Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 404: Chapter 401: Deploy

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In the deep mountains and forests, fighting is indeed most suitable for the experts of the Military Suppression Department.

However, as the Left Vice Minister, he did not want the experts of the Military Suppression Department to take action.

Cleaning up after someone like Ding Shaoqiang?

Moreover, whether to suppress or pacify, the Court has not yet reached a conclusion, so why should the Military Suppression Department act?

Even if the Court decided on a strategy of suppression, there is no need for the Military Suppression Department to mobilize.

The Court’s army is not without forest warfare tactics; it’s just that Ding Shaoqiang has lost public support.

Whether to suppress or pacify, Ding Shaoqiang needs to be dealt with first, not only to give an explanation to the soldiers of the Daliu Camp, but also to the entire Jihai Town, and the world.

Why should such a greedy and despicable person be made a General by the Court?

Is it that the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs and the Ministry of War are really so blind, or is there someone above protecting and promoting Ding Shaoqiang?

All of these require an explanation.

Otherwise, this grievance will not only be unacceptable to the soldiers of Jihai Town but to the entire Da Jing.

The Court needs to follow public sentiment.

Therefore, this matter will be tangled for a while, and there’s no need to hurry with military action.

Gao Lingfeng is eager to deploy the experts of the Military Suppression Department, not only because of Ninghai Town but also because he cannot tolerate rebellion within the army?

He sympathizes with ordinary people and resents martial arts experts.

Now, it seems he also harbors some resentment towards the soldiers.

The people of Da Jing generally have a good impression of the army because they can win battles.

Someone who hates soldiers so much must have suffered from them.

Hence, it can be inferred that the various military towns in the Eastern Territory are indeed corrupt, with lax discipline arousing resentment among the local populace.

This is very damaging to public sentiment and the foundations of power.

Thinking of this, Chu Zhiyuan’s expression became grave as he looked toward the east.

——

When Chu Zhiyuan left the Inspection Department, the lights were already bright, and the scene was bustling with prosperity.

Yujing City was still mired in indulgence and extravagance.

The events of Jihai Town felt distant from Yujing City, as if from another world.

He could hear the discussions from each restaurant, with everyone expressing their opinions.

Some believed Ding Shaoqiang should first be stripped of being a General and directly imprisoned to be punished.

Greed and cruelty forced the soldiers to rebel, which is a grave crime.

Others felt that even if Ding Shaoqiang was wrong, as soldiers, they should not rebel and could directly petition the Court.

This statement was met with ridicule.

If petitioning against Ding Shaoqiang were really possible, how could he get away with his misdeeds for so long?

Clearly, Ding Shaoqiang has someone supporting him from above.

One could easily imagine that no General lacks backing; without connections, they could not become a General.

Walking and listening to these discussions, Chu Zhiyuan kept shaking his head.

By the time he returned to the Prince Mansion, dinner was just being prepared, and he was right in time to take his seat.

Chu Yi hurriedly asked, ”Elder brother, have you heard the news about Jihai Town?”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Chu Minghou.

Chu Minghou shook his head, ”The morning court almost erupted into a fight; it’s really unbecoming.”

Bai Ningshuang snorted, ”Whose man is this Ding Shaoqiang?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”He’s under Duke Kang, right?”

Chu Minghou nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, ”Duke Kang... very difficult to deal with.”

This generation’s Duke Kang is quite illustrious, with considerable achievements and immense military influence.

Duke Kang’s young lord is Song Tianhai.

Chu Zhiyuan has always been cautious with Duke Kang, avoiding any conflict.

Now it seems Duke Kang has finally made a mistake.

Unfortunately, it is not a good opportunity to strike against Duke Kang.

Da Jing’s military is not dominated by Duke Kang alone; the cake is only so big, so if you take more, I get less.

There must be no shortage of confrontations in the Court, with plenty eager to hit someone when they’re down, without the need to get involved.

Bai Ningshuang said, ”And what of Duke Kang, can he really still save him this time? Public indignation has been stirred!”

Chu Minghou nodded.

Chu Yi blinked brightly and glanced at Chu Zhiyuan.

Bai Ningshuang said, ”Yuan’er, why aren’t you speaking?”

