Chapter 186

"Survey it!"

"Why not survey it!"

"The one who pastures the people on behalf of Heaven is the Emperor, not the Cabinet! And the Cabinet is not the only place where Zhang Juzheng can be the Chief Grand Secretary! Could it be that without him, Zhang Juzheng, one cannot find a Shen Juzheng or a Wang Juzheng!?"

"The New Policies of the state—His Majesty has not called for a halt, and I want to see who dares to stop!"

Wang Xijue slammed the Di Bao in his hand heavily onto the desk.

He looked coldly at the two trusted subordinates who had chased him to Huai'an, his stubborn and strong personality visible at a glance.

Wang Xijue took over as the Provincial Governor of Yingtian in the fourth year of Wanli, with the added title of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

In the seventh year of Wanli, that is, at the beginning of this year, the Emperor issued an edict ordering him to rush to the capital to take charge as the Senior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Unfortunately, Heaven did not cooperate.

In the second month, Wang Xijue handed over his official duties and prepared to set off, but his daughter came out of seclusion from her Daoist practice, claiming she was about to ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

Although the imperial order was urgent, human feelings being what they are, Wang Xijue finally decided to see his daughter off.

He submitted a memorial for a four-month leave, waiting until his daughter ascended to heaven in broad daylight and the family finished the sacrifices, before heading north from Suzhou.

But just as he reached Huai'an, he received another imperial edict ordering him to assist the Grand Coordinator of Grain Transport Wang Zongmu and the Minister of the Ministry of Works Pan Jixun in investigating the case of the capsized grain transport ships.

Thus, it dragged on until the end of the ninth month.

And at this time, facing the news from the capital that Zhang Juzheng had retired due to mourning, Wang Xijue had to deal with the extra influence brought by this matter.

The two subordinates naturally knew that their teacher had a fiery temper, and added to the fact that his daughter had died this year, he was in a foul mood.

They did not take the slight reprimand to heart.

Assistant Prefect of Yingtian Chen Yujiao gritted his teeth, his tone almost pleading: "Teacher, ever since the news of the land survey spread secretly, the Japanese pirate threat has become increasingly severe."

"Since this year, the Huai and Yellow rivers have overflowed, the Gaoyou embankment burst, and all the crops were submerged. There were refugees who falsely claimed that Shi Shangzhao had been reborn, gathering over seven hundred starving people, looting yamen, and robbing the prefecture treasury."

"It was entirely thanks to Teacher's governorship of Yingtian, suppressing it for a time, that we got a moment to breathe."

"But just after Teacher left office a few months ago, I suddenly felt as if Mount Tai was pressing down on me."

"The Japanese pirates are arrogant, the refugees are rampant, the Six Ministries in Nanjing are secretly pressuring us, colleagues are distancing themselves, family members are terrified, and I haven't had a single night of peaceful sleep."

"This month, even the Longjiang Shipyard was not spared, with three fires breaking out in succession, and the Earl of Jinghai, Zhu Shitai, nearly perished."

"The situation is so intense, it's like a pile of eggs about to topple."

"Teacher, now even the Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet is about to retreat. We, as mere nobodies, are like rootless duckweed; how can we not be swayed by the overall situation?"

Chen Yujiao's words were from the heart and sincere.

The expression of the Prefect of Suzhou, Liu Yukui, who was to the side, was slightly calmer.

But since he had come, he was naturally shaken as well: "Even if we could learn a fraction of Teacher's resilience, I fear our words would carry little weight."

Liu Yukui paused, weighing his words: "Teacher, your clansmen in Taicang have already sought me out several times this month, hoping that I, as the Prefect, could show some favor in the land survey matter..."

Hearing this, Wang Xijue looked up abruptly.

Liu Yukui immediately shut his mouth.

Wang Xijue laughed in extreme anger: "My father was but a mere government student, managing a middle-class household. The teacher Pan under whom I studied back then was the very same 'mere licentiate' you mock all day long."

