Why didn't Ding Yun stop it?
It was because she had never seen such a scene before, and she was truly stunned for a moment, so much so that she didn't even think to stop it. It wasn't until several seconds later, when she could faintly hear the sound of bones breaking, that she roared:
"Bold! What exactly do you want to do? Are you officials or street ruffians? You're actually fighting in the imperial court. Are those on the sides deaf? Hurry up and pull them apart!"
No matter what, she was now the Empress Dowager, regent of the empire. If she ordered all the civil and military officials to be killed, perhaps no one would dare to object. But if she ordered them to be pulled apart, those on the sides would have no choice but to obey.
Furthermore, not every general was so impulsive. Once they recovered, some also helped to break up the fight.
Thus, the situation was quickly brought under control. Some quick-witted individuals even rushed to summon an imperial physician.
Then, of course, the arguments continued, not only about the Duke of An but also about the individuals who had just resorted to violence, demanding that the Empress Dowager punish them severely.
Ding Yun pondered for a moment. She ultimately felt that the situation was too unclear to act rashly, so she didn't show too much favoritism to either side. She merely demanded that the generals who had assaulted others compensate for the damages and be suspended from court until the injured party recovered.
As for whether the generals would feel this was unfair? Please, they were the ones who struck first, and they were the ones who injured others. What more did they want? Punishment according to the law would have been much harsher. If it weren't for the considerable power of the generals, Ding Yun wouldn't have been so lenient. In times of peace, a general daring to strike a civil official like this would at least have resulted in dismissal. More serious offenses could have led to impeachment for disrespecting the emperor, confiscation of property, or exile.
However, this was not a time of peace. The civil officials clearly understood that the Empress Dowager was unlikely to offend the generals and nobles for their sake. To have reached this outcome was already quite difficult, so they could only grudgingly agree and quickly have the injured escorted away by the imperial physician for treatment, lest their injuries worsen by staying there.
The generals who had done the fighting, though resentful, were also restrained by those around them.
Thus, the matter was, for the time being, grudgingly settled.
Concurrently, Ding Yun also felt that the civil officials had a point. The Duke of An returning with thirty thousand troops to claim rewards was certainly no trivial matter. However, she also found it difficult to reprimand him too harshly. Therefore, after the voices of the assembled ministers had slightly subsided, Ding Yun immediately rapped on the dragon throne and declared loudly:
"Quiet down, everyone, please quiet down. Duke An has indeed performed a great service by destroying a nation, and it is indeed inappropriate to chill his heart. However, the matter of thirty thousand troops entering the capital is also highly improper. Where will all these people stay in the capital? Are they to stay in inns or in the homes of the populace? They can't possibly sleep on the streets, can they? Moreover, as far as I know, Duke An's soldiers are not entirely blameless towards the common folk. While they may not commit atrocities like slaughtering innocents or razing villages, they do frequently harass the people, extort them, and bully them. These reports are not uncommon. I assume all of you ministers have also heard similar news. If over thirty thousand soldiers enter the capital, and each of them is unrestrained, continuing to harass the populace as before, how will the people perceive them, and how will they perceive us? Therefore, Duke An deserves rewards for his merits. But such a large army absolutely cannot enter the city. Hence, I plan to compromise slightly. The Ministry of Revenue will prepare the rewards in silver in advance. Tonight, it will be delivered by escorts to meet Duke An's army. Where they are intercepted, there the army will be rewarded. Furthermore, the imperial favors for the meritorious officials will also be bestowed at the same time. Using blank appointments from the Ministry of Revenue, some soldiers who are sufficiently meritorious this time will be appointed as county lieutenants, allowing them to lead a portion of soldiers back to their hometowns to serve as county lieutenants, responsible for local security and the management of all yamen runners. Additionally, positions such as patrol commanders, garrison commanders, and divisional commanders can also be appointed according to their military rank after receiving their rewards, and they will be ordered to immediately lead their trusted subordinates to take office without delay. Those of lower rank will be granted leave to return to their homes. In short, the goal is to send away as many as possible. Does the Minister of Personnel understand my meaning? Remember to send carrier pigeons at all times. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry. If Duke An is unwilling, or has any ulterior motives, I will be informed promptly, so as to prevent Duke An from harboring any misunderstandings. As for Duke An's specific rewards, he will be elevated to the title of Prince of the Commandery. Furthermore, according to custom, his mother and wife will be enfeoffed, and he will be allowed to retain the title of Duke of An. He will also be permitted to establish two heirs, one as the heir apparent to the Prince of the Commandery, and the other as the heir apparent to the Duke of An. With such rewards, I believe it is already quite generous. What do you all think? If there are no objections, then so be it."
Since the other party had not openly rebelled, Ding Yun naturally could not be too harsh. Therefore, she could only try her best to satisfy both the civil and military officials and handle the matter with moderation.
Regarding Ding Yun's proposal, the civil officials instantly understood her intention. The Minister of Personnel's eyes lit up, and a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face, realizing that Ding Yun was attempting to sow discord among the thirty thousand soldiers brought back by Duke An. It was a foregone conclusion that these thirty thousand soldiers were Duke An's elite troops. However, if Ding Yun's plan was successfully implemented, and Duke An did not dare to openly break ties and raise an army on the spot, then these thirty thousand soldiers would essentially be rendered largely ineffective. After all, Ding Yun intended for the Ministry of Personnel to appoint all soldiers who reached a certain rank as officials across the country. With the opportunity to become an official, how many would be willing to continue risking their lives on the battlefield? Moreover, who wouldn't want to return home in prosperity? Compared to returning with a military position that held little authority in the region, returning home with a seventh, sixth, or even eighth-rank official position would be a tremendous blessing, a matter of bringing glory to one's ancestors. Neither Ding Yun nor the Minister of Personnel believed that many would refuse. Therefore, the civil officials immediately and unequivocally expressed their agreement. The generals, who initially thought the plan was quite good, became hesitant upon seeing the civil officials' enthusiastic approval. Their minds were racing, wondering if the Empress Dowager's proposal might contain a trap. Otherwise, why would these civil officials, who usually did not get along with them, suddenly be so eager? Simultaneously, some generals who were very close to Duke An stepped forward and said, "Empress Dowager, we have no objections to other matters, but with Duke An's merit in destroying a nation, is he not even worthy of being enfeoffed as a king of a different surname, only to be granted the title of Prince of the Commandery? Currently, kings of different surnames can no longer be enfeoffed with land; it is merely a title. Why is the Empress Dowager so stingy?"