Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

On March 20th, there will be a great meeting.

Before dawn, civil and military officials were already waiting outside the Meridian Gate.

But today, the atmosphere is unusually strange.

No one whispered; even coughs were muffled.

Pairs of eyes were stealing glances at Liu Chengzong, whose face was ashen and who was resting with his eyes closed.

It was a glance towards the end of that empty imperial road.

Why?

The palace had already given word that Lady Yehuang, who had caused such a stir in the city, would be summoned to the court today by imperial decree!

This is not interference in politics by the empress dowager; it is a perfectly legitimate "proposal for governing the country," and His Majesty has granted permission for him to listen to the presentation from behind the curtain!

Good heavens!

A merchant woman, or a former empress who "came back to life,"

To stand before the most powerful men in the world and command the nation?

What kind of show is this?

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As the eunuch's high-pitched announcement rang out, the officials hurriedly straightened their clothes and filed into the hall according to their rank.

In the Golden Palace, the Nine-Dragon Throne hangs suspended in mid-air.

Nangong Ye did not sit on the throne as usual, but instead placed a smaller dragon chair next to it.

His face was still pale, and he was wearing a dark cloak. He leaned against the wall, his eyes unfathomable.

But what shocked everyone even more was—

Before the throne, below the nine jade steps, a beaded curtain had been set up at some unknown time!

A curtain made of pearls as thin as cicada wings hung down from the palace beams, vaguely separating a space.

Behind the curtain was a seat and a table, but it was empty at the moment.

Lower the curtain!

They really set up a screen for her!

The officials were greatly shocked. As they stood with their heads bowed, their eyes were fixed on the beaded curtain out of the corner of their eyes.

"Summon Lady Yehuang of Jiangnan to the palace for an audience!"

The beaded curtain swayed slightly.

A figure in red entered unhurriedly from the side hall.

Passing through the central aisle lined with officials, I headed straight for the beaded curtain.

She was still wearing that signature red dress, but looked even more dignified than at the palace banquet.

It has lost some of the ornate embroidery of phoenixes and gold trim, and gained a more concise style.

Her dark hair was still tied up with a plain silver hairpin, and she wore minimal makeup.

But the moment that face appeared, the entire Golden Palace seemed to brighten up.

It is not delicate, but rather as aloof and cold as the bright moon over a snow-capped mountain;

It's not cowardice, but a calm and steady composure, like a deep, still well.

She kept her eyes straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to the hundreds of gazes on either side—gazes of shock, scrutiny, apprehension, or curiosity.

She stopped in front of the beaded curtain, faced the throne, and performed a graceful curtsy according to the etiquette of a noblewoman.

"This humble woman, Ye Huang, has come to pay homage to Your Majesty by imperial decree."

The voice was clear and melodious, neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone to hear clearly.

Nangong Ye's hand, which was resting on his knee, twitched almost imperceptibly.

He looked at the hazy yet familiar figure behind the beaded curtain, his throat went dry, and after a long while he finally said, "No need for formalities. Please have a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ye Huang rose, lifted the beaded curtain, and entered calmly, sitting down behind the desk.

He stood tall and straight, his back as straight as a pine tree.

The swaying beaded curtain sliced ​​her exquisite face into hazy light and shadow, adding to her mystery and majesty.

The imperial court was deathly silent. Only the sound of suppressed breathing could be heard.

Liu Chengzong stood at the head of the civil officials, his eyes lowered, his gaze so sinister it seemed to drip water.

His fist was clenched tightly in his sleeve, his nails almost digging into his flesh.

Nangong Ye took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and said:

"Lady Yehuang was skilled in managing affairs in Jiangnan and had extensive knowledge."

I have heard that you have a plan to bring peace and prosperity to the people, and today I grant you permission to present it from behind the curtain.

My esteemed ministers may also consult this matter.

coming!

All the officials were on high alert.

Ye Huang nodded slightly, without rising, her clear, cold voice clearly emanating from behind the beaded curtain:

"Your Majesty, Your Excellencies."

