Chapter 928

The masked person sat in the chief seat, slightly nodding: "Everyone, rise."

Translation: "The Masked Man sat in the chief seat, slightly nodding: 'Everyone, rise.'"

Check: "sat in the chief seat" -> sat in the chief seat. "slightly nodding" -> slightly nodding. "Everyone, rise" -> Everyone, rise.

We'll output: 【1】 The Masked Man sat in the chief seat, slightly nodding: "Everyone, rise."

Everyone took their seats.

Translation: "Everyone sat down."

One person stood up, eyes gleaming: "Supreme Leader, I originally thought that only in great chaos could we seize the moment and unite the land."

Translation: "One person rose, eyes gleaming: 'Supreme Exalted, I originally thought that only in great chaos could we seize the moment and unite the land.'"

Check: "Only when the world is in great turmoil can we take advantage and rise to unite the land." Means "Only when the world is in great turmoil can we take advantage and rise to unite the land." We'll translate: "Only in great chaos could we seize the moment and unite the land." Good.

As it turns out, it's actually unnecessary.

Translation: "Now it seems, it's no longer necessary."

"Well said," another person also stood up: "The border war, the great Xia's national strength declining, internal strife incessant, is nothing to fear."

Note there is a quoting error in source: double quotes. We'll translate as: "Well said," another person also stood up: "The border war, Da Xia's national strength waning, internal strife incessant—there's nothing to fear."

We need to keep punctuation as close as possible but natural English. We'll output: 【5】 "Well said," another person also stood up: "The border war, Da Xia's national strength waning, internal strife incessant—there's nothing to fear."

Xilu and the Western Regions, thanks to the Protectorate Princess, have become allies with Lie State.

Translation: "West Lu and the Western Regions, thanks to the Princess Consort, have become allies of the Fierce Kingdom."

"Yes," another person stood up: "Now Goryeo is a vassal, Dongying will soon fall, and Taiwan has also been subdued."

Translation: "Yes," another person rose: "Now Gao Li is a vassal, the Eastern Ocean will soon fall, and Taiwan has also been subdued."

All that the emperor has done has already made Lie State the hegemon of the world.

Translation: "What the Emperor has done has already made the Fierce Kingdom the hegemon of the world."

I, the Youming Peak, only need to control the court, and this great undertaking of unifying the world will be within easy reach!

Translation: "If we, the Netherworld Summit, only need to control the court, this great undertaking of unifying the world will be within easy reach!"

The first to speak said: "Exactly! How could this not be a fortunate surprise?"

Translation: "The first speaker said: 'Exactly! How could this not be a fortunate surprise?'"

We've painstakingly worked for so many years, isn't it all for this day?

Translation: "We've painstakingly cultivated for so many years—isn't this the day we've been working for?"

Now Lie State's foundation grows ever more stable, which is increasingly advantageous for us of Youming Peak.

Translation: "Now the Fierce Kingdom's foundations grow ever more stable, which is ever more advantageous for our Netherworld Summit."

The masked person raised the wine cup and lifted it toward everyone.

Translation: "The Masked Man lifted his wine cup and raised it toward everyone."

Everyone hurriedly raised their wine cups and all stood up.

Translation: "Everyone hurriedly lifted their wine cups and all rose to their feet."

However, the masked person slightly tilted the cup, pouring out the wine inside.

Translation: "The Masked Man, however, tilted the cup slightly and poured out the wine inside."

The wine formed a thin, elongated arc, silently falling to the ground.

Translation: "The wine drew a thin, long arc, falling silently to the ground."

This cup is in honor of those who fell for the cause of Youming Peak. The masked person's voice heavy: "In the future, I will erect monuments and build shrines for them."

Translation: "This cup is a toast to those who fell for the cause of the Netherworld Summit." The Masked Man's voice was heavy: "In the future, I will erect monuments and build shrines for them."

Let the world remember their achievements!

