Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

On this day, at dawn.

Ye Xuan was still immersed in his cultivation when Gao Ying’s voice came from outside the hall. “Your Highness, the officials have arrived. It’s time for the morning court.”

Ever since Emperor Xia was poisoned, there had been no morning court sessions.

Today, the officials took the initiative to come to court. Gao Ying knew that the news of Emperor Xia being poisoned had probably been leaked. This morning’s court session would put Ye Xuan under great pressure.

The Grand Preceptor, who had been in the manor, had appeared with ill intentions.

The Grand Preceptor had many students, and many officials in the imperial court were his students. He would not come here for no reason.

Ye Xuan pushed open the door of the palace. Dressed in a python robe, he was in high spirits. “Let’s go!”

He was already in charge of the country and would have to face the officials sooner or later.

He shall see what kind of ghosts and monsters they are.

After three years, Ye Xuan returned to the Golden Palace. His figure appeared at the head of the table, looking at the officials in front of him with a light expression. Beside him, Gao Ying said in a deep voice, “My Lords, why haven’t you paid your respects to the Crown Prince?”

When the ministers heard this, they all bowed. “Your humble servant greets Your Highness.”

When many people saw Ye Xuan’s appearance, they were very surprised. The deposed Crown Prince, who had once been imprisoned in the cold palace, had actually regained his freedom and become the governor of Great Xia.

But on second thought, they let it go. Emperor Xia was poisoned, and the princes had fallen. Now, Ye Xuan was the only one left in Great Xia. In their opinion, Ye Xuan’s governance of the country was Emperor Xia’s last choice.

Ye Xuan raised his hand slightly and motioned for all the officials to stand up. “Why have you all entered the palace?”

As his voice fell, a figure appeared and said in a deep voice, “Your Highness, the Northern Barbarian army is marching straight into the heart of the empire. If we don’t send any troops to stop them, the capital will be in danger.”

“Eunuch Gao, who is this person?” Ye Xuan asked in a low voice. He had no memory of this person in the court three years ago.

“Your Highness, Lord Xiao is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.”

Ye Xuan nodded, and his eyes fell on Xiao Rui. “Lord Xiao is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. Since the Northern Barbarian army is being so rampant, and I think that you’re a loyal minister, why don’t you lead your troops to fight against the Northern Barbarian Army?”

Xiao Rui’s expression changed greatly, and he hurriedly said, “I… I…”

Looking at him stammering, Ye Xuan continued, “Looking at Lord Xiao’s reaction, are you afraid to go?”

Xiao Rui said, “Your Highness, it is my duty to be loyal to the country. However, I am old, and my body is not well. Please forgive me.”

“I understand,” Ye Xuan said lightly. “Lord Xiao since you’re ill, you can spend the rest of your life in the manor. After the morning court session, you will submit a document, and I will sign it for you.”

Xiao Rui was speechless.

The ministers looked at each other and looked at Ye Xuan in disbelief. They didn’t expect him to ask Xiao Rui to resign as soon as he came up. It has been three years, and they couldn’t see through the crown prince.

Grand Preceptor Li Chuntian gave a look, and the person beside him stepped forward. “Your Highness, the empire’s top priority is to resolve the external threat. Lord Xiao has been in the Ministry of War for many years. If he resigns now, the Ministry of War will fall into chaos.”

Ye Xuan looked at the plump middle-aged man in front of him. “You’re from the Ministry of Revenue, right?”

This was purely a blind guess.

“Your Highness, I am the Minister of Revenue, Qian Feng.”

“So it’s Lord Qian, I was just looking for you.” Ye Xuan’s face was solemn. “It is often said that the army has yet to move, but the provisions and supplies have already been prepared by the Ministry of Revenue. I wonder if they can be sent to the border at any time to provide the best protection for the army.”

This question stunned Qian Feng. He obviously didn’t expect Ye Xuan to play his cards so abnormally. When didn’t he talk about Xiao Rui but ask about the supplies?

