Although Wen Dashou was secretly excited, his face still showed disappointment.
"I see Your Majesty's determination, but now that the country is in decline, how will Your Majesty restore order to the court? If I am not mistaken, the power of the court has already fallen into the hands of Chancellor Sima."
Wen Dashou said this and sat back down.
Seeing that this person had been imprisoned for so long yet still possessed such knowledge of important political affairs, Qin Yu couldn't help but nod inwardly.
It seems that this person is not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also has considerable political insight.
As for Wen Dashou's question, Qin Yu already had the answer.
"Back then, I was incompetent and foolish, which indeed led to the fall of the power of the court into the hands of Sima Lie."
"However, as long as I am still the emperor and have loyal ministers like you to assist me, it is only a matter of time before I regain control of the court."
Qin Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his face filled with unparalleled confidence and domineering presence.
Upon hearing these words, Wen Dashou was slightly stunned for a moment.
At this moment, he seemed to see the shadow of the late emperor in Qin Yu.
After a moment of stunned silence, Wen Dashou asked again.
“But Your Majesty, I am now nothing more than a prisoner. Do you come to see me because you want to take revenge on me? But you should know that this is impossible. Sima Lie will not allow you to do so.”
Wen Dashou knew very well that Sima Lie was currently in control of the court, and he would not allow Qin Yu to reinstate officials at will.
If Qin Yu dared to do that, he might anger Sima Lie, and then Qin Yu might not even be able to keep his title as emperor.
Seeing Wen Dashou's dejected expression, Qin Yu smiled slightly.
"I have come to see you today only to discern whether you are loyal or treacherous. I want to know if I have sincerely repented and can still gain your loyalty."
Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, Wen Dashou's expression turned serious.
"I have received great favor from the late Emperor, and my only wish in this life is to serve the Great Xia with my frail body. If Your Majesty realizes your mistake and returns to the right path, I will gladly give my life. However, if Your Majesty wishes to reinstate me now, I still advise Your Majesty to give up."
Wen Dashou knelt solemnly on one knee and spoke with utmost sincerity.
Seeing that he had remained loyal despite being imprisoned in the imperial prison for so long, Qin Yu was deeply moved.
This is truly a virtuous minister of the state!
"General Wen, please rise. I have treated you so well, yet you have not betrayed me. I have failed you all!"
Qin Yu stepped forward and helped Wen Dashou up, then said with tears in his eyes.
Seeing that His Majesty was shedding tears for him, Wen Dashou, who had initially harbored some resentment, was immediately filled with emotion.
Seeing Wen Dashou's moved expression, Qin Yu felt deeply grateful to Liu Huangshu in his heart.
As expected, Liu Bei's crying technique was very effective.
"Your Majesty, please heed my advice and refrain from any rash actions for now. Even if we are imprisoned, we loyal ministers will remain loyal to you. Please proceed with caution."
Wen Dashou offered another word of advice.
Seeing his worry, Qin Yu smiled and shook his head.
"I do intend to reinstate you, but this matter will not be handled by me, but by Sima Lie."
"Let Sima Lie reinstate me?" Wen Dashou was stunned.
Although he had not offended Sima Lie much before, why would Sima Lie be so kind?
"I already have a solution..."
Qin Yu briefly recounted what had happened and his plan.
After listening, Wen Dashou looked at Qin Yu with some surprise.
Could such a brilliant idea really have been conceived by their foolish emperor?
But Wen Dashou quickly came to terms with it.
This must be because the fate of the Great Xia Dynasty has not yet run out, so His Majesty has come up with such a good plan after realizing his mistake.
"But Your Majesty, even if Sima Lie truly believes he can bring me under his command, will he trust me?"
Although he admired Qin Yu's flawless plan, Wen Dashou was still worried that Sima Lie wouldn't fall for it so easily.
Qin Yu's lips curled slightly. "The second half of this plan will depend on your acting skills, my dear minister."
Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, Wen Dashou seemed to be deep in thought.
...
In the blink of an eye, a day has passed.
Outside the capital, at the royal quarry.
Because the tyrannical emperor wanted to build a grand wine pool and meat forest and a new palace, the long-abandoned royal quarry has become lively again these days.
Today, the quarry sent a large number of prisoners to work as laborers.
At this moment, on a high platform in the quarry, several people were standing watching the newly arrived batch of prisoners.
“Godfather, please look, that man is Wen Dashou.”
Zhu Fei followed behind Sima Lie obsequiously, pointing to a bearded man in the crowd.
Upon seeing that person, Sima Lie frowned.
"How could Wen Dashou, who is only thirty-five years old, look so old?!"
Sima Lie was somewhat puzzled.
"Father, you may not know this, but the Imperial Prison is not a place for humans to stay. Wen Dashou was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison for several years, so it is only natural that he was tortured to this state."
Zhu Fei quickly offered an explanation.
Upon hearing this, Sima Lie nodded thoughtfully.
But this suited him perfectly.
The more severely he was tortured, the stronger Wen Dashou's hatred for the incompetent emperor and Li Dingbang became, so that he could use this person with more confidence.
"Is everything arranged?"
After meeting the person, Sima Lie asked a question.
"Everything is arranged. The elite Beiming Sect soldiers sent by Mr. Qiu are hiding not far away. They will act as soon as Godfather gives the order."
Zhu Fei quickly nodded.
"good."
Sima Lie nodded and turned to rest in the prepared cool room.
Zhu Fei turned his head and looked at Wen Dashou, who was already wielding a sledgehammer and getting to work not far away, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
...
As the sun gradually rose, Wen Dashou was swinging a sledgehammer and smashing stones in the quarry.
He was covered in sweat, but he didn't utter a single complaint.
Just then, a weasel-faced foreman with a pointed mouth suddenly walked over.
Snap!
The overseer struck Wen Dashou with a whip.
This almost caused Wen Dashou to drop the hammer from his hand and smash it on his head.
"Get the hell to work harder, haven't you eaten yet?"
The overseer coldly roared.
Wen Dashou glanced at the other prisoners whose work was progressing much slower than his, and a look of resentment appeared on his face.
But he still didn't say anything and continued working.
Seeing how submissive he was, the overseer snorted coldly.
"I heard you used to be a senior official in the Ministry of War. In the past, I would have had to call you 'Sir,' but now you're just a damn lackey."
Hearing the foreman's sharp mockery, Wen Dashou gripped the hammer tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
At this moment, Qiu Beiming, who was secretly monitoring the situation, couldn't help but nod in approval.
The overseer then delivered a scathing jeer before leaving.
After the overseer left, the other prisoners began to look at Wen Dashou with mocking eyes.
The fact that a high-ranking official in the Ministry of War had fallen to the same fate as them immediately made them feel more at ease.
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