Chapter 47 I was reborn, why does he seem to be cheating?
Inside Yanying Hall, the air was thick with the cool scent of sandalwood. Su Yuan entered with steady steps, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Jin, who was reviewing memorials at the imperial desk despite his injuries, and Yun Zhao, who stood nearby with his head bowed.
"Your Majesty, this old minister pays homage." Su Yuan bowed.
"Excuse me, sir." Xiao Jin's voice was a little weak, his eyes never leaving the memorial. He gestured with his uninjured hand for him to take a seat. "Tea, please. Yun Shangshi, take charge of the recording."
Yun Zhao agreed silently and stood aside with a pen in hand.
[The old fox has arrived! He must be pleading for Zhou Si. My nephew is a thorn in the imperial guards, but he is a great support for the Su family.]
Su Yuan sat down, his gaze lingering on Xiao Jin's slightly drooping left arm for a moment, and asked with concern, "Your Majesty's injury...is it healed?"
"Thank you for your concern, Lord." Xiao Jin put down the red brush and rubbed his "injured arm." "It's okay. I will attend the court in person tomorrow morning." His tone was flat, but it blocked Su Yuan's possibility of using his injury to plead for mercy.
Su Yuan's throat moved slightly, and he had to continue the conversation: "In this incident at the horse farm, Zhou Si was negligent in his defense and cannot escape the blame! Your Majesty is frightened, and this old minister is terrified! He will definitely punish me severely!" He was very humble.
"Oh?" Xiao Jin raised his eyes, his gaze deep and unfathomable. "Your Excellency, do you think that this is just Zhou Si's fault? The Ministry of War's patrol dispatches have ensured the safety of the capital's garrisons. Could it be that Minister of War Zhang Jianren has nothing to do with this?"
With just a few words, the spearhead is pointed directly at the more core target!
Su Yuan's heart trembled, but his expression remained calm: "Your Majesty is absolutely right. We, the ministers, have failed to protect you properly and should all be severely punished according to the law!"
How could Xiao Jin let him get away with it? He leaned forward slightly, his voice suddenly deepening, carrying the pressure of impending storms. "Failure to protect the emperor is one of the reasons! Your Excellency, do you know why Zhang Jianren's daughter, Zhang Wanru, was deposed? The person she murdered, Li Cairen, was of a special status, a refugee from Jingxiang! Once word of this reaches Jingxiang..."
Xiao Jin paused deliberately, his cold gaze pressing down on Su Yuan like a substance.
Su Yuan felt as if he had fallen into an icy cave! Cold sweat instantly soaked through his collar! [Jingxiang! Refugees! If this news gets out...]
The terrifying scene of refugees rising up in rebellion and raging war immediately emerged in his mind! Zhang Jianren was finished! He was going to use the refugees as a knife to completely cut off the Zhang family!
Yun Zhao's hand, holding the pen, paused imperceptibly. [Xiao Jin's move is ruthless! Using Jingxiang's explosive barrel to detonate the Zhang family! Zhou Si was just the initiator, Zhang Jianren is the main course! The Ministry of War is about to change leadership. Who will be the next incumbent?]
Su Yuan suppressed his turbulent emotions and quickly weighed the pros and cons.
Although my nephew Zhou Si’s position is important, he must not be associated with the impending Jingxiang Rebellion!
He immediately made a decision, his tone firm and decisive: "Your Majesty is wise! This matter is of great importance! As the Minister of War, Zhang Jianren not only failed to educate his daughter, but also neglected the defense of the capital and failed to notice the identity of Li Cairen! This caused Your Majesty to be in danger and laid the seeds of great trouble in Jingxiang! His crime... should be executed!" He pushed Zhang Jianren out without hesitation!
Xiao Jin's face was instantly moved, even a touch touched. "I'm truly comforted by your words, Lord! You are truly a pillar of the nation, wholeheartedly devoted to me and Daye!" His gaze towards Su Mingli softened somewhat. "Noble Concubine Su has assisted in the management of the six palaces, and her keen observation has helped her uncover the true culprit. She has also made an invaluable contribution! With Mingli in my harem, I feel at ease."
Yun Zhao's eyes focused on his nose, his nose focused on his heart, and he thought to himself, "Mr. Movie King! This guy's acting skills in paralyzing his enemies are absolutely superb. I'm afraid that old thief Su is going to suffer internal injuries from holding it in."
Su Yuan's heart ached with frustration. He hadn't saved Zhou Si, and had personally sent Zhang Jianren, a crucial chess piece, to the guillotine! He lifted his teacup and gulped it down, suppressing the fishy, sweet taste in his throat.
In the afternoon, Xiao Jin enjoyed the tea and snacks Yun Zhao had carefully prepared, which was rare and leisurely, and he felt quite happy. Yun Zhao stood quietly at the door of the palace, a thin figure.
