Jing Rong entered the palace, bearing the Late Emperors posthumous edict!

Qin Shiyu by his side, they entered the Empire Affairs Chamber sedately and bowed deferentially. Greetings, Imperial Father/Your Majesty.

The Qizhen Emperor sat behind his desk on the raised dias and wrinkled his brows. He gazed upon the son that he had not seen for several months, looking at those features that clearly resembled himself in his youth, now arranged in a solemn and respectful expression with lowered eyes.

His manner was identical to that of a loyal courtier here to attend assembly at court, rather than one his son should take.

He knew that this was all because Jing Rong was too obedient. He was so obedient that he would only submit and comply, never a word in retort! This son of his had been sent out of the palace and fostered at a young age, and thus lacked the usual arrogance of a prince. Someone who didnt know of his status would likely just regard him as a mild and elegant noblemans son.

Within the hall, a persistent silence reigned.

Nobody made a single sound.

Finally, the Qizhen Emperor looked sternly at Qin Shiyu and asked accusingly, Lord Qin, do you know the consequences of conveying a false imperial edict?

What goes round, must come round! Qin Shiyu didnt bother to prevaricate and immediately lifted the front of his robes and knelt on the ground. This humble subject committed the unforgivable crime of conveying a false edict.

You admitted it easily enough.

This subject knows his guilt and doesnt dare to make excuses.

Then tell me, what did you intend to accomplish?

This humble subject did it to save Prince Rongs life, Qin Shiyu said. If Your Majestys oral edict were to be a step too late, Im afraid Prince Rong would have already been attacked by War Secretary Jis men in the name of defying an imperial edict. In that situation, Prince Rongs life could even be in danger. After weighing the odds, this subject could only risk losing my head and falsely convey an imperial edict, and was thus able to safely bring His Highness back into the capital.

The Qizhen Emperor huffed in derision. As you describe it, We should reward you instead then?

Being able to protect Prince Rong is merely this subjects duty; I dont dare to claim credit.

Bang! The Qizhen Emperor slammed his large hand on the desk, incensed. Qin Shiyu, We have tolerated your antics on multiple occasions. Then, you superseded my authority to pick out errors in the handling of the Lin Capital Case and knelt at Nanzhe Gate for several days; all the civil and martial officials kept talking about it in court, so We had to allow the case to be reopened. Today, you had the impunity to report a false imperial edict. Dont you know that We could have someone drag you out and behead you right now?

His voice resounded in the hall, piercing through their ears as clearly as the toll of a bell.

Qin Shiyu didnt show a single sign of fear, his whole being conveying a willingness to accept any outcome.

Jing Rong, too, remained standing silently, as if none of it had anything to do with him. In truth, he already knew that the Qizhen Emperor surely wouldnt punish Qin Shiyu. After all, Qin Shiyu had been serving as a courtier for many years and was a retired general who had accomplished miraculous feats on the battlefield; if he were really dragged out to be beheaded, it would be too high a cost for a small win.

The Qizhen Emperor had his own considerations! After he vented his fury, he just heaved a long sigh. Forget it. Although you were in the wrong, you also performed a meritorious service. We will not pursue the matter. How magnanimous!

Qin Shiyu stood up and bowed with cupped hands, Many thanks, Your Majesty.

Alright, youre dismissed.

This subject bids farewell. Qin Shiyu gave Jing Rong a look and silently backed out of the hall. Silence reigned in the hall once again.

When the Qizhen Emperor regained his calm, he looked towards Jing Rong and spoke softly, We sent two secret edicts to summon you back to the capital and thought that there would be countless difficulties. But you didnt disappoint Us indeed.

Jing Rong bent his head. This son doesnt dare to ignore Imperial Fathers edict.

It was lucky that you hold the late Emperors posthumous edict; otherwise, We wouldnt have been able to permit you to reenter the capital either.

This son understands.

Jing Rong offered up the posthumous edict.

The Qizhen Emperor took the edict and flipped it open, revealing its contents.

