"Xu Qingshan has returned to the Left Prime Minister's residence."

Yuan Xiu feigned ignorance and asked suspiciously, "Return to the Left Prime Minister's residence? What does the Left Prime Minister mean by this?"

Wen Tai said, "That day, His Majesty mentioned Zhao Cheng's work in eliminating spies in Shangyang County and mentioned Xu Qingshan. I felt that the name was somewhat familiar, but I was not sure. It was not until I went back and asked Wen Hu that I learned that Xu Qingshan used to live in the Left Prime Minister's residence and worked under Wen Hu."

Yuan Xiu asked in surprise, "Could it be that the person Wen Hu sent to kill Chen Chong was Xu Qingshan?"

"Exactly!"

"What a coincidence! I thought Zhao Cheng had stolen the credit for the Earl of Sha County!"

"The Left Prime Minister's office has a large number of people. Not to mention my family and servants, there are hundreds of officials in the office alone. I can't even recognize them all, let alone the people who work under Wen Hu."

Yuan Xiu nodded and said, "Lord Sha is quite capable. Even a master like Xu Qingshan works under him."

Wen Tai sensed the jealousy in Yuan Xiu's words, lowered his head slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, Wen Hu works for the court, and his men are all Your Majesty's men."

"I know, I know." Yuan Xiu pointed at Wen Tai and laughed, "I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just jealous, jealous!"

Wen Tai said, "Wen Hu has already told Xu Qingshan to participate in our Da Jing's martial arts examination."

Yuan Xiu smiled and said, "Is Sha County Earl willing to give up his position? Aren't you afraid that I will give Xu Qingshan even greater benefits, and from then on Xu Qingshan will only recognize me and not him?"

"His Majesty!!"

Wen Tai immediately knelt down, and said in a rare humble tone, "I still maintain that whether it is Wen Hu or this old minister, we are all serving the court. Not to mention a mere Xu Qingshan, the entire Left Prime Minister's residence belongs to His Majesty!"

"Left Prime Minister, look at you!"

Yuan Xiu personally helped Wen Tai up and laughed, "I was just joking with you, look how excited you are!"

"Your Majesty, I am utterly loyal, solely for the sake of the nation."

"I know."

Yuan Xiu patted Wen Tai on the back and said, "Since even Xu Qingshan is in the Left Prime Minister's residence, there must be quite a few experts there, right?"

Wen Tai lowered his head, his lips twitching slightly.

The emperor is truly insatiable and not easily fooled!

Even if core members like Luo Ying and Xu Qingshan participated in the martial arts examination and were granted official positions by the emperor, they would still be people of the Left Prime Minister's Mansion and would be loyal to Wen Tai.

However, those who are further outside the core circle, although not as strong as Xu Qingshan, do not receive as many resources as Xu Qingshan, and are naturally not as loyal as Xu Qingshan, are all highly skilled individuals and are the backbone of the Left Prime Minister's Mansion.

If these people are highly valued by the emperor, they may leave the Left Prime Minister's residence.

This is the loss of the Left Prime Minister's residence.

Seeing Yuan Xiu's serious expression, Wen Tai said, "There are definitely experts, but Your Majesty knows that I have no interest in fighting and killing. This is Wen Hu's responsibility, and I don't know the specifics."

"Then go back and tell Wen Hu to get more people to participate in the martial arts examination."

Yuan Xiu, shameless and without any politeness, said, "This is my first time holding a military examination. As my beloved ministers, you won't let me feel awkward, will you?"

Wen Tai said helplessly, "Then how many people does Your Majesty think are appropriate to send from the Left Prime Minister's residence?"

Yuan Xiu rubbed his hands together and said, "Besides Xu Qingshan, give me ten more."

Wen Tai's face turned pale, and he said, "Your Majesty! There aren't that many!!"

Yuan Xiu, without batting an eye, said, "Didn't you say you didn't know the specifics?"

"I don't know! But experts aren't like cabbages in a field, you can't just dig them up one by one!"

Eight!

"His Majesty……"

Six! No fewer than that!

Wen Tai held up a hand and said, "Five. I'll have Wen Hu do his best."

Yuan Xiu chuckled wickedly, "Deal!"

Wen Tai breathed a sigh of relief.

Yuan Xiu then said, "Tell Wen Hu that he is not allowed to pass himself off as someone else. His skill level cannot be too much worse than Xu Qingshan's."

Wen Tai became serious and said forcefully, "Your Majesty! Xu Qingshan was able to kill Chen Chong and Yu Beipiao. He is a master among masters. No one can be much worse than him. He must be a master! Do you think masters are as common as cabbages? If our Great Jing had a lot of masters like that, we would have unified the world long ago!"

Seeing Wen Tai speak so much at once, and at a faster pace than usual, Yuan Xiu knew he was really anxious.

Yuan Xiu laughed and said, "Then they must be at least top-tier experts!"

"Your subject will comply!" Wen Tai said in an unfriendly tone.

"Then I'll have to trouble the Left Prime Minister." Yuan Xiu glared at the eunuch who handed him the fruit and scolded, "Why do you only know how to get fruit for me? Didn't you see the Left Prime Minister is here too? Give the Left Prime Minister some to eat first!"

"Your Majesty, I am deeply apprehensive!" Wen Tai quickly accepted the fruit, thinking to himself, "This chilled fruit is really expensive..."

Of the five top-tier masters, statistically speaking, two or three would likely be poached by the emperor.

The Seven Generals of Yangmen were all only at the level of first-rate masters.

It's too dark...

"Uncle Shaxian did a great job on this mission!"

Yuan Xiu changed the subject and said with a smile, "I promised him, and I keep my word. In the future, don't always let him handle the affairs of the Left Prime Minister's Office just to avoid suspicion. Your reputation is important, and his future is important too. Let him come out and give him a position in the court or the army so that he can realize his ambitions!"

Wen Tai's eyes brightened slightly; he had finally heard some good news. However, his face remained serious as he said, "Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of Hu'er."

...

The rear of the Yang Family Army camp.

Yamashita Manor.

"Reporting to the Junior Commander, Prince He has entered Yun Jing County."

Yang Qingzhi was feeding the cat on the table when he heard his personal guard Zuo Zhu's report. He asked, "Which route did he take?"

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