"No family background, no school of thought."

"Now that everyone is putting on the airs of a prominent family, aren't they still relying on my official position!?"

"Is it I who calls the shots for the Taicang Wang family, or is it them!?"

"And you actually let the clansmen use them to coerce me..."

After saying this, Wang Xijue looked at Liu Yukui with some disappointment and said in a deep voice: "You were selected as a Hanlin Bachelor at nineteen, and now you are only twenty-seven, yet you have no youthful spirit at all, just like those old fools in the court who are busy with their petty schemes."

"At the first sign of difficulty, you are timid; at the first encounter with danger, you stop in your tracks."

"If this is the case, you might as well follow Xiao Yinggong and hang up your seal and return home early, so as not to waste time in the officialdom."

Liu Yukui's expression changed, and he was about to speak in his defense.

Wang Xijue did not give him a chance to speak at all, his gaze encompassing both of them, and he said coldly: "What do you think the New Policies are?"

"A game for the Emperor to play house? Or Zhang Juzheng's private desire to seize power?"

"Neither! It is that the Great Ming is dying! It is that we are the ones who want to save it one last time!"

"What is meant by being rootless duckweed swayed by the overall situation? And what do you know about the overall situation?"

"Do you think that pile of dead bones in your eyes is the overall situation!?"

"Ridiculous to the extreme!"

"The overall situation is in our hands! Never mind that Zhang Juzheng is about to retire, even if all the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers retired! There would still be us to step up!"

"Hai Rui and Li Daofu in Sichuan; Liang Menglong and Xu Xuemo in Huguang; Li Youzi and Deng Yizan in Henan; Li Zaiting and Zhou Ziyi in Fujian; even if Wang Xilie in Shandong died, there would still be Yu Youding to take over!"

"Not to mention the righteous people in the central government!"

"I tell you! In the two hundred years of our dynasty, as long as the Emperor has not lost his spirit! Just based on what he has done in these seven years, even if we have to sacrifice our lives, we will carry this matter through!"

The two students were startled by the sudden anger of the Taicang Duke.

Almost in unison, they spoke to defend themselves: "Teacher, that is not what we meant!"

"We only thought of slowing down a bit and surveying gradually to avoid causing trouble. Now that we have been taught by Teacher, we have extinguished those extra thoughts."

Read as "slowing down," written as "wait and see."

After all, the current situation is truly hard to describe.

What if that person sees that the situation is not good and, just like Emperor Shizong, after working hard for a few years, comfortably hides behind the scenes to enjoy himself?

Unfortunately, Wang Xijue's attitude was truly firm, and they did not dare to argue further.

Chen Yujiao carefully continued: "It is also because the Six Ministries in Nanjing are frequently applying pressure, asking Teacher for some help, otherwise, even if we wanted to do things, it would truly be difficult to move."

Wang Xijue felt irritable and snorted coldly.

But helplessly, they were his own disciples, and after scolding them, he still had to send them to survey the land.

He finally made a response: "The one who will succeed as the Provincial Governor of Yingtian is Wang Jiaping, and the Provincial Governor of Fengyang is Sun Piyang. I have already sent letters."

"You just need to handle affairs impartially, and the two Ministers will look after you."

Hearing this, the two couldn't help but look at each other.

Liu Yukui was surprised: "The 'God of Construction' Sun Piyang!?"

His teacher had a friendship with Shen Shixing, who was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, that transcended reason, so this news must be reliable.

However, whether Sun Piyang was reliable was hard to say.

Apart from his ability to engage in large-scale construction and some slightly bizarre rumors, he had never heard of Sun Piyang having any real skills.

Chen Yujiao also felt it was unexpected: "Wang Duanren? Isn't he staying by His Majesty's side?"

The current situation in the central government is delicate, and the Emperor has successively released close ministers like Deng Yizan and Wang Jiaping.

