Princess Promotion

The departure of the Western Zhou envoy did not take away the tense atmosphere in the hall. Instead, it was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.

The ministers' discussions rose and fell, surging like the tide.

"Your Majesty, this is simply digging your own grave!" said an old minister in a trembling voice.

"Our treasury has long been depleted, and our people are exhausted from years of fighting. How can we have the energy to support another war?"

Thanks to Yao Chuguang's recent efforts in government affairs, the ministers now have a clear understanding of the financial situation of Da Qi.

The ministers wanted to curse, saying that they only had a few grains of rice at home and yet they were ready to start a war.

Once a war breaks out, there will be a shortage of money and food within a month. If food is forcibly requisitioned from the people, it will inevitably cause civil unrest.

Yao Chuguang stood in the center of the crowd, facing the ministers' questioning and accusations, her expression remained calm.

Yao Chuguang spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful: "My dear ministers, I know your concerns. Within a month, I will definitely destroy the Western Zhou Dynasty."

After hearing this, the ministers became even more excited.

"Destroy the Western Zhou Dynasty within a month? This is simply a fantasy!" Another minister waved the memorial in his hand excitedly.

His words were filled with doubts about Yao Chuguang. "Your Majesty, have you ever considered that the Western Zhou Dynasty possesses such powerful soldiers and horses. How can we possibly fight them? Isn't this clearly sending our soldiers to their deaths?"

Yao Chuguang is simply ridiculous and completely disregards the cruelty of reality.

Once a war breaks out, there will be a shortage of money and food within a month. If food is forcibly requisitioned from the people, it will inevitably cause civil unrest.

At this time, the army is in the front to defend against the enemy. If chaos breaks out in the rear, losing and ceding land and paying compensation will be a small matter.

It is very likely that it will not be the Western Zhou Dynasty that will be destroyed, but the Great Qi Dynasty that will be destroyed.

Li Qing saw that the court had been adjourned, but the ministers in the hall were reluctant to leave.

Li Qing's heart was in turmoil. Today was his first day in officialdom. Was Da Qi in danger of being destroyed?

Although Li Qing knew that he shouldn't think this way, he just couldn't help it. Could it be that after he worked diligently for a month and finally got the official position, the Great Qi would be destroyed?

In the study of the Xiao Mansion, Lord Xiao was frowning and asking his doubts to Lord Xiao who was sitting opposite him in confusion.

"Father, why don't you persuade the empress in the court? As the head of the civil officials, if you stand up, this matter may still be able to turn around." There was a hint of anxiety and confusion in Lord Xiao's tone.

Elder Xiao slowly put down the teacup in his hand and looked out the window with deep eyes, as if recalling something.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, "It's very simple. You can say that Yao Chuguang's behavior is extreme and arrogant, or even that she is rebellious and unrighteous, but there is one thing she is definitely not stupid."

Upon hearing this, Lord Xiao couldn't help but shook his head, expressing his confusion.

Elder Xiao continued, "How could she not see the problem that everyone can see? If it's impossible, yet she still makes such wild claims, then Yao Chuguang must have some hidden trick up her sleeve."

The scene of Yao Chuguang besieging the imperial palace suddenly flashed through Lord Xiao’s mind.

At that time, Yao Chuguang relied on her wisdom and means to block 100,000 imperial guards outside the imperial city without a single soldier, which shocked everyone.

Elder Xiao: "Just wait and see, anyone who underestimates Yao Chuguang will have a bad ending. Aren't there ready-made cases?

Lord Xiao took a deep breath and realized his previous prejudice.

But he really couldn't figure out where Yao Chuguang would start no matter how hard he tried.

Although Yao Chuguang’s success in ascending to the throne was inseparable from her planning, her greatest reliance was Duke Li.

It can be said that if it weren't for Duke Yao Chuguang of Li, they would have been defeated without a doubt.

But now, even if Duke Li comes out, he can't last more than a month, so Yao Chuguang can't go there to ask for help.

It can't be the barbarians and the State of Yan!

After Shangshu Wang and Lord Wang left the court, they walked with heavy steps through the winding corridor and came to Wang Liwen's courtyard.

There was deep worry between their brows, as if a heavy stone was pressing on their hearts.

