What a joke! As the saying goes, one must catch both parties in an adulterous act. In this case, he has already been proven guilty. If someone were to speak up for him at this moment, it would only incur the emperor's and the empress dowager's displeasure.
The young emperor had remained silent all this time. With a sullen face, he stood beside the empress dowager. No one knew what was going on in his little head.
Shi An was the first to break the silence. He couldn't wait any longer to get rid of the man who had hurt his younger sister.
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, this Minister of War should be punished by having his entire family executed. Since he dared to plot against the empress dowager, he must have already anticipated such a consequence."
The Minister of War still tried to struggle and refused to admit what he had done.
"Your Majesty, you must believe me. This can't possibly be my private seal. Someone must have forged a similar one."
Cui Qizhou, who had long anticipated his response, quickly interjected.
"Then, Minister, why don't you take out your private seal to prove your innocence? After all, you don't want the emperor to misunderstand you. This is the best way."
Ji Heng received a look and nodded in agreement.
"Yes, then take out your own seal to prove your innocence."
The Minister of War's body trembled slightly. He had no choice but to take out his private seal with a stiff neck, hoping that the examiner wouldn't notice anything.
The Minister of Justice stepped forward to take the seal and compared it bit by bit, not missing any corner.
However, things never went as one wished.
Under the terrified gaze of the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice announced, "It matches perfectly."
Ji Heng stepped forward personally to take the letter. "Now, what else do you have to say? You've been caught red - handed. Guards, arrest him!"
The imperial guards rushed over quickly, and the Minister of War was taken away just like that.
Shi An's eyes lit up as if he had suddenly thought of something. He curled his lips and faced the common people.
"I'm afraid you all don't know how the empress dowager managed to survive those assassins, do you?"
The common people looked at each other, not knowing what he was going to say.
"Shouldn't it be the national advisor who protected the empress dowager?"
Shi Muyuan opened her mouth, curious about what her elder brother was up to. "Brother, what are you up to?"
"Of course, it's to let the truth come to light. We can't let the common people be kept in the dark forever."
At this, Shi Muyuan was a bit confused.
"What do you mean?"
After that, she received no more answers. But Qin Feng seemed to have understood and walked over to stand beside Shi An.
"The reason we brought General Qin back is not only because he chose to defect to the Great Liang but also because he saved the empress dowager and contributed a great deal to protecting Jiangnan City. He can be considered a hero of our country."
Hearing this, the common people fell silent for a moment, not knowing what to do next.
It was Shi Muyuan who spoke softly, asking the man in a voice only they could hear.
"My elder brother let Qin Feng take your credit. Aren't you going to say anything? Are you just going to let your credit be taken away like this?"
Cui Qizhou shrugged indifferently, not taking this matter to heart at all.
"If General Qin can really enter the court to serve and whole - heartedly assist our country, it will be the best help for our country. Maybe he can even help the emperor pacify the six states and stabilize the world."
She knew this man would never suffer a loss. It turned out he had so many plans in mind.
Shi Muyuan pursed her lips and didn't say anything more. The young emperor was standing beside them and naturally heard what they said.
It seemed that it really made sense.
After a long while, Qin Feng took the initiative to speak. "Please give me a chance. I'm willing to enter the court to serve and bring benefits to the common people."
Seeing his sincere look, others began to waver.
"General Qin used to be a general of an enemy country, so of course he had to consider the interests of that country. Now if he can help the Great Liang, maybe he can take the Great Liang to a higher level."
The common people's attitudes gradually changed, but some court officials were not willing. "Your Majesty, think twice! We can't make a hasty decision about General Qin. How about we discuss it further?"
Ji Heng thought for a moment and finally nodded. "My dear ministers are right. Then let's discuss this matter another day. You've all been running around for a long time today and must be tired. Disperse for now. The national advisor and General Shi stay."
"We, your humble servants, take our leave."
After everyone left, they went to the imperial study.
Looking at the smiling man below, Ji Heng said, "General Qin said he intends to serve in the Great Liang. I remember you were originally from the Great Liang but served as a general in another country. How can I trust you now? Once a person betrays, there may be a second time."
Qin Feng, who had long anticipated that this matter wouldn't be easily resolved, was calm and composed. "Your Majesty is right. I did betray the Great Liang before, but that was because of some personal matters. Now that everything has been resolved and I've found the one I love, I naturally won't oppose the Great Liang anymore."
His gaze was so intense that no one could ignore it.
Suddenly, everyone looked at the person standing behind Shi Muyuan and immediately understood.
With this reason, Ji Heng felt relieved. "But there are no available positions in the court for now. I wonder what General Qin has in mind?"
"Your Majesty, you're wrong. Just now, the Minister of War was executed along with his nine - generation family. Currently, the position of Minister of War is a very suitable one, isn't it?"
Ji Heng was taken aback. He hadn't expected this man to aim so high.
"The position of Minister of War can only be filled with the consent of the court officials. I can't make a decision alone."
Knowing that the young emperor didn't intend to agree for the time being, Qin Feng didn't pester him.
"Then, Your Majesty, may I stay in the palace recently? This way, it will be convenient for you to observe me."
Everyone present understood the reason for his staying in the palace, and Ji Heng didn't refuse. He had actually planned to do this.
After the matter was settled, Cui Qizhou talked to the young emperor alone about this.
"What does the national advisor think?"
"Since there's someone who can hold him back, Your Majesty can observe him first. When you think it's appropriate, then announce this matter. I believe no one will object."
"If we let him take this position so easily, the common people outside won't agree."
"Then find an opportunity for him."
That was all that was said. Smart people knew what it meant. The national advisor left the imperial study but met someone who had been waiting for a long time at the palace gate.
"Master Shi is waiting here. Is it because of General Qin's matter?"
Shi An rolled his eyes without hesitation. "What does the emperor think? I know the emperor must have told you. Tell me. After all, I was also involved in this matter."
The national advisor deliberately evaded the question and didn't tell him.
"How can we easily speculate on the emperor's mind? We are all his servants. I believe the emperor will make the fairest judgment."