The girl traveled through another world and forced the prince to take the imperial examination

Lu Chengze suddenly raised his head, his hawk-like gaze piercing Yan Jinchang. A sinister smile played on his face, and he demanded in a deep, angry voice, "Why? Why? Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you attempt to seize my military power?"

Facing Lu Chengze's questioning, Yan Jinchang showed no fear. He straightened his body and replied with a stern face, "Why? Humph, it's because you're always aiming high but lacking the ability to achieve your goals. You're full of theories but no real combat experience, and you're just full of empty talk! How can someone like you be qualified to lead an army?"

Hearing this, Lu Chengze's face turned blue with rage, and veins popped out on his forehead. He roared furiously, "Back then, I led 200,000 border troops on campaigns across the country, inflicting fear upon the enemy wherever we went! In every battle, I was at the forefront, slaughtering the enemy and leaving them in disarray! Back then, our border troops were invincible, undefeated, and feared throughout the world! And you? You old thing, you were still living in the countryside, your poor teacher! How dare you point fingers at me and accuse me now? How dare you question me? If I hadn't been framed and plotted against by treacherous people, how could I have ended up like this today!"

Yan Jinchang sneered dismissively, "Humph! It's Old Marquis Pei who commands 200,000 border troops, and it's Old Marquis Pei who commands the world. What does that have to do with you? You're just a nobody under Old Marquis Pei, and you really think you're a hero."

Having said that, Wei Ting beside Yan Jinchang suddenly raised his head, a glimmer of starlight flashed in his eyes, and quickly disappeared, and his cold and ruthless face returned to its original state.

"You, you, you old bastard...!" Lu Chengze was so angry that his whole body was trembling. Like a mad dog, he wanted to rush forward and bite Yan Jinchang.

Yan Jinchang's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smug smile. He stared at Lu Chengze with contempt, "Come here! Throw Lu Chengze into the dungeon and lock him up first. Wait for Lord Mingyuan to return and personally judge him before making the final decision! Elders, do you think this is a good approach?"

Sitting on both sides of the hall were several deacons and elders of Xiaoyue Villa. They all looked solemn, but what opinions could they have in response to Yan Jinchang's question?

After all, Yan Jinchang was in charge of the villa's accounts and held the financial power, while Lu Chengze controlled the villa's military and political affairs and had the power to deploy troops. These two people had been fighting openly and secretly for a long time and had always been incompatible with each other.

Today, Yan Jinchang finally got a perfect opportunity, and he would naturally not let go of the chance to bring down Lu Chengze easily.

Lu Chengze struggled desperately, as if he had gone mad, but his hands were bound tightly by ropes, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break free. He kept cursing, and his words became increasingly unbearable to hear.

Seeing this, Yan Jinchang's face darkened and he quickly waved his hand to signal his men to cover his mouth and stop him from talking nonsense.

Then several strong farmhands stepped forward quickly, pushed the man to the ground, took off Lu Chengze's boots, pulled off his socks and stuffed them into Lu Chengze's mouth.

Lu Chengze had been wearing the same socks for almost a month. He'd been running for his life, so he hadn't had time to change. The smell of the socks went straight to his head, nearly suffocating him. Once he'd let go of his strength, he was quickly dragged out.

At this critical moment, three snow-white figures were seen outside the gate heading towards Lingyun Pavilion.

The three men were all dressed in flowing white robes, their sleeves dancing in the wind, like immortals descending to earth. They also wore white cloaks and hoods. The wide hoods completely concealed most of their faces, leaving only their mouths and jaws exposed, making them appear extremely mysterious.

They walked lightly, with tall and agile figures, and in the blink of an eye they appeared in front of everyone.

Everyone in the hall rushed out to greet him, and Lu Chengze was pulled aside.

Yan Jinchang had a flattering smile on his face: "Oh my! It turns out to be an envoy from the Heavenly Palace. I'm sorry for not welcoming you in person! I'm sorry for not welcoming you in person!"

The three messengers entered the hall and stood still. The one in the middle spoke, "We are here to convey the will of the Heavenly Sovereign. Where is Lord Mingyuan?"

"Lord Mingyuan has not yet returned. The messenger may wish to pass on the decree to us first, so as not to delay the Lord Tian's important affairs."

The messenger thought it made sense: "That's fine!"

Everyone bowed and waited devoutly for the Emperor's orders.

"The Lord of Heaven has heard that someone in the outside world has discovered a product called coal. It burns more resiliently than firewood, reaches extremely high temperatures, and can refine metals. This divine object is the fire crystal from heaven that has been transported to the mortal world. This thing is extraordinary, so how can we allow mortals to use it casually? If this coal is widely used by mortals, it will inevitably bring disaster. The Lord of Heaven orders you to recapture the coal mine. Anyone who tries to get their hands on it will be killed without mercy!"

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Fuzhou was in the south, and coal had not yet been introduced to the city. No one in the hall knew what coal was.

Yan Jinchang immediately replied, "Please have the messenger inform the Heavenly Sovereign that I will conduct a thorough investigation, recapture the coal mine, and present it to the Heavenly Sovereign."

The messenger nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave. Lu Chengze, who was pinned to the ground, seized this only opportunity. He whimpered loudly, as if he had something to say.

Even the messenger couldn't ignore him: "What's going on? This man seems to have something to say."

Yan Jinchang immediately stood in front of them: "This is a traitor from our villa. We are punishing him severely."

"Oh! We in the Heavenly Palace won't interfere in the affairs of you mortals. However, he seems to have something to say. Let him go first and let us listen to what he has to say. If it's nothing important, you can continue to punish him."

Yan Jinchang had no choice but to ask someone to take the socks out of Lu Chengze's mouth.

Lu Chengze quickly took two breaths of fresh air to calm himself down. He didn't dare to pause for too long and said hurriedly: "I know... I know where the coal mine is... I know!"

The envoy was immediately interested when he heard this: "Do you really know? Come on, let him go first and let him talk to me."

The messenger had spoken, so how could anyone dare disobey? Yan Jinchang felt a little unwilling, but he could only wave his hand helplessly to signal his men to release him. Soon, someone stepped forward to untie Lu Chengze.

Lu Chengze had been tied up for so long that his body had become numb. He struggled to support himself on the ground with his hands, slowly stood up, and shook a few times before he could barely stabilize himself.

Lu Chengze took a deep breath, then respectfully saluted the envoy with his fists clasped, and replied, "Your Excellency, I do know where the coal mine is, and I saw it with my own eyes."

"Oh? Then tell me in detail, where is this coal mine?" the messenger asked impatiently.

Lu Chengze answered without hesitation: "It's on Dongling Mountain in Yongkang County, Jiangzhou!"

Hearing this answer, the messenger nodded slightly, indicating that he seemed to have some impression of this place. After a moment's contemplation, he continued, "Hmm... I have heard of this place. But do you know who owns this coal mine now?"

Lu Chengze quickly responded, "I know, I know! This coal mine was first discovered by the people of the Crown Prince of Daqi State, so it naturally belongs to the Crown Prince now. However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already bought all the hilltops near Dongling Mountain."

"Oh!" Upon hearing this, the messenger's face became solemn and he fell into silence.

"This is a bit difficult! We in the Heavenly Palace are not allowed to meddle in government affairs, nor do we associate with the royal family. However, this coal mine is a serious matter and must be handed over to the Heavenly Palace for handling. You can first discuss it with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Qi. If he is willing to give up the coal mine, the Heavenly Palace can give him some compensation. If he is unwilling, then heavenly punishment will befall the Great Qi, which will affect Qi's national destiny. You must make it clear with him."