Sorry, I'm a cultivator.

If it weren't for Jiang Wanzhao's poor health and my concern that she would have no future, I wouldn't be in such a passive position.

"total……"

Liu Ying paused, then stared blankly at Jiang Wanzhao, who was facing Li Xingzhou against the wall.

What is this doing?

But she quickly realized what was happening and closed the door, then walked over with her head down: "Chief, this is a military report from Tang Yao. Please take a look."

Jiang Wanzhao slowly turned around, and Liu Ying quickly glanced at her... Hmm?

hmmmm?

Why does the commander's mouth look a little swollen?

And it even has a glow!

What's going on here?!

Up or down?

No, no!

Whether it's up or down, something's very wrong!

Is this even possible?!

Oh~ Li Xingzhou isn't the real Li Xingzhou...

No, the Chief of Staff has actually started playing with stand-in fiction!?

That shouldn't be the case... Could it be that Li Xingzhou is too strong, so he chose to use this method to lull him into a false sense of security?

"Let me see……"

Jiang Wanzhao sat back down in her chair, crossed her legs with a cheerful expression, and accepted the military report handed to her by Liu Ying.

He started humming a little tune.

Looking at the chief of staff, who seemed to be in a rather good mood, Liu Ying tried her best to reassure herself that she hadn't seen anything and knew nothing...

If the Chief of Staff were to ascend the throne in the future, I would most likely still be her personal secretary. If I were to see this then…

How should one write the daily records?

Liu Ying's eyes darted around, and she quickly suppressed the thoughts in her mind. What was she thinking?

The Chief of Staff is wise and capable; how could he be allowed to tarnish his history over such a trivial matter?

Even if we take a step back and assume we don't have children, it's not a big deal!

No, even if she gave birth, it wouldn't matter. Li Xingzhou isn't the real Li Xingzhou...

More importantly, the chief minister cannot be born, because the succession to the throne is of paramount importance!

"Tell Tang Yao," Jiang Wanzhao said, "We will investigate any monsters or beastmen that have never eaten humans before killing or expelling them from the country."

Furthermore, strengthen the defense of the western border and prevent western forces from taking advantage of the situation…

Jiang Wanzhao began a series of arrangements, and Liu Ying, trying to calm herself down, quickly focused her attention and listened.

"Liu Ying, repeat it again."

Liu Ying quickly repeated it, word for word.

"Go and make the arrangements."

Jiang Wanzhao nodded, and after Liu Ying left, she said to Li Xingzhou, "Still facing the wall? Are you shy?"

“Hehe…” Li Xingzhou chuckled: “I don’t reason with madmen.”

"Tch~" Jiang Wanzhao gave him a disdainful look: "You're clearly enjoying yourself, how dare you criticize me?"

Li Xingzhou remained silent and walked straight outside.

"Wait!" Jiang Wanzhao called out to him, "Now that you're back, you don't need to leave anymore. I have a task for you."

"Ok?"

"To take command of the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Jiang Wanzhao's smile vanished, and she lightly tapped the table with her fingertips.

"Inspect civil and military officials, and arrest officials in charge of administration."

"I believe you can do it."

······

Chapter 74 The Case of the Empty Seal

Yanzhou, heavy rain, Minghuang City.

A car came to a smooth stop in the rain. The secretary got out immediately and opened the door, while the guards kept a watchful eye on everything around them.

Cabinet Vice Minister Lu Yansheng got out of the car expressionlessly, buttoning his coat as he stepped onto the stairs.

A figure approached and spoke rapidly: "The Grand Secretary is ill and did not come."

Lu Yansheng nodded, and then the deputy finance minister said, "But Lin Jin is here."

For the first time, Lü Yansheng's expression changed: "His presence counts too."

Lin Jin, from the grassroots to the cabinet, is a capable henchman of Jiang Wanzhao's faction. He is even rumored to be the next chief of staff because of his strong abilities, efficiency, and excellent reputation.

His presence at this small meeting was indeed somewhat unexpected by Lü Yansheng.

Whether or not this was his own intention, this stance alone is enough to accomplish a great deal.

click -

The meeting room door was pushed open, and the conversation of the less than ten people inside fell silent. Then they stood up from their chairs.

"Please sit down."

Lu Yansheng, who had taken the seat of honor, gestured for everyone to sit down: "Nobody brought their phones, right? Those who did, get out immediately."

"Alright, let's begin. It's all settled now." Lü Yansheng held the pen in both hands: "After the great victory on Longxing Island, the Chief of Staff returned directly to Jiangzhou, and all orders were issued from the Jiang residence."

