I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 325 - 247: The Veteran General

After such a long time, Gu Lan and Rong Heng finally arrived at the Southern Border. With Rong Shuo severely injured and unconscious, news of Gu Lan becoming the acting commander gradually reached the Capital City.

The court members were still unaware that Prince Rui was "dead," only knowing that the Wei Army hadn’t attacked Cang Wind Port but Yinzhou instead.

Moreover, due to the sudden appearance of the Qiangrong cavalry, the Prince’s fate was uncertain, leading to chaos at the Southern Border. Young Master Gu took the mantle during this crisis, replacing Prince Rui in overseeing the situation and thus becoming the Border Army Commander.

"Your Majesty, the Heir of Dingyuan Marquis is, after all, young and rash, lacking experience. How can we let her be the Border Army Commander?" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Your Majesty, the urgent matter is to send an Imperial Physician to the Southern Border to treat Prince Rui’s injuries."

"Your Majesty, Wei Junzhuo is cunning and might attack Cang Wind Port again. We must not allow the soldiers from Cang Wind Port to assist Yinzhou."

"I believe Young Master Gu has saved Prince Rui and blocked the Wei Army, a great merit that should be rewarded!"

"Your Majesty, I second the motion."

"Your Majesty, Fifth Young Master Rong has rendered great service to the nation, working hand in hand with the Yinzhou Border Army to defeat the Wei Army. Such a righteous deed is indeed in the spirit of Prince Rui!"

In the Taihe Palace, the civil and military officials were divided into two factions, arguing fiercely.

One faction argued that Gu Lan and Rong Heng going to the Southern Border of their own accord was a severe transgression deserving punishment, while the other believed that Young Master Gu and Rong Heng had served the nation and deserved rewards.

Rong Jing furrowed his brows, looking at the full court of officials, his narrow peach blossom eyes slightly narrowing.

He was surprised to see so many people, including Assistant Minister of Rites Gu Chengye, Assistant Minister of War Fu Feichen, and Chief of Justice Zhou Xing, speaking in support of Rong Heng.

However, Rong Heng and Gu Lan saved Prince Rui, repelled the Wei Army, and defended Cang Wind Port and Yinzhou, indeed thwarting the Wei Army’s sinister plot.

He said, "Rong Heng and Gu Lan going to the Southern Border was my decision. Dingyuan Marquis and I sensed the Wei Army’s unusual movements, so we dispatched these two young men to rescue Prince Rui. There is no need for further discussion on this matter. The urgent issue is that Gu Lan is indeed too young and should not be the Border Army Commander."

Amidst the court, Rong Miaoyan, wearing her wide official gown, stood out as the only woman of grace.

A flicker of worry and indescribable pride flashed in her eyes.

She worried about the safety of Gu Lan and Prince Rui, feared Gu Lan being punished, yet she was proud that Gu Lan could repel the Wei Army.

"Your Majesty, I believe that age is not the benchmark for measuring military merit and capability. From ancient times, heroes have emerged from the young. Moreover, Young Master Gu has already repelled the Wei Army once and earned Prince Rui’s recognition. What’s wrong with her being the commander?"

Miaoyan stepped forward, speaking for Gu Lan with neither timidity nor arrogance.

As she finished speaking, Lu Bingxin interjected, "Your Majesty, since the Prince is injured and unconscious, according to protocol, the deputy in the Southern Border Army should act as the commander—"

Rong Jing pondered for two seconds and said, "Are you referring to the Border Army Lieutenant General, Li Yuanju?"

Immediately, another person spoke up, "I second the motion! Li Yuanju, a talented youth from the General’s Family, also achieved remarkable feats in the last Southern Border victory, making him suitable to temporarily lead the Border Army."

Miaoyan sneered, "Remarkable feats? Wasn’t it just killing a Wei Army low-ranking officer? Young Master Gu rescued Prince Rui with a hundred riders, is that not a remarkable feat?"

Li Yuanju’s own grandfather, Li Bu, also present at court, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe, although Yuanju holds the rank of Lieutenant General, his impulsive nature makes him unsuitable to be the commander."

"General Li, Li Yuanju is your grandson, why do you say he’s not suitable?"

"Precisely because I understand Yuanju’s ways, Thus I must advise Your Majesty."

