"I didn’t expect such trouble to arise so soon!"
"Hmm, perhaps this chaos isn’t just emerging now. Yang Erlang had barely arrived in the capital for half a night when the Five Guards started to stir, clearly showing the deep corruption of those fierce and violent ministers within the Five Guards."
"Perhaps disaster had been planted long ago, only to erupt today!"
"From this perspective, Yang Ge, who forced the Five Guards into rebellion, is not only blameless but actually merits praise!"
"If it weren’t for his massive slaughter, forcing those fierce and violent ministers into desperate actions, who knows when this thunderbolt would have exploded!"
Shen Fa and Wang Jiangling both thought of this.
However, this did not bring them any peace of mind; instead, it weighed even heavier on their hearts... Even the Twelve Guards stationed right under the emperor’s nose had been corrupted by those fierce and violent ministers, so what would the situation be like in the provinces? And what about the frontier troops? If foreign enemies attacked again, could Wei’s military still maintain peace?"
Once a feudal dynasty begins its decline, it’s like a person with a frail body suffering from a slow-growing tumor, which continuously absorbs the scarce nutrients from the body to grow itself until it seizes the host’s life..."
"To remedy it, one must surgically remove this tumor."
"But the weak body may not withstand such a draining operation."
"There are always those with far-sighted visions who think that one should first strengthen the body before performing surgery."
"But in reality, before the body recovers, the tumor within has already become like the lanterns of the Shangyuan Festival... full of holes!"
"Your Majesty, please cool your anger!"
Tang Xiong didn’t have as many concerns as Shen Fa and Wang Jiangling. After a slight pause, he stood up and said, "Let this old man go check the Eastern Gate first!"
Zhao Hong suppressed the anger in his heart and, with a serious expression, bowed to Tang Xiong, "Thank you, Duke Xinguo!"
"No trouble at all!"
Tang Xiong returned the salute, striding out of the Imperial Study like a dragon and tiger, took the spear from the hands of the Imperial Guard outside the palace gate, and leapt into action.
Zhao Hong let out a sigh, turned his head, and angrily scolded Shen Fa, "Look at what you’ve done; you knew nothing about the rebellion from the southwestern tribal chiefs, and you’re completely blind to the collusion within the Five Guards. What use is the Embroidered Uniform Guard to me!"
Shen Fa, with a guilty expression, rose and bowed deeply, "Your servant is ashamed."
He had no defense.
Privately, he felt utterly exhausted and overwhelmed.
After the previous emperor passed away, the sinister situation in the court had suddenly become apparent; civil and military officials formed factions and contended against the emperor. The officials from Wang Jiangling’s faction had to both continue and protect the new policies, barely managing against the direct confrontations from the civil and military officials...
And within the inner court, although Liu Xian was loyal, he was not capable enough, Nangong Feiying was only good at fighting but not at scheming, leaving Shen Fa alone to tactically battle the dark elements of the court.
Shen Fa was extremely intelligent, but who on this court was foolish?
He truly had given his all, even risking his life on several occasions...
The matters of the world were too difficult!
Seeing his gloomy face, although Zhao Hong still felt residual anger, he could not bring himself to blame him excessively... He understood Shen Fa had given his all, becoming an isolated official, even Ms. Shenxiahou from Marquis Jiangxia had already distanced herself from him.
Seeing this, Wang Jiangling was about to mediate and ease the relationship between the emperor and his subject, when suddenly, Duke Xinguo Tang Xiong, who had just left, returned with his treasured spear.
Zhao Hong asked in astonishment, "Why have you returned so soon?"
Tang Xiong handed the spear to the Imperial Guard outside the door and replied with relief, "Marquis Luting has already rushed over there... He’s chasing down twenty to thirty thousand men alone!"
"That man, he’s gone mad with killing!"
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