Traveling through the emperor, overthrowing the empress dowager at the beginning

In the ancient pavilion.

Yang Dechang watched Cao Chang and his men walk away, his sinister eyes narrowed slightly.

"Prime Minister, this Duke Fuguo is still the same as before, arrogant and domineering, looking down on everyone."

Gao Yunhe sighed lightly and said to Yang Dechang.

"Oh, Brother Dingfang, this is perfect. Let Cao Chang go to the palace and get into trouble. Let him experience the little emperor's methods. Then, instead of us going to find him, he will come to us."

Yang Dechang showed a cold smile on his face and said, "Anyway, I have already warned him. Let's go, Brother Dingfang, let's go back to the capital and wait at the mansion."

"But Prime Minister, what if the young emperor backed down? Cao Kun would be spared the death penalty."

Gao Yunhe frowned slightly and asked.

"Ha, Brother Dingfang, if the little emperor backs down, he will be breaking his promise and will lose all his prestige. I will not let him go!"

"By then, no one in the whole court will believe his words anymore!"

Yang Dechang's face revealed ferocity, and with his vicious eyes, it was not difficult to see the consequences if Ye Chen retreated.

If this is true, he will also add fuel to the fire!

"Ah."

Gao Yunhe also calmed down completely, and the two of them got on the carriage and headed towards the capital.

In the capital city.

The moment Cao Chang and his cavalry stepped into the city gate.

Ye Chen had already received the news.

"Qiu'er, come back with me."

Ye Chen turned around and got on the carriage.

He is going to meet Cao Chang.

Within the palace.

After receiving the news, Su Mengjiao immediately went to Taiqian Palace to wait, and not long after Ye Chen returned to the palace, Cao Chang arrived at the palace gate.

By the time the imperial guards reported that Cao Chang had entered the palace and moved into the Taiqian Palace.

Ye Chen had just changed into his dragon robe.

When Ye Chen arrived at Taiqian Palace in the sedan chair.

Just see it above the main hall.

An extremely burly figure was sitting upright on a stool.

It is clear.

This is the seat given by Su Mengjiao.

Ye Chen walked forward with a calm expression.

"The emperor has arrived!"

Inside the hall, all the palace maids and guards knelt down.

But Cao Chang did not stand up immediately, but turned to look at Ye Chen first.

It was not until he saw Ye Chen striding towards him that a look of surprise suddenly appeared on Cao Chang's face, and he stood up.

And after Ye Chen sat on the dragon throne.

Cao Changcai seemed to come back to his senses and clasped his fists towards Ye Chen.

"Your Majesty, long live your Majesty."

Hearing this, Ye Chen just waved his hand.

"Flat body."

Cao Chang straightened his back, staring at Ye Chen, and the surprise on his face gradually disappeared.

"Your Majesty, it has been three years since I last saw you. I didn't expect that your brain disease is really completely healed?"

Cao Chang was very confused. Three years ago, when Ye Chen first ascended the throne, he looked so foolish, but he couldn't even wear the emperor's crown.

It was only three years later.

Not only did Ye Chen no longer look as foolish as he used to, he also exuded a powerful majesty at all times, and was completely different from the person he was three years ago.

"Duke Fuguo, you didn't come here today to inquire about my condition, did you?"

Ye Chen's tone was calm, but his eyes were fixed on Cao Chang. The imperial majesty on him was like an overwhelming force, sweeping towards Cao Chang and making Cao Chang feel quite pressured.

He had never had this feeling even with the first two emperors he had served.

"Your Majesty, my two sons have committed serious crimes, but could Your Majesty, for my sake, please be lenient with them?"

Cao Chang took a deep breath and said to Ye Chen.

No matter what Ye Chen has become, he still has to save his son first.

"Cao Kun illegally mined copper in the Qinling Mountains. The evidence is irrefutable. According to national law, the punishment for this crime is even less severe than that for the other three tribes."

"Cao Tao's inability to control his subordinates has led to countless bones being piled up on the Qinling Mountains. I have already given him a light sentence by confining him to reflect on his mistakes."

"Is Duke Fuguo still not satisfied?"

Ye Chen said in a calm and domineering tone.

"Your Majesty, I believe that I have served on the border for many years and have made some contributions. Moreover, I command a large number of troops."

Cao Chang observed Ye Chen's attitude, his face darkened, and his tone became unfriendly.

However, Ye Chen's voice remained steady.

"Duke Fuguo, a country has its laws, and a family has its rules. I remember all your contributions. Moreover, you originally hold the title of Duke, which is hereditary. This is the reward given to you by Dayu."

"But this is not a reason to disregard the law."

"Duke Fuguo, with what your two sons have done, which emperor would tolerate them?"

Ye Chen slammed the dragon table and questioned.

Upon hearing this, Cao Chang was shocked and his face turned dark.

"Your Majesty, I have an army of 100,000!"

"Oh, Duke Fuguo, I am planning to select the chief generals of the capital officials recently. Do you know how I will choose?"

Facing Cao Chang's threatening words.

Ye Chen was not moved at all, but asked.

Hearing this, Cao Chang frowned slightly, then said, "This old minister doesn't know."

"Then Duke Fuguo can come down and find out. After understanding, Duke Fuguo should understand that I am not short of people to lead the army."

Ye Chen smiled slightly and said, "I also want to tell Duke Fuguo that the Ministry of War's power to mobilize food and fodder is now in my hands."

"Duke Fuguo has been leading troops for a long time, so he should understand that without food and fodder, even if you have an army of 100,000, it will be difficult to move a single step."

Upon hearing this, Cao Chang was stunned.

A drop of cold sweat quickly broke out at the corner of his temple and slid down from his forehead to his cheek.

Although he had a large army under his command, he also knew that without food and supplies, the troops under his command would mutiny.

Only then did he finally understand that Ye Chen at this moment was not someone who could be easily manipulated.

"Duke Fuguo, I didn't punish Cao Tao severely because of you. When you go back, take good care of your eldest son."

"As for your second son, Cao Kun, let me put it this way. Since you specifically pleaded for him, I can spare his youngest son, but the others will surely die."

Ye Chen waved his hand, his tone slightly gentler.

Although he controlled the food and supplies of an army of 100,000, he still had to stabilize Cao Chang first.

After giving someone a big stick, you also have to feed them some carrots.

This was also to prevent Cao Chang from becoming desperate.

If we really fall out completely and this guy leads his troops to join the barbarians, then we will be in real trouble.