It really makes one worry.

Wang Xijue had lost his patience by now and waved his sleeves to dismiss them.

The two had no choice but to bow and withdraw: "Teacher, please calm your anger; we will go back and handle the land survey."

Wang Xijue turned his back: "Do it well and show me!"

Seeing this, the two bowed again and silently retreated.

After they left, Wang Xijue turned around.

The face he had kept straight finally showed a trace of worry.

Liu Yukui was transferred to Nanjing in the third year of Wanli. In these four years, he had managed Suzhou Prefecture in an orderly manner, and he was a man of high pride and straightforwardness.

Chen Yujiao was even later, taking office as the Assistant Prefect of Shuntian in the fourth year of Wanli. Apart from some vulgar hobbies, he had always handled affairs with ease and never made a single mistake. Outside of office hours, he even had the leisure to write crude plays like "Lingbao Dao" and "Cherry Dream."

These two had central government qualifications and were cultivated by himself, so their stance was impeccable.

Yet even so, in the current situation, both were shaken.

Land survey, verification of household registration... it was truly harder than imagined.

Wang Xijue sighed inexplicably and shook his head.

A moment later.

After the middle-aged housekeeper sent the guests away, he returned to the room and began to tidy up the items that the master had smashed on the floor in his anger.

He lowered his head, his voice very small: "Master, I hear that His Majesty has had no heir for over four years since his wedding. This time when we go to the capital, should we discuss a retreat with the Second Master?"

If the master is a die-hard loyalist, that's fine, but let the Second Master place separate bets.

It's better than losing the bet.

Although the rumor that the Emperor harmed his foundation is just street talk, what if?

The master is also not afraid of another "Duo Men" incident, where he might be separated from his head in his sleep.

Just as he thought of this, the housekeeper suddenly felt a warning sign flash in his heart, and he shrank his neck instinctively.

He subconsciously looked up.

He saw Wang Xijue's face change in anger, and he grabbed the inkstone at hand and smashed it fiercely: "Discuss your mother's head!"

The twenty-second of the ninth month.

The case of the capsized grain transport ships was finally closed after the Censor Li Haowen, who was patrolling the port of Huai'an, was taken down—the grain ships, of course, did not sink in the sea, but were sold to the Japanese pirates on an island in Zhejiang.

This was no longer ordinary corruption; a jinshi from the second year of Wanli had actually fallen to this point.

Wang Xijue had originally intended to send him to the Ministry of Justice in Nanjing for punishment, but finally decided to send him to the capital in a cage, both to let the court officials see and to warn the new jinshi.

And as the case was solved.

Wang Xijue was finally able to set off again and head north to the capital.

Of course, since he had reached Huai'an, he simply chose not to take the land route or the Grand Canal, but chose the sea route directly.

The route was the old path of the former Song, from the Huai River through Huai'an to the sea, along the coast of Shandong to the coast of Tianjin, and then from the inland Huitong River to the capital.

Of course, after reaching Tianjin, one could continue north and divert to the Luanhe Port, but this was generally the route taken by merchant ships going to the border markets outside the Shanhai Pass.

The first phase of the project from Shandong to Tianjin was completed in the fourth year of Wanli.

But the second phase of the project from Chongming to Huai'an is still only half finished.

Because of financial problems and different construction difficulties, the Huai'an Port was completed, but the Chongming Port is still under construction.

However, at least the shipping route from Nanzhili to Beizhili was opened.

And the formal passage of sea ships began in early the sixth year of Wanli.

It has been one year and nine months now.

As the starting point of sea transport from south to north, the Huai'an Port has already reached a considerable scale.

The yamen of the officials were the first to be renovated, and then several large courtyards and two-story buildings were added, making them the most exquisite buildings in the port.

However, in terms of grandeur, it is naturally the watchtower standing by the sea, towering into the clouds, visible from far away.

