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

Ye Chen’s words were like a huge rock dropped into the water.

In an instant, a thousand waves crashed down on the court.

All the officials were surprised.

Some people who felt guilty even trembled all over.

Su Mengjiao, who was sitting behind Ye Chen, also narrowed her eyes. She thought about how she had indeed received the news of the defeat of the Marquis of Jing'an's Mansion three years ago.

However, she had just taken power behind the scenes at the time and was shocked by the news that 30,000 soldiers had been killed in one fell swoop. Without taking time to think, she quickly issued an imperial decree.

But now that I think about it.

It's indeed quite strange.

Logically speaking, the news that Marquis Jing'an was advancing recklessly against the enemy should have come first.

"Your Majesty, since the Marquis of Jing'an braved the enemy and advanced recklessly, he must have sent troops out on his own initiative. It's normal that the other border guards were unaware of this."

Yang Dechang was indeed an experienced official, he reacted quickly and said.

"Oh, Prime Minister, are you saying that a full 30,000-strong army has been mobilized at the border, while the remaining border guards and the local governor have no idea what's going on?"

"So, those border guards and the local governor were truly negligent in their duties. Or is there something else going on? Could it be that they're intentionally concealing the truth?!"

Ye Chen's face darkened, and when he said the last sentence, his voice suddenly became extremely loud, like a huge bell and thunder, exploding in the ears of everyone in the hall.

Hearing this, Yang Dechang's lips moved slightly, and he couldn't find a good excuse for a moment.

An army of 30,000 advanced recklessly against the enemy and failed when Marquis Jing'an was defeated. Only then did you realize that this was dereliction of duty.

Is it really an intentional concealment?

Yang Dechang naturally knew what was going on, but facing Ye Chen's questioning, he had no way to excuse the border guards and the local governor.

Conspiracy!

Yang Dechang looked at Ye Chen deeply.

"Your Majesty, this is an old case after all, and the border is currently in turmoil. It would be inappropriate to hold the border commanders and governors responsible for dereliction of duty three years ago accountable."

"Besides, this matter has already been concluded. The fault lies solely with Marquis Jing'an."

"Your Majesty, please take a closer look."

Yang Dechang bowed and spoke in a low but firm voice.

The law does not hold everyone responsible, and now the foreign tribes around Dayu are causing unrest.

Yang Dechang didn't believe that Ye Chen really dared to attack the border troops and the prefect.

"Humph."

Ye Chen snorted coldly.

How could he not know Yang Dechang's little thoughts?

Use the unrest on the border to prevent Ye Chen from holding the border governors and generals accountable.

The case of Marquis Jing'an naturally cannot be overturned!

But in Ye Chen's opinion, this method is too naive!

"Prime Minister, even if it's true as you say, that this matter is entirely the fault of Marquis Jing'an, then if we leave the border to those border generals and prefects who neglect their duties, will they be able to defend it?"

"If Tubo invades again, I'm afraid more than 30,000 Dayu men will be surrounded and annihilated."

"If we let these people go, it would be irresponsible to the people living on the border!"

Hearing this, Yang Dechang frowned and said, "Then I wonder what your Majesty plans to do?"

"I intend to investigate this matter thoroughly!"

Ye Chen’s attitude was firm.

Hearing this, Yang Dechang's eyes darkened. He said, "Your Majesty, if you truly feel there's something fishy about this matter, you can hand it over to the Ministry of Justice for a public trial."

Hearing this, Ye Chen looked at Yang Dechang and said, "Okay."

Hearing this, Yang Dechang's expression eased slightly, and then he heard Ye Chen's words again.

"However, I will keep an eye on the progress of the case. The Imperial Guards must be present at any investigation and interrogation by the Ministry of Justice!"

Ye Chen smiled coldly. This was exactly the effect he wanted. If the matter of Marquis Jing'an had not been brought up, these people would not have jumped out at all.

"Let's leave it at that. Dismiss!"

Ye Chen waved his hand, and Yang Dechang and others could only bow and then leave the Taiqian Hall one after another.

And after these people left.

Su Mengjiao lifted the pearl curtain and walked out from behind the dragon throne, staring at Ye Chen with a strange light flashing in her pretty eyes.

"Emperor, if you hand over the affairs of the Jing'an Marquisate to the Ministry of Justice now, you are just handing them over to those powerful officials. This will not produce any results."

"Oh, Queen Mother, the key point is not whether there will be results, but whether they will take action."

Ye Chen smiled slightly.

It is equivalent to a duel between masters. Sometimes if you remain motionless like a mountain, you cannot find your flaws, but once you move, they will be exposed.

"Empress Dowager, send some imperial guards to closely monitor the Marquis of Jing'an's residence and the ministers who urged you to issue an imperial decree prohibiting any unauthorized movement of border troops!"

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao narrowed her eyes. She was smart and understood what Ye Chen meant after a little thought.

"Emperor, are you trying to say that some people have hidden agendas and will definitely take action?"

"That's natural."

"However, Your Majesty, the number of Imperial Guards I can trust right now is only a few hundred. Many ministers in the court are involved in this matter. It would be difficult to keep all of them under surveillance with just these Imperial Guards."

Su Mengjiao's beautiful face showed a hint of helplessness, and said.

"Oh, Queen Mother, you should know that the Jing'an Marquis's Mansion employs many retired officers and soldiers, as well as orphans of martyrs. We can arrange for them to monitor those ministers."

Ye Chen laughed and said.

This was his original intention.

There are only so many vacant positions in the Imperial Guards, and it is impossible to accommodate everyone from the Marquis of Jing'an's Mansion.

Instead of doing this, it would be better to set up another department so that he can get his hands on things outside the palace.

"Your Majesty, is this really feasible? If we involve the Marquis of Jing'an, the ministers will probably complain. Besides, the people in the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion are definitely on their side. The news they pass back is not very credible."

Su Mengjiao frowned slightly and said.

"Empress Dowager, this is simple. When you assign tasks, insert trusted Imperial Guards among the people from the Jing'an Marquisate, or let these Imperial Guards command them. Only let them inquire about the ministers' movements and actions. If there are any emergencies, let the Imperial Guards observe them in person. This way, you don't have to worry about the people from the Jing'an Marquisate spreading false information for personal gain."

Ye Chen said confidently.

Su Mengjiao was quite tempted when she heard this. In her opinion, this was also a good way to increase the power under her command.

"In that case, Your Majesty, since you are familiar with the people in Jing'an Marquis' Mansion, you can handle this matter."

"Empress Dowager, the people in the Jing'an Marquis' Mansion are not yet officials. Moreover, in order to avoid alerting the officials, this matter can only be carried out in secret. Therefore, we must first give these people some practical benefits, at least so that they don't have to worry about their livelihood and can focus on monitoring the officials wholeheartedly."

Ye Chen then continued.

There are only two words in his words.

Want money!

Su Mengjiao couldn't understand what he said. She waved her sleeves and said domineeringly, "Emperor, I will give you 100,000 taels."

"Ah."

Ye Chen smiled and said, "The Queen Mother is too stingy. One hundred thousand taels is not enough?"

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao stared at Ye Chen with her cheeks slightly puffed up, and then she held up two fingers: "Two hundred thousand taels, Your Majesty, the troops stationed on the Tatar border have not yet withdrawn, and the military pay for the tough battles in the north has not yet been raised. We really can't give more."

Hearing this, Ye Chen pursed his lips in embarrassment.

"Alright, I'll take the loss, two hundred thousand taels is two hundred thousand taels!"