Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 715 - 590: Swallowing the Heart of the Four Seas_1

Chapter 715: Chapter 590: Swallowing the Heart of the Four Seas_1

The Jingtai Emperor’s attitude also changed: "Now that the Black Deer King has appeared, you should prioritize capturing this heavenly demon king, all other affairs can be temporarily suspended.

As for the guarding of the Wu Gate, before you catch him, you can appoint someone else from your subordinates. By the way, I heard you recently took in a heavenly ranked guest Qing named Dongfang Liang in your mansion? You may allow him to stand in for you in the palace for a while."

"Your servant obeys!" Li Xuan answered, slightly puzzled, not understanding why the Jingtai Emperor specifically mentioned Dongfang Liang.

He even personally ordered a minister’s heavenly ranked guest Qing to guard the palace - such a thing has never happened in the history of the dynasty.

Li Xuan suspected that there might be something wrong with the Jingtai Emperor’s health.

After all, by common sense, under the security situation in the palace where Jingtai Emperor, Hongshang, the chief butler of the Sili Bureau Qian Long and Helian Fulong hold heavenly ranks, there should not be a strong need for security.

As far as Li Xuan knew, the royal family also maintained an ’Darkdragon Guard’.

’Darkdragon Guard’s mechanism is unknown, outsiders do not know its importance.

Only rumors say that Darkdragon Guard’s numbers are between three and five, and at some special moments, in some special places, they have strength not inferior to the Great Heavenly Position.

This is also one of the forces that deter the world by the royal family of the Jin Dynasty. It is said that the reason why the Jianling Emperor was able to flee from Nanjing in the past was relying on these ’Darkdragon Guards’, resisting the many heavenly rank generals under Emperor Taizong’s command.

So even if the True Emperor and Empress Dowager really have the heart to restore, their chances of success are very slim under the alert of Jingtai Emperor.

However, the actions of Jingtai Emperor can be said to be unreserved trust in him.

This regard for the safety of the palace is also excellent news for Li Xuan.

After discussing this matter, Li Xuan was ready to retire.

But at this point, Li Xuan realized that Jingtai Emperor’s gaze was somewhat complex, a look that contained annoyance, some helplessness, and even a bit of wanting to swallow Li Xuan alive, which left Li Xuan in confusion.

Earlier when he entered the palace, the Jingtai Emperor had looked at him with such an expression.

It was only during their discussion of a serious matter that the Jingtai Emperor slightly concealed it.

Initially, Li Xuan thought that the emotions of the Jingtai Emperor were due to the Golden Knife Case. But now it seems that the Jingtai Emperor might have some dissatisfaction with him.

Li Xuan eventually left the Qianqing Palace in confusion, utterly baffled.

What he didn’t know was that shortly after he left, Jingtai Emperor let out a light snort, casting his sharp gaze like a knife to Yu Hongchang.

Yu Hongchang’s face turned slightly red, avoiding the gaze of the Jingtai Emperor.

Meanwhile, the chief butler of the Sili Bureau, Qian Long, hurried in from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, the cabinet ministers and major and minor nine Qing, Shilang of the six ministries have all gathered at the Taihe Gate. Are you planning to go there in person or continue to have the regent preside over the morning meeting?"

Today is just a small morning meeting, only the major and minor nine Qing and Shilang of the six ministries and above are qualified to participate.

"I have already decreed, the period of regency of Princess Changle extended by two months, should I not keep my word?"

The Jingtai Emperor waved his hand, his face somewhat weary: "You may go to the Taihe Palace and inform the ministers that the Princess is talking to me in the Qianqing Palace and will come later. Don’t disclose the fact that I have left the palace to the ministers."

"This servant understands!" The chief butler of the Sili Bureau, Qian Long immediately bowed slightly, his face showing a hesitant expression: "Your Majesty, on my way here, I met the head of the Duzhi Bureau, eunuch Wang Chuanhua. He said that you intend to expand the left Shenji battalion and are planning to station them permanently in the palace?"

Jingtai Emperor remained silent, and asked expressionlessly: "What do you want to say?"

He had just given instructions to Wang Chuanhua to go to the Sili Bureau, Cabinet, and Ministry of War, to convey his will.

