Chapter 135: Battlefield and Urgent report from Lijia
Third Prince Xiao Zian almost died. Mo Yuer was under house arrest. Divine Doctor Mo lost the emperor’s trust. This is undoubtedly the darkest day for Divine Doctor Mo. But… …
For the Crippled Old Man, these things are not enough. After all, what he wants is for Divine Doctor Mo to be completely ruined, to lose his face in the field of medicine and just live in silence. Far away from the world.
“Master, due to my carelessness, he got escaped.” Imperial Doctor Qin Yuan couldn’t help but say when he learned that his plan didn’t work successfully. He pleaded himself guilty because he knows that his master will be dissatisfied with the result.
The Crippled Old Man was indeed angry. But, when he learned that even Imperial Doctor Qin Yuan was not satisfied with the result. He no longer vents his anger to him. And instead, he comforted him: “No, you did a good job. It is more interesting if you cut the meat slowly. Watching him falling in despair and walking step by step on the brink of death is more pleasurable.”
Those words were able to comfort Imperial Doctor Qin Yuan, but why not to himself? Is it because he had waited too long for this day? And that’s why he no longer have the patience to wait again?
Imperial Doctor Qin Yuan is not sure if what his old master had said was true. So, he said: “Master, rest a.s.sured. Next time, I won’t let him escape.”
“Mmm, Master believes you.” The Crippled Old Man said while suppressing his cough. So, Imperial Doctor Qin Yuan couldn’t help but ask with full of concern: “Master, are you okay?”
The Crippled Old Man waved his hand, then said: “It’s nothing. It’s just an old habit of mine.” But right after he said those words, he burst into a cough. And even though he was suppressing himself, he coughed up with a pool of blood.
Imperial Doctor Qin Yuan got shocked, but then, he hurriedly took out a silver a needle. However, when he was about to get close to him. The Crippled Old Man stops him: “My body… … I know it very clear.”
The Crippled Old Man took out a veil and wiped the blood from his mouth. Then, he added: “This body won’t last long. But, I’ll make sure to see him fall before I will meet my end.”
“Master, you mustn’t say that. This apprentice will give you a good report next time, so you must take good care of your body. This apprentice hasn’t been filial to you.” Imperial Doctor Qin Yuan said with reddened eyes. So obviously, he has a big respect and deep feelings to this old man.
Although the Crippled Old Man had kept Imperial Doctor Qin Yuan for his revenge. He mentored him for years, so how can he have no deep feelings for this apprentice? The Crippled Old Man sighed and then said: “You are very filial. If it weren’t for you, this Master wouldn’t have lived up to this day. And as for my body, you don’t need to worry too much. This body will last up to the day Divine Doctor Mo got ruin. Master will give you a lift until then.”
But as for what that lift is, the Crippled old man didn’t mention it. Imperial Doctor Qin Yuan didn’t also ask about it.
*
The days had pa.s.sed by so fast. Because in a blink of an eye, Xiao Tianyao’s a month of consideration has ended. Another 20 days had pa.s.sed, but Xiao Tianyao didn’t ask her answer. As if he had completely forgotten about it.
However, Lin Chujiu knows clearly that Xiao Tianyao didn’t forget it. It’s just, he was too busy, so he had no energy to ask her.
The Emperor investigated his son’s accident to find the people behind it, but because he didn’t find any clue about them. He concluded that it was Xiao Tianyao’s doing. So within this month, all he did was to put pressure on Xiao Tianyao’s people. The prison got overcrowded because of it.
Control Yuan, Judicial Court, and Military Affairs become very busy. There were new cases every day about Xiao Tianyao’s people. So, the government officials had no choice but to work all night. However… …
The last case has not been completely investigated, but new cases about them come out again. The evidence that was presented is not sufficient, but because it doesn’t matter, they just imprisoned them. And after, investigating slowly.
Corruption, bribery, false labor, embezzlement, killing innocent civilians, killing prisoners, robbing men and women, betraying companions, dividing divisions… …
The civil servants stated. Meaning, all the military officers of the Eastern Country are a sc.u.mbag. No one truly serves the citizens at all. They exist not to protect, but to suck the people’s blood. They fight in the war not to protect their country, but to protect their own interest.
Although these impeachments are only for Xiao Tianyao’s confidantes. The other generals cannot help but feel sad. If the rabbit dies, the fox grieves (idiom: sympathizing with the person of same kind.)
They killed their foes on the battlefield so that they won’t die in the hands of their enemies. But, who would have thought that they will die just because of internal fights and struggles.
No generals that have been on the battlefield had dared to say that they didn’t make any mistake. But, Xiao Tianyao’s soldiers were trained very strictly. So, it can be said that these civil servants were only falsely accusing them of these crimes.
“If this sovereign must die, then I’ll die.” Another upright general that was kneeling in the hall has said. But, while looking at the emperor, the upright general couldn’t help but burst into tears while saying: “I really hate myself for not dying on the battlefield. At least, by then, my loyalty and reputation can be kept clean.”
Even right after he finished saying those words, the upright general didn’t stop from crying. The sound of his sad tears echoes in the hall. But, when he was dragged away, the entire hall becomes quiet. No palace ministers can lift up their spirits in this case.
However, the emperor doesn’t care about all these stuff. Because all he wanted to do today is to bring down all Xiao Tianyao’s capable generals. He wanted Xiao Tianyao’s forces to collapse into half or until he could no longer be called as fearsome.
Seeing that his victory is nearing, the emperor couldn’t help but feel happy. However, a very sharp and rapid voice suddenly sounded: “Urgent report from Lijia! Urgent report from Lijia!”
Even after hearing the report a few times, the palace ministers still couldn’t understand it.
“How can there be an urgent report from Lijia at this time?” The Emperor said because he also couldn’t understand it. However, he cannot help but get curious because the eunuch had announce that it was urgent.
The messenger walked into the hall and then kneel to present the report: “Huangshang (emperor), this is an urgent report from Lijia. 500, 000 soldiers from Northern Country attack our borders. They successfully claimed three of our cities. While our army suffered a heavy defeat.”
After reporting, the messenger collapse on the floor. The imperial guards busily carried him to be treated. But, his words causes restlessness to the palace ministers.
“Northern Country attacked our border? How can this be? The Northern Country didn’t attack our border for several years now. And it’s autumn season, they wouldn’t harvest anything, so why would they send troops to attack us?”
“Yes, what Official Wu had said is right. The Northern Country has no reason to send their troops to attack us.”
“Northern Country will not get anything from sending their troops.”
*
Several civil servants who don’t know anything about war started whispering to each other.
Because they know the Northern Country was afraid of Xiao Tianyao’s forces. So, they wouldn’t attack the East border no matter what.
But, what they don’t know is that the Northern Country received a news that the army of the G.o.d of War Xiao Tianyao was being pressured and that something bad happened to him. Because of that, they attack the Eastern Country. Trying to get some benefit from their own issues.
It’s just, they haven’t said anything about it. Their brains might not big, but they know how much the emperor despise Xiao Tianyao. So, if they will reveal the reason why they attack, the emperor might only despise himself… …