Chapter 172

"Investigate the Jingzhou Prefect?"

"Ming Shaoxia?"

Chen Yan's eyes narrowed slightly as he savored the hidden mission issued by Grand Chancellor Dad and muttered: "Are you suspecting...?"

At this point, Chen Yan's voice came to an abrupt halt.

Because a bold guess had already surfaced in his mind!

"It is exactly as you think..."

Yuwen Hu seemed to see through Chen Yan's thoughts and said decisively.

He paused, then continued: "This King believes that the banditry in Jingzhou was created by this Prefect Ming!"

It wasn't a fantasy or a speculation, but there was various evidence pointing to it.

But for some reason, that Jingzhou Prefect appeared somewhat strange and overly abnormal!

During the time Taizu served as Grand Chancellor, he was a capable official who managed Jingzhou in an orderly manner, but now everything had changed...

Therefore, Yuwen Hu wanted to use the name of suppressing bandits to let Chen Yan investigate it clearly!

"Your subordinate understands."

Chen Yan nodded and replied: "I will definitely investigate the relationship between the Jingzhou banditry and the Jingzhou Prefect..."

"No!"

"It's more than that!"

Yuwen Hu raised his hand to interrupt, shook his head slightly, and said in a low voice: "That fellow is also using this King's banner to extort and exploit the people, and to annex land at low prices..."

Although Ming Shaoxia acted very covertly and sealed the news well, there is no wall without cracks in the world, and wind had reached Yuwen Hu's ears.

This was the point that was even more intolerable!

Good fellow, is this Ming guy even more arrogant than me?... Chen Yan twitched his mouth, sighed in his heart, and probed: "Then what is your intention, Grand Chancellor...?"

Chen Yan roughly understood the Grand Chancellor's intention.

But he still had to figure out to what extent the leader needed him to go...

Yuwen Hu stood up, paced to the back, rested his hands on the back of the chair, and said in a low voice: "Jingzhou is far from Chang'an; there is no need to ask for instructions—I still grant you the power to execute first and report later!"

"A Yan, just play it by ear!"

Yuwen Hu knew Chen Yan's ability better than anyone.

Without restrictions or frameworks, this child would definitely be able to handle it beautifully!

He had never let anyone worry...

Playing it by ear is good, playing it by ear is wonderful... Chen Yan heard this, his joy showing on his face, excited and overjoyed, and he bowed: "Your subordinate accepts the order!"

Chen Yan loved working for this kind of leader.

Giving clear instructions, giving room to play, only wanting results, never pointing fingers, and having full trust...

If he couldn't do this well, he would be truly worthless!

Having the power to execute first and report later, and being able to experience the feeling of being a "local emperor" in Jingzhou...

Yuwen Hu stroked his jade thumb ring, as if thinking of something, and continued to add: "If Ming Shaoxia jumps over the wall in desperation during the investigation, you can dismiss him from his post as Jingzhou Prefect on the spot..."

"And simultaneously take control of all military and political affairs in Jingzhou!"

After speaking, he signaled Chen Yan with his eyes to open the drawer and take out the imperial edict that had already been prepared.

Yuwen Hu knew very well that the trip to Jingzhou would not be easy; he had to delegate power and give enough room to play...

After all, if the Jingzhou banditry really had a connection with Ming Shaoxia, then this guy was probably already harboring disloyalty and plotting something...

He couldn't let A Yan be tied up; he had to give him the power to make decisive decisions!

!!!... Chen Yan heard this and immediately became excited, swearing: "Grand Chancellor, rest assured, your subordinate will definitely rectify Jingzhou and will never fail your trust!"

Ming Shaoxia had to be taken down, and the impact had to be minimized...

He must never fail Grand Chancellor Dad's trust!

If the ruler treats me as a national scholar, I should repay him as a national scholar!

"I am very reassured by your handling of matters..."

Yuwen Hu nodded and smiled.

He paused, changed the subject, and exhorted: "It's just that A Ze is dull and his reading is too pedantic; you must teach your silly brother well along the way!"

Yuwen Hu didn't worry about A Yan's ability at all...

The only thing he had a headache about was his own useless son!

He was obedient and learned military books, strategy, and government affairs well, but he lacked a certain drive...

