vstars Chapter 387 Conviction
Chapter 387 Conviction
Chapter 387: Conviction
On the ninth day of the Lunar New Year, the annual leave ended and officials returned to work.
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, on the side of the civil and military officials, the atmosphere was somewhat quiet and depressing.
Everyone's eyes fell on Lu Yunting from time to time, secretly wondering what would happen to him.
Will Your Majesty punish him?
Jiang Yueyang looked at Lu Yunting's back with concern, and asked nervously: "Xiaogua, Your Majesty is a wise ruler, right?"
Generally speaking, yes. But good and evil, right and wrong, all depend on one's own thoughts. And since humans are not saints, I don't know what the emperor will decide.
[If Your Majesty wants to kill Ayue, I might...]
[Host.] The system interrupted her softly, [Judging from the current situation, there's a high chance that Lu Yunting will survive. Otherwise, the Emperor would have had him under guard long ago.]
All the civil and military officials listened quietly, wondering in their hearts, if His Majesty punished General Lu, what would Lord Xiao Jiang do?
Escape with Lu Yunting?
Or maybe in a fit of rage... just rebel?
Master Xiao Jiang is the most protective of his shortcomings...
[Is that so? But I always feel that Your Majesty is testing him by letting him come and go as he pleases...]
The system said: [Isn't this better? Lu Yunting didn't escape, so he passed the test.]
At this time, Emperor Yuan arrived.
Everyone stood up to greet Emperor Yuan, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you. Long live the Emperor!"
"Everyone loves you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Yuan sat on the dragon throne, glanced at everyone, and then slowly spoke: "Today we will discuss the matter of Qiu Jian leading the Lu family army in rebellion."
As soon as these words were spoken, all the civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment and started talking to each other in whispers, but no one took the initiative to express his or her opinion.
After a while, General Zhenguo stood up and walked out.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Qiu Jiancheng's rebellion was his own personal act, and that other innocent people implicated should be forgiven.
Furthermore, General Lu promptly reported Qiu Jian's intention to rebel and volunteered to lead the troops to quell the rebellion, demonstrating his loyalty."
As soon as he finished speaking, a certain censor stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Qiu Jian was able to incite the Lu family army to rebel, which shows that the Lu family army has long had rebellious intentions. If this root of evil is not removed, I am afraid that there will be more trouble in the future."
"Do you mean that Your Majesty should kill all 300,000 generals? That's 300,000 lives?" the general questioned.
The censor retorted, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no such intention! But 300,000 Lu family troops are too large, and the number should be reduced!"
"Reduce the number of people? How do you want to reduce it? Don't you just want to kill them?" Another general questioned.
The court was immediately divided into two factions, arguing endlessly.
Minister Jiang stepped out amidst the clamor and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard a little about what happened on the battlefield.
The Lu family army that participated in the rebellion was actually instigated by treacherous people, and the imperial court did owe the Lu family army wrongs over the years. In addition, General Lu had made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion, so his merits and demerits could offset each other.
I beg Your Majesty to forgive those members of the Lu family army who did not participate in the rebellion, and to give General Lu a lenient sentence!"
Hearing this, Jiang Yueyang couldn't help but look at his father.
Her father's words were undoubtedly accusing the court of being wrong and His Majesty of being wrong...
Still saying that such consequences...are caused by some fault of the court and Your Majesty.
Emperor Yuan looked at Minister Jiang in silence, his face expressionless and no emotion could be seen.
The Duke of Ying said loudly: "Your Majesty, the Lu family army has guarded the border for many years and participated in countless life-and-death battles, and has never made any mistakes before.
They left their homes and families for Daxia, devoting themselves to the cause until their death. If they lose their lives because of someone else's mistakes, how innocent and unfair it is!"
General Zhenguo followed closely and said, "Your Majesty, General Lu played an indispensable role in suppressing this rebellion."
"That being said, Qiu Jian is a member of the Lu Family Army, so a rebellion by the Lu Family Army is inevitable! If we don't kill the chicken to scare the monkeys, the whole world will follow suit, and how can we have peace in Great Xia?"
The Left Prime Minister stepped out and said slowly, "Your Majesty, Nanzhao, Silla, and Tubo are all eyeing us covetously, and Daxia has just experienced a major battle. I think it is not a good time to start a war and shake the morale of the army."
"I second the motion." The Crown Prince stepped forward. "Although the Lu Family Army is not under the control of the imperial court, it is ultimately the army that protects the stability of Great Xia. The swords in our hands... should not be used against our own people."
