Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Inside the Taiji Hall, officials stood solemnly on both sides, listening quietly as Shen Lang in the center of the hall reported the results of his trip to Nanzhao.

"Your Majesty, the Luchuan soldiers have been burning, killing, and looting within our Nanzhao territory, committing all sorts of atrocities. When I arrived, what I saw was an absolutely horrific scene."

Fortunately, His Majesty's divine might was overwhelming, and the soldiers, under the command of Generals Mu and Tang, were spurred on by their shame and drove the Luchuan troops out of Laoshan in one fell swoop.

Taking advantage of the situation, they invaded Luchuan territory, forcing the Luchuan royal family to sign a ceasefire agreement with our Great Chu.

The people of Nanzhao are now deeply grateful for His Majesty's benevolence, and all of this is thanks to the Prince's foresight.

Our royal army is invincible, able to conquer all and display our national power on our borders.

Listening to Shen Lang speak eloquently in the hall, Jiang Mengxuan maintained a look of admiration throughout.

Jiang Shangxian and Tang Zhao, however, felt somewhat uncomfortable about this, because Shen Lang had indeed taken credit for the command.

The surrounding officials narrowed their eyes; Shen Lang's words sounded like something out of a theatrical performance.

It's understandable that Generals Mu and Tang were good commanders, but what about Jiang Shangxian...?

Forget it, I won't think about it anymore. The scene is too beautiful to look at.

Meanwhile, another group of people were already eager to try and start making trouble for Shen Lang.

After Shen Lang finished speaking, an official who could no longer tolerate it jumped out first: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

Jiang Mengxuan, who was originally in a good mood, couldn't help but frown slightly when she saw the person who jumped out.

The official in charge of remonstrance was named Zhang Kewang, a scholar of the Imperial Academy.

This person's favorite thing is to use a set of twisted logic to turn a funeral into a celebration, or a celebration into a funeral; he can control everything with his words.

His purpose in stepping forward this time was quite obvious; he was instructed by those civil officials to suppress Shen Lang.

He also wanted to use this as a warning to himself.

Ye Mo, who was ranked first, remained expressionless. He knew better than the Empress that Zhang Kewang was actually the Empress Dowager's man.

"Scholar Zhang, what brings you here?"

"Your humble servant impeaches Pacification Commissioner Shen Lang for his unwarranted cruelty and killing of prisoners in Nanzhao, and for leading his troops into Luchuan territory where he committed countless atrocities, allowing his soldiers to burn, kill, and loot, be no different from bandits."

Therefore, I believe that, in order to uphold military discipline, Shen Lang should be executed as a warning to others!

The Taiji Hall was completely silent, except for the echo of Zhang Kewang's voice.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shangxian was immediately enraged and pointed at Zhang Kewang's nose, saying, "I'm quite puzzled. So, according to your idea, Scholar Zhang..."

"You win the battle, but instead of rewarding the soldiers who went to war, you take their lives, right?"

Zhang Kewang: "Your Highness, our Great Chu army is a righteous and benevolent force. How could we commit such a beastly act? Shen Lang, as a general and envoy..."

The military should be disciplined to abide by the law, not used to harm the people of other countries.

"Then I don't understand. According to you, the enemy can kill the people within the territory of my Chu Kingdom at will, while we, as a benevolent army, should treat the enemy soldiers kindly?"

"Precisely because our Chu state is a righteous and benevolent army, we should be different from our enemy states and should influence them with benevolence and righteousness, rather than letting the innocent suffer because of the outbreak of war!"

"This is unbelievable! This is the first time I've ever heard such absurd reasoning. May I ask Scholar Zhang, wouldn't any war harm the innocent?"

"The lives of the people of Chu are worthless, but the lives of the people of the enemy state are precious, right?"

"Your Highness, please do not make trouble. I am here today only to impeach Shen Lang."

After saying that, he looked directly at Shen Lang and said, "Shen Lang, I ask you, did you give the order to kill enemy prisoners of war without authorization?"

"presumptuous!"

Shen Lang gave a deep shout, which immediately startled all the officials.

"Zhang Kewang, who do you think you are to dare question me? In terms of rank, I am currently a Second-Rank Pacification Commissioner of the Great Chu, personally appointed by His Majesty."

And you, a mere third-rank official, what kind of attitude do you use when speaking to me? The Imperial Academy should prioritize etiquette.

Is this how you, as a subordinate official, speak to me? How dare you address me by my given name in court!

