At the tender age of eight, he was hastily dragged out and made emperor!

The central government of the Great Yu Dynasty is indeed changing.

The grand court session convened at the Taiji Hall was ordered by the Empress Dowager, yet the Emperor almost stole the limelight from the central government. This sudden change, which had maintained a delicate balance amidst the constant turmoil and changes of the past three years, was something many people were not yet fully accustomed to.

Simply because the changes are happening too fast.

The drama is too much.

That's just how the central nervous system is.

Survival of the fittest!

Anyone who cannot adapt, cannot see clearly, takes the wrong path, or makes the wrong move will only face one fate: a dismal departure from the core of power in the Great Yu Dynasty.

The cold wind remains.

Imperial City.

Zhongshu Province.

After yesterday's grand court session, it seems that the people entering and leaving the Secretariat, a key hub of power, are not much different from before.

However, subtle changes in the atmosphere can still be detected.

Not to mention the officials from various provinces, ministries, temples, and supervisory commissions who came to the Secretariat today; very few of them were actually there on official business. In reality, they were there under the pretext of gathering information and investigating the situation.

The turmoil that lasted for three years has now subsided.

When can't we do official business?

Even in the most urgent situations, the necessary procedures still need to be followed.

Can a quick solution solve the problem?

Who in this world isn't in a hurry?

Are you the most anxious?

Was this government office opened just for you?

No matter how urgent the matter, nothing is more urgent than the official hat on one's head, and nothing is more urgent than choosing sides and currying favor. After all, if something goes wrong, one's position will be in jeopardy, and then how can things be resolved?

"Why does the Prime Minister refuse to see us? We have important matters to report to him."

"Look at what you're saying. Who comes to the Secretariat without important business or urgent matters to report?"

"This is really different from before."

"Who says otherwise? We originally thought that once the turmoil ended, the central government would be stable, but now it seems that things will be difficult to calm down."

"Sigh~ This life is so stressful..."

In a certain place in the Secretariat, dozens of officials dressed in various colored robes and carrying official documents gathered in groups of three or five. They spoke loudly or softly about what they had carefully considered to say in public. Some of them would glance at a certain spot from time to time, trying to get what they wanted.

In contrast, the officials of the Secretariat, regardless of rank, all changed their previous arrogant demeanor. Wherever they were, they were always in a hurry to avoid those with ulterior motives.

In this special situation, it's definitely a case of the more you say, the more mistakes you make; the less you say, the fewer mistakes you make; and if you don't say anything, you won't make any mistakes. Nobody wants to cause trouble for themselves because of their unintentional actions, after all, it's not easy to get into the Secretariat.

The current Secretariat.

The office where Xu Chu was located was the one that attracted the most attention.

"Hmph! It's just a grand court assembly, and they're all so impatient. They're utterly despicable!"

The office was silent for a long time.

A cold snort rang out.

Chen Jian, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who was sitting down, stood up and bowed to Xu Chu, who was resting with his eyes closed, saying, "Master, you mustn't remain silent. If this continues, it won't just be the Secretariat that will be in chaos."

While speaking these words, Chen Jian appeared calm, but his heart was actually filled with complex emotions.

He never imagined that a routine court ceremony would turn into such a mess just because the emperor was returning to the palace.

The position of General of the Northern Army, which had been vacant for a long time, was taken over by Han Qing.

The decision to purge the rebellious princes was made by the Empress Dowager, but the imperial decree was issued by the Emperor.

Also, the emperor is going to hold a talent selection.

Although many political matters were discussed at that grand court session, and the Empress Dowager either agreed or disagreed, the most crucial moments were all in the Emperor's favor.

Even the Empress Dowager, who hadn't left Chang Le Palace for a long time, came to the Taiji Hall to attend this grand court ceremony because of the Emperor's sudden return to the palace.

The key issue is that the timing is too delicate.

As a result, all the rumors in the past, involving the Empress Dowager's dissatisfaction with the Emperor and her desire to replace him, were directly and invisibly dispelled.

So this was all a setup from the very beginning.

This is something that many people are now speculating about.

Whether this arrangement was the Empress Dowager's idea, the Emperor's idea, or the idea of ​​the grandfather and grandson, each possibility could lead to many questions.

In the past, during periods of turmoil, this was something that no one paid much attention to.

But now.

I can't ignore it anymore.

The turmoil is over.

The Great Yu Dynasty is stabilizing.

