Zhu Fei made a solemn promise.
However, Sima Lie shook his head without hesitation.
"Zhu Fei, don't disappoint me. What I need are capable and loyal people!"
Sima Lie slammed his fist on the table in front of him, his voice turning icy cold.
Seeing his appearance, Zhu Fei looked frightened and hurriedly retreated tremblingly.
"Where are the rest of you?"
Sima Lie asked.
The others then suggested their preferred candidates.
However, Sima Lie already knew these people very well, so in his view, the people they suggested were either incompetent or not loyal enough.
After he rejected several people in a row, everyone present was speechless.
They simply couldn't think of a better candidate at that point.
Sima Lie frowned.
He never imagined that one day he would be worried about having no one to use.
If it weren't for the fact that he had sent all his most trusted generals to Youzhou, he wouldn't have to worry about all this now.
Seeing his worried expression, Zhu Fei, who hadn't spoken until now, suddenly spoke up.
"Godfather, actually I know someone who absolutely meets your requirements."
Upon hearing Zhu Fei's words, Sima Lie's face immediately showed surprise.
"who?"
He had already considered everyone he could think of, but Zhu Fei said there was someone else who absolutely met his requirements!
"This man is named Wen Dashou. I had dealings with him before I joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He is highly skilled in martial arts and always repays kindness. However, he is still imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. As far as I know, he hates the tyrannical emperor and Li Dingbang the most. If Your Excellency the Prime Minister rescues him, he will surely pledge his loyalty."
Zhu Fei briefly explained Wen Dashou's situation.
"Wen Dashou?"
Sima Lie frowned and fell into deep thought.
He quickly remembered the matter concerning Wen Dashou.
This man once served as the Director of the Treasury Department of the Ministry of War. He was a martial arts champion and his personal martial arts skills were indeed formidable.
However, upon thinking of him, Sima Lie couldn't help but exchange a glance with Ma Shangtao.
A cold glint flashed in both of their eyes.
Actually, the two of them had a secret about Wen Dashou.
It was not accidental that the Xiongnu squad appeared on Wen Dashou's route for transporting military equipment; rather, it was because they had given the route map to the Xiongnu in advance.
In other words, Wen Dashou's imprisonment was entirely their doing.
They felt a little uneasy about having to use such a person.
"Mr. Qiu, what do you think?"
In the end, Sima Lie decided to ask Qiu Beiming first.
Qiu Beiming lowered his head and pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.
"In my opinion, this man is indeed worth recruiting. He has a deep-seated hatred for the tyrannical emperor and Li Dingbang, so having him guard the capital will ensure its safety."
After listening to Qiu Beiming's analysis, Sima Lie nodded.
However, although he had taken a liking to this person, Sima Lie, who was always extremely suspicious, still decided to find an opportunity to test him.
...
Meanwhile, in the imperial prison.
With Emperor Qin Yu's power diminishing, the imperial prison is now almost defunct, and the number of prisoners held inside has decreased significantly.
At this moment, in the pitch-black prison passage, three figures slowly walked deeper into the prison.
Before long, the group arrived at a dilapidated cage that reeked of decay.
Inside the cage, a person sat cross-legged on the ground, as if he had no breath left.
"Former Director of the Treasury Department of the Ministry of War, Wen Dashou?"
Qin Yu stood with his hands behind his back, calmly smiling as he looked at the figure sitting cross-legged on the ground.
Beside him, Xuejian and Anfu stared at Wen Dashou with tense expressions.
After being imprisoned in this dark and hopeless prison for so many years, no one can be sure whether Wen Dashou has betrayed his cause.
Wen Dashou ignored Qin Yu and remained seated cross-legged on the ground.
Seeing that he ignored her, Qin Yu was not annoyed.
"Open the cell door."
Upon hearing Qin Yu's instructions, An Fu hesitated.
"open."
Anfu only opened the cage after Qin Yu urged him to do so.
Xuejian wanted to go in immediately, but Qin Yu grabbed her arm.
"You all wait for me at the door."
As Qin Yu spoke, she walked inside.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"
The two men's expressions changed.
But Qin Yu was already standing in the prison.
Snap!
He even slammed the cell door shut again.
"Alright, Wen Dashou, now it's just the two of us talking face to face."
Qin Yu looked at Wen Dashou with a smile and said.
Wen Dashou, who had not reacted until now, finally raised his head.
He had a full beard and looked like he was in his fifties or sixties.
But his eyes still shone brightly.
Who are you?
Wen Dashou quietly asked.
"Qin Yu!"
Qin Yu stood with his hands behind his back and replied calmly.
"Qin Yu? You're Qin Yu!"
Wen Dashou's emotions suddenly fluctuated at this moment.
Immediately afterward, his body shot out like a cheetah, his hand forming a claw as he reached straight for Qin Yu's neck.
"His Majesty!"
Xuejian and Anfu were both stunned by what they saw.
The man recommended by General Li actually wanted to kill His Majesty the moment they met!
However, when faced with Wen Dashou's sudden outburst, Qin Yu remained calm, watching him rush towards her as if nothing had happened.
Just as Wen Dashou's hand was about to grab Qin Yu, he stopped just inches away.
"Aren't you afraid? I've been unjustly imprisoned for so long, and I really want to kill you, you tyrant, to avenge myself."
Wen Dashou looked at Qin Yu with curiosity.
Qin Yu smiled slightly, "I am not afraid, because I know that you are a loyal subject."
Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, Wen Dashou froze on the spot.
After a moment, Wen Dashou sneered.
"Loyal minister? Heh, I've heard that even General Li Dingbang has been imprisoned. In this Great Xia, is there any way to survive as a loyal minister?"
Wen Dashou shook his head.
Seeing his dejected look, Qin Yu's expression suddenly hardened.
"Nowadays, there is certainly a way for loyal ministers to survive in this Great Xia. In the past, I was misled by Sima Lie, which led to the wrongful conviction of many loyal ministers. But now, I have decided to repent and correct my mistakes. I only hope that loyal ministers like you can still assist me so that I can restore order to the court and rebuild the country."
Wen Dashou was somewhat surprised to hear Qin Yu's powerful words.
Your Majesty seems to have changed a lot.
"Your Majesty, you're not just acting on a whim, are you?"
Wen Dashou looked at Qin Yu, trying to discern a trace of lying in his expression.
"If I can no longer strengthen the country, then let me be struck by lightning and never enter the ancestral temple."
Qin Yu's expression was as resolute as iron.
Wen Dashou was deeply moved.
Qin Yu was able to make such a solemn vow as not to enter the ancestral temple, which shows his determination.
Now he truly believes that their emperor has repented and is no longer as outrageous as before.
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