Several ships lined up and docked one after another, the sailors shouting incessantly, carrying cargo off on their shoulders and backs.

Boxes of silk, porcelain, and spices were moved back up, ready to be shipped away.

It felt quite like all things were flourishing.

Unfortunately, after the arrival of the honor guard of the Senior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Wang Xijue, the Grand Coordinator of Grain Transport Wang Zongmu, and the Minister of the Ministry of Works Pan Jixun, everyone abandoned their work and waited quietly for the officials to finish this whim of an inspection.

The Grand Coordinator of Grain Transport Wang Zongmu walked on the left side, looking at Wang Xijue in the middle with some hesitation: "The so-called child of a thousand gold does not sit under a dangerous hall. It is one thing for sea transport to carry goods, but since Yuanyue holds a high position, why take risks personally."

Although he, Wang Zongmu, pushed for sea transport with all his might.

Even this Huai'an Port was built under his and Pan Jixun's constant inspection and personal supervision.

But it cannot be denied that the risks of sea transport are much greater than those of canal transport.

Not to mention that the latter is not easy to sink, and even if something happens, it can still struggle a bit; the former truly leads to ship destruction and death.

Of course, Wang Zongmu was not expressing concern because he had a good private relationship with Wang Xijue.

But with a Senior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in front of him, a figure who would steadily enter the Cabinet as long as the person on the throne did not pass away early, if something happened because of sea transport...

Those court officials who wanted to stop sea transport would probably not be so easily suppressed by the Emperor as before.

The trouble would still be his, Wang Zongmu!

Hearing this, Wang Xijue shook his head: "The voices in the court about stopping sea transport have never stopped, with endless discussions and fierce words."

"Besides reefs, storms, and shipbuilding techniques, there is also the saying that ships leaving the shore are beyond jurisdiction."

"Now that the grain ship robbery case has just happened, I fear the central government will have another round of arguments."

"I will just happen to use myself as an example to be a gun for Grand Coordinator Wang."

"Furthermore, my heading north this time is to be a pillar of the state; if I don't see these new methods with my own eyes, how can I be qualified to govern the country later?"

Wang Zongmu was speechless.

He had no choice but to bow, praying in his heart for Wang Xijue's safe journey.

Pan Jixun, who was to the side, smiled and comforted: "Since the sea ships began to pass on the 15th of the first month of the sixth year of Wanli, there have been thousands of voyages, transporting countless grain, salt, and spices, and only two ships have capsized. Vice Minister Wang, please rest assured."

Wang Zongmu couldn't help but feel a toothache upon hearing this.

The man is about to board a ship, and you are counting the capsized ships to his face.

No wonder this fellow was suppressed by Zhu Heng in the Ministry of Works; his speech truly lacks official virtue.

Wang Xijue didn't care much and responded with a nod.

The group occupied a nearby government office, waiting for the official ship to be ready.

It was still early morning, and a layer of light mist still covered the sea, not yet fully dispersed.

Pan Jixun's expression was extremely emotional: "Dredging the estuary is truly no easy task. When I was entrusted with the task in a time of crisis, I saw the Yellow and Huai waters here intertwining endlessly, rotting for more than ten miles, like a galloping dragon and a mad python, rushing into the sea, almost like the story of Yunti Pass."

"Now that there is this scene, just what passed through my hands consumed over four million taels of silver and over seven hundred thousand laborers."

"Seeing it again now, it truly feels like a lifetime ago."

Wang Zongmu stood beside Pan Jixun, looking into the distance: "It is also thanks to Minister Pan."

"When Fu Xizhi was in charge of the river channels, he shirked his responsibility by citing the natural laws of Heaven and Earth, feigning illness and lying idle; wasn't it because he understood the difficulty of governing the river and had thoughts of retreating?"

Pan Jixun nodded: "This cannot be blamed on Fu Xizhi; now, in terms of the ability to govern the river, I am unrivaled in the world, even Zhu Heng is far inferior to me."