If you still haven't realized it, it's all due to your own stupidity.

"Tell me, how should we interrogate Ni Fanxiong and Ni Fanfeng to satisfy the whole world?" Xu Chu slowly opened his eyes, staring coldly at Chen Jian, his words devoid of any emotion.

hum.

Xu Chu's words startled Chen Jian.

In that instant, he knew that his mentor would not stop there.

In fact, at yesterday's grand court session, Xu Chu first offered his resignation, and then, in front of the two empresses and all the civil and military officials, he requested that the emperor personally decide the case of the rebellious prince.

Chen Jian realized what was going on.

For no apparent reason, the emperor returned to the palace from Shanglin Garden, and the commotion was so great that it was obvious to anyone with eyes to see that as he grew older, the emperor wanted to seize power.

But how is this possible!

The words, though harsh.

But that's the truth.

There is only so much power. The three emperors took away a portion, and the central government took away a portion. Because of a period of turmoil, this power order was maintained in a delicate state.

Now that the Emperor has returned, although he has not said that he will take power, all the signs and actions indicate that I am about to take power.

That's why Xu Chu did what he did.

Want to seize power? Fine.

Then issue an edict to kill all your rebellious uncles.

This is a trap.

Killing is not an option either.

Not killing is not the answer either.

Through this scheme, Xu Chu wanted to show the young emperor that seizing power and ruling the world was not as easy or simple as he thought.

To everyone's surprise, the Empress Dowager, who had stated that she would not be coming, arrived without warning. More importantly, after arriving at the Taiji Hall, her actions and words subtly shattered Xu Chu's momentum.

More importantly, it was the Empress Dowager's attitude toward the Emperor.

This is the key.

"Dear teacher, I thought we were about to have a major interrogation!"

Thinking of all this, Chen Jian pondered for a long time before cautiously saying, "The Empress Dowager has appointed the relevant officials for this matter, and the Emperor has made the decision, but it hasn't been said who is in charge. Even if the Emperor and the Empress Dowager both express their intention to execute him, there's something fishy going on about how and how he will be executed."

A smile appeared on Xu Chu's lips.

This is why he likes Chen Jian the most.

clever.

"We absolutely cannot let Xiao Jing steal this case."

Xu Chu stretched out his hand and looked at Chen Jian, saying, "This man's influence in the court has been growing stronger over the past few years. He is currently only the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, but with the support of this case, it is hard to guarantee that other tasks will not be assigned to him."

Chen Jian immediately understood.

In this court, it may seem that only officials and positions matter, but that is not actually the case. Whoever has more tasks will have more people around them, especially important tasks, which indirectly involve power.

权力的本质是什么？

Isn't it just about dominating others?

Humans control livestock.

Officials control the people.

To be a high-ranking official and to command subordinates.

If you have control over the corresponding resources, then you can control others.

"So, in your opinion, who should be in charge?"

After thinking about this for a long time, Chen Jian finally spoke.

While pondering the matter, Chen Jian carefully analyzed the situation. Among the people involved in this case, there were some he could trust, but the problem was that this case was unusual.

Not everyone has the courage and boldness to directly confront the Empress Dowager.

The emperor might also need to consider this.

But ultimately, the emperor has very little power to control now.

Perhaps, once the emperor takes power and assumes personal rule, he will inevitably vent his dissatisfaction.

But that's in the future.

This is the key right now!

What do you think of Liu Chen?

Xu Chu's words surprised Chen Jian.

Grand Master of Ceremonies Liu Chen?

Is this a joke?!

Yes.

As the son-in-law of Princess Wu'an, Liu Chen took up his post in the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, but everyone knew that the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs was just a formality.

Not to mention that Liu Chen, as a member of the imperial family, was simply unable to consolidate his power in the court. If he really dared to do so, not to mention anything else, the laws and regulations of the Great Yu Dynasty alone could crush him.

"how?"

Seeing Chen Jian's reaction, Xu Chu smiled enigmatically, "Do you think I'm talking nonsense?"

"The students dare not."

Chen Jian immediately bowed and said.

He dared not say that.

If he speaks, he's finished.

Chen Jian knew better than anyone that his current position, and his absolute power in the Ministry of Revenue as the Left Vice Minister, were all thanks to the support of his mentor.

Otherwise, he's nothing!

The words may be harsh, but that's just how cruel reality is.

After all, people are realistic.

