On the New Year of the second year of Qichang in Dashun Dynasty, Chang'an City was in a state of depression.

Originally, the world was already peaceful, and the new emperor completed the great achievements that his predecessors had accomplished in several lifetimes in less than two years and established a powerful Central Plains dynasty. But behind this powerful military dynasty is the riddled country and a stormy city of Chang'an.

The plague caused by the victims has gradually spread, and the whole city of Chang'an was filled with a sound of plague. At the same time, the rebels outside the city were still silently opposed to the court. As the New Year approached, the court could no longer obtain any information from the military camp, and the entire military camp seemed to be in a death pool. Even if the big stone in Chang'an City was thrown into it, it would not be possible to smash the echo.

Unless the whole court is heartless, no one can live a good Spring Festival.

When the late emperor was in power, although the court would suffer disasters and troubles every year, the court would still be happy during the Spring Festival, throw away the bad luck of last year and then calm down to welcome the arrival of the new year. This year is different because the court has many things, and the court still does not plan to rest during the Spring Festival. Every minister is busy with everything. Even those not very busy yamen, they dare not be lazy at this time. Everyone knows that the new emperor's wings are gradually becoming fuller. More importantly, the new emperor has a bad temper recently and no one wants to get out of trouble.

The military sent people to the court twice, saying that it was willing to take out medicinal materials and military rations to help the court provide disaster relief and quell the plague. The court's response was very simple, and all the envoys came were beheaded. Su Yan was in such a way that he would never compromise with the military. The newborn calf was not afraid of tigers, and Su Yan was also forced to be furious by the rebels.

"The Emperor. Regarding the strengthening of city defense..."

It was not yet noon on the first day of the first lunar month. A simple city defense meeting was held in Yaqian Hall. Because the rebels could launch an attack on Chang'an City at any time. The city defense in Chang'an City was not dared to carry it for a day, but there were too few defenders in the city. Including the Imperial Guards, the two major battalions and the Defense Office had less than 30,000 troops, while the rebels outside the city were 70,000, which was not counted as the part of the rebels outside Tongguan. The envoys who secretly sent to various places to sign "The King's Army" were gone. It seemed that the military had seen through the conspiracy of the court, but the people from all over the court, including Su Yan and Su Bi, still couldn't figure it out. Since the military had openly rebelled, why not take Chang'an City in one go?

The Ministry of War’s suggestions on strengthening city defense are actually just a few points, one is the rotation system, and the other is to recruit militias. Su Yan felt a little boring and had no constructive opinions at all. He still couldn’t help but think of his master Liu Yu. If Liu Yu was there, he would decide to use the most extreme and unexpected methods to solve the current difficulties, rather than just having a good meal and not doing anything like these ministers.

Su Yan also knew that the current situation in Chang'an City was very bad.

It is said that the prices in Chang'an City have increased several times in the past month when the city was closed, and ordinary people have suffered so much. This is not a solution. Although the rebels do not siege the city, Chang'an City treats the rebels as if they were besieged. Now the people in Chang'an City hope that the city gate will be opened soon. Everyone knows that the rebels are two hundred miles outside Chang'an City, and they don't mean they will kill them if they come.

"Have you finished speaking?" Su Yan yawned and interrupted the long speech of the Minister of War. "Can you say something specific, such as how to conquer the militia? Where to conquer? When will it start? You don't feel pain when you stand and talk? If you can use your mouth to defend the enemy, I will throw you onto the city wall first to see if your saliva can flood the rebels!"

The ministers of the Ministry of War were all silent, fearing that the emperor would really send them to the city walls as soldiers guarding the city. Recently, the emperor spoke with one's own words. Because the court's report was not in line with the New Emperor's wishes, many ministers had been dismissed and investigated on the spot. Speaking of what the New Emperor asked was that the ministers should speak less and do practical things, which was exactly what these ministers were not good at. They were used to just speaking but not doing anything.

The ministers did not respond, and Su Yan did not force him. Although Su Yan hoped that these ministers would do practical things, he also knew how to do what they could. These ministers would do as much as they have. He did not hope that these ministers could all be like Liu Yu. In that case, it would not be a blessing for the court, because everyone was better than him, and he would not have to be an emperor.

"Summon the former general defense department commander, Li Mi will come to see me!"

Su Yan's sudden words made the people from the Ministry of War look at each other, and immediately they turned their eyes to Su Bi. Is the emperor preparing to seek medical treatment in a hurry?

Su Bi immediately said, "Why does the emperor want to see General Li?"

"The city is so chaotic now. I can't help but find a capable minister to help me?" Su Yan said in a tough tone.

"The emperor is so harsh." Since Su Bi realized that she might become the second Liu Wenyan, she learned to pretend to be low-key in front of the emperor. Of course, she is a high-profile and powerful person herself, and it is difficult to disguise it, but sometimes she will still restrain herself.

"It's just the emperor, now Liu Wenyan has joined the enemy camp. If you activate Li Mi, then..."

"Who said I want to use Li Mi?" Su Yan looked at Su Bi angrily, "Also, Fourth Emperor Sister, are you sure that the master is already in the enemy camp now, and you are forced to escape with your family?"

After Su Yan finished speaking, although the Yaqian Hall was still silent, the ministers of the Ministry of War smelled some bad smell.

First of all, the emperor relied on Liu Wenyan. Even if Liu Wenyan had already treasoned and fled, the emperor still trusted him very much, and even used him to refute Su Bi's face. Su Bi's current status in the court is well known, and he is the second-in-command behind the emperor, and both left and right ministers must stand aside. And they also heard that it seemed that the emperor wanted to arrest Liu Wenyan was not the emperor's original intention, but from Su Bi's "instigation".

Su Bi didn't want to discuss with Su Yan about where Liu Yu was at this time. Su Bi said: "The emperor doesn't want to appoint Li Mi, so why should he summon him?"

"I want to ask his opinion and let me have a reference for more people around me?" Su Yan waved his hand unhappily, "Fourth Emperor Sister and all my dear friends, please step down first. I may be a little upset today. You will go home first in the afternoon, as it is a holiday."

The New Year holiday was only one day, and these ministers felt relieved and cowardly. When the New Emperor ascended the throne, they looked down on this ignorant emperor. Who knew that in just over a year, they would have to work under the hands of the New Emperor. Once the emperor was in a state of justice, it seemed that they were not far from the court.

When the Minister of War and Su Bi left the palace together, Li Mi also hurriedly came to the palace by the order. Although they were both colleagues of the Ministry of War, these people were still as if they were facing a great enemy when they saw Li Mi. The ministers were also wondering whether the emperor's re-appointment of Sui Yi and Li Mi means that Liu Yu would make a comeback soon?

It's a bit far away because Liu Yu is still "incompletely missing". (To be continued...)
Chapter completed!