Warning two chapters in one ahead
....
"Order the Lion Fang troops to halt their march, command the garrison in the Yu region to join the Lion Fang troops before they continue their march" Gu Shang ordered.
The first emissary was surprised, he didn't know what Gu Shang was up to, but he still trusted him.
He bowed before leaving.
Gu Shang continued to look on the ground beneath him with amusement.
....
News of the Grand General threat to the Moonshade Sect spread wildly like fire, it became a topic that was being discussed in tarvens, tea houses, restaurants and pubs.
Everyone was discussing it passionately.
The commoners didn't think much of it, they just wanted to know how it was going to end.
They strongly believed that Gu Shang was going to triumph over them again. They had just seen how he dealt with the forces sent by the sect.
In their eyes, Gu Shang was a god who mortals could not even begin to think of offending.
The nobles from the aristocratic families couldn't help but feel disdainful towards the ignorance of the commoners.
The empire was in a peril because of him, but here they were having fun like it was nothing.
Ignorance is indeed bliss.
...
In the Spring Autumn restaurant, a group of high ranking court officials and noble scholars from the imperial academy were having a meeting about the situation.
"The Grand General has gone mad, how could he do such a stupid thing.
The empire is already having troubles keeping the Moonshade Sect quiet and not giving them any excuses to demand more.
But now, our own very general is handing them a sword to stab us with.
Those greedy" he lowered his voice " Bastards won't let go of this opportunity, we are surely doomed" A high ranking official ranted on and on with his spite flying everywhere.
All those on the floor had serious expressions, their livelihoods were at stake.
If the Moonshade Sect was to start a revolt against the empire and succeed which they would, then they would all lose their aristocratic and noble statuses.
A noble without an empire was no noble, they will just be commoners who would be ruled by the sect.
"What do we do?" One of the officials asked.
There were three old men who sat on the main seats in the meeting room, they had this aura of wisdom around them.
Anyone who saw them would instinctively consider them as old wise sages.
This men were the principals of the imperial academy.
"There's only one thing we can do now. And that is to strip the Grand General of his position and make him take the blame for his own actions" The old man in the middle said.
"It's that even possible?" An official couldn't help but ask.
"Even if it's not possibly we have to try something, we can't just sit here and do nothing" The elderly man on the left side main seat said in a shaky voice.
"Then we'll gather all the officials and head to the imperial palace" A high ranking officials said.
"Then we'll gather all the scholars and sage masters in the imperial academy and head to the imperial palace as well.
With pressure from the court, nobles and scholars. The emperor will have no choice but to strip the Grand General title from the Prince of the north"
They all nodded at each other and left the restaurant.
Deji who had heard the whole conversation couldn't help but shake her head.
"Ever since that man came to the imperial capital, there's never been a day of peace.
I'm now curious to find out who he is and why he's such a trouble maker" she said with a mysterious smile.
...
The imperial capital became restless as the various forces began their moves. They all had one goal, and that was to force the trouble maker of a general to own up to his decisions.
This time all the noble and aristocratic clans united to deal with Gu Shang, 'it wasn't like he was going to kill them all if they acted against him now, right?'
Surprisedly, the Gu, Liu, Su and even Shen clans remained neutral and decided to remain silent.
....
Qing Clan manor
"We must act fast and join the other houses suppress the Grand General or our thousand years plan will fail if the Moonshade Sect succeed" Qing Ying was trying hard to convince her uncle.
If the Qing Clan were to join the attack, Gu Shang might really be stripped off his title, besides she had a plan.
"It's not like I don't want to join... But your father who happens to be my brother gave me a stern command before he left.
He told me that, 'no matter what happens, stay still and don't make a move'.
You know I can't disobey him right?" The acting clan leader of the Qing Clan defended his stand.
"Uncle, we can't delay this any longer. You of all people should know our plans and the reason why father went on this long journey.
If the Moonshade Sect succeed, all our plotting and planning over the last few thousand years would have been for nothing.
If father comes and find out that you could have stopped this, you will not escape his wrath.
This is also our opportunity to make a move on Gu Shang, we might never get such a chance again.
Gu Shang is a very dangerous man to our clan's goal. If he's left in that position, carrying out our plans will become a thousand times more difficult.
This is the time to get rid of him and save the empire. If we join the other noble families in ousting him, we will definitely be given the right to lead.
If we succeed and save the empire, the status of our clan will receive an enormous boost. And when it's time for our plan to take effect, it will make things more easier for us.
The benefits in this situation is too much to ignore, Uncle make a decision" Qing Ying gave a logical argument which swayed her uncle.
He gritted his teeth and ordered, " Get me my imperial court robes, am heading to the palace!" He ordered loudly.
