The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

Many officials felt a chill run down their spines and quickly bowed, saying, "Your Highness, we will serve you with utmost loyalty and devotion, even unto death!"

"That's very good." Yun Jin's tone softened slightly.

"Marquis Weiyuan and Mr. Su, please come to the palace with me to discuss the funeral rites for the late emperor and matters concerning the ascension to the throne and regency of the successor emperor. All other officials, please return to your posts. We will hold a grand court session tomorrow to discuss state affairs."

"Your Majesty, we obey!"

With Qingdai's help, Yun Jin boarded the carriage again.

The procession started again, slowly passing through the wide-open Yongding Gate under the watchful eyes of the officials and with the imperial guards clearing the way.

She drove into the center of power, which she had left months ago, but which had changed beyond recognition.

The wind and snow continued, but from this moment on, the sky over Lin Yuan City officially changed color.

Inside the carriage, Yun Jin leaned back against the brocade quilt, closed her eyes, and let out a long sigh of relief; fine beads of cold sweat had already seeped from her forehead.

The brief moment of standing and reprimanding she had just endured had almost exhausted all her strength.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Qingdai asked worriedly, handing over a slice of ginseng.

Yun Jin took a piece and shook her head slightly.

She lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out at the familiar street scene rushing past. Her gaze finally settled on the figure riding a horse slowly and looking disheveled in a blue robe not far from the carriage.

Su Che seemed to sense her gaze, turned his head, and nodded slightly to her through the wind, snow, and car window. His gaze remained calm, but seemed to carry an indescribable...reassuring quality.

Yun Jin lowered the carriage curtain and leaned against the carriage wall. The string in her heart that had been taut for so long seemed to relax a little.

He's there.

Perhaps she can try to face the storms of the court.

......

The night was deep, the snow had stopped, but Weiyang Palace was still brightly lit.

But these lights are no longer for revelry and dancing; they are for the future of the empire, burning through the night.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation has become a forbidden place for the late emperor's body to lie in state, with the funeral rites jointly handled by the Inner Court, the Ministry of Rites, and the Imperial Clan Court.

The Wenhua Hall, not far from the Yangxin Hall, became the place for handling urgent government affairs and discussing important military and national matters.

This place is smaller than the main hall of Weiyang Palace, but it is more private and has fewer unnecessary formalities.

At this moment, in the warm pavilion of the side hall of Wenhua Hall, the charcoal fire was blazing.

Yun Jin had already removed her cloak and outer garment, which were covered in wind, snow, dust, and mud, and was only wearing plain-colored everyday clothes.

With his left arm still in a sling, he sat back in a thickly cushioned armchair.

With the warmth and the effects of the medicine, her complexion regained some color, but the weariness between her brows remained profound.

Marquis Weiyuan, Zhao Qingcang, and Su Che sat on the left and right, respectively, at the lower end of the table.

On the desk were several thick stacks of documents.

At the top are the "Regulations for the Funeral of the Deceased Emperor" and the "Procedures for the Enthronement Ceremony of the New Emperor" submitted by the Ministry of Rites, and below is an urgent report from the Ministry of War regarding the military situation in the northern border.

The Ministry of Revenue issued a warning about an empty treasury and a famine in the spring of the following year; the Ministry of Personnel provided a list of officials to be evaluated and urgently needed to fill vacancies; and the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate provided preliminary interrogation summaries of those implicated in the case of the Third Prince.

There are countless issues, all of which are urgent and pressing.

"Your Highness's injuries have not yet healed, and you should rest quietly. However, the affairs of state are fraught with difficulties, and we, your subjects, have no choice but to intervene," Marquis Weiyuan spoke first, his voice steady.

"There are three urgent matters."

Firstly, the funeral rites of the deceased emperor and the ascension of the new emperor are fundamental to the nation, concerning the orthodoxy of rites and laws, and are the focus of the world's attention. Therefore, they must be solemn, respectful, and beyond reproach.

Secondly, the military situation in the north. Although Uvi temporarily retreated a hundred miles after I returned with my troops, his strength has greatly increased after annexing the tribe of Tufa Wugu, and his wolfish ambitions are obvious.

