Martial King's Retired Life

“Your subject would never brush off your queries. Howbeit, your subject genuinely does not know where to start,” expressed He Kanyu. He took out a letter and conveyed, “Daren Academy’s Principal Huang has a letter addressed to you. He asks for forgiveness for not personally passing it on to you due to health issues.”

“There is nothing to apologise for. To not forget about national affairs when he is unwell should be commended. Wang Tushui, bring me the letter.”

Wang Tushui brought the letter back to Emperor Yuansheng, who proceeded to read the letter in detail on the spot, then slammed his desk, scaring everyone into silence. “Secretary of the Ministry of Rites.”

“Present!”

The promotion of Quan Woshuang, newly instated head of the Ministry of Rites, was an exception to the rules. Unlike Kong Duan, he was popular and known for being just. To have placed first in the imperial exams at twelve, been nominated at nineteen and then be promoted to Secretary of the Ministry of Rites before forty, he was evidently brilliant. However, he was one of those strongly opposed to conflict with the White Princes.

Emperor Yuansheng remembered recognising Quan Woshuang as one of the people who would go places when he read his exam paper. Quan Woshuang showed a burning desire to improve and to serve the nation, which Emperor Yuansheng felt made them similar. He even had no qualms confronting others about their wrongdoings. Therefore, Emperor Yuansheng dispatched him to the north and south to build experience, hoping he would return to the imperial court as someone he could depend on. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Quan Woshuang transformed into the sort of civil servants he used to hate once he was promoted to Secretary of the Ministry of Rites. In fact, he became a key figure of the pro-peace faction after Kong Duan was removed.

Given Quan Woshuang’s skills with words, he was able to deflect and dismantle Emperor Yuansheng’s arguments every time. Even when Emperor Yuansheng provoked and threatened him, Quan Woshuang refused to budge. If anything, Quan Woshuang was more stubborn than the Ministry of Personnel’s Zhang Chunfeng.

Calling Quan Woshuang out in the given circumstances raised the temperature between Emperor Yuansheng and the pro-peace faction. At the same time, Emperor Yuansheng was implicitly scolding him.

Emperor Yuansheng threw the letter to Quan Woshuang’s feet. “Read it out!”

Quan Woshuang bent down to pick it up without daring to raise his head. He locked his brows together after reading a few lines. By the time he had read half of it aloud, the officials were wishing they weren’t there.

Principal Huang accused Venerable Monk Liaoliao of posing as Brilliant Broadsworder twenty years ago and assaulting Fiends’ Genesis, using their headquarters for himself, and then assassinating Yu Sihe. The proof was Xun Feng’s body just outside, and the witnesses in Xun Feng’s assault on Huang Yuzao, He Kanyu, Lan Jiqiong and company, as well as him stealing Nine Dragons Fire Jade, and colluding with Bronze Mask. Huang Yuzao personally witnessed Xun Feng use a sinister discipline to control the Nine Dragons Fire Jade. Others might not have recognised it, but Huang Yuzao recognised it as a discipline passed down in Cold Mountain Temple, and he didn’t hesitate to point it out in the letter.

Before Liaoliao was injured, he already noticed his training was missing something, which he discussed with Yu Sihe. Yu Sihe identified the danger of the discipline being unbridled, but he didn’t explicate the fact since they practiced different beliefs, not to mention it could’ve embarrassed Liaoliao. Yu Sihe mentioned it to his pupil, so Huang Yuzao recognised it as soon as Xun Feng utilised it. Based on extrapolation, Huang Yuzao worked out Liaoliao was the one who killed his mentor. As for proof of Liaoliao posing as Brilliant Broadsworder, Tiangou could attest to the fact.

Without even considering the contents, it shouldn’t have been surprising that Huang Yuzao made it sound compelling considering his literacy prowess.

Before Quan Woshuang could say anything after he finished reading it aloud, Emperor Yuansheng signalled for him to stay his tongue and said, “No need. Zi Li, you said Bai Clan’s Bai Yumo is League of Assassins’ Bronze Mask. Is that true?”

“It is, Your Majesty. Edasich He confirmed it on the day of Daren Academy’s idol competition. Afterwards, the agents of Emperor’s Entourage chased her. Regrettably, her whereabouts remain a mystery.”

