Chapter 295: Chapter 295: Prince Zhenbei!
General Zhan Lan glanced sideways to see Zhong Xuanliang.
This Imperial Censor was upright and honest.
On normal days, he was most critical of Mu Yan, having impeached Mu Yan more than once, only for Emperor Xuanwu to reject each ti.
It wasn’t until he realized that the money found on Mu Yan was to take the bla for Emperor Xuanwu that he slightly changed his attitude towards Mu Yan.
But this man, his head was very hard.
Who were those who can enter the Imperial Censorate?
For instance: during the Spring and Autumn Period, Qi State’s minister Cui Zhu murdered his lord. The Chief Historian, not fearing oppression, accurately recorded “Cui Zhu murdered his lord.” After Cui Zhu learned of it, he killed the Chief Historian. The successor continued in the sa fashion and was also killed by Cui Zhu. The third historian was still unbowed and unyielding.
Thus, in General Zhan Lan’s eyes, everyone in the Imperial Censorate, top to bottom, had heads as hard as iron, their skulls even harder than Dugu Yan’s purple-golden hamr.
The Imperial Censorate of Nanjin oversaw all officials, with the Imperial Censor as the highest official and the deputy known as the Imperial Censor.
Aside from monitoring for corrupt or law-bending officials, they also had the authority to critique and supervise state policies.
Therefore, seeing Zhong Xuanliang co forward to report was definitely not good news for Mu Yan.
“Your Highness, Regent King, I have received reliable information that Zhan Beicang is indeed the biological father of General Zhan Lan. They have amassed troops and deceived His Majesty, with the Zhan Family Army and the Brave Army totaling four hundred thousand n. What are their intentions?”
Zhong Xuanliang spoke each word clearly and forcefully, his voice resonating throughout the entire hall.
Everyone was shocked by this revelation, the ministers’ gazes all falling on General Zhan Lan and Zhan Beicang, with so whispering among themselves.
“So Zhan Beicang has been concealing this all along.”
“They say a tiger never fathers a dog; turns out they are father and daughter after all!”
“Knowing this is taboo and concealing it without reporting, that’s a capital offense!”
Si Jun remained expressionless, taking pleasure in the discussions of the crowd, thinking that, as expected, the old n of the Imperial Censorate were all upright and impartial, unwilling to tolerate anyone who endangered the imperial power!
Even the Crown Prince narrowed his eyes in astonishnt. Did the Zhan Family intend to rebel with four hundred thousand troops?
The Crown Prince asked in a deep voice, “General Zhan, why conceal the origins of the Brave General? Is this true?”
Zhan Beicang looked solemn, ready to take out the Tiger Talisman from his sleeve to hand over military power; this could save his daughter Lan’er and also protect the Zhan Family.
General Zhan Lan’s deanor remained calm, without a hint of panic, as she quietly stopped Zhan Beicang from reaching for the Tiger Talisman.
“Your Highness, Regent King, I have a matter to report,” General Zhan Lan said unhurriedly, “Indeed, I am the legitimate daughter of the General Mansion. Only, a wet nurse switched the children many years ago, but His Majesty has been aware of this for three years now.”
Si Jun furrowed his brows. Was Zhan Lan looking for an excuse to shirk responsibility?
Zhan Lan well knew after his father fell ill, he saw no one—how could she say this and expect others to verify it?
Zhong Xuanliang asked stiffly, “Brave General, I’ve always respected you for not being inferior to n, but do you have any evidence?”
General Zhan Lan gave a slight smile and said, “Mr. Zhong, if you do not believe, you may confront His Majesty yourself!”
“Isn’t that forcing a difficult situation upon soone?” Zhong Xuanliang scoffed coldly.
Zhan Lan continued with a smile, “The cri of deceiving the emperor carries the punishnt of death. I have only one life and would not lie about such matters.”
Si Jun’s eyes narrowed, wondering why Zhan Lan was so calm and composed, and why Mu Yan was as well.
Could it be that they were prepared in advance?
However, if his father knew about this, why would he still grant Zhan Lan military power?
For a mont, Si Jun’s mind was struggling to keep up.
The heavy voice of the Crown Prince said, “General Zhan, regarding this matter, I will personally seek confirmation from my father.”
The Crown Prince wanted to seize this opportunity to see if his royal father was indeed placed under house arrest by Mu Yan.
