Appointing Officials Must Be Authorized by the Grand Commandant

As soon as Ren Tianye said this, many ministers on the scene were taken aback, especially the civil officials, whose faces instantly filled with bewilderment.

These words... sounded so damn familiar.

How was it exactly like what they usually said?

But wasn't Ren Tianye the great general who dominated the northern borders? Wasn't he a military man? Shouldn't he be a straightforward person?

How come...

He was playing this game too?

Ren Tianye continued, "Besides, I am but a lowly guerrilla general of the northern borders. How much ability could I possibly have to rescue His Majesty all at once?"

"That all of you hold me in such high regard naturally moves me deeply, but alas, my abilities are limited!"

With these words, the ministers understood even more clearly.

This was... demanding a promotion?!

However, the ministers were already prepared for this.

From the moment they decided to invite Ren Tianye to the capital, they had discussed: what kind of official title should they grant him once he arrived?

After all, they couldn't let Ren Tianye bring his army all this way and remain just a lowly guerrilla general.

After multiple discussions led by Gu Qingyue, everyone had reached a consensus.

That is, the position must placate Ren Tianye while simultaneously restricting his power, ensuring he had a title but no real authority.

Now that Ren Tianye had brought it up, Gu Qingyue immediately stepped forward and said, "General Ren, you have led your troops from afar and achieved great merit through your hard work. The imperial court will naturally not treat you poorly."

"Although His Majesty is currently trapped in the Yuchen Mansion and cannot issue an edict in person, we will first recommend you to be a General of the Household. Once His Majesty is rescued, you will be officially instated."

"Are you satisfied with this?"

A smile remained on Ren Tianye's lips, but he did not answer.

General of the Household?

Hah, this position sounded like a Commander of the Imperial Guards, but it only controlled a small fraction of the troops. Furthermore, as a close military attendant to the emperor, it essentially boxed him into the role of a captain of the security guards.

Giving him such a title?

Were they joking with him?

His deputy general, Wang Ming, stepped forward, dropped to one knee before Ren Tianye, and said, "General Ren, we have endured great hardships on our journey here to rid the emperor's side of evil and secure the state."

"After such toil, to be dismissed with a sesame-seed-sized official title, is this not an insult to the five hundred thousand soldiers of our northern borders?"

"General Ren, I must remind you: if you dare to accept this, there's no telling what our brothers in arms might do!"

As he said this last sentence, Wang Ming looked around fiercely, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, instantly making the atmosphere in the grand hall tense.

Everyone jumped in fright.

Anyone with a bit of discernment could tell that Ren Tianye and his deputy were putting on a double act, but the deputy's words carried a heavy threat.

If a hundred-thousand-strong army was dissatisfied, it would be a heaven-shattering disaster!

"I believe General Ren could serve as the Grand Master for Splendid Happiness!" The Prime Minister immediately jumped out, pushing Ren Tianye's official rank a bit higher.

But Ren Tianye's expression remained indifferent, and Deputy General Wang Ming's face was still full of anger.

The Prime Minister immediately knew that this was still not enough.

Then they could only offer the highest position they had agreed upon during their initial discussions.

"Actually, since General Ren led his troops to the capital to cleanse the emperor's side, such great merit is worthy of the title General Who Defeats Bandits. I recommend you, General Ren, to be the General Who Defeats Bandits!"

Ren Tianye smiled.

So, in the calculations of these people, the highest rank they would give him was a miscellaneous general title.

This miscellaneous general was a temporary designation, merely an honorary title, absolutely useless.

Thus, Ren Tianye cast a glance at Lu Qing.

Lu Qing stood up very reluctantly and said loudly, "I think Ren Tianye should be appointed as the Grand Commandant!"

Before Lu Qing could even finish his sentence, the grand hall instantly boiled over.

"What? Grand Commandant? Lu Qing, are you crazy!"

"Ren Tianye was previously nothing more than a guerrilla general. Being appointed as the General Who Defeats Bandits is already the utmost grace of the imperial court. How dare he demand the position of Grand Commandant?"

"I disagree! I absolutely disagree!"

Everyone shouted one after another, all looking completely opposed.

Gu Qingyue's face grew exceptionally dark.

This Ren Tianye, having just arrived, dared to reach out his hand so greedily?

That was the Grand Commandant, in charge of the nation's entire military!

Given time, wouldn't he rebel?

They immediately opposed it fiercely.

Ren Tianye watched the whole process, merely wearing a faint smile on his face without offering any rebuttal. After watching enough, he simply stood up and took his leave.

As soon as he stepped out the door, he immediately gave orders to Wang Ming.

"Wang Ming, did you see the situation in the hall clearly?"

"Reporting to the Great General, I saw it clearly."

"Did you write down all the people who opposed?"

"I noted them down."

"In a moment, go find Lu Qing. Tell him that the barbarians in the city seem restless and a large army is needed to guard the capital. Ask him for men, then take our troops and, under the guise of protecting the ministers, put the residences of those people under guard."

