Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Chen Tingjing's expression shifted for a moment. Seeing that none of the cabinet ministers had stepped forward, he took a deep breath, bowed, and said:

"Your subject receives the imperial decree!"

Chen Tingjing was a moderate person by nature and never took the lead in opposing Emperor Jingsheng, which was an important reason why he was able to hold the position of Grand Secretary for so many years.

Just after Chen Tingjing received the order to return to the train, Xiong Cili quickly prepared his words in his mind.

He hurriedly took out his jade tablet, stepped forward, and reported:

"Your Majesty! Minister Qiao of the Ministry of War has been absent from his duties for a long time, and the position of Minister of War has been vacant for a considerable period of time. This is truly detrimental to the court's grand plan to reorganize and strengthen the military!"

"Wang Ziteng, the Vice Minister of War, is virtuous and talented, courageous and responsible, possesses strategic acumen, and is well-versed in border affairs."

"In handling border affairs in previous years, he has always been prudent and adaptable; he is no mediocre person!"

"During his tenure as Vice Minister, he assisted the Ministry of War in managing many affairs and reorganized the Beijing Garrison, handling all matters skillfully and without error."

"Though lacking in military prowess, he possesses the talent to stabilize the nation and bring peace! Your Majesty, I recommend Vice Minister Wang for the position of Grand Marshal of the Ministry of War!"

Upon hearing Xiong Cilu's words, the expressions of the civil and military officials present in the hall changed, and they immediately understood his intention.

Emperor Jingsheng had just bestowed upon Jia Jing the title of Minister of War, and Jia Jing immediately followed up by recommending Wang Ziteng for the position of Grand Marshal of War.

Isn't this a blatant attempt to seize control of the Ministry of War?

Of course, there is some truth to what he said.

The position of Minister of War is of great importance and cannot remain vacant for too long.

Prince Teng was meritorious in reorganizing the Beijing garrison, and according to the imperial system, it was reasonable for him to be promoted.

Moreover, there had been rumors circulating in the court recently, which is why Kong Ying, the Vice Minister of War, recommended Wang Ziteng earlier.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingsheng fell silent for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Seeing that Emperor Jingsheng did not seem to object, Fang Congzhe's expression brightened, and he immediately stepped forward to report:

"Your Majesty! Minister Wang is exceptionally talented, devoted to the country, and acts with composure."

"The Minister of War is in charge of the selection, appointment, and training of military officers and soldiers throughout the country, and is the linchpin of the nation's military affairs."

"Only by finding the right person can one strategize effectively and win battles from afar."

"In my opinion, Vice Minister Wang's talent is sufficient to serve as Minister of War; Vice Minister Wang's virtue is sufficient to win the hearts of scholars throughout the land."

"If Your Majesty can appoint him as Minister of War, he will surely be able to rectify military discipline, train soldiers, strengthen border defenses, and ensure long-term peace and stability for the country, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment."

"I am not related to, nor am I affiliated with, nor am I a member of any faction or friend of Minister Wang. I simply admire his talent and virtue and recommend him to the country."

"Your Majesty, I dare not have any selfish intentions, nor dare I deceive you. I only ask that Your Majesty consider this."

In order to recommend Wang Ziteng for a higher position, Fang Congzhe racked his brains to come up with countless words of praise and showered him with compliments!

To show that he was not acting out of personal motives, he even stated directly that he had no relation to Wang Ziteng, was not affiliated with him, and was not a member of any party or friend, but rather admired his talent and virtue!

Of course, this is also a tacit response to Emperor Jingsheng's previous statement about "forming cliques for personal gain".

Upon seeing that both Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet recommended Wang Ziteng for the position of Minister of War, the officials in the hall began to whisper among themselves.

Kong Ying, the Vice Minister of War, also came to his senses at this moment. He was the first person to recommend Wang Ziteng.

The reason for his recommendation was twofold: firstly, to check and balance Jia Jing, and secondly, because he had a close personal relationship with Wang Ziteng and wanted to do him a favor.

He believed that once Prince Teng took charge of the Ministry of War, he would not treat him, the person who had recommended him, poorly!

At this moment, Kong Ying straightened her court robes, composed herself, and stepped forward again, proclaiming in a clear voice:

"Your Majesty! I believe that what the two Grand Secretaries said is reasonable. Vice Minister Wang is both talented and virtuous, and as a civil official, it is in accordance with ancestral rules for him to take charge of the Ministry of War. His position is legitimate and justified."

