appearance of the new policies of the retired emperor.

Before these old ministers truly understood and accepted Qi's new policies, Emperor Wuding would simply let them continue to be idle.

The Kaiyuan civil service group, with Kang Yingqian as its core, which was formed because of the Battle of Shenyang, has now fallen apart after the great purge and a series of movements, and no longer poses any threat to the imperial power.

Since Kang Yingqian's political life was over, Liu Zhaosun did not let Zhang Dong conduct further searches of the Kang family because of his close friendship with Kang Yingqian. Otherwise, with the character of his son Kang Guangxu, he could easily find several crimes of genocide against the Kang family.

"I have things I do and things I don't do. Many things are forced upon me. I hope Supervisor Kang and Supervisor Qiao can understand."

After all the ministers left, the retired emperor left behind Kang Yingqian and Qiao Yiqi, dismissed the palace maids and eunuchs, and comforted his two old subordinates with earnest words.

"Wu Ahheng has already landed his vanguard in Tianjin. In the next few days, I will lead my cavalry from Liaoxi into the Great Wall. Before I depart, I summoned you two to speak from my heart."

Qiao Yiqi knew very well that whenever Liu Zhaosun spoke like this, not a single word he said afterwards could be believed.

"I, an old minister, have committed a serious crime. I am grateful for the forgiveness of the Supreme Emperor and for my life to be spared. I am already content. How could I dare to ask for anything else?"

Kang Yingqian knelt for a long time and could not get up. The old man's thin body looked particularly old and small in the empty hall.

Liu Zhaosun did not immediately step forward to help Kang Yingqian up. The purge caused a rift between the emperor and his ministers, like a crack in blue and white porcelain, which would expand little by little once it appeared and would be irreversible.

"Don't worry, General Kang, the battle in Shenyang is over. Everything is over."

Emperor Wuding said with a double meaning, yes, everything is over, the affectionate friendship between the monarch and his subjects in the Kaiyuan era has disappeared, and General Liu, who was considered to be too soft-hearted, is no longer here.

Liu Zhaosun's thoughts drifted far away, and for a few seconds, he looked at his minister with sympathy.

He shook his head vigorously to stop himself from thinking about it.

"When I was in Kaiyuan, I heard that Young Master Kang, the military supervisor, was no ordinary person."

When Kang Yingqian heard the Emperor mention Kang Guangxu, his expression immediately grew tense and uneasy. "During the Battle of Shenyang, I heard Kang Guangxu personally killed the Manchu Baturu Oboi. How dare you, Kang, the Military Supervisor, never mention such a brave man? This is your fault!"

Kang Yingqian guessed what Liu Zhaosun wanted to do. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the emperor continue:
"I am leading a great army south this time. Everyone in Qi must contribute. Prince Kang is brave and skilled in battle. It would be a waste of his talent to leave him in Liaodong. It would be better for him to join me in the Fortress Pass and make great contributions in the army. This will be worthy of the kindness that Supervisor Kang has shown him in raising."

Even Qiao Yiqi understood what the emperor meant. Liu Zhaosun wanted to keep Lao Kang's only son by his side as a hostage to threaten Kang Yingqian.

"Hahahaha!"

Qiao Yiqi suddenly laughed out loud, and Liu Zhaosun looked at his subordinate in surprise and sympathy.

"Originally, Chieftain Dudu wanted to do something but failed to do it, but the Emperor has done it. I admire you! I admire you!"

Emperor Wu Ding smiled awkwardly. Qiao Dazui was still so outspoken. If he wasn't in a good mood today, he would have killed him several times.

"Why do you say that, General Qiao? I just value Young Master Kang's talent. I have no other intentions."

When saying these words, Liu Zhaosun did not blush or feel nervous, and looked righteous.

"Why is the Retired Emperor so cruel and ungrateful that he doesn't even spare the Kang family? We all worked together to defend Shenyang for the Great Qi, but I never thought this would be the outcome today. They say you, Liu Zhaosun, have changed. I didn't believe it at first, but now it seems to be true. Unlike Inspector Kang, I have no family, so there's no need to trouble the Retired Emperor. I'll end my life on my own."

Regardless of his own life, Qiao Yiqi insisted on arguing with the emperor, and Liu Zhaosun's gaze towards him gradually became cold.

"Since General Qiao is making such conjectures and slandering me, I have nothing to say. I have forgiven you time and again, but you don't care and dare to say anything..."

Just as Liu Zhaosun was filled with murderous intent, Kang Yingqian's pleading voice came to his ears:

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I am willing to send my son to the army to participate in the Southern Expedition and contribute my humble efforts to the court and the emperor."

Liu Zhaosun's expression remained unchanged. He looked at Qiao Yiqi meaningfully, then smiled and nodded to the two of them.

(End of this chapter)