In the 37th Year of Emperor Qians reign, on the 1st day of the 9th month. The barbarians have lingered at the borders for over a hundred years. They have offered tributes for over ten years and have maintained amiable relations. If one day, the barbarians create trouble, disrupt the peace, or initiate disputes, this is a command to send out troops. There is no need to be overly tolerant. Send ten thousand soldiers to the borders to attack the barbarians and restore peace. As decreed by the Emperor.

Exactly the panacea to his problem!

The Qizhen Emperor tested the veracity of the posthumous edict; the impression of the jade seal was genuine. The seal is genuine and this is truly a posthumous edict left behind by the late Emperor. We didnt expect that the late Emperor had already foreseen our predicament several decades ago, and left behind this edict as a precaution. With this edict at hand, the Thirty Years Accord that we had signed with the barbarians back then can be nullified, and We can send out troops to deal with the barbarians.

With this edict, were invincible!

Jing Rong agreed without saying anything.

The Qizhen Emperor still had questions. But where did you find this posthumous edit?

It was from Marquis Kang. When the late Emperor drew up this edict back then, he gave it to him. On the way back to the capital, this son made a detour to Jingzhou. Marquis Kang knew of this sons challenging situation and considered the trouble the barbarians had been causing at the border in the last few months, so he handed over this posthumous edict in hopes that it would aid this son in successfully returning to the capital. In truth, it was a great help.

Marquis Kang? The Qizhen Emperor muttered, I didnt expect that he would have something like this kept in reserved even though he has been far away in Jingzhou for so many years.

The late Emperors edict supersedes all; Imperial Fathers worries about the trouble at the borders caused by the barbarians can now be resolved.

The Qizhen Emperor nodded. It has certainly solved one of his major worries! But

He closed and put down the edict. We had issued an oral decree in court that you wouldnt be allowed to return to the capital if you could not uncover the truth about the Yufu disaster relief funds. Now that you have presented the late Emperors edict and helped Us resolve the issue of the barbarians, We can naturally consider this contribution sufficiently meritorious that you do not have to return to Yufu.

Thank you, Imperial Father. Jing Rong bowed with cupped hands.

The Qizhen Emperors expression darkened. Then, you should also know the true reason why We have summoned you back to the capital now.

This son knows.

Today, the entire Imperial Court has defected to Jing Yis faction. You dont have any major power in court to shelter under and surely will be surrounded by enemies on all sides. We know that Jing Yis influence is enormous, and had originally intended to officially declare him the Crown Prince after the situation in the Imperial Court had stabilized. However, he is just too impatient. He first worked with the Ministry of Personnel and the Office of Transmission to accuse you of interfering in the Ministry of Personnels appointment of officials, then instigated a group of courtiers to recommend him as Crown Prince. With such impatience and shortsightedness, how can We be at ease to hand him the empire of Great Lin?

Someone like this could well become the next Ying Zheng! [1]

However, the Qizhen Emperor didnt vocalize his honest opinion. Frankly, he still suspected that Jing Yi was involved in the Crown Princes siege of the palace back then. Compounded by everything that had happened since then, like the assassination attempts on Jing Rong, the assassins dying within the jail of the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Personnels petition, the courtiers recommendation

All these forced the Qizhen Emperor to be wary of Jing Yi. Thus, he thought of summoning Jing Rong back to the capital.

When Jing Rong heard his words, he didnt expose his understanding of the Emperors true motives and merely said, Imperial Fathers worries are justified. This son is also fully aware of what Imperial Father means.

Then what do you make of it?

The late Emperors edict proclaimed that we should send troops to decimate the barbarians. Since Imperial Father intends to suppress Jing Yi, why not make use of the edict?

Make yourself clear.

Send someone to lead the troops.

Eh? The Qizhen Emperor asked, Who?

Ji Huan! He stated.

The Qizhen Emperor was greatly startled, then responded, Youre right. Ji Huan is the best choice to lead the troops.

[1] This is the personal name of Qin Shihuang, the first Emperor of a unified China. He is often portrayed as a brutal tyrant, lacking humanity and righteousness.