Xiao Jin glanced at her and calmly placed a few delicate snacks on a small plate, handing it to Zhang Fuan. Zhang Fuan understood and immediately brought it to Yun Zhao: "This is a gift from His Majesty, Yun Shangshi."
Yun Zhao took it respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." He raised his eyes quietly and saw Xiao Jin still concentrating on eating the snack, as if his previous action was just casual.
She picked up a small piece of chestnut cake and took a small bite. [It tastes good.]
"Eunuch, Lord Zhang has been kneeling outside the hall for an hour." Yun Zhao reminded in a low voice.
Zhang Fuan shook his head and sighed: "Your Majesty hasn't spoken..."
Before he could finish his words, hurried footsteps suddenly rang out from outside the palace! A dusty Imperial Guard scout, clutching a mud-stained urgent military report, rushed to the palace gates, his voice hoarse: "Report! Urgent news from Xiangyang, eight hundred miles away! Tens of thousands of refugees, clamoring for 'blood debt for Chief Lin,' have stormed the county government! The situation is dire, and we request the court to send troops immediately to suppress it!"
"What?!" Xiao Jin stood up suddenly, and the teacup in his hand fell to pieces with a "bang"!
He rushed out of the hall in a few steps, his eyes like a sharp blade piercing Zhang Jianren who was kneeling and shivering in the autumn wind!
The pent-up anger and anxiety about the current situation suddenly erupted!
"You bastard! Are you satisfied?!" Xiao Jin kicked Zhang Jianren hard on the shoulder, knocking him to the ground! The emperor's wrath exploded like thunder. "Let me ask you! As the Minister of War, have you ever shared your worries for a single day? You embezzled military funds, formed a clique for personal gain, and allowed your daughter to commit crimes! Now, because of your negligence, you allowed the traitor's daughter to enter the palace and die, triggering the Jingxiang uprising! Even if you die ten thousand times, it won't be enough!"
Zhang Jianren was kicked so hard that he saw stars. He scrambled back to his knees. Seeing the glaring military report in the scout's hand, he felt like he was struck by lightning! A huge fear seized him: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, calm down! I... I will die! I am willing to go to Xiangyang personally, mobilize troops to suppress the rebellion, and atone for my sins! I beg Your Majesty to show mercy!"
"You?!" Xiao Jin laughed in anger, his voice icy cold. "You're going? How many battles have you fought? How much do you know about military tactics?! The defense of the capital is like a sieve under your rule. I can be assassinated even if I ride a horse outside the palace! Are you hoping for my death day and night?! Or have you already chosen another master in your heart and never take me, the emperor, seriously?! Speak!"
Every question was like a heavy hammer hitting Zhang Jianren's heart!
His face was ashen and he collapsed to the ground, without even the strength to defend himself.
He knew that he was completely finished.
Military power, family, life... everything will be reduced to ashes in the Jingxiang war ignited by his "negligence"!
The dust has settled!
Thunderous means, cut the Gordian knot!
Zhang Jianren's official hat was removed on the spot, he was dismissed from office, and the entire Zhang family was ordered to retire and return home immediately!
The once powerful Zhang family collapsed.
Immediately afterwards, two appointments were earth-shattering:
Bai Qi, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was promoted to Minister of War!
Duke Yun was reinstated as commander-in-chief, commanding the elite troops of the Beijing camp to immediately march to Jingxiang to suppress the refugee leader Liu Tong!
The new Minister of War, Bai Qi, takes charge of military affairs as the commander-in-chief and cooperates with Duke Yun to launch the suppression campaign!
In a flash, the chaotic chess game in Yun Zhao's mind suddenly became clear! The turbulent events of the past month—Li Cairen's death, Su Mingli's frame-up, Concubine Zhang's dethronement, the assassination at the horse farm, Zhou Si's downfall, Zhang Jianren's dismissal, the Jingxiang uprising... Every move had precisely fallen into Xiao Jin's long-laid trap!
【It turned out to be him! Bai Qi! 】
【So this is his real goal! 】
[He redressed his father's injustice and reinstated himself as commander of the army, yet this was accomplished in such a drastic and earth-shattering way!]
[Without making a sound, you eliminated the Queen Mother's minions, severed the King of Qin's arm, and firmly grasped the military power back into your hands! Xiao Jin... you won so completely!]
Yun Zhao raised his eyes, his gaze penetrating the palace door to rest on the figure in the dark dragon robe. The autumn light outlined his towering, mountain-like figure, carrying an unprecedented, unfathomable pressure.
A cold shiver ran up her spine.
[This method... This scheming... This unstoppable control...]
[After my rebirth, I am treading on thin ice at every step...]
【And he...】
Yun Zhao's heart suddenly sank, and an absurd and horrifying thought darted into his mind like a venomous snake: [Could it be... he has also been reborn?!]
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