bayedsolid Chapter 33 Prince Murong Feng Makes His Debut
Chapter 33 Prince Murong Feng Makes His Debut
After court, Emperor Murong Xuan walked on the pebble path in the Imperial Garden, but his thoughts were still swirling in his mind. As if all his strength had been drained, his face was solemn, and his eyes were full of exhaustion and entanglement.
During that court debate on the matter of surrendering to the emperor, the ministers each held their own opinions, and their words were varied and contradictory, which made him very upset and gave him a splitting headache.
Just as this gloomy atmosphere was enveloped, a series of light footsteps suddenly sounded, like a refreshing breeze that dispelled some of the heavy atmosphere. Murong Xuan looked up and saw the tall and upright figure of the Tenth Prince, Murong Feng, appear at the doorway.
Murong Feng wore a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with subtle bamboo patterns, a light blue ribbon tied around his waist that swayed gently in the wind, further accentuating his agile figure and imposing presence. Beneath his sword-like eyebrows, his starry eyes shone brightly, always sparkling with a lively and fervent light. Below his high-bridged nose, his thin lips curved slightly upward, outlining a carefree yet highly infectious smile, like the warm spring sun, capable of instantly melting the ice and snow in people's hearts. His innate sunny and cheerful temperament made him seem to radiate light, dispelling all gloom wherever he went.
Murong Feng tilted his head slightly, his face still bearing his signature bright smile, and asked, "Brother, why are you looking so worried?"
"Sigh..." Murong Xuan sighed softly and said slowly, "Tenth brother, today in the court, the matter of surrendering the bandits to the emperor was discussed. The ministers all expressed their opinions, some saying they should be pardoned, some saying they should be punished. The opinions were mixed, and I really found it difficult to decide. If the surrender is successful, there may be hidden dangers; if not, I may lose this opportunity to turn chaos into order. Moreover, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion, Lin Qianqian, has not had an easy time dealing with those bandits, and I cannot bear to let her down."
After listening, Murong Feng patted his chest lightly and said loudly, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, although this matter is difficult, it is not insurmountable. You see, since the bandits were persuaded by Miss Lin to control the floods, it shows that they still have a heart for good. The court might as well send people to investigate thoroughly and understand the details of the bandits, such as the character of their leader and the aspirations of the bandits, and then formulate detailed rules for amnesty based on the findings. For those who sincerely surrender, offer them land to cultivate or enlist in the army, giving them a stable life and a path to promotion; for those who have doubts or are wavering, we can temporarily appease them and proceed slowly. At the same time, we should strengthen the deployment of troops in Jiangnan to guard against unforeseen circumstances. This two-pronged approach can not only demonstrate the court's sincerity in amnesty but also ensure that nothing goes wrong. What do you think, Your Majesty?" As Murong Feng spoke, he looked at Murong Xuan with bright and expectant eyes, his gaze full of concern for his brother and enthusiasm for the affairs of the country.
Upon hearing this, Murong Xuan's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and a look of contemplation and approval flashed in his eyes. He sat up slightly and carefully examined the Tenth Prince Murong Feng, who usually seemed carefree but was actually exceptionally intelligent.
“Tenth Brother, your plan does have some merit.” Murong Xuan’s voice carried a long-lost sense of relief. “A thorough investigation can dispel my doubts about the true nature of the mountain bandits, and differentiated treatment can also divide their forces. Furthermore, the reinforcement of troops in Jiangnan is like adding an insurance policy to the matter of surrendering them to the emperor. I was previously only concerned with the opposing views of my ministers, but I never considered it so comprehensively.”
Murong Feng chuckled and scratched his head, saying humbly, "Your Majesty flatters me. I am merely an observer with a clearer perspective, and having spent many years in the capital interacting with various people, I have heard of similar matters and have given this a little thought. Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, and it is inevitable that you may occasionally overlook something. I only hope that this plan can help Your Majesty successfully resolve the problem of granting amnesty, so that Jiangnan can return to peace as soon as possible, and the people can live and work in peace and contentment."
Murong Xuan nodded slightly and gently patted Murong Feng's shoulder: "I am very pleased that my tenth brother has such a heart for the country. Once this matter is decided, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
At this moment, Murong Xuan's heart was rekindled by Murong Feng's suggestion, as if he had seen a feasible path in the fog, and he was no longer so anxious and helpless about the matter of being granted amnesty.