"Yes, sir!"

Wang Ming immediately took the order and went to execute it.

Ren Tianye returned to the main camp outside the city and immediately ordered his subordinates to find something.

"Are there any deer nearby?"

"Great General, there might be some inside the capital, but I'm afraid there aren't any around our location."

"No deer?" Ren Tianye felt a bit regretful. This important prop, the crucial item for him to become Grand Commandant and control the court, was actually missing.

What a pity!

But since he couldn't find one right away, he had no choice but to find something else as a substitute.

He said, "Then go find me a donkey!"

"Remember to wash it clean. This general has a great use for it."

"Yes, sir!"

The personal guards acknowledged the order and immediately went to prepare.

After all, deer were hard to find, but donkeys were everywhere. Let alone finding one, even finding a hundred would be absolutely no problem.

Soon, the donkey was ready.

Meanwhile, Wang Ming returned to report, "Great General, the residences of those ministers have been placed under the protection of our men."

"In addition, the Department of State Affairs, the Censorate, the residences of the Three Excellencies, and the Eldest Princess's estate have all been heavily guarded by our troops."

Ren Tianye nodded in satisfaction.

The night passed without further incident.

The next day, he had Wang Ming lead men to call upon the ministers from yesterday, one by one, to continue their discussions in the Golden Throne Room.

Those who were unwilling to go were invited over.

As a result, when the sky was just barely getting light, the capital was thrown into a state of chaotic turmoil, with clamor echoing everywhere.

The ministers rushed to the Forbidden City in panic, only to see Ren Tianye, who had arrived early, and Lu Qing, who wore a reluctant expression but still followed by Ren Tianye's side.

"Why have you summoned us so early?"

"Could it be to discuss what official title to grant Ren Tianye again? Didn't we already say yesterday that the position of Grand Commandant is absolutely out of the question?"

"What on earth is going on?"

"Ren Tianye, you were invited here to rescue His Majesty. Right now, His Majesty is in the Yuchen Mansion, nowhere to be seen. Instead of saving him, what are you making a fuss about now?"

These ministers were fundamentally all dissatisfied.

Once inside the Golden Throne Room, there were all sorts of complaints and even accusations.

Originally, some ministers still held expectations for Ren Tianye, but ever since he started demanding the position of Grand Commandant yesterday, their attitudes toward him had changed. Now, nothing but disgust remained.

Ren Tianye listened to it all without saying much.

He did not even offer a response.

However, while waiting for all the ministers to arrive, he took it upon himself to chat with Lu Qing, exclusively discussing the details of how Ruyue was atoning for his son Lu Jun's sins in his military camp.

This caused Lu Qing's face to turn livid with rage.

Yet he did not dare to lash out in the slightest.

Before long, the ministers finally arrived.

The "Big Three" of the imperial court—Lu Qing, Gu Qingyue, and the Prime Minister—all took their rightful places at the front of the assembly. Only then did Ren Tianye slowly rise to his feet.

"Gentlemen..." His tone was unhurried, a smile on his face, and his eyes full of apparent sincerity. "As you all know, I have resided in the Northern Frontier for a long time. It is not easy for me to visit the capital. This time, ordered by His Majesty to come and clear the court of corrupt elements, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me."

"Taking advantage of this opportunity, I have brought some special gifts from the Northern Frontier for you esteemed lords. I hope you will graciously accept them."

"I only hope you lords will not find them too shabby!"

After Ren Tianye finished speaking with a beaming smile, the Golden Throne Room fell unusually quiet. Many who had already grown disgusted with Ren Tianye suddenly felt a renewed sense of anticipation.

This was more like it!

How could a military commander from the Northern Frontier enter the imperial court without even preparing gifts, yet brazenly demand a supreme position like Grand Commandant? Who would ever agree to that?

He should have mentioned the gifts earlier!

If he had said so sooner... well, the title of Grand Commandant would still be out of the question, but they could have relaxed their stance on other matters.

Some began to harbor expectations.

But even more people still wore faces full of anger.

"Ren Tianye, are you trying to bribe us? We are uncorrupted officials dedicated solely to the public good. Why would we care for your petty favors?"

"Ren Tianye, drop this scheme. You were merely a guerrilla general before; what gives you the right to become Grand Commandant? Keep dreaming!"

"Ren Tianye, we won't fall for this."

...

Ren Tianye waited for the clamor to die down before continuing, "My lords, don't be in such a hurry to refuse. Whether you want them or not, shouldn't you make your decision after seeing what I have brought?"

With that, Ren Tianye clapped his hands.

Following a sharp smack, several soldiers suddenly marched in from outside the Golden Throne Room. They were all clad in armor, gripping sharp blades, and exuding an imposing aura.

And trailing behind these soldiers was a creature.

It was covered in short, grayish-brown fur, with long, nimble, and perky ears, round and spirited eyes, a thick neck, and sturdy limbs.

It was, astonishingly...

A donkey!

The ministers were instantly dumbfounded.

