Chapter 67 - Forced Counsel

The grand and towering city gates slowly opened like a primordial beast stretching its massive jaws for a morning feast.

Passing through the gate passage, the view suddenly opened up, revealing the vast imperial city within the capital.

In the square, two solemn and dignified rows of guards stood staring straight ahead. The morning sun gleamed off their sharp spears and light golden armor.

None of the civil and military officials spoke during the procession. The civil officials held their scepters, and the military officers donned their armor, all silently moving forward.

After crossing the square and ascending a long staircase, the foremost figure, Fan Shaolin, was the first to step into the main hall.

Fan Shaolin, advanced in age, was slightly out of breath after walking for so long. Qi Zongbi, following behind him, reached out to support his back and said, "Senior Fan, are you alright?"

Fan Shaolin waved his hand, took a breath, and replied, "It’s nothing. Thank you for your concern, Lord Qi."

At this moment, a figure emerged from behind the screen in the center of the hall. This person, with a fair face and a solemn expression, holding a whisk, was none other than the Eunuch Yue Dou.

Eunuch Yue Dou cleared his throat and announced, "His Majesty the Emperor has arrived."

The civil and military officials all simultaneously rolled up their sleeves and prostrated on the ground. In unison they called out, "We welcome Your Majesty!"

Hearing their formal address, an elderly man dressed in a flowing golden dragon robe and wearing a beaded crown emerged from behind the dragon throne. He covered his mouth and coughed twice before he sat down on the dragon throne.

The old man was thin and his pale, colorless face revealed how serious his condition had become. He held a golden silk handkerchief in his hand, occasionally using it to cover his mouth as he coughed.

The one who had arrived was Emperor Chen Kaiming of the Ruen Dynasty, who controlled the nation.

Chen Kaiming waved his hand and said, "Rise."

Belatedly, Chen Kaiming noticed the elderly man kneeling immediately before him, Fan Shaolin. There was a hint of surprise in Chen Kaiming’s eyes, but he immediately ordered, "Someone come and give Senior Fan a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Fan Shaolin stood up and bowed again to Emperor Chen Kaiming, who was seated upon the dragon throne.

"There is no need for formalities." Chen Kaiming waved his hand and continued, "However, Senior Fan, why have you decided to attend morning court today? I recall that five years ago, I had granted you exemption from attending."

The old man below smiled, casually scanning the civil and military officials, and said, "I haven’t seen Your Majesty for a long time and have become concerned, so I came to see Your Majesty."

"

Haha

... Senior Fan’s way of speaking remains as it was in the past." Chen Kaiming laughed heartily. That was something he himself couldn’t remember doing for a long time.

"Senior Fan, come to my study after the morning court, and we will reminisce properly," Chen Kaiming said to the elderly man below, appearing to be in much better spirits.

"I understand."

At this point, a servant had already brought a chair for the elderly man. Fan Shaolin bowed, then sat down.

On his dragon throne, Chen Kaiming straightened himself and asked, "Esteemed ministers, is there anything to present today?"

The ministers below glanced at each other, but none spoke. Ying Gutong quietly glanced at Qi Zongbi, noticing that the External Prime Minister's eyes were averted and that he seemed uninterested in stepping forward.

"Your Majesty, I have something to present."

A civil official holding a scepter stood up. He was a member of the Ministry of Personnel.

"As the winter grows colder and heavy snow seals the mountains, many people seek refuge in the southern regions. It is unbearable to witness the roads strewn with those who have starved to death. Last year, there was widespread drought, and the harvest was poor.

"Many towns cannot support such a large number of refugees and are left to fend for themselves. I fear that if this continues, it is possible that cannibalism might occur. I have previously submitted a memorial detailing many plans to mitigate these issues. I hope Your Majesty will review it."

Chen Kaiming nodded. "I will review your memorial after the court session. This matter cannot be delayed."

Chen Kaiming lowered his head in thought, seemingly processing the earlier information. After a while, he looked at the officials below and asked, "Is there anyone else who has something to present? If not, the court will be adjourned."

Another official from the Ministry of Works stood up and announced, "Your Majesty, I have an urgent matter to present."

"What is it?" Chen Kaiming asked, somewhat puzzled. The Ministry of Works rarely had any urgent matters, so it was unclear to him why this official decided to stand up.

