"Back to Your Highness, the secret letter sent back by Mr. Qingtong indicates that he will arrive in the imperial capital in two days."
The subordinate said: "As shown in the secret letter, the matters assigned by His Highness have been completed."
"So smooth? That's quite unexpected." Xiao Feiyu muttered, and at this time the concierge came to the hall.
"Your Highness, someone from the palace said that His Majesty has invited you to come to the DPRK to discuss matters."
Xiao Feiyu said calmly: "Prepare the sedan chair."
After riding in a sedan chair all the way to the entrance of the palace, Xiao Feiyu went to the meeting hall.
All civil and military officials were present, and in addition the other three princes were also present.
Xiao Linglong was dressed in a dragon robe, with a cold temperament and no sadness or joy in her eyes. She waited until everyone was over before speaking calmly: "You all already know the matter, right?"
Li Yuan, Minister of War, nodded, and then said: "Your Majesty, it is a good thing for our country that Jingguo sent envoys to return the gift. Now that the world's military is strong with Jingguo, the other party's attitude shows that they still regard our country as an ally."
"Therefore, we must not treat these Jingguo envoys lightly."
"I agree with what Mr. Li said." The old master Yang Qianyun nodded in agreement.
Xiao Linglong hummed: "Then let's settle it like this, Ministry of Rites."
The Minister of Rites came out hurriedly, and Xiao Linglong said: "I have ordered you to take care of the guard of ceremony. Don't neglect the envoys of the Kingdom of Jing who are here this time."
"I obey."
Slightly closing her eyes, Xiao Linglong said lightly: "Liu Fujin."
The commander of the Thunder and Fire Department who was responsible for supervising the manufacture of gunpowder trembled and walked out cautiously.
Xiao Linglong said: "During the war, your Thunder and Fire Department was responsible for supervising the production of a total of 300,000 kilograms of gunpowder, and withdrew a total of 970,000 taels of money from the Household Department."
"The reported cost of gunpowder raw materials is 780,000 taels. The 780,000 taels of materials are enough for you to produce at least 500,000 kilograms of black powder."
Xiao Linglong opened her eyes and smiled coldly: "But in the end, only 100,000 jins were transported to the battlefield. Counting the so-called batch of gunpowder stolen by the bandits, your Thunder and Fire Department only produced 350,000 jins. Black powder."
"What about the other 150,000 pounds?"
After listening to the empress's words, Liu Fujin's legs and feet suddenly went weak, and his voice trembled as if he couldn't speak clearly: "Return, return to your majesty, there is a loss in making gunpowder."
"Loss?"
Xiao Linglong smiled: "No matter how much it is lost, there should be some charcoal residue, right? But the manufacturing workshop of your Thunder and Fire Department is now empty except for the 50,000 kilograms of gunpowder that was supervised later, and the raw materials are also exhausted. You How much money did the Thunder and Fire Department eat from me? Isn’t it time for an explanation?”
"Your Majesty, spare your life! The loss is really too great! It takes a lot of money and time to innovate and make gunpowder into weapons!"
Liu Fujin knelt down with sweat profusely. He did not expect that he would be the one who would be killed by the sword today.
"Then slowly go ahead and innovate! Come and behead them at the Meridian Gate. Three generations of the Liu family will be demoted to common people, and their direct descendants will never be admitted to the imperial examination!" Xiao Linglong said ruthlessly.
Liu Fujin was so frightened that his face turned pale: "Your Majesty, spare your life! Your Majesty, please spare your life!"
Two Imperial Guards walked out of the palace and dragged Liu Fujin away.
All the civil and military officials were silent. Xiao Linglong then started to call the names again, calling out the names of seven people one after another.
All of them were beheaded without exception. Compared with before, the Qianguo court now felt empty.
During this period, more than forty officials were beheaded, large and small. Even if other officials filled the vacancies, it would not be so easy to recover in a short while.
But since Xiao Linglong started killing people, all the officials understood one thing.
That is because Her Majesty the Empress has changed and is no longer the doll they used to manipulate at will.
At this time, anyone who dares to stand up and object will have a long life.
Xiao Feiyu didn't express anything during the whole process. He sat on the chair with his eyes closed and calmed down, as if everything had nothing to do with him.
He understood that Xiao Linglong's killing of these officials, without exception, was all to force him to reveal his flaws, and his impatience would ruin his big plans.
He has been dormant for the past twenty or thirty years, no less than this time and a half.
More than ten days passed.
Zhao Kang finally led his people to the front of the imperial capital. Looking at the magnificent city gate, he was filled with emotion.
The last time I left here was more than half a year ago, including the time I met in Tongzhou.
I haven't seen Her Majesty the Empress again for half a year.
An honor guard from the Kingdom of Qian appeared in the city, and Fang Lin, the Minister of Rites, came out with a group of officials from the Ministry of Rites to greet them.
Looking at Zhao Kang, Fang Lin hurriedly said: "Welcome you all, may I ask who is Zhao Long, the master of Dajing?"
Zhao Kang suppressed his voice: "I am."
"Master Zhao, I am Fang Lin, who is currently the Minister of Rites of the Qian Kingdom. I am here to greet you on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress of our country."
Fang Lin's eyes were a little strange. There was a national master named Zhao. What a coincidence?
"Thank you, sir."
Zhao Kang responded calmly and began to lead people into the city.
In a restaurant, the windows were half open, and someone looked down at Zhao Kang, who was walking side by side with Fang Lin, chatting and laughing.
"Is he Zhao Long?"
Mr. Qingtong, who rushed back to Qian Kingdom before Zhao Kang, nodded: "Yes, that's the person."
"With all his virtues and abilities, he can become the master of a country?" Xiao Feiyu chuckled, but his eyes were fixed on Zhao Kang.
This figure from behind reminded him of a person, a person who had died.
Mr. Qingtong said with a smile: "This man does have real talent and learning, but he is only twenty-six or seventeen years old at most. He has shortcomings in personal ethics. He is a mixed figure in the hearts of Jingguo officials."
"Private ethics are lacking. It would be terrible if people had no weaknesses."
Xiao Feiyu shook his head. Only those with weak points are easy to control. He said: "Don't be in a hurry to see him. Continue to test him."
"I understand." Qing Tong nodded quickly.
At this time, Zhao Kang had already led people to follow Fang Lin through the outer city, entered the inner city of the imperial capital, and then went directly to the side hall of the palace to wait for the summons.
Not long after, a eunuch came to inform him that Her Majesty the Empress had summoned him.
Zhao Kang stood up quickly, ordered a cup of tea and drank it in one gulp before completely suppressing the restlessness in his heart.
Wu Tianhu once taught him that the more advanced a martial artist is, the more able he is to see through the enemy's mind.
Xiao Linglong's cultivation level is not low. If any flaws are found, all the previous efforts will be wasted.
Therefore, although his heart was full of longing, Zhao Kang still suppressed his emotions.
Following the eunuch step by step to the extremely familiar hall, Zhao Kang stepped in without hesitation.
Countless pairs of eyes came at him, all of them looking at her, but he ignored them at all. He just looked at Xiao Linglong on the dragon chair in the distance.
