The imperial edict has arrived!
Xiao Chen was stunned. Just when he was about to say something.
Only a shrill voice was heard.
"Ninth Prince Xiao Chen, Marquis Zuoxiang, and Minister of War Zhou Xuanbing receive the order!"
At the same time, Chen Tai, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, dressed in a crimson eunuch's uniform, appeared in front of Xiao Chen.
"Your son accepts the order!"
"Your Highness, we receive your order!"
With a loud noise, as soon as Chen Tai appeared, both the imperial city guards and the military officials knelt down.
Xiao Chen was about to bow and salute,
In an instant, I felt someone grabbing my hands.
He looked up and saw Eunuch Chen's beautiful old face looking at him with awe and said, "Oh, Your Highness, how can you bow to this old slave!"
"This old slave is just an announcer."
"Just stand and listen!"
Chen Tai's words stunned Xiao Chen and also made Zhou Xuanbing look horrified.
Who is Chen Tai?
The eunuch in charge of writing in the Imperial Household Department was second only to the eunuch Huang Jin.
He can be said to be the second closest person to Emperor Jing of Ming Dynasty.
Today he was so flattering to Xiao Chen,
How could he not be afraid?
"Um!"
"That's fine!"
Xiao Chen glanced at Zhou Xuanbing and had some guesses in his mind.
At this moment, Chen Tai appeared here, and his adoptive father Emperor Ming Jing tacitly approved his use of the Imperial City Guards. Xiao Chen vaguely guessed what Emperor Ming Jing was thinking.
By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:
I have been entrusted with the Mandate of Heaven to govern the nine provinces and forty-five regions, and I diligently attend to the important affairs of the military and the nation. This year draws to a close, and the winds on the borders are fierce. Soldiers in the southern border, armed and ready, endure the bitter cold, while the military's provisions and wages remain uncertain, leaving me with a sense of alarm. Minister of War Zhou Xuanbing, you will be the chief military advisor and in charge of military planning. You must return to your office soon and oversee all departments to quickly review the military and rations throughout the country, compile a detailed budget for next year's military expenditures, and submit it to the Cabinet within three days for approval.
The soldiers at the border wait anxiously like seedlings awaiting rain. Please understand my anxiety and do not delay. If the Ministry of Revenue officials shirk their responsibilities or obstruct the process, they will be reported to the Cabinet for reprimand. If the vassal states falsely report or embezzle funds, they will be strictly investigated to enforce military discipline. All officials from the six ministries must assist in any actions that hinder military affairs, ensuring that the reward silver arrives at the border before the twelfth lunar month and the beacons of peace are restored on the nine borders.
So ordered!
Eunuch Chen's shrill voice reached the ears of everyone present.
Zhou Xuanbing looked up, opened his mouth wide and showed a surprised expression!
Xiao Chen smiled!
As expected, he guessed correctly. This imperial edict was to urge Zhou Xuanbing to submit the budget to the Ministry of War.
As the newly appointed Minister of War, Zhou Xuanbing clearly did not understand Emperor Jing of Ming's thoughts.
Emperor Jing of the Ming Dynasty chose to urge Zhou Xuanbing at this time and place.
The meaning couldn't be more obvious!
He...does not agree to cut military spending.
Xiao Chen's eyes flickered, and he felt extremely surprised at this moment.
If his guess was correct, the one who came to him to announce the imperial edict was Eunuch Chen, then the only possibility was that the same imperial edict would also be given to the Minister of Revenue, Nangong Yi, who had been on leave for several days.
"Your humble servant... accepts the order!!"
Zhou Xuanbing felt bitter inside, as he had thought of the same thing as Xiao Chen!
He raised his hands above his head, rolled up the imperial edict and put it into Zhou Xuanbing's hands.
"Master Zhou, you know what His Majesty is thinking!"
"The war in the southern border is urgent right now. Please don't refuse anymore!"
"Hurry up and do it!"
Chen Tai had a smile on his face and hinted in a shrill voice.
"yes!"
Zhou Xuanbing no longer had any arrogance at this moment. He bowed slightly and said yes.
He was about to walk towards Xiao Chen:
"Ninth Prince, Ninth Prince!"
Xiao Chen heard the voice, glanced at Zhou Xuanbing, and said with a sneer, "Master Zhou, is there anything else?"
Zhou Xuanbing's face tightened, and he said aggrievedly, "Commander Yan Ping, I have sent someone to ask for your help. I wonder when my wife and children can return home?"
As he spoke, he looked at Zhao Rou and others who were kneeling beside him.
No, what about your arrogant attitude?
I still like the arrogant look you had just now. Can you change it a little?
Xiao Chen looked at Zhou Xuanbing's cautious look at the moment and complained inwardly.
However, he did not say it out loud, but evaded the question by saying, "This king has said that Zhao Rou and others are related to the rebels, and this king cannot give it to you!"
"you!"
Seeing Xiao Chen was so shameless, he continued to threaten me even though I had clearly taken a step back.
Zhou Xuanbing was furious again, gritting his teeth and growling, "Your Highness, are you still going to keep forcing me like this?"
"I am the Minister of War, in charge of the military affairs of the Great Zhou. How will it benefit you and the Ye family if you offend me?"
Wouldn't he have offended someone to death long ago?
Xiao Chen sneered in his heart. From the moment he defected to the prince, he and Zhou Xuanbing were destined to be enemies.
Therefore, Xiao Chen did not take his threat seriously.
"Your Highness, you are here!"
"Look, old slave, I forgot!"
"Your Majesty, I have asked this old servant to bring you an imperial edict!"
Just as Xiao Chen was about to continue speaking, Eunuch Chen, who had just finished announcing the decree, came up to Xiao Chen again with a licking face and said happily.
"Your son accepts the order."
Xiao Chen was about to bow to receive the order when he heard Eunuch Chen hurriedly say, "No need! No need!"
"Your Highness, how can you bow to an old slave?"
"I am so embarrassed!"
"Your Majesty's meaning is very simple. It's about the case of smuggling demon blood and the Demon God Cult rebels you just discovered!"
"Your Highness will personally judge."
"The three divisions will assist, and the Imperial City Division will be the main organizer."
In an instant, Zhou Xuanbing showed a look of horror when he heard this imperial decree:
“How is that possible?!!”
Xiao Chen glanced at him and felt secretly happy.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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