"What I wish to present is..." The official from the Ministry of Works paused. "The new year is approaching, and the Northern Qiang will invade soon. I hope Your Majesty will consider this matter soon—"

"How dare you!" Chen Kaiming shouted angrily, slamming his hand on the dragon throne’s armrest. "How dare a Ministry of Works official dictate military affairs?!"

"I.. I would not dare!" The official immediately prostrated himself on the ground and pleaded, "Your Majesty, please see this matter objectively!

"This is not only an issue for the Ministry of War but also a larger national issue. This concerns the safety of the Ruen Dynasty, and the livelihood of countless households.

"I act with a loyal heart and am innocent of wrongdoing. If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, I am willing to die to demonstrate my loyalty!"

"You!" Chen Kaiming furiously hissed, "Do you think I dare not kill you?!"

"I would die with no regrets," the prostrated official said without raising his head, "But this will decide the fate of the dynasty...

"Your Majesty, please deploy the troops!"

The official uttered the final word like a prearranged signal. More than half of the civil and military officials in the hall immediately knelt down in unison and chanted, "This will decide the fate of the dynasty. Your Majesty, please deploy the troops!"

Chen Kaiming’s face suddenly lost all color. He turned to look at Qi Zongbi, who stood calmly before the kneeling officials, eyes down, standing arrogantly as if none of this had anything to do with him.

"Very well, very well, Qi Zongbi! Very well, all the officials united in their counsel!" Chen Kaiming’s expression darkened. "Good! Haha!" Overwhelmed with anger, the aged ruler on the throne fainted into unconsciousness.

It was unclear how much time passed, but Chen Kaiming indistinctly started to hear voices speaking.

"His Majesty’s health is not as good as before... Recently, there has been some improvement... I didn’t expect to encounter this situation today," Ah Dou seemed to be saying.

"Eunuch Yue Dou, thank you for your efforts... You have served the Emperor for many years... Now, the Emperor trusts only you... Please do not let him down..." his old friend Fan Shaolin seemed to say.

"Your words are too much... This is what I should be doing... The Emperor’s heart has worsened... Sigh... Since the late Empress passed away, the Emperor has had this illness..." Eunuch Yue Dou sighed deeply.

"The late Empress... Well, that was her fate..." Fan Shaolin mumbled.

"Recently, His Majesty has been dazed... He often mentions the late Empress... A while ago, he told me he keeps dreaming about her. In his dreams she says... she says she misses him." Eunuch Yue Dou spoke with helplessness and bitterness in his voice.

"Yes... It has been decades, decades since I last saw her," Chen Kaiming suddenly said from his sickbed, "I miss her too."

"Your Majesty, you’re awake!"

Eunuch Yue Dou hurried over and saw the elderly emperor staring at the ceiling with tears welling up in his eyes.

Cough cough

— Chen Kaiming propped himself up on the bed, trying to sit up.

Eunuch Yue Dou quickly helped him up, supporting his back with a firm hand.

Eunuch Yue Dou brought a bowl over and said, "Your Majesty, please take your medicine first."

At this point, Fan Shaolin, who was sitting at the side, came over and said, "Eunuch Yue Dou, let me take over."

"Senior Fan, are you..." Eunuch Yue Dou trailed off when he saw Fan Shaolin take the bowl of medicine. Puzzled, he stood to the side.

The nearly eighty-year-old man stirred the spoon in the bowl and said to the sickly Chen Kaiming, "Your Majesty, today I will serve you your medicine."

"Senior Fan..." Chen Kaiming felt touched.

"Your Majesty, I remember that you fear bitterness." The old man smiled. He then scooped a spoonful of medicine and offered it to Chen Kaiming, saying, "The last time I served you medicine, you were not yet twenty... "

Chen Kaiming said no more, slightly lowered his head, and drank it, wrinkling his brow. It was uncertain whether it was due to the bitterness or his sorrow.

Chen Kaiming hesitated before finally asking, "Senior Fan... What is your opinion on the court's proposal?"

The old man smiled slightly and nonchalantly scooped up another spoon of medicine. As if discussing a simple matter, he said:

"Your Majesty, deploy the troops."