"To force lawful citizens to rebel? That shouldn't be the case, right?"
Zhou Wencheng's heart was pounding, but he tried his best to appear calm on the surface.
He said this, whether he was defending Cui Boyong or convincing himself: "Governor Cui is, after all, a court official from a prominent family. Even if he can't love the people like his own children, he can't treat them like dirt."
However, as Zhou Wencheng spoke, he himself began to lack confidence.
He didn't truly believe in Cui Boyong's integrity; rather, he harbored illusions.
Xie Yuan, however, was not as "naive" as Zhou Wencheng, nor would he deceive himself.
She scoffed, "Chief Secretary Zhou, you yourself said that I come from a distinguished family!"
Xie Yuan deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the words "family of noble families," making it very emphatic.
In this era of dynastic changes, whether it is the Southern Dynasty or the Northern Dynasty, a new emperor can be appointed every thirty to fifty years.
But the powerful families have stood strong for hundreds of years.
It's not that these aristocratic families are invincible, but rather that their members share only one concept—family inheritance!
They didn't care about the common people, the dynasties, or the emperors; the scions of noble families didn't care about any of it.
They had little respect for imperial power and little compassion for the common people; their thoughts and actions were solely for the purpose of protecting the interests of their own families.
If they could develop their own family, they might even secretly plot to overthrow a dynasty!
Cui Boyong was a typical scion of a powerful family. During his years in Yuezhou, he only thought about the interests of his family, not about the laws of the court or the common people.
The body Xie Yuan transmigrated into was also that of a typical noblewoman.
Through the original owner's memories, Xie Yuan learned about the education the original owner received, so she was very clear about the rules, style of doing things, and so on of aristocratic families.
Therefore, she knew Cui Boyong's background all too well.
"I did not intentionally spread rumors or slander Governor Cui!"
Seeing that Zhou Wencheng was speechless, Xie Yuan stopped his sarcastic remarks and softened his tone.
She said slowly, "Chief Clerk Zhou, you have been in Yuezhou for almost a year now, so you must know a lot of things."
"Putting everything else aside, just look at how the former magistrate of He County and the prefect of Huangzhou next door died?"
Zhou Wencheng moved his lips, the words "died in a civil unrest" were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't say them.
Xie Yuan's eyes were too bright.
Under such scrutiny, Zhou Wencheng simply couldn't deceive himself.
"Died in a civil unrest?!"
Zhou Wencheng didn't speak, so Xie Yuan spoke for him.
But when this part was mentioned, Xie Yuan couldn't help but scoff, "Ha! That's utterly ridiculous!"
She looked at Zhou Wencheng and said, "Chief Secretary Zhou, do you believe such nonsense?"
"Leaving aside how the 'civil unrest' came about, the fact that a number of court officials were killed is enough to demonstrate the 'dereliction of duty' of Cui and some officials in Lingnan."
"The so-called 'popular rebellion' was clearly fabricated by Cui Boyong and other powerful figures for their own benefit."
"The officials sent by the imperial court were unwilling to collude with them, so they 'died in the civil unrest'."
"I, the Princess Consort of Yue, suspected that the Governor of Yuezhou was guilty of embezzlement and dereliction of duty. I secretly ordered people to gather evidence, and as a result, another 'civil unrest' broke out in He County!"
Xie Yuan said a lot, then suddenly changed the subject and steered the conversation toward himself.
She looked at Zhou Wencheng with a burning gaze, "Chief Secretary Zhou, you are not a child, nor are you a fool. Even I, a woman, can see the clues in these situations. I don't believe you can't?"
Zhou Wencheng opened his mouth, but in the end, it turned into a bitter smile.
He nodded in frustration.
He certainly saw the problems in Yuezhou and even Lingnan.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been sending one secret memorial after another to the capital.
But, the emperor is far away.
Lingnan is located south of the Five Ridges, in a wild and remote area with inconvenient transportation.
The Great Zhou Dynasty was newly established, and everything needed to be rebuilt. The emperor really couldn't attend to Lingnan for the time being.
As long as the officials of the prefectures and counties in Lingnan do not raise the flag of rebellion, and as long as they are still willing to submit to the Great Zhou Dynasty, the court will not take it too seriously for the time being!
Cui Boyong and others probably saw through all this, which is why they acted so "recklessly".
Zhou Wencheng had already thought of this. However, as a former censor who also bore the responsibility of overseeing the Prince of Yue's residence, he couldn't help but write a secret memorial to the Emperor.
Even though he knew that none of this would be of any use.
At least for now, the sage does not want to spare any energy to govern Lingnan.
In the future, perhaps one day, when the sage decides to take action, those secret reports and evidence will finally play a role.
Thinking of all this, Zhou Wencheng's indignation was instantly extinguished.
He looked rather dejected.
Xie Yuan had been watching Zhou Wencheng's reaction closely, and seeing his expression, he knew what the other man was thinking.
Excellent! The groundwork has been laid!
This also made Zhou Wencheng realize the arrogance of Cui Boyong and other Yuezhou officials.
When Helian Jue returned with his troops and quelled the "civil unrest" in Yuezhou and even Lingnan, he had a solid foundation of public opinion.
His Highness the King of Yue has no intention of rebelling or abusing his power.
He was upholding the laws and authority of the imperial court, and he was executing corrupt officials who "forced good people to rebel."
His Highness the King of Yue is the true messenger of justice, a great man who stands up for the people and brings glory to the court!
Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!
Helian Jue, who was leading an army of 30,000 on a rapid march through the mountains and forests, couldn't help but sneeze three times in a row.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Li Lizhi, dressed in Hu clothing, rode alongside Helian Jue.
She asked with concern, her eyes revealing undisguised tenderness.
"It's alright!"
Helian Jue casually responded, but Xie Yuan's joking remark came to mind: "First scold, then think, then worry."
Even a sneeze could somehow elicit something Helian Jue had never heard before.
Three things to keep in mind?
Hmm, I just sneezed three times. Does that mean someone is thinking about me?
And that "someone" could only be my queen, there shouldn't be anyone else.
Having been away from Yuezhou for half a year, Helian Jue had Xie Yuan providing logistical support, so he had no worries at all.
He used war to sustain his war effort, fighting his way from Yuezhou to Huangzhou and Jiaozhou.
With the training methods given by Xie Yuan, Helian Jue's troops were fierce and disciplined, and like divine soldiers, they routed the "enemy army".
Xie Yuan also provided alcohol, which was used to treat the wounded soldiers in time, preventing any fatal injuries.
In addition, Xie Yuan's method of recruiting soldiers enabled Helian Jue to quickly recruit a sufficient number of troops.
When Helian Jue went there, he only had 5,000 men, but when he returned, he had 30,000 elite soldiers!
...It can be said that Xie Yuan was not by Helian Jue's side, but her influence was everywhere.
During the months that Helian Jue was away on campaign, his longing for Xie Yuan grew stronger.
Helian Jue himself was unaware, but he had already become accustomed to relying on Xie Yuan, trusting Xie Yuan, and regarding her as the most important person in his life!
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