Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 320: The Pillar of the Nation, the Tiger of Qin

"when--"

The eldest prince was about to ask again when the eunuch in charge of ceremonies at the head of the hall struck a jade drum, and the officials in the hall hurriedly took their seats.

Yu Kuizhen also quickly bowed to the eldest prince, and then returned to her seat.

“Dragon Elephant Realm, no wonder…” The eldest prince whispered softly, then clasped his hands in front of him and lowered his head slightly.

Emperor Yuankang, who was sitting at the top, had put down the file in his hand, held the jade pendant in one hand, and looked at the officials below.

"Guo Ming, your Ministry of War was the first to receive the news, right?"

"Tell me about it."

The voice of Emperor Yuan Kang sounded.

In the hall, everyone turned to look at the Minister of War Guo Ming.

At this time, there were probably no more than ten people in the hall who truly understood the reason for being summoned.

And there are probably no more than five people who fully understand the information.

To be exact, three people.

Emperor Kang of Yuan Dynasty.

Duke Dingguo.

And Su Jing.

Zhang Yuan seized power and launched a national war, and only reported to these two people.

Emperor, Commander of the Black Ice Platform.

Heibing only needs to report to these two people when doing anything in Taichung.

Guo Ming took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed, clasping his fists. "Your Majesty, the Ministry of War received a report at sunset that Zhang Qingyang, commander of the three Black Ice Terraces in the northwest, had suddenly issued an order, mobilizing the Northwest Chilin Army to garrison the various armies due to the current state of the war."

"The Red Scale Army has assembled, and only Zhengyang County's garrison troops are currently moving."

"Because the Black Ice Platform's order is top secret, this is all the information the Ministry of War currently knows."

After Guo Ming finished speaking, he took a step back.

Civil war?

The armies of three counties are gathering?

For a moment, all the officials in the hall looked bewildered.

What is National War?

That means at least the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and another ministry among the six ministries will make decisions at the same time, the central government will submit it with its seal, and then there will be three grand court meetings. Only after the emperor personally decides can it be launched.

In the past hundred years, the Qin Dynasty has not initiated a national war.

It was because they were already unfamiliar with the national war that when Guo Ming finished speaking, the officials in the hall were all at a loss.

Besides, who is Zhang Qingyang?

To be honest, the officials in the court didn't pay much attention to the officials in the border counties or the officials in the Black Ice Platform.

As the saying goes, the emperor is far away and the sky is high. In those border counties, most officials waste their entire lives and have never even been to the imperial city.

How many of these high-ranking officials in the hall would care about what is happening in the northwestern border county?

However, the information Guo Ming just reported conveyed several pieces of information that cannot be ignored.

"Minister Guo, are you saying that the commanders of the three Black Ice Terrace towns launched a national war and seized command of local and border troops?"

An old man in a red official robe raised his head and looked at Guo Ming.

"When did the Black Ice Platform become so easily able to make decisions and start a national war?"

"Your Ministry of War will appoint them—"

Before the old man finished speaking, a light cough was heard in the hall.

Su Jing, who was standing behind Duke Dingguo Lu Jun, stepped forward and clasped his hands together. "Minister Chen, the commander of the Black Ice Platform Armor of the Great Qin can declare a national war."

"The Great Qin Code contains thirty-two laws. Not only the Black Ice Terrace, but all our Great Qin soldiers can fight in national wars."

Su Jing's words made the old man stare, but he was speechless.

This is what the Qin law says, but it is one thing to say and another to do.

Can we really copy what is written in the Qin law?

"It's against the rules. This kind of national war requires the intervention of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue. Otherwise, there's no way to determine merits and provide military equipment. Your Majesty, this issue cannot be opened." A white-bearded old man in the front bowed.

This is to bring up the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. Look, the affairs of your two ministries have been taken over by outsiders.

"That's right, Your Majesty. The people of Heibingtai have no experience in leading troops. If they rashly launch a national war and fail, not only will the military and civilians suffer losses, but it will also undermine the dignity of our Great Qin." On the other side, someone bowed and spoke.

It is obvious that even if there is a national war, it should not be the people from the Black Ice Platform who declare it.

Anyone can do it, from the border troops, the Ministry of War, to the imperial court, except the Black Ice Platform.

