Jin Fengluan's face was as cold as frost, and her slender hands, hidden under her sleeves, were now clenched into fists.
Jin Jiande then continued:
"Your Majesty, I never expected that after this traitor entered the capital, Zhang Li would directly pledge allegiance to him and even help him govern the country."
"As the saying goes, you can't see into someone's heart. As a high-ranking official, Zhang Li actually did such a thing."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Wang Yong, the Minister of Revenue who had accompanied Jin Fengluan back to Nanze, immediately stepped forward. His face was flushed with anger, and he said coldly:
"Your Majesty, Zhang Li is truly the greatest traitor since the founding of the Great Gan Dynasty!"
"Even the disgraced official Huang Long is far better than him!"
"Your Majesty, I sensed early on that Zhang Li was a man of deep cunning, not the kind of loyal subject you would expect! Sure enough, as soon as the traitor entered the capital, he immediately began to fawn over him, even listing the traitor on the list of successful candidates. His crimes are truly heinous!"
As these words were spoken, the officials joined in the cursing, and Kim Jong-hee said indignantly:
"Wind and frost distinguish the nature of plants, and danger and chaos reveal the integrity of the virtuous!"
"When I first met Zhang Li, he seemed like a virtuous gentleman, wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people. I never imagined that after all these years, he would be such a changed man! He has actually betrayed us and joined the traitors!"
"Bah! You despicable person!"
Wang Yong added, "The old general is right!"
"His Majesty's relocation to Nanze has brought us back with us, and we are determined to follow His Majesty to the death and support His Majesty in restoring the dynasty!"
"A treacherous minister like Zhang Li would naturally refuse to return. Humph, this man is truly shameless! He actually abandoned His Majesty and joined the ranks of a traitor. When we return to Jinling in the future, this traitor must not be let off!"
As soon as he finished speaking, some other ministers jumped out and echoed his sentiments.
Jin Fengluan's mind was fogged up by the noise, and she said in a deep voice:
"Alright, my beloved ministers, there's no need for further words. I already know that you are all loyal men."
She paused slightly, then said hesitantly:
"However... after much deliberation, I still feel that the Heavenly Official is not that kind of person."
"When the rebels plotted their rebellion, the Heavenly Official offered advice and strategies. When the national treasury was empty, the Heavenly Official was the first to suggest using his salary to replenish the treasury and provide disaster relief to the people."
"The late emperor once said that the Minister of Personnel is a loyal and righteous man who serves the country and the people and should be given important responsibilities. Over the years, he has been in charge of the Ministry of Personnel and has performed his duties diligently, sharing many of my burdens."
"I'm wondering if the Heavenly Official is... feigning to appease the traitor, but in reality..."
Before he could finish speaking, Wang Yong's anger flared up, and he couldn't help but interrupt:
"Your Majesty! A treacherous villain disguised as a loyal one!"
Jin Fengluan raised an eyebrow, and a murderous glint appeared in her eyes.
Wang Yong was startled by the sharp, knife-like gaze, and only then did he belatedly realize that in his haste, he had interrupted His Majesty's words.
He hurriedly bowed and apologized, saying, "Your Majesty, I was in a hurry and spoke too quickly. Please do not take offense."
Jin Fengluan glanced at him coldly and said in a deep voice:
"Never mind."
"Although the Heavenly Official is now governing the country in Jinling, I feel that the Heavenly Official either has his own difficulties or is pretending to be on good terms with the rebels. He may not be sincere in helping the rebels govern the country."
"Perhaps... the Heavenly Official is already plotting something behind the scenes, that's also possible."
After he finished speaking, Jin Jiande cautiously began to speak:
"Your Majesty, if that is the case, the Heavenly Official should inform us."
"But he didn't, that's probably..."
Jin Fengluan said unhappily, "Could you have imagined that the traitors could capture Jinling so quickly?"
"Even I didn't expect the traitors to be able to capture Nanjing so quickly. In such an emergency, what kind of plan could the Heavenly Official possibly come up with?"
Jin Jiande's face stiffened, and he nodded, but in his heart he thought, "I had long suspected that the traitors would be able to enter Nanjing at a very fast speed, but you didn't believe me!"
If it weren't for my persistent pleading and repeated requests to relocate to Nanze, and my tireless efforts for Your Majesty, we might have been trapped in Jinling by the traitors by now.
"Alas, honest advice is hard to hear," Jin Jiande sighed inwardly.
At this moment, Zhang Li is already helping the traitor govern the country. The traitor has appointed Zhang Li as a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and now he is second only to the emperor. Your Majesty, do you still think that Zhang Li has some hidden grievances and is plotting to rebel against the traitor behind the scenes? It is really hard to believe.
Zhang Li is living the high life right now, having a great time. Who knows how happy he is? Does he still have his eye on you?
Thinking of this, Jin Jiande clenched his fists, his anger growing stronger.
That old codger put on such a show before, acting so convincingly that he fooled himself. Wang Yong may not have any other skills, but today he actually spoke the truth.
Zhang Li is indeed a villain disguised as a loyal minister!
If only I had known, I should have sent the Thousand Machine Battalion to guard Zhang Li's house and monitor him day and night! If I had known he was this kind of person from the beginning, I should have fabricated a crime against him and executed his entire family.
Just then, Jin Fengluan's words interrupted Jin Jiande's thoughts.
"Now the traitor has occupied Nanjing, calling himself a false emperor, and is trying to steal our great empire."
"But everyone in the world knows he's just a rebel. So what if he occupies Nanjing?"
At this point, she raised her voice and exclaimed:
"Everyone in the world knows! I am the one who has been appointed by Heaven to rule over all people. Wherever I am, that is the capital!"
"Now that I reside in Nanze, then Nanze shall be the capital of the Great Gan Kingdom!" She looked at her ministers.
The ministers immediately echoed:
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Kim Jong-hui said in a resounding voice:
"Your Majesty is the true Son of Heaven. The traitor has usurped the country and all his actions are heinous. After his rebellion, he caused widespread internal strife and brought great suffering to the people of the land!"
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