Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Chancellor Han Cao was always one to keep his emotions hidden, his heart pounding with thunder while his face remained calm as a still lake.

But now he couldn't control his anger, and his face instantly turned ashen.

That bastard took so much money and made such a promise, yet he openly betrayed us in court.

How can a person be so shameless!

How can a ruler of a country be so untrustworthy?

But Chen Shao's words were too eloquent, occupying the moral high ground and the moral high ground.

The idea that "the emperor guards the nation's gates and the monarch dies for the country" left him speechless.

Even the emperor isn't afraid of death, yet a mere subject keeps speaking up...

He would be nailed to the pillar of shame and drowned in the spittle of scholars all over the world.

In addition, he spoke too slowly, saying things like "everything is subject to His Majesty's decree"...

They've blocked all their escape routes, leaving them with nowhere to vent their anger.

He could only seethe with rage: You little bastard, you took the money and did nothing!

You wait, this gift can't be given away for nothing!

The Empress Dowager and Yuwen Huagu were no better off.

They also advocated for relocating south.

The reason why the Yuwen family was able to possess such power was because of their military power.

If we wipe out all the troops we have, then we're truly finished.

"I have finished speaking. Who agrees? Who disagrees?"

Chen Shao didn't give them a chance to speak at all.

He immediately spoke again:

"Since no one objects, then it's settled."

"Those of you who wish to leave may immediately pack your belongings and leave the city overnight with your families and children. I will not stop you."

"Those who don't want to leave, please do your jobs and prepare for battle with all your might!"

"Court adjourned!"

......

The character for "profit" (利) carries the radical for "knife" (刀), and the character for "benefit" (益) carries the radical for "blood" (血).

There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

Despite Han Cao's resentment towards the Yuwen lineage, they were united by their shared interests.

The two got together again.

"Prime Minister Han, what the hell is going on?!"

Han Cao was already seething with anger, and when he heard the reproachful tone in the man's voice, he immediately flew into a rage.

"Is the General questioning me? Wasn't his ascension to the throne a scheme orchestrated by your Yuwen family?"

"Damn it! Han Cao! Stop bringing up old grievances. You agreed to it too."

Indeed, Chen Shao's ascension to the throne was the result of careful consideration by the three.

Now it seems that this kid is full of rebellious spirit and is not easy to control.

"Alright, it's already happened, there's no point in talking about it. The most important thing right now is, what do we do?"

Han Cao said in a deep voice:

"We certainly cannot defend the capital; the Great Yan empire cannot be lost in our hands."

"Moving south is still the best option. After a few years of recuperation, we can then plan a northern expedition. This is still the best strategy."

Yuwen Gu slapped his thigh. "Who says otherwise? But what are we going to do now? He's already made it a fait accompli!"

"That's not necessarily true!"

Han Cao gave a cold laugh, "How can he possibly make the decision on such a matter of national survival?"

"Today, you and I will also force your way out."

"A coup?"

"That's right. Make all the civil and military officials kneel in the palace and refuse to get up until they agree to move south. What can he do?"

"We've given him too much face! He has to give in!" Yuwen Huagu's eyes lit up.

I must say, this is the first time I've ever done something like this, and it feels really exciting.

If another mutiny were to occur in the future, then this general's life would be perfect.

When officials kneel in the palace, it is called "dying in remonstrance."

It was the most troublesome method of forcing emperors to abdicate throughout history.

If they do not agree, it means disregarding the entire court and making enemies of everyone.

Could the emperor afford it?

......

The bedroom.

Chen Shao hummed a nunchaku tune as he stepped into the room, and the system notification in his mind arrived as expected.

[Ding, the side quest to prevent the southward migration has been completed.]

[You've been given an extra chance to win a prize. Do you want to participate?]

"smoke!"

The familiar image of a dazzling starry sky unfolded in my mind once again.

Amidst the starlight, the figures of emperors and generals appeared and disappeared.

Inside the hall, the two were drinking together when suddenly one of them smashed his cup.

The imposing and burly man behind him immediately pulled out an imperial edict from his robes:

"An imperial edict has been issued to punish the traitor Dong Zhuo!"

"You old thief, take this from me!"

Oh, Wang Yun, Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo.

Chen Shao was secretly hoping that he could draw the Lu Bu entry.

Something like "Invincible Under Heaven" or "Diao Chan on the Waist" would be great.

At the very least, Dong Zhuo's "fierce bandits of Xiliang" would also work.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn a general card and obtained the entry: Throwing a Cup as a Signal!]

Depend on!

Just know!

Two formidable individuals, yet they were both struck by this.

Wang Yun, the old Minister of Works.

But the next moment...

"System, you're such a loving father."

[The signal is given by throwing a cup: each time the cup is thrown, it can kill a person, or at the very least render them unable to care for themselves.]

