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

In the Imperial Garden.

Hundreds of people from the Jing'an Marquis Mansion were running cross-country in circles. They kept a certain distance from each other when they started running, and from time to time, someone would shout slogans.

Run two laps in the morning to warm up.

This is what Ye Chen did during military training.

Now, looking at these hundreds of people running in an orderly manner, Ye Chen couldn't help but nod silently.

These people were all talented people cultivated by Jing'an Prefecture. They knew they had to obey orders absolutely. In just one day, they were able to maintain their formation even when running.

Ye Chen became more and more confident that he could train these people into true elites within a month.

"Your Majesty, news has arrived from the Empress Dowager. Many people in the court are impeaching the Emperor's Imperial Guards for abusing their power, trespassing into Yingchuan Academy, and forcibly detaining its teachers and scholars. The relevant memorials have been sent to the Yangxin Palace."

Just as Ye Chen was observing those people running, Cheng En suddenly approached.

"Ah."

Ye Chen smiled coldly and didn't take it seriously.

Those memorials are just firewood for heating.

"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother also said that the Minister of Personnel spoke the most harshly in the court today. He even threatened to make daily reports if the perpetrators were not severely punished, and even threatened to go on a hunger strike."

Cheng En said again.

Ye Chen didn't care about this at all.

In his opinion, it would be better if the Minister of Personnel died.

"Your Majesty, Guard Shen is here."

"Ah."

Ye Chen turned his head and saw Shen Qiu in white.

This aloof and cool lady's expression was as cold as ever, and her whole body exuded an otherworldly and ethereal beauty.

"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother said that the poor students from Yingchuan Academy have all come to the palace."

"Yes, I understand."

Ye Chen then planned to go to Taiqian Palace.

"Your Majesty, Miss Qin is here too. She said she has something to ask you."

"Oh, let Meng'er go to the Yangxin Palace and wait for me first."

When Ye Chen heard that Qin Man was also here, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

He immediately got on the sedan chair and headed towards Taiqian Palace.

Shen Qiu originally wanted to follow quietly.

"Qiu'er, send someone to the Secretariat and have Du Min go to the Taiqian Palace immediately."

Ye Chen said in a steady voice.

"Yes!"

Shen Qiu glanced at Ye Chen and went down to do it.

Inside the Taiqian Palace.

Du Min was wearing a red official uniform and had heavy eye shadow on her face, looking obviously tired and haggard.

In the past few days, all the officials in the Ministry of Revenue have taken sick leave, and the entire ministry depends on him alone. Even with a magical tool like the abacus, his body really can't take it.

However, his eyes were bright and he did not look depressed at all.

Opposite him stood Han Yu and his four companions.

Both sides were looking at each other, each thinking about their own things.

Suddenly, the imperial guards standing at the gate of Taiqian Palace knelt down.

"The Emperor has arrived."

"Long live my emperor, long live the emperor!"

In the main hall, Du Min, Han Yu and others knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor".

"Let's all get flat!"

Ye Chen strode into the Taiqian Palace, wearing a dragon robe and emitting an imperial aura.

After all, Du Min and Han Yu had met Ye Chen before, so they did not lose their composure, but Han Yu's friends all seemed a little embarrassed.

"Du Min."

As soon as Ye Chen sat on the dragon throne, he said.

"The minister is here."

Du Min stepped out, holding up the ivory plate and bowing.

"These few are from poor families at Yingchuan Academy, being ostracized by the students from aristocratic families. Take them with you and examine them to see if they have real talent and knowledge."

"If possible, let them help you. You can let them take over the position of Minister temporarily!"

Ye Chen looked at Du Min and said.

Now, the only person he can use is Du Min.

Moreover, with Du Min's ability, it is absolutely appropriate to let him conduct the investigation.

"Yes."

Du Min walked towards Han Yu and others. Han Yu and his companions bowed to Du Min, but they were trembling with excitement.

Han Yu and his companions were all ambitious people, but they had no chance to realize their ambitions in the past.

Now, Ye Chen gave them a chance.

Han Yu and the other four bowed to Ye Chen again, but they were all determined to fight to the death.

And when Du Min was about to retreat with the five people.

Han Yu suddenly stood up.

"Your Majesty, I would like to recommend someone to you!"

"Ok?"

Ye Chen was a little surprised, then asked: "Who?"

"This person wasn't born into a poor family, but he wasn't from a wealthy family either. He's currently a teacher at Yingchuan Academy and has been teaching there for decades. He's taken care of many children from poor families, and he knows more about the oppression they suffer than we do, and in greater detail."

Han Yu bowed.

"Oh? What's this person's name?"

Ye Chen asked quickly.

"Zhang Xu!"

Han Yu paused before continuing, "However, Master Zhang has been indifferent to fame and fortune for many years. The court has summoned him before, but he has no intention of becoming an official. Therefore, it may not be easy to ask him to testify."

"I understand."

Ye Chen waved his hand and remembered the name.

After Han Yu and others left Taiqian Palace.

Su Mengjiao, who had been silent all this time, finally walked out from behind the dragon throne.

"Emperor, there will definitely be an uproar in the court tomorrow."

Su Mengjiao sighed softly and looked at Ye Chen with complicated eyes.

Ye Chen really wanted to recruit students from poor families, but the powerful officials would never let Ye Chen accomplish this, as this would already put him in opposition to all the wealthy families.

"Don't worry, Queen Mother. I will attend court tomorrow and will not let you face those powerful ministers alone."

Ye Chen smiled slightly, his tone revealing confidence.

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao narrowed her eyes.

"Emperor, have you figured out how to deal with the ministers?"

"Empress Dowager, with Zhou Jie and Zhao Sheng as witnesses, once we find those poor students who were forced to commit corruption, I can immediately close down the Yingchuan Academy. The academy's president has connections to the Minister of Personnel, so I can make an opening here."

Ye Chen patted the dragon table lightly and squinted his eyes.

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao raised her eyebrows and said, "Emperor, even if you close down Yingchuan Academy and arrest the dean, it's still a bit far-fetched to use this to overthrow the Minister of Personnel. After all, it's just a private academy."

"Oh, Queen Mother, the Yingchuan Academy alone certainly can't bring down the Minister of Personnel, but my intention was never to bring down Xiahou Jie all at once. Instead, I wanted to arrest the people from the academy and interrogate them first. This way, I could find evidence against Xiahou Jie, and at the same time, I could use this opportunity to place students from poor families in the imperial court and solve the dilemma of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works being left without a staff."

Ye Chen's eyes were bright and his tone was calm and confident.

He had intended to take it step by step and never take any risks.

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao finally nodded slightly.

"Since the Emperor is so confident, then go ahead and do it. I will give you my utmost support."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen said to Su Mengjiao with a serious face: "Empress Dowager, I will leave the palace now to meet Zhang Xu."

The position of Minister of Works is still vacant.

Ye Chen naturally wanted to recruit more talents into the court, and Zhang Xu could provide more evidence of the oppression of poor students.

"Well, I'll let Shen Qiu go with you."

Su Mengjiao has become accustomed to Ye Chen leaving the palace.

Moreover, Ye Chen did have legitimate reasons, so Su Mengjiao naturally would not stop him.