I Am Truly Not a Treacherous Minister Your Majesty - Chapter 77
Chapter 76: The Handling of the Rebels
Xia Yuxiao was silent for a moment.
She seemed reluctant to make such a decision, but the current situation forced her to do so.
This matter had already spread, and no matter how the court announced it, this turmoil could not be concealed. What the Fifth Prince did directly brought the conflict between him and herself to the forefront.
The people had now witnessed the existence of this turmoil with their own eyes, which meant that the internal chaos of the royal family could no longer be hidden.
It should be known that the Fifth Prince—King Rongsheng, had quite a few acquaintances in Tai’an City. His attack on Tai’an City with soldiers was almost an open rebellion in the eyes of the people. If he was not publicly executed, it would indeed be difficult to explain to the world.
However, that was still her brother, and a biological brother at that, born of the same mother. To say there were no feelings would be nonsense.
“Let me think about it.”
She said.
Qin Ji looked at Xia Yuxiao’s appearance and shook his head helplessly:
“Your Majesty, now King Rongsheng must die in front of the people of Daxia. Not only must he die in front of the people, but he must die in a way that satisfies everyone. Otherwise, Your Majesty, the people of Daxia may not accept your decision.”
When he said this, he was genuinely considering the future of Daxia. Now, Daxia needed Xia Yuxiao to establish enough prestige, and although this rebellion was indeed a blow to her, if used properly, it could also be a good strategy to enhance her prestige.
In the eyes of many people, rebellious traitors must die because these traitors were overthrowing the existing order of Daxia. For most commoners, Daxia provided them with a relatively stable living environment, so those who tried to disrupt this environment were seen as thorns in their eyes and would likely have a bad end.
In that case, it would be better for Xia Yuxiao to capture King Rongsheng and execute him in front of the people of Daxia. This, in Qin Ji’s view, was the most appropriate propaganda.
However, Xia Yuxiao was still human.
It was already very difficult for her to take a hard line against her own brother, let alone kill him in public. This undoubtedly tortured her nerves.
“Qin Ji, I know.” Xia Yuxiao took a deep breath and looked at the ministers. “This matter has already exceeded my control.”
It was because I was worried that it would exceed your control that I notified the troops outside the city in advance.
Qin Ji thought.
When Xia Yuxiao called him for questioning, he had already arranged for people to go to the nearest military camps outside the city and gather troops quickly. However, in the end, most of them had not yet had time to start formal mobilization when King Rongsheng rebelled.
He had originally suggested that Xia Yuxiao should be on guard against her brother in advance. After all, King Rongsheng would not be willing to be defeated just like that. But obviously, facing her brother, Xia Yuxiao was still too lenient or soft-hearted.
“I do have a method,” Qin Ji said. “Since King Rongsheng has already rebelled and personally led troops, it would be reasonable for him to die on the battlefield.”
“Your Majesty, if you order it, I can immediately dispatch soldiers to pursue King Rongsheng and deal with him in front of you. To the public, we can claim that King Rongsheng died on the battlefield of the rebellion. This would also be an explanation to the people.”
After all, now that I have control of the troops, it’s about time to do something proper. We can’t just keep dragging this out with Your Majesty.
Xia Yuxiao thought for a moment and then nodded.
This was the only way. She understood the current situation. At this time, Xia Yun had no reason to continue living.
“Qin Ji, I order you to dispatch all available forces to first deal with the remaining rebels, and then quickly bring King Rongsheng to me. He will be dealt with according to the law.”
“Yes.”
Qin Ji said, then showed a slightly troubled expression: “However, Your Majesty, the troops under my command are borrowed. I hope Your Majesty can wait a little while for me to gather the troops and then start the counterattack.”
Qin Ji meant that although he now controlled the Chiyuan Army, he still remembered that this army did not belong to him and knew what should and should not be done.
He naturally wanted to swallow the Chiyuan Army into his own belly, but the Chiyuan Army was not so easy to command. He had only infiltrated some command authority, and it was still a bit difficult to truly take over this camp of the Chiyuan Army.
Take it slow, after all, the soldiers were indeed very convinced of their old military marquis. It was not easy to pry away a camp all at once.
Of course, as the Grand Marshal, he had the ability to forcibly mobilize the army. But in doing so, he would appear too impatient.
So, why not express his understanding to His Majesty?
However, Xia Yuxiao heard it in another way.
What, you mean you want this camp of the Chiyuan Army, and you won’t leave without it?
Well, I just won’t give it to you!
“When will the Grand Marshal’s troops arrive?”
“Your Majesty, my troops have been rushing to Tai’an City since the rebellion began. They should be arriving soon, but I don’t know if these troops will be enough…”
Qin Ji said.
“How many people?”
“I don’t know either. I just summoned the nearby troops. As for how many can come, it depends…”
“Your Majesty!”
In the court, a member of the Dragon Guard rushed into the hall.
“What happened?” Seeing the other party so flustered, Xia Yuxiao asked in confusion.
“Your Majesty, a large number of armed thugs have suddenly appeared in the city! They seem to be connected with the rebels in the city and are now trying to break through our defenses!”
“What!?”
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The Iron General beside him was instantly furious. After all, the defense line guarding the palace was set up by his most trusted subordinates, and now it was being attacked by a group of suddenly appearing thugs!?
Although thugs were just thugs, without strong individual combat skills, it was difficult to break through the defenses of the Imperial Guards. But who could guarantee that they were just here to break through the defenses?
“Immediately shrink the defense line inward, concentrate forces to resist! Let the Ninth Team retreat to the rear, shrink to the flanks, alternate cover, and delay the enemy’s attack in stages…”
“No, the Ninth Team stays put, the palace defense line does not make any adjustments.” Qin Ji suddenly said.
“Grand Marshal, what are you doing!?”
The Iron General was anxious.
If there was a problem with the defense line and the thugs with the rebels really entered the imperial city, then he, Tie Guocheng, would have no face to see His Majesty again!
“What am I doing?” Qin Ji looked at him and then asked back, “Tie Guocheng, are you the Grand Marshal, or am I the Grand Marshal?”
“…” Tie Guocheng did not speak.
Yes, he was right. He was the Grand Marshal, and military affairs were originally his duty…
On the contrary, he had almost forgotten during this period that Qin Ji was originally the highest military officer…