General Han Ruozhi stepped forward and bowed deeply before the Emperor.
"Bixia, I humbly request that you reconsider the imperial edict. As the ministers have said, the army has made a mistake. On behalf of the five great lieutenant commanders, I wish to make a pledge."
He paused, his voice steady and unwavering.
"Bixia, I am willing to take the punishment in their place."
A gasp swept through the hall.
"I, Han Ruozhi, request Your Majesty to withdraw the previous edict and allow me to bear the penalty instead."
Whispers erupted once more among the officials.
"Is he mad?"
"Or does he think that highly of himself?"
"One hundred lashes… no one has survived even ten!"
"He is overestimating himself."
But Prime Minister Lian and Minister Luo saw this as a golden opportunity. They had long harbored grudges against him. Even Emperor Zhao Yan wished to humble this proud and defiant general.
Prime Minister Lian immediately stepped forward. "Bixia, what General Han says is reasonable. As the commanding general, he bears responsibility for the army's mistakes."
The ministers of the left wing, led by Prime Minister Lian and Minister Luo, knelt in agreement.
"Bixia, it is better to punish one man than all five. We should accept General Han's proposal."
On the other side, the right wing ministers, led by Imperial Counselor Yao, pleaded for mercy.
"Bixia," Imperial Counselor Yao said earnestly, "we are celebrating the Lunar New Year. To impose such a harsh punishment on one of our greatest generals may anger the heavens."
Right Vice Chancellor Fang added, "Bixia, General Han is beloved by the people. This may cause unrest among the civilians."
Left Vice Chancellor Luo interrupted with a cold smile. "But he offered it himself. If we punish the five lieutenant commanders, it may provoke dissatisfaction within the five armies. General Han's suggestion is appropriate."
The once joyful imperial banquet had descended into chaos. The left and right wings argued fiercely. Prime Minister Lian and Imperial Counselor Yao presented their reasoning before the Emperor.
Emperor Zhao Yan listened in silence. He knew the consequences but he also wished to teach that arrogant young general a lesson.
Soon, another imperial edict was announced.
The Head Eunuch proclaimed, "With Heaven and Earth as witnesses, His Majesty, the Holy Emperor, hereby sentences General Han Ruozhi to receive one hundred lashes."
The decision was final. None could overturn it.
Prime Minister Lian smirked faintly, exchanging glances with Vice Chancellor Luo.
He had already taken precautions to prevent the Crown Prince from interfering. With a subtle signal, he alerted his daughter, Empress Ruoxi, who gently restrained Yuyan before he could step forward again.
Imperial guards approached to seize General Han.
Yet none dared to touch him. His fierce gaze alone made them hesitate.
Han Ruozhi gave a final glance around the hall at those who had supported him, those who had opposed him, and those who had remained silent.
Then, without resistance, he turned and walked toward the Punishment Hall himself.
As he passed through the grand doors, his eyes met another's
Madam Xie Yueqing, mistress of the Red Pavilion.
She offered him a smile one that could mean two very different things.
A smile sharp enough to hide schemes within schemes.
The previous night, when the other four generals had invited her to take sides, she had chosen neutrality. Today, she had initially supported General Han yet now, as he faced a brutal sentence, she remained silent.
Han Ruozhi studied her mysterious expression. Even he could not predict her intentions.
But one thing was certain
One of the sharpest minds in Qin, Madam Xie Yueqing, was undoubtedly planning something.
Whether it would be salvation…
Or disaster…
Han Ruozhi could only wonder.
Meanwhile, the banquet and celebrations resumed, as if nothing extraordinary had occurred.
A few hours passed.
The celebration reached its peak. Musicians filled the hall with vibrant melodies, and the dancers of Lianyi Hall performed one breathtaking routine after another. Delicacies were served without pause, laughter and wine flowing freely.
It was the hour of You "the Hour of the Rooster."
In the Punishment Hall, General Han Ruozhi had already endured ninety-nine lashes.
He was still alive.
His body was drenched in blood, his back torn and trembling. Pain coursed through every nerve, yet not a single cry escaped his lips not even a faint groan.
Suddenly
Smoke began to rise.
A thick, dark layer spread across Qingrong Imperial City, swallowing the streets and rooftops alike.
Gasps echoed through the palace grounds.
Then sheets of paper began to fall from the sky, drifting like pale snow across the entire city.
It felt like the beginning of something monumental
Or the announcement of a storm yet to come.
At that very moment, the hundredth lash struck.
Han Ruozhi's body jerked violently. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, even staining his vision. His hands trembled uncontrollably. Several bones might have fractured. His breathing grew unsteady.
Yet
He remained standing.
Countless battlefields had failed to devour him. What could mere punishment do?
With slow, deliberate movement, he bent down and picked up one of the scattered papers.
As his eyes scanned the words, they widened.
His heart skipped.
The final line was written in bold strokes:
"I, the last descendant of the annihilated Yan family of Yancheng City, have returned for justice and revenge. The royal family shall pay for their sins."
For a brief moment, the world seemed to stop.
Only one question echoed inside Han Ruozhi's mind
Who knows my identity?
He was the true last descendant of the Yan family.
But he had never made such a declaration.
So who was using his name?
And for what purpose?
Was this an ally seeking to protect him
Or an enemy dragging him into open rebellion?
More terrifying still
Did anyone in the palace now suspect the real identity of General Han Ruozhi?
The wind howled through the smoke-filled sky, carrying thousands of identical papers across Qingrong City.
And the game that had been hidden in the shadows…
Was finally stepping into the light.
TO BE CONTINUED....