Pei Zhiyuan formally ordered a full-scale attack on Linzhou Prefecture and Jiangling Prefecture, and specifically stated that if Yang Chonghu insisted on using the people as a shield, he would massacre the main cities of Linzhou and Jiangling Prefectures.

It means fighting to the death with the Yang brothers.

This statement immediately aroused strong dissatisfaction among the ministers and the people in the court. The anti-war voices became stronger and stronger, and several princes had already begun to recruit soldiers and assemble armies.

The young emperor had already received the obituary notices from Captain Song and Song Lin, and was sitting on the dragon throne crying silently. Although the ministers in the court respectfully called him "Your Majesty", no one obeyed his voice.

Several ministers and officials sent by prefectures and counties were standing in the hall, arguing with the ministers who supported Pei Zhiyuan, the female prime minister, demanding the withdrawal of the royal army and severe punishment of the culprit Pei Zhiyuan.

As soon as Pei Zhiyuan entered the hall, someone accused him of recklessly attacking Linzhou and Jiangling prefectures, which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, and demanded that His Majesty punish him severely.

Some people scolded him for threatening to massacre the city and angering the people, saying that he wanted to discredit the court and imperial power.

But Pei Zhiyuan smiled contemptuously, sat on the steps in front of the dragon throne, and retorted to this group of Confucian officials.

"When you allowed Imperial Master Hua to burn, kill, and loot in Dongning Prefecture, why didn't you criticize him for smearing the court and the imperial power?

When the royal cavalry and the black-armored wolf cavalry were fighting on the northern defense line, why didn't anyone step forward to raise the banner of peace for the people?

Master Hua governs the country with hegemony, and you all tremble in fear, crawl at his feet, and dare not speak out.

The female Prime Minister uses both kindness and force, but you are extremely flattering and pretend to obey her.

Now that the female prime minister is dead and Xue Yan is missing, you think that the Yang family is now the most powerful royal family in Haoyue Kingdom, with soldiers, food, money and power, so you are trying to please the Yang family.

In the past two years, there have been three emperors and so many people have died, so why can't you, a bunch of fence-sitters, be eradicated? "

"Your Majesty, Pei Zhiyuan is arrogant and conceited. He insulted court officials, started a war, and ignored the people. He deserves death! I request that Pei Zhiyuan be dismissed from office, investigated, and beheaded in public."

"I request that Pei Zhiyuan be beheaded and displayed to the public to appease the public anger."

"I second the motion."

Pei Zhiyuan chuckled and sneered, "Public outrage? Who provoked the public outrage?"

He sat on the steps in front of the palace, his hawk-like eyes slightly reddened, "I just want to ask, a female prime minister who killed traitors and evildoers for Haoyue Kingdom, quelled wars, and reformed and benefited the people is dead.

The murderer who killed her has occupied two cities in Linzhou and is threatening us with the entire population, demanding that we withdraw our troops and that Your Majesty forgive his crime and let him go unpunished."

He stood up and shouted, "Isn't this enough to arouse public indignation!"

The noisy court suddenly quieted down, and after a while, an official stood up and said, "The female prime minister has eliminated a threat to the people, but she is stubborn and will not listen to advice. She does not understand the rules and regulations, and one day she will bring disaster to the Haoyue Kingdom.

Now that she is dead, the people of the two cities have the right to live. How could Lord Pei use the lives of so many people to satisfy his own selfish desire for revenge! "

Pei Zhiyuan raised his head and smiled, but tears were welling up in his eyes. Even though he knew that Chen Xu was not dead, he still felt sad.

Such a court really made him feel an unprecedented sense of powerlessness. Obviously, there were people who were willing to sacrifice themselves to lead them forward, but they still refused to stand up and walk. They would rather kneel and be enslaved.

These people only focused on the immediate interests, and even hated the person who sacrificed herself, blaming her for meddling in other people's affairs.

Incompetent in governing the country, but capable of power struggles!

He cursed angrily, "What kind of bastards were they that she rescued?

She was wrong, and her mistake was being too kind to you.

She should break your spines like Master Hua did, making you kneel on the ground in obedience and allow yourself to be slaughtered. Only then will you remember her greatness and stature!"

"Pei Zhiyuan, you have forgotten your roots!"

The ministers were immediately in an uproar, and they started cursing Pei Zhiyuan one after another, while the other group that defended Pei Zhiyuan stood aside, and the two groups started cursing at each other.

The court is very lively.

The little emperor looked at the chaotic court, tears streaming down his face. He slowly walked to Pei Zhiyuan's side and sobbed, "Sister Chen, Brother Song, and adoptive father, are they really dead? Why did they abandon Cheng'er and never care about me again, just like my father, the emperor, and my mother?"

Pei Zhiyuan squatted down and let Xiao Mingcheng face him. He raised his hand to wipe the tears from his face and said gently, "Your Majesty, although your brother Song and sister Shen can't be with you anymore, they will always bless our Haoyue Kingdom.

Moreover, I will always protect you behind my back, fight for you in the north and south, and eliminate the treacherous and flattering people for you.

Until you can face this court and govern this country alone. Until our Haoyue Kingdom, under your wise governance, becomes prosperous and strong, and the people live and work in peace and contentment.

Let's beat up all the bad guys and drive them to a corner where we can't see them anymore, okay?"

He spoke slowly and gently, holding the little emperor's face to prevent him from looking back.

Several Mirror Envoys armed with Embroidered Spring Knives walked into the Council Hall and, without saying a word, knocked to the ground several officials who had insulted the most violently.

The officials who took the lead in threatening to behead Pei Zhiyuan suddenly panicked and shouted for someone to come and protect him.

The mirror users didn't allow them to talk too much. They chopped them down one by one with their swords, and blood splattered all over the ground.

The rest of the officials who did not take sides all stepped aside and stood aside with the Yulin Guards and the Secret Guards who were originally responsible for the safety of the imperial palace, watching the show coldly.

There were screams in the council hall, and the smell of blood filled the entire hall. The officials who had originally agreed with the speech all hid with their heads in their hands, shouting in support of Lord Pei.

Zheng Xie, the newly appointed deputy envoy of the Xuanjing Division, knelt on one knee and spoke in a resounding voice, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has withheld relief funds and grain in an attempt to enrich themselves. I request that they be detained in the Xuanjing Division, dismissed from their posts, and subjected to rigorous investigation."

At this time, the trembling official from the Ministry of Revenue was lying on the ground with his head in his hands. Upon hearing this, he cried out to the emperor to save him, and banged his head loudly.

Pei Zhiyuan said in a leisurely tone: "All those lying down in the hall...will be taken to the Xuanjing Division and severely interrogated.

Those who incited the people were dragged out and paraded through the streets, and those who colluded with the rebels to disrupt the government were beheaded in public.

The Prime Minister's order to reduce the military has been issued for over a month. Anyone who refuses to comply or privately raises troops will be treated as a traitor."

"Pei Zhiyuan, you are recklessly shaking the foundation of the country! If you continue like this..."

The person who started to curse was chopped to the ground by the Mirror Master before he could finish his words.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please say something and save us. We are all loyal ministers who have devoted our lives to the Haoyue Kingdom!" The remaining people suddenly became anxious and hurriedly asked the little emperor for help.

The little emperor seemed to be deaf to hearing. He opened his arms and hugged Pei Zhiyuan, burying his face in his arms and sobbing softly. Pei Zhiyuan just patted his back gently, and his hawk-like sharp eyes were covered with coldness.

The words that Shen Xu said that day seemed to ring in my ears.

Pei Zhiyuan, you have always been in contact with evil dragons, so what is there to be afraid of?