This city, in its current sense, has probably already been abandoned by her.

"Gentlemen," Lu Yansheng's eyes darkened, "who participated in the betrayal of Jin Yunting, Cai Taixian, and others? Stand up now."

shhhhhh...

Without the slightest hesitation, everyone except Lin Jin in the corner stood up.

Lü Yansheng's expression softened slightly: "Very good, please sit down."

This is a veiled warning: we are all in the same boat now, having committed heinous crimes punishable by the extermination of nine generations of our families. Don't think that surrendering will save you from the death penalty.

Even if they could exempt their families, who among those present was like Jin Yunting, Cai Taixian, and others—either old or without a future?

"Now that things have come to this, I believe in your determination." Lü Yansheng smiled slightly: "Now that the Chief of Staff has transferred nine of the twelve directly subordinate guards to the west of Tianshan, there is no better opportunity than this!"

He took a deep breath: "Once the initial arrangements are made for the five western states, the Chief will definitely return to Minghuang City to hold the coronation ceremony. Before that, we must control the capital area and force her to negotiate at the city gates!"

Lu Yansheng did not intend to completely oppose the Chief of Staff; all he wanted to do was coerce the people of several prefectures into signing a treaty under duress.

Just kidding. It would be fine if the Chief of Staff were really sick, but now everything is proving that he is not sick.

How to confront the Chief of Staff who is at the peak of his power?

What's the difference between that and courting death?

Damn it... who started spreading the rumor that the Chief of Staff's health is deteriorating?!

"Lin Jin." Lü Yansheng looked at Lin Jin, who was sitting in the corner: "What's the meaning of your coming here?"

Lin Jin remained silent for a long time before declaring firmly, "To be the emperor."

Ok?

Lu Yansheng was stunned for a moment, but finally couldn't help but let out a mocking laugh: "Did the Chief of Staff say that you are the future emperor?"

“She said…” Lin Jin clenched his hands slightly: “There is no great talent in the cabinet, you should encourage him.”

Lu Yansheng laughed again, he really hadn't realized Lin Jin was so... silly.

He didn't comment on that statement, but instead asked, "Even if the Chief of Staff isn't sick, he hasn't taken back what he said. You're not going to die in two years, are you? Can't you wait that long?"

“Li Xingzhou.” Lin Jin said expressionlessly, “Others may not have heard of this name, but the Vice Minister should know it.”

“Li Xingzhou…” Lu Yansheng hesitated for a few seconds: “Is he the younger brother who grew up in the orphanage with the Chief before the Great Cataclysm, but abandoned the Chief on his sickbed and ran away, and was not included in the Jiang family genealogy?”

“He’s back,” Lin Jin said quietly. “Jiang Lang and his two daughters all died at his hands.”

Upon hearing this, Lü Yansheng narrowed his eyes slightly.

You could say Jiang Lang's transformation was cringe-worthy, and you could say he's gay, but you can't say he's bad at it.

In addition, both of his daughters are magical girls, and the three of them have some strange combined attack techniques...

His strength is definitely among the top tier below that of a saint.

died?

Furthermore, since no related psionic burst was observed, was he instantly killed by Li Xingzhou?

So, does that mean Li Xingzhou was also a saint?

Two supreme beings in one family?

"The Chief of Staff didn't blame Li Xingzhou at all. It seems his disappearance was just a ruse, and the Chief of Staff hid him somewhere so he could cultivate properly." Lin Jin said expressionlessly, "Now that he has achieved success in his cultivation, he's descending the mountain at this opportune moment..."

The Chief of Staff may not necessarily sit on the emperor's throne.

Lu Yansheng simply asked, "What is Li Xingzhou's strength?"

“It’s possible he’s a saint,” Lin Jin said frankly. “But if he really is a saint, Jiang Wanzhao would have released him long ago. The reason he’s out now is probably because he’s encountered a bottleneck and Jiang wants him to take this opportunity to break through it.”

"So, you want to take him hostage?" Lu Yansheng said thoughtfully. "Capturing him would not only guarantee our survival, but might even give us a chance to bring down the Chief of Staff, is that right?"

“That’s right.” Lin Jin nodded: “As long as the Chief of Staff shows even the slightest intention to not become emperor for Li Xingzhou’s sake, even if we don’t take action, her subordinates will betray her first.”

After all these years of hard work, and with the victory about to be achieved, do you think they can tolerate this?

"But once chaos breaks out, do you still expect to use the people of the capital as bargaining chips?"