Wang Zongmu was speechless again.

Wang Xijue, who was to the side, took over the conversation and encouraged them: "Since this year, the Yellow River has burst in Xuzhou and Feng County, with the larger ones being over two hundred zhang and the smaller ones forty or fifty zhang."

"In the sixth month, the river burst again in Gaoyou, Dangshan, Shaojiakou, and Caojiazhuang."

"The water situation is intense, and Minister Pan needs to continue his efforts."

Wang Zongmu followed up: "Vice Minister Wang's words are true. Besides the river situation, there are also unfinished matters in sea transport. The Chongming Port has been under construction for three years and is still not finished. I don't know when there will be a result."

Hearing this, Pan Jixun scratched the back of his head, then suddenly thought of something and started counting his lifespan on his fingers.

The other two were not surprised and continued to change the subject.

The three high officials chatted aimlessly.

Time slowly reached noon.

The official ship was finally ready.

Nearly a hundred sailors, boatmen, accompanying soldiers, and subordinates boarded the ship one after another.

After Wang Xijue bowed to his two colleagues, he turned around and boarded the ship gracefully without looking back.

Sea transport itself does not have ships dedicated to passenger transport.

But after the Yizhen Shipyard was split and purchased by major merchant firms in Nanzhili, due to demand, each firm successively modified their ocean-going ships, producing some passenger ships that integrated sightseeing, illegal overseas trade, and collective use of Yangzhou "thin horses."

"At the beginning of the year, Shen Shixing was ordered to enter the Cabinet to handle affairs, and Wang Xijue was ordered to the capital to take over the position of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."

"It happened that Wang Xijue's daughter, Tanyangzi, flew to heaven in broad daylight, and the whole family held a grand sacrifice. Wang Xijue delayed for several months before setting off. Shen Shixing has been handling the Ministry of Personnel affairs during this period, and even if he entered the Cabinet, he had no time to share government affairs."

Shen Li frowned.

No wonder the struggle in the court reached this point.

The Cabinet Wang Chonggu does not manage government affairs, Gao, Lu, and Ma are old and sick and cannot handle affairs, and the successor Shen Shixing is unable to get away from managing the Ministry of Personnel for Zhang Juzheng.

And among the Nine Ministers.

The Censorate's prestigious Ge Shouli passed away, Dali Temple Minister Chen Dong was sent to Xuanda, Zhang Han and Chen Kai were incompetent, and the Ministry of War was suspicious of the Emperor because of the Beijing Camp.

If it were in the past, this transition period would not be a big deal.

Promoting new appointments and filling vacancies would be a one or two-year running-in period.

Unfortunately, it has been seven years since the new policies, and the Emperor and the Cabinet have been slashing, not knowing how many people they have offended.

Officials dissatisfied with the Examination Law.

Gentry who fear measuring fields.

Local government offices that resist checking population.

Imperial clans whose clan property was confiscated.

New Jinshi who have been sent to local areas for several years and have suffered enough.

These people will inevitably aim at the vacancy of the Cabinet's old and new replacement, and make a big fuss about the Emperor's lack of heir.

Shen Li looked down at himself.

With his qualifications, if he returned to the court at this moment, a position of Vice Minister of the Six Ministries would be indispensable—this is also the reason why Sima Zhi, a fifth-rank Vice-Prefect, is respectful in front of him, a sixth-rank Left Zhongyun.

But unfortunately, even if he recovers his health, he cannot return to the court.

His mother passed away only three months ago, and he must at least mourn until the ninth year of Wanli before he can return to the court to share the Emperor's worries.

Thinking of this, Shen Li looked at Sima Zhi.

Just looking at this guy's actions, he already felt that the situation in the local area was tense.

Now that this guy talked about the court situation, he made him feel restless.

Alas, Shen Li sighed.

Only hope that the holy ruler can withstand this round of backlash from measuring fields.

