Chapter 559 -532 Cabinet Minister (Request for Subscription)
The atmosphere inside the Divine Palace momentarily became stagnant and somber, with silence enveloping the surroundings, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Every face wore a solemn and composed expression, yet concealed a hint of anticipation, silently awaiting the decision of God.
The Great Celestial Master, having returned to his seat, was extremely curious as he sized up Lin Rui with eyes full of inquiry.
Moments later, the voice of East Abyss resounded again, “Is there a detailed regulation?”
Upon hearing this, everyone in the palace felt a surge of vitality, never expecting that the Divine would actually agree!
However, they all unanimously tried to restrain their tumultuous emotions, maintaining their solemn and dignified demeanor.
Lin Rui bowed his head in shame and said, “Divine, regulating the trade with the Heavenly Demon is merely a superficial insight of mine since taking over as Commander of the Spy Detection Bureau. With shallow understanding of national affairs due to my youth, how can I dare to propose detailed regulations?
...
Moreover, ‘one should not concern oneself with matters outside one’s position.’ I believe that the detailed rules and regulations for the Heavenly Demon trade should be drawn up by the Divine Envoys and the Cabinet Ministers of Great Song, which would be more appropriate and thorough. Whether or not to implement this policy of establishing embassies and opening trade still depends on the outcome of the current negotiation. Does the Heavenly Demon side have sincerity? And how much? I must admit, these policies would greatly benefit the Heavenly Demon, so they must make concessions in the specific terms of negotiation.”
Lin Rui then paused, his words resonant: “I only know that if the court can open up trade with the Heavenly Demon under regulation, my Spy Detection Bureau could spare significant manpower, and I would devote my full efforts to cracking down on smuggling until it is completely eradicated!”
At this moment, the Emperor and the First Divine Envoy thought that if the trade with the Heavenly Demon really could be initiated, with a licensing system in place, it would indeed be necessary to fight smuggling vigorously.
“Excellent!” The voice from the East Abyss conveyed a clear sense of praise, “Let it be as you say, the Divine Envoy and the Great Song Cabinet Ministers shall discuss the regulations for the Heavenly Demon trade and matters regarding the choice of port locations. Once consensus is reached, submit a comprehensive report.”
Suddenly, the sound of ‘Tap! Tap!’ emerged from the Cloud Platform, seemingly the sound of this God’s fingers tapping on the surface, vibrating the souls of everyone present.
“Duke of the National Guardian has been loyal and dedicated to the country, selflessly serving the public, and deserves a reward. He is hereby granted the right to establish his own office and enter the Cabinet to participate in and discuss politics!”
The Emperor and the spiritual leaders couldn’t help but tremble, lifting their heads to glance at the Cloud Platform.
The Second Divine Envoy was taken aback, thinking to himself, does the Divine hold such high regard for Lin Hao?
The so-called ‘establishing his own office’ means allowing an official to set up his own office and choose his subordinates, who will also see him as their lord.
As for entering the Cabinet to participate in and discuss politics, it means that Lin Hao could directly influence major national policies.
What’s frightening is that this young man is not only a Third-rank Priest but also has great divine favor. Once he has any differing views or interpretations in governmental affairs, it would be difficult for the Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, to oppose him.
Thinking this, the Second Divine Envoy looked at the Emperor with sympathetic eyes.
The powers granted to Lin Hao by the Divine were those once held by the Crown Prince! Decades ago, the Cabinet was overseen by the Crown Prince.
Now, the outer court claims that Lin Hao lacks the title of Crown Prince but holds the reality of one. It is somewhat exaggerated; Lin Hao’s authority has not yet reached that of his predecessor.
Now, it is truly as if the Duke of the National Guardian holds the real power of a Crown Prince, perhaps even more so.
At least the previous Crown Prince didn’t control a crucial department like the Spy Detection Bureau.
The Emperor’s expression was grim, wordlessly somber.
He knew this was a warning from East Abyss, not only due to the recent blasphemy case but also related to the old matters of the former Crown Prince.
East Abyss, with Divine Illumination overseeing the world, clearly perceiving tens of thousands of miles, how could it not discern the truth about the former Crown Prince? This being just chose not to reveal it.
This recent blasphemy case had evidently led the Divine to be extremely disappointed in him.
The Emperor involuntarily clenched his fists tightly, eyes filled with resentment and anger.
Du Xinran!
Unfortunately, Duke An Du Xinran and his missing clansmen, skilled in combat, had not been found dead or alive, leaving the court unable to trace them; otherwise, the Emperor would surely have them dismembered and their bones crushed to dust.