Translation: "Let the world remember their achievements!"

Seeing this, everyone followed suit, pouring the wine onto the ground.

Translation: "Seeing this, everyone followed suit, pouring their wine onto the ground."

The masked person picked up the wine jug, refilled a cup, and held it high.

Translation: "The Masked Man picked up the wine jug, refilled a cup, and held it high."

Everyone here will become the future right-hand ministers.

Translation: "All of you here will become the right-hand ministers of the future."

When that day comes, what Youming Peak can grant you is to be awarded lands and titles, and to leave your names in history!

Translation: "When that day comes, what the Netherworld Summit can grant you is to be enfeoffed with land and leave your name in history!"

Having said that, he drank it all in one gulp.

Translation: "Having said that, he drained the cup in one gulp."

Everyone's eyes lit up, and they shouted in unison: "In this turbid age, we shall overthrow; Youming shall reign supreme! Cleanse the mountains and rivers, and the world shall know peace!"

Translation: "Everyone's eyes lit up, and in unison they cried: 'The turbid world shall fall; the Netherworld shall be supreme! Cleanse the mountains and rivers, and the world shall know peace!'"

Having said that, they all tilted their heads back and drank every drop of wine from their cups.

Translation: "Having said that, they all tilted their heads back, not leaving a single drop of wine in their cups."

Everyone reseated themselves.

Translation: "Everyone reseated themselves."

"Supreme Leader," one person spoke carefully, "I have a matter I don't understand."

Translation: "Supreme Exalted," one person said hesitantly, "I have a matter I don't understand."

The masked person said: "Speak."

Translation: "The Masked Man said: 'Speak.'"

The relations of Xilu and the Western Regions with Lie State depend entirely on the Protectorate Princess; if the great undertaking succeeds and she rebels, what then?

Translation: "West Lu and the Western Regions' relations with the Fierce Kingdom hinge entirely on the Princess Consort; if the great undertaking succeeds and she rebels, what then?"

She won't. The masked person's reply was blunt: "She hates seeing the people suffer war and displacement, and would never raise an army."

Translation: "She won't." The Masked Man's reply was blunt: "She most hates to see the common folk suffer war and displacement; she would never raise troops."

He paused: "At that time I will personally place the Ning King's consort under house arrest as a hostage, so she dares not act rashly."

Translation: "He paused: 'At that time I will personally place the Princess Consort Ning under house arrest as a hostage, so she dare not act rashly.'"

Supreme Leader is wise, but what about the Ning King? His three sons now all hold high positions.

Translation: "Supreme Exalted is wise, but what about Prince Ning? His three sons now all hold high positions."

The masked person's voice carried a smile: "The world is already settled; although the Ning King is a war god, he now has no battlefield to employ his talents."

Note there is an extra quote. We'll translate: "The Masked Man's voice carried a smile: 'The world is already settled; though Prince Ning is a God of War, he now has no battlefield to speak of.'"

Moreover, all my plans are open and aboveboard, leaving him with no recourse.

Translation: "Moreover, this Venerable One's schemes are all open and aboveboard, leaving him with no recourse."

Yes, Supreme Leader is wise; I am simply shallow.

Translation: "Yes, Supreme Exalted is wise; I am simply shallow."

At the same moment, in the Ning King's mansion, study.

Translation: "At the same moment, in the study of the Ning Prince's Mansion."

The Ning King and his four sons sat outside the writing desk.

Translation: "The Prince Ning and his four sons sat outside the writing desk."

Emperor Xiao Jieyun sat behind the desk, with Crown Prince Xiao Ze beside him.

Translation: "Emperor Xiao Jieyun sat behind the case, with Crown Prince Xiao Ze at his side."

Xiao Jieyun's face was grim as water: "A great fire has engulfed the Five Cities Military Command, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War."

Translation: "Xiao Jieyun's face sank like water: 'A single fire has engulfed the Five City Military Command, the Ministry of Household, and the Ministry of War.'"