Having lived in Jiangnan for a long time, I have witnessed the hardships of people's lives and also seen the flaws in the implementation of the court's policies.

I humbly offer three preliminary thoughts today, which may be of some help in addressing current shortcomings. I hope Your Majesty and the other officials will offer their corrections.

She paused, then her first words were like a thunderclap:

"Firstly, the woman believes that an audit should be conducted immediately for the past five years."

Details of military pay disbursements and accounts for the purchase of provisions and equipment for all military towns and garrisons across the country.

Especially the northern and southwestern border regions,

Special commissioners from the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Censorate are required.

Together with incorruptible military officers, they conducted on-site inspections and verifications.

Whoosh—!

The imperial court was instantly thrown into turmoil!

Auditing military pay?!

And from the last five years! This is exposing the military's true colors!

Who doesn't know that this place is the most murky and full of shady dealings?

Especially the northern border... that's where the Liu family's influence is deeply entrenched!

Liu Chengzong suddenly looked up, his old eyes fixed on the beaded curtain.

His complexion was beyond just looking bad; it was practically black with a hint of purple!

Ye Huang's voice remained calm as she continued:

"In recent years, there have been frequent frictions on the border. The soldiers have fought bravely, and the imperial court has provided them with all its resources."

However, the women in Jiangnan heard rumors of delayed military pay, substandard goods, and even fraudulent claims of pay.

If this continues, it will surely demoralize the soldiers and damage the foundation of national defense.

The audit and verification process serves three purposes: first, to combat corruption; second, to reassure the military; and third... to ensure the proper functioning of the national treasury.

Every sentence is reasonable, every word is piercing!

The last phrase, "to purify the source of the national treasury," directly implies that someone has emptied the national treasury from military pay!

Before everyone could process this, a second bombshell dropped:

"Secondly, the common woman petitioned to reopen the three maritime trade offices in Hangzhou, Mingzhou, and Quanzhou in Jiangnan."

Private maritime merchants are permitted to participate in overseas trade after approval and in accordance with the law and by paying taxes.

This will break the current monopoly held by a small number of imperial merchants and official merchants.

boom--!

This caused even many neutral officials to change their expressions!

Maritime Trade Office! Overseas trade!

That's a huge profit!

Now it is basically firmly in the hands of the Liu family and its vassals, and others can't even get a sip of soup!

Break the monopoly?

This is a direct attack on the Liu family's finances, cutting off their lifeline!

Liu Chengzong swayed, and if the official next to him hadn't instinctively steadied him, he would have almost lost his balance.

His lips trembled, wanting to retort, but a breath caught in his chest, and his vision blurred.

Ye Huang seemed oblivious, calmly analyzing, "The profits from maritime trade are ten times greater than those from farming."

However, the drawback of monopolies is that they drive up prices at the expense of the people and benefit themselves.

More importantly, they colluded privately to evade taxes and smuggle prohibited items.

By reopening the Maritime Trade Office, attracting good merchants, and ensuring fair competition, the imperial court can increase customs revenue.

The people can benefit, trade routes can prosper, and smuggling can be eliminated.

This is a policy that benefits the country and its people.

Benefit the country and its people? This is going to cost the Liu family their lives!

It's not over yet!

Ye Huang's voice suddenly turned cold as she threw out the third and most ruthless condition:

"Thirdly, I humbly request Your Majesty to order a thorough investigation into the distribution of relief grain and funds for major famines in various regions since the sixth year of the Jinghe era."

This includes, but is not limited to, floods in the Jiangnan region, severe droughts in Longxi, and snow disasters in Jiaodong.

The amount allocated by the imperial court needs to be verified in detail.

Local records of receipt and the actual amount of money and food distributed to disaster victims.

And...whether officials at all levels involved engaged in any acts of withholding, embezzlement, or personal enrichment!

!!!

quiet!

Deathly silence!

If the first two points were like cutting off the Liu family's hands and feet, this one is like taking a red-hot branding iron and stabbing it directly into the Liu family's heart!

