Chapter 263 (2/2)

The answer was simple.

He would roll them all at the same time.

It did not seem very rational.

However, Fang Zhengzhi like the feeling of rolling them all. That was reason enough for him. After all, he had many s...o...b..a.l.l.s to play around with.

As Fang Zhengzhi was cultivating, the Northern Mountain Village was busy.

After hearing that the Northern Mountain Village was going to build an academy, the surrounding villages sent people to check out the validity of the information. This was earth shaking news.

Did the Northern Mountain Village have this much silver?

No one believed it.

However, when Zhang Yangping showed them the ”mountain of silver”, they bought it.

All of the strongest in the villages congregated here. They claimed that they would want to play a part in the building of the academy, even if they were not being paid!

This was the innocence of the villagers, and it was the unity between villages when they saw a glimmer of hope. After all, once the academy was built, the most important phase would commence.

Recruitment!

They all had a reason to help out in this project. The thinking was, the more one contributed, the higher the chances of being recruited.

In the east, an entire hill was flattened as soil and timber were lugged to the Northern Mountain Village for the construction of the academy.

The building of the road to Huai An County was also moving in tandem.

It was quite a distance to Huai An County, and the road would pa.s.s through many villages. When everyone heard that the road was being renovated, they rushed to contribute. When they heard that there was a pay for builders, even those who worked the fields dropped everything to come and help.

Fang Zhengzhi explained the building concepts, then handed the project to Zhang Li to run. After all, Zhang Li was young, and could easily handle the project.

Yan Capital was in chaos at this moment in time.

In the throne room, letters streamed onto the emperor's table. They all reported Fang Zhengzhi's ma.s.sacre of the soldiers.

”Emperor, Fang Zhengzhi has complete disregard for the law. If we do not punish him severely, how can we maintain the reputation of our army?”

”Fang Zhengzhi has muddled up his personal affairs with his official ones. Even if the army had committed transgressions, they did so under direct orders. How can Fang Zhengzhi kill the soldiers?

”One of our generals and many of the deputies died horrible deaths there. The army has been affected by this incident. I hope that the emperor will have the law ministry investigate this!”

All of the officials were unified in their opinions and suggestions.

If not for the fact that Fang Zhengzhi was the Sword Envoy, a rank four official, the law ministry would have already issued an arrest warrant without consulting the emperor.

”Your highness, I know that you care for such a talent. Fang Zhengzhi had just been promoted recently. You're concerned that arresting him now may affect him adversely. However, he has gone overboard this time!” Minister Wan Chong said in fury.

Emperor Lin Mubai frowned.

The army had sent news of the ma.s.sacre to him. Then, he received a letter from Chi Guyan. Chi Guyan had detailed everything to him.

It was clear who was in the wrong here.

However...

The army had to maintain their standing.

If anyone could just ma.s.sacre the soldiers, albeit with good reason, then the laws of the country would not be respected. More importantly, the number of soldiers he had killed were too many.

He had killed nearly a hundred, and injured hundreds more. He was not just protecting his village and stopping the army from invading. This was a ma.s.sacre.

There were too many dead soldiers.

The army's reputation would be destroyed if there wasn't even an investigation.

However, should he let Fang Zhengzhi be investigated by the Law Ministry?

Emperor Lin Mubai hesitated. In the letter, Chi Guyan had described the entire process and explained that Fang Zhengzhi was infuriated as a result of his filial piety, and killed to protect his family.

”Your highness, I think that Fang Zhengzhi should not take all the blame for this!” Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping stood out.

”Oh, what does Minister Yu think?” Lin Mubai was slightly shocked to hear Yu Yiping's words. After all, Yu Yiping had a run in with Fang Zhengzhi previously.

How could he not have seen it?

”According to my own investigations, the army had bullief the villagers, eating and drinking like kings whilst in the villages. Then, they were ordered to ma.s.sacre an entire village. That general even injured quite a few villagers. They are a disgrace to the army and should be dealt with!” Yu Yiping glanced at King Duan as he spoke.

”Minister Yu has a point. Sixth brother, you have done wonders with the army, and your achievements are there for all to see. However, their discipline... still needs some work. This could have been prevented!” The Crown Prince added.

King Duan's expression darkened. He knew what Yu Yiping and the Crown Prince were getting at. However, the army was at fault here, and he could not possibly deny that.

”Thank you for the reminder. I will definitely tighten my grip on their discipline. I will also account for their actions in due course!” King Duan did not push the blame away.

He would admit his mistake.

This was much better than trying to argue his way out. After all, everyone knew that the army was humongous. It was only natural for mistakes to occur from time to time.

This was just a small one. Taking responsibility for it would not harm him in any way.

”With King Duan at the helm, I am sure that their discipline will improve!” Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping answered immediately.

One of the officials behind King Duan was about to step out. However, upon hearing Yu Yiping's words, he stepped back in line, visibly confused.

Yu Yiping stepped forward once again.

”Plonk!” He fell to his knees.

The emperor gestured for Yu Yiping to recover. ”Minister Yu, what did you do that for?”

”Your highness, as the left prime minister, I should be virtuous and help you solve your problems. However, I have something on my mind that I would like to say, but it is not something an official should say!”

”Please go ahead!”

”Yes your highness. I don't think that it is important to determine if the army was in the wrong first, or if Fang Zhengzhi's ma.s.sacre came first. The Law Ministry is in charge of finding that out. My opinion today does not concern any law, it concerns loyalty, moral and values. Fang Zhengzhi tends to overreact and kills without hesitation. He had completely ignored the army and this is not a good sign! I hope that your highness will be careful when using him in the future!”

Yu Yiping kowtowed one more time, tears welling up in his eyes. He looked as loyal and sincere as humanly possible.

All of the officials were stunned by Yu Yiping's words.

Then, they were in awe.

Yu Yiping first helped get Fang Zhengzhi out of trouble, attributing it to the lack of discipline in the army. Then, he resolved that issue easily.

His position was well considered and measured. Furthermore, he had helped the emperor solve the problem.

This was a near perfect act.

Then, he had dealt the killing blow.

He did not talk about any law. He simply talked about loyalty, moral, and values. These seemingly irrelevant points were his method of sealing Fang Zhengzhi's fate.

Loyalty was always the more important. Even when filial piety and loyalty were at conflict, loyalty was always meant to come first.

Yu Yiping had condemned Fang Zhengzhi, claiming that he had no regard for the army or for power.

He was simply calling Fang Zhengzhi disloyal!

With such a pa.s.sionate plea and a well measured position, the emperor was bound to give it some thought!

Experience does count!

”Your highness, Xing Hou has requested an audience with you!” Just as everyone was admiring Yu Yiping's act, a voice rang out from outside the throne room.