He originally planned to just restrain his own family after entering the city and then return quickly.

But after listening to Sima Zhi's statement about the court situation along the way, Shen Li couldn't help but have a more enthusiastic and positive attitude toward Sima Zhi's request.

Upon arriving at Guide Prefecture.

Shen Li declined Sima Zhi's invitation to take the wind and wash the dust and rest for half a day.

Instead, he went non-stop and began to control the situation in Guide Prefecture for Sima Zhi.

On that day, Shen Li, in the capacity of a local powerful family and clan elder, scolded and restrained the petty officials of the prefectural office.

Subsequently, he met with the juniors of the Shen family one by one, ordering everyone to follow the government orders of the court, etc.

The next day, he invited the scholars of the county school and prefectural school, relied on his status as a famous elder and court Hanlin, and formed a club—called the Wenya Club.

Aiming to educate customs, look forward to goodness together, and especially criticized the evil deeds of a group of people who bombed the dike and resisted the prefectural office.

Three days later, a special dinner was set up, and the people with faces in Guide Prefecture City were gathered in the prefectural office.

Shen Li, in the posture of the head of the noble family and the central superior, expounded the court's difficulties, saying that in the matter of obeying government orders, the Shen family must set an example, and moved the noble families with emotion, and tempted them with profit.

Sima Zhi, who was prepared to have a good fight with this Left Zhongyun, followed Shen Li, calling himself a student, moving his mouth to call Mr. Left Zhongyun.

Except for a few families bribing privately, a few unimportant madmen bumping into Sima Zhi's family, and a few clumsy gathering and smashing, the measuring of fields in Guide Prefecture finally started.

……

The next is the home field of the prefectural office, and Shen Li cannot help much.

Because he had to go back to hold the third Yu sacrifice during the mourning period, Shen Li said

Unfortunately, it is already night, so we can only wait until tomorrow night.

With Wang Xijue's status, when the ship docks, he naturally doesn't need to squeeze in with other ships.

Even his younger brother Wang Dingjue had long ago notified the officials to clear the pier, while he himself stood in a conspicuous place, waiting alone.

Entering the tenth month, the north already had a sense of desolation.

Not to mention after nightfall.

A cool breeze blew, making people shrink their necks.

Seeing his elder brother walk in, Wang Dingjue hurried forward: "Big Brother."

Wang Xijue nodded, reached out to wrap the coat his brother handed him around himself, and asked casually: "Zhang Juzheng left the court, did he take the land route?"

He took the water route to the capital and didn't run into Zhang Juzheng along the way.

That naturally means he likely took the land route.

Wang Dingjue was stunned: "The Chief Grand Secretary hasn't left the court yet."

Now it was Wang Xijue's turn to be stunned: "Isn't he retiring due to mourning for his father and escorting the coffin back to his hometown?"

Wang Dingjue hesitated for a moment and looked around.

After confirming that there were no Embroidered Uniform Guards on the pier, he whispered: "His Majesty, considering the weight of state affairs, has retained the Chief Grand Secretary."

Wang Xijue finally realized.

The back-flowing night wind could not close his mouth in surprise: "Duo Qing!?"

Wang Dingjue nodded: "In the eighth month, the Chief Grand Secretary begged to return home to observe mourning. His Majesty said that the country is in need of people, and ordered him to 'Duo Qing' and continue his duties."

Wang Xijue frowned and asked: "Has he already been 'Duo Qing'?"

Wang Dingjue's expression was strange: "Not yet, they have been entangled until now."

He paused: "Court officials have some dissenting views. Although no one said it clearly at the court deliberation, after the court session, censorate officials and new jinshi successively submitted memorials, hoping His Majesty would withdraw his order."

"The new jinshi Zou Yuanbiao submitted a memorial saying..."

"Juzheng's talent may be usable, but his academic views are biased; although he has the ambition to act, he is too self-willed. He is of no benefit to the state and can be dispensed with."

