Lu Xingjian remained silent, his pupils trembling.
The rebellion was quelled in just eighteen days—what a great achievement!
It saved the imperial court so much trouble and money.
However, the name Xiao Bin was somewhat jarring.
Lu Xingjian admires capable people.
But if that person is a rival in love, someone the wife can't forget, then that admiration turns into jealousy.
Lu Xingjian hurriedly took the memorial to the imperial study and ordered that all officials be summoned for a meeting.
Seeing this, Su Wanwan went to get a cloak and put it on him: "It's chilly at night, don't catch a cold."
Lu Xingjian paused slightly, staring at her, "Xiao Bin is still alive, he has done a great service."
Su Wanwan raised an eyebrow in surprise, her eyes relaxing as she smiled lightly, "I knew it, it's a waste of his talent for him to be my bodyguard."
Seeing her frankness, Lu Xingjian felt that his jealousy had no basis.
He pinched her nose. "Let's go."
At daybreak, another general amnesty decree was issued from the Forbidden City, and a fast horse galloped out of the capital, proclaiming along the way: "General Amnesty!"
Before dawn on the 26th day of the fourth month of the fifth year of Xuande, all officials, soldiers and civilians who have committed crimes punishable by death, except for those who have been discovered or not discovered, or whose crimes have been committed but not yet been committed, shall be pardoned, regardless of their severity.
In other words, all those who followed the rebellion and were forced to join the rebel party were within the scope of the amnesty.
At the same time, it was announced to the world that the clearing of military farms in various places had been stopped, and all officials had returned to the capital.
All outstanding military and garrison duties owed over the years shall be suspended and waived, and shall be collected again in years of good harvest.
In addition to embezzlement, civil and military officials and those in charge of granaries who are found to have committed misappropriation, corruption, or other misconduct will be investigated, investigated, and required to make up for the losses, and some will be pardoned.
Princes, generals, and lieutenants in various places who committed crimes and lost their salaries, except for those who committed murder, loss of life, or other acts of violence, all had their sentences reduced and their salaries restored.
In cases of rebellion in Ningxia, except for the ringleaders who are not pardoned, those who repent and submit to the law will be exempted from their original crimes.
Those who can capture and kill each other will be promoted and rewarded accordingly; those who capture and kill the ringleaders will be promoted without regard to rank.
Dozens of imperial edicts were proclaimed to the world at the same time, covering all aspects of life. Everyone in the world was excited and felt that even the air was much freer and fresher.
The most excited were the military officers and their attendants.
They eagerly signed up, hoping to be dispatched to the border regions of Ningxia, Yansui, and Gansu to fight bandits and make a name for themselves.
Now, the power of the Prince of Anhua has been largely brought under control, with only some fleeing remnants of the rebels roaming around. Wherever the royal army goes, it quells the rebellion.
Zhang Yong, Yang Yiqing, and others have already set off for Shaanxi and Ningxia to quell the rebellion.
While handling palace affairs, Su Wanwan also kept a close eye on relations with the previous dynasty.
Yang Zhen, however, sent a message through Yan Ge'er, requesting a meeting.
Su Wanwan found it strange.
Yang Zhen was always cautious and never took the initiative to contact her.
She still took the opportunity of picking up Yan Ge'er from school to go to the East Garden.
Yang Zhen's face was serious: "The Left Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Cong Lan, put forward ten suggestions regarding the Ningxia Incident, directly targeting Liu Jin. Has Your Majesty heard of this?"
Su Wanwan was completely confused.
Lu Xingjian rarely told her about these political matters, so she was unaware of them.
"Hasn't His Majesty dealt with it?"
Lu Xingjian has been so busy lately that he has developed blisters on his lips.
Yang Zhen pursed his lips, a hint of restraint flashing in his eyes.
"The Emperor issued an edict refuting Cong Lan's outrageous and unfounded remarks, which were intended to mislead the public, and decided to temporarily waive the charges."
He didn't expect that even at this point, the emperor was still protecting Liu Jin.
He is utterly incompetent.
Su Wanwan understood immediately: "So?"
She understood that Lu Xingjian's actions were aimed at stabilizing the overall situation.
