People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

It seems we won't be able to get in touch for a while.

However, Ernst wasn't in a hurry. After all, he had given the True Dragon three days, and contacting Precys shouldn't be difficult in three days.

If all else fails, he said: there are also backup hidden energy sources that can be used.

He could urgently contact Kal'tsit and ask Dr. Xitian Rulai for help!

Some might wonder, what can the Doctor do now that he's in that amnesiac, babble-babble state?

But Ernst doesn't think so.

Although the doctor has lost his memory, he is different from Ernst; he is still a person.

Ahem, don't get the wrong idea, it really is, it's a "person".

He is the person in charge of all the survival plans and the project leader of the Originium project. The development of Originium was completed by him and Precys. Judging from the fact that he is not infected by Originium and his blood can even dispel Originium, he should also have "authority" over Originium. Moreover, this authority will not disappear because he "lost his memory".

To put it more simply, Originium will not harm its creator, and the Doctor's authority remains unchanged.

He just didn't know how to use it.

But this is simple!

Ernst didn't need the Doctor to actually manipulate the Originium to slap the Year Beast. He just wanted to prevent this war against the gods from accidentally activating some "hidden characteristic" of the Jingyu main mine, which would just be a firework display on this land.

Therefore, all the doctor needs to do is stand there and act as a suppressor!

Just like that, a real-world anchor!

In this way, Ernst can suppress the evil spirits, the Doctor can suppress the Originium, and if we brothers join forces, how can we possibly defeat each other!

What my brother said makes sense!

Chapter 962 Announcement: Wei Yanwu, Governor-General of Longmen, enters the palace.

Yan, the forbidden city, the great court meeting.

In ancient Yan State, the meeting between a subject and the ruler was called "court," and the meeting between the ruler and the subject was called "assembly," hence the combined term "court assembly."

There are generally two types of court assemblies: regular court assemblies, where the emperor summons civil and military officials to handle government affairs, and grand court assemblies, where the emperor meets with his ministers, receives congratulations from foreign countries, or holds large-scale ceremonies on important days.

As the 11th century dawned, the wave of Originium industrialization swept across Terra, and the Yan Kingdom became just one ripple in this mighty tide. To cope with the rapidly changing national development, the frequency of routine official court sessions was greatly increased, while the number of grand court sessions for ceremonial celebrations was gradually reduced.

Not long ago, near the New Year, the Yan Kingdom held a grand court assembly. The True Dragon rewarded his ministers, promoted meritorious officials at all levels in various regions, met with representatives of the Terran countries that had settled in the Yan Kingdom, and accepted the gifts they presented.

Logically speaking, the next grand court session should not be held until at least the Dragon Boat Festival.

However, early this morning, just as the Grand Tutor got out of bed, a messenger from the palace brought news that the Emperor had temporarily summoned a "Grand Court".

To be honest, the Grand Tutor wasn't entirely clear on what His Majesty the Dragon was trying to do.

He was an extremely intelligent man, and aside from his slight "favoritism" towards Wei Yanwu, he was also a man of great political wisdom. The order from Zhenlong to recall Ning Ciqiu and have him stay in Baizhao City for the entire New Year to fulfill his filial duties to his grandfather might not seem meaningful to an ordinary person, but he saw through Zhenlong's intentions at a glance.

He was giving himself a warning.

In the officialdom of the Four Hundred Stove Bureau, everyone knew that Ning Ciqiu, the granddaughter of Ning Shu, the Minister of Rites, had become his protégé. Although Miss Ning Ciqiu's official position was not particularly high—she was only a Vice Minister of Rites and had been sent to the World Summit, away from the power center of the Four Hundred Stove Bureau and had no real power in the court—anyone with a little insight could see that this was not because Ning Ciqiu had fallen out of favor; on the contrary, it was because Ning Ciqiu was using this opportunity to enhance her prestige.

The future strategy of the Three Flame Kingdom is definitely to expand outwards. His Majesty the True Dragon's various actions over the past year, and the increasingly prominent presence of the Flame Kingdom at the World Summit, all demonstrate the ancient empire's determination to formally intervene in the game of Terra.

As the first person from Yan Kingdom to officially and truly "go global," Ning Ciqiu's future is limitless, provided she doesn't do anything reckless that gives others leverage against her. Her current low position is purely because she is too young and lacks experience, so the True Dragon is intentionally suppressing her.

Most importantly, she will definitely go down in history!

"To be remembered in history!" So many high-ranking officials, nobles, and members of the royal family in the Yan Kingdom have worked hard their whole lives, only to win this one opportunity!