”Mother is right.” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Ding Shaoqiang has indeed aroused public indignation, but...”

He looked at Chu Minghou, ”He hasn’t been immediately removed, right?”

Chu Minghou shook his head.

”Still not removed?” Bai Ningshuang was puzzled.

Chu Minghou said, ”Some are still defending him, claiming that there’s nothing wrong, ...though his methods were somewhat rough, his intentions were good, designed to build more military ships for the Court, which in itself isn’t wrong.”

Bai Ningshuang widened her eyes in amazement.

Chu Minghou shook his head and smiled wryly, ”Even though Ding Shaoqiang is wrong, now isn’t the time for the Court to investigate, lest it chills the hearts of the officials; suppressing the rebellion of the Daliu Camp is more urgent.”

”This...” Bai Ningshuang was surprised, ”This is turning black into white; anyone can say it was a good intention turned mistaken. If intentions are all that matter, then there’s no guilt? It’s utterly ridiculous!”

Chu Minghou said, ”The nobles of the Court are all defending Ding Shaoqiang.”

Chu Yi eagerly asked, ”Father, what about the reformists?”

”They propose to arrest Ding Shaoqiang and have a thorough investigation to see if he harbors untrustworthy intentions.”

”Exactly, investigate thoroughly!” Chu Yi hmph’d, ”He’s definitely a major corrupt official; they’re protecting him for a reason, aren’t they?”

Chu Zhiyuan lightly cleared his throat.

The three turned to look at him.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, ”To my knowledge, Ding Shaoqiang isn’t actually corrupt.”

The three widened their eyes.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”What he covets is meritorious service, not wealth.”

Chu Yi remarked in astonishment, ”This guy actually doesn’t covet silver?”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”Ding Shaoqiang is an upright official worthy of being a model, just rash in his actions.”

”...That’s really tricky.” Chu Yi frowned slightly, ”Incompetent in military leadership? It doesn’t seem like a major crime.”

If he led soldiers into battle and incompetence led to a large number of soldier deaths, that would indeed be a major crime.

This time, due to excessive pressure, he pushed too hard, exhausting the soldiers, but initially, no one died.

In the eyes of the Court’s officials, being a bit tired or suffering was all it was, and rebelling for that reason deserves punishment.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It seems that the Imperial Censors in the Court are also well-informed, knowing Ding Shaoqiang’s reputation.”

”No wonder.” Chu Minghou suddenly realized, ”No wonder the Imperial Censors are not making much noise, and Ding Shaoqiang is unharmed.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, ”So flattery and currying favor don’t warrant strict punishment?”

Chu Minghou said, ”It seems Father does not intend to charge Ding Shaoqiang.”

”Then is it to suppress the Daliu Camp?”

”That hasn’t been said either.” Chu Minghou shook his head, ”It seems Father hasn’t decided yet.”

Chu Yi said, ”So it’s giving Ding Shaoqiang a chance to see if he can redeem himself by taking care of the Daliu Camp.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Chu Yi has a keen sense of political affairs; his words seem right on target.

It seems the Emperor does not intend to punish severely, fearing it might alienate the officials?

If Ding Shaoqiang were corrupt, it might have been less troublesome, but he’s an upright official.

You could say he covets merit and glory or claim he acts single-heartedly for the Court.

It all depends on perspective.

Chu Yi said, ”Elder brother, your Phoenix Camp won’t be mobilized, will it?”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”What does it have to do with the Phoenix Camp?”

Yet he felt a stir in his heart.

Will the Phoenix Camp not be mobilized?

That would be like using a bull’s knife to kill a chicken.

Chu Minghou said, ”There are indeed proposals to deploy the Phoenix Camp.”

Chu Zhiyuan furrowed his brow.

Chu Minghou said, ”Quite a few people have made such a proposal.”

Chu Zhiyuan’s furrowed brow became even more pronounced.

He didn’t even want the Military Suppression Department to mobilize, much less the Phoenix Camp.

But just as he had this thought, Feng Xi hurried in, ”Prince, Steward Huang has arrived with an imperial edict.”

”An edict for Yuan’er?”

”Yes.”

Chu Zhiyuan immediately felt a sense of foreboding.

Is the Phoenix Camp truly going to be mobilized?

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