Demon Emperor

Chapter 67 Arbitrary Rule of the Ruler
After a long period of planning, it's time to reap the rewards.

The next day.

early morning.

Meanwhile, the debate over sending troops continued in the imperial court.

Although Ruan Hu had someone he preferred, if the emperor were to directly announce it, then he would no longer be the emperor.

At this moment, Ruan Hu also had soldiers charging into battle in the court.

The officials were divided into two factions, each recommending others, and Chen Guang stepped forward at this moment.

"General Yuchi is skilled in military tactics and will surely be able to wipe out the Huanshou barbarians."

"therefore."

"I recommend General Yuchi."

After listening, Ruan Hu looked down from his vantage point.

"Let Yuchi Chongwu lead troops to annihilate the Huanshou barbarians and become the governor of the Western Barbarian Yicong Prefecture."

"What do you dear ladies think?"

Among the officials below, the leading ones changed their expressions drastically, especially Huang Hui, who stared intently at Chen Guang.

He never expected that a traitor would suddenly appear on his side.

Huang Hui's expression changed drastically: "That Yuchi Chongwu is nothing more than a lowly captain in the palace guards. How could His Majesty entrust him with the important task of being the commander of the Righteous Cavalry!"

Li Hongdao also stopped him, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. The most important matters of the country are military affairs and sacrifices. The position of Commander-in-Chief of the three armies should not be lightly entrusted to anyone but a pillar of the state."

"Such important military and national weapons cannot be overstepped."

"Your Majesty should be cautious!"

These two men have recently been trying to push their own people to take control of the Western Barbarian Righteous Cavalry, and have been desperately recommending their people to the emperor.

The two were practically fighting tooth and nail when Chen Guang suddenly appeared, ruining their plans.

At this point, several more people stepped forward and recommended Yuchi Chongwu.

In an instant, the situation in the imperial court changed.

Some opportunistic people, who were easily swayed by the wind, dared not speak up, while some speculators saw an opportunity and joined in recommending Yuchi Chongwu.

In an instant, a chorus of voices recommending Yuchi Chongwu arose in the court, causing many to waver.

Seeing this, Ruan Hu finally nodded.

"Since all of you ministers think General Yuchi is suitable, then let General Yuchi lead the troops to wipe out the Huan Shou Barbarians!"

Huang Hui and Li Hongdao stared wide-eyed.

Why do you all think that?
Am I not a human being?
Am I still objecting?

Huang Hui stepped forward and continued to offer his advice.

"Your Majesty, matters of state and military importance must be handled with utmost care!"

Ruan Hu looked at Huang Hui, who was still struggling below, as if he were looking at a dead man.

“Indeed, we must be cautious. In that case, I will summon Yuchi Chongwu for questioning. If he is competent, then let him go.”

"If it doesn't work out, we'll find someone else."

The officials were all astute; they immediately recognized that this was not a question or answer, but rather the emperor's farewell address before his departure.

"Isn't this His Majesty's farewell?"

Ruan Hu's perfunctory attitude showed that he was too lazy to even pretend anymore.

I have already decided, it will be Yuchi Chongwu.

Who among you agrees?

Who opposes?
At this moment, Li Hongdao finally understood that this was not Chen Guang recommending Yuchi Chongwu at all, but clearly the emperor's intention.

This guy was a fence-sitter; seeing the situation was turning bad, he immediately ran away.

In particular, when he looked up, he saw Ruan Hu's eyes staring at Huang Hui as if he were looking at a dead man.

Li Hongdao's body went limp instantly, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Your Majesty, I also think General Yuchi is more suitable."

At this moment, a large group of people knelt down with Li Hongdao, and even Huang Hui's group noticed something and knelt down as well.

Huang Hui was left standing in the middle of the crowd, not having reacted yet; he felt a chill run through his body.

This defeat in the imperial court is not important, but this moment is.

He sensed that he was doomed to die without a burial place.

And the smell of the entire Huang family being killed and wiped out.

Huang Hui shuddered and immediately knelt on the ground.
-
The events that occurred in the imperial court that morning immediately caused a huge uproar throughout the capital.

Sometimes, the big shots at the top just sneeze.

Down below, perhaps, there will be a devastating flood.

After the court session.

Ruan Hu's "good father-in-law" and "family member" made Li Hongdao, the Grand Secretary, feel very uneasy.

