12dz Chapter 389 Taking advantage of the situation
Chapter 389 Taking advantage of the situation
The emperor stared at Chu Ning with an unhappy look on his face.
The matter has been handled, and even ten cities on the front line have been handed over to Bingzhou for management. What else do you want?
However, what Chu Ning said was not wrong. If we allow others to slander the soldiers on the front line, it will definitely be disheartening.
From now on, who will work for the court?
Thinking of this, the emperor glanced at the princes, and finally fixed his gaze on Chu Ning, raised his eyebrows and asked:
"What else do you want to say to them?"
Chu Ning's face was full of righteousness and he stood on the moral high ground, saying in a deep voice: "Brothers, without knowing the facts, you have arbitrarily questioned the victory report from the front line!
This trend must not be allowed to continue, otherwise who among the soldiers on the front lines will dare to risk their lives, and who will dare to report victory to the court?
My brothers, you must give me an explanation for this matter!
Otherwise, I will not give up, the 100,000 soldiers on the front line will not give up, and the people of Bingzhou will not give up either!"
The righteous words made the Second Prince and others look extremely ugly.
Chu Ning is going to beat him to death!
This guy is serious!
No, I absolutely cannot let my father be led by Chu Ning.
Thinking of this, the second prince was the first to stand up and refute: "Eighteenth brother, what you said is too chilling. I am just speaking my mind. Can't we express our own opinions in the court?
Besides, the results of this battle were too astonishing. Anyone would have doubts, right?
"My Eighteenth Brother has been using this matter to press me, what is his intention?"
The prince is a coward and dares not stand up, so I will do it!
Anyway, there are other princes behind me. Can Chu Ning really take on sixteen at once?
Chu Ning sneered, "Can a word of doubt eliminate your humiliation of the soldiers on the front line?
Don’t you understand the principle of presumption of innocence, brother?
If you don't give an explanation for this matter, once the people of Bingzhou learn about it, they will probably go on strike, and then your mansion will be unable to supply refined salt."
Threat, this is a naked threat!
The second prince's face darkened.
What happened in the East Palace has spread throughout Kyoto City. No one dared to believe what the consequences would be if there was no refined salt in their own mansion.
But I really can't bear to admit defeat so easily!
The second prince quickly bowed to the emperor and said, "Father, my eighteenth brother is too aggressive and now he is threatening me with refined salt."
The emperor's mouth twitched.
I dare not accept this.
If I don't handle this properly, that kid might even cut off the palace's supply of refined salt!
The emperor pretended to be displeased: "You caused this problem yourself, so find a way to solve it yourself."
As soon as this statement came out, the officials were in an uproar.
The emperor wants the second prince to admit defeat.
The second prince was stunned.
Father, what do you mean?
Now that the Bingzhou troops have won the battle, you will side with Chu Ning, right?
If I admit defeat in front of all the civil and military officials in the court today, I will lose face!
The Second Prince immediately became anxious and quickly turned to look at the Fourth Prince, the Eighth Prince and others.
This matter is not mine alone, and none of you can escape.
The Fourth Prince and the Eighth Prince looked at each other, with a hint of hesitation in their eyes.
The emperor obviously favors Chu Ning and wants to make a big thing small and a small thing nothing. If I continue to resist, I will be the only one who suffers.
What's more, the great victory of Bingzhou troops on the front line is a fact, and Chu Ning has a monopoly on refined salt. If they really fall out, it will not be good for him.
Instead of fighting to the end, it is better to be sensible.
The fourth prince immediately stood up and expressed his opinion: "Father, what you said makes sense. This matter should indeed have a result."
Turning to look at Chu Ning, the Fourth Prince said sincerely, "I wonder what it will take for Eighteenth Brother to take over this matter?"
Take it as giving in!
The Eighth Prince was no less sluggish, and took the initiative to bow and salute: "Eighteenth brother, I was indeed wrong just now. I am not allowed to question the soldiers on the front line. I hope you will forgive me.
If you need anything, please let me know. I will do my best to help you."
You just want some benefits, why don’t you give it to me?
When the other princes saw someone taking the lead, they all stood up and joined in.
For a moment, all the princes except the crown prince and the second prince expressed their surrender.
The prince narrowed his eyes and looked expressionless on the surface, but he was secretly thinking that this was a close call.
Fortunately, I did not get involved, and fortunately, I withdrew in time, otherwise I would be forced to apologize to Chu Ning now!
At this moment, the second prince was staring at everyone with anger on his face.
You are betraying our party!
Backstab, this is a backstab in the face!
The furious Second Prince pointed at everyone and was so angry that he couldn't speak for a long time.
Chu Ning stared at the Second Prince with a serious look and said coldly, "Why, Second Brother, do you still think you are not wrong?
Now all the brothers have admitted their mistakes, only you, the second brother, are still insisting, do you want to stand against everyone?"
"you……"
The Second Prince was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pointed at Chu Ning and gritted his teeth, "Tell me, what do you want in exchange for revealing this matter?"
Although he wanted to punch him, the prince suppressed the urge to hit him in front of the emperor.
At this time, Chu Ning slowly stretched out two fingers and said calmly: "It is easy to expose this matter. All you brothers need to do is agree to my two requests."
The emperor raised his eyebrows and asked, "What is your request?"
Chu Ning put down a finger and said slowly: "First, in order to calm the anger of the soldiers on the front line, the cost of this expedition will be paid by you brothers."
After saying that, Chu Ning glanced at Chen An and asked, "Approximately how much?"
As he spoke, he blinked, indicating that Chen An should give a larger number.
Chen An is not a fool and reacted immediately.
His Royal Highness the King of Chu is trying to seek benefits for the soldiers on the front line!
"Your Highness, I will send out all 100,000 troops for this battle, which will cost a million in food and money!"
The war only lasted three days, and one million taels of silver was more than enough.
But Chu Ning frowned and looked displeased.
Chen An was shocked.
Oops, I said too little.
Chen An quickly added: "However, this battle consumed a lot of food and fodder. If you count the food, it will cost at least two million taels of silver!"
Chu Ning then revealed a satisfied look: "Let's calculate based on the minimum, two million taels of silver, and the seventeen brothers will bear it together.
All in all, each of you brothers only needs to pay 110,000 taels of silver."
The prince's face suddenly turned as red as liver.
Why do you include me in this?
Just as he was about to ask, Chu Ning didn't give him a chance to speak, and continued:
"The second request is that the refugees on the front line helped transport supplies during this battle and played an indispensable role. If you brothers question the merits of this battle, then you are questioning their contributions!"
Chu Ning said calmly: "My request is not excessive. All I need is for each of you brothers to give me another 10,000 refugees. This way, I can share the burden of the original Bingzhou refugees and make it easier for them."
The lion is opening its mouth wide, this is the lion’s opening its mouth wide!
The second prince's face was extremely gloomy: "Ten thousand refugees per person, a total of 170,000 people, do you think we will agree to it?"
How can we just give population away?
Not even refugees!