Chapter 1036: Bitter Remonstrance

The procession continued to move forward.

As the distance to Lishan grew shorter, the atmosphere within the procession became increasingly strange and tense.

By this time, no one complained about the tedious funeral proceedings anymore.

Even the scorching sun seemed to have become unimportant.

This was not a tacit understanding from the beginning; it seemed that ever since the ambush by assassins in the Wild Boar Forest, these power groups had naturally come together. Perhaps they felt that the covert struggle had begun to turn into an overt one. Because everyone knew that as the Crown Prince's grand funeral neared its end, the struggle for the succession of the Longyan Dynasty would truly begin to heat up.

Zhu Zhen's side was naturally one such group.

Officials and military generals belonging to the scholar-official category gathered together, walking or stopping, or discussing something among themselves.

"Teacher, there is indeed no movement from Liangzhou..."

An official supporting the elderly Zhu Zhen said in a low voice.

Zhu Zhen's aged body was already exhausted from walking for so long; he was relying entirely on those around him to support him so he could continue walking. Such a journey was truly excessive for a seventy-year-old man. But this was the imperial family, and these were the rules; no one could defy them.

"Hmm..."

Zhu Zhen nodded and said nothing more.

"Teacher..."

"My lord..."

"Cabinet Elder."

The group grew anxious.

What did it mean that there was no movement from Liangzhou at a time like this? It was highly likely that the Emperor and Liu Zheng had reached some kind of consensus... Most likely, Xie Tianyao had already decided to let a Female Emperor ascend the throne? This was something they, the scholar-officials, could not tolerate.

Therefore, they hoped their backbone, Zhu Zhen, would come up with a Method soon.

Zhu Zhen gave a cold smile: "I have taught you long ago that when facing major events, one must remain calm. Calm, do you understand?"

"But..."

"This, my lord..."

In a situation like this, still remain calm? This struggle for the succession concerned the next hundred years of the Longyan Dynasty's fate. They, the scholar-officials, had always been the ones who called the shots in history, always the protagonists on the political stage. But looking at the policies of this Vice Minister Liu, it was clear he was very keen on elevating people from the lower classes, including those merchants and Gentry, to a position of equal standing with them. Scholar-officials had always controlled the elite class of a dynasty; whether it was the control of education, or the control of books, knowledge, and culture, these were all their means.

However, the appearance of Vice Minister Liu had broken this pattern.

A Female Emperor taking the throne...

They dared not even imagine what would happen.

"What is the rush..."

Zhu Zhen chuckled as he walked.

The person beside him was wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"The Emperor is still fishing..."

The group looked at each other in dismay.

Fishing?

Zhu Zhen gave a muffled grunt: "The Prince of Zhao will be the first Feudatory King to be purged after arriving at Lishan..."

"What?"

"This..."

The group was startled.

That's right.

The appearance of the assassins in the Wild Boar Forest and the mutiny by Cheng Hua were actually known by everyone to be the handiwork of the Prince of Zhao, Xie Sheng. Although he covered it up well, if the Emperor wanted to punish you, it didn't matter how well you covered it up or whether there was any solid evidence.

Fishing?

Everyone took a deep breath.

Look at the Prince of Zhao, Xie Sheng, now; he was still in the procession, walking brazenly and laughing heartily, but in reality... he was already fish on the chopping block, waiting to be slaughtered by Xie Tianyao at any moment.

"This Vice Minister Liu..."

Just as Zhu Zhen said, at this moment, Xie Sheng was still

alive and kicking. His eyes filled with murderous intent, he looked at the back of Liu Zheng, who was riding a horse in front, his expression already somewhat twisted and ferocious.

"Prince of Zhao..."

"Prince of Zhao, I think we still need to be cautious."

"On this journey, it is better not to create any more complications for the time being."

The members of the Old Aristocrats beside Xie Sheng advised him one after another.

Be cautious?

