"The emperor is going to court? Did I hear correctly?"
Duan Juncai, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, thought he had heard wrongly. The minister was also surprised and said: "Is this the emperor's own will or the will of the Holy Son?"
Duan Juncai shook his head and said, "I don't know. Ask other departments and see what they say."
The minister immediately sent people to inquire about other ministries, and the news they received was the same. They all said that Li Chengdao was discussing matters in Chengtian Hall and invited ministers from the six ministries to come to court.
Everyone rushed to Chengtian Hall suspiciously.
After the Battle of Linjiang City, Li Chengdao brought back the ghost fetus, then hid in the East Palace and never went to court again.
Even in normal times, Li Chengdao rarely went to court in the Chengtian Palace. When encountering major issues, he would discuss them directly with the ministers in the Imperial Study Room.
That's why everyone was so surprised when they heard that he was going to court.
Soon, the six ministers arrived at Chengtian Hall and stood there, everyone talking in low voices.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Zhong Gui shouted, and Li Chengdao, wearing a dragon robe, came out with Mianqi and sat on the dragon chair.
Under the cover of Mianqi, everyone could not clearly see Li Chengdao's expression and eyes.
"I, the ministers, pay homage to your Majesty, and may you bow with all blessings."
The six ministers bowed down in unison, looking as respectful as before.
Li Chengdao glanced around the hall and saw that all the ministers and ministers of the six departments were there.
Yu Ziming, the Minister of the Ministry of War, Duan Juncai, the Minister of the Ministry of Husbandry, Wang Gui, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites...
Seeing these people, Li Chengdao thought of Dali Temple Qing Huaiyi, and a trace of sadness flashed in his heart.
But this emotion quickly disappeared.
When the country is in crisis, it is the duty of ministers to sacrifice themselves for national affairs, and there is nothing to feel wronged about.
"It is the intention of the Holy Son to go to court today."
Li Chengdao spoke slowly, and all the ministers in the hall listened carefully. No one dared to breathe.
"Long Chen is about to send out troops. The Long Family Army has received instructions to assemble in Linjiang City. A big battle is just around the corner."
"Yu Ziming, how are your military preparations going?"
Everyone was shocked when they heard that Long Chen was going to launch an all-out attack.
The news they had received before said that Long Chen was still preparing and would not attack in the short term.
Yu Ziming immediately replied: "The Ministry of War is fully prepared and has recruited 1.5 million troops, bringing the total strength to 2 million."
Li Chengdao nodded slightly, turned to look at Duan Juncai, and asked, "How about the money and food from the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
Duan Juncai stepped forward and replied: "Two million soldiers and horses require too much money and food, and the Ministry of Revenue is currently stretched."
The war was already very costly, and the current situation was unstable. Everyone felt that the imperial court might be destroyed at any time.
Officials took the opportunity to make money while the country was struggling, and corruption was very serious, and the national treasury's deficit was shocking.
Li Chengdao said displeased: "Isn't it enough to confiscate merchants' properties?"
Duan Juncai said: "The Dragon Gang is cunning. They only left empty shells. The money, food and valuable goods have been moved away long ago."
“The confiscation of businessmen failed to make up for the shortfall in the national treasury, and the gap in money and food is still huge.”
Li Chengdao said coldly: "I'm afraid it all goes into your personal pockets, right?"
In the past, this sentence could scare Duan Juncai to death.
But I'm not afraid now, because Li Chengdao is just a puppet.
"Long Chen has already mobilized troops. We must have all the money and food available. The Ministry of Revenue will find a way on its own."
Li Chengdao gave the order to die, but Duan Juncai just responded without taking it seriously.
Now, unless Gui Fei says it himself, no one will take it seriously.
Li Chengdao continued: "Long Chen's invasion, coming out of Linjiang City, will definitely target the Linhu City area. The Ministry of War will immediately notify the front line and let them prepare to defend against the enemy."
Yu Ziming immediately bowed and said, "Wei ministers have received the order."
After talking about the matter, Li Chengdao immediately got up and returned to the East Palace, and Zhong Gui followed him back.
"Your Majesty."
Everyone bowed in unison.
After the people left, Duan Juncai began to complain: "Let the Ministry of Household Affairs handle it, how can I solve it? It is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. If there is no money, there is no money, and if there is no food, there is no food."
