Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 592 - 76: Comments from the Three Kings, Dispositions and Transfer Orders (Final - of This Volume)_7

Chapter 592: Chapter 76: Comments from the Three Kings, Dispositions and Transfer Orders (Final Chapter of This Volume)_7

Ji Chen, however, did not heed Zhang Wensong this time, rebuking him sternly, "Sir, please hold your tongue!"

Zhang Wensong was stunned.

"What legality and disorder? These are just internal struggles!" A trace of ferocity flashed in Ji Chen’s eyes, revealing his long-suppressed nature, "Killing a few Barbarian prisoners, why should it lead to the execution of many from Great Zhou’s fourth and fifth ranks? Even though my teacher is already retired, he was still stripped of his honors."

"It is you who advised me to keep stepping back, continuously counseling my father to please Liu Tianning, which resulted in his disciples acting arrogantly and causing today’s disaster!"

Ji Chen, grasping his treasured sword, revealed a terrifyingly grim expression, "Are you giving your counsel for me or for someone else?!"

Zhang Wensong’s eyes flashed with disappointment; Ji Chen’s words were tantamount to questioning his loyalty.

He didn’t explain himself; instead, he got down on his knees and placed his forehead to the ground.

"Since the noble son no longer trusts me, please behead me to alleviate your anger."

"But now, under no circumstances should you incite party conflicts or retaliate against Liu Tianning, seeing that as a prince he is already the ultimate servant of the state, envied and constantly scrutinized."

"At such a critical moment, the noble son ought to..."

Zhang Wensong could not continue, because Ji Chen had left the room while he was still speaking.

Many footsteps could be heard outside the room, passing behind the screen.

Faintly, Ji Chen’s voice could be heard as he convened his strategists for discussion.

He had been utterly abandoned.

...

Although Zhao Xing did not issue the verdict, the person was arrested in his defense area.

Actually, whether this defense area was even Zhao Xing’s is debatable, as Yi Zhiwen initially crossed through the Five Plate Army’s defense area.

Zhao Xing reached out and forcefully pulled him into his defense area, publicly claiming Yi Zhiwen had passed through it and that he had spotted something unusual.

But anyone with a clear eye could see, this was a targeted action!

The areas were exchanged, agencies mobilized, people seized, evidence gathered—all so quickly, if not targeted, what else could it be?

"Several from the fourth rank have been executed, the struggle within parties is indeed more perilous than war itself."

Zhao Xing looked at the report and couldn’t help but shake his head.

He only ordered one table’s worth of dishes, yet multiple groups showed up.

He only captured Ji Yuanqiu, the "pig," yet many followed the trail to find a whole group of wild pigs.

The outcomes that followed were indeed beyond Zhao Xing’s expectations.

However, since he had already done it, Mr. Zhao was not afraid.

Still, it involved only mid-level figures, so the impact was limited.

Prince Liang’s Party quickly reacted, bringing forward several old officials to take the blame.

It seemed like several ranks four and many ranks five had been executed, but in reality, only marginal figures were involved.

One case involving Ji Yuanqiu wouldn’t be enough to topple Prince Liang; otherwise, he would have fallen a century ago.

For Prince Liang’s Party, it wouldn’t even count as a scratch.

"Now I should really leave," Zhao Xing thought inwardly, "Seize the opportunity to criticize Prince Liang, and boost my reputation."

He figured there would be a price to pay, so the price would not be in vain.

Reputation must be fully cultivated.

When eventually Prince Liang rebels, his reputation will come into play.

...

But the storm brought about by the Ji Yuanqiu case soon passed.

Because the war continued.

In the calm month of February, Zhao Xing’s routine was to eat, sleep, and scold Prince Liang.

He didn’t charge Prince Liang with any actual crimes, just scolded him.

Scolding him in public and in private letters.

In essence, Mr. Zhao was now shaping himself as a firm ’Anti-Liang Party’ member.

Appearing almost like Prince Liang could rebel tomorrow.

Before that, Zhao Xing and Liu Tianning had a private conversation.

"Teacher, I’m at fault," Zhao Xing said.

"In what way are you at fault?" Liu Tianning asked.

"This incident will surely cause Prince Liang’s Party to target you after the fact," Zhao Xing said.

"How do you know I haven’t taken any action?" Liu Tianning responded indifferently, "You found evidence against Prince Liang’s Party, isn’t the Supervision Department just sitting idle?"

"You’re investigating?"

Liu Tianning did not respond directly, "You mentioned something correctly, Prince Liang’s authority is immense, already at the summit of his position. With such power, how could no one be watching."

"I am indeed curious to know your true thoughts, as you are not one to act impulsively," Zhao Xing paused and said, "I witnessed Prince Liang wielding his power twice. Though there were merits, the resentment among the lower ranks intensified, like Yang An, who should have been titled a Marquis, yet he was suppressed."

"How could such a commander achieve victory in war? I fear defeat."

"What if he wins?"

"Prince Liang has reached the heights of a servant, with nothing left to reward or title, should he win, I’m afraid he might..." Zhao Xing paused and said, "Anyway, staying in the army, I feel stifled and I do not wish to help this man build an unmatched reputation."

"With me here, you need not worry about being treated unfairly," Liu Tianning reassured.

"I don’t want to burden you," Zhao Xing shook his head, "Nor should you do anything for my sake. Even if Prince Liang’s Party wants to dismiss me, please do not intervene."

This sounded like a spur of the moment remark, but it carried some truth.

Zhao Xing was also somewhat warning Lao Liu.

Liu Tianning pondered for a while and decided not to persuade any further: "That might be best."

...

In early March, Prince Liang was appointed as the Commander of Pacifying Barbarians and also as a State Lord.

In non-wartime, administrative structures at the state level were not established in the Nine Provinces, but now they were.

As Zhao Xing had predicted, Prince Liang was hardly affected.

Even in this lifetime, his power was even greater.

"It’s started, brother is beginning to fish for little brother," Zhao Xing grinned when he saw the appointment, "The bait is even better than in the previous life."

Scolding continued until April.

Zhao Xing finally faced retaliation.

On April 5th,

a law enforcement barge came to the Divine Might Army’s Military Department camp.