"Your Majesty, this old servant worries whether you have bestowed too much favour on Marquis of Guanjun?"

When Chief Butler Qian Long, from the Sili Bureau, uttered these words, he found Yu Hongshang’s gaze on him suddenly sharp.

But Qian Long didn’t care. He believed these words came from his public-spirited heart.

Princess Changle Yu Hongshang was a wise and magnanimous person; she would understand his deep concern.

Even if she didn’t, that didn’t matter -

"Your Majesty, this old servant has heard that Li Xuan has a wide circle of acquaintances, closely associated with many at the heavenly level, and with various powers. When he recently surrounded and killed Demon Master Ban Ruyi, the heavenly-level experts he commanded caused awe and surprise; there were reportedly over ten of them.

Moreover, under his command, there is a guest Qing at the heavenly level, a man named Xuanchenzi, who is also said to have heavenly-level combat power. His father and brothers, on the other hand, not only control the grain transportation and Yangzhou navy, but also have a high reputation among the Yangtze River naval forces. If they harbor any unforeseen intentions, they could at any time cut off the Yangtze River, North and South.

Your Majesty, Marquis of Guanjun is the Hufa of Neo-Confucianism in this world, a man with Haoqi Liuli. His character is undoubtedly impeccable. But if, because of this, he is not restricted and not properly protected, even great loyal ministers like Yue Wumu and Wen Zhonglie might not resist deviating onto the evil path of Cao Cao and Wang Mang."

The expression of Emperor Jingtai remained unchanged: "Who taught you these words? Or which person has been planting ideas into your ear, Qian Long?"

Qian Long was taken aback; indeed, someone had suggested these matters to him.

That person was a eunuch under his command, the lead eunuch of his department, the Jingying military supervisor, Cao Jixiang.

But Qian Long was a benevolent character who would not betray his subordinates at such a time. Besides, Cao Jixiang’s words made much sense.

So, after hearing, he just bowed deeply: "All these are my own thoughts."

"You, Qian Long, are not like that."

Emperor Jingtai shook his head with a bemused smile, not believing him.

But he did not press further. Since his return, more than one person had mentioned the past deeds of Cao Cao and Wang Mang before him, and though their words were not as direct as Qian Long’s, Emperor Jingtai could hear that all their implied criticisms were aimed at the Marquis of Guanjun.

"You old servant, you worry too much. I am quite clear about the character and temperament of Marquis of Guanjun, he is absolutely not the same as Cao Cao or Wang Mang. I have my own judgement when it comes to employing people, I do not need your Qian Long’s interference. What you need to do now is help me manage the state affairs and supervise the cabinet. All other matters, you don’t have to worry about!"

By the time Emperor Jingtai finished, his tone had harshened.

He considered himself well aware of the character of Li Xuan and since he could tolerate the previous Emperor Zhengtong, and the assertiveness of Yu Jie, and the arrogance of Liang Heng, how could he not tolerate his Marquis of Guanjun?

Moreover, Li Xuan now did not have the power and influence like Cao Cao or Wang Mang of the past.

"Your Majesty -"

Qian Long was still worried, but just as he was about to speak, Emperor Jingtai’s eyes turned sharp and he interrupted, "Enough! I don’t want to hear any more about this from you, Qian Long!"

Only when he saw that Qian Long’s face turned slightly pale and he dared not utter another word, did Emperor Jingtai relax his tone: "You can go to Taihe Palace and inform all the officials that Princess Changle is talking with me in Qianqing Palace and will arrive soon."

When Qian Long left, Yu Hongshang looked worriedly at her father: "Father, you -"

"You can rest assured."

Emperor Jingtai laughed bitterly, shaking his head: "Although I would kill that little rascal now if I could, I know that he is the true pillar of my Jin Dynasty."

He stared into the void with his hands behind his back, a sense of instruction in his words: "From the time I was young, I knew that I lack talent in military affairs and governance, I could hardly be considered as a man of character. So, if I want to govern the world, I have to rely heavily on the power of loyal ministers and valiant generals. But how can I make the truly talented and heroic serve me if I lack the ambition and the belief of encompassing the four seas?"