Chapter 578: Handling Opinions!

After an incense stick of time, Huo San, who was ordered to introduce the situation to Ye Mingsheng, bowed and left, while Ye Mingsheng was still in deep thought...
Although Ye Mingsheng had never underestimated his old boss, Lord Xu's development speed was still much faster than Ye Mingsheng expected. Fortunately, Ye Mingsheng was alert and encouraged Cao Changping to plot against Xu Zhaojie in Bozhou. Although Cao Changping was eventually beaten by Xu Zhaojie and returned in a mess, he did not bring any surprises to Ye Mingsheng.

However, Cao Changping's attack was also very valuable. It disrupted Xu Zhaojie's expansion rhythm and forced Xu Zhaojie to give up the Huainan town of Kangyin, which was almost within his grasp. It also gave Huainan Governor Feng Keqin a sigh of relief and prevented him from being taken away by Xu Zhaojie in one go. Therefore, it was worthwhile for Ye Mingsheng to provide Cao Changping with so many second-hand firearms.'

Although he really wanted to deploy the Fengwu Army's forces to the Huainan and Anqing areas, exert his influence on the war in Huainan, and deal the heaviest blow to Xu Zhaojie.

However, the reality is still there. With Cao Changping and Gao Zongchang blocking the way, no matter what Ye Mingsheng does, it is difficult to pose a fatal threat to Xu Zhaojie. If he wants to send troops to Anqing to destroy Xu Zhaojie's lair, he must first deal with Gao Zongchang and Cao Changping!

Shaking his head, Ye Mingsheng's thoughts returned to the present. He knocked on the table and Ye Cheng immediately walked into his study and asked;

"My Lord, what is the matter?"

Ye Mingsheng ordered in a deep voice:

“Send a message to Yuan Song in Zhuo County, asking him to make some moves on the border between Zhuo County and Hebei and Henan on the pretext of clearing out the remnants of the Yan army, to contain the Henan army on the border and prevent them from evacuating. Let Yuan Song control the scale himself. As long as it doesn’t trigger a large-scale war, there will be no problem…”

After Ye Mingsheng finished speaking, Ye Cheng nodded respectfully and said:

"I understand, sir. I will send someone to tell General Yuan right away!"

As Ye Cheng left, Ye Mingsheng murmured to himself:
"Zhu Sanshan, I have done what I can. Now it depends on whether you are strong enough or not!"

After dealing with government affairs for another hour, as the sun set and the sky was gradually covered in dark color, Ye Mingsheng was ready to finish today's work. He remembered that in the morning, Bai Yuanyuan deliberately created an encounter between him and her at the place where he was practicing boxing, and then she made a sweet gesture in his ear and said that she had made a new cheongsam and wanted to show it to him.

Although Bai Yuanyuan was very good-looking, she was not the prettiest one in his pond. However, in terms of being able to play hard and have fun, Bai Yuanyuan was definitely one of the strongest contenders. Therefore, Ye Mingsheng was distracted at the time. If it had not been early in the morning, Ye Mingsheng would probably have killed this bitch right there.

Although he let her go for the time being, Ye Mingsheng also made an agreement with her that he would beat her up hard tonight when it was late at night!
So this night is a good opportunity for Ye Mingsheng to enjoy life!
Just as Ye Mingsheng walked out of the study and was about to call Ye Cheng to finish up, he saw Ye Cheng coming over and reporting:
"Your Excellency, General Guo Zhiping brought a man and knelt in front of the Governor's Mansion to plead guilty..."

After hearing this, Ye Mingsheng was stunned at first, and then he realized who Guo Zhiping brought with him. Just when he was about to give orders, he saw An Miaoyi coming over with her maid. Ye Mingsheng was a little surprised to see An Miaoyi.

He and An Miaoyi have always had a tacit understanding. The affairs of the mansion are handed over to An Miaoyi, and An Miaoyi will not interfere in military and political management, so An Miaoyi rarely comes to the study. When she walked to Ye Mingsheng, An Miaoyi took the opportunity to sort out Ye Mingsheng's clothes and whispered in Ye Mingsheng's ear:

"In the afternoon, Fifth Uncle's little granddaughter Qinglian came to the house to look for mother. She cried and begged mother to save Cheng Ran. Mother has always loved this little niece very much. Seeing her dying, I was also very upset. But because I remembered the agreement with you, husband, I didn't come to disturb you!"

"Even if my husband wants to kill Cheng Ran in the end, can he see her first? At least it will make me feel better!"

Hearing An Miaoyi's consideration of Ye Cui's feelings, Ye Mingsheng could only shake his head and instructed Ye Cheng:

"Let Guo Zhiping and the other two get in!"

