The poorest member of the Imperial Guard, the Empress begged me to embezzle.

"Greetings, Lord Jiang."

Upon seeing Jiang Wan'er arrive, the Imperial Guard captains who were guarding Wenyuan Pavilion hurriedly saluted.

"No need to be polite."

Are all the Grand Secretaries inside?

Jiang Wan'er said with a cold expression.

"Reporting to Lord Jiang, all the Grand Secretaries are inside."

The Imperial Guard captain spoke with utmost respect.

Jiang Wan'er nodded slightly and walked into the Wenyuan Pavilion.

The imperial guards remained outside the Wenyuan Pavilion to wait.

When Chen Yu, the Junior Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, saw Jiang Wan'er enter, he was taken aback for a moment. He quickly stood up to greet her and said with a smile, "Lord Jiang has arrived. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me."

He had already guessed that Jiang Wan'er's visit was very likely related to the Jinyiwei's arrest of a large number of officials.

"You're too kind, Lord Chen."

Jiang Wan'er said with a cold expression, "I have come here to convey His Majesty's decree."

"Lord Jiang, please come in. All the Grand Secretaries are here."

Chen Yu's expression turned serious, and he reached out to invite Jiang Wan'er.

Jiang Wan'er moved gracefully towards the Wenyuan Pavilion.

Chen Yu walked in front, leading the way.

Not long after.

Chen Yu then led Jiang Wan'er and the others into the spacious and bright rooms inside the Wenyuan Pavilion.

Upon hearing footsteps, the five ministers—Zhao Duo (Minister of Personnel), Cui Yu (Minister of War), Zheng Yun (Minister of Works), Dugu Tai (Minister of Justice), and Yuan Chongli (Minister of Revenue)—put down their memorials and looked up.

After all, Chen Yu usually comes alone for everything.

Now, however, there are two footsteps.

Even from the sound of another set of footsteps, Zhao Duo and the others already guessed that it was Jiang Wan'er.

Upon recognizing Jiang Wan'er, Zhao Duo and the others stood up to greet her.

Zhao Duo said with a smile, "We were unaware of Lord Jiang's presence. We apologize for not welcoming you properly."

Since there was no Grand Secretary, Zhao Duo, the Minister of Personnel of the Great Zhou Dynasty, was the head of the cabinet, and naturally he represented the entire cabinet.

"Your Excellencies are all very busy, how could I dare to trouble you to greet me?"

"I have come here to convey His Majesty's decree."

"Please take a look, gentlemen."

Jiang Wan'er did not intend to announce the imperial decree, but instead took out a scroll of imperial edict from her sleeve and handed it to Chen Yu.

Chen Yu's expression turned solemn. He accepted the imperial edict with both hands, walked up to Zhao Duo, and handed it to him.

Zhao Duo took the imperial edict, slowly opened it, and began to read it carefully.

After reading it, Zhao Duo handed the imperial edict to Cui Yu.

Soon, all five cabinet ministers had finished reading the contents of the imperial edict.

"Gentlemen, the cabinet only needs to issue orders to all prefectures and counties to fully cooperate with the Embroidered Uniform Guard in carrying out water conservancy projects."

"Of course, the Ministry of Works also needs to transfer a large number of craftsmen to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for their use."

"This also requires instructions from the Cabinet."

Jiang Wan'er addressed Zhao Duo and the others.

"Lord Jiang, the construction of water conservancy projects involves a great deal of resources, and the amount of money required is extremely large. Should we inform His Majesty that after discussing the matter in court, the Ministry of Revenue should calculate the total amount of money needed before deciding on the construction of the water conservancy projects?"

"Even if we are to undertake water conservancy projects, we can conduct a survey of all the rivers and dikes in our entire Great Zhou Dynasty and proceed step by step according to their importance and urgency."

Zhao Duo and the others exchanged glances, and Zhao Duo spoke first.

Yuan Chongli and the others nodded, showing their agreement.

Building water conservancy projects is not something that can be accomplished simply by talking about it.

