flstandardbreds Chapter 176 Farting
Chapter 176 Farting
"Your Majesty, I believe that since Grand Commandant Pei is currently trapped, we should send reinforcements first, and then discuss the rest later."
General Ji stepped forward and spoke, his face solemn and his eyes filled with worry.
Grand Commandant Pei had been kind to him, and he couldn't bear to watch him perish on the frontier.
"I second the proposal."
"I second the proposal."
"Your subject believes it is feasible."
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and several military officers stepped forward, and even the Sixth Prince, who never spoke in court, spoke up.
"Your Majesty, this old minister believes that we should find the traitor first, otherwise no amount of reinforcements will be of any use."
"Your Majesty, I also believe that it is more important to find the traitor first."
Some civil officials stood up defiantly and confronted the military officers.
The emperor, seated on his high throne, tapped his fingertips on the table for a long while before finally speaking: "What does Minister Ren think should be done?"
Ren Zhong, who had remained silent until now, raised his eyes to look at the emperor upon hearing this, then slowly walked to the center and spoke:
"This old minister believes..." Just as everyone's eyes were fixed on him with tension, he paused for a moment, seemingly deep in thought.
"In my opinion, finding the traitor is of course the most important thing."
"Oh? Why?"
The emperor asked with great interest.
Ren Zhong took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "If we don't find the traitor, sending more reinforcements will be futile and may even put us in a passive position. Only by finding the traitor can we better control the battle and formulate more effective strategic plans."
The emperor nodded slightly in agreement, then asked, "So, in your opinion, how should we find this traitor?"
After a moment's thought, Ren Zhong replied, "First, we can start by analyzing the enemy's intelligence, examining their channels and methods of obtaining information about our army. Second, we should conduct rigorous investigations of high-ranking officers in the army to eliminate any suspicious individuals. Finally, confidential military intelligence should be known only to the commander to prevent leaks. At the same time, the soldiers should know what the consequences will be if anyone colludes with the enemy or betrays the country."
After his words, the air in the hall fell silent. The emperor stroked his chin, seemingly deep in thought.
"You fart!"
A furious shout rang out like a thunderclap, causing the entire palace to tremble slightly.
Without even looking up, everyone knew perfectly well who had uttered that roar.
"Insolence! Ji Bailin, how dare you utter such arrogant words and disrespect the Emperor in the main hall, right under his nose!"
A civil official standing next to Ren Zhong stepped forward, pointed at General Ji, and rebuked him righteously.
However, General Ji was not afraid at all. He glared at the civil official, his face full of resentment, and even took a step forward, continuing:
"You old fogies who only know how to talk big, have you ever understood the hardships and difficulties faced by the soldiers on the front lines? Do you really think that your few empty words here will lead to the needless deaths of those soldiers who are fighting bloody battles?"
"General Ji, even if we send reinforcements now, how can we be sure the bandits won't have received advance warning? Wouldn't that mean our men would be walking into a trap and sacrificing themselves in vain?"
Ren Zhong's face turned extremely ugly. Being contradicted in public by a minor official three ranks below him had pushed his anger to its limit.
However, with so many people present, he had to suppress his anger and maintain a facade of composure and authority. After all, appearances had to be maintained.
"Bah! Grand Tutor Ren, I respect you, but I never expected you to be no different from them. You civil officials talk a good game, but have you ever considered the soldiers fighting bloody battles on the border?"
General Ji was so agitated that his face turned red, and he spoke vehemently, spitting as he spoke. He was extremely angry at the behavior of the civil officials.
"How dare you be so disrespectful in the main hall!" The civil officials were enraged by Ji Bailin's words, their faces flushed with shame. One of them couldn't help but stand up and point at Ji Bailin, rebuking him.
"I'm being presumptuous? Go ask His Majesty, General Pei and his family are protecting the people at the border, while you easily decide the fate of hundreds of thousands of people besieged at the border." Ji Bailin's words were full of grief and helplessness.
"Alright, stop arguing." The emperor impatiently interrupted Ji Bailin, turning his gaze to the silent crown prince.
"Your Highness, what are your thoughts on this?"
The hall was deathly silent, suffocating. The emperor frowned, clearly displeased with the silence.
"Prince?"
The emperor's displeased voice rang out again. The crown prince lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought, lost in thought.
"Your Highness, Your Highness."
A person nearby cautiously reminded him, and the crown prince suddenly woke up with a start, "What?"
Everyone was somewhat surprised when they saw the Crown Prince's face clearly.
The once spirited young man now had sunken cheeks, dark circles under his eyes, a listless expression, and was as thin as a bamboo pole.
"What's wrong with Your Highness?"
One of the officials couldn't help but ask.
The crown prince stared blankly at them, his gaze unfocused on a certain spot in the hall.
"Your Highness! I'm asking you a question!"
The emperor slammed his fist on the table and roared.
The prince was startled, and then looked up as if waking from a dream at the middle-aged man sitting high on the throne with an angry expression.
"Father... Your Majesty, I was momentarily distracted. Please forgive me."
Xiao Junlin then realized his rudeness in front of the palace and quickly knelt down to beg for forgiveness.
"What is your opinion?"
The emperor, suppressing his anger, asked.
Xiao Junlin lowered his head, his heart filled with panic. He hadn't heard a word of what the court officials had been discussing, and his mind was blank. He had no idea how to answer.
Sweat dripped from his forehead, soaking his clothes.
Xiao Junlin looked at Ren Zhong in a daze, completely unaware of what had just happened.
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince may need some time to think. Please be patient."
The prime minister stepped forward to help the crown prince out of the predicament, but he also knew very well that the crown prince's performance today was truly indescribable.
The emperor glared at Xiao Junlin, then took a deep breath to calm himself down: "Fine, I'll give you a chance to think it over."
Xiao Junlin felt as if he had been granted a pardon and nodded repeatedly in thanks.
But his heart was filled with fear and unease. He knew he had lost his father's trust, and if he could not turn the situation around as soon as possible, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The sixth prince, unable to bear it any longer, whispered a few words of advice to the crown prince. The crown prince then realized what was happening and quickly said, "Your Majesty, I believe..."
However, Xiao Junlin was interrupted as soon as he opened his mouth.