Although the court had already detained all of Du Xinran’s family, young and old, to be executed by dismemberment this autumn, these people were just distant relatives of Du Xinran, hardly quenching the Emperor’s deep-seated hatred!
Nonetheless, according to the Stargazer’s divination, the star representing Du Xinran had already vanished from the Heavenly Curtain, likely implying that he was killed by the Heavenly Demon!
This only further infuriated the Emperor; the death of Du Xinran made it even harder for him to clear his suspicions.
Du Xinran must have been privy to some confidential matters, otherwise why would the Heavenly Demon want to silence him?
The Divine immediately continued: “Lin Hao’s encounter outside the city and the rebellion of the Demon Sect in the northern part of Jingzhou, as observed and divined by the Great Celestial Master, both bear traces of the Abyss. Judging from the current evidence, it is indeed the work of Purgatory!”
Lin Rui couldn’t help but shiver inwardly, thinking it must be so; even when the East Abyss was in Divine Sleep, it still paid attention to the situation in the lower realm.
But for this matter, the Great Celestial Master even performed divination for his encounter outside the city. Was such caution necessary?
Lin Rui became more optimistic about Han Baxian’s future. Observing the stars as a Stargazer is very life-consuming.
With such frequent star observations and divinations by the Great Celestial Master, no matter how rich his life essence, it could not withstand such depletion.
The East Abyss continued, “In recent years, Purgatory has been frequently active, not only corrupting my ninth candidate for Divine Envoy but also sowing discord between myself and the Heavenly Demon, and fermenting troubles north of Luojing. Their intentions are sinister and cannot be ignored. The Divine Envoy and the Imperial City Department must swiftly and thoroughly investigate inside and outside Luojing, eradicate any traitors affiliated with Purgatory, and prepare to resist the Purgatory’s army. All military provisions and grain must be fully stocked, and all supplies must be clearly accounted for.”
The Emperor and several Divine Envoys, upon hearing this, turned solemn, bowing in assent: “We will dutifully follow the Divine command!”
Lin Rui also bowed with them, knowing that the focus of the Spy Detection Bureau’s work must now shift towards Purgatory.
“And the rebellion in the northern part of Jingzhou must be carefully addressed, quickly subdued without delay.”
The East Abyss then paused, casting his gaze towards Lin Rui: “Commander Lin Hao of the Spy Detection Bureau is capable and prudent despite his youth. The Divine Envoy can appoint him as the Commissioner for Jingzhou to oversee the suppression of the rebellion.”
Luo Wangshu was visibly shocked.
Although Lin Hao now held a significant position in the court and had a distinguished background, this also made him a target of many within the court and the people.
Moreover, due to the major cases Lin Rui had cracked one after the other this past year, it brought countless enemies upon him.
At present, across the entire realm, there would be no less than ten thousand people who wished Lin Hao dead; he was only safe in Luojing City because of the suppression by the Divine himself.
Yet even so, Lin Hao had still faced several assassination attempts, each more aggressive than the last.
What was Lin Hao’s cultivation level now? Only the Sixth Realm, which barely allowed him to stand firm in the Capital, but once he left, the masters of the Ninth Realm would have no such restraints.
Wasn’t the Divine sending Lin Hao out of the Capital to suppress the rebellion just sending him to his death?
Luo Wangshu’s mind stirred, his expression returning to calm.
The other Divine Envoys and the Emperor initially thought as Luo Wangshu did, but then they realized, since Lin Rui had given Lin Hao the treatment of entering the Cabinet as a Cabinet Minister, how could he send him to his death?
Therefore, could there be another purpose in the Divine’s actions?
At that moment, Lin Rui felt a slight warmth on his forehead.
It was his National Guardian Dragon Seal, which seemed to have gained something.
Lin Rui sensed briefly and revealed a look of surprise.
The East Abyss not only raised the authority of his National Guardian Dragon Seal but also bestowed upon him protective power.
Regrettably, this power could only last from half a month to twenty days; after 15 days, it would gradually weaken, and its divine power decrease day by day.
Lin Rui immediately felt a headache coming on, as this half month to twenty-day period was obviously the time limit given by the East Abyss.
The problem was, with Purgatory involved in the rebellion in the northern part of Jingzhou, it indicated that the situation there was extremely tricky.
Lin Rui thought of the Tian Xiang Divine Envoy whom he had locked up in the Divine Prison Department.
This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.
Lin Rui realized that if he wanted to quickly quell the Jingzhou rebellion, he had to leverage the power of this Divine Envoy from the Demon Sect.