The following day, news of the death of Chen Ke, the Minister of Personnel, spread throughout Changsui City at an extremely rapid pace.

It is reported that Chen Ke was murdered at home by thieves, and his head was even cut off, a particularly cruel act.

The head of the six ministries of the mighty Great Jing Dynasty, a high-ranking official of the third rank, actually encountered such a thing.

The entire court was shocked!

This time, even Yuan Xiu, who was only focused on enjoying himself in the Imperial Palace, couldn't hold back any longer. He stormed to the Central Secretariat, summoned the four central ministers, and jumped up and down cursing in anger.

"Right under the emperor's nose, on the outskirts of the imperial city, a high-ranking official of the court can be killed at will. This is the greatest provocation against me!"

Yuan Xiu paced back and forth in front of the four men, then suddenly stopped, pointed at them, and said, "Regardless of what important matters the Central Secretariat has to deal with recently, you must make investigating this case your top priority!"

Yuan Li said, "It's already under investigation. Minister He just returned from the Chen family with people from the Ministry of Justice."

Yuan Xiu asked, "He Yin, what's going on?"

He Yin frowned and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the person who assassinated Minister Chen had a very clear target and was an expert. We conducted an investigation at the scene and found no signs of a struggle or ransacking. The assassin wanted to take Minister Chen's life, so he beheaded him with one sword and left."

"When the Ministry of Justice left the scene, Minister Dong of the Court of Judicial Review also led his men there."

Yuan Xiu said, "For such a major incident, the people from the imperial prison should go there. Has your Ministry of Justice made a preliminary judgment? Who is responsible?"

“This…” He Yin shook her head and said, “There is no evidence yet, so it’s not appropriate to draw any conclusions easily.”

Chen Changyun interjected, "Minister He, His Majesty only asked you to make a preliminary judgment; there's no need to be so cautious. In my opinion, the masses have discerning eyes, and rumors are already rampant outside."

Yuan Xiu asked, "What rumors?"

Chen Changyun bowed to Yuan Xiu and said, "Your Majesty, the court and the public are all talking about how Minister Chen offended the Left Chancellor because of the appointment of officials in the Central Secretariat, so the Left Chancellor killed him to vent his anger."

Yuan Xiu's expression darkened, and he looked at He Yin again, asking, "Is that possible?"

He Yin frankly said, "There is a possibility, but I still think we cannot be so hasty. If we suspect the Left Prime Minister without evidence, the subsequent investigation will also go in a direction that is unfavorable to the Left Prime Minister, which would be unfair."

Chen Changyun said, "Minister He, the Left Prime Minister isn't here, what are you afraid of?"

He Yin frowned, glared at Chen Changyun, and said, "Let things be as they are. Even if the Left Prime Minister is here, what do I have to fear?!"

He Yin continued, "I just think that Zuo Xiang has been very low-key about the Central Committee matter, so why would he make such a foolish move at this critical juncture? This... is not like his style."

Chen Changyun scoffed, "A cornered dog will do anything, right?"

Yuan Xiu cursed, "You dog, speak properly!"

Chen Changyun immediately put on a smiling face, his face full of menacing expressions.

Yuan Li stepped forward and helped Yuan Xiu sit down, saying, "Your Majesty, I think that although Lord Chen's analogy is a bit extreme, his analysis is not without reason. As we all know, Chen Ke is just a figurehead in the Ministry of Personnel. For the past few years, the Ministry of Personnel has been the Ministry of Personnel under the control of the Left Chancellor. Apart from the generals personally appointed by Your Majesty and a very few people personally promoted, the people arranged by the Left Chancellor have long been spread throughout the civil and military officials."

"After the establishment of the Central Secretariat, although the Left Prime Minister's Office has not made any moves and the Left Prime Minister has also kept a low profile, their power should not be underestimated. Take our anti-corruption campaign this time, for example. We have only targeted civil officials. We dare not make any rash moves against those military officers who are corrupt inside and outside the court."

Yuan Xiu clenched his fist; Yuan Li's words had hit a nerve.

This is also why he dared not suddenly attack Wen Tai.

Wen Tai was ostensibly the head of the civil officials, but his influence in the military was even stronger. Ever since Zhao Huan relinquished his military power, he had people in all the armies of Da Jing, except for Yuan Zhang's Zhennan Border Army.

Moreover, the Left Prime Minister's residence is full of experts. If Wen Tai is determined to make trouble, then the Great Jing Dynasty will surely be thrown into turmoil.

Yuan Li said, "The Left Prime Minister's low profile is just his attitude, but it doesn't mean he will tolerate it indefinitely. Perhaps this incident with Chen Ke is his way of making an example of us and retaliating against us."

"Who's the chicken? Who's the monkey? Are you the monkey, or am I the monkey?"

Yuan Xiu glared and said, "If he really did this, I will not let him off!"

Yuan Li immediately said, "Your Majesty knows what you are worried about, so the Left Chancellor should either remain still or act quickly, without giving him a chance to react."

Yuan Xiu raised his hand and said, "Don't act impulsively or rashly. This case still needs to be investigated. If it was done by the Left Prime Minister, then I will not tolerate it. But if it wasn't, it means that the Left Prime Minister has no ulterior motives. If I take action against him first and escalate the situation, then it will be my fault."

"Brother..."

“Do as I say.” Yuan Xiu interrupted Yuan Li, and continued, “You must remember that my purpose is to weaken the power of the prime minister and ensure a smooth transition, not to take the life of the left prime minister. If the left prime minister can understand me, then we will have no worries. But if he does not understand me and causes turmoil in the court, then only Southern Zhou will benefit. I do not want that to happen.”

"The Left Prime Minister has rendered meritorious service to both me and the country."

Yuan Li said no more and replied, "Your subject understands."

Just then, the official entered and reported, "Your Majesty, the Director of the Court of Justice requests an audience!"

"Dong Xiao is here too, perfect, let him in."

Yuan Xiu stood up. When Dong Xiao came in and was about to bow, he immediately said, "Stop bowing, quickly tell me what's going on!"

Dong Xiao said, "There were no signs of a struggle or ransacking at the scene. The assassin wanted to kill Minister Chen and beheaded him with a single sword stroke. The method was clean and efficient."

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