Zhang Kewang was so overwhelmed by the aura emanating from Shen Lang that she almost fell over.

Meeting those cold eyes, Zhang Kewang couldn't help but swallow.

Jiang Mengxuan, who was on the dragon throne, was about to defend Shen Lang, but Shen Lang was so domineering that he shocked Zhang Kewang.

This surprised her somewhat.

"Shen...you...your roaring in the hall is an insult to civility...I must impeach you..."

Shen Lang directly bowed to Jiang Mengxuan and said, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that Zhang Kewang be beaten to death outside the palace gates to prevent him from spreading false rumors and destroying the Great Chu state!"

The ministers were all shocked upon hearing this, and even Ye Mo frowned.

"What did you say? I destroyed the Great Chu state? That's utter nonsense!"

Zhang Kewang panicked instantly, never expecting that Shen Lang would play by his own rules and not fall into the trap easily.

"Am I talking nonsense?"

Shen Lang sneered and took two steps closer to Zhang Kewang.

"Our soldiers of Great Chu are fighting bravely on the front lines to defend our homeland, and have even expanded our territory by three hundred li."

You not only remain silent about this, but you also slander my Chu army as bandits and beasts.

If your words were to get out, which soldier in the Great Chu would dare to serve the Great Chu?

"You sympathize with the dead prisoners, but why don't you care about the soldiers who died for their country?"

Because in your heart, what are the lives of those soldiers more important than your use of this opportunity to impeach and gain fame?

"Furthermore, those tens of thousands of prisoners were indeed killed on my orders, but have you ever asked me why I killed them?"

Zhang Kewang was about to speak when Shen Lang immediately cut him off.

"You're probably going to spout nonsense again about how our Chu army is brutal and that we should prioritize benevolence and righteousness! If benevolence and righteousness were useful, the world would be at peace long ago, and what would be the point of having an army!"

"Just for daring to insult the soldiers who fought for our country, let alone beating you to death outside the palace, even exterminating your entire family wouldn't be too much!"

Zhang Kewang became completely agitated and seized an opportunity to shout loudly: "The purpose of censors is to point out the flaws in the government! Shen Lang, your wanton slaughter of surrendered prisoners of war is a grave mistake!"

Don't you feel any remorse or guilt?

"Then tell me, what is my reason for killing them! Speak!"

"You are bloodthirsty and like a beast. For example, last year in the capital, you ordered your troops to slaughter the people, which is irrefutable proof!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall changed their expressions.

The Nanjing Uprising has long been determined to be a coup instigated by the emperor's son-in-law faction led by Zeng Qian and Mu Changge, a fact personally verified by the Dali Temple.

Zhang Kewang brought up this matter to oppose the joint decision made by the Empress, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of Justice, and to speak out for Zeng Qian and Mu Changge.

Whether intentional or unintentional, this behavior has crossed the line for both the government and the public.

Today, it seems someone is going to shed blood.

"Oh, you idiot."

Ye Mo closed his eyes helplessly, secretly relieved that he had nothing to do with such a piece of trash.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang looked at him without saying a word, his eyes filled with sympathy and mockery.

"Well, speechless now?"

However, Zhang Kewang, caught up in his anger, was completely unaware of the impending disaster he was about to face. He paid no attention to the changing expressions of the officials around him and remained immersed in the thrill of "overthrowing the powerful minister."

At this moment, the Empress spoke up: "Scholar Zhang, repeat what you just said. Do you have any different opinions on the Nanjing riots?"

Zhang Kewang instinctively replied, "Indeed, the turmoil in Jinling was actually... actually..."

Finally, he came to his senses and realized he had spoken out of turn; cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

"Speak up, I'm asking you a question, why aren't you answering?"

puff-

The next second, Zhang Kewang collapsed onto the main hall, his eyes filled with helplessness and fear.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Scholar Zhang was very likely involved in last year's Nanjing uprising, but he was fortunate enough to escape punishment under the Chu law."

Your Majesty, I request that the Jingwei Guard be dispatched to thoroughly investigate Scholar Zhang's residence; perhaps new discoveries will be made."

"Accurate."

Jiang Mengxuan approved Jiang Shangxian's proposal without hesitation.

At that moment, Zhang Kewang saw stars and his ears began to ring.

He never imagined that impeaching a minor official from a commoner family would lead to his own and even his entire family's downfall.

Seeing Shen Lang's sneer, Zhang Kewang realized that she had been too naive.

Then, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of black blood and fainted on the spot.