Xiao Ze nodded: "The other side struck ruthlessly, completely disregarding the lives of the people."

Translation: "Xiao Ze nodded: 'The other side struck ruthlessly, completely disregarding the lives of the common folk.'"

Xiao Ningxuan said: "Your Majesty, this is someone trying to seize the court."

Translation: "Xiao Ningxun said: 'Your Majesty, this is someone trying to seize the court.'"

Xiao Yuanchen nodded: "If the Ministers of Personnel, Revenue, and War are all replaced, the real power of the court will likely fall into others' hands."

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang nodded: 'If the Ministers of Personnel, Household, and War were all replaced, the real power of the court would likely fall into others' hands.'"

Xiao Ningchen looked doubtful: "Father, I can't understand; even if those three ministers are replaced, wouldn't the newcomers also be court officials?"

Translation: "Xiao Ningchen looked doubtful: 'Father, I can't understand—even if those three ministers were replaced, wouldn't the newcomers also be imperial officials?'"

It's not foreign spies, so how could the court change hands?

Translation: "It's not like they're foreign spies—how could the court change hands?"

Xiao Ningxuan pondered: "Unless, those who come in have another hidden identity."

Translation: "Xiao Ningxun pondered: 'Unless, those who come in have another hidden identity.'"

Xiao Ningchen asked: "What identity?"

Translation: "Xiao Ningchen asked: 'What identity?'"

Xiao Ningxuan shook his head: "We still cannot know."

Translation: "Xiao Ningxun shook his head: 'We still have no way of knowing.'"

Xiao Yuanchen said: "His Majesty has ordered Han Chong to capture the culprit within three days; if he fails..."

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang said: 'His Majesty has ordered Han Chong to capture the chief culprit within three days; if he fails...'"

Xiao Jieyun's expression unchanged: "Punish him strictly according to law."

Translation: "Xiao Jieyun's expression unchanged: 'Punish him strictly according to law.'"

Xiao Ningxuan asked: "What about the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue?"

Translation: "Xiao Ningxun asked: 'What about the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household?'"

The emperor glanced at him: "The law stands here; how could I show leniency?"

Translation: "The Emperor glanced at him: 'State law stands here—how could I show leniency?'"

The father and sons exchanged glances, all understanding: it seems those two ministers will likely be replaced.

Translation: "The father and sons exchanged a glance, all understood: it seems those two ministers are likely to be replaced."

The Minister of Personnel, Yuan, has family scandals exposed; if another mistake occurs, he will surely not be spared.

Translation: "The Minister of Personnel, Yuan, has his family scandal exposed; if another mistake occurs, he will surely not keep his post."

Xiao Ze spoke slowly: "Father handles it according to law; I believe it is right, and we must not let a few petty scoundrels destroy the law."

Translation: "Xiao Ze spoke slowly: 'Father Emperor handles it according to law; as your servant, I believe this is right—we must not let a few petty scoundrels destroy the law.'"

If so, we might as well go with the flow; later we can see who is most likely to take those seats.

Translation: "If so, we might as well go with the flow; later we'll see who is most likely to take those seats."

Xiao Ningxuan nodded: "The Crown Prince's words are absolutely correct; now I am in the light, they in the dark; rather than guess, we should wait for them to surface and then investigate."

Translation: "Xiao Ningxun nodded: 'The Crown Prince's words are quite right; now I am in the light, the enemy in the dark—rather than guess, we should wait for them to surface and then investigate.'"

The emperor scanned everyone: "Xiao Ningyuan, why do you remain silent?"

Translation: "The Emperor scanned the crowd: 'Xiao Ningyuan, why do you remain silent?'"

Xiao Ningyuan startled: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue's account books were burned; Minister Gu ordered me to spend the night copying from memory the account books I had read."

Translation: "Xiao Ningyuan startled: 'I report to Your Majesty, the Ministry of Household's account books were burned; Minister Gu ordered me to copy from memory the account books I had reviewed.'"

