latelenovela Chapter 357 No Looking Back
Chapter 357 No Looking Back
"Alright, you two. I know you've embezzled quite a bit of money, but don't try to fool me. Confiscating two-thirds is the ironclad rule. You'd better go back and take stock, then obediently send the goods to the General Affairs Department. Otherwise, if I find out you've embezzled, I will not let you off lightly!"
Before Meng Benbo could finish speaking, Sikong Jin waved her hand to interrupt him, appearing to be impartial and incorruptible.
"Come on, I just saw you carrying a big black cloth bag that was bulging, but I didn't see you take out two-thirds of it to confiscate. You're acting like you're so fair!"
"Exactly! He embezzles money himself, and he won't even let us keep a little more!"
The two looked at Sikong Jin with extreme dissatisfaction, their voices sounding as aggrieved as those of a wronged young wife.
"We're going to report you to the judicial authorities!"
Sikong Jin ignored them completely, spoiling them rotten. After several battles and making some money from the war, she was starting to become dissatisfied with the atmosphere in the army. She had to seriously rectify the style and discipline of the entire army.
"Go ahead and go. My brother is in charge of the judicial department. Let's see if he trusts you or me. You're all too arrogant. The revolution hasn't even succeeded yet, and you're already scrambling for these sugar-coated bullets. What will you do if you become high-ranking officials in the future? You haven't learned any of my excellent qualities of being honest and serving the people. Right now, I'm protecting you. But if one day you're assigned to different cities and counties, and the judicial department investigates, what do you think will happen to you?"
Sikong Jin's casual tone struck them like a hammer blow, leaving them both momentarily stunned...
"My lord! A messenger from the capital of Dayong has delivered a secret edict from the Emperor, as well as a secret letter from Commander Tang."
Before the two could react, Mei Ruhua's voice came from outside, followed by heavy footsteps.
Sikong Jin took the two secret letters handed over by Mei Ruhua, put Tang Jingyao's letter into his sleeve, and then opened the secret edict of Emperor Dayong. Sure enough, the content was the same as the previous two times - withdraw the troops immediately and return to Malan City to await orders!
A cold smile flashed across Sikong Jin's delicate face. She casually tossed the letter in her hand into the fireplace, watching the blazing fire instantly burn it to ashes, her face full of disdain.
"My lord, this... The Emperor has ordered us to withdraw our troops immediately. What should we do? If we don't obey, that would be disobeying the imperial decree!"
Mei Ruhua looked at Sikong Jin with a solemn expression. This was the third secret edict from the capital, presumably still ordering them to withdraw their troops. A few days ago, someone in Hangu City had leaked information that the court had abandoned them long before the Battle of Hangu Pass, and that they now supported Hangu Wangzhou's autonomy.
The news shocked the Dayong court. The court was in turmoil, especially since Sikong Jin dared to launch an attack on the Liao Dynasty without informing the court, and had captured Tashe City and continued to send troops to Patan City.
Sikong Jinxiu's face began to darken with uncertainty. She had already anticipated this situation, but the arrow had already been released and could not be taken back. Now she could only grit her teeth and continue forward. Only if she could control the entire western border of Dayong, occupy a place, and become a regional overlord, could she possibly break free from the control of the Sikong Mansion and the Dayong Emperor.
Having come this far, there was no turning back. She knew very well that even if she withdrew her troops now, the Emperor of Dayong and the Sikong Mansion would not let her off so easily. Even if she had no intention of turning against them, they would still be watching her.
After a long silence, she looked at Zhu Si and said in a calm voice, "Lord Zhu, please write back to the court immediately and tell them that I am suffering from a serious illness and should not travel far. I need to recuperate in Patan for a while. Once I recover, I will naturally return."
All she needs to do now is grit her teeth and persevere until Di Beizun successfully controls the entire Jiangxi Fortress and the border of Hanyang City. Then, the entire western frontier and southwest will be taken over by her and Di Beizun alone.
Since he has pushed her to this point, she can no longer care about anything else. She can only rely on his power to dominate the southwest and central regions, control the Hangu and Wangzhou areas, and the eastern part of the Liao Dynasty, and establish her own base as Sikong Jin. Only in this way can she truly get rid of the control of the Sikong Mansion and the Emperor of Dayong.
Now that she has an army and strong financial backing, it's not impossible for her to establish a new regime. Moreover, most of the people in Hangu Pass are dissatisfied with the Dayong Dynasty, especially after the Battle of Hangu Pass.
Sikong Jin could also take advantage of this opportunity.
If all else fails, she can always back down and ask Di Beizun for some help. Since things have already come to this, she's too lazy to care about anything else. If someone is backing her up, she'd be a fool not to cherish and make good use of it!
"My lord, you've contracted a terrible disease? But aren't you perfectly fine now?"
Zhu Si looked at Sikong Jin with a puzzled expression, somewhat confused—even a fool could see through such a delaying tactic, was the lord sure he was going to use such a lame excuse to fob off the court?
The Emperor's meaning was already very clear, and Zhu Si and the others were not fools.
Your Excellency's rash decision to launch an attack on the Liao Dynasty is already suspected of violating military orders. Moreover, you ignored the two secret edicts that came before, which may be considered a treasonous act. The court has reportedly decided to organize an investigation team.
Although Tang Dage is in charge of the judicial department, if things continue to develop like this, Tang Jingyao probably won't be able to hold on. The letter that the lord just put into his sleeve must be about these things.
"My lord, perhaps we should withdraw our troops back to Malan City for now. Otherwise, if we are accused of disobeying the imperial decree, I'm afraid..."
Mei Ruhua asked with a rare serious expression.
"Yes, sir, I second that!"
Meng Benbo also agreed seriously.
When talking about these things, the group of men changed their usual carefree demeanor and now displayed the air of generals.
Sikong Jin suddenly felt a headache coming on, and couldn't help but raise her hand to rub her temples. She glanced at the group and said, "What are you worried about? Even if they send an investigation team, the person being investigated is me. I'm so calm, so what reason do you have not to be calm?"
"Sir, if you die, we'll all be implicated! I don't want to die! I'm still so young, I haven't even gotten married or had children yet! Sir, should we withdraw our troops?"
Meng Benbo wailed.