Chapter 1300: Investigate to the End

It was still that study, still just Ye Liuyun and Emperor Xia, idly chatting as if making small talk.

Ye Liuyun first talked about some experiences beyond the realm and how he had dodged two interceptions by the Imperial Family.

Emperor Xia also gave Ye Liuyun a general briefing of the battlefield casualties, as well as the progress of conscription and supplies.

The two idly chatted for a while, never getting to the main point.

Having had enough idle chat, Ye Liuyun took his leave directly.

He wasn't in a hurry anyway; the one who should be worried now is the Imperial Family. As long as he doesn't leave for a day, the Imperial Family will worry that he might attract the Underworld God.

Sure enough, Emperor Xia saw that he wasn't bringing up the main business and was about to leave, and immediately understood Ye Liuyun's intention.

He smiled helplessly and, forced by circumstance, brought up the "main business" with Ye Liuyun.

"I heard you were besieged by the Foreign Tribe on the battlefield?"

Seeing him start to get to the point, Ye Liuyun could only turn back and sit down again.

"Yes, and no major army came to support me! Originally, I was just a private force, not comparable to the Imperial Court's main army; with no support, there's not much to say. Yet these Foreign Tribe managed to breach the army's defenses, which I find utterly puzzling!"

"Whether private or not, we're all family! Not only did you dispatch troops in time to resist the Foreign Tribe, you also achieved great merit on the battlefield! Your performance is evident to all!" Emperor Xia first bestowed some high honors upon Ye Liuyun.

Seeing that Ye Liuyun gave no reaction, he also knew he couldn't avoid it.

So he pretended to be angry and said, "Those army commanders are all useless bums, yet they let the Foreign Tribe pass through; I will punish them severely."

"Is that so? I thought it was an order from the Imperial Court. Without an order, how could they let so many Foreign Tribe cross the border and still provide no reinforcements?" Ye Liuyun said calmly.

"Hmm, this matter is indeed a bit suspicious. Rest assured, the Imperial Court will never wrong a meritorious subject. I will see this through to the end and give you an answer!" Emperor Xia promised.

"If Emperor Xia makes things difficult, that's one thing! Anyway I'm safe now, no need to punish anyone's crimes!" Ye Liuyun said with a smile.

But Emperor Xia, listening to the words and the tone, already understood that Ye Liuyun insisted on punishing the people behind him.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to the Imperial City.

If he doesn't act now, it will only let Ye Liuyun keep dragging it out.

"Don't worry, I will handle it impartially. Stay here with me and watch the outcome!"

Having finished, he called out, "Go to the Military Secretariat and summon all the Military Secretariat Ministers! Anyone who finds an excuse not to come, seize them and bring them here!"

"Yes!" a Guard Leader replied, and immediately went out to fetch people.

Ye Liuyun didn't intervene, sitting quietly to watch the scene. After all, if he were dissatisfied, he wouldn't leave the Imperial City.

Soon, more than ten Military Secretariat Ministers were led in by the Guard Leader, standing before the study, awaiting Emperor Xia's instructions.

Ye Liuyun didn't know Xiao Yuhong, but he noticed that when a minister glanced at him, his complexion changed and he seemed nervous.

At this moment, Emperor Xia stood at the study's doorway and said to the ministers, "Brave Fierce King Ye Liuyun, mobilized his private forces to relieve the Imperial Court, and achieved great merit on the battlefield."

Having said that, Emperor Xia paused, then looked at the group of ministers: "But someone secretly ordered the main army to let the Foreign Tribe cross, besieging the Brave Fierce King's city. I will give the Brave Fierce King an answer today. Whoever did it, step forward!"

As soon as Emperor Xia finished speaking, the minister Ye Liuyun had noticed became even more nervous.

"What? Still want me to investigate in front of everyone?" Emperor Xia threatened.

Silence fell below; no minister dared to utter a sound.

At this point, they all already understood what was happening!

Only one or two people could mobilize the Imperial Court's main army. So most ministers were actually relatively relaxed. It seemed it wasn't their business; they were just there to play a part for others.

Seeing no one respond, Emperor Xia directly addressed the minister Ye Liuyun had noticed: "Xiao Yuhong."

Xiao Yuhong trembled all over and instinctively replied, "I am here!"

"So it's him!" Ye Liuyun thought to himself.

"Use your Transmission Talisman to contact the battlefield commanders. Since no one admits it, I will personally question those commanders," Emperor Xia instructed Xiao Yuhong.

Hearing this, Xiao Yuhong also knew he couldn't hide it any longer.

When Emperor Xia personally interrogated them, those commanders wouldn't shield him; they would immediately tell Emperor Xia that he gave the order.

Thus Xiao Yuhong didn't even need a Transmission Talisman; he knelt and begged, "Emperor Xia, spare me! I was momentarily confused!"

The ministers around him didn't look particularly strange. They had long suspected it was Xiao Yuhong's order, and some even knew it at that moment.

Ye Liuyun wasn't surprised, calmly waiting for Xiao Yuhong's explanation.

Only Emperor Xia pretended to be shocked: "What? You mean you gave the order?"

He placed particular emphasis on the word "you."

"Yes, I was momentarily confused, I beg Emperor Xia's mercy!" Xiao Yuhong admitted.

"What grudge do you hold against the Brave Fierce King to commit such a grave error? Know that unauthorized mobilization of the main army and framing a loyal subject are punishable by family extermination! If you confess honestly, considering your years of service to the Imperial Court, I may consider leniency," Emperor Xia pretended to sigh.

Upon hearing this, Ye Liuyun felt something was off.

Emperor Xia didn't give Xiao Yuhong a private Transmission Voice, yet his words contained a problem.

First, Emperor Xia assumed Xiao Yuhong had a feud with him, then threatened with family extermination. This wasn't an inquiry; it was steering Xiao Yuhong toward that line.

Xiao Yuhong wasn't foolish! After so many years by Emperor Xia's side, he naturally mastered the bureaucratic language. To reach his position, he naturally understood Emperor Xia's thoughts.

He immediately said, "My nephews Wanhu and Wanlong were both killed by Ye Liuyun. So, in my moment of vengeful fury, I abused my authority for personal gain."

"Oh!" Emperor Xia replied, then asked, "I know about Wanhu, but what's the story with Wanlong?"

"Wanlong was also ordered by me to intercept Ye Liuyun beyond the realm," Xiao Yuhong straightforwardly admitted.

He also understood that Emperor Xia had probably known about these matters long ago. Now he was merely staging a performance for Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun also sneered inwardly, thinking that the people behind this must have considerable clout; Emperor Xia was even willing to sacrifice a Military Secretariat Minister yet didn't want to expose him.