"Yes!"

Ye Cheng left in a hurry after hearing this, and An Miaoyi was also very tactful and did not continue to get involved and said softly:

"I'm going back to accompany my mother!"

Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly and said:
"Take good care of mother, so that she won't worry..."

"Don't worry, I'm here, everything will be fine!" An Miaoyi nodded and said:

"Ok!"

After a cup of tea, Ye Mingsheng sat in the side room, and in his sight, Guo Zhiping and a young man with a naked upper body and a bramble on his back came over. Although he had never seen this man before, seeing his appearance, Ye Mingsheng also knew that this man was Cheng Ran. Without waiting for Guo Zhiping and Cheng Ran to speak, Ye Mingsheng said very coldly:
"Whose idea was it, you two?"

Although he had expected Ye Mingsheng to be angry before coming, Guo Zhiping still panicked when he heard Ye Mingsheng's cold words without any emotion. He knew that this matter could not be concealed, so he took a deep breath, knelt in front of Ye Mingsheng and said:

"That's my idea!"

After taking a deep look at Guo Zhiping, Ye Mingsheng said in a deep voice:

"Guo Zhiping, you disappoint me!"

Guo Zhiping's heart trembled when he heard this, and just when he was about to say something, Ye Mingsheng looked at Ye Cheng who was waiting on the side and said:
"Send down the order to remove Guo Zhiping from his post as the general of the Third Division and order him to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors. Deputy General Cui Desheng will temporarily take over the post of the general!"

It is Ye Mingsheng's bottom line that female family members are not allowed to interfere in politics. Ye Mingsheng also does not allow the generals and officials under his command to have any form of cooperation with the female family members in his mansion in personnel appointments, government affairs, etc. This is Ye Mingsheng's bottom line and also a red line!
Ye Mingsheng shouldn't have met these two people now, but for his mother's sake, Ye Mingsheng had to meet them. Ye Mingsheng naturally couldn't punish his mother, so he had to vent his anger on Guo Zhiping...
To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that Guo Zhiping had made great contributions to the Fengwu Army and was very disciplined in his daily life, which made Ye Mingsheng feel at ease, Ye Mingsheng would not just dismiss him and order him to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion!
Ye Mingsheng must use Guo Zhiping to set an example, so that everyone in the Fengwu Army will understand that no matter who you are, you will have to pay the price if you cross the line. If you don't do this, then today you will find Ye Cuishi, and tomorrow he will find Ye Cuishi, and then there will be no rules in the Fengwu Army! Hearing Ye Mingsheng's punishment, Guo Zhiping felt a pain in his heart and was a little panicked. Ye Mingsheng's punishment was within his expectations. He originally thought that Ye Mingsheng would offset his merits and demerits and exempt him from the credit for this battle. He never thought that Ye Mingsheng would dismiss him. He couldn't help but regret for a while for getting involved in this matter, but it was useless to regret it now, so Guo Zhiping could only kowtow to Ye Mingsheng and said:
"The last general takes command!"

Cheng Ran, who was kneeling on the ground and had not yet had time to speak, saw that Guo Zhiping was dismissed by Ye Mingsheng without saying a word. He felt infinite fear for Ye Mingsheng in his heart. However, this man still had some brotherhood, so he gritted his teeth and opened his mouth to say something.

However, before Cheng Ran could say anything to show his brotherhood to Ye Mingsheng, Guo Zhiping, who was kneeling on the ground and kowtowing, seemed to have noticed his action. Under the cover of his arm, Guo Zhiping gave Cheng Ran a look very covertly, telling him to shut up and say nothing...

As a general of the Fengwu Army, Guo Zhiping knew very well that what Ye Mingsheng most feared was forming cliques and small groups. This was why, even though he knew it would affect the combat effectiveness of the troops, Ye Mingsheng insisted on rotating generals and units every once in a while.

So when Ye Mingsheng is angry, if you speak up and take the blame, asking Ye Mingsheng not to punish Guo Zhiping, this is not helping Guo Zhiping but harming him and forcing him to death!
After dealing with Guo Zhiping, Ye Mingsheng's anger dissipated somewhat. He glanced at Guo Zhiping and Cheng Ran and said:

"What do you have to say?"

After hearing what Ye Mingsheng said, Cheng Ran came back to his senses and mustered up his courage to say what he had thought of before coming here:

"I have been in collusion with Zhao Sheng and plotted to take over Chen's Teahouse in the east of the city. I know I am guilty of a serious crime and dare not argue!"