"It's still unclear whether the Lu family army is ours! Didn't their swords stab us?"
The debate continued, and officials who believed that the Lu family army posed a threat to the court strongly requested the emperor to severely punish the Lu family army.
Moreover, his words implied that he wanted to kill Lu Yunting!
Listening to what those people said, Jiang Yueyang's face gradually darkened, and a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.
The system asked: [Host, don’t you want to say something? ]
[Of course I have to say, my future husband can't die! ]
After saying that, Jiang Yueyang stood up and walked out.
She shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, I have something to say!"
Emperor Yuan had been secretly watching Jiang Yueyang. When he saw her step out of the line, he immediately raised his hand to signal others to be quiet.
Lu Yunting tightened his grip, his face full of worry. He was afraid that she would say something she shouldn't say in order to save him.
Thinking of this, Lu Yunting hurriedly walked out and knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty, Qiu Jian's rebellion and the Lu family army's instigation were indeed my negligence. I am willing to take full responsibility and hope that Your Majesty will be lenient."
Emperor Yuan glanced at him, then slowly turned his gaze to Jiang Yueyang and said calmly, "What do you have to say?"
Everyone's attention was immediately focused on her, and they were waiting for Jiang Yueyang to speak with different thoughts in their minds.
Jiang Yueyang bowed and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I am not well educated, but I know the saying 'You can't judge a whole group with one stick'.
The Lu family army was guilty, but not the entire army.
In ancient times, there was Meng Chang who recruited talented people widely, and even thieves and chicken thieves were all employed by him, and they were all saved in the end.
Your Majesty is wise and should clearly distinguish right from wrong. The mistakes of Qiu Jian and others should not be made the responsibility of the 300,000-man Lu family army.
Although I have only been in office for a few months, I know that the Lu family army has been guarding the border for many years, defending Great Xia against foreign enemies and shedding countless blood and sacrifices.
If the entire army is punished for the sin of one person, it will chill the hearts of the soldiers and the people of the world! Who will serve Your Majesty in the future? Who will defend the borders of Daxia?
Furthermore, life is precious, and children are innocent! Your Majesty should know that behind every life lies a family.
Those people are so innocent!
I beg Your Majesty to have mercy on the innocent people and show leniency to the Lu family army, allowing them to redeem themselves from their crimes and make meritorious contributions!"
Jiang Yueyang's words resounded loudly in the ears of everyone present, and those officials who felt that the Lu family army was powerful could not help but fall into deep thought.
Lord Xiao Jiang is right, the child is innocent, and behind one life are many lives.
The system couldn't help but ask: [Host, how did you come up with that statement? And you even quoted from classics.]
[To be honest, I was able to say that thanks to the frequent arguments between the Left Prime Minister and his men and Your Majesty. After hearing them so often, I was able to say a few words.]
Left Prime Minister: "..."
The system took a look at Emperor Yuan's expression and asked again: [Host, do you think the emperor will listen to you?]
"I don't know either, but I don't think His Majesty would massacre 300,000 Lu family soldiers. I'm worried that he wants Ah Yue's life."
Seeing that Emperor Yuan was silent, Lu Yunting spoke again, "Your Majesty, the Lu family army was misled by others, and I cannot escape the blame.
I voluntarily surrender the Lu Family Army's military power, stay away from the court, and become an ordinary citizen."
Emperor Yuan still ignored Lu Yunting. He looked at Jiang Yueyang and slowly said, "My dear little Jiang, how do you want me to be lenient with you?"
Jiang Yueyang was stunned and said hurriedly: "Your Majesty is wise and has already made up his mind. I dare not speak rashly."
"All soldiers who participated in the rebellion were demoted to slavery and remained in slavery for generations, and were not included in the amnesty.
All those who held positions above that of a hundred households were beheaded, and their descendants were demoted to slavery, to be slaves for generations, without pardon.
Lu Yunting's failure to supervise effectively led to the outbreak of war, a crime unforgivable! However, considering his contributions to suppressing the rebellion, his merits and demerits can be offset. Therefore, he will be allowed to retain his official position for the time being and reflect on his mistakes for three months.
The remaining five generals were demoted three ranks and given fifty strokes of the cane. Their property was confiscated. Those below the rank of general and above the rank of thousand households were given thirty strokes of the cane.
The rest of the Lu family army will have their salaries fined for half a year." Emperor Yuan lightly condemned the Lu family army.
After hearing Emperor Yuan's verdict, Lu Yunting pleaded, "General Shan is old. Your Majesty, please allow me to take the caning in his place."
"allow."