Chapter 262: Chapter 262
Because the Nanyang Army has the financial support of the Prince Nanyang Mansion, the court’s document stirred barely a ripple. However, the other stationed troops across various regions, upon receiving the documents one after another, were thrown into chaos.
Thirty percent cut in military funding is no small number. Each year, when the military funds are allocated by the Ministry of War, twenty percent was automatically reduced. This was considered a customary cut by the Ministry of War. The remaining eighty percent would reach the military camps, with the stationed commanders keeping twenty percent, and the remaining military generals splitting another twenty percent. Ultimately, the soldiers’ salaries amount to about forty percent.
Now, the court suddenly reduced military funding by thirty percent, everyone up and down the ranks would receive less silver. Who is willing to let go of the meat in their mouths?
Garrison troops from various states hurriedly submitted memorials, complaining and requesting military funds. For a while, memorials piled up like mountains on the imperial desk at Zhaohai Palace.
Prime Minister Wang remained calm, taking the initiative to visit Emperor Taikang: "No matter what, we must first ensure the tranquility of the border army. Internal troubles can be resolved slowly, but external threats must be blocked at the border. I will have the Ministry of War issue another document to all stationed troops, promising that the thirty percent cut this year will be made up when the national treasury is replenished in a good year."
Emperor Taikang nodded, his voice low and weak: "The Crown Prince is young and not familiar with state affairs. Prime Minister, I entrust you with this heavy responsibility."
Prime Minister Wang respectfully bowed: "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to assist the Crown Prince and ensure stability without allowing any disturbances."
There was a flash of relief in Emperor Taikang’s eyes as he softly said: "Among the entire court, in and out of the palace, the person I trust the most is the Prime Minister. With you here, the Da Liang court will be very stable."
Prime Minister Wang was an official serving three emperors, with protégés spread across the court and a massive influence. In recent years, if it were not for the Empress Dowager Faction providing balance, the court would have become Prime Minister Wang’s domain long ago.
Previously, to balance the court, Emperor Taikang secretly supported Duke An’s faction. Now bedridden, he could no longer indulge in factional disputes.
For a smooth transition of imperial power and court stability, he first needed to stabilize Prime Minister Wang. Therefore, Emperor Taikang treated Prime Minister Wang with special favor. Knowing full well that the Left General’s demand for military funds was opportunistic, he endured it quietly.
Prime Minister Wang expressed his loyalty to the emperor with great fervor. As he turned and exited, a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
Emperor Taikang issued an edict, forcing Minister of War Duke An to reluctantly comply. Once this document was issued, the garrison troops naturally cursed Duke An viciously.
The unfortunate Duke An found himself overwhelmed in court and scolded by Empress Dowager Zheng in the harem, suffering grievances everywhere.
As one faded, the influence of Prime Minister Wang grew more intense in the court. Officials competed to curry favor.
The Fourth Young Master Wang was highly regarded by the Crown Prince.
The seventh winter of Taikang arrived quietly amidst chaos and turmoil. On this day, the court received an urgent memorial.
"Father! Something terrible has happened!"
The pale-faced Crown Prince almost rushed into the Emperor’s bedroom.
A much thinner Consort Li was massaging Emperor Taikang’s numb and weak legs. Upon hearing the Crown Prince’s urgent and flustered cry, Consort Li frowned and looked up: "What matter causes such shouting? You are the Crown Prince, you must possess the demeanor of an heir to the throne!"
The Crown Prince was anxious, disregarding demeanor, handed the memorial to the Dragon Couch: "Father, Pingzhou has revolted!"
Emperor Taikang was shocked, inexplicably supporting himself on the side of the Dragon Couch: "Why would Pingzhou revolt?"
The Crown Prince’s expression was grim, teeth gritted: "The commander of Pingzhou’s garrison withheld military funds, salaries haven’t been paid for three months. The soldiers in the military camp mutinied!"
Emperor Taikang’s face also darkened.
No matter how prepared one was mentally, the arrival of a military mutiny at this moment was still unbearable.
Three months without pay, how could it lead to a mutiny?
And the commander of Pingzhou’s garrison, it was tolerable for him to drink the blood of soldiers in peacetime, but during such crucial times, how could he oppress the soldiers ?
These scoundrels have no regard for the court or for him as the supreme ruler, only concerned with pocketing silver.
"The garrison commander was killed! All military generals in the camp were killed. The leader is someone named Tan Sheng, who now leads five thousand soldiers, has stormed into Pingzhou Prefecture, and killed the family of the Pingzhou Governor. Officials in the Pingzhou Prefecture have been imprisoned in cells."
With fire in his eyes, the Crown Prince quickly explained, "This rebellious scoundrel Tan Sheng has even declared himself King of Pingzhou. Such a rebel must be eliminated!"
This is different from common bandits and rebels. The Pingzhou Army is a regular military unit, and now such a unit has rebelled and openly declared kingship, seizing territory, which sets a very egregious precedent.
It must be quickly suppressed and eradicated, not tolerated at all!
Emperor Taikang’s body trembled, his face flushed with anger, and he shouted: "Convey my decree to immediately summon Prime Minister Wang, the Three Great Generals, and the Six Ministers..."
Before he finished speaking, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.
Consort Li and the Crown Prince also turned pale: "Your Majesty!"
The Pingzhou garrison’s rebellion infuriated Emperor Taikang, causing him to faint, triggering a stroke again. After being revived, he could not speak anymore.
Empress Dowager Zheng was overwhelmed with grief and fell ill.
The Crown Prince, suppressing his sorrow, discussed troop deployment with Prime Minister Wang and others. The court could not allow a military rebellion, and no one opposed the military expedition. However, there was disagreement between the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Wang on who should lead the expedition.
Prime Minister Wang wanted General Wei to lead the troops to suppress the rebellion, while the Crown Prince intended to send General Song.
General Wei commanded fifty thousand elite troops from the Heroic Guard Camp, and General Song’s Brave Camp also had fifty thousand elite soldiers. In terms of troop strength, both generals were evenly matched. The only difference was that General Wei belonged to Prime Minister Wang, while General Song had close ties with Duke An’s Mansion.
After some underhanded power contests, General Wei led the troops out of the Capital City.
The young and impulsive Crown Prince was thoroughly embarrassed, deeply frustrated, yet had to maintain an unaffected appearance and continued to show great respect towards Prime Minister Wang.
Zheng Chen, appearing to console but in fact fanning the flames, said: "Now the court relies on Prime Minister Wang for support. For the stability of the court, Your Highness should tolerate it."
The Crown Prince sneered repeatedly: "At this rate, how can Da Liang still be Jiang’s dynasty? It has obviously become Wang’s dynasty."
Zheng Chen’s expression turned grave, speaking in a low voice: "Such disgruntled words must never be spoken again. If they reach Prime Minister Wang’s ears and cause displeasure, he might hinder you openly or covertly, and that would be disastrous." Read complete versıon only at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩
These words stirred the Crown Prince’s anger further. Although he remained silent, his dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Wang grew deeper.
Zheng Chen noted this with satisfaction.
Just then, Mr. Zhao from Jingyang Palace arrived, respectfully announcing: "The Empress Dowager invites the Crown Prince for a talk."