Even the supreme Emperor of the Dragon Kingdom has to worry about his posthumous reputation!

Ning Ciqiu had already achieved her goal long ago; she had essentially reached the end of the road to "fame".

It's no exaggeration to say that with her current achievements, even if she were to die suddenly right now, she would already be qualified to have her own page in the family tree!

A mother's status rises with her son's, and a teacher's status rises with his student. With such a disciple, the Grand Tutor's influence in the court finally completely overshadowed that of the Grand Commandant. The old balance had been broken without anyone realizing it.

The balance being broken is something the true dragon clearly does not want to see.

He recalled Ning Ciqiu, but did not specify when Ning Ciqiu would return. This was a warning, a signal: I do not want to see the Grand Tutor's faction dominate. The position of ambassador for the World Summit is not indispensable to Ning Ciqiu alone. If you are interested, you are welcome to compete for it.

That's the allure of personnel power.

A single word, a hint, or a simple flick of the finger can stir up a huge wave in a calm lake!

Sensing this, the Grand Tutor immediately restrained his power.

This year, countless officials from all over the country and at all levels wanted to pay their respects during the Spring Festival, but the Grand Tutor did not meet with any of them except for his few trusted students.

He also completely withdrew his power, turning a deaf ear to the rumors circulating in Baizhao City, acting as if he were deaf and mute.

It wasn't that he was just sitting and waiting to die.

He knew perfectly well that Zhenlong was jealous, but he wasn't worried that this warning would kill him. He was even 90% sure that Zhenlong was just bluffing, and that Ning Ciqiu would ultimately be the one to take the special envoy position.

As for the reason, it's very simple.

Because of the plan to relocate the Year Beast agents, which was spearheaded by the Grand Tutor, although the Grand Commandant was forced to intervene later under the instruction of the True Dragon, the fact that the third batch of Year Beast agents has not yet set off shows that there are some things they just can't accomplish!

The Grand Tutor didn't know that Shu hadn't left yet, not because the Grand Commandant had done anything, but because Shu genuinely didn't want to leave. Of course, even if he did know, it wouldn't matter.

The reason she's not leaving is not important; what's important is that she's not leaving.

The first two batches of agents under the Grand Tutor's supervision left very easily, so why is it that it's not the same for you?

What? You want me to go and I still can't? So what? The true dragon is letting you go now. If you can't, you can't. Bringing up other things is useless.

As long as the true dragon isn't stupid, the relocation plan for the Year Beast's agents will continue, and the situation on the other side can't be dragged on like this any longer.

There are only two chess pieces. If the Grand Commandant can't handle something, then he has to be handed over to the Grand Tutor, who has a wealth of successful experience.

Whether it can be done or not is another matter. You can't make me work while cutting off my "hands and feet", can you?

So, after going around in circles, despite the dragon's warnings, everything will likely return to normal, with things "returning to their original state after a few harsh words," and "a self-punishment of three cups will result in nothing happening." This can be considered a tradition of court intrigue in the Yan Kingdom.

As long as there's no fundamental error, everything can be forgiven. But if you commit a fundamental error, even stepping into the palace gates with your left foot today could result in execution!

But then again...

Although the Grand Tutor did not believe that his judgment was wrong, the sudden convening of a "Grand Court Assembly" by the Emperor still made him somewhat suspicious.

The old man was cunning and calculating throughout his life, always striving to ensure that every move the enemy made was within his own plan. And Zhenlong's move was undoubtedly a "strange move" in one step.

He spent the entire Spring Festival period quietly withdrawing his power, staying at home for a month without concerning himself with court affairs or inquiring about palace secrets. And then, just as he was about to emerge from seclusion, he encountered something unexpected?

Which foreign dignitary has arrived? Is a grand assembly necessary to welcome them? But it's not a special occasion.

Or

The Grand Tutor then considered another possibility.

Although the possibility is very low, "Grand Court Assembly" actually has another usage.

The people of Yan have a long-standing tradition of holding large meetings for small matters and small meetings for big matters.

However, this tradition is not without its uncertainties.

If something is truly "too big," so big that "the fate of all people" is not just a slogan, so big that "the survival of the nation" is not an exaggeration, then in order to allow more people to make decisions together, share responsibilities together, and come up with solutions together, the true dragon will also convene a "grand assembly."

However, such a situation is extremely rare in the history of Yan Kingdom. Especially after successive emperors gradually centralized power, and the affairs of the world were decided by the word of one person, it was no longer permissible for the emperor to convene such a "grand court assembly" at will.

Because under absolute authoritarianism, praise and criticism are not allowed, and only one person can determine whether something is good or bad!

