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"You all should recognize me, and today I have come to know you all as well."
"With today’s meeting, I, Yang Erlang, consider myself acquainted with everyone here."
"I am still young, in good health, and my martial skills are decent. I have never committed any atrocities in my life, so I believe my life will be long, longer than any of yours."
"From now on, even when I am sleeping, I will keep one eye open, watching over all of you, your children, and your descendants."
"If I ever find out that anyone dares to use the people of this world as pawns again, they will die without a complete corpse, their lineage will be cut off, and their name will be despised for thousands of years..."
"You should know, I, Yang Erlang, never brag."
"As for the issue of rising grain prices, I am giving you all half a month’s time."
"If you sort out the price of grain, I will let you off."
"If you can’t sort out the price of grain, I will sort you out."
"Don’t even think about resigning..."
"This mess was made by you all, and until you have fixed this mess, none of you can escape."
"As for whether you stay or leave after the grain prices return to normal, please feel free to decide."
Having said that, he picked up the Cold Moon Saber and strode towards the exit of the Golden Luang Hall.
His steps were not heavy, yet it seemed as if each one landed on the hearts of the officials...
...
Long after Yang Ge had left, silence still pervaded the Golden Luang Hall.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Suddenly, a high-pitched and respectful voice came from behind the screen of the dragon throne.
The officials, listless, lifted the hems of their robes and knelt down to pay their respects: "We welcome His Majesty, may the Emperor live forever, forever and ever."
Zhao Hong walked up to the dragon throne with his head held high and chest out, casting a glance over the sparse figures in the hall. The corner of his eye twitched slightly, but then he spoke with a calm expression, "All ministers, please rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The ministers slowly rose, some counting the yellow tiles overhead, others the golden bricks beneath their feet.
Few were looking at Zhao Hong on the dragon throne.
Zhao Hong didn’t get angry at this sight; instead, he smiled lightly and said, "Seeing that all the ministers are safe and sound at court brings great comfort to me, and makes it all worth while defending you all vehemently to Marquis Luting last night…"
Hmm?
The ministers all fixed their gaze on Zhao Hong, who sat on the dragon throne looking smug as if he genuinely deserved credit, all their eyes filled with unspeakable disdain and contempt.
The ministers: ’Do you have no shame?’
Zhao Hong: ’What use do I have for that thing?’
"Seeing the expressions on the faces of the ministers, it seems that you have quite a few objections to what I discussed with Marquis Luting!"
Zhao Hong laughed lightly, "If so, shall I invite Marquis Luting back to discuss it over again?"
The ministers, as if waking from a dream, hastily lifted their robes and knelt again: "Your Majesty is wise, we thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!"
They had come to realize...
This little bastard might have a hard time protecting anyone from that slaughterer’s hands.
But if this little bastard wants to use that slaughterer’s hands to kill someone, it’s guaranteed a sure thing!
This pair of master and disciple, both have hearts as black as coal!
Even Wang Jiangling was shocked at this moment, looking at Zhao Hong on the dragon throne as if he was seeing him for the first time.
He suddenly realized, this kid is indeed more suited to be an emperor than his father!
His father, the Emperor, carried too much baggage, fully aware of Marquis Luting’s talent and deterring power, yet unable to let go of the emperor’s dignity, only willing to tap around the edge, not stooping to something lower.
But this young man is completely different, not only does he have no rebellious feelings about Marquis Luting’s massacre upon entering the capital, but he can also brazenly leverage Marquis Luting’s influence to wrestle with the ministers...
An utter cynic, thick-skinned and tough as nails!
They truly are master and disciple!
"The ministers understanding my struggles brings me great comfort!"
Zhao Hong stretched out his hand with a sigh, pretending to help them up from afar: "Alright, let bygones be bygones, and the dead are gone. Let’s focus on current matters… I wonder, do the honorable ministers have any recommendations for the position of Minister of Revenue?"
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He spoke the language of respecting the wise and promoting the young, but his face clearly displayed a threatening expression, "Try saying a name."
It is said that with each new emperor, comes a new set of officials.
If the ruler is weak and the ministers strong, the emperor, wanting to place a trusted adviser in a certain official position, must engage in a prolonged struggle of wits and strength, with a lot of bargaining over interests behind the scenes.
