These words caused an uproar among the court officials.

The Confucian officials were furious and stepped forward to accuse him, spitting as they spoke, "How absurd that the Grand Commandant's single thought can determine the rise and fall of the court!"

"Both civil and military affairs should be neglected, yet he treats civil affairs as worthless. How can he govern the country in the future!" In an instant, the hall was filled with clamor.

"My Qin state is already lacking in capable officials. Just a few days ago we were talking about holding the imperial examinations, but now we leave these people unused... and instead we are engaging in such tyrannical killings. What is the purpose of this?"

Ying Zheng slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his gaze sharp as lightning as he swept over the indignant Confucian officials: "Silence!"

His shout silenced the hall instantly, leaving only his cold, sharp gaze sweeping across the assembled officials.

The Confucian official wanted to speak again, but Ying Zheng's cold gaze made his face flush red, and he forcibly swallowed the words he wanted to say.

"In my opinion, although the Grand Commandant's actions in Qi were bloody, they were the most effective." Ying Zheng slowly raised his hand, his voice filled with authority. "If they are truly those who harm the country and disrupt the people, then their execution is only right and proper."

His gaze fell on the group of Confucian officials. "If remnants of this rebellion rise again in the future, have you ever considered the consequences?"

The ministers felt a chill run down their spines, but many Confucian scholars still showed dissatisfaction. One of them, forcing a smile, said, "Your Majesty, a gentleman's conduct is based on benevolence. The Grand Commandant's actions are perhaps too extreme and cruel..."

"Benevolence?" Upon hearing this, the wicked man stepped forward expressionlessly, coldly sweeping his gaze over the Confucian scholar. "Back then, those self-proclaimed benevolent aristocratic families cruelly exploited and oppressed the people, secretly colluded with rebels, and harmed the imperial army. How do you explain such evil deeds with the 'benevolence' you speak of?"

At this point, he scoffed, "If reading books can save one from death, then can this Grand Commandant's popularization of education abolish the law? How can the world be at peace in the future!"

The scholar's face paled, his eyes flickered, but he could not refute the argument. Among the assembled officials, a few who were reasonably reasonable had already nodded in agreement.

"I am unwilling to listen to these pointless disputes any longer." Ying Zheng slowly rose, his majestic gaze sweeping over the entire court. "Because of Confucius, all sorts of schools of thought have sprung up in Qi. If the Grand Commandant is not ruthless, how can he suppress these deeply entrenched old forces?"

His Highness and his ministers looked at each other in bewilderment. The Confucian scholars, though unwilling, could not find a way to refute him.

Perhaps they understood that the villain's actions had indeed deterred potential threats, but the killings were too horrifying, and their backgrounds made it impossible for them to accept such methods.

Seeing that no one was protesting anymore, Ying Zheng turned to the wicked husband and said, "Grand Commandant, I will ask you one last question—can you guarantee that this action will ensure the stability of my Great Qin dynasty and the well-being of the people?"

The wicked man stepped forward, bowed his head, and replied in a deep voice, "I guarantee it with my life."

Seeing his resolute expression, Ying Zheng nodded slightly and slapped the armrest of the chair: "In that case, let this matter rest for now. Anyone who dares to spread rumors again will be severely punished. Court adjourned!"

After saying that, he turned and left.

The officials filed out of the hall, some with cold eyes, some with dissatisfaction, and some with hidden fear, but none dared to openly contradict them.

The wicked man stood in the hall, watching Ying Zheng leave. The sunlight outside the hall was bright, but it seemed to be seen through thick clouds, which made his eyes look cold and stern.

"Now that we've come this far!" the wicked man murmured, raising his eyes. "Then we can only go further."

He turned around, his gaze meeting Han Fei's. The two looked at each other and saw the same unwavering determination in each other's eyes—once the path of overcoming thorns and brambles was chosen, there was no turning back.

Among all the civil and military officials, at least some could see the situation clearly.