General Zhan Lan’s eyes were deep with solemnity; the news had spread quickly, Zhan Xuerou told Si Jun, who then dispersed the news.
If it were not for her habit of planning ahead for all contingencies, she would have indeed been impeached by Zhong Xuanliang today.
At this mont, suddenly a shrill voice ca from outside the hall, “Imperial decree has arrived!”
Eunuch Li entered the hall with the imperial decree.
Everyone knelt down, save for Mu Yan, who lazily rose from his chair to look at the crowd kneeling before him.
He looked at General Zhan Lan, kneeling on the ground, and silently swore never to let his beloved Lan’er kneel before anyone again!
The voice of Eunuch Li rose, and everyone maintained their silence.
“By the mandate of Heaven, so commands the Emperor: Today marks the day when the legitimate daughter heads to Beiyue for the marriage alliance. The treaty to end the war between Beiyue and Nanjin has been signed. Brave General Zhan Lan shall transfer his command of two hundred thousand troops to Us and proposes the local militia system. We, appreciating the arduous and ritorious service of the soldiers, do hereby grant the Brave Army the status of local militia to return to their holands to contribute to the building of Nanjin.”
The ministers inside the hall were astounded upon hearing this imperial decree.
“General Zhan Lan has actually given up his military power?”
“Two hundred thousand troops are all converted to village soldiers?”
“General Zhan Lan is the first person I have seen who dares to surrender his military power to support the strength of Nanjin!”
Village soldiers, also known as militia, normally do not leave their agricultural labors but assemble for training in their leisure ti.
They are tasked with building fortifications, transporting grain, apprehending thieves, or assisting the standing army in border defense.
There are many designations for local militia across various regions, with uneven organization, whether by command, capital, or organized by ranks such as ‘du bao’, ‘da bao’, or ‘bao’.
Upon hearing of General Zhan Lan’s actions, sha suddenly filled Zhong Xuanliang’s heart. General Zhan Lan’s move demonstrated to the world that the Zhan Family had no intention of rebellion.
Moreover, the return of two hundred thousand soldiers to their hotowns provided Nanjin with so much more manpower. They worked the fields while continuing to train, ensuring their combat abilities would not wane.
This woman’s vision is extraordinary!
His own morials instead seed petty. Zhong Xuanliang was frustrated with himself for having doubted General Zhan Lan and Zhan Beicang’s loyalty, suspecting them of harboring troops to deceive the Emperor with intentions of rebellion!
Due to the sheer shock, the officials began whispering amongst each other.
The Crown Prince was no less shocked than anyone else; he had been concerned about the military power in General Zhan Lan’s hands, but now it seed unnecessary.
Mu Yan listened to the decree with a calm deanor, absentmindedly tapping his finger on the armrest of his chair.
Eunuch Li’s voice ca with authority, “Silence! I have not finished yet!”
Everyone continued kneeling to listen to the decree.
“We appreciate General Zhan Lan’s repeated military achievents and hereby grant the title of Prince Zhenbei, bestowing ten thousand hectares of land. The Brave Army’s Xiao Chen is to return to the capital at a determined date, as his father Xiao Yin died bearing false accusations. Considering Xiao Chen’s military achievents, we appoint Xiao Chen as the Minister of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, with the rank of Second Grade. Additionally, any Brave Army officers of the Fifth Grade or above shall be sequentially awarded and retained for service in the capital. Let it be known!”
With Eunuch Li’s words barely finished, another uproar erupted in the hall.
“Although General Zhan has no military power, he has beco a different surna prince; it may well be a blessing in disguise!”
“This is what General Zhan Lan earned with his extraordinary military achievents; of course, it’s well deserved. General Bai Qi also beca Prince Zhen Nan for quelling the unrest in those days.”
“So Xiao Chen is the son of Xiao Yin, truly following in his father’s footsteps!”
“Yes, the Emperor is wise!”
Zhan Beicang retrieved the Tiger Talisman and looked towards the calm and unfazed General Zhan Lan; his daughter had prepared so much.
For the sake of the Zhan Family, she had made so many sacrifices; Zhan Beicang deeply admired and respected her, feeling a new sense of profound embarrassnt.
Si Jun, upon hearing that General Zhan Lan had resolved the crisis and even beco Prince Zhenbei, putting him on almost equal footing, his gaze beca piercing as he contemplated a new strategy.
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