"Your Majesty, the commanders of the three towns who declared the war are probably not responsible. I request that Your Majesty issue an immediate order for a thorough investigation of this matter to prevent a major chaos. You must know that the Great Qin is currently concentrating its efforts on the Eastern Territory."

Several voices of reports were heard in the hall.

The Minister of War Guo Ming, who was standing in front, turned his head slightly and looked at the Minister of Personnel Sima Qingguang who was standing solemnly and motionless on the other side.

This Sima Shangshu has a very high prestige among the civil servants and has been in the position of prime minister for a long time. Will he not take this opportunity to put pressure on the Black Ice Platform?
Guo Ming's gaze shifted from Sima Qingguang to the Minister Zhou Chang behind him.

As Zhou Chang is the currently powerful Minister of War, there have been rumors that he will replace himself.

This extremely astute Minister of War doesn't seem to care at this time?
Even Heibingtai has taken away the power of the Ministry of War, how can he still be so calm?

"Minister Zhou." Guo Ming called in a low voice.

In the imperial hall, Guo Ming, as a minister of a certain department, could not speak rashly at this time. The same was true for other departments, all of which were represented by officials such as assistant ministers and deputy ministers.

The celestial officials of all departments need to wait until the situation becomes clear before expressing their opinions.

Hearing Guo Ming's call, Zhou Chang bowed slightly and then took a step towards the middle.

Seeing Zhou Chang coming forward, the noisy sounds in the hall gradually died down.

Zhou Chang has become quite famous recently and is highly regarded by the emperor.

Moreover, Zhou Chang was from the Ministry of War, and his opinions basically represented the Ministry of War.

In such situations, the opinion of the Ministry of War is extremely important, and even the emperor has to weigh the pros and cons.

"My Lords, do you know why the commander of the three towns' military forces wants to start a national war?"

"Also, how much do you know about this Qingyang Earl?"

"When discussing state affairs, justice should be prioritized. Among you, who can explain this matter clearly and point out the fault of the Earl of Qingyang? Please step forward."

Zhou Chang's voice echoed in the hall.

The officials who came forward to report all had their eyes wide open.

Even Guo Ming clenched his fists slightly.

Zhou Chang's words were clearly meant to excuse Zhang Qingyang?
You are from the Ministry of War, and Zhang Qingyang is from the Black Ice Platform. They are naturally in opposition, and you are actually making excuses for him?
In court debates, besides being right or wrong, one must also have a stance. What is your stance, Zhou Chang?
Can't you see that what everyone cares about is not the national war, but the fact that the people from Black Ice Platform announced the national war?

Many people in the hall stared at Zhou Chang, but were speechless for a moment.

There was no way, they really didn't know who Qingyang Bo was.

"I've heard about Zhang Qingyang from my son-in-law."

In front, the voice of Sima Qingguang, the Minister of Personnel, sounded faintly.

All the officials looked at Sima Qingguang, who stood tall and straight.

Tianguan of the Ministry of Personnel is the person among the six ministries that no civil or military official in the court dares to offend.

Whenever you are an official, promoted, or evaluated, all the files are in their hands.

Sima Qingguang turned his head, glanced across the hall, and then looked at Pingyun Hou Xun Huo who was standing not far away.

"Marquis Pingyun, when my son-in-law returned from his diplomatic mission to Northern Yan, the first person he praised was this Earl of Qingyang."

"The pillar of the country, the tiger of the Qin Dynasty."

"Marquis Pingyun, you were in charge of the military power of the Third Commandery at the time. Do you think Xiao Lou's evaluation of Zhang Qingyang is appropriate?"

Xun Huo, Marquis of Pingyun.

The war in Northern Yan subsided, and Pingyun Hou was promoted to deputy commander of the Imperial City Yulin Guard and commander of the Imperial City Bingmass due to his merits.

At the head of the hall, Emperor Yuankang looked at Pingyun Hou Xun Huo with great interest.

The eldest prince beside him also turned his head.

All the ministers looked at Xun Huo.

The pillar of the country, the tiger of Qin?
Can ordinary people bear such praise?

Xun Huo's expression remained calm as he nodded, "What Chief Xiao said is indeed very relevant."

"If Black Ice Terrace is willing to give up, our Imperial City Armor Department is willing to invite Lord Qingyang to the Imperial City as deputy commander."

(End of this chapter)