Since Zhao Hong ascended to the throne, he has only managed to secure a position as left Imperial Censor at The Supervisory Office, ostracized by all the officials, even the position of Minister of War was inherited from his father.
The ministers:...
"We are of poor judgment, entirely reliant on Your Majesty’s wise decision!"
Zhao Hong said with satisfaction, "Ah, as the saying goes, ’Externally do not avoid the worthy, and internally do not avoid relatives,’ my lords need not have any reservations, feel free to speak your mind."
The ministers:...
...
Yang Ge, escorted by a group of Western Factory fanzi led by Nangong Feiying, stepped out from the dark palace gate slowly.
Outside the palace gate, Shen Fa, covered in blood, was among scattered severed heads, meticulously searching for something.
Their gazes met and passed each other by.
Yang Ge stepped emotionlessly into the clean sunlight.
Shen Fa, head lowered, continued to search among the blood-soaked heads on the ground.
Nangong Feiying glanced at Yang Ge’s receding figure, then at Shen Fa’s back, and silently sighed, quickly catching up with Yang Ge.
"Feiying, order people to make a hundred copies of the records of all the beheaded officials and distribute them to every province and prefecture. I want to nail them to the pillar of shame for eternity!"
Upon hearing this, Nangong Feiying pondered for a moment and then said softly, "My lord, with the current instability, such an action might shock the fourteen provinces and give foreign enemies an opportunity to exploit."
Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.
Without hesitation, Yang Ge asked, "How is the situation in the Southwest?"
Nangong Feiying immediately replied, "The imperial troops are advancing irresistibly, having encircled and divided the Southwest rebels. Victory is only a matter of time... It’s just that the Southwest Region is full of dense mountains and steep ridges. Though victory comes easily, it will not be simple to eradicate those local chieftains."
Yang Ge: "What is the emperor’s opinion on this matter?"
Nangong Feiying: "His Majesty believes that the tribal chieftains in the Southwest are fickle and have repeatedly risen in rebellion. Since the forces have been mobilized, we might as well take this opportunity to completely subdue those chieftains and return their lands to imperial control!"
Yang Ge: "What about those corrupt officials in the Southwest who exploit the local people?"
Nangong Feiying: "The imperial courts will conduct a joint investigation, and once their crimes are confirmed, they will be immediately punished according to the law!"
"Don’t go through with the punishment. After the investigation, just teach me the names on the list, and I will handle it!"
Yang Ge replied, "About those chieftains, plead with the emperor on my behalf to give them a way out. I will find a way for them to die on the northern frontier, and in exchange, the imperial court will spare their families."
Nangong Feiying asked in surprise, "You recognize those chieftains?"
Yang Ge shook his head: "I do not..."
Nangong Feiying flatly refused: "Then I cannot help them!"
Yang Ge: "You’re helping me."
Nangong Feiying shook his head: "Even so, I can’t assist you with this!"
Yang Ge whispered, "I had previously sent word to Yang Zaixian, asking him to restrain those chieftains from harming the people of the Southwest."
"He gave me face."
"I have to repay that favor..."
Nangong Feiying still shook his head: "Did he really give you face? Clearly, he was afraid you would go there and execute him with a single blow! My lord, heed my advice, rebellion is no trivial matter. You, with your unsullied reputation, should not get involved in such muddy waters for these rebels!"
Hearing this, Yang Ge suddenly smiled, "You all keep telling me not to wade into troubled waters, but in this world, where can you find truly clean ground?"
Nangong Feiying was left speechless.
He too had once advised Yang Ge not to get involved in the dirty waters of the capital.
But he still came, to fight for a meal for everyone in the world...
"Very well."
After a long silence, Nangong Feiying reluctantly agreed, "I will later ask the emperor for mercy, but I can’t guarantee he will grant them an exception!"
Yang Ge: "Tell the emperor, I owe him a favor for this matter..."
Nangong Feiying: "You keep doing favors for others, accruing debts left and right, yet not a single one of these matters is your own concern... Why bother?"
Yang Ge gazed ahead at the bustling street, crowded and busy with people coming and going, and said softly, "I do not find it bothersome..."
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