It seems pretty good.

......

Kunning Palace.

The Empress Dowager, Chen Shao, Han Cao, and Yuwen Huagu gathered together.

At this moment, however, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.

Wei Gongzheng was quietly informing Xie Yong about the search and confiscation of his property.

"The search and seizure of the residence of Xie Yong, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has been completed."

"A total of approximately three million taels of silver was seized, along with antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and countless land deeds and house deeds. A rough estimate puts the total value at no less than five million taels..."

Snapped!

The Empress Dowager grabbed a teacup and smashed it on the ground.

"Five million taels!"

She was furious.

So you only got a fraction of what he gave you?

Is a royal servant fatter than his master?

Can't stand it!

She was so angry that she was trembling all over and her hair stood on end.

"Our Great Yan is in dire straits. Even the Emperor Emeritus's personal expedition couldn't gather enough provisions, and there are still hundreds of thousands of disaster victims crying out for food."

"I am filled with worry day and night, unable to sleep, and I wish I could sell this phoenix robe to replenish the national treasury!"

"He's quite something!"

"Five million taels! Five million taels! This lackey is ten or a hundred times richer than the national treasury!"

"This is utterly contrary to the natural order!"

Holy crap...

Chen Shao gasped.

No wonder she's a champion of palace intrigue; what kind of performative personality is this?

Empress Dowager, your imperial treasury probably contains more than most people's...

Han Cao made a decisive decision: the gecko had to cut off its tail.

He bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

"Xie Yong is a scoundrel who has failed the Emperor's grace and whose crimes of corruption and perverting the law are unforgivable."

"In my opinion, if such parasites are not eliminated, it will be insufficient to uphold the law and appease public anger."

"He should be immediately dismissed from his post and imprisoned, handed over to the Ministry of Justice for rigorous interrogation, all the embezzled funds should be confiscated into the national treasury, and his family members should be exiled to the army as a warning to others."

The Empress Dowager sneered inwardly; this fellow was quick to distance himself.

But Xie Yong must die!

I can't quell my hatred without killing him.

"What Han Xiang said makes sense. By imperial decree, Xie Yong is to be removed from his post as Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, imprisoned immediately, and tried by the three judicial authorities. All his property shall be confiscated."

Suddenly, she thought of something and turned to look at the composed Chen Shao.

He asked, feigning nonchalance:

"What does Your Majesty think?"

Chen Shao yawned. "Your Majesty is wise. Everything is up to you."

Hmm, they're quite pragmatic.

The Empress Dowager liked honest people like this.

Satisfied nodded.

"With Xie Yong imprisoned, the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard became vacant."

"This position is of utmost importance and cannot remain vacant. Do either of you have a suitable candidate?"

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard has declined in power, it is still nominally the body that monitors all officials and has the privilege of handling investigations, arrests, and interrogations.

Given the opportunity, they can soar to great heights.

This position is extremely important.

Both of them were waiting to hear those words.

Yuwen Gu immediately spoke:

"Empress Dowager, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is in charge of the Emperor's personal guards and is responsible for the defense of the capital, patrols, and arrests. Only a loyal and reliable person can be competent for this position."

"Your subject recommends my son, Yuwen Chendu."

"Chen Du is highly skilled in martial arts, and no one among the younger generation can surpass him. He is also extremely loyal to the imperial court."

"He is the most suitable person to take over the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

Han Cao sneered: "The General certainly doesn't shy away from recommending relatives for positions."

Yuwen Chendu was slapped away and is still lying in the Imperial Hospital. How could he become the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? It would be a laughing stock.

"This old minister recommends the Second Prince, Chen Shu."

"The Second Prince is skilled in both literature and martial arts, is in his prime, and enjoys high prestige in the court."

"More importantly, he is His Majesty's half-brother. It is both legitimate for him to take charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and will put His Majesty at ease."

Yuwen Huagu was furious.

Who in the court didn't know that the Second Prince Chen Yong and Han Cao were in cahoots?

"Bullshit! The Second Prince has never even been on a battlefield, let alone touched a sword more than a few times. You want him to manage the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Prime Minister Han, do you want the Embroidered Uniform Guard to become the Hanlin Academy?!"

"General Yuwen, you are mistaken. The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard does not necessarily need to personally fight on the front lines; strategizing and planning are the proper approaches."

"Screw your planning..."

"That's enough!"

The Empress Dowager rubbed her temples.

There wasn't a single official in the entire court who gave me peace of mind.

"You are all trusted ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor, pillars of the empire. What kind of decorum is this, arguing back and forth like this?"

At that moment, a young eunuch rushed in to report.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Headmaster Shen requests an audience."

The Empress Dowager's eyes lit up; Headmaster Shen had arrived just in time.

Han Cao and Yuwen Huagu both frowned at the same time.

Why is she here?