Ye Mingsheng was a little surprised to hear that Cheng Ran actually confessed his guilt directly. He thought that Guo Zhiping had done so much preparation with Cheng Ran and even invited Ye Cui to come out. He probably wanted to make excuses to shirk his own responsibility. He didn't expect that Cheng Ran was still a bachelor!

After taking a look at Cheng Ran, Ye Mingsheng said in a deep voice:
"Since you have already pleaded guilty, what else is there to say?"

Feeling Ye Mingsheng's powerful pressure, Cheng Ran's heart was pounding, but his instinct for survival still made him speak:
“Although I plead guilty, I would like to beg the Marshal to punish me fairly and not make an example of me…”

After Cheng Ran finished speaking, Ye Mingsheng looked at Guo Zhiping who was kneeling silently beside him. He knew that these words must have been taught by Guo Zhiping. Corruption in the military and similar collusion between the military and local governments to seek benefits have always been the issues that Ye Mingsheng has focused on cracking down on. As for Cheng Ran's problem this time, Ye Mingsheng is also prepared to use his head to make an example of him and warn some people in the military who are ready to make trouble!
After a moment of hesitation, Ye Mingsheng directly ordered:

"Call Yue Qing!"

"Yes!"

After an incense stick of time, Yue Qing, the chief military and political officer of the Fengwu Army, appeared in front of Ye Mingsheng. Because the army is a special system that is not applicable to the existing political and legal system of the Great Zhou, according to the military law of the Great Zhou, the army has military chiefs of various levels. These military chiefs are mainly responsible for handling criminal law in the army and supervising battles during wartime.

The current chief officer of the Fengwu Army, Yue Qing, is an old man who has followed Ye Mingsheng since the Imperial Guard period. Because of his simple character, upright style and fearlessness of power, he is deeply trusted by Ye Mingsheng and was appointed as the chief officer, the top leader of the chief officer system in the Fengwu Army.

An incense stick later, Yue Qing, who had received the order, appeared in front of Ye Mingsheng. After greeting Ye Mingsheng, Ye Mingsheng asked for all the investigation materials on Cheng Ran's guilt, as well as Cheng Ran himself, to be handed over to him. After that, he conducted a series of inquiries to Cheng Ran in front of Ye Mingsheng.

Yue Qing bowed and reported to Ye Mingsheng:
"I report to the commander-in-chief that the case is now very clear. Cheng Ran conspired with Zhao Sheng to occupy Chen's Teahouse, and he himself confessed to the crimes he committed. According to the military law of our Fengwu Army, I believe that Cheng Ran should be sentenced to fifty military sticks and demoted two levels..."

Ye Mingsheng frowned slightly when he heard this. Seeing this, Yue Qing also explained calmly:

"General, according to our military law, military personnel who use their positions to embezzle other people's finances should be demoted two levels at the very least. In extremely serious cases, the maximum penalty is to confiscate their property and execute them immediately. However, I believe that Cheng Ran's situation deserves a lighter sentence!"

"First of all, Chen's Teahouse is still controlled by Chen Qingshu, so Cheng Ran's crime should be attempted conspiracy!"

"Secondly, in the process of plotting against Chen's Teahouse, Zhao Sheng was the principal offender and Cheng Ran was the accomplice!"

"Third, Cheng Ran surrendered himself, rather than being arrested!"

"Fourthly, this is Cheng Ran's first offense. He has no criminal record in this area before. He is not a habitual offender!"

"Fifth, Cheng Ran has made many military achievements in this battle with the Luobei people. According to the military law of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he can make corresponding deductions!"

At this point, Yue Qing quietly observed Ye Mingsheng's expression, hesitated for a moment and added:
"According to the military law of the Great Zhou Dynasty, when dealing with important matters, the military commander makes the final decision, and the opinions of the military chief are only for reference!"

After hearing Yue Qing's advice, Ye Mingsheng realized that according to military law, Cheng Ran's crime was lighter than he expected, and he would not have to execute him directly. However, if Cheng Ran was only given fifty military sticks and demoted by two levels, he would not be satisfied. So after thinking about it, Ye Mingsheng made the final decision and said in a deep voice:

“If he is still alive, he should go and be a soldier for Lin Huaiwu…”

After saying this, Ye Mingsheng turned and left, not giving Guo Zhiping and Cheng Ran any chance to defend themselves. Hearing that their lives were basically saved, Guo Zhiping and Cheng Ran, who were kneeling on the ground, breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts, bowed their heads and said loudly to Ye Mingsheng's departing back:

"Thank you for your kindness, Marshal!"

(End of this chapter)