Yu Ziming was a little impatient and said: "Of course money and food are a matter of the Ministry of Household Affairs. If you don't solve it, who will solve it?"
Duan Juncai said angrily: "Yu Shangshu, what do you mean by this? Your Ministry of War has recruited so many people, but in the end we, the Ministry of Household Affairs, will have to support them!"
Yu Ziming also said angrily: "What do you mean our Ministry of War is recruiting people? This is what the Holy Son means. How dare you question the Holy Son!"
Speaking of ghost fetuses, Duan Juncai was afraid and said hurriedly: "Don't blame him randomly. Money and food are not conjured out of thin air. I can't solve it."
Yu Ziming sneered and said: "Don't tell me, tell the Holy Son."
When the other ministers saw the two quarreling, they were unwilling to get involved and quietly left the Chengtian Palace.
...
Royal Garden.
Long Ye arrived with Shen Wanjin.
"Master, Shen Wanjin has arrived."
Longye report.
Shen Wanjin climbed up to the ghost body, kowtowed and said, "I pay my respects to the master."
Guitai coldly ordered: "Long Chen is about to send troops. The Long Family Army will march from the capital to Linjiang City, and his generals will dispatch together."
"Go and kill them all."
Long Chen killed Gui Tai's officers in the Longxing Valley Regiment. Gui Tai wanted Shen Wanjin to intercept and kill Da Zhou's officers on the way.
The generals under Long Chen are all in the Long family army. If they are killed, Long Chen will also face the situation of having no available generals.
Shen Wanjin did not dare to say anything and immediately bowed: "I accept the order!"
As Shen Wanjin crawled out, Guitai suddenly said: "Bring Di Luoxi and Di Lingyi here alive."
Shen Wanjin immediately kowtowed and said, "This slave accepts the order."
After praying, Shen Wanjin climbed out of the imperial garden.
Once outside, Shen Wanjin returned to a secluded palace courtyard.
This was originally a cold palace, and Shen Wanjin settled here.
After entering the door, it was quiet inside.
Pushing the door open and entering the room, Granny Li was lighting a fire and making tea.
"Owner."
Granny Li stood up to pay her respects.
Shen Wanjin said: "The master has a mission. Bring the capable people and set off immediately."
Granny Li asked: "What happened?"
Shen Wanjin said: "The Long Family Army is marching out, and the Holy Son ordered us to intercept and kill the General of the Long Family Army halfway."
Granny Li nodded slightly and immediately understood that she was taking revenge on Long Chen.
"good!"
Granny Li immediately picked fifteen capable assassins and set off for the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.
...
Imperial City Division.
Yu Fuguo was sitting in the room, with a pot of tea burning in front of him, white steam coming out of the spout.
The incident in Longxing Valley made Yu Fu Guo fall out of favor with Gui Tai, and the Imperial City Division also suffered heavy losses. Bayi Chinese Website
Yu Fuguo was in a low mood and kept thinking about how to save the situation.
Wang Liang pushed the door open and came in, saying: "Father, there is a situation."
Yu Fuguo slowly raised his head and asked, "What happened?"
Wang Liang said: "Shen Wanjin met the Holy Son in the Imperial Garden, and then suddenly left Jinling with sixteen people. It seemed like there was some big move."
Hearing that there was a big move, Yu Fuguo immediately became energetic.
"What's going on? Have you asked me clearly?"
Yu Fuguo immediately asked, but Wang Liang shook his head and said: "It's not clear yet."
Yu Fuguo said anxiously: "Why don't you go find out more clearly!"
Yu Fuguo felt this was an opportunity.
Shen Wanjin left in a hurry, he must have an important mission.
If he can do it well, then the ghost will definitely look at him differently, and his opportunity will come again.
Wang Liang immediately went to inquire.
Just as Wang Liang left, Chen Lian walked in from outside.
Chen Lian was seriously injured when he was in Longxing Valley, but he is feeling better now.
Yufu State did not kill Chen Lian because there was really no one available in the Imperial City Department.
"Father, my subordinates have received a secret report."
Chen Lian walked in slowly with a flattering look on his face. When he spoke, he was a little out of breath.
Yu Fuguo looked disgusted and said impatiently: "Say!"