After the spring, a large-scale invasion is inevitable.

The border region urgently needs reinforcements, increased funding, and improved preparedness.

Thirdly, the political situation is stable. The remnants of the Third Prince's faction have not been eliminated, and the people's hearts are unsettled. The remaining forces of Yun Tao in the south also need to be suppressed and pacified.

"Your Highness has just assumed regency and your authority is not yet established; I fear there may be malicious individuals causing trouble."

The veteran's words were all to the point, hitting the nail on the head.

Yun Jin nodded slightly and looked at Su Che: "What does Mr. Su think?"

Su Che put down his teacup and said slowly.

"What you say is absolutely right, my lord."

The enthronement ceremony, held after a funeral, is the first step in establishing one's status and bringing peace of mind to the people.

It can be carried out in a grand manner as proposed by the Ministry of Rites, but extravagant expenses should be reduced. The national treasury is empty, and excessive spending is not advisable.

The key point is to take this opportunity to proclaim to the world that the new emperor is the legitimate successor of the late emperor, and that His Highness's regency is the late emperor's dying wish. The law, reason, and destiny are all in my hands.

This is the foundation for Your Highness's future governance; it cannot be flawed in the slightest.

"The matter of the North," he continued.

"Uwe has just won a new victory and its momentum is strong, but there are also hidden worries within its ranks."

The old followers of Tuoba Wugu may not have truly submitted, and he also had conflicts with the other sons of Luandi Maodun.

Marquis Weiyuan could be stationed in the northern frontier, focusing on defense, reinforcing city defenses, training new troops, and deploying scouts extensively.

At the same time, we will activate our covert network among the Northern Barbarians, spread rumors, sow discord among them, and delay their southward invasion.

"Once our internal situation is more stable, we will then plan a counterattack."

"As for the political situation," Su Che's gaze narrowed slightly.

"To stabilize the court, the first priority is personnel, the second is financial power, and the third is military power. In terms of personnel, those implicated in the case of the Third Prince should be severely punished, while those coerced may be treated leniently, in order to divide and weaken the court and avoid spreading the problem too far and causing panic in the court and among the people."

Any vacant, critical positions should be filled quickly by reliable individuals.

Your Highness may establish special examinations or issue edicts seeking talented individuals from humble backgrounds to select meritorious generals and soldiers to serve in the court and local areas, gradually replacing those who are lethargic or harbor disloyal intentions. This is the beginning of Your Highness cultivating your own loyalists and gaining control of the court.

"Regarding financial matters," he said, glancing at the stack of Ministry of Revenue documents.

"The national treasury is empty, the war in the south has cost a lot of money, and the northern border defense needs additional funding."

Open source and cost reduction are imperative.

To cut expenses, we can start by setting an example by reducing unnecessary spending on palace expenses, official salaries, and construction and sacrificial rites.

To open up new sources of income, it is necessary to reform the tax system, conduct land surveys, strictly investigate tax evasion, and encourage industry and commerce.

Pang Xiaopan's network of merchants could help clarify the long-standing problems of customs duties and salt taxes in various regions, and open up new sources of revenue for the imperial court, such as specializing in mining and overseas trade.

This matter needs to be addressed gradually, but it must be started now.

"Military power," Su Che said finally.

"Your Highness already has the support of Marquis Weiyuan, so the northern border troops are generally safe."

The key lies in the imperial guards in the capital and the local garrison troops.

General Zhou Bo has taken command of the Shence Battalion, and General Zhao Jianing's personal guard battalion can be expanded into the "Palace Guard Division," directly under His Highness, to protect the palace and key locations in the capital.

The remaining commanders of the Imperial Guards should be gradually replaced by young, capable generals who are loyal to the court.

The local garrison troops, taking advantage of the opportunity to quell the southern rebellion and strengthen border defenses, should dispatch officials in the name of the imperial court to inspect, verify military records, rectify military discipline, and plant spies.

With military power in hand, no one in the court dares to act rashly.

The analysis is meticulous and progressive, clearly clarifying the complex and chaotic situation and proposing specific and feasible strategies.

Marquis Weiyuan nodded repeatedly, his eyes showing appreciation.