"My mind is now full of accounts... please forgive me, Your Majesty," he scratched his head: "I really can't take in anything else."

Translation: "'I am now filled with accounts... please forgive me, Your Majesty,' he scratched the back of his head: 'I really can't take in anything else.'"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Xiao Jieyun curled the corner of his mouth slightly: "Go then; if the Ministry of Revenue wants to audit the accounts, they certainly can't do without you."

"His Majesty's praise is mistaken," Xiao Ningyuan rose, "I take my leave." Having said so, he stepped out.

Xiao Jieyun asked Tuan Tuan about her recent situation, heard that she goes to the Song Residence to study every day, and nodded in satisfaction.

He stood up: "I and the Crown Prince are returning to the Palace; from now on all deliberations will be held here."

"As you command!" The crowd hurried to stand, saluted, and said, "We respectfully see His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince off."

Xiao Jieyun and Xiao Ze went out the back door, slipped into a small sedan chair, and left the Ning Prince's Mansion.

Three days later, Han Chong of the Five Cities Military Office failed to identify the culprit, and was stripped of his post for investigation.

The Emperor issued an edict ordering the Ministry of War to take over the matter, with a ten‑day deadline.

Ten days later, Minister Qin Zheng of the Ministry of War found no results in the case and was dismissed.

Xiao Ningyuan submitted the transcribed account book to the Ministry of Revenue, making his name famous throughout Jingcheng.

Gu Yucheng treated it as a priceless treasure, praising it endlessly.

Immediately, the Ministry of Revenue cross‑checked the local ledgers and discovered a shortfall of eight hundred thousand taels in Xuzhou's tax revenue.

The Emperor ordered Minister Gu Yucheng of the Ministry of Revenue to investigate the causes in detail and report to the Court.

The Ministry of Revenue issued a joint‑investigation document, uncovering that the prefect of Xuzhou colluded with subordinates to embezzle tax silver, resulting in the dismissal of more than twenty officials.

Minister Yuan of the Ministry of Personnel was also dismissed for negligence.

With both ministers removed, the Court was filled with ominous rumors, and everyone felt insecure.

Gu Yucheng, trembling with fear, submitted a memorial stating that he was old and ill, and requested retirement to his hometown.

That day, Xiao Er took Tuan Tuan's small hand and walked into the back courtyard of the Song Residence.

Song Shujun was sitting on a stone bench, embroidering something.

She saw the two, set down her needle and thread, took a letter from her sleeve, and said, "Tuan Tuan, come quickly."

Tuan Tuan released Xiao Er's hand and ran over: "Sister! What's this?"

"Hold onto this letter; it's from Grandfather to be given to Prince Ning." She handed the letter to Tuan Tuan.

"Got it!" Tuan Tuan took it, turned and thrust it to the Xiao Er behind her, "Uncle Xiao Er, give it to Father; I've been sleeping these days and he still hasn't returned home."

Xiao Er took it, solemnly tucked it into his chest: "Miss, rest assured, I will personally deliver it to the Prince."

Song Zhulin ran over: "Tuan Tuan, I caught a big cricket; come quickly and see!"

The two children darted away in an instant, disappearing from sight.

Song Shujun watched their backs, shook her head and smiled lightly.

She turned, poured a cup of tea, and said, "General Xiao, please sit."

Xiao Er sat down as if it were routine.

That night, after Tuan Tuan fell asleep, Xiao Er entered the study and presented the letter to Prince Ning, who had just returned to the mansion.

Xiao Yuanhang took out the letter, unfolded it, a faint smile appearing at his lips, and read aloud: "A general's lineage yields a tiger cub; the master's house boasts fragrant orchids."

He gently placed the letter on the desk: "It seems Lord Song intends to marry Miss Song into my Ning Prince's Mansion."

Xiao Er's complexion changed abruptly.