"The various schools of thought should be eliminated."

In front of all the civil and military officials, the wicked man coldly uttered these words, which were as powerful as thunder, and then turned and strode away.

Many officials in the room paled, their foreheads instantly covered in cold sweat.

Executing lawless scholars is barely acceptable, but purging all the schools of thought is a bit of an exaggeration... Even a wicked man might not be able to withstand such consequences.

"Good lad, go for it!"

Meng Ao's loud laughter came from behind, "What is the sharpness of the Qin sword? It is because it dares to cut down all enemies. What about the various schools of thought? As long as they cause trouble... the Qin sword will cut them down."

"The million tigers and wolves of Qin will all obey the Grand Commandant's orders!"

Upon hearing his statement, all the military officers in the court echoed, "We are at the command of the Grand Commandant."

Everyone can see from all of this that Ying Zheng is blatantly protecting—or rather, supporting—his wicked husband.

With spies from the Black Ice Guard spread throughout the land, how could King Ying Zheng, as the ruler of Qi, not know about the wars and battles in Qi?

Hearing Meng Ao's loud laughter, the wicked man paused slightly, but did not turn around. He looked at the sunlight outside the palace gate, squinting as if he could already see the bloodshed to come through the blinding light.

"Thank you, generals," he replied in a deep voice. Though his words were few, they were enough to reassure the officers.

He then stepped out of the hall, with Han Fei following closely behind. The two walked one after the other on the vast palace path, their backs appearing exceptionally solemn.

After walking a distance, Han Fei asked in a low voice, "Does the Grand Commandant really intend to take action against all the schools of thought at the same time? After all, each school of thought has its merits, and not all of them are necessarily bad apples."

The wicked man sneered, "What we are cutting down is not the knowledge of the various schools of thought, but those who use knowledge to deceive and create chaos in the world. Qi is just the beginning; there is no need to keep those useless doctrines alive."

Upon hearing this, Han Fei nodded secretly, knowing that although the wicked husband's actions were ruthless, they were not without method: "That's good. Cutting off the foundation of the old forces at the root can indeed clear obstacles for the future."

The wicked man glanced at him sideways, his gaze resolute: "The Legalists emphasize clear laws and practicality, the Mohists use tools for the people, and the Agriculturalists and Physicians each have their strengths... As long as they can work diligently to benefit the world, I will not arbitrarily punish them. However, those hypocritical and righteous doctrines that advocate regression, and even those demons and monsters who secretly form alliances, should all be wiped out."

Just then, hurried footsteps came from behind. Zhao Gao, accompanied by several eunuchs, caught up and bowed, saying, "Grand Commandant, His Majesty has ordered you to come to the meeting immediately."

Han Fei and the wicked man exchanged a glance, and Han Fei immediately understood that the king must be confirming more details, and that a thorough purge was probably not far off.

“Let’s go,” the wicked husband replied succinctly. The two stepped through the palace gates again, crossed the long stone steps, and entered the solemn palace area.

The palace walls were deep and heavy, like a prison. The hateful man's steps did not falter in the slightest. Han Fei stood silently beside him, but he could feel the determination within him that he would not give up until he achieved his goal.

"The various schools of thought, like rivers flowing into the sea, should have worked together to benefit the people. However, some people have taken advantage of this to exploit the populace and obstruct the new policies. Since that's the case—" The wicked man's mind raced, and he clenched his fist as if he were about to uproot those who stood in his way.

The palace doors in the distance had already opened, and Ying Zheng, dressed in a long black robe, stood with his hands behind his back at the entrance, his expression solemn and cold. Their gazes met in mid-air, as if nothing more needed to be said.

"Come in." Ying Zheng's tone was calm, yet it contained boundless majesty.

The wicked man stepped through the heavy vermilion gate first, followed closely by Han Fei, whose expression was solemn.

The clash of swords and the thunder of horses have not yet subsided, and a new round of dramatic changes is already on the verge of unfolding.