Chapter 62 - Xi Ying Will Handle Everything
"This servant greets Lord Xi. Please go inside. Your Majesty has been waiting for Your Excellency since very long."
Eunuch Wang who had served the Emperor for almost three decades said anxiously as soon as he saw Xi Ying.
The expressionless Prime Minister Xi nodded his head and entered the Imperial Study room. Inside the room, he saw the Crown Prince Zhao Zhuang Chen was already sitting in front of the Emperor.
He walked and stood in the center of the room just in front of The Emperor and bowed his head.
"Xi Ying greets Your Majesty."
The Emperor, Zhao Wang Lei raised his head and nodded in acknowledgment, and said
"There is no need for all this formality Prime Minister Xi. Please come and sit here. Zhen has important matters to discuss with you."
The Crown Prince seemed to be offended that he was not greeted and wanted to say something but one look from the Emperor made him shit his mouth.
Xi Ying saw all this but his face remained expressionless as he nodded and sat down on the chair that was just beside the Crown Prince.
However, as soon as he sat down, Zhao Zhuang Chen could not control his anger and said with not so a smile on his lips
"This Prince heard that Prime Minister Xi came back to Imperial City yesterday yet didn't come to Imperial Palace to greet His Majesty. Leaving aside this, Father Emperor has called all the ministers to Imperial Court three hours ago but this one didn't see in the Imperial Court. What important things were you doing at that time?"
Crown Prince thought that his father had spoiled Xi Ying too much. So what if he could solve any political problem, he was still a servant of the Imperial family. He disliked Xi Ying's arrogance and it was visible from his words as reaching the last sentence he didn't even bother to use honorifics anymore.
Usually, Zhao Wang Lei would admonish his son whenever he talked like this but this time he didn't say anything and expressionlessly looked at Xi Ying.
Xi Ying didn't even glance at Zhao Zhuang Chen as he responded.
"Your Majesty, this subject was attacked while going to the borders."
Xi Ying observed the expression of both as he told them.
"An arrow hit this subject and hence was unconscious for the next three months and fifteen days. Xi Ying came back yesterday but could not come to greet Your Majesty because Xi Ying is trying to find out who was behind the attack."
Eyes flickered and the expression changed on their faces. One held an expression of pure surprise while the other tried to fake it and was successful but not in Xi Ying's eyes.
Xi Ying lowered his head and rubbed the clothed area where the arrow hit him. A sneer of contempt flashed in his eyes. At the same time, he could not help but think.
'Should he be thankful to him because he could uncover all the truths after he was injured because of him?'
A long moment of silence passed when Zhao Wang Lei finally opened his mouth and said
"Zhen is very delighted to see that Minister Xi is alright now."
When Xi Ying raised his head, his expression was back to normal and he responded respectfully.
"This all because of His Majesty's blessing."
Zhao Wang Lei and then glanced at his son with sharp eyes.
"Crown Prince should control himself unless you want Zhen to discipline you. One should respect his and other's position."
"This Imperial son was at fault and disappointed Father Emperor. Forgive the Imperial Son."
Although dissatisfied inside his heart, Zhao Zhuang Chen apologized.
The Emperor acknowledged his apology and looked at Xi Ying.
"Prime Minister Xi, Zhen hopes that you already know about the chaotic situation of Xin. Zhen called you here so that you can suggest Zhen something to deal with it."
Xi Ying nodded and had an expression of contemplation.
"Your Majesty there is only one way by which Xin can come out of this situation."
Zhao Wang Lei's face had an expression of relief.
"What is that, Minister Xi?"
"Your Majesty should not order Li and Yi Clan's execution and investigate this whole matter thoroughly. That is, submitting to the soldier's demand is the only option in this situation."
The words finished and Zhao Zhuang Chen sneered and said.
"Minister Xi, why does this Prince suddenly feel like everyone just overpraise your intelligence. Father Emperor, this imperial son agrees with the method General Yun suggested. Those who are going against Father Emperor should be killed. Father Emperor should pass the order to execute those thirty thousand also. "
Zhao Zhuang Chen didn't understand the complete meaning of Zhao Zhang Wei's said words. In fact, not a single minister understood what those words implied except Zhao Wang Lei (The Emperor).
The Crown Prince thought what Zhao Zhang Wei meant was it was wrong to kill so many soldiers but in his eyes, thirty thousand soldiers were equal to thirty thousand ants.
Xin has a large population and those thirty thousand soldiers could be covered in the next five years. But he can't say the same thing in the Imperial Court and that's why he could only remain silent at that time.
The same cold look when General Yun had said this in the Imperial Court appeared in Zhao Wang Lei's eyes.
A mocking chuckle escaped Xi Ying's lips which angered Zhao Zhaung Chen. Ignoring his glare, Xi Ying said.
"Crown Prince is very na?ve. One will need twice the manpower of those thirty thousand soldiers to control them. Where will that come from?"
Zhao Zhuang Chen had a dumb look on his face and his eyebrows knitted in confusion.
The cold and ruthless eyes of Zhao Wang Lei lowered down. It was a shameful thing for an Emperor that he does even have more manpower than the General of his Empire or that was what Zhao Wang Lei thought.
Xi Ying also used to think this before. A memory from long before flashed in his find.
'But Father, isn't it dangerous to give so much power to the person who is not Emperor? Li Clan can easily rebel if given so much power.'
'No, It's not. It is something that is important. If the Emperor is given the power to take any decision then he can ruin the whole Empire in his selfishness. The division of the power to take decision ensures the safety of Empire's people.'
'But Li Clan can also ruin the empire with so much manpower.'
His father had smiled mysteriously and had said
'There always exists anything to control everything.'
It was what his father had told him. But he had not agreed with him at that time.
Only now Xi Ying experienced the deep meaning behind those words when he himself witnessed the whole such situation in front of his own eyes.
His trance was broken when he heard the cold voice.
"Leave from here this instant."
It was the Emperor who told Zhao Zhuang Chen to leave his study.
"But Father Emperor…"
"Zhen asked you to leave."
With a roar from Zhao Wang Lei and a ruthless kick; the humiliated Zhao Zhuang Chen was out of the Imperial Study room.
After calming down his emotions, Zhao Wang Lei looked at Xi Ying and asked him.
"Minister Xi, Is there not any way that those soldiers can come under Zhen?"
A trace of expectation flickered in the Cold Emperor's eyes. However, Xi Ying shook his head and said
"Your Majesty, the soldiers are very loyal to General Li. If Your Majesty forced and pressurize them then they can also rebel against the Imperial power."
Zhao Wang Lei's jaw clenched in anger. With very difficulty, he let his next words out.
"Then, Zhen leaves everything to Minister Xi to handle. Minister Xi can proceed in this matter as he wishes."
With a very serious face, Xi Ying stood up and bowed.
"His Majesty does not need to worry about anything. Xi Ying will handle everything."
Zhao Wang Lei grunted in acknowledgment and opened the documents to proceed with the pending work.
He suddenly raised his head and asked
"Did Your Majesty send his men to abduct General Li and Commander Li according to the plan?"
The brush in the Emperor's hands halted and he replied nonchalantly without raising his head.
"Yes, But Zhen's people could not find them as they have already disappeared till then."
"I see. Then Xi Ying will not disturb His Majesty soon."
When Xi Ying turned around, ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. His fists clenched as he exited the Imperial study room.
What he most hated was being used. These people have been using him for so long for their own selfishness.
Xi Ying closed his eyes and the soft smile on the pink lips flashed in his mind. He felt peace and calmness in his heart.
'Rui, I will not let anything happen to you and your Clan. I promise you.'
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