Peace Order

Chapter 1840 - 91: Emperor

The death of Great Emperor Jiang Wanxiang of Ying Country brought grief across Ying Country.

According to his last wishes, no lavish ceremonies were held; everything was simplified. The entire empire was immersed in a sorrowful atmosphere, but no matter how intense the emotion, it would fade eventually, for life must go on.

When the past ruler passed away, another long-suppressed issue eventually resurfaced.

And as soon as it emerged, it became extremely intense.

With Jiang Wanxiang gone, who would be the successor of this vast empire?

Crown Prince Jiang Gao, known for his virtue, had considerable reputation, yet he was inherently weak; the civil ministers valued him, but among the military, he was not seen as possessing the aura of a ruler suited for turbulent times; then there was Prince Jiang Yuan, who was rebellious in his youth but later reformed, showing commendable performance when aiding Wolf King Chen Fubi during his attack on Ying Country’s capital.

Behind these two princes were powerful factions supporting them.

After Jiang Wanxiang’s passing, these factions began to plot and scheme in secret, and the two Divine Generals, who had fought side by side in the Southern campaigns, developed a rivalry.

Initially, discussions in the court began to escalate in anger.

The other officials dared not speak.

Yuwen Lie’s tone was cold and hard: "Since ancient times, the principle of establishing the heir and eldest has never changed. Now at the country’s perilous moment, reforming the Crown Prince is a path to ruin; He Ruoqinhu, don’t you know that?!"

He Ruoqinhu’s wife’s family is connected to Jiang Yuan.

Just as Jiang Wanxiang said, He Ruoqinhu had fought alongside him in his youth, gradually rising to power, naturally gathering some officials’ support; whether for benefit, future prospects, or simply unable to support Jiang Gao, they chose to support Prince Jiang Yuan.

He Ruoqinhu said: "Yuwen Lie, His Majesty once said, Crown Prince is virtuous but not the ruler for turbulent times; you’ve heard this too. If the world were at peace, I would support the Crown Prince, putting my life on the line without hesitation."

"Yet the world is unsettled; Prince Qin’s forces are unstoppable."

"With the Crown Prince’s disposition, how could he, in these chaotic times, raise his sword and challenge Prince Qin Li Guanyi?!"

Yuwen Lie coldly retorted, "Even if the Crown Prince cannot contend with Prince Qin, he is far stronger than the mischievous Second Prince; you claim the Crown Prince is unsuitable, but can the Second Prince really challenge Prince Qin Li Guanyi?!"

"I’m afraid by then the world will remain unsettled, and our Daying Kingdom will fall into internal chaos!"

He Ruoqinhu was greatly angered: "Ignorant fool, what do you know of the world?!"

"In turbulent times, decisive actions must be taken!"

"The principle states establishing the heir and eldest, yet the late Emperor himself was born from a collateral branch, so are you claiming the late Emperor also ruined the country in your view?!"

Yuwen Lie was provoked by these words.

The air rippled, and a furious tiger’s roar seemed to explode like thunder, making the entire hall tremble violently. The officials, whose skills were far inferior, staggered backward.

Yuwen Lie wasted no words.

He raised his hand and condensed Jin Qi into a long sword.

With a flick of his wrist, it tore through the air, aiming directly at He Ruoqinhu. Yuwen Lie was very angry, and He Ruoqinhu was unwilling to back down, also condensing Qi into soldiers; the two generals began to clash on the grand hall.

The sounds of clashing swords were piercing.

Civil and military officials retreated.

Prime Minister Wei Yiwen was deeply troubled, and his attempts to persuade were futile, so he turned to the military officers.

Jiang Su closed his eyes, with an aura as calm as mountains, seemingly unaware of the battle between the two.

Wei Yiwen sighed and said, "Grandmaster, please intervene."

"Such actions are unbecoming."

Only then did Jiang Su open his eyes, raised his finger, and an imposing aura rose, creating ripples. The two generals at the Martial Arts Legend Realm suddenly felt suppressed, their grips on their weapons seized.

The weapons formed from condensed Jin Qi fell to the ground.

With a loud clang, they shattered and slowly disintegrated.

Dead silence fell.

Jiang Su’s voice was deep: "The emperor has only been gone for a few months, and yet you two, on the grand hall, draw weapons against each other over the issue of the next ruler, as if after the emperor, there’s no one left to restrain you two?!"

The voice was calm, void rippling; Jiang Su’s Dharma Form, a breakthrough in the Martial Arts Transmission Realm, appeared with golden radiance, imposing like mountains, suppressing Yuwen Lie and He Ruoqinhu.

Yuwen Lie remained indifferent.

He Ruoqinhu lowered his head.

Jiang Su simply said: "This matter will result in a penalty of three months’ salary deduction and a demotion by three ranks."

"If repeated, do not blame me for being merciless."

Jiang Su’s suppression of the two generals led the day’s court session to end in a complex and turbulent fashion; Jiang Yuan looked at Yuwen Lie, exhaled softly, smiled gently, and stepped forward, bowing:

"General Yuwen, it seems there is something about my past you..."

Yuwen Lie seemed not to see him at all.

Eyes straight ahead, his expression indifferent and cold, he simply strode past Jiang Yuan.

As if he saw nothing more than ant and swine!

Jiang Yuan’s movement halted, still displaying a gentle and helpless demeanor, but deep in his eyes flashed a trace of fierce intent, yet he only showed a bitter smile to the surrounding officials, saying: "In my youth, I was rebellious; I must have left a very poor impression on General Yuwen, hence unwilling to converse."

With Jiang Wanxiang’s collapse.

Seeing this chaotic and contentious era, Crown Prince Jiang Gao refrained from excessive mourning. If grief was too profound, one would lose the true intent of mourning and commemorating the deceased, the officials observed Jiang Gao’s every move, adhering to etiquette, albeit sorrowful, yet remaining restrained.