After hearing this, Wang Xijue couldn't help but shake his head.

The Emperor's reason for "Duo Qing" is naturally high-sounding: the country is in need of people.

Zou Yuanbiao is good; he directly said that while people are usable, Zhang Juzheng is mediocre, and there is no need for "Duo Qing."

"And then?" Wang Xijue's gaze was somewhat solemn.

Wang Dingjue continued: "On the Wuwu day of the ninth month, the Chief Grand Secretary begged again to return home to observe mourning."

"Chen Sanmo cited the stories of Yang Pu, Jin Youzi, Li Xian, and 'Duo Qing' and resumption of office, requesting to retain the Chief Grand Secretary."

"His Majesty said, 'Guiding me, the Emperor, and handling state affairs for the country is true filial piety and loyalty. You must not abandon public righteousness for private feelings. You should suppress your feelings and obey the order; do not submit memorials again.'"

Wang Xijue sighed.

The precedents of Yang Pu and Li Xian cannot hold water.

Yang Pu had previously asked for leave to visit his mother and returned home, just in time to preside over the funeral arrangements, and Li Xian also returned home to mourn before receiving the imperial order for "Duo Qing."

Thinking that this precedent can suppress dissenting views is probably too simple.

Without waiting for Wang Xijue to ask, Wang Dingjue whispered: "After the court session, the Ministry of Justice Secretary Shen Sixiao submitted a memorial, saying..."

"In the former dynasty, Yang Pu and Li Xian also experienced resumption of office, but Pu first returned home to visit his mother, and Xian also received the imperial order for 'Duo Qing' after returning home to mourn. There has never been a case of resumption of office without leaving the capital."

"Juzheng observing mourning is tied to the eternal principles of the state and concerns the views of the four directions."

"If the Emperor insists on making him violate his heart and suppress his feelings, holding grief and pain in the temple, and then blaming him for making decisions and governing, perhaps that is not his true feeling."

"If the Emperor still wants him to spread governance and set an example for the world, and then blames him for following orders and teaching, perhaps that is not the principle."

"Begging His Majesty to withdraw the order."

Wang Xijue's expression became increasingly solemn.

He looked at his brother seriously: "Is the court about to have factional strife!?"

Wang Dingjue was a bit slow and didn't know how to answer.

Wang Xijue had to wave his hand: "Forget it, and then?"

Wang Dingjue hesitated for a while, looked out again, and confirmed that no one could eavesdrop.

Only then did he lean into his brother's ear and say: "At the end of the ninth month, that is, five days ago, the Chief Grand Secretary begged for the third time to return home to observe mourning."

"This time, before the Emperor could express his stance, the public sentiment was already surging."

"This morning, a poster was distributed in the city."

"It said..."

"Now there is someone who governs the country for Heaven and fosters principles for the world, yet he is self-willed and ruins both. Disregarding the criticism of others, is he not a lone man?"

"Now there is someone who ignores his own parents, and when they die, he does not bury them. If people don't call him cruel, they call him thin-hearted; if they don't call him a beast, they call him heartless. Can he really be called a human?"

"Ruining principles and tarnishing ethics."

"A lone man is not a human and should be punished by the Sage."

"If the Sage does not punish him, Heaven will surely punish him!"

As soon as the words fell.

Boom!

A cold wind blew, and a heavy rain fell without warning.

The two brothers looked up in astonishment.

Dark clouds suddenly gathered, and the heavenly drums roared loudly.

Thunder suddenly appeared, spreading like a spider web.

The night sky flickered.

In an instant, the sky suddenly brightened.

A comet streaked across the southwest, brilliant and bright, splitting the Tail and Winnowing Basket constellations, crashing through the Dipper and Ox constellations, carrying the momentum of the thirty-three heavens, directly pressing toward the Girl constellation.

The Purple Forbidden Star showed signs of dimming.

(End of chapter)