Ch 25: That Special Bracelet, Hand It Over!
“Your Humble Servant feels that each Minister should donate at least one million taels. Only then would it be appropriate!”
Qian Linggong truly never spoke without causing a stir.
Sitting in his wheelchair, he clasped his hands and said: “Your Majesty, they have been officials for many years. If they cannot even produce one million taels, it would be unreasonable. To be role models for the commoners, they should at least donate one million taels.”
Many officials showed expressions of shock. This Qian Linggong, he was seeking their lives!
One million taels.
Even if they had this much, would they really dare to take it out?
Jiang Li showed displeasure and said: “You ask them to produce one million taels. You have been a Legalist for so many years. Can you produce one million taels?”
“Your Humble Servant, at once, does not indeed have so much silver. But selling some valuables, one million taels is still possible. Besides, Your Humble Servant usually likes painting and calligraphy. Some people like to buy my calligraphy and paintings, and I have also earned some. Oh, Your Humble Servant has a niece who received some betrothal gifts when she married. And two nephews who opened two shops in the Outer City…”
“Enough, enough!”
Jiang Li’s expression turned cold, interrupting Qian Linggong’s rambling, “You can gather one million taels, doesn’t mean all officials can afford it. Originally, doing good deeds should come from the heart. How come in your case, it became the minimum standard? Any amount is a heartfelt gesture.”
“I see that many ministers are worried, and you are the kind of person who fosters a spirit of comparison. Qian Fazheng, your thoughts are utterly wrong.”
“From today on, you do not need to attend court. Stay at home in confinement to reflect. Reflect well. Originally, I wanted to entrust you with the task of supervising donations, but it seems you are not suitable. Remember, reflect for a month. Not a day less!”
Qian Linggong wanted to argue, but seeing the Empress’s displeasure, he could only bow his head in submission.
“Your Humble Servant obeys the order—Thank Your Majesty for your leniency!”
The other Ministers watched, their hearts filled with joy.
Some were about to burst out laughing.
This Qian Linggong, usually relying on the Empress’s Imperial Favor, made all the Civil and Military Officials wary of him. Unexpectedly today, this usually clever Qian Fazheng would also anger the Empress.
Being confined and reflecting, it was only what he deserved.
The matter, by now, had come to a close.
Jiang Li then encouraged the Court Officials with a few words, praised Lin Che, and intended to return to the palace, when she suddenly caught sight of Lin Pojun.
A strange expression flashed across Jiang Li’s face. She glanced at Lin Che again and said loudly:
“Duke Zhen Guo, do you have any objections to what I just said?”
Lin Pojun bowed and said: “Your Humble Servant dares not have any objections.”
“If you dare not have any objections, then that’s fine. Originally, your teaching of your son is a family matter, and I don’t want to interfere. But Baron Jing’an is not only your son, he is also My servant, a pillar of Daqian.”
Jiang Li, at this point, her expression turned cold: “Baron Jing’an served Daqian as a hostage for ten years. This time, his donation is exemplary among the Officials. Do you really want to kill a Meritorious Official of Daqian?”
Lin Pojun’s face changed, and he immediately knelt down:
“Your servant dares not! Your Humble Servant, just now… just had a momentary lapse in judgment. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!”
“There are many people who have had momentary lapses in judgment, just as Baron Jing’an said, the truth is not clear unless it is debated, the path is not clear unless it is debated! Since Duke Zhen Guo also asks for My forgiveness, then tell Me, how should I forgive you?”
Jiang Li said this while looking at Lin Che.
That look clearly said: Don’t be afraid, you are My person, I will protect you.
Lin Che was also deeply moved. Empress, Your Humble Servant is so moved. Unexpectedly, Your Humble Servant worked hard below, and You saw it above, and gave Your Humble Servant such an enthusiastic response.
Even if you ask Your Humble Servant to do anything, even if it means death, Your Humble Servant would not hesitate.
Lin Pojun’s voice was strong, “Although this is a family matter, what Your Majesty says is an Imperial Edict. According to the law, Your Humble Servant should receive corporal punishment!”
