The Empire will continue to win

037 Another great victory?

Yu Xian's help was beyond Shen Moqing's expectations. Wasn't he afraid of offending Prince Gong and many nobles?

But then he thought about it again and suddenly realized.

If asked: Who most longs for bloodshed? The answer is: cruel officials and ambitious schemers.

A ruthless official is not afraid of offending people; a person who is afraid of offending people cannot be a ruthless official.

Ambitious people need no explanation; the bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish.

This Minister of Justice would love for 5% of the people in the capital to be spies from enemy countries. The more spies there are, the higher the status of the Ministry of Justice will be, and the more power he will wield.

As expected~

Yu Xian pleaded again:

"I believe it is necessary to thoroughly investigate the enemy's spy network. Although I am not very capable, I am willing to make a pledge to uncover at least 50 spies from Yanshan Heavy Industry within a month."

Shen Moqing thought to herself, "That's too conservative."

.........

Behind the curtain, the two empress dowagers exchanged a glance.

"Sister, what do you think?"

"Then let's look into it."

That's how it's settled.

An enemy spy organization has infiltrated a military factory on the outskirts of Beijing. To put it bluntly, this has threatened the very foundation of the Forbidden City and everyone present.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor grant permission to transfer Supervisor Shen to assist me in thoroughly investigating spies." Yu Xian pressed his advantage.

"But I've heard that your Ministry of Justice has plenty of experts in solving cases. What use is an amateur like him?" The Empress Dowager did not immediately agree or object.

"Your Majesty, it is because my goal and that of Supervisor Shen are the same: to catch all the spies so that Yanshan Heavy Industry can produce a continuous supply of weapons."

Emperor Xuanwu thought it made a lot of sense, but he remained silent.

Currently, with both empresses dowager ruling from behind the curtain, Empress Dowager An of the Eastern Palace holds a higher position than Empress Dowager Yi of the Western Palace. However, Empress Dowager An has little interest in political affairs, thus making Empress Dowager Yi's power appear to be greater.

But today, the Empress Dowager was very humble, consulting her on everything.

"Sister, what do you think?"

"Alright then," Empress Dowager An said with a frown. "However, as the supervisor of the gun factory, Shen Moqing has caused so many deaths under his supervision. He should at least bear the responsibility for inadequate supervision."

The nobles all nodded in agreement.

That's absolutely right. Otherwise, why would the sons of Xun Gui only serve as middle managers and not as supervisors?

Realizing she couldn't defy public anger, the Empress Dowager whispered, "Six months' salary deduction?"

"Not enough, add another 20 strokes of the cane."

"Your Majesty, I wish to plead for Shen Moqing. After all, he is seriously injured. It would not be too late to punish him after he has recovered." To everyone's surprise, Emperor Xuanwu actually spoke up.

This was unexpected by everyone.

"Very well, since the Emperor has pleaded for you, let's postpone this beating for now and punish you later. Gentlemen, let's call it a day." Empress Dowager An yawned and stood up lazily.

Everyone knelt on one knee.

Shen Moqing deliberately moved slowly, pretending to be injured and inflexible, but in reality, he wanted to find an opportunity to meet the emperor alone and demonstrate his value.

Empress Dowager, I am still useful.

According to court etiquette, after the meeting, the two empress dowagers should leave first, followed by the emperor, and then the ministers. The injured Shen Moqing walked last, leaning on his cane.

The Forbidden City is chilly in the autumn wind.

Trying to wink at a blind man—no one pays attention.

The Empress Dowager Cixi did not summon me!

Shen Moqing grew angrier the more she thought about it. Why did you have to select all the wrong options before finally choosing my correct one?

meow~

Suddenly, a cat meowed from above.

Look up.

In the setting sun, a young Jianzhou cat stood on the yellow glazed tiles, tilting its head and gazing at me. It is well known that the Forbidden City has cats, and quite a few at that.

"Get down!"

Meow~

As if it understood human speech, the Jianzhou cat wearing white gloves leaped down from the red walls and yellow tiles with agile movements, as if mocking the person using crutches.

Shen Moqing reached out his hand~

The cat cleverly dodged away.

"The country is about to perish, what's wrong with letting me touch you?" Shen Moqing muttered under his breath. Unexpectedly, the cat understood and came closer on its own.

Let yourself touch it.

Hey ~

Humans are not as good as cats.

This is a good cat with a simple patriotic sentiment. It's a pity to leave it in the Forbidden City. Shen Moqing grabbed its neck, wanting to steal the cat.

Meow~

The cat didn't struggle, but it started meowing loudly.

With no other option, they had to abandon their plan to steal the cat.

.........

Half an hour later, the sun set, and natural shadows enveloped the entire Forbidden City.

"Time to turn on the lights!"

Amidst the shouts and calls, palace maids and eunuchs lit the octagonal gas lamps in various locations, their glass shades emitting a gentle, warm light.

Inside Longzong Gate.

The so-called duty room was actually a temporary wooden hut with a sign for the telecommunications office hanging at the door.

A young and beautiful female telegraph operator, wearing tall boots, was intently recording the latest telegram, while a Jianzhou cat happily circled around her feet.

The telegram was very long.

Half an hour later, she copied the telegram again.

Send immediately.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation has decreed that all military reports must be delivered immediately, regardless of wind, rain, heat, cold, or autumn.

Empress Dowager An, who lived in Jingren Palace, only received second-hand telegrams, which were much less timely.

.........

The rear hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Yanxi Hall.

"Empress Dowager," An Dehai said softly, "there is a telegram from Fengtian."

"Give it to me."

"Yes, sir."

Inside the wooden tub, various flower petals floated on the water's surface. They were both elegant and served as a form of concealment.

Empress Dowager Cixi stretched out her pale, lotus-root-colored arms and took the telegram from An Dehai's hand, glancing at it only once before sitting up straight.

"Your subject, Ronglu, the military governor of Fengtian, submits this memorial with tears in his eyes: On August 17th, Jiuliancheng fell, with the enemy suffering 2500 casualties and our army suffering 1200 casualties."

"I have already deployed two-thirds of my troops to the front lines to defend the passes of Motianling and Xiuyan. Beyond Motianling lies Liaoyang, beyond Liaoyang lies Fengtian, beyond Fengtian lies Shanhaiguan, and beyond Shanhaiguan lies the capital."

"Your Majesty, I only have the Sixth Division of the Fengtian Army, the Jilin Mixed Brigade of the Army, and the Liaodong Armed Militia. Our forces are stretched thin. I request the court to quickly send 2 reinforcements."

"My corps is in dire need of artillery shells. Please expedite the dispatch of no less than 10 rounds of 80mm and 125mm shells via rail."

"Your Majesty, I risk my life to offer this advice: this is not a border conflict, but a national war! I earnestly request the court to dispatch elite army and navy troops to our aid immediately. Otherwise, Shanhaiguan Pass will be in danger, the capital will be in danger, and the entire nation will be in danger."

Another resounding victory!

.........

"The Empress Dowager?"

"The Empress Dowager??"

Seeing his master lost in thought, Andehai immediately guessed that bad news had come from the front lines.

Yes, how can paper contain fire?

At first, only 5 people knew the truth. Soon, 10 more people found out. Now, at least 50 people in the entire capital know the truth.

而根据传播规律，50、100、200、400、800~

Sooner or later, everyone will know.

Your Majesty, times have changed.

In the past, what could you do in three seconds? But now, it's enough time for a telegram to travel along the wires from Fengtian to Beijing.

"Little Anzi, hurry, help me change my clothes."