Free Web NovelChapter 2150: Chapter 221: The Empress Knows Nothing of the Human World (2)
This remark expressed such determination.
Jiang Shu, this Hegemony Country Emperor, swore to establish an unprecedentedly grand enterprise in Qi Country. Who could doubt his determination?
The only chance for victory for Summer Country lies in a protracted war, yet the war has now been dragged into a slow pace by Qi Country willingly!
Who really cannot afford to wait any longer?
The entire chamber of ministers in Da Xia is basically placing their hopes of retreat on the moment Jinguo withdraws. Especially after the National Defense Great Formation was breached so quickly, thoroughly understanding the gap between Qi and Xia...
There’s no need to hide it, even Chi Mengfu pins his hopes on this, for he sees no other opportunity.
Yet Jiang Shu straightforwardly tells them not to indulge in delusions.
Of course, Jiang Shu’s words could be interpreted as bluster, just like their battle slogans, as if breaking through Linzi.
But Zhongxuan Chuliang’s obedience to Cao Jie is a fact, Jiang Mengxiong’s recognition of Cao Jie is a fact, and Jiang Shu’s almost unconditional support for Cao Jie is even more a fact!
Chi Mengfu is not someone who fears his opponents, but facing such a Qi Army and such a Qi Country, indeed makes him feel powerless time and again!
The hearts of the people in Tong Yang City grow more restless by the day.
The counterattack he personally planned was forced to launch early. Because if they tolerate any longer, action might no longer be necessary...
At this moment, while Chi Mengfu was sitting, he suddenly thought of King Min.
Today, King Min did not participate in the discussions and was still on the tower, said to be inspecting the city defenses, all decisions left to King Wu.
Thinking of King Min, he remembered a poem that had reached his ears these days—
"Sons died on the battlefield,
Grandson at fifteen bears a long spear.
Where are my husband and brother now?
Kite strings broken, no letters return home.
The Empress Dowager doesn’t know of human affairs.
Qingluan carries a message to King Min!"
Not knowing its author, its intent is heinous!
He didn’t believe in those words or perhaps deemed those matters unimportant.
He only worried about the impact of the poem’s spread...
This poem spreading so rapidly reflects the powerful intelligence of the people of Qi.
The ability to write such a targeted poem shows the Qi people’s understanding of the Summer Court.
In previous public opinion battles, Qi Country always reacted promptly, even Emperor Qi had to personally clarify amidst the rampant rumor of military changes.
Chi Mengfu always thought, at least on this battlefield, the Xia Army held the advantage.
Never expected the Qi people’s counterattack to be so swift, so fierce.
The accusations in this poem are too severe—
First in the tone of an old man saying his sons both died in battle, the fifteen-year-old grandson is also sent to the front lines.
Then shifting to the perspective of women waiting for husbands and brothers, none of whom return. Long separated from home, like kites with broken strings, not a single letter sent back.
Finally, the anger culminates in accusing that the high and mighty Empress Dowager, unaware of the people’s suffering, is privately meeting King Min at Qingluan Hall!
Did the Empress Dowager meet King Min at Qingluan Hall?
Naturally, yes.
Qingluan Hall is originally the place where the Empress Dowager handles state affairs, going there is akin to attending court.
Was it a private meeting?
After the battle at Jianfeng Mountain, yes, there was an instance without other ministers present.
But to conclude from this that there’s something between the Empress Dowager and King Min, Chi Mengfu utterly refuses to believe it.
However, he understands even better... such matters are hard to explain clearly.
Yet people are keen on spreading such topics, repeated and widespread, it truly shakes military morale.
King Min avoided suspicion today by patrolling the city, all power handed to King Wu.
The Empress Dowager, being the subject of rumors, finds it difficult to handle personally. freewёbnoνel.com
As for the Son of Heaven...
Chi Mengfu admits without fear, today’s Summer Emperor is far inferior to the Late Emperor. Under such circumstances, could some incident arise?
He worries about this.
He glanced at the silent King Wu, gradually calming down as well.
Repelling the Qi Army is not a task for one person or one family, it requires the effort of all the people of Summer Country. He can only do everything he can do well, then greet the outcome with a clear conscience.
...
...
Bang!
