Feng Guang laughed, "Yes, the Duke of Zhenguo has spent half his life on the battlefield for my Dongyun Kingdom. I have no doubt about your patriotism and loyalty. Besides the Duke of Zhenguo, who else can I trust?"
"Your Majesty, I am...I am a military officer." Lan Gan never did anything related to literature, let alone something as trivial as handling important court matters and memorials.
All the officials were holding their breath, and they all looked at Gu Yan, hoping that the regent would stand up and say something to change the empress's mind. But they were disappointed because Gu Yan remained silent and did not intend to say anything.
Feng Guang chuckled and said, "Wouldn't it be better if the Duke of Zhenguo was a military officer? When dealing with state affairs, if he sees any memorials that he doesn't like, or receives news of any official forming cliques for personal gain, he can simply behead them without any further ado."
Now, the ministers who had just wanted to speak up all lowered their heads and dared not utter a word.
“After all, with so many talented people taking the imperial examinations every year, it’s not good for a few ministers to die. I can just promote a few more people to fill the vacancies.” Feng Guang looked at Gu Yan, “What do you think, Uncle?”
Gu Yan lowered his head, "Your Majesty is right."
Like a final decision, the matter was settled amidst the silent exchange of glances.
This empress is really... too capricious!
As if he could hear the complaints, Feng Guang tilted his head and laughed, "Those who have opinions, keep trying. I'm still waiting for you to overthrow me."
"Your subject dares not!" In an instant, a large number of people knelt down.
"Alright, let's adjourn the court." Feng Guang flicked his sleeves and turned to leave the main hall.
After the Empress left, everyone began to discuss it thoroughly.
Having picked up a hot potato, Lan Gan walked to Gu Yan's side and said, "Prince Qian, you are His Majesty's teacher. Do you know what His Majesty means by this?"
To be honest, he even suspected that this idea came from Gu Yan, who was just waiting to trick him.
“I don’t know what Your Majesty means by this, but since Your Majesty has made this decision, it shows your trust in the Duke of Zhenguo. I also believe that with the Duke of Zhenguo in charge, the court will be stable.” Gu Yan smiled slightly. “I will take my leave now.”
Lan Gan stared at Gu Yan's departing figure, completely baffled.
The news of the Empress's personal campaign spread quickly, and the people who had been complaining about her inaction all day long finally changed their tune, saying that the Empress had grown up and knew how to do serious things, which was a blessing for the people.
So, Su Xu, who is always concerned about the country and its people, cast a divination for the Empress's expedition. However, after the divination, her face turned very pale, and she sighed that Her Majesty's journey was likely to be fraught with danger.
When the news reached the palace, Feng Guang was sitting in front of the stage listening to the opera. She didn't mind at all, and just casually waved her hand, ordering someone to bring her writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone. Then she wrote three big characters in crooked calligraphy: Gou Dan Xuan.
"Go, put this up as a plaque and give it to that Miss Su Xu. Tell her that from now on, her Su Ling Xuan will be renamed Gou Dan Xuan. Isn't it said that a newborn child with a humble name is easier to raise? Let's use this saying to let Miss Su Xu bring me good luck."
The palace maid, having received her orders, suppressed a laugh and withdrew.
A slight smile appeared in Gu Yan's eyes as he watched the whole thing. "There are quite a few people who believe in Miss Su Xu. I'm afraid Your Majesty's actions will provoke a lot of resentment among the people."
"It is rare for me to bestow my calligraphy upon someone, and this is a piece I wrote myself. Although my subjects are like my children, I will not tolerate any unfilial sons. If anyone is dissatisfied, then they are disloyal to me, and I will arrest and kill them."
Gu Yan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you're joking again."
She would often say "Just kill them," but she never actually ordered anyone to be killed.
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