.....
Imperial Domain core area, the imperial palace.
Hall of might was where the emperor held discussions with his court and military officials.
The hall was adorned with gold and mural drawings of a Dragon and Qilin the two sacred beast of the immortal empire.
There were several towering golden pillars in the large hall, the throne was located at the end of the hall.
The throne was actually placed on a nine step platform on the tenth step was were the imperial throne was located.
It was a golden dragon throne, which looked like a coiling dragon.
This was to signify that the emperor was nine steps above all the officials in the empire.
The emperor sat on the throne with his hands on his head. The only people that were present were his cheif advisor and imperial secretary.
Loud voices could be heard outside the hall, as a large crowd of people consisting of the nobles, aristocrats and scholars were gathered outside the hall of might on their knees pleading.
"Please strip the Grand General of his title, your majesty!"
"Please strip the Grand General of his title, your majesty!"
"Please strip the Grand General of his title, your majesty!"
The chief eunuch entered the hall and gave a bow, " Your majesty, the leaders of the noble and aristocratic families are here to see you, there are also the three principals of the imperial academy among them, and....." The eunuch paused.
"And what" the emperor asked, " They are all being led by the acting clan lord of the Qing Clan" The eunuch added.
The emperor could already feel a headeach coming.
"What do you think I should do?" He asked his advisor.
"Your majesty should let them in" the advisor simply replied.
The emperor nodded towards the emperor before walking out of the hall.
A few moments later, the group entered the hall and bowed to the emperor pretentiously.
"What brings you here?" The emperor asked.
"Your majesty, we must strip the Grand General title from Gu Shang, or our empire will fall by sunrise. Please give the edict" The acting clan lord of the Qing clan spoke first.
"Your majesty, this empire has stood for so long, do you really want to watch it end during your reign. Please reconsider" the sages of the imperial academy added.
"Do you guys really think I have the power to strip him of that status?" The emperor asked with a forced smile.
"I know the emperor doesn't have the power to do that, but apart from us, who else knows this?" The Qing Clan lord asked.
The emperor frowned, "What do you mean by that?" He asked.
"Your majesty, apart from the imperial clan and Qing Clan, no one else know that the imperial family can't dismiss him.
Maybe those here might have just learnt it now, but am sure they'll take it to their graves won't they?" They clan leader asked coldly. All those there shuddered, though they were all surprised to learn of such information, like he said,
They wouldn't dare to reveal it to anyone.
"Get straight to the point" The emperor asked impatiently.
"Your majesty should just go ahead and give the edict anyways, If he resist, then send the snow dragon guards to suppress him for disobeying an imperial edict.
He'll have no way to defend himself, because no one would believe him even if he says otherwise. As long as we are the only ones who know the truth, if we don't speak it can be buried under the rug" the acting clan lord spoke with confidence.
"We've all seen how strong the Grand General is, I don't think my Snow Dragon Guard will be able to deal with him!" The emperor said with narrowed eyes.
"That's exactly the point your majesty, if he resist we can use this as an excuse to join hands with the Moonshade Sect and eliminate him using a borrowed sword, whiles we save ourselves from this situation" the Qing Clan leader replied with a devilish grin.
The people gathered in the hall didn't know he was this competent and ruthless, their view of him changed.
It wasn't an understatement to say that the Qing Clan were full of monsters, there was no trash amongst them. They were all gifted, it'll do them a lot of good to not offend them.
The emperor sat on his throne and began to analyze what he has just heard. The Grand General title has always been a thorn to him, Gu Shang brilliance and power made him feel more less secured.
He has always been thinking of a way to get rid of him since their first meeting, but he hasn't had the power or opportunity, could this also be his chance? He wondered.
"There's always fortune in misfortune, your majesty only those chosen by the heavens can grasp it" The chief advisor said.
"Fortune in misfortune!" The emperor muttered.
The chief eunuch entered the hall again.
"Your majesty, our spies have sent a message, they say the Moonshade Sect are preparing their forces for a siege" The eunuch reported, causing everyone in the room to start packing.
The Qing Clan acting lord swallowed hard, the plan he proposed wasn't his but rather his niece Qing Ying's plan, she had come up with that plan.
The emperor continued to tap his arm on the armrest of his throne.
Another eunuch entered the hall and whispered something into the chief eunuch ears.
"Your majesty, the Grand General has used his supreme command seal to mobilize 500,000 Lion Fang troops from the garrisons in the Han prefecture and Yu region.
They are on the march towards the capital" The eunuch reported.
"Your majesty, please make a decision!" All the officials bowed as they all shouted in unison.
"Royal secretary!" The emperor ordered.