The Prince of Zhao, Xie Sheng, gave a cold snort, noncommittal.

A bunch of losers!

In the current situation, the Old Aristocrats were already in the most disadvantageous position! Seeing that this struggle for the succession was about to unfold between Xie Chan and Xie Ming, no matter who succeeded in ascending the throne, what would that have to do with them, the Old Aristocrats? If Vice Minister Liu continued to gain power, it would actually be the most tragic thing for the Old Aristocrats.

The Cabinet System proposed by Vice Minister Liu, which was already being implemented in Longyan, had completely abandoned them—the Old Aristocrats who had enjoyed privileges from ancient times to the present—in terms of the power structure.

It had already reached this point...

And they still wanted to be cautious?

They had no way out, and they still wanted to be cautious!

And yet, they clearly possessed the troops and strength that could make anyone tremble!

"A bunch of losers!"

Xie Sheng gave a cold smile and spat.

After the assassination failed just now, he had already given orders to notify all the great armies in Youzhou to begin assembling; military provisions and supplies had been prepared some time ago. The three hundred thousand Youzhou Sudden Cavalry were already waiting in full battle gear; once there was any change in Jinghua, the three hundred thousand Youzhou Sudden Cavalry could march south immediately!

March south!

A flash of fanatical light flickered in the eyes of Xie Sheng.

Among the Old Aristocrats, there were already two Feudatory Kings who had clearly expressed their support for him; three Feudatory Kings... that would mean nine hundred thousand troops, a million-strong army! With a million-strong army marching south, who could withstand it?

What he did not know was this.

At this moment, those Old Aristocrats who had plotted the entire plan with him were also looking at his back with eyes full of disdain.

A mutiny...

Even if it were a mutiny, how could they possibly let you, Xie Sheng, be the only one to profit? On what grounds are you the Commander of us Old Aristocrats? Who is inferior to whom, and where?

If a mutiny truly occurred, even if they were embarking on a path of no return, they could only succeed; they could not fail...

Then, when the time came, who would be the ultimate beneficiary of this mutiny?

Splitting the cake?

Heh.

These Feudatory Kings, which one of them does not bear the surname Xie? On what grounds should I share the cake with you, Xie Sheng?

As for Liu Zheng, he was very busy right now.

One moment.

He was being called here and there by Gu Jin to help.

The next moment.

He was being called by Xie Chan, who was in the Princess's carriage, to deliver water...

Delivering water...

Liu Zheng was about to have a breakdown.

Of course, every time he delivered water, he had to endure the knife-like gaze of his own wife.

He knew where this anger came from.

"Traveling with a beauty, you must be very happy..."

This time, Xie Chan once again gulped down all the water Liu Zheng had handed her.

Liu Zheng, standing by the carriage window, gave a wry smile: "Chan'er, she is, after all, from the Ministry of Rites..."

"You're still talking, you're still talking!"

Xie Chan was so angry.

Liu Zheng chuckled.

No matter what, looking at Xie Chan's charming and naive appearance, he felt very happy in his heart. For a moment, he even forgot about the changing atmosphere in this procession, the deceit, and the infighting.

"Drink a little less; if you drink too much, won't you have to relieve yourself... How many times has it been on this journey?"

Liu Zheng smiled helplessly.

"You, you, you... Hmph! I'm just thirsty!"

Xie Chan threw the water bag over all of a sudden and gave a light huff.

Liu Zheng smiled wryly: "Alright, alright, alright, thirsty, thirsty..."

What kind of sin is this that I'm paying for...

Everyone else is secretly calculating how many troops they have, whether to mutiny, and the Bitter Remonstrance for the throne...

And here he is, still caught in this whirlpool of jealousy.

A headache...

Such a headache...

At this moment, the hurried and impetuous Gu Jin came running over again...

Seeing Xie Chan's anger level rise once more.

Liu Zheng hurriedly kicked his horse and fled the scene.