"Lord, something has happened in Liang State."

Awakened by the whisper in his ear, Lu Yi, who was on duty at the Qing Palace, opened his eyes, glanced at the letter he had just written, immediately furrowed his brow, and set the paper alight in the candle flame. He pushed the door open and spoke to the little eunuch serving outside,

"Request an audience with the Crown Prince."

The little eunuch glanced at the sky, hesitated for a moment.

Lu Yi coldly ordered, "Go quickly!"

The little eunuch shivered, hurriedly grabbed a lantern, and ran into the dark depths of the palace.

After a while, a lamp was lit on a distant palace wall.

Thus, Lu Yi entered the palace, passing through many walls, under the watchful eyes of countless shadows in the dark, straight into the Crown Prince's chamber, where he knelt outside a thin curtain and bowed to the person behind it, who was dragged out from bed, trying hard to stay awake,

"Something has happened in Liang State of the Eastern Capital. The Prime Minister was assassinated, and his whole family was disemboweled and heart-extracted by the Demon Path. The forces of Liang State couldn't withstand it; from the local governor down, everyone died, and the traitors escaped. At today's morning court, Shanglin Garden will surely ask about it."

Upon hearing of Shanglin Garden, the person behind the curtain immediately became alert,

"What should be done?"

Lu Yi responded fluently,

"Zhang Xun can go."

"Zhang Xun..."

Silence fell in the hall once more, as the Crown Prince, known only for his generosity, couldn't yet live up to the reputation of being talented, nor did he possess a mind as resourceful and strategic as Lu Yi's. With so many people around, he couldn't recall who was who for a moment.

Lu Yi patiently explained,

"Xun is a staff member of the Qing Palace, currently serving as Qingyang County Magistrate. He has remarkable political achievements, is honest and incorruptible, loyal and unmatched, skilled in both civil and military affairs. He should be heavily utilized."

Hearing that it was one of his own, the Crown Prince naturally nodded, but immediately hesitated a bit,

"But he's just a County Magistrate; suddenly appointing him as Prime Minister, I'm afraid Shanglin Garden won't allow it."

