With Hua Qingcheng's material and financial support, Mu Lige reorganized Zhaoyang's military and political affairs with lightning speed. His sharp vision and decisive decisions boosted the morale of the army.
To ensure a better life for the people, he implemented a series of policies to benefit them. He and Hua Qingcheng personally inspected farmland, interacted with farmers, provided agricultural support, and encouraged them to cultivate. At the same time, he reduced corvée labor and taxes, allowing the people to experience the improvement in their lives amidst the joy of a good harvest.
In addition, Mu Lige also vigorously encouraged the development of commerce and established a business incentive mechanism to attract merchants to come and invest. The market gradually became lively, trade flourished, and the town was full of vitality and vigor.
Soon, a month passed, and the people of Zhaoyang Kingdom praised King Mu Lige's actions and were full of hope for the future. Under his rule, the country gradually embarked on the road of prosperity.
June 1st, morning, Laifeng Kingdom Palace.
General Feng Cailan captured the eunuch chief Guo Dongbing who was attempting to escape and brought him to the Golden Palace.
Sitting on the golden throne, Nalan Yunzhi looked like an unattainable god, looking down coldly at the eunuch chief who seemed loyal to him in the past, feeling a little melancholy in his heart.
"Old Guo, you have been with me for decades. I never thought you would have such a 'grand ambition'. You actually wanted to turn my Dalaifeng Kingdom into a patriarchal country and replace me. You even want to..."
Thinking of the contents of the letter Hua Qingcheng had sent back eight hundred miles ago, Nalan Yun couldn't help but feel a pang of fear. There was actually a thief with great martial arts skills and ulterior motives lurking beside her.
Guo Dongbing closed his eyes slightly, then opened them again. At this moment, his eyes showed neither sadness nor joy. He said leisurely, "Your Majesty, the victors are the kings and the losers are the bandits. After all, this old servant has served you for decades. To die in your hands is... a blessing!"
"Old Guo, Old Guo, considering your years of hard work and contributions in serving me, I can turn a blind eye to your embezzlement. I can also consider your involvement in the disappearance of the children at Xiangyang Taoist Temple in order to seek the rebirth of your Jade Penis as excusable. I can even give you a lighter punishment for illegally mining the Wuji Mountain iron ore. However..."
Nalan Yunzhi looked at the man who had once served her, a flicker of pity in her eyes, but more of it was disappointment and anger. She slammed the throne hard, stood up, and looked at Guo Dongbing coldly with a sharp, knife-like gaze.
When Guo Dongbing heard Nalan Yunzhi's words, he was shocked and panicked. He knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed tightly against the cold ground, not daring to look up.
Nalan Yunzhi closed his eyes slightly, then opened them again, and said slowly, "However, you should never, ever, ever get involved in the 'Civet Cat Substituted for the Princess' incident, Ling Yan's fall from the cliff, and the persecution of Shan Wushuang who was trying to redress the King and Queen!"
Nalan Yunzhi's voice was filled with majesty, and every word hit Guo Dongbing's heart like a hammer. His face turned pale, and his lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.
Nalan Yunzhi continued, "Do you know? I have always regarded you as my confidant and have great trust in you. But I never thought that you would do such a treasonous thing behind my back!"
Nalan Yunzhi's words were extremely sharp, carrying a hint of chill, like a thousand-year-old ice that could freeze one's heart. Guo Dongbing trembled all over, his body barely able to withstand such pressure.
"Come here, give me poisoned wine!"
Nalan Yunzhi's voice echoed throughout the palace, sounding exceptionally cold and ruthless. Two guards quickly stepped forward, holding a pot of poisoned wine, and handed it to Guo Dongbing with expressionless faces.
Guo Dongbing raised his head, his eyes filled with despair and regret. He sighed deeply, then took the poisoned wine with difficulty and drank it all in one gulp.
"This old slave... thanks the emperor for his grace!"
Guo Dongbing knelt down and kowtowed to Nalan Yunzhi politely, performing a final ceremony before being escorted away by two guards. His back looked somewhat lonely and desolate, which made people feel pity.
Nalan Yunzhi watched all this silently, a mixture of emotions welling up in her heart. She always had an indelible affection for Guo Dongbing. After all, he was the chief eunuch who had served her day and night for decades.
At this moment, Nalan Yunzhi felt unprecedented loneliness and helplessness. She knew that as an emperor, she had to face the cruel reality of being at the top and feeling lonely.
After Guo Dongbing was taken away, Feng Cailan also left the imperial study and went to the military camp to take care of military affairs.
Nalan Yunzhi glanced at the suddenly empty imperial study, then looked eastward. A trace of melancholy flashed across her bright eyes: "My Lady, when will you return? I... am tired."
On the other hand, when Mu Lige was vigorously rectifying and developing the military, political and people's livelihood affairs of Zhaoyang State, Hua Qingcheng and Situ Ye went to the newly renovated Tianfu together, enshrined tablets for Tianlang's family in the ancestral hall, and personally burned incense for them.
In addition, Hua Qingcheng and Wu Chen went to Tianlong Temple to visit his master, Master Kurumu. Wu Chen told Hua Qingcheng about his childhood experiences and took her to every corner of Tianlong Temple.
Time passed to the sixth day of June, and Hua Qingcheng and his group finally set out on the journey back to Laifeng Kingdom.
The people of the capital of Zhaoyang State lined the streets to see him off with tears in their eyes. The scene was very spectacular and touching.
Mu Lige lifted the carriage curtain and said to the officials and people outside, "Don't worry, I won't abandon you. I will come back to inspect every once in a while."
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