Only then can they jointly compose a beautiful story of ruler and minister.

Zhang Yong solemnly lifted his robe and knelt down:

"Your Majesty's kindness is truly appreciated; I will serve you with utmost loyalty and devotion until my dying breath!"

Wise people speak only to the point and stop short of saying anything.

Su Wanwan then summoned Yang Yiqing.

Yang Yiqing had been in charge of military affairs in the Shaanxi-Gansu border region for many years and was an old acquaintance of Qiu Yue, the Earl of Xianning. He spoke highly of Qiu Yue.

"Qiu Yue was originally an ordinary soldier from a poor family. Because of his strong abilities and good character, he was adopted as a son by Qiu Liji, the Vice Commander of the Capital Garrison, and inherited the position of Assistant Commander of the Ningxia Vanguard. He also won many battle merits and was promoted to Ningxia Guerrilla General."

"The rebellion of the Prince of Anhua was caused by him feigning surrender and then inciting the Prince of Anhua to send troops out of the city, which led to the killing of the rebel leader left in Ningxia City, the occupation of Ningxia City, and control of the Prince of Anhua."

The fact that the rebels were defeated with minimal cost and in the shortest time demonstrates the kind of ruthless general that Su Wanwan lacks.

“General Xiao once served under him. Your Highness may ask General Xiao.” Yang Yiqing spoke of Xiao Bin with a meaningful tone.

Although he did not know the specifics of the Empress's past with General Xiao, he had heard that Xiao Bin had been Su Wanwan's bodyguard and had recuperated at the Su family's residence, so he must have trusted Xiao Bin immensely.

...

Looking at the Grand Canal dock behind him, Liu Qi smiled and waved to the Bazhou government troops on the opposite bank.

It is said that Wang Cong, the garrison commander of Bazhou, was an old friend of his, and they had drunk together before.

When Su Wanwan ordered the sale of horses from the border, many horses were sold to Wang Cong.

Wang Cong did not put on airs or make things difficult for him. On the contrary, he treated him as an honored guest and even tried to curry favor with him, hoping to gain the appreciation of a powerful figure and be promoted.

However, Wang Cong, who should have been hunting him down, did not go all out. Instead, Su Wanwan sentenced him to death.

Liu Qi spurred his horse to leave, but the horse began to neigh restlessly.

There's an ambush in the woods on both sides of the road!

Liu Qi quickly ordered his men to retreat in an orderly manner.

This is a wide dock with well-connected roads, making it difficult to be besieged.

However.

A cannon shot rang out, startling the horses, who fled in panic.

The air was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder.

Liu Qi's heart sank.

The blood in my body surged wildly to the top of my head.

He had witnessed the power of artillery.

Artillery was expensive, and only the areas around the capital, a few important passes of the border army, and the emperor's personal guards could afford to use mobile artillery.

Did the border troops bring artillery over specifically to attack their cavalry?

Or were the emperor's personal guards here specifically to ambush him?

Liu Qi was overjoyed.

If it's the latter, that would be wonderful.

Rather than living a pathetic life on the run, he preferred a quick and decisive end.

To be able to have a direct confrontation with the emperor, even if one dies, would leave no regrets.

A dangerous glint flashed in Liu Qi's eyes.

Ever since the last time the emperor was shot by his arrow, he had a feeling that the emperor would come looking for him again.

Liu Liu yelled at him, "Get out of here!"

The two brothers spurred their horses and galloped westward.

He hadn't run far when a shell landed right where Liu Qi had just been standing.

That was close!

Liu Qi's heart sank to the bottom, and he immediately abandoned his illusions.

The emperor clearly intends to kill him!

The horse beneath him was out of control and was running away wildly.

Another artillery shell landed nearby.

A huge blast of air swept in, and Liu Qi was thrown away by the blast, quickly losing consciousness.

...

Liu Qi felt as if he were in a fog, unable to find a way out.

After walking around for a long time, I finally saw a blurry figure in the distance.

It was Su Wanwan sitting at the tea table.

He stared at him with a serious expression, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "Liu Qi must die."

He roared angrily and grabbed her by the neck: "Why?"

"Aren't you afraid of dying?!"

"Can't you just lower your head and beg me to find a cure for your illness?!"

Su Wanwan simply closed her eyes calmly, looking as if she were about to be slaughtered.

Her neck was so slender that he could break it with just a little force.

His hand loosened and tightened, then tightened and loosened again.

I felt a dry, sore throat.

This woman is ruthless!

So ruthless that they'd risk their own lives, why would they care about someone else's life or death?

He was just acting on impulse and became an outlaw.

Is it really that unforgivable?

Liu Qi gritted his teeth and started eating, closing his eyes and forcefully breaking the food in his hand.

A bucket of ice water was suddenly poured over his head.

Liu Qi's entire body was instantly frozen.

He struggled to open his eyes and realized that he was not in a fog.

Instead, it was a dark, blood-soaked cell.

Heart-wrenching screams came from outside; it was my brother, Liu Liu!

A smoky aroma of roasted meat wafted in.

Liu Qi's heart clenched, and he focused his attention on the several people sitting in the darkness.

However, it was impossible to see who the other person was.

Liu Qi sneered, "Kill me or torture me, it's up to you."

In fact, he was already dead the day he met Su Wanwan.

He's nothing but a walking corpse now.

It's just a worthless life.

It doesn't matter.

The person in the darkness threw a few pieces of charcoal into the fire.

The flames rose, illuminating the man's face.

His handsome face, with its sharp angles and defined features, was completely expressionless.

When those extremely cold eyes looked over, it was as if they were looking at a dead person.

A mocking smile appeared on Liu Qi's lips. "It is an honor for me, Liu, to have the Emperor personally present."

Lu Xingjian didn't speak, but simply made a gesture.

Someone came over and secured Liu Qi's limbs and head with ropes, then pulled him onto a rotating device nearby.

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