He hurriedly returned to his residence.

Many people tried to persuade him to stay, but none of them could.

The situation was changing too quickly, making him, who used to think he was the only one who stood out and was at the forefront of the trend, feel that he was losing his grasp on the changes in the Dasheng court. Sitting in the carriage, Li Hongdao was in a daze.

"Could it be that I'm really getting old?"

Inside the carriage, Li Hongdao's advisors chatted with him about what had happened in the court that day.

"How strange! How did Chen Guang suddenly side with the Emperor?"

"And why are so many people in the imperial court suddenly jumping out to support Yuchi Chongwu?"

"I heard that His Majesty visited Shiqiao Village on his way to the Imperial Horse Stables the other day."

"In the past, we could get some information from the palace, but now the palace is like an iron barrel, and not a single piece of information can get out."

"Something's not right here!"

"What to do next?"

At this moment, someone spoke up.

"The emperor's authority is growing stronger every day; the head of the family should plan more for the future!"

The others immediately looked at the man and frowned.

Li Hongdao looked at the man, then at the others, and sighed.

"Sometimes, you're not in control of your own destiny when you're in this position!"

Li Hongdao sometimes felt that there was no need to do more, but as a leader of a faction, he was at least seen as a representative of power by others.

Sometimes he represents the interests of many people, and even if he is unwilling to move, countless people will push him forward.

We arrived at the mansion.

After the others left, this man suddenly followed Li Hongdao inside.

"Master, I have something to say."

Li Hongdao said, "Speak your mind."

This person said, "Ever since Ruan Heng died, none of these people have been content and are still thinking about the past."

"Patriarch, think about it. His Majesty is not the same as before. Even if you recommend the commander of the Western Barbarian Righteous Army, what difference will it make? Can he compare to the former Prime Minister Ruan Heng?"

"And Ruan Heng was also wiped out in a matter of days."

"His Majesty's methods are so skillful, it seems he truly has the potential to revive the Great Sheng Dynasty."

"As the father-in-law of the emperor, why would the patriarch oppose His Majesty and seek personal gain for these people?"

"His Majesty is young and there is no mistress in the harem, so the Empress is the most respected."

"If Her Majesty gives birth to a prince, he will be the eldest son and rightfully become the true Empress. This is what the head of the family should do!"

After listening, Li Hongdao thought for a while and nodded repeatedly.

"you're right."

In the past, Li Hongdao would never have had such a thought.

With my background, talent, and abilities, why shouldn't I, Li Hongdao, become a prime minister?

The successive blows deepened Li Hongdao's awe of Ruan Hu, and he gradually realized that he really had no talent or ability.

Upon entering the hall, Li Hongdao immediately summoned his son, Qilang.

This seventh son of the Li family was dressed in a Taoist robe and held a whisk in his hand; anyone who didn't know him would mistake him for a Taoist priest.

Li Hongdao didn't mind and gave him some instructions.

"Hurry up and go to the palace to see your good-for-nothing sister."

Qilang thought he had something important to tell him, so he asked cautiously.

"But what do you want to ask?"

Li Hongdao got angry and somewhat anxious as soon as he thought about it.

"Ask her what's wrong with her belly, why there's no sign of pregnancy. If she's not pregnant, don't blame me, as her father, for finding someone else."

Li Qilang was stunned for a moment, then asked in a serious tone.

"Who should we ask, Ninth Sister, Tenth Sister, or Thirteenth Sister?"

Li Hongdao slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "You unfilial son!"

Soon, Li Qilang was almost knocked out.

Qilang looked somewhat flustered: "I'll go right away."

Li Hongdao waved again: "Come back."

Li Jiaqilang turned around in confusion and looked at him: "Grandpa?"

Li Hongdao said, "Let Ninth Sister, Tenth Sister, and Thirteenth Sister go to the palace together and see their lonely and helpless elder sister."

He changed out of the clothes that looked like a Taoist robe and went to the palace to pay his respects to the Empress.

He took his Ninth Sister, Tenth Sister, and Thirteenth Sister to visit his lonely sister who lived in the deep palace, and to express his brotherly and sisterly affection.

Li Hongdao lay down on the couch and picked up the Taoist scripture beside him.

The thought of lying down arose.

The world seemed much more spacious.

(End of this chapter)