"Then who do you suggest should be the Border Army Commander while the Prince is seriously injured and unconscious? Tang Zhan is only the Commander of the Personal Guard to Prince Rui, and Su Yi assisted with Fifth Young Master Rong’s reinforcements. Rumor has it that he’s from the old Xiao Family. Besides Li Yuanju, who else can bear such a heavy responsibility?"

"I ... " Li Bu dared not speak.

Rong Jing’s eyes sharpened, scanning everyone, and he rebuked:

"I’ve raised you all in vain; usually, you all boast about serving Dayan, but in a critical moment, you can’t even find a temporary commander to replace Prince Rui?"

"We are guilty!"

The officials quickly knelt and kowtowed in unison.

Rong Jing waved his hand: "Enough, rise, convey my decree, Li Yuanju—"

Rong Miaoyan gently bit her lower lip.

However, before Rong Jing could finish, an urgent report arrived from outside the palace.

"Urgent report delivered over eight hundred miles, Li Yuanju colluded with General of Wei, Wei Junzhuo, committed treason, and plotted against colleagues, with solid evidence. He has been detained by General Tang Zhan, awaiting Your Majesty’s judgment!"

With a loud "thud," Li Bu fell to his knees.

"Your Majesty, forgive us! The Li family was completely unaware of this!"

"Li Yuanju committed treason? But he’s from the Li Family, doesn’t this implicate Generals Li Qing and Li Bu too..."

"This is a crime punishable by execution of the entire family."

"What are we to do now?"

"Does it mean we will have to let Young Master Gu command the Border Army? She’s merely a child yet to come of age..."

The sudden arrival of this urgent report sparked an uproar in the Taihe Palace.

Rong Jing was incensed, his deep and mysterious peach blossom eyes flashing with a hint of murderous intent as they landed on the kneeling Li Bu.

"Treason and treachery? Providing intelligence to the Wei Army with eagles and falcons, allowing Qiangrong to infiltrate the Southern Border... Li Yuanju’s audacity is appalling! The Li Family’s audacity is appalling!" Zhang Fengcai presented the urgent report, and after reading it, suppressed his anger and roared.

Upon hearing this, Old Prime Minister Su, the head of the civil servants, involuntarily flinched slightly.

At this moment, another announcement sounded from outside the palace.

"Your Majesty, General Li Qing requests an audience."

"Granted." Rong Jing said softly, turning the jade thumb ring on his thumb.

Li Qing was Li Bu’s older brother and once a renowned General Wei, now commanding part of the imperial guards, famous for his Hundred-step Piercing Willow.

His daughter was Princess Rui, Li Furong.

In recent years, as age caught up with him, Li Qing had repeatedly requested retirement through memorials, but due to his meritorious service, Rong Jing never allowed him to leave, only permitting him to abstain from court attendance.

Li Yuanju was not only a member of the Li Family but also the nephew of Prince Rui and Princess Rui. A nephew harming his uncle couldn’t be judged by the typical punishment for the entire family.

Li Qing slowly entered the Taihe Palace, and the officials fell silent, watching the elderly general’s faltering steps.

The official robe of a Second-Grade Official hung loosely on the elderly general’s lean frame, making his white hair even more striking.

Although only four or five years older than Li Bu, he appeared a decade older.

The old general walked to the center of the grand hall, knelt respectfully, and his hoarse and aged voice resonated throughout the hall:

"Your Majesty, this old minister is already aware of Li Yuanju’s actions. This son deserves death; it’s this old minister’s failure in raising him that brought up such a disgrace, causing the death of so many innocent soldiers of Dayan and leaving the Prince in an uncertain fate. Old Minister is eternally grateful that Young Master Gu saw through Li Yuanju’s treachery.

Please, Your Majesty, do not hold back in severely punishing this matter, severely punish... the Li Family!"

The old general’s voice was firm, filled with pain and regret.

He continued, "But before that, this old minister, despite being in my seventies, wishes to don armor again, not to seek a command but to go to the Southern Border to personally kill that unworthy grandson. I want to help the Border Army prepare for battle, assist Young Master Gu, and serve Dayan with loyal devotion, unto death!

Your Majesty, please allow the Li Family to guard the gates for Dayan!"

In the court hall, it was utterly silent.

Miaoyan gazed at the old general’s full head of white hair, her nose tingling with emotion.

Li Qing’s words deeply moved everyone present.