“Fantastic. Excellent. Jiangnan’s seven guardians have raised splendid children,” sarcastically praised Emperor Yuansheng, turning his attention back to Quan Woshuang. “Secretary Quan, you have sung the praises of the Seven Champion White Princes. You didn’t speak up for them because they bribed you; I know that you did it for my reputation. What do you have to say now, though? He took control of Fiends’ Genesis twenty years ago for ulterior motives.

“All of you always accuse me of not doing enough for contributors. Has the imperial court not done enough for this group? They collect their own taxes and raise their own militaries. Do any of my sons enjoy those privileges? Our progenitor granted them privileges for their immense contributions, out of righteousness, and out of a need for trustworthy vassals. Tell me: are they raising their militaries to protect me or the imperial court? Who do their soldiers aim their weapons at? For whose sake do they train?

“The imperial court crowned Venerable Monk as the head representative of all monks. What did he do in return? Assassinate the head of Confucianism? Raise Fiends’ Genesis? Enlighten me: why did he raise criminals? Oh, wait, they invaded the imperial city last night!”

No matter if anyone ever got any benefits from Cold Mountain Temple, regardless if they were military or civil servants, everyone who ever supported Cold Mountain was drowning in regret.

Not every pacifist accepted bribes. In saying that, among those who built up networks and factions – or joined factions – many of them were trying to protect their places. Of course, there were some who genuinely believed war would be detrimental to the country. The majority of the latter were supporters of Cold Mountain Temple as they didn’t think a temple would cause any problems, not to mention Cold Mountain Temple’s good reputation. The only person who looked unbothered was the man at the forefront, standing as straight as if he expected the outcome – Quan Woshuang.

Quan Woshuang bowed. “Your subject protected the wrong people and failed to discern good from bad. It is only fair and just for you to order their removal for the sake of doing what is just, and protecting the nation. You are punishing people in the wrong. The White Princes are at fault, not you.”

Owing to Quan Woshuang’s delivery, a realisation suddenly flourished in the officials’ minds. He was an imperial exam winner whom Emperor Yuansheng personally appointed. Nobody ever took it from him; he chose to walk away. What would’ve it taken to make him switch? Who would it take to corrupt him? Who could’ve given him guts to defy Emperor Yuansheng? His sudden switch, his arguments, his sudden decision to stand out, his sudden decision to defy His Majesty, they were all decisions that led to the officials who accepted bribes from the White Princes to see him as a representative. The fact that he could suddenly make himself righteous, suddenly go from meat shield to a neutral party, and an ungrateful official who opposed His Majesty to an official willing to be a martyr for His Majesty, proved that he was different to the others. Quan Woshuang was a weapon His Majesty planted into their ranks!

They found out too late. Quan Woshuang’s assertions were always intended to protect His Majesty’s reputation. He was going along with Emperor Yuansheng. When everyone was deemed conspirators, it was too late to drag him down with them even if they resorted to framing him.

“Cold Mountain Temple and Valley of Yearning are colluding, and they are even colluding with Fiends’ Genesis and League of Assassins. Excellent.” Emperor Yuansheng swept his gaze over the officials, giving them the feeling that they were at a guillotine that could’ve beheaded them at any moment. “Is that all? As Secretary Quan asserted, the White Princes are in the wrong. Are you telling me the two of them are all the parties involved?”

There was a sudden silence in the palace until someone knelt down, an official who usually defended the White Princes. “Mount Lu Sword Sanctuary once bribed… the former secretary, Kong Duan, of the Ministry of Rites with 140,000 silver taels, gold, gems, and more on top of it. Your subject personally saw it!”

The pressure finally broke those who knew they’d be given their walking papers if they didn’t own up. In an instant, all those who sided with the White Princes were revealed. They turned their arrows on their supporters and supported impeachment of the White Princes.

Emperor Yuansheng gave a small nod. “Yi Ya?”

“Present.”

“I hereby order you to go to Cold Mountain Temple and correct the wrongs of Elder Yu’s death.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

The older officials who were against the stripping of the White Princes turned to the man who praised Emperor Yuansheng without a moment’s hesitation and said, “Prime Minister, that… may come back to bite us.”

“Thunder and rain are blessings from the heavens. Do they have a right to refuse? Your Majesty is most wise!”

Quan Woshuang bowed, too. “Your Majesty is most wise!”

The terrified officials followed suit, crying, “Your Majesty is most wise!”

Emperor Yuansheng gave a small nod.

Emperor Yuansheng: Yes!