Every water conservancy project requires a large amount of money, manpower, and material resources.

All of this requires the cooperation of the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue.

"These are things that you, the Grand Secretaries, need not worry about."

"The investigation of the river channels and dikes was already completed by the Embroidered Uniform Guard long ago."

"As for money matters, there is no need for the Ministry of Revenue to calculate them, and there is even less need to take a single penny from the national treasury."

"All funds will be drawn from the special fund for public welfare undertakings of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"The tasks for you, Grand Secretaries, are quite simple. One is to issue orders to the various prefectures and counties, and the other is to issue orders to the Ministry of Works, so that the Ministry of Works can select craftsmen and hand them over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Jiang Wan'er said calmly.

"The entire operation is to be handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Zhao Duo was stunned for a moment, and said with a look of astonishment.

Even Zheng Yun, the Minister of Works, and Yuan Chongli, the Minister of Revenue, were dumbfounded.

Although the construction of water conservancy projects was originally their responsibility, it was something that could only be accomplished through cooperation between the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue.

Now that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is in charge, it's essentially a power grab from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue.

but!

They were even more shocked than by Jiang Wan'er's words.

Are the Embroidered Uniform Guards' special funds for public welfare so abundant?

"exactly."

"Gentlemen, please get this matter settled today."

"I still need to go to the Imperial Guard and the Beijing Garrison, so I won't stay here any longer."

Jiang Wan'er nodded slightly, said something to Zhao Duo and the others, and then turned and left.

"..."

Zhao Duo and the others' expressions changed slightly; this meant the cabinet hadn't been given a chance to refuse at all.

of course.

They were also shocked by Empress Murong Si's charisma!

What was Jiang Wan'er doing at the Imperial Guard and the Capital Garrison?

It was simply an order to the Imperial Guards and the Beijing Garrison to be ready to suppress the rebellion at any time!

Moreover, this time it's not just the Beijing Garrison, but even the Imperial Guards of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which are renowned throughout the world and rarely deployed, are ready to strike at any time.

Less than half an hour.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, the Imperial Guard General and Imperial Uncle Murong Changge was immediately mobilized, and the entire Imperial Guard seemed to begin sharpening its weapons and preparing to strike at any moment.

Besides.

General Zhao Wuyang of the Beijing Garrison also received the imperial decree.

The Beijing garrison also began preparations.

A chilling atmosphere seemed to permeate the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Soon, an Imperial Guard soldier emerged from the palace and posted an imperial edict at the Meridian Gate, announcing to the world that the Great Zhou Dynasty was going to undertake water conservancy projects, and that the Embroidered Uniform Guard would be responsible for supervising this matter.

This news caused a stir throughout the entire capital city.

At this moment, everyone, from officials of all ranks in the capital to ordinary citizens, began to understand why the Embroidered Uniform Guard had suddenly launched an operation to arrest so many local officials—it was to begin constructing water conservancy projects.

The local officials who were arrested were clearly those who had embezzled funds intended for water conservancy projects. Empress Murong Si made an example of them to warn the remaining local officials.

Meanwhile, the martial arts tournament of the number one manor in the world was in full swing and had become the biggest event in the martial arts world.

at dusk.

Beyond the number one manor in the world.

In a courtyard.

Li Jingtian, Nie Kuangren, Fang Heng, Pei Shiji, and Luo Tianxi gathered together.

of course.

There was also Qin Lie, who was coerced into coming and had no choice but to work for the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Swish!

A peddler dressed in coarse cloth, with an ordinary appearance and carrying a cart, appeared out of nowhere and knelt down before Li Jingtian and the others, bowing respectfully and saying, "Reporting to Lord Li, the date for the martial arts tournament held by the Number One Manor in the World has been set."

This peddler is none other than a secret agent of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

It will be at noon tomorrow!

A large number of people from the martial arts world will participate at that time.

The number is very likely to exceed several thousand!

Adding to the original several thousand members of the Number One Manor under Heaven, the number has reached tens of thousands!