His character also lacked firmness, decisiveness, and cunning.

If he were born into an ordinary family, that would be excellent, but he was the future Jin Wang, his own successor, and that was far from enough!

He had to let this child make up for that shortcoming during his tempering!

"Yes." Chen Yan replied.

Yuwen Hu sat back in his original seat, smiled lightly, and said in a low voice: "As for why I arranged for those people to go together, you should understand my intention..."

His words were full of playfulness.

Just a moment ago, when A Yan hesitated and didn't express his stance, Yuwen Hu knew that this child had already guessed it and understood his intention...

"Your subordinate understands!" Chen Yan said with a tacit understanding, smiling.

This time on the trip to Jingzhou, he had three tasks:

Suppress bandits, handle Ming Shaoxia, and find a way to win over these people's hearts.

If they were truly unconvinced and difficult to befriend, he could also let them have a reasonable accident...

People, you have to learn to be flexible; there are many ways to do things.

The next day.

Early morning.

Assembly point.

A tall and burly cavalry general had been waiting for a long time, came to Chen Yan, who had just arrived, tidied his attire, and bowed respectfully: "Your subordinate Helian Shi reports to you, my lord!"

"Good, with a fierce warrior like you who can behead generals, seize flags, and break through formations, suppressing bandits in Jingzhou won't be too difficult!" Chen Yan reached out, lifted Helian Shi up, and smiled.

After speaking, he looked out, and the hundred cavalrymen ready to go were all familiar faces.

They were all old men who had followed Chen Yan to pacify the chaos in Qinzhou.

"My lord, there's also your subordinate!" Another cavalry general walked out and laughed loudly.

"He Ba Le, you've come too?" Chen Yan raised his eyes and recognized the person at a glance, "Very good!"

It was He Ba Le, who had astonishing arm strength at Eagle Hawk Valley and shot the rebel reinforcements leader with an arrow.

They were all elite soldiers and fierce generals, which would save a lot of trouble.

Immediately, Chen Yan pulled these old acquaintances to reminisce...

"Look at the Zhuque Mirror Master chatting with these cavalry generals; they must be his old subordinates from the Qinzhou pacification!"

Liu Yuanjing, who had already arrived, took in this scene, thought for a moment, and judged.

"Elite cavalry against old, weak, and scattered mobs is the easiest thing in the world..."

Xue Ji leaned against a tree, arms crossed over his chest, gave a contemptuous smile, and said disdainfully: "Anyone could have perfectly pacified the chaos; it just happened to be him!"

In his eyes, this young military god who was being followed was just being blown up too high and was exaggerated—how could he be that divine?

In that situation, anyone could have done it!

It was just the Grand Chancellor deliberately cultivating Chen Yan.

"Xue Ji, you seem to have a lot of dissatisfaction and hostility toward Mirror Master Chen?" Wang Xiong heard this, walked over, gave a playful smile, and teased.

"No."

Xue Ji glanced sideways and slowly spat out two words.

He paused, then continued: "I'm just unconvinced..."

"I could do better than him if I were in command!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but lift his head involuntarily.

His words were full of confidence.

A stick of incense later.

Chen Yan, accompanied by Helian Shi, finished counting all the personnel.

"Set off!"

"Giddyap!"

More than a hundred people set off in a massive procession.

"Young Master, those few behind are discussing you..." Zhu Yi leaned in and whispered.

"I know."

Chen Yan gave a calm smile and said nonchalantly: "If they like to talk, let them talk..."

For the spirited horses, he had already thought of a way to subdue them, so there was no need to rush.

He had plenty of experience in dealing with arrogant little kids...

Late spring in Chang'an, the dust on Zhuque Avenue was ground into wisps of clouds by horse hooves.

At the city gate.

The three-zhang-long yak-tail banner swept the copper bells on the eaves; amidst the clanging, the leading cavalry and some guards were crowded together, impassable and difficult to pass.

And neither side was willing to give way, having quite a bit of a tense, sword-drawn atmosphere.

"Why is it blocked ahead?" Chen Yan looked into the distance and asked.

You Xian, who had returned after investigating the situation, reported: "It's two lords going to their posts who want to leave the city!"