Chapter 276: The court's elderly and feeble, towering over mountains and rivers

Power......

It's really a good thing.

Speaking honestly, after those two polite, respectful compliments landed smoothly, Du Shanü could only think of this one sentence.

She wasn't surprised, nor did she respond; instead, she remained composed and took another small sip of tea.

Ruansizong slightly raised his eyes, glanced at Du Shanü's calm expression, and then smoothly spoke:

"After last night's city breach and shifting situation, the remnants of Yongzhou's old administration and scattered former factions are mixed together, many harboring hopes of luck and intending to rebel."

"Subject, I appreciate Your Highness's heart for pacifying the people. Knowing the new situation has just settled, I most fear remaining rebels causing unrest and unsettled hearts. Therefore, I personally appeared early this morning, mobilized the controllable forces under my command, and overnight inspected the government offices inside and out, apprehending all the elderly weak and lingering old factions, as well as the hesitant remnants, examining each one. Anyone harboring different intentions or clinging to the old powers has been thrown into jail, strictly guarded, to eliminate future troubles, in order to clear the path for Your Highness in Yongzhou and stabilize the situation."

These words were earnest, his attitude humble.

If it weren't for Chinu finally speaking up just now about the humiliation Ruansizong had brought upon him, Du Shanü might have thought he was just a loyal old official.

Du Shanü smoothly covered the corner of her mouth with her cup, hiding a smile, still utterly unmoving, her demeanor relaxed as if strolling through an idle courtyard, or as if merely listening to someone mention what to have for dinner.

Ruansizong had expected to earn a word or two of praise, but he never imagined his words would be like a fine needle dropped into the sea, causing not a ripple.

He found himself increasingly unable to read the person opposite him, but having spoken this far, the following words were unavoidable.

Ruansizong straightened up slightly, held his waist firm, and spoke with full vigor:

"Now Yongzhou has just been settled, a hundred affairs await revival; internal administration, people's livelihood, grain supplies, and defense all need proper management. Subject dares to ask Your Highness: do you intend to personally come to the prefecture, take charge here, and handle Yongzhou's affairs yourself?"

"If Your Highness has other arrangements, I have devoted myself to Yongzhou for decades, familiar with all local matters, and am willing to exert my utmost to share your worries, wholeheartedly assist you, and stabilize the administration and hearts of one region."

Ruansizong, born of an aristocratic family and long immersed in officialdom, with just a few words made clear his own initiative and displayed his worth.

Most importantly, Ruansizong is seeking power from Du Shanü.

By common sense, after initially seizing the prefecture, with a hundred affairs awaiting development, whether to stabilize the city's populace or maintain the prefecture's operation, Du Shanü would inevitably rely on this elder of the prefecture.

This is also why Ruansizong dares to visit the prefecture's gate soon after its settlement, appearing to inquire but actually straightening his back to demand authority, confident he will be valued.

However, Du Shanü previously said this is 'common sense'.

But what if she originally is someone who does not follow the usual playbook?

What if she originally is someone quite petty?

She painstakingly made her way step by step from a small mountain village to Cang Cheng, then to Dun Cheng, and finally seized the prefecture by her own 'mantis stalks cicada, oriole waits behind'—each step a mark, each mark stained with blood......

Why should she let others benefit?

She has relied on Chinu, on Afang, on Leitie to help her mass-produce weapons, on those behind her supporting her so she does not fall, and even on Yu Lve to draw the trouble eastward, which barely lured the An Nan army into a sneak attack, allowing her to take the prefecture......

Today, if Chinu and Afang came to demand the prefecture, she would have no second words.

Even if Leitie and Yu Lve came to demand military authority over the prefecture, she could consider it.

But what is Ruansizong worth?

He hasn't helped at all, even bullied her Chinu, and earlier even added trouble for Du Shanü, sending her a 'talent' like Ruan Jintian.

Why should Ruansizong come before her, say a few sentences, and she must hand over authority to him?

Throughout history, which emperor after ascending the throne does not purge the officials of the previous dynasty?

Although she is not yet an emperor, she certainly does not like opportunists!

Loyalty not absolute is absolute disloyalty.

Chinu's such wavering former officials are indeed few; moreover, after acknowledging her as his lord, he has always fought at the forefront for her!

Heaven is silent, earth is silent.

The wind is silent; here, too, it is silent.

After Ruansizong's words fell, he bowed his head, his demeanor respectful and self-composed, quietly awaiting Du Shanü's response.

He had long calculated this in his heart, believing himself sincere and thorough, and holding the chips of familiarity with prefectural affairs; this self-recommendation will surely gain the new lord's approval, firmly securing his official position and foothold.

In his expectation, what follows is a harmonious ruler-minister scene: the new lord soothes and accepts him, he wholeheartedly assists, thereby smoothly launching his career in the new dynasty and steadily establishing himself in Yongzhou.

But the expected warm praise never came; the hall held only a chilling, dead silence.

The next breath, a clear, cold chuckle suddenly rang out, fine and brief, yet carrying a bone‑chilling chill, instantly shattering all of Ruansizong's calculations.

Du Shanü suddenly let out a cold laugh, heavily setting her teacup down on the table:

"Master Ruans, you certainly know how to work an excellent abacus."

"Since you today bring up Yongzhou's internal affairs, I also have something to ask you."

Du Shanü's voice was clear and light, yet each word carried authority, each sentence striking straight at the vital point.

"You have held the position of Yongzhou prefectural judge for decades, wielding the authority to inspect and impeach for an entire prefecture; you ought to investigate officials, guard the locality, and assist the prefect in pacifying the people and defending the city......"

"Why, when the prefect previously abused power for personal gain, imposing extra taxes, did you turn a blind eye, failing to report this to the Imperial Court to provoke an investigation?"

Du Shanü had wanted to ask this for a long time, but circumstances had prevented her.

The Yongzhou prefect indulges in immortal arts, amassing wealth to extensively build temples and shrines, a fact known to all.

But what Du Shanü finds curious is that the prefecture is not solely the prefect's domain, let alone that the prefecture also houses Ruansizong, a senior official of a powerful clan with deep-rooted influence behind the scenes.

If one truly wished to advise, how could they fail to do so?

Ruansizong naturally could not answer this.

However, Du Shanü today has made up her mind, ready to give a good scolding to this man who appears healthy but is actually corrupt in both body and mind:

"Regarding the prefect's affairs, you could claim you are disillusioned with the prefect, think the Imperial Court useless, and have no avenue to report. But concerning last night's loss of the city, how do you justify yourself?"

"Last night, it was not I who led people to attack the city; it was the An Nan army that invaded! I led troops to suppress them, defending the prefecture! At that time the people were displaced, the chief official died, the city was filled with chaos, you, charged with the heavy duty of inspection, where were you?"

Du Shanü leaned forward slightly, her aura suddenly swelling, each word a sharp challenge:

"You didn't mention it when you arrived, and to this day you still don't know about the An Nan army's invasion!"

"When the city fell you did not defend it to the death; when official corruption arose you did not investigate; when old factions held sway harming the people you never undertook prior rectification; when the city collapsed you did not fulfill even half of your responsibilities!"

"In the past you merely occupied a post without merit, sitting by as the prefecture's ills piled up; when chaotic times loomed, you abandoned duty and avoided disaster. Now that I have barely quelled the turmoil and cleared the war's flames, you turn around to sweep away the remnants, feign allegiance, and hope to continue occupying office and holding power steadily?"