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Chapter 122: Chapter 122 Zhan Lan’s Advice!
Emperor Xuanwu’s heart was clear as a mirror; the Empress’s family was only second in strength to the Zhan Family. He also wanted to use the Empress’s maternal Chen family to restrain the Zhan Family Army.
Thus, he found himself in a dilemma and could not punish Prince Yu too severely.
His gaze turned towards Si Jun, and he spoke coldly, "Although Si Jun claims to have been forced, it was you who communicated with the Western Rong. Even though you secretly informed me, it doesn’t offset your crime. From today onwards, Si Jun will be demoted to the remote lands of Lingnan to observe the consequences."
Si Jun’s pupils dilated, never expecting the Emperor to keep Prince Yu by his side.
And to demote him to the scarcely populated area of Lingnan.
That place was over a thousand miles away from Ding’an City, how could he ever return to Ding’an City!
Kill eight hundred enemies, lose a thousand of one’s own.
He ultimately did not win!
Si Jun could only resent the person who had driven him to this point.
Zhan Lan was outside the door, holding back the urge to sneeze.
Someone must be cursing her.
Thinking with her toes, she knew it was Si Jun cursing her.
However, Emperor Xuanwu’s punishment of Si Jun was somewhat surprising to her; it seems Emperor Xuanwu was not as ruthless as Si Jun.
In his heart, he still harbored a bit of familial affection, still thinking of the years he owed to Si Jun.
However, Emperor Xuanwu was ruthless and harsh towards the Zhan Family, so Zhan Feng would not meet a good fate today.
Emperor Xuanwu turned his gaze to the still-composed Zhan Xinzhang and Zhan Beicang, and then his eyes shifted to the trembling Zhan Feng.
With an authoritative voice, he said, "Zhan Feng colluded with pirates, stole military provisions, and betrayed his country. Considering that his father, Zhan Xincheng, was injured for the country, I will strip Zhan Feng of some of his military power and exile him to Ningguta."
Zhan Xinzhang’s eyes dimmed, Zhan Feng had no real military power in his hands!
Emperor Xuanwu was actually using this incident to weaken the Zhan Family.
Emperor Xuanwu continued, "This rebellion could have implicated the entire clan. Considering the Zhan Family’s services, this incident will be recorded as a fault. However, there are many doubts in this case, and whether other members of the Zhan Family are involved still needs to be thoroughly investigated."
Zhan Beicang clenched his fists tighter, feeling indignant in his heart. Emperor Xuanwu meant this as a grand imperial grace, that currently, the issue with Zhan Feng didn’t implicate the entire Zhan Family!
If not for the light punishment of the two Princes, Emperor Xuanwu would not have hesitated to kill Zhan Feng, but sending him to Ningguta was almost like a death sentence.
With Zhan Feng’s crippled body, he might be killed on the way.
Even if he didn’t die, Zhan Feng wouldn’t survive long in that harsh land.
It wasn’t that he felt sorry for Zhan Feng, but because Emperor Xuanwu was overly favoring his own son.
Moreover, Emperor Xuanwu planned to continue investigating this case, instead of concluding it immediately.
All these variables were uncontrollable!
The four veteran officials looked at each other, the Zhan Family had already destroyed their kin for righteousness, yet Emperor Xuanwu still recorded it as a fault against the Zhan Family.
In the history books, this could be the ruin of the Zhan Family’s centuries-old reputation!
The most dreadful thing was, if this case were to be reopened, and if any evidence unfavorable to the Zhan Family were found later, His Majesty could still leverage the Zhan Family.
"Your Majesty!" The four veteran officials were just about to plead for the Zhan Family.
But they heard a woman’s voice from outside the palace, "Your Majesty, this humble woman has a report!"
Emperor Xuanwu listened in the direction of the voice, knowing the person outside the palace was Zhan Lan, the adopted daughter of the Zhan Family.
Zhan Lan gently lifted a corner of her robe and turned, kneeling towards the Taiji Palace.
She is not kneeling before Emperor Xuanwu, but is kneeling for the Zhan Family. Zhan Lan feels intense anger inside, as the historical records will definitely portray Emperor Xuanwu as magnanimous and merciful in great detail.
They will greatly magnify the faults of the Zhan Family.
Her voice is firm and powerful.
