Chapter 796
“Perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope in his heart for the Emperor. Prime Minister Lu turned his head to look at Shen Jingzhong and said, ’However, it is uncertain. Maybe His Majesty just wants to ascend the ninth heavens with five hundred boys and girls to seek an elixir. Otherwise… If these five hundred boys and girls mysteriously disappear, His Majesty would find it hard to explain to the world…’
The more Prime Minister Lu spoke, the less confident he became. Did the current Emperor still worry about explaining himself to the world? Impossible!
’How about informing the Princess of Zhen? I observe… The Crown Prince almost always listens to the Princess of Zhen. Perhaps… The Princess of Zhen could persuade the Crown Prince,’ Shen Jingzhong suggested.
Prime Minister Lu shook his head. ’The Crown Prince heeds the Princess of Zhen, but our Crown Prince… lacks the courage to confront the Emperor!’
·
Liang Kingdom, Hancheng.
Two prescriptions were delivered to the Emperor of Liang’s desk, both originating from the Jin Army.
In the royal court, some officials claimed Zhao Sheng’s betrayal justified execution and that Zhao Sheng’s entire family should be exterminated.
Others argued… Zhao Sheng was captured but managed to obtain the prescription for treating the plague. The Zhao family had always been loyal to the Liang Kingdom. Zhao Sheng must have pretended to betray the country for the prescription. If they executed his entire family without concrete evidence, General Zhao would certainly be disheartened and might actually defect to the enemy.
The royal court was in constant debate when the Third Prince stood up and addressed the Emperor: ’Father, I believe that the Zhao family has been loyal to our Liang Kingdom for generations. General Zhao Sheng would not betray his country. Moreover, General Zhao Sheng’s mother, wife, and children are in Hancheng. How could General Zhao Sheng abandon his mother and family?! Therefore, Father, do not kill the entire Zhao family to avoid disheartening General Zhao! I suggest… we temporarily enclose the Zhao residence with the imperial guard and monitor the Zhao family.’
The old Prime Minister of Liangting nodded, ’The Third Prince speaks wisely!’
Seeing the Emperor nod, the Third Prince finally breathed a sigh of relief.
When the court officials noticed the Emperor gazing at the parchment prescription, one stepped forward and said, ’Your Majesty, since Jin Kingdom has provided the prescription to our Liang Kingdom, I believe… Jin Kingdom may not want to continue the war. Your Majesty should seize this opportunity to negotiate with Jin Kingdom. Once our country recuperates and eradicates the plague, we can then wage war against Jin Kingdom to avenge the Fourth Prince.’
Knowing the Emperor of Liang was eager for revenge, the official spoke cautiously.
The Emperor of Liang looked up at the official, angered. ’Wait until the plague is eradicated before waging war against Jin? By then… you will argue the treasury cannot support it. Do you think I don’t know you?! From today, anyone who dares speak of kneeling to negotiate peace and avenging later, I… will kill your sons, so you can experience my current sorrow!’
The official, hearing this, was so terrified he collapsed on the grand hall floor: ’Your servant deserves death, please calm your anger, Your Majesty!’
The Emperor flung his sleeves and left. The Third Prince hurried to console the officials and helped the kneeling official to his feet, adjusted his attire, and sought an audience with the Emperor to request an edict.
After exiting the Emperor’s bedchamber, the Third Prince’s request was granted.
The Emperor commanded the imperial guard to enclose the Zhao residence, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving until Zhao Sheng returned.
Unexpectedly, after the guard surrounded the Zhao residence, they found out… Madam Zhao had taken the Zhao family to visit their hometown five days ago. The head of the Imperial Guards reported this immediately to the Emperor.
The Emperor, enraged, ordered the arrest and imprisonment of all Zhao family members within three clans and dispatched people to capture Zhao Sheng’s family.
Zhao Sheng’s family fleeing confirmed his betrayal, further frustrating the Emperor of Liang. But more troubling issues soon arose.
The two prescriptions given to the Imperial Medical Bureau were tested on the citizens afflicted with the plague in Hancheng. After three days of medication… the citizens showed improvement.
Those using prescriptions with precious herbs recovered quickly. Those using the substitute prescription were slower but still cured.
The Imperial Medical Bureau presented the findings to the Emperor. A new problem emerged. One indispensable ingredient in the prescriptions was Baikal skullcap.
Although Daliang produced Baikal skullcap, its yield was very low, making its price high. This was manageable since trade with various countries meant merchants brought Baikal skullcap to Daliang. Since Daliang bordered Jin Kingdom, most Baikal skullcap used in Daliang came from Jin.
Now, the Baikal skullcap supply nationwide was enough for the army but insufficient for the growing number of plague victims. The Emperor had to decide… whether to continue the deadly war with Jin or kneel and request Baikal skullcap to save Daliang’s people.
The Emperor refused to negotiate, ordered all medicinal herbs to the army… ensuring soldiers maintained combat strength against Jin.
The usually timid Third Prince finally defied the Emperor’s authority and rebuked the Emperor of Liang, ’Father, soldiers defending the country come from the people. If only soldiers are cared for, while the people perish, Liang Kingdom will lack recruits. Without new soldiers, our army will be depleted, leading to defeat! Liang Kingdom is in dire straits… but Father refuses to negotiate for peace. Will you only be satisfied when the country is destroyed… and you are a monarch of a fallen kingdom?!’
The Emperor of Liang, furious, flung an incense burner at the Third Prince. The Third Prince, unable to dodge, had his barely healed forehead split open, bleeding profusely.
The Third Prince stood up, ignoring the blood, and with a look of desolation and rage, said to the Emperor, ’Father is a Monarch, yet for revenge for one son, disregards the lives of Liang’s people and soldiers! Can you still be considered the Emperor of Liang?’
’You are insolent!’ The Emperor’s eyes were bloodshot.
’Father, my life was given by you. This is the only and last time I will be insolent before you! I cannot bear to see Liang’s people suffer catastrophe because Father refuses to negotiate, nor can I bear to see Liang conquered by Jin. Farewell, and please take care, Father!’
With that, the portly Third Prince dashed towards a red lacquered pillar in the grand hall.
The old Prime Minister widened his eyes: ’Stop the Third Prince!’
At the critical moment, a General rushed forward, tackling the Third Prince before he hit the pillar. The Third Prince lost balance and fell, his head not touching the red lacquer column, avoiding bloodshed in the hall.
Several court officials rushed to kneel and hold the Third Prince, crying that he must not act so.”