This is a veiled criticism that Jia Jing, a mere military man, is not so legitimately entitled to the title of Minister of War!

Compared to Xu Zhuo, who was so frightened by Emperor Jingsheng's reprimand that he lost his composure on the spot and ruined his reputation.

Kong Ying undoubtedly appeared more composed. Although he had just felt a loss of confidence, as a descendant of the Duke of Yansheng, his confidence was boundless!

Emperor Jingsheng frowned; he was somewhat reluctant to decide on the Minister of War today.

Although Wang Ziteng made contributions to the reorganization of the Beijing garrison, he was not without fault.

According to a secret report from the Imperial City Guard, the officers and soldiers of the Capital Garrison have been very resentful these days, and disputes have frequently occurred in the camp.

As a result, Prince Teng did not attend court today, but instead stayed at the Beijing Garrison.

Emperor Jingsheng always felt uneasy about Wang Ziteng's handling of the task of reorganizing the Beijing Garrison, and in terms of ability, Wang Ziteng was also lacking.

Emperor Jingsheng wanted to wait and see. It would be more appropriate to wait until the Beijing garrison was truly reorganized before rewarding Prince Teng for his contributions.

Just as Emperor Jingsheng was pondering this, preparing to end the court session under the pretext of having finished discussing the eight matters of the day,

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, and a royal city official ran quickly into the hall.

The Imperial City Guard envoy, his helmet askew and armor askew, his face drenched in sweat, knelt directly on the ground, and with trembling hands held up an urgent report, proclaiming loudly:

"Your Majesty! The Beijing Garrison... the Beijing Garrison has mutinied!"

The hall fell silent for a moment, and the expressions of the assembled officials all changed!

Mutiny in Beijing? ?

Fang Congzhe, Xiong Cili, and Kong Ying immediately realized what was going on, their faces turning ugly, their expressions revealing a hint of surprise and uncertainty.

Could I really be that unlucky?

Emperor Jingsheng's expression instantly turned serious. He slammed his hands heavily on the armrests of his dragon throne, stood up, and demanded of the Imperial City Envoy:

"What happened? Tell me quickly!"

The Imperial City Guardian looked flustered, and although his voice trembled slightly, every word he uttered was clear:

"At dawn this morning, Zhou Jiwei, the commander of the left flank of the Beijing Garrison, was dissatisfied with General Jia Zhen for accepting bribes but not doing his job."

"They gathered more than 10,000 soldiers from the Beijing Garrison who had been laid off, and killed more than a dozen people, including Song Zhen, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief in charge of reorganizing the Beijing Garrison, Li Xingchang, the Director of Ceremonial Affairs, and Xing An, the Vice Minister of War."

"Raising the banner of 'Purge the court of treacherous officials, Prince Teng and Jia Zhen,' they are now gathering a crowd and marching towards the capital!"

The news delivered by the Imperial City Envoy shocked all the civil and military officials present!

Purge the court of corrupt officials?

They also killed more than a dozen court officials, including the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, the Director of Ceremonial Affairs, and the Vice Minister of War.

This is no longer a disturbance, it's a reversal!

The hall fell into a deathly silence in an instant.

Then, countless eyes fell on Xiong Cili, Fang Congzhe, and Kong Ying in the hall.

This is the Prince Teng you were just recommending for his supposed merit in reorganizing the Beijing Garrison.

How can someone who has caused such a huge mess during the military reorganization be described as having both virtue and talent? As someone who acts with composure? As someone who recommends capable individuals for the country?

Is this a joke?

If Prince Teng were to become the Minister of War and be in charge of the court's grand plan to reorganize and strengthen the military, wouldn't the Han Dynasty be engulfed in flames everywhere?

Fang Congzhe and Xiong Cili, who were being watched by everyone, felt their hearts sink, and their faces turned from white to green, and from green to purple, like a piece of cloth that had been repeatedly rubbed.

They were still clinging to a sliver of hope, thinking that if it was just a small-scale disturbance and didn't cause any serious consequences.

As long as Wang Ziteng can quickly stabilize the situation, he can atone for his mistakes, so the problem isn't too big!

As a result, the Beijing garrison caused such a huge mess at this time!

More than a dozen high-ranking officials of the imperial court have died. This is no longer a small-scale disturbance, but a rebellion of a serious nature!

Without a doubt, Wang Ziteng, the officer in charge of reorganizing the Beijing Garrison, should be held strictly accountable!

Damn it, absolutely damn it!