Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 751: Trump Card

Even though they were once clear-cut opponents, Minister Dai is determined to withdraw from the court. Seeing his former rival so downcast, he feels more sympathy than anything else.

Duke An couldn’t muster a smile and whispered bitterly, "Unfortunate for my family to produce a renegade like Zheng Chen. I’ve come to the palace to plead guilty to the Emperor."

Is a farewell letter between father and son enough?

The Zheng Family continues to bleed until the Emperor is satisfied.

Minister Dai knew well, and sighed, "The Emperor is benevolent and has, after all, spared the Zheng Family. When you see the Emperor, you must thank him properly."

Duke An nodded.

Minister Dai continued, "I’ve submitted three resignation memorials, and the Emperor finally approved. Once I leave the palace today, I will no longer be a court official. I can take my family and leave the Capital City to retire in our ancestral home. It is fitting to bid farewell to you, Duke An."

Duke An solemnly clasped his hands to bid farewell.

Minister Dai laughed heartily and left with a spring in his step.

Duke An withdrew his envious gaze, gathered his energy, and entered Zhaohai Palace, led by the Emperor’s personal guard. The threshold of Zhaohai Palace was too high, and Duke An struggled with his lame leg to get over it.

The Emperor’s personal guard extended a hand to help. This small kindness moved Duke An greatly, "Thank you, Guard Qin."

Among the Emperor’s many personal guards, Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao were the most skilled and loyal, highly trusted by the Emperor. Naturally, Duke An also knew Qin Hu.

Qin Hu retracted his hand without any expression.

After meeting the Emperor, Duke An knelt down with a thud, without hesitation, and kowtowed three times, "Your Majesty, the sinner Zheng Lin greets the Emperor."

The Emperor’s voice was neither light nor heavy, "Rise."

Duke An respectfully thanked the Emperor for his grace, but due to the weakness in his right leg, he struggled to rise. Taking the opportunity while getting up, Duke An swiftly glanced out of the corner of his eye.

Since the palace upheaval, it’s the first time Duke An has entered the palace after being carried out injured, and the first time seeing Jiang Shaohua seated on the Dragon Throne.

How to describe that glimpse?

The face was still familiar, yet it emitted an undoubted, sharp authority. It is the demeanor that only one wielding imperial power possesses.

Compared to the short-lived Emperor Taikang and the prematurely deceased Emperor Taihe, Empress Zhaoping’s presence far surpassed them.

Jiang Shaohua was also observing Duke An.

In his youth, Duke An Zheng Lin was a handsome man, skilled in literature and martial arts. Otherwise, he could not have fathered a son like Zheng Chen.

In days past, Duke An was the head of the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction, Minister of the Ministry of War of Da Liang, powerful and ambitious.

Now, with a lame leg, half-white hair, stooped waist, and a face full of wrinkles. Where was the past elegance?

Jiang Shaohua gazed at Duke An.

Duke An had long lost the confidence to stand against the Emperor, and even in looking, he managed only a quick glance before hastily lowering his head, "Your Majesty, the sinner has come today to express gratitude."

"The Zheng Family produced a renegade like Zheng Chen, bringing calamity to the court and the people. The sinner feels deeply ashamed."

Jiang Shaohua cast a dispassionate glance over, "The memorials impeaching the Zheng Family have all been suppressed by me."

"The Grand Empress Dowager, bedridden, still worries about the Zheng Family. For her sake, I will not act against the Zheng Family for now. You can rest easy."

Duke An displayed a superb and powerful act, with tears flowing down as he continuously kowtowed in gratitude.

Of course, his entry to the palace was not merely to express gratitude. There was something more important.

"The sinner has served many years as Minister of War and has placed certain personnel in the military."

"Now presenting the list to Your Majesty, whether to continue using, transfer, or dismiss them is completely at the Emperor’s discretion."

Duke An took out a thin booklet from his sleeve.

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Chen Sheren.

Chen Sheren nodded slightly, went to Duke An, took the booklet, and presented it to the Emperor.

The booklet was thin, with only three pages. Each page had ten names. Altogether, thirty people. All were military generals with ranks. The highest was Standard Fourth Rank, the lowest was Eighth Rank. Wei Xiong, who died in the palace upheaval, was prominently first. Zhao Wu was second, Lu Cheng third.

These three names were crossed out with a vermillion pen. Two other names were also crossed out, all died in the palace upheaval. There were still twenty-five names. Their ranks might not be high, but they were all middle to lower-ranked generals capable of leading troops.

What is half of the family’s wealth compared to this?

This is truly the Zheng Family’s trump card, securing their position as Da Liang’s premier in-law.

Jiang Shaohua slightly twitched the corners of her mouth, unhurriedly asked, "Handing over all your trump cards, do you truly resign to being at another’s mercy, Duke? Haven’t you thought of making one last desperate attempt?"

Duke An’s heart tightened, and he mustered the courage to raise his head and meet the Empress’s gaze, "To be honest, Your Majesty, initially I did contemplate mutual destruction. But with the Yu State Rebel Army swiftly subdued by the court, I have abandoned any rebellious notions. Now, I’m only seeking to survive, I beg Your Majesty to grant the Zheng Family a way out."

Jiang Shaohua gave a faint smile, "That’s only one reason. The more crucial reason is that the Grand Empress Dowager’s faction officials have mostly defected to me, and the list you provided, in fact, I already possessed it."

"Chen Sheren, show this paper to the Duke."

Duke An: "..."

Duke An watched as Chen Sheren brought over a sheet of paper. It was transcribed, making it impossible to deduce the traitor from the handwriting. The list was comprehensive, only a few names missing compared to the list by Duke An.

Clearly, this "traitor" held a high status and was a core figure in the original Grand Empress Dowager’s faction.

Duke An’s face turned deathly pale, uncertain if it was due to guilt or anger.

Jiang Shaohua remained silent, watching Duke An coldly.

Cold sweat dripped from Duke An’s forehead. After a moment of silent confrontation, Duke An’s back once again drooped, "The sinner only begs for a way out for the Zheng Family, I plead with Your Majesty to extend mercy."

Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "I have already stated, for the sake of the Grand Empress Dowager, I will not move against the Zheng Family." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

But the Grand Empress Dowager is so advanced in age, to put it brutally, how much longer can she live?

As long as the Grand Empress Dowager lives, the Emperor won’t act against the Zheng Family. When the Grand Empress Dowager passes, who will protect the Zheng Family then?

No need to fabricate charges; treason and rebellion are already sufficient to destroy nine generations of the Zheng Family.

Duke An gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "The Zheng Family has nurtured private troops, the sinner will disband them all."

Jiang Shaohua replied, "That is unnecessary. Some matters are not very dignified and always require someone to carry them out. However, these personnel can no longer remain within the Zheng Family. I will send people to take them over."

Duke An didn’t rise, continuing, "The Zheng Family privately opened two mines, the sinner offers them to Your Majesty as well."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, indicating for Chen Sheren to help Duke An up.