“Your Highness, the war between the Xia barbarians has been going on for almost a year, and the supply of grain to the battlefield has never stopped. Now, the national treasury is empty, and there is a lack of money and grain. It is very difficult to collect grain in a short time.”

Hearing Qian Feng’s words, Ye Xuan was very calm and not surprised at all. “Lord Qian, the news I received was not like this. Someone told me that it was not that the national treasury was empty and that all the silver and spirit stones had fallen into Lord Qian’s pocket. Is that true?”

This was creating something out of nothing, and secretly making a move in the east while striking the west.

“Your Highness, please investigate thoroughly. Someone must have framed me. I have done my duty all these years and have never overstepped my boundaries.”

“Lord Qian, don’t be nervous. I won’t believe one side of the story.”

“Someone, immediately go to Lord Qian’s mansion and investigate. I can not let Lord Qian be framed.”

Ye Xuan said in a low voice as he looked out of the Golden Palace. The next moment, the commander of the imperial guards, Ling Fusheng, entered the palace. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Commander Ling, I’ll have to trouble you to go to Lord Qian’s mansion and investigate.”

“Yes.”

Ling Fusheng bowed and left.

At this moment, Qian Feng could no longer remain calm. He cast a pleading look at Grand Preceptor Li Chuntian, causing cold sweat to break out on his forehead. His heart was in a state of panic, and he regretted standing out.

Xiao Rui would only be fired, but if he didn’t handle this well, he would lose his life.

Ye Xuan glanced at Qian Feng. “Lord Qian, don’t be nervous. I believe that you are innocent, but I can’t tolerate a single grain of sand in my eyes. If I find out that someone pocketed it, I will exterminate nine generations of their family and cut them into pieces!”

So brutal?

Qian Feng’s heart tightened, and he felt his vision darken.

The others were also trembling in fear.

Li Chuntian said, “Your Highness. The empire’s greatest threat is the Northern Barbarians. Your Highness doesn’t want to send troops because you want to clean up the court. If this causes the officials to be disappointed, the foundation of Great Xia will be shaken, and Great Xia will be in danger!”

Ye Xuan’s combination of punches caught Grand Preceptor Li Chuntian off guard, and he was somewhat dumbfounded. The morning court had only just started, and the Minister of Revenue and Vice Minister of War were already in grave danger. This was no different from cutting off his left and right arms.

Ye Xuan’s gaze landed on Li Chuntian. “Grand Preceptor, you’re here. It’s been three years, but you’re still so old and strong.”

He paused for a moment and continued, “Great Xia has internal and external problems. If we don’t get rid of them, how can we defend against them? As for the Northern Barbarian army, they can’t cross Sky Mountain. They will leave Great Xia within two months.”

His voice was loud and clear, each and every word striking the souls of the officials.

However, none of the officials believed Ye Xuan’s words. Retreating in two months was a fantasy.

The Northern Barbarian army was brave and skilled in battle, and Great Xia no longer had any generals to fight.

“I wonder who Your Highness intends to appoint as the commander? Grand Xia no longer has any battle generals.”

“Who said that Great Xia has no generals!” A vigorous and powerful voice resounded in the hall. Everyone turned around to look. At this moment, an inner strength expert entered the hall and said fearfully, “Your Highness, I really couldn’t stop him.”

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, an old man appeared in the hall with a giant coffin in his hand. It was none other than the old general, Ji Ye.

Ji Ye carrying a coffin shocked everyone.

The 100-year-old man’s beard was completely white, and a terrifying murderous aura shot out from his body, instantly filling every inch of space. “Your Highness, I, Ji Ye, pay my respects!”

Ye Xuan’s expression changed a little as he hurriedly came down from the high platform. “Get up, Old General Ji.”

“Your Highness, I’m willing to carry this coffin and go to war to protect Great Xia,” Ji Ye said.