Wu Yong was very satisfied with his current situation. At least the emperor had promoted him again, which meant that the emperor could not do without him and that Qin Feng Road still needed him to govern it.

Although he did not nominally have absolute authority to deploy and command the Deshun Army, Tongyuan Army, and Zhenrong Army, he had accumulated many loyal followers during his years in the Northwest.

The fact that the Li family of Longxi is now also trying to win him over shows that they cannot do without him either.

The feeling of being needed is wonderful.

Just as Wu Yong was immersed in the wonderful moment, Wang Kuian and Wu Jie came over to offer a toast. Wang Kuian said with a smile, "Congratulations, Commander Wu. I will have to rely on you in the future."

"It is I who should rely on Eunuch Wang. I hope that Eunuch Wang will put in a good word for me before His Majesty!"

"Of course, of course!"

At this moment, Miao Renfeng, the judicial commissioner of Qinfeng Road, stepped forward and suddenly shouted, "Sir Wang, I have something to say!"

"It's Magistrate Miao. What do you have to say?"

Wang Kuian was a favorite of the emperor and was rumored to be temporarily serving as the head of the Political Propaganda Department, making him one of Miao Renfeng's direct superiors.

"This humble official wishes to impeach Wu Yong!"

His words caused the atmosphere at the banquet to freeze instantly.

Wang Kuian feigned surprise, but Wu Yong's smile remained unchanged.

This wasn't the first time Miao Renfeng had impeached him. It was perfectly normal for the Provincial Judicial Commissioner to cause trouble for the Military Commissioner, but the court would never take action against a Military Commissioner without sufficient evidence.

What does "insufficient evidence" mean?

For example, neglecting military preparedness, appointing relatives and friends, and lax military discipline.

These are all cases where the evidence is insufficient!

Why not build a military force?

In this strategically important border region, the three armies were stationed to resist the Tanguts. Was it the Tanguts who attacked?

No!

Since you haven't, how can you say I don't cultivate weapons?

The emperor only cares about the results; he doesn't have time to pay attention to the process. As long as I give the emperor a good result, that's enough.

This was true at least during the reign of the retired emperor.

Nepotism?

Every important position is decided jointly by the military commissioner and the judicial commissioner. How could I possibly appoint relatives and friends? I clearly maintain good relationships with my subordinates. When the commander-in-chief and his generals are on good terms, the entire army is united and can win every battle.

Lax discipline within the army?

That's absolutely not true; military law is absolute!

But the application of military law depends on who it applies to!

Upon seeing Miao Renfeng step forward, it was clear that he intended to impeach him on these points.

It's a tired old story. If the emperor really believed in these tactics, he would have been replaced long ago.

In fact, it wouldn't be easy for the emperor to replace me now.

Moreover, the emperor has just promoted me and bestowed great favor upon me; how could he possibly listen to your side of the story?

But then Miao Renfeng said, "This humble official intends to impeach Wu Yong for colluding with the Dangxiang and plotting a rebellion!"

His words shocked everyone present.

Even Wu Yong's generals were shocked; this was an enormous crime!

Even if Wu Yong is their superior, if Wu Yong really dares to collude with foreign races, they will still stand on the opposite side of Wu Yong.

This is no longer as simple as superficial interests.

Every person, from childhood to adulthood, deeply understands that they are Han Chinese. If they betray the Han people and bear the name of a traitor, their family, clansmen, and even ancestors and descendants will have to live with their heads down on this land.

They would never collude with other races unless absolutely necessary.

Even if it comes to the last resort, some people of integrity would rather die than stand with foreign races to fight against China.

At least most people here won't become traitors.

If Miao Renfeng were to say that Wu Yong was not strict in managing the army, that would be easy to say. It's not uncommon for the military commissioner and the judicial commissioner to quarrel. The judicial commissioner was sent here specifically to annoy the military commissioner.

However, if it is said that the military commissioner colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, that would be a serious problem.

Wu Yong's face immediately darkened: "Minister Miao, stop talking nonsense and slandering me!"

"Lord Wang, what I said is true!"

Wang Kui'an looked surprised and immediately said, "Jinqing (Wu Jie's courtesy name)!"

Wu Jie's face darkened, and he immediately drew the sword from his waist. Wu Jie was highly skilled, no wonder he had made great achievements in battle. He rushed forward and before anyone could react, he had already swung his sword and cut off Wu Yong's head!

Blood splattered all over the table, and Wu Yong's head rolled on the ground.

Before anyone could react, Wang Kui'an immediately produced another imperial edict: "The imperial edict is here; all generals, heed my command!"

"Wu Yong has colluded with the traitorous Dangxiang people; the evidence is irrefutable and arouses the wrath of both gods and men. He shall be executed immediately!"

The generals then came to their senses and quickly knelt down, saying, "The Holy Emperor is wise!"

Even at this time, some people were still dissatisfied, wondering why the court could execute the military commissioner and their leader with just a word.

Of course, some people disagreed, but they didn't say it out loud immediately.

Wang Kuian immediately took out a secret letter, which was a letter written by Wu Yong to Li Chage, a general of the Tangut people.

How did Wang Kui'an obtain this secret letter?

The Political Propaganda Department had already been transferred to the Northwest last year, and a group of people began to infiltrate the military.

One of the most important tasks was to keep a close eye on Wu Yong.

The emperor's principle was that anything he didn't know was worthy of suspicion; it was better to believe it than not.

In short, these high-ranking officials in border regions need to be kept a close eye on.

After more than a year, they finally found the most fatal evidence against Wu Yong.

The original plan was to follow the normal procedure, with the Control Yuan handling the replacement of Wu Yong, and formally merge the Political Propaganda Department and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Northwest into one under the jurisdiction of the Control Yuan.

Wu Yong's head was used to establish the authority of the newly established Control Yuan.

However, at this time, the situation in the Northwest had reached its most critical moment.

The Li family planned to launch an attack in conjunction with the Tanguts, and Wu Yong could not possibly remain uninvolved in this.

The arrow is on the bowstring; it must be released.

Otherwise, Wang Kuian wouldn't have come all the way from the capital, exhausting several horses, visiting Yao Pingzhong, and then rushing through the night to bring Wu Jie here.

Wu Jie was highly respected in the Shunde army. Because of his outstanding military achievements, he was a well-known figure in Qinfeng Road.

The purpose of bringing him here is to use him to eliminate Wu Yong and reorganize the situation on Qin Feng Road.

As for the others, although they also followed Wu Yong and were considered his confidants, not all of them were willing to betray the country with him.

At least in terms of the overall situation, Wang Kuian felt that things could be stabilized.

Once the overall situation is stabilized, the second step will be much easier.

The local troops in Qin Prefecture were respectively commanded by the Military Commissioner, the Judicial Commissioner, the Transport Commissioner, and the Commissioner of Ordinary Affairs.

The military garrison under the command of the military commissioner was used for military and civil affairs, such as repairing fortified cities and fortresses.

The transport envoy's soldiers were mostly used to transport grain.

The soldiers under the command of the Commissioner of Ever-Normal Granaries were mostly used to guard the granaries.

But in general, these local leaders all have troops under their command.

Even the prefect of Qinzhou had some local soldiers under his command, which he used to suppress bandits and maintain public order.

Therefore, it cannot be said that Wu Yong's family has become the sole power.

The second step, as instructed by the emperor, was to purge Wu Yong's confidants as quickly as possible.