But that's unlikely, isn't it?

Feeling his right eyelid twitching slightly, the Grand Tutor dressed in his court robes, followed the orderly procession of people, and entered the main hall of the Forbidden City.

He glanced at the real dragon.

The dragon, dressed in imperial robes, sat regally on the dragon throne, a faint smile on his face, seemingly exceptionally relaxed.

The Grand Tutor breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Judging from his expression, Zhenlong is in a good mood. It shouldn't be anything serious.

He glanced again at the Grand Commandant, with whom he was, though "opponent," but whose relationship with him in private was not actually that bad.

The Grand Commandant also happened to turn his gaze toward him.

They both saw a hint of confusion in each other's eyes.

Do you know why the True Dragon suddenly convened a grand court assembly?

【I don’t know! 】

The two raised their eyebrows simultaneously, then nodded knowingly, making the same decision.

Wait and see!

It's better to stay still than to make a move. Let's see what kind of grand show His Majesty the Dragon is putting on this time!

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides of the court, while the emperor sat high on the throne, and a brief silence fell over the court.

Then, before anyone could react, or even before the emperor's eunuch could utter the classic opening line, "If you have something to report, speak up; if not, the court is adjourned," a clear and resounding voice echoed throughout the court in an instant!

Clad in a red robe, with horns on his head, piercing eyes, and high spirits, Lin Qingyan exchanged a glance with Zhenlong, stepped to the right, and stepped out from the ranks. Before the Grand Tutor and Grand Commandant could react, he knelt on one knee and proclaimed in a loud voice:

"Your subject, Lin Qingyan, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, hereby denounces the current Governor-General of Longmen—Wei Yanwu!"

"He deliberately sought to establish a separatist regime, disregarded the laws of Yan Kingdom, and privately revised the Longmen Code, the contents of which conflicted with the laws of Yan Kingdom in many ways. He had many assassins under his command and cultivated underground forces. Many of his subordinates only respected the Governor-General and not His Majesty. As a local governor-general, he privately colluded with high-ranking officials of the court and had many secret dealings with officials in the court. During the inspection by the Dali Temple, he was arrogant and rude and refused to cooperate."

She paused, her gaze firm and unwavering.

The true dragon, on her behalf, glanced at the officials in the court.

The Grand Tutor's eyes were wide open, the Grand Commandant clutched his chest, and the faces of the other officials, big and small, were even paler than the last. Their gazes darted back and forth between Lin Qingyan and Zhenlong. There were many who were bewildered, confused, pondering, and afraid, but no one dared to utter a sound.

The vast imperial court was now completely silent.

But this is nothing compared to what's to come.

Ling Zhenlong suppressed a laugh and looked at Lin Qingyan.

Lin Qingyan took a deep breath.

If the first part was what she genuinely wanted to say about Wei Yanwu, then the second part was what she said at the behest of the true emperor.

It was also the gu that truly saved her life.

"Your Majesty, through your investigation, discovered..."

"Decades ago, there was a cold case in the Great Yan Dynasty, which may have involved a wrongful conviction, and this wrongful conviction was directly related to Governor Wei Yanwu!"

injustice?

Decades ago?

Unsolved case?

The Grand Tutor swallowed hard.

He didn't know what Lin Qingyan was going to do, but his heart was in his throat!

No, may I call you "sister"? I want to live a couple more years, you're not going to bring up that matter, are you?

The Grand Tutor hadn't reacted yet, but the Grand Commandant was already getting restless.

He gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and was about to step forward to interrupt Lin Qingyan, but before he could even move, his voice had barely left his mouth: "Young Master Lin is utterly utterly nonsensical—"

Before the words "speak nonsense" could be uttered, the unhurried voice of the true dragon came from the dragon throne.

"The wrongful case from decades ago that Minister Lin mentioned, could it be the 'Grand Tutor's Rebellion Case'?"

Lin Qingyan lowered his head, but his voice remained firm: "Your Majesty, that's right!"

"So that's how it is. There was actually a miscarriage of justice in the Grand Tutor's treason case?"

The dragon's expression was displeased. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly changed the subject, looking at the Grand Commandant who had one foot outside the ranks, and asked:

"Did the Grand Commandant have something to say just now?"

"臣臣"

The Grand Commandant forced a smile, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

He originally wanted to interrupt Lin Qingyan, but the true dragon spoke up himself!

What can he do then? Can he still say that the true dragon is "talking nonsense"?

Gritting his teeth, he could only steel himself and say:

"I'm fine. My legs were just a little stiff, so I moved them around a bit."