"After much deliberation, I believe there is no one more suitable than Liu Chen."

Xu Chu flicked his sleeves and said calmly, "Didn't the Emperor's previous attitude mean that he always wanted the Empress Dowager to make the decision? What does that mean? The Emperor must have said something to the Empress Dowager in the past, turning what should have been a matter of state into a family matter."

"Otherwise, why do you think the Empress Dowager had such a complicated attitude towards the Emperor?"

"Since you insist on handling matters as family affairs instead of national affairs, then let's not follow the old rules for everything. The rebellious princes Xiong and Feng have committed heinous crimes, but they are still the eldest sons of the founding emperor. No one is more suitable than the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs to handle matters as family affairs."

It seems things are about to get turbulent in the central government.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jian immediately understood what was going on.

"But Master, is Liu Chen willing?"

Thinking of this, Chen Jian pointed out the crucial point: "In the central government and throughout Yudu, who doesn't know that the consort of Princess Wu'an is henpecked?"

"What if there's something he has to choose from?"

Xu Chu tapped the table with his hand and smiled at Chen Jian.

Ok?

Upon seeing this, Chen Jian immediately stepped forward. After bowing to Xu Chu, Chen Jian reached out and picked up the envelope on the table. With a puzzled look, Chen Jian opened the letter, but after only one glance, his expression changed.

Seeing Chen Jian's reaction, Xu Chu's smile widened.

But as he laughed, Xu Chu's expression turned cold.

During yesterday's grand court session, his sense of crisis was stronger than ever before, because he discovered a terrifying fact: the ailing Empress Dowager, perhaps without his knowledge, and perhaps without the knowledge of many others, was already paving the way for the emperor.

The past is all a lie.

It is misleading.

Even he was bewitched.

But his current position, including the situation of the Xu family, is not one that can be retreated at will. Retreat means decline and destruction!

When a person reaches a certain height, even if they know that the road ahead may lead to an irreversible situation, they have too many burdens and too many constraints, so they can only grit their teeth and move forward.

After all, how can you just give up what you have?

If it were that easy, why did we face the challenge in the first place?

Therefore, Xu Chu had to stop all of this.

The emperor holds the reins of righteousness, but in the present Great Yu, simply holding the reins of Great Yu is not enough, after all, the upheaval has brought too much to Great Yu.

Okay, of course.

But more often than not, it's bad.

The question is, who should end this evil? Xu Chu thought it through very clearly. If this evil can be ended in his hands, even if the emperor really takes power and rules personally one day, under the righteous cause he has created, even if the emperor hates him, he cannot do anything to him.

Even after he died.

Because if the emperor does this, it is tantamount to going against the will of the people throughout the land!

This would shake the very foundation of their rule.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has always lived in your shadow." Thinking of this, Xu Chu's expression became complex. "This old minister now wants to break free from all of this. Even if this victory is won without you, it will still be a victory for this old minister. That way, when this old minister sees you again, I won't feel only fear in my heart, and nothing else!"

"Dear teacher, I believe this matter is..."

"Your Excellency, a terrible thing has happened!!"

As Xu Chu was reflecting on his feelings, and Chen Jian was nervously putting away the letter and telling Xu Chu what was on his mind, an urgent voice suddenly rang out outside the office.

This made Xu Chu frown deeply.

"News has come from the Imperial Clan Court: Ni Fanxiong and Ni Fanfeng have committed suicide!!" But the voice that followed from outside the hall made Xu Chu's expression change slightly.

"How can this be!!"

Chen Jian exclaimed in disbelief.

How could these two possibly commit suicide?

If you commit suicide, how can you do anything else?

"Step back, step back."

Just as Chen Jian was filled with surprise and doubt, Xu Chu's voice rang out. The tremor in his voice could not be concealed at all. At this moment, Xu Chu's face turned extremely ugly.

At that very moment, the emperor's face appeared in his mind.

Especially that ambiguous smile made Xu Chu's hands tremble uncontrollably.

And the words the emperor once spoke.

It kept replaying in Xu Chu's mind.

What if I refuse?

Xu Chu's breathing became rapid. He had calculated and finally came up with a strategy to break the current predicament, but because of the suicides of Ni Fanxiong and Ni Fanfeng, it was thwarted before it even began.

Although Xu Chu did not know why the two men committed suicide, he knew one thing: this matter must be related to the emperor. But the question was, how could the emperor possibly admit to this?