Many had already consciously or subconsciously wondered what kind of gifts Ren Tianye would give them.

But never in their wildest dreams did they expect it to be a donkey!

Ren Tianye was using a donkey as a gift.

"This is the legendary Ferghana horse, the sweat-blood steed..." Ren Tianye had personally walked over to the gray donkey. He reached out, grabbed the reins, and said, "It is extremely precious!"

"Even in the Northern Frontier, it is hard to find."

"I specifically sent men to the steppes to find them. We found quite a few. If you lords are interested, I will gift each of you one. How about it?"

Ren Tianye's voice rang loud and clear through the Golden Throne Room.

Yet, it left the crowd even more bewildered.

Wait, a Ferghana horse?

This is a Ferghana horse?

Although the vast majority of them had never seen a Ferghana horse, they had at least heard of it. And even if they hadn't heard of it, they certainly knew the difference between a horse and a donkey!

This was clearly a gray donkey!

There were plenty of them inside and outside the capital!

A Ferghana horse?

Was there something wrong with Ren Tianye's brain?

Just then, the gray donkey began to bray.

"Hee-haw... hee-haw... hee-haw..."

The sound seemed exceptionally comical in the grand and solemn Golden Throne Room. It instantly confirmed the truth for a few ministers who had even begun to doubt themselves.

This was a damn donkey!

"Ren Tianye, this is clearly a donkey, yet you insist on calling it a Ferghana horse. Are you blind?"

"That's right! This is obviously a donkey. What does it have to do with a horse?"

"Take this donkey away! Don't leave it here to embarrass us!"

...

As the crowd erupted in an uproar, Ren Tianye's expression suddenly turned stern. "Insolence!"

"This is clearly the Ferghana horse that I went through untold hardships to find, yet you insist on calling it a donkey?"

"What, can you people no longer tell the difference between a horse and a donkey?"

The Grand Councilor of Remonstrance could not hold back any longer. He suddenly jumped out and said, "Ren Tianye, this is clearly a donkey, yet you insist it is a horse. Do you think we cannot see clearly?"

Ren Tianye looked at him, the smile returning to his face. "I will give you a chance to look closer and identify it. Is this a horse, or a donkey?"

"A donkey, a donkey, a donkey..."

The Grand Councilor of Remonstrance repeated it several times in one breath.

"Very well!" Ren Tianye said. "You actually dared to forcefully misidentify a Ferghana horse as a donkey. Pointing at a horse and calling it a donkey, confounding black and white, and disregarding right and wrong—this is simply an unforgivable crime."

"How can such a person assist His Majesty? How can such a person govern the world?"

"Guards!"

"Drag him out!"

Immediately, two personal guards rushed forward. Without a word, they grabbed the Grand Councilor of Remonstrance and dragged him outside.

The Grand Councilor's face instantly turned pale, and he hastily cried out, "Prime Minister, save me! Great General, save me..."

Unfortunately, the guards gave him no time to react. In swift, brutal motions, they dragged him to the door, and then... a long blade was unsheathed, and with a single strike, his head was chopped off.

His agonizing screams came to an abrupt halt!

The imperial court instantly fell into a dead silence!

Only the donkey remained, leisurely braying, "Hee-haw... hee-haw..."

Ren Tianye looked around and asked loudly, "Now, is it a horse, or a donkey?!"

"A donkey!"

The Cavalier Attendant stepped forward, his tone fierce, looking entirely unafraid of death. "This is a donkey! Even if you make me look at it ten thousand times, it is still a donkey!"

Ren Tianye glanced at him and said indifferently, "I will give you one more chance to see clearly. Is this a donkey, or a horse?"

"A donkey, it is a donkey, just a donkey! I have donkeys like this at home, how could I not recognize it? Hmph, Ren Tianye, don't even think about fooling us with such a beast!"

"Very good, very good!" Ren Tianye said. "I truly never expected that there would be so many deaf and blind people in this imperial court."

"Since that is the case, drag him out too!"

Two guards immediately came over and dragged the man out. A short while later, the agonizing scream of a beheading echoed through the entire Golden Throne Room, just like the previous one.

In the blink of an eye, two ministers who could not tell the difference between a donkey and a horse had perished under the blade. This caused the vast majority of the remaining ministers to tremble in fear.

Ren Tianye swept his gaze over them one by one and asked again, "Now, who else thinks this is a donkey, and not a horse?"

No one responded.

Just as Ren Tianye thought the matter was settled, someone else shouted, "This is a donkey, not a horse!"

Ren Tianye glanced at the person and said, "I will give you... never mind, I won't give you a chance."

"Guards, drag him out and chop off his head!"

The man was a Guanglu Grandee, holding a salary rank of two thousand piculs, whose duties involved offering counsel and debating state affairs. He had originally assumed that Ren Tianye would give him an opening, so he eagerly stepped forward to show his face and make his presence known.

But now, he wasn't going to get that chance?

Wait, why on earth wasn't he being given a chance?

...