The porcelain vase from the Jade Mansion was smashed to pieces.
The forty-two-year-old Summer Emperor was smashing things noisily in his sleeping quarters.
"An unprecedented humiliation!"
"An unprecedented humiliation!"
With his dragon robe disheveled and hair in disarray, he smashed anything he saw, and had been doing so for an hour.
The eunuch palace women all hid outside, trembling in fear.
His face had turned purple-red, the dignity he usually forced was now entirely consumed by rage.
Crash! Bang!
He threw a golden cup, overturned the jade table.
He couldn’t hold back his roars of anger: "To have an army of millions, to have a full court of ministers, to hold vast lands, yet I’m subjected to such humiliation!"
"Enough." A voice suddenly interrupted in the sleeping chambers.
"You dare speak to me like this, who gave you such courage! I’ll kill—" The Summer Emperor’s chest heaved like bellows, his flaming eyes turned and saw King Wu, Si Jiao.
He originally thought it was those eunuchs placed there by the Empress Dowager, as the voice lacked any power.
Turning, he discovered it was King Wu, Si Jiao, approaching with his Dharma Body.
"Imperial Uncle!" He forcibly restrained his anger: "Why have you come?"
"Indeed, this king stationed on the frontline must not move lightly, even lowering a Dharma Body risks exposing Dao Principles." Si Jiao halted at this point, then looked at him: "If this king hadn’t come, what were you planning? Tear down this palace? Or simply take apart Noble City?"
"Imperial Uncle!" The Summer Emperor spoke with anger and humiliation, then said: "They insulted me too much!"
"They?" Si Jiao’s tone was calm: "Who are they?"
"Who else could it be!" The Summer Emperor fumed with rage, yet controlled himself, resentfully said: "Spread everywhere beyond!’
"Do you believe it?"
"I don’t want to believe!" The Summer Emperor pointed outside with a trembling hand, veins bulging, his voice quivering: "But they—they indeed met in Qingluan Hall, with not a single outsider present!"
For the lord of a country to be angered to this state is truly pitiful.
But—
Slap!
His response was a slap from Si Jiao.
In the scene, the palace maidens and eunuchs felt as if struck by lightning, wishing to gouge out their own eyes on the spot.
The slap was heavy indeed.
The Summer Emperor spun several times in mid-air, finally crashing against the gilded dragon pillar of the sleeping chambers before falling.
Meanwhile, the entire Great Da Xia Imperial Palace shuddered, and the radiance of the National Defense Great Formation flickered for a moment.
The Son of Heaven humiliated, the nation’s power wavered!
The Summer Emperor covered his face, his eyes full of disbelief, both shocked and angry.
Though an impotent Son of Heaven for thirty-three years, he still enjoyed the formal dignity of Da Xia and had never been treated with such disrespect.
The taste of this slap was the first he had encountered in his forty-two years of life!
Si Jiao sighed inwardly at his shocked and angry eyes, and the hidden panic and fear beneath them.
What a figure the Late Emperor was, how could he have sired such a son?
Back when those princes and princesses were alive... none would have been this way!
Thinking of the Late Emperor, his tone softened slightly: "Yu Liyang is a pillar of the country, do you know what it means to be a pillar of the country?"
The Summer Emperor slowly rose from the ground, biting his teeth without speaking.
Si Jiao looked at him: "Being a pillar of the country means this nation is supported by him, not by you. Do you understand?"
The Summer Emperor took several deep breaths, speaking with resent: "I know his importance, I have always respected him, gave him all the wealth and glory I could, even what I couldn’t, I gave. I only regret not splitting this dragon throne in half for him! But he should never have—I cannot accept that—"
"Even if there’s nothing between King Min and the Empress Dowager, even if there were, you have to learn to turn a blind eye!" Si Jiao sternly interrupted him: "Even if King Min wanted something with your mother, even if he wanted something with you, you would have to bend over! If I say this, can you understand, you fool?"
This speech was truly like lightning.
The disheveled Summer Emperor staggered, nearly falling, yet barely steadied himself.
Looking at King Wu again, his face turned palely gray.
"Imperial Uncle."
He asked with tears: "In ancient times, has there been any Son of Heaven as humiliated as I?"
