Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the Imperial Palace of the capital, Xiao Yu was painting.
"Eunuch Cao said in a low voice."
"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister requests an audience."
Xiao Yu's pen never stopped moving.
"Announce."
Du Yuheng hurriedly entered the main hall, bowed to Xiao Yu, and then said.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhenguo has suddenly ordered the troop deployment from Liangzhou and the guerrillas from the capital to sail down the waterway directly to Bingzhou. Is Your Majesty aware of this matter?"
In principle, the movement of soldiers must go through the Ministry of War.
Du Yuheng only learned of this after Mu Zian had already left the capital.
Xiao Yu, who was painting, kept brushing away and simply said...
"This matter is permitted by me."
"There is a gang of outlaws in Bingzhou called Liuzangtang."
"His actions were reckless and he repeatedly violated the rules."
“When the Duke of Zhenguo first ascended the throne, they attempted to assassinate him.”
"During the Luzhou Rebellion, they even assisted the remnants of the former Chu state."
"I cannot rest easy until these bandits are eliminated."
Upon hearing the words "Six Burial Hall," Du Yuheng's heart suddenly tightened.
"Your Majesty, this matter is probably against the rules of the court."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu suddenly stopped what he was doing and looked up sharply at Du Yuheng in the center of the hall.
Those deep eyes seemed to see right through Du Yuheng in that instant.
Having served as his subject for over a decade, Du Yuheng knew the man before him all too well.
With just that one glance, Du Yuheng saw a hint of killing intent in Xiao Yu's eyes.
"What is the Prime Minister afraid of?"
Upon hearing this, cold sweat poured down Du Yuheng's forehead.
"Your Majesty... I just feel that this action is against the rules of the court."
"The deployment of troops between the two states should be decided by the Ministry of War first."
"It is neither reasonable nor morally right for the Duke of Zhenguo to selfishly lead his troops away."
Xiao Yu sneered.
"Improper? Is it against the rules of the imperial court, or against your rules, Du Yuheng?"
The cold, sharp voice startled Du Yuheng so much that he knelt on the ground.
"Your subject dares not!"
"What I have said is all for the sake of the eternal prosperity of my Great Li Dynasty; I have no other selfish motives."
The hall suddenly fell into complete silence.
The only sound was the rustling of the curtains in the gentle breeze blowing in from outside the window.
Standing in front of his desk, Xiao Yu suddenly burst into laughter.
"I was just joking with you, Prime Minister. Why are you so nervous?"
"They're just a bunch of bandits. Since Zhenguo has declared his intention to punish them, how can I refuse?"
Du Yuheng was so frightened by Xiao Yu's words that he dared not refute them.
Xiao Yu slowly walked from the table to Du Yuheng's side and helped him up.
"We have been ruler and subject for many years, and I naturally understand your loyalty to my Great Li."
"But you must remember this: only my rules are the rules."
Upon hearing this, Du Yuheng quickly cupped his hands in greeting.
"Your Majesty understands."
As he spoke, Xiao Yu gave him a look, and Eunuch Cao immediately brought over the painting from the desk.
"I happen to have painted a picture today, so I will give it to the Prime Minister."
Du Yuheng took the scroll and quickly spoke.
"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
Just as Du Yuheng was about to open the scroll, Xiao Yu stopped him.
"The prime minister can simply go home and enjoy it at his leisure."
"I am tired. Please escort the Prime Minister out of the palace."
After saying that, Xiao Yu turned and left.
Eunuch Cao said to Du Yuheng with a smile on his face.
"This way, Your Excellency Prime Minister."
Watching Xiao Yu's departing figure, a sense of fear rose in Du Yuheng's heart.
Twenty years of peace in Dali had made Du Yuheng forget the coldness and ruthlessness of the man before him.
After leaving the palace, Du Yuheng boarded a carriage to return to his residence.
He then unfurled the scroll that Xiao Yu had given him.
However, just one glance sent chills down Du Yuheng's spine!
On the scroll, a venomous snake was depicted, coiled among the branches of a tree, and looked incredibly lifelike.
Those venomous eyes were now fixed intently on Du Yuheng.
This scene startled Du Yuheng so much that he dropped the scroll he was holding to the ground.
A chilling feeling rose from my back, like a thorn in my side!
The carriage returned to the prime minister's residence.
Inside the bedroom, cold sweat poured uncontrollably down Du Yuheng's forehead.
After a long while, Du Yuheng let out a long sigh.
"Someone come here."
"master."
"Go and invite His Highness Prince Qi."
As soon as he finished speaking, Du Yuheng gritted his teeth and said.
"Prepare a carriage for me; I will go to the Prince of Qi's residence myself."
......
Meanwhile, inside the Bingzhou government office.
A man clad in armor looked at the letter in his hand and sneered.
"This is absolutely outrageous!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged scholar dressed in a dark scarlet official robe slowly walked in.
"Why is General Lü angry?"
Upon seeing the newcomer, the man addressed as General Lü immediately bowed and greeted him.
"This humble general pays his respects to Lord Ding."
The newcomer was none other than Ding Hong, the current governor of Bingzhou, while the one bowing with his hands clasped was none other than Lü Feng, the current magistrate of Bingzhou.
Bingzhou was located near the state of Han and was a strategically important place in Dali.
Although there have been no conflicts between Dali and South Korea in recent years, one should not harbor malicious intentions, but one should always be wary of others.
Bingzhou was a strong and well-equipped military force, ranking among the top in the thirteen provinces of Dali.
Because of the importance of Bingzhou, in order to prevent the governor from becoming too powerful, only the position of governor was established.
While the functions of a prefect and a governor may seem similar, they are actually quite different.
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