Chapter 973: Empress Wu Zhao

"My Lord, something terrible has happened!"

"The Living Yama is questioning the politics of the entire Suiyang Prefecture and has issued an urgent decree for you to go to Suiyang City!"

Wanan County, County Yamen.

A yamen runner stepped forward quickly, his voice echoing.

Wanan County Magistrate Hu Dehai had just taken a sip of tea and sprayed it all out.

"What?"

His expression was shocked, his face ugly.

Thinking of what he had done, a layer of fine cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

"I have come down with a serious illness; don't go to this questioning, find a way to decline it for me!"

Hu Dehai said hurriedly.

The things he had done were too big and couldn't stand investigation. If this were found out and the Living Yama knew about it, he would definitely be dead.

"My Lord, that won't work. The Living Yama has an order: those who do not come will be treated as guilty, dismissed from office, and never employed again!"

"If you don't go, it's equivalent to confessing without being asked!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Hu Dehai was dumbfounded.

Even in broad daylight, with the sun shining warmly on him, Hu Dehai was covered in cold sweat and his body was stiff.

"What about the commoners?"

"Order them all to keep their mouths shut and not go to Suiyang City!"

Hu Dehai came back to his senses and said hurriedly.

The yamen runner's expression became even uglier, "My Lord, it's too late!"

"The Living Yama beheaded the Qingshui County Magistrate, Constable, and Private Secretary. The commoners heard the news and were filled with indignation. Now many commoners have spontaneously headed to Suiyang City; there is no way to stop them!"

Hum!

Hu Dehai sat on the chair, lost in his soul.

"It's over!"

"It's truly over now!"

If he didn't go, he would be confessing; the Living Yama would definitely send people to investigate thoroughly. If he did go, the commoners might expose his old bottom.

Now, he was in a dilemma!

"Li Wenzheng, I curse your grandfather!"

Hu Dehai cursed heavily, his face full of despair.

In the entire Suiyang Prefecture, 13 counties, 56 townships, and 682 villages, countless officials with unclean backsides, regardless of size, almost simultaneously burst out with profanity.

And surprisingly consistently, they were all affectionate greetings to Li Wenzheng.

But there were also some honest officials who were upright and sought welfare for the people. They wore white-washed long robes, and upon hearing the news, they burst into laughter.

"We abide by the law and are honest and upright; why should we fear that Questioning Platform? Just watch the changes in the wind and clouds; justice is in the hearts of the people!" That laughter was indescribably refreshing!

They laughed and went out, embarking on the journey to Suiyang City.

For a time, on the official roads and village paths of Suiyang Prefecture, some officials were happy and some were sad, almost all written on their faces.

Without a doubt, the storm of the entire Suiyang Prefecture had begun!

"..."

Changan City.

Imperial Palace.

Wu Zhao wore a black and red dragon robe, setting off her peerless face, which became even colder. She stood with her hands behind her back in front of the window of the Imperial Study, her cold phoenix eyes looking into the distance.

"Eunuch Guo, how many days have Wan'er and Lord Shangguan been gone?"

Suddenly, Wu Zhao asked.

Eunuch Guo was about fifty and had entered the palace at the age of eight, giving himself a clean cut. He had experienced three dynasties and had very old seniority in this palace.

Some time ago, Gao Yang proposed the concept of the Western Depot monitoring the world, and Wu Zhao was moved by it.

As Gao Yang said, eunuchs have no roots and no descendants, and they are destined to rely on imperial power; they are the sharpest and most loyal knives in the Emperor's hands!

Therefore, she established the Western Depot.

Eunuch Guo had seniority, and Wu Zhao had a good impression of him, so she ordered him to enter the Directorate of Ceremonial as a writing eunuch, and established a Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to jointly govern the Western Depot!

After Shangguan Wan'er left, Eunuch Guo had been following her.

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Guo's face was almost covered in wrinkles, "Reporting to Your Majesty, it has been twenty-two days."

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhao's phoenix eyes were filled with emotion.

"So it has already been twenty days. Don't say, for such a long time, not seeing Gao Yang's cheeky look, I actually miss him a bit."

"This palace is also much more boring."

Wu Zhao stood with her hands behind her back, her noble face expressionless, but her tone revealed a loneliness that was difficult to detect.

After Gao Yang left Changan, she actually missed him.

Eunuch Guo bent over and smiled, "Since Your Majesty misses Lord Gao, why not issue a decree to summon Lord Gao."

Wu Zhao shook her head and said, "Gao Yang and Wan'er went to do serious business; I was just saying it casually. But calculating the time, it should be starting soon." ===== CHAPTER 975 =====