And it keeps stirring it over and over!

Who doesn't know that in recent years, whenever there has been a major disaster,

Those responsible for overall coordination and allocation, or those handling disaster relief at the local level, are almost always connected to the Liu family!

The profits from this are no less than those from military pay and maritime trade!

A thorough investigation into disaster relief funds and supplies?

This is to make the Liu family and their cronies vomit out all the blood they've sucked from natural disasters and man-made calamities over the years!

They also need to peel off their skin layer by layer and display it to the public!

"Demon... demoness, you're talking nonsense!"

Liu Chengzong could no longer restrain himself and abruptly stepped forward from the ranks.

Her finger trembled as she pointed at the beaded curtain.

The voice was shrill and distorted by extreme anger and fear.

"Matters of national importance are not for a woman like you to spout nonsense!"

Auditing military pay undermines morale!

Reopening the maritime trade market disrupts commerce and government!

The investigation into disaster relief efforts has chilled the hearts of officials who are truly dedicated to serving the people!

You...you are clearly harboring evil intentions and trying to disrupt my court!

Your Majesty! This woman's words must not be heeded!

He was so angry that he trembled all over, his old face contorted with rage.

Behind the beaded curtain, Ye Huang gently raised her eyes, her gaze seemingly piercing through the swaying beads.

It landed on Liu Chengzong's furious face.

She suddenly chuckled very softly.

The laughter was faint, yet carried a chilling sarcasm.

"Why must Prime Minister Liu be angry?"

Her voice remained steady, even tinged with a hint of doubt:

"The woman spoke of three things: first, to strengthen the army; second, to enrich the people; and third, to bring peace to the people."

Every single thing they did was for the country and its people.

As the prime minister, Liu should have been pleased and agreed. Such vehement opposition…”

She paused, each word like an ice bead striking a gold brick:

"Could it be... that one of these three points inadvertently touched a nerve with Prime Minister Liu, or one of his students or former associates?"

puff--!

Liu Chengzong felt a sweet taste in his throat, followed by a metallic smell.

He tried his best to hold back, but his vision was already starting to go black.

The entire court was completely silent.

Everyone was terrified and their souls nearly left their bodies by the three slashes made by the woman in red through the beaded curtain!

This is hardly a suggestion.

This is a blatant declaration of war!

They launched the most lethal and thorough attack on the Liu family!

Beside the throne, Nangong Ye gazed at the hazy yet upright figure behind the beaded curtain.

Watching her, with just a few words, drive the powerful Prime Minister Liu to the brink of madness, nearly causing him to vomit blood.

His pale fingers slowly tightened their grip on the armrests of the dragon throne.

The complex emotions in my heart were like boiling water churning.

Some were shocked by her sharpness and courage.

It was painful to see her so openly and resolutely severing ties with the past.

There was also a kind of... a chilling pleasure that even he himself had not anticipated.

He looked at Liu Chengzong's ashen and desperate old face.

Looking at the panicked expressions of the Liu faction officials in the court.

Suddenly, I realized that this court, which had been so dull and shrouded in the shadow of the Liu family for far too long…

Finally, a sharp gust of wind, carrying the smell of blood, blew in.

And this wind was brought by her.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet it silenced all the whispers in the hall:

"The three strategies proposed by Lady Yehuang are of great importance."

The cabinet and the six ministries are instructed to discuss the matter in detail within three days, produce a plan, and then make a decision.

He neither adopted it immediately nor rejected it.

Instead, they passed the buck to the entire bureaucratic system.

But this attitude alone is enough to explain everything.

Liu Chengzong staggered a step, collapsing as his colleagues supported him. His gaze toward the beaded curtain was filled with a deathly resentment.

And behind the beaded curtain.

Ye Huang lowered her eyes slightly.

A chilling smile curved at the corners of his lips.

The first round: a clash in the imperial court.

Prime Minister Liu, how did those three cuts taste?

This is just an appetizer.