Ever since the accident a few months ago, the atmosphere in the entire Wang family has become extremely tense.

That day, cousin Lin'er came to the house to visit the old lady, but somehow she met Wang Liwen privately in the garden.

Lin Wan happened to witness this scene. Her gaze was as sharp as an ice knife, making everyone present feel a chill.

However, Lin Wan did not lose her temper on the spot. She just turned around and left silently, leaving behind silence and anxiety.

That night, neither Minister Wang nor Lord Wang could sleep a wink.

Madam Wang and the others saw that Minister Wang and Lord Wang were not sleeping in the study so late at night and didn't know what they were doing, so they sent servants to ask them.

What can they do! They paced back and forth in the study.

The study was not far from Wang Liwen's yard. They thought that if Lin Wan was really furious and wanted to harm Wang Liwen, they might be able to arrive in time to prevent the tragedy from happening.

However, as the night passed, everything seemed unusually peaceful except for the occasional rustling of leaves in the night wind.

The next morning, when Minister Wang and Lord Wang walked out of the study with dark circles under their eyes and tired faces, they saw Lin Wan walking out alone.

She handed them a leave application, which stated that Wang Liwen would not be attending court in the near future because he would be studying bows and crossbows behind closed doors.

Minister Wang and Lord Wang understood instantly that Wang Liwen was put in solitary confinement.

Although they felt relieved, they were also worried about Wang Liwen's situation.

All the civil and military officials in the court knew Lin Wan’s identity. She was the cold-blooded leader of the secret guards.

With just a little inquiry, one can find out that Wang Liwen was caught having a secret meeting with his cousin by Lin Wan, and that he subsequently took leave to go into seclusion.

Although no one dared to discuss Lin Wan's affairs publicly, everyone knew that Wang Liwen had really angered Lin Wan this time and was punished by her in this way.

Although there are various speculations about this matter from the outside world, it has become a taboo topic within the Wang family.

Minister Wang and Lord Wang stood in front of Wang Liwen's yard, looking at the closed door with mixed feelings.

If someone else's grandson or son cheats on his wife, the most his father can do is beat him up and say something shameful.

They don't have to worry about damaging their reputation, but if Wang Liwen dares to have an affair with other women, his life will be in danger.

Now, Shangshu Wang and Lord Wang no longer have the initial anxiety about Wang Wenli being put in solitary confinement. As long as Lin Wan does not physically punish Wang Wenli, they will reluctantly accept this result.

After all, in this turbulent time, the situation in the court is unpredictable, and they need to concentrate on dealing with the crisis at hand.

It's better to keep it locked up, at least there won't be any new trouble.

After much deliberation, Minister Wang felt that at such a critical moment, he still needed to discuss with Lin Wan to ensure that the Wang family could safely overcome the difficulties.

So he stepped into Lin Wan's yard, feeling mixed emotions.

He spoke carefully, but addressing Lin Wan became a tricky matter: "Master Lin... Wan'er..."

Minister Wang suddenly realized that he didn't know what to call his grandson's wife. In terms of position, she was his superior, but in terms of relationship, she was his grandson's wife.

Fortunately, Lin Wan interrupted Shangshu Wang with a smile: "Grandfather, there's no need to be so restrained. Just call me Wan'er as before."

Her voice was calm and kind, which eased Minister Wang's embarrassment.

Minister Wang finally breathed a sigh of relief and continued to recount the turmoil in the court today, especially the empress's shocking statement that the Western Zhou issue would be resolved within a month.

Lin Wan pondered for a moment. "Since Her Majesty has said so, she must have her reasons. As subjects, we only need to follow Her Majesty's will. Excessive speculation is useless."

Lin Wan's answer was flawless, but Shangshu Wang did not get the answer he wanted.

Minister Wang finally asked to meet Wang Wenli.

However, Lin Wan politely declined Shangshu Wang's request: "Grandfather, Wenli is currently in a critical period of retreat, and he will not be able to end his retreat until a month later."

Lin Wan's tone was firm and unquestionable. It was obvious that she did not want to disturb Wang Wenli's retreat at this time.

Although Minister Wang was a little disappointed, he could only nod silently.