"The Yellow Sect! The Cui family! Marquis Anle! And Consort Mu!"
Xie Yuan counted the fish that had been caught this time, counting them carefully on his fingers.
I must say, there are quite a lot.
"What's most ingenious is that they're all in cahoots!"
Helian Jue's expression was indifferent, but his eyes held a coldness.
You really can't blame him for deliberately setting a trap; it was all his personal choice.
Helian Jue neither forced them to harbor any disloyalty nor encouraged them to rebel.
Even the news that this saint was in a coma was not deliberately spread by Helian Jue.
It was just some rumors circulating in the streets, but it made some people restless.
They insisted on jumping into the pit, so it's really no wonder he did it.
Originally, Helian Jue would not have felt guilty, nor would he have felt any psychological burden.
but--
"Your Majesty, is there something you cannot say directly to me?"
Xie Yuan knew Helian Jue well; she could sense something was wrong with just a moment's hesitation.
Helian Jue stared at Xie Yuan for a long time before saying, "I have some good news, A Yuan. It seems that Zheng Yurong, the female official you left in the capital, also has some connection with the Marquis of Anle's mansion."
Helian Jue wanted to go fishing, but he never expected that it would lead to the discovery of someone with a close relationship with the Empress.
Although the Zheng family was personally promoted by Helian Jue, the main reason why Helian Jue would give the Zheng brothers important positions was because of Xie Yuan.
Initially, it was Xie Yuanxian who saved Zheng Yurong, and only then did he bring the entire Zheng family under his control.
It can be said that the Zheng family bears the mark of Empress Xie.
Helian Jue deeply loved Xie Yuan, and by extension, he also held Xie Yuan's confidants in high regard.
Even if his trusted confidants betrayed him, Helian Jue wouldn't do anything.
Those who betray you should simply be killed.
If one person isn't enough to vent your anger, then create a household register! Or even a family tree!
But A-Yuan is different.
Although she was born into nobility and married into the royal family, she was kind at heart.
They also have a deep reverence for life.
To give a simple example, whether Xie Yuan was the Princess Consort of Yue or the Empress, she rarely punished servants or palace maids.
Even her enemies, such as Xie Ze and Xie Rou, repeatedly provoked and framed her, forcing Xie Yuancai to retaliate.
Unless you push her too far, A-Yuan will always be the kindest and most benevolent person.
Empress Dowager Ashina, who was "crushed to ashes": ...Hehe, she was indeed very kind!
The imperial physicians, who had been intimidated for over ten days, thought: ...Yes, she was indeed very merciful!
Regardless of what others think, in Helian Jue's heart, his A Yuan is a weak, helpless, kind, and soft-hearted little woman.
She was so kind and loyal, yet the lady-in-waiting she relied on and promoted all the way betrayed her—
Helian Jue didn't want to see his A Yuan sad and upset.
However, since the deed had already been done, Helian Jue could no longer keep it a secret.
He said in a low voice, "Zheng Yurong, out of consideration for their kinship, actually agreed to let her cousin and the Chen family girl enter the textile bureau."
"Furthermore, Zheng Yurong seems to be making some unusual moves with the Women's Soldiers!"
Although they were just some clues, they all hinted at something abnormal.
The Textile Bureau was a workshop established by Xie Yuan specifically to provide a means of survival for some destitute women.
This also laid the foundation for cotton textiles.
Xie Yuan always wanted to improve the social status of women, and the economic base determines the superstructure.
Only when women can earn money and support themselves can they have the opportunity to be "independent".
The cotton textile industry is naturally a workplace for women.
Helian Jue obtained cotton seeds for her from Gaochang, and Xie Yuan has already begun trial planting at the imperial estate and his own estates.
It is estimated that in a year or two, with a complete set of experience summarized, Xie Yuan will be able to promote cotton throughout the world.
With cotton, one could spin thread and weave cloth, thus providing a large number of jobs for women to make a living.
Several years or even a decade later, when the textile bureau reaches a real scale, Xie Yuan's goal will gradually be achieved.
Therefore, the textile bureau now seems insignificant, only taking in some pitiful orphans and widows to work as embroiderers.
However, this place is a very important part of Xie Yuan's strategy.
To ensure the textile bureau's success, Xie Yuan specifically appointed his most trusted female official.
In addition, female soldiers who were discharged due to injury or disability from the Women's Army, or family members of the Xuanjia Army and Yinjia Army, could also work in the Textile Bureau.
Helian Jue didn't quite understand Xie Yuan's emphasis on the Textile Bureau, but he valued Xie Yuan and knew that his Ah Yuan would never do anything in vain.
Consequently, Helian Jue subconsciously also placed great importance on the Textile Bureau.
But now, Helian Jue and Xie Yuan are not in the capital, and Zheng Yurong, Xie Yuan's most trusted female official, has arbitrarily placed unrelated people in the palace.
Regardless of whether those people had ulterior motives, Zheng Yurong's actions were problematic in themselves!
There were also female soldiers, who were another important force under Xie Yuan besides the Embroidered-Robed Envoys.
The number of people was not too large, only three thousand, but they were all trained by Xie Yuan according to the new training method (i.e., special forces).
I wouldn't say it's worth ten men, but it can certainly be incredibly effective at crucial moments.
When Xie Yuan returned to the capital, he used female soldiers as bait, and caught many big fish along the way.
Such power can only be controlled by the most trusted confidants.
Taking advantage of Xie Yuan's absence, Zheng Yurong—
Xie Yuan's expression changed slightly after hearing Helian Jue's words.
"So fast? They've already started placing people in the textile bureau and the women's corps?"
These two places look inconspicuous and seem to be inhabited by women and children.
But they were all women and children, and had a very close relationship with the Silver Armor Army and the Black Armor Army.
It is no exaggeration to say that controlling the textile bureau and the women soldiers meant controlling one-third of the Silver Armor Army and the Black Armor Army.
This was the emperor and empress's core army of 50,000 men, while their families and relatives mostly worked in the textile bureau and among the women soldiers.
"He's quite clever; he understands the importance of 'hostages'."
Xie Yuan gave a nonchalant evaluation.
Helian Jue raised an eyebrow, then smiled: "After all, he's my A-Yuan!"
This talent is truly exceptional.
It's likely that A Yuan started making plans when Chen Fuli proposed to marry Zheng's daughter.
"You flatter me, sage! In truth, you are far more wise!"
Xie Yuan sensed the praise in Helian Jue's words, and instead of pretending to be naive, she readily acknowledged it.
And added: Same here, you're no less impressive!
Helian Chen was numb and sighed inwardly; so, I really don't understand why those people can't learn their lesson?
How many times have the Emperor and Empress schemed against them?
How could someone actually fall for that!
Sigh, so stupid, yet they still dare to plot big things.
The emperor and empress don't even need to return to the capital; they can wipe those people out by operating remotely!
...
Helian Jue's army continued to be stationed in Zhongzhou, and even the local officials were unaware of the truth, let alone the capital.
What's more, the rumors in the capital have been updated: the emperor has been in a coma for over a month and may not live much longer!
Empress Xie was deeply devoted to the emperor and was willing to die for him!
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