"Your Majesty, it is said that if a prince commits a crime, he faces the same penalty as the common people. Zhan Feng is an accessory; if Your Majesty holds the Zhan Family accountable, what should be done about the two princes who are the masterminds?"
The four generals breathe a sigh of relief; this girl indeed has guts.
This statement really hits the nail on the head.
Emperor Xuanwu, infuriated by Zhan Lan’s insolent words, is about to scold her when he hears her continue, "Today, this servant speaks out bluntly for the sake of the loyal and righteous noble families, coming with the resolve to die."
After speaking, Zhan Lan looks toward the red lacquered columns at the entrance, her face resolute.
Emperor Xuanwu immediately thinks of something and shouts, "Qian Cheng, watch her closely!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Qian Cheng immediately steps behind Zhan Lan, the very commander of the Imperial Army.
Zhan Beicang and Zhan Xinzhang did not expect Zhan Lan to step forward at this moment; they both sweat for her.
Zhan Xinzhang even scolds, "Zhan Lan, stand down!"
Zhan Lan kneels on the ground, her expression determined, and continues, "Since childhood, my grandfather has taught the descendants of the Zhan family to loyally serve the country and to have compassion for all the common people. Since the day I went to the frontier, I never thought of returning alive. For Nanjin, for all the commoners, what do I have to fear?"
"If today I do not die on the enemy’s spear but rather in the grand hall of Nanjin’s palace, the common people will remember my blunt advice today!"
"I vividly recall, our ancestor once instructed: ’The heavens see as my people see, the heavens hear as my people hear, water can carry a boat, it can also overturn it, a country without outspoken and wise advisers won’t last long!’"
Emperor Xuanwu looks earnestly at Zhan Lan; despite her young age, she recites the words of her ancestors.
"The generals fight enemies for the country, ruthlessly sever familial ties for justice, but now they cling to the loyal bones of the Zhan family’s lineage. Outside, there are dozens of ancestral tablets in the shrine of the Zhan family—the oldest died of old age still fighting on the battlefield, the youngest, my grandfather’s little brother Zhan Ximing, only twelve, his body wrapped in horsehide... died in a foreign land; my grandfather’s generation, from ten brothers of the Zhan family, only he remains..."
At this point, Zhan Lan’s voice chokes up, "A caring mother sewing battle robes, a strict father guiding the warhorse! Dozens of men from the Zhan Family fought for Nanjin, none fearing death, for Your Majesty, for the people, with wholehearted loyalty! Today, because of one mistake by Zhan Feng, the entire family bears the consequences; who else would dare to shed their blood for Nanjin!"
Zhan Lan’s voice echoes throughout the entire hall, her words of righteousness bringing tears to Zhan Xinzhang’s eyes. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝔲𝔟.𝔠𝖔𝖒
Zhan Beicang’s heart surges with solemn emotion, and thinking of how Emperor Xuanwu guards against the Zhan Family, he feels stifled.
The older generals deeply empathize; they, like the Zhan Family, have fought for Nanjin and lost many relatives in death.
Prince Yu and the two princes kneeling on the ground are stunned by Zhan Lan’s words; it seems they never knew these things before.
Si Jun listens to Zhan Lan’s words with a numb expression, finding her reasoning clear, well-founded, and formidable.
Tears swirl in the corners of Zhan Lan’s eyes; she is desperately restraining her emotions.
Were it not for her lack of power to overthrow the Nanjin dynasty right now, she would surely lead troops to execute this deceitful and ruthless king on the throne.
Emperor Xuanwu, initially angry, is gradually moved by Zhan Lan’s words.
His late father once said that the Zhan family lineage is loyal and good generals, but also to be cautious of loyal officials whose achievements might overshadow the sovereign, gathering prestige among the populace.
The many deaths in the Zhan Family are not unknown to him; the nine brothers of Zhan Xinzhang, all fallen on the battlefield, he is well aware.
Moreover, Zhan Lan now quoting the admonition of the former emperor to his ministers leaves him speechless.
If he disinclined Zhan Lan’s blunt advice, and she chose to die by crashing her head in his hall, his name would be notorious in the chronicles for not humbly accepting advice.
And for Zhan Lan, the adopted daughter of the Zhan family, her previous military exploits combined with today’s risk of death in giving blunt advice, would surely make her renowned throughout the ages.
Most importantly, today there is one reason above all why Zhan Lan absolutely must not die!
