Pampered by the Toughest Man After Divorce
Chapter 614 - 615: Who Will Be The Emperor_1

Chapter 614: Chapter 615: Who Will Be The Emperor_1

"It’s Xin Wen; they say it’s due to his successful directives in the northern battles. Yet we’re not unaware of the situation in the north, there’s been continual defeat. Where did this ’successful guidance’ come from?"

"Oh, so when was this Xin Wen actually sent to the north?"

"He only went there last year, came back after just a few months, and hasn’t gone there at all this year. Furthermore, he used to be my subordinate, but now..." Li Ze shook his head: "He’s above me."

Finishing speaking, Li Ze took a sip of wine then looked at Prime Minister Yan again: "Some might think I’m simply jealous if I say this. After all, a person climbing over my head must have some capabilities. But this Xin Wen, firstly, his Kung Fu is inferior to mine; secondly, he hasn’t the experience I have in leading troops. I grew up in the military camp, and it’s only through diligent training and hard study that I’ve mastered my military command skills. He, on the other hand, is a civil official by background, knows some Kung Fu, and has surpassed me only after a year in the military department. Prime Minister Yan, I must admit, this truly confounds me. I share these thoughts only with you; I will not say them to others."

Prime Minister Yan chuckled and refilled Li Ze’s glass: "I understand your frustration. Not just you, but yesterday a military leader was also transferred, sent to the northern warfront."

Li Ze was somewhat surprised but then said, "It’s normal for personnel transfers to take place: those who perform well are promoted, those who don’t are demoted. However, I feel there’s something strange about what’s happening to me."

"Besides feeling it’s unfair, what else do you find strange?" asked Prime Minister Yan.

However, Li Ze hesitated and didn’t dare say.

Prime Minister Yan poured Li Ze another glass of wine: "Li Ze, though we’ve met only a few times, I truly respect you as a person. If you trust me, don’t hesitate to speak."

Li Ze thought for a moment, then tossed back his glass of wine: "Never mind, I’m already in this sorry state. It doesn’t matter if I say it."

Li Ze looked around to ensure nobody was nearby, then lowered his voice: "That Xin Wen, I heard, is a distant relative of Lord Qin Kun."

"Oh? Is that so?"

As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Yan had already sent people to investigate Xin Wen. However, aside from finding out he grew up within the jurisdiction and had an uncle in the military camp, they found nothing else; he seemed to have a clean family background with no known connections to any minister.

Therefore, Prime Minister Yan sought to discuss this matter with Li Ze, who, having worked in the military department for many years, might know some inside stories.

Seeing that Prime Minister Yan didn’t quite believe Xin Wen was Qin Kun’s cousin, Li Ze said, "Prime Minister, initially I found it hard to believe as well. But back when Xin Wen was still under me, I saw him receiving and subsequently burning some letters. This happened several times and coupled with the fact that someone told me that Xin Wen had a mistress outside who frequently wrote him letters, I didn’t think much of it."

"But then, a few months ago, I had to see him for some matter when he wasn’t there. I noticed some bits of paper next to the side charcoal burner. I glanced at them and saw the word ’Qin’. Of course, I still didn’t suspect Lord Qin; it seemed unlikely that Xin Wen had anything to do with him. Until a month ago, when a few of us from the military department gathered at an inn, we dined and chatted about various matters. As the wine flowed, our words grew bolder, and we even started speculating about Lord Qin’s eventual retirement and return to his hometown. Someone boldly speculated that Lord Qin was bound to become the Emperor. At that point, Xin Wen suddenly asked us whether, if he indeed became the Emperor, we would obey him?"