“That’s going too far. Because of this, to inflict corporal punishment on a Duke. Isn’t this inviting criticism from the people of the world?”
Jiang Li was also forced to do so. That is the Duke Zhen Guo, who holds the power of one hundred thousand troops.
If word got out, because Duke Zhen Guo disciplined his son, and the son did not suffer any injuries, nor had any limbs broken, he should be subjected to corporal punishment.
The people of the world aside, I’m afraid Lin Pojun’s one hundred thousand elite troops would be discontented.
“Let’s do this. Give him a personal item as a reward to your son. Father and son shouldn’t resort to violence so easily.”
Lin Pojun’s face was ugly; the things he carried on his person were definitely precious.
His sword, ring, jade pendant, any of these were invaluable and irreplaceable. The Empress actually wanted him to give it to Lin Che?
These things, he had planned to pass on to his eldest son, Lin Yaoguang.
But, all the Civil and Military Officials were watching. The Empress was giving him a way out. If he didn’t comply, would he really be subjected to corporal punishment?
Which item should he give?
He didn’t want to give away any of them!!
“Hurry up!”
At this time, Wen Hong suddenly spoke. He strode towards Lin Pojun, shouting:
“It’s just giving your son something! Are you this reluctant? Let me help him choose.”
In the entire Daqian Dynasty, there was no second person who dared to approach Lin Pojun’s pockets in this manner.
Wen Hong was the only one.
“Old General… you, you…”
“Stand straight! Don’t force me to kick you, understand? Where’s that bracelet? Where did you put it?”
Wen Hong, carelessly, directly grabbed Lin Pojun’s left hand, roughly rolled up his sleeve to look, but found nothing. Immediately, he grabbed Lin Pojun’s right hand.
Lin Pojun’s entire face twitched. He wanted to pull his hand away, but dared not act rashly.
This Wen Hong, was the most respected Senior among all the military.
In terms of seniority, he was the highest.
Even though Lin Pojun considered his Cultivation Level far surpassed Wen Hong’s, he still dared not shake off Wen Hong’s hand.
“Hmph. There it is, hiding it.”
“Hand it over!”
Wen Hong’s movements were very swift. With a single tug, he pulled it off.
“Old General, this bracelet won’t do, I, I will give this sword…”
“Shut up! I said you, don’t put on this heartbroken expression. Isn’t Lin Che your son? He has contributed ten years for Daqian, for your Lin Family. You’re this reluctant to give him something?”
Wen Hong didn’t care how ugly Lin Pojun’s face was. He turned and walked back.
He stuffed the bracelet into Lin Che’s hand.
Lin Che only felt an icy chill in his hand, almost freezing his palm.
What kind of bracelet is this?
This cold air is too exaggerated.
He looked down and found that the bracelet was silvery white, and its style was similar to the jade bracelets he had seen before.
However, this bracelet could open and close, allowing it to be removed or firmly locked onto the wrist.
It seemed like ice had formed inside the bracelet. For a moment, he couldn’t figure out what material it was made of.
However, Lin Che was certain that this thing must be invaluable.
Lin Pojun, wearing it on his hand, now looked like he had lost his son, must have unimaginable effects.
Good, good!
The Empress helped me get justice, Old General Wen Hong helped me grab the thing.
They are both my powerful backers!
From now on, I will diligently serve the Empress.
Old General, you are my reliance! I will also write a few more poems to praise you.
Lin Che immediately bowed to express his gratitude: “Thank Your Majesty—Thank you, Old General.”
Jiang Li smiled and nodded. Seeing that there was nothing else to do, she said:
“Let’s return to the palace!”
“Let’s go!” With the Eunuch’s call, the Civil and Military Officials all set off.
Lin Pojun looked at the bracelet several times, then glared at Lin Che with great displeasure, suppressing his anger, and left with the group.
As for Lin Che, he was held back by Old General Wen Hong:
“Hey, they leave, that’s their business. You boy, I just like looking at you.”
“Come on, let’s go to my Mansion. I just happen to tell you about the origin of this bracelet. You’ve struck gold!”