Once Ningxia is completely pacified, then deal with the complex and troublesome Liu Jin faction to avoid chaos throughout the country.
Yang Zhen: "Recently, Cong Lan was impeached, and Zhang Cai, the Minister of Personnel, dismissed Cong Lan directly without even submitting a memorial, completely disregarding the Emperor's previous decree."
"The Emperor is so disrespectful of the Emperor's authority that Liu Jin and his faction are turning a blind eye. I urge Your Majesty to admonish them and not let the people of the world lose heart!"
Su Wanwan paused for a moment, then said, "Mr. Yang, please calm down. The pacification of Ningxia will mark the beginning of the eradication of the Liu faction."
Yang Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly.
He was a smart man and quickly understood her reasons.
"Mr. Yang, there are some things that need to be prepared."
Yang Zhen bowed and said, "Your Majesty's words were like a sudden awakening, enlightening me completely."
Su Wanwan paused, "Who is Minister Liu's biggest helper?"
"Naturally, it's Grand Secretary Jiao of the Cabinet," Yang Zhen replied fluently.
“Grand Secretary Jiao is getting old; it’s time for him to return to his hometown and enjoy his retirement,” Su Wanwan said calmly.
Jiao Fang is now 75 years old, and it's time for her to retire and return to her hometown.
If they could force him to retire, the Liu faction would naturally lose a major ally.
Jiao Fang wasn't stupid; if he wanted to retire, he would have already resigned as Minister.
"I'm sorry to trouble you with this matter, Mr. Yang."
Yang Zhen: "..."
My heart skipped a beat.
The burden you've thrown at me is far too heavy.
"Using shallow repairs..."
Su Wanwan raised a finger to her lips and smiled slightly.
"Not necessarily. Unexpected events, strange phenomena, disasters, and auspicious omens are all weapons that can be used."
Yang Zhen's expression hardened.
This woman has a lot on her mind.
Is this an attempt to force Jiao Fang to retire without bloodshed?
He probably had a direction in mind.
"Let's give it a try, for now."
Su Wanwan nodded, "Mr. Yang is a man of great talent, and his talent will certainly not be overlooked."
"Pay attention to the timing. Once the situation in Ningxia has stabilized, we can take action."
Even if Lu Xingjian is reluctant to harm Liu Jin's faction, she will force him to take action.
Yang Zhen gave her a deep look.
I don't know why, but she looks gentle and kind, yet she seems quite formidable.
Like a kitten showing its claws.
And I am her claws.
Do you feel like you've been used?
It seems not.
On the contrary, I enjoyed it very much and felt full of energy and vitality.
The execution of Liu Jin was an inevitable trend.
If he can contribute to this process, wouldn't he be better than those scholars who only talk nonsense and harm the country?
...
Good news keeps coming from Ningxia.
In late May, Lu Xingjian ordered General Shen Ying to return to the capital, while the eunuch Zhang Yong went to Ningxia to meet with Censor-in-Chief Yang Yiqing and others to bring the families of the rebels back to the capital.
Lu Xingjian knew that the time was ripe to eliminate Liu Jin and his cronies.
Three days later, a strange phenomenon occurred in the sky: Venus was visible in the sky during the day.
This is a sign of impending death for the emperor.
Various discussions quickly arose in the streets and alleys.
"No way? Is His Majesty in trouble?"
"I heard that Liu Jin has taken the emperor hostage and intends to help the young prince ascend the throne."
"Jiao Qi, the nephew of Grand Secretary Jiao, Marquis Guo Xun of Wuding, who is in charge of training the Three Thousand Battalions and oversees the Divine Machine Battalion and the Five Armies Battalion, is said to be related to Grand Secretary Jiao."
"Supporting the young prince to ascend the throne would be a piece of cake, wouldn't it?"
Rumors are rampant.
The first to become restless were Marquis Guo Xun of Wuding and Earl Jiao Qi of Dongning.
Guo Xun was originally Lu Xingjian's bodyguard, but he was alienated by Lu Xingjian after choosing the wrong side last time.
This time, however, he keenly sensed the danger.
What happened when the Wang family tried to support the young prince last time?
The Emperor is too shrewd.
The harem was spotless.
There isn't even a hair on the head, so where is there any legitimate little prince?
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