Looking at Tai'an from the full moon

A month later, Taifu Baili and Taibao Wei moved out of the capital respectively, telling others that they were returning to their hometowns, but in fact they moved together to Wangyan City.

"Grandmaster, Grand Protector."

Xiao Zuochen performed the greetings properly but was stopped by the two men.

"Now that we are no longer serving as officials in the court, we don't need to keep these empty formalities, and we should change our titles as well~"

"good teacher."

The two nodded after hearing this. They were worthy of the title of teacher. Looking around the Yingfu, the two nodded with satisfaction.

"I didn't expect you to manage Wangyan City so well. When I first entered the city, I found that the people here are open and free, and the people are enthusiastic and bold. The servants in your house are also very organized, and the layout of your house is very different from that of Tai'an City~"

A few people were originally talking and laughing, but suddenly, Master Baili's expression changed.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has become suspicious of you." The Grand Tutor sighed, his old face full of helplessness, "He sent people to spread rumors that you have ulterior motives, and even suspected that you are in control of the Shura Army and have ill intentions."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zuochen frowned slightly.

"Teacher, I, Xiao Zuochen, am loyal to the imperial court and have never had any intention of disloyalty. I founded the Shura Army to protect my country and I have no other intentions."

Wei Taibao shook his head and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, the emperor is not willing to listen to this now. He suspects that you have ulterior motives for not returning to the court after winning the battle. If you don't explain it yourself, I'm afraid the matter will get worse and worse."

Xiao Zuochen was silent for a moment and nodded.

"I understand. I originally thought that I didn't need to pay attention to him, and he would stop making trouble after a while. But now the two teachers have been implicated by me, and I really didn't think about this matter well. I will go to the palace in person and explain the situation to the emperor."

However, the moment he stepped into the palace, he felt an oppressive atmosphere. The emperor's face was gloomy, and his eyes were full of scrutiny and suspicion. His expression was completely different from the last time they met. Xiao Zuochen knelt down and saluted, saying respectfully.

"Your Highness, I am Xiao Zuochen, your Highness."

The emperor looked at him coldly, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

"Prince Xiao, how come you have time to come and see me today? Aren't you busy organizing your Shura Army?"

Xiao Zuochen's heart sank. This was Xiao Zuoming's attitude towards him!

He raised his head, looked directly into Xiao Zuoming's eyes, and said solemnly.

"Your Majesty, I came here this time to explain to you clearly. I did not return to the court immediately after winning the battle because the situation on the border was not completely stable. I was worried that the enemy would make a comeback, so I stayed for a while. I have no second thoughts about the court, please understand your majesty."

The emperor sneered, with obvious distrust in his tone.

"Really? But I heard that you hid the Shura Army deep in the mountains and didn't send anyone to report to the emperor, nor did you hand over the military token. What does this mean?"

Xiao Zuochen's heart tightened, knowing that the emperor had already pointed the finger at the Shura Army. He said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, the Shura Army is an army I formed to defend my country. Although it is powerful, it consumes a lot of resources and should not be used casually unless it is absolutely necessary. I believe that the Shura Army should be used as a sharp weapon for Tai'an and can only be used when the country is in danger, rather than being assigned to the court."

Xiao Zuoming's face became even gloomier, and there was a hint of anger in his tone.

"Xiao Zuochen, what do you mean? Is my court not strong enough to control your Shura Army? Or do you have no intention of handing over the military power?"

Xiao Zuochen's heart trembled, knowing that Xiao Zuoming had completely changed. He continued to explain.

"Your Majesty, I have absolutely no such intention! I just think that the Shura Army should be used to defend the country, rather than becoming a standing army of the court. Besides, I have no idea about the throne. If I had any idea, I would not have helped you to take the throne in the first place!"

The emperor slammed the armrest of the dragon throne and shouted angrily, "Enough! Xiao Zuochen, are you saying that I got the throne because of your charity? You keep saying that you have no intention of the throne, but your actions make me doubt it! You hold a large number of troops, but you are reluctant to hand over the military power. Aren't you harboring evil intentions?"

Xiao Zuochen's heart sank, knowing that no matter how much he explained, he could not dispel Xiao Zuoming's suspicion. He took a deep breath, suppressed the anger and helplessness in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I am loyal to the court and have no second thoughts. If Your Majesty does not believe me, I am willing to resign from all my positions, and I only ask Your Majesty to understand."

The emperor sneered, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

"Resign from your post? But you are unwilling to hand over your military power? Xiao Zuochen, do you think I am a fool? I tell you, the Shura Army must be incorporated into the court, otherwise -"

Xiao Zuochen suddenly raised his head, with a look of determination in his eyes: "Your Majesty, the Shura Army is the result of my hard work, I will never hand it over easily. If Your Majesty insists on doing so, I can only -"

"Only what?"

Xiao Zuoming interrupted him coldly, with a hint of threat in his eyes.

"Xiao Zuochen, are you threatening me?"

Xiao Zuochen was silent for a moment, and finally slowly lowered his head, with a hint of fatigue in his tone: "I dare not. I just hope that the emperor can understand that everything I do is for the safety of Taian."

Xiao Zuoming snorted coldly and waved his hand.

"That's enough! I don't want to hear your excuses anymore. For the sake of our brotherhood, go back home and think about what I said. The Shura Army must be incorporated into the imperial court. This is my will."

Xiao Zuochen's heart sank, knowing that no amount of explanation would change Xiao Zuoming's decision. He slowly stood up, bowed to him, and turned to leave the hall.

The moment he walked out of the palace, Xiao Zuochen looked up at the sky. The sun had completely set and night was gradually falling. His heart was filled with helplessness, but then gradually calmed down.

Wasn't everything prepared long ago? Wasn't everything anticipated long ago? But when the time came, there was still some resentment.

After walking out of the palace, Yun Feng, who had been waiting outside the palace for a long time, hurried forward and asked.

"Master, are you okay?"

Xiao Zuochen shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of fatigue: "The Emperor has issued an order that the Shura Army must be incorporated into the imperial court."

Yun Feng's expression suddenly changed when he heard this. He sighed and whispered, "My Lord, you didn't agree, did you?"

Xiao Zuochen smiled bitterly, with a hint of determination in his eyes.

"Of course, but the Shura Army was established by Mr. Ying. I cannot let it become a tool of the court."

Yun Feng was silent for a moment and then spoke slowly.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has become suspicious of you, and there are secret guards watching us all around. I think we should find a way to leave as soon as possible. After tonight, I'm afraid..."

Yun Feng did not continue, but Xiao Zuochen understood what he meant. The two looked at each other, their eyes full of worry.

As night fell, Xiao Zuochen stood on the roof, looking at the darkness and faint lights in the distance, his heart filled with determination. He knew that the next step might go against his original intention, but he would never back down. The Shura Army was Mr. Ying's hard work and the hope of Tai'an, and he would never let it become a sacrifice of the court.

"Master, are we ready to leave?"

Yun Feng asked in a low voice.

Xiao Zuochen was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. But if he left this place, he probably wouldn't be able to return to Tai'an City again.