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

The news that the Northern barbarian Murong sent an envoy to visit the capital quickly spread throughout the court, like a bucket of cold water poured into a pot of oil, which immediately boiled over.

"Have you all heard? The Northern Barbarians have sent an envoy to visit us. I heard they want to arrange a marriage between our dynasty and the Barbarian chieftain wants to marry his sister, Princess Ning'an, to Prince Rui in order to repair relations between the two countries."

"How could I not have heard? It's said that the Northern Barbarian delegation is currently staying in Tuowu City. Hmph!! This isn't an attempt to repair relations between our two countries; it's clearly an attempt to start a war with our dynasty!"

"Who says otherwise? Tuowu City is such a special place. Back then, because the northern barbarians invaded our borders, a large number of our soldiers died in the northern frontier!"

"To the soldiers guarding the northern border, Tuowu City is like a private possession. They are temporarily residing in Tuowu City and have the audacity to ask for a marriage alliance with our dynasty. This is like plunging a knife into the hearts of the soldiers of the northern frontier!"

"Alas, these are truly turbulent times. The situation in the central government is still unsettled, and now this has happened. This is by no means a good thing for our dynasty."

"No wonder His Majesty summoned the chief officials of the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Ministry of Personnel to the Daxing Hall that day. I fear that if this matter is not handled properly, war may break out again in the northern border of our dynasty!"

"Our dynasty cannot easily declare war now. There are so many unresolved issues in the central government and local areas, not to mention the Empress Dowager's passing several months ago..."

The Imperial City, the Ministry of Rites.

Unlike the usual busy atmosphere, today many officials and clerks in the Ministry of Personnel gathered together, whispering about the earth-shattering news they had learned.

Since its founding, the Great Yu Kingdom has had a poor relationship with the Northern Barbarians.

Emperors Taizu and Taizong waged numerous wars against the northern barbarians.

Countless people in both countries were hostile to each other.

Against this backdrop, the Northern barbarians' sudden move is bound to cause great controversy and turmoil. Moreover, this is not an isolated case in the Ministry of Personnel. Currently, many officials in the central government of the Great Yu are all playing out the same scene.

"You guys have nothing better to do, huh!?"

"Who gave you permission to do things unrelated to official business here?!"

"Anyone who wants to chat, get out of the yamen and go chat with me!"

In this atmosphere, a reprimand rang out, and everything changed.

Inside the office of the Left Vice Minister.

Xiao Jing held his pen and notebook, frowning as he looked out the window not far away. Hearing the reprimand from the Right Minister Wen Shao made Xiao Jing feel rather uneasy.

There's a turbulent undercurrent!

This was Xiao Jing's intuitive thought. Xiao Jing understood better than anyone else that with the death of Empress Dowager Sun Li, no matter what the emperor did, there would be many groups secretly watching.

Since the central government and local areas are influenced by the emperor's will, resulting in many changes and upheavals, and those groups have no opportunity to retaliate, then in other places, some people will certainly try to find ways to make up for it.

The visit of the Northern Barbarian delegation undoubtedly became a good breakthrough point.

If the emperor does not handle this matter well, some unfavorable things will definitely happen in the central government and in the local areas of the Great Yu.

"Master~"

Xiao Yunyi hurriedly entered the main hall.

"how?"

Xiao Jing frowned as he looked over.

"Just as you thought, quite a few people in the court have gone to the Secretariat under the guise of official business." Under Xiao Jing's gaze, Xiao Yunyi lowered his head and said, "However, the Left Prime Minister did not go to the Secretariat, but instead took sick leave and is resting at home."

"Taking sick leave?"

Xiao Jing frowned even more deeply.

This was something he didn't expect.

In response to the visit of the Northern Barbarian delegation, the Emperor convened a court meeting, which included all the important civil and military officials. The only one missing was the Left Chancellor, Xu Chu, but his son, Xu Hui, was present.

At that time, many people guessed what was going on.

With the passing of Empress Dowager Sun Li, and the successive deaths of several old dukes including An, Zhen, Hu, Jiang, and Bao, the only remaining veteran officials of the Taizu era still in court are Duke Qing and Xu Chu, who is in charge of the Left Chancellor of the Secretariat.

Three months after the emperor suspended court, he convened a grand court session in the Taiji Hall, during which he clearly stated his proposals and will, making it clear to the ministers in the central government that the emperor intended to govern the country according to his absolute will.

How could this not lead to all sorts of speculation?

The Northern barbarians sent an envoy to visit, such a momentous event that the emperor summoned many people to his court, but not Xu Chu. The meaning of this was all too clear.

Since you, Xu Chu, are so ungrateful, then we'll marginalize you!

To Xiao Jing's utter surprise, when the central authorities began to spread the news of the Northern Barbarian delegation, Xu Chu actually took sick leave under such circumstances.

what is this?

Isn't this just asking the ministers in the central government to start speculating?

'What exactly are you after?'

Thinking of all this, Xiao Jing saw Xu Chu's image in his mind. Xiao Jing couldn't understand Xu Chu; this was clearly a silent act of defiance against the emperor.

But how could a subject possibly control the emperor's temperament?

This has never happened before, let alone now!

Before her death, the Empress Dowager drafted a decree to depose the Empress. The key issue was that the Empress in the Phoenix Palace went too far and was very extreme, which meant that no one in the central government had any questions about it, nor dared to.

Anyone who dares to do so is a remnant of a rebellious faction.

The emperor's only weakness has been eliminated. Everyone knows that there are no factors that can make the emperor worry about in terms of law, righteousness, rites, and clan rules.

People need to be pragmatic!

However, Xu Chu's behavior clearly showed that he was out of touch with reality.

Xiao Jing couldn't fathom all of Xu Chu's thoughts, but he could guess some of them regarding Xu Chu's request for leave due to illness. This was clearly a message to the Emperor and the central government: let's see how the Great Yu Dynasty responds to such a major event.

"Ah~"

Thinking of this, Xiao Jing couldn't help but sigh softly.

Xiao Yunyi showed a complicated expression, but said nothing.

……

“I came here this time on His Majesty’s orders. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has to do some things, but if we don’t muddy the waters, some things will not be clear.”

At that time, the Yudu Magistrate's Office.

Zang Hao flicked his sleeves, raised his hand to bow to Shao Bing, and said, "Lord Shao, things may not be very peaceful in the coming days, so the patrol battalion will have to work harder to strengthen the patrols of the various neighborhoods inside and outside the city."

"If necessary, the Embroidered Uniform Guard may need to change into the uniforms of the patrol battalion to push things forward. Lord Shao, is there anything you'd like to say? I, Zang..."

How exactly did the news of the Northern Barbarian delegation's visit spread?

Shao Bing frowned and interrupted Zang Hao.

That's quite a wake-up call.

Zang Hao sighed inwardly, but said aloud, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard is investigating this matter. Some people always hope for the country to prosper, as if that would bring them good fortune."

"Where is the Military Command?"

Upon hearing this, Shao Bing did not respond to Zang Hao's comment.

"After leaving the Yudu Magistrate's residence, I, Zang, will go to the Weiwei Temple."

Meeting Shao Bing's gaze, Zang Hao calmly said, "After all, the stability inside and outside Yudu is maintained by both the patrol battalion and the military command."

"The tasks that the Embroidered Uniform Guard needs to accomplish cannot be done without the joint assistance of the Yudu Magistrate's Office and the Imperial Guard."

"Commander Zang, rest assured, I will make all the necessary arrangements within the jurisdiction of the patrol battalion," Shao Bing said after a moment's thought, his expression serious.

"Since the Embroidered Uniform Guard holds such an important position, I will not keep Commander Zang here. I also need to have a good discussion with the patrol battalion about the upcoming patrol matters."

"In that case, I, Zang, will take my leave now."

Upon hearing this, Zang Hao bowed to Shao Bing.

What an eventful time.

Watching Zang Hao's departing figure, Shao Bing frowned.

Just at this time, the Northern Barbarians sent an envoy. Although Shao Bing did not participate in the imperial court meeting, he later learned of this news, which was even spreading like wildfire at the central level. This made Shao Bing think a lot.

It is true that the emperor held power and ruled personally.

But precisely because of this, the emperor must never make any mistakes or errors from now on, otherwise, who knows how many people will secretly try to trip him up!

"Commander, what has Shao Bing guessed?"

At that time, outside the residence of the Yudu magistrate.

Pang Hu, who was accompanying him, frowned slightly, turned to look at the gate of the mansion, and then whispered to Zang Hao, "Just now..."

"This is not something we need to worry about."

Zang Hao waved his hand to interrupt, saying, "As long as the patrol camp can move as we want, that's enough. Let's go, let's head to the Imperial Guard Temple now."

"Yes!"

Pang Hu responded, then turned around and shouted to the dozens of Jinyiwei officers and bannermen accompanying him, "To the Imperial Guard Temple!!"

"Yes!!"

A louder shout rang out, and many of the passing crowds stopped to watch.

"Why are the Embroidered Uniform Guards here at the Yudu Magistrate's residence?"

"They're not going to arrest someone, are they?"

"But it doesn't look like it at all!!"

"What? You all don't know? The Northern Barbarians are sending an envoy to our dynasty."

"What did you say?! A delegation from the Northern Barbarians is coming to our court? What do they want?"

"I heard, I only heard, that the Northern Barbarian Emperor intends to marry his sister to Prince Rui in order to mend relations between the two dynasties..."

"Grandma!!"

As these clamors arose, Zang Hao had already led his men away, heading towards the Imperial Guard Temple. When the court has been silent for too long, things can become complicated.

As the sharpest blade of the Great Yu Emperor, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's job is to resolutely strike when the time comes to strike!

The end of an era and the arrival of a new one does not mean that everything will proceed smoothly simply because a group of old people have passed away and new people have begun to rise.

Behind the scenes, countless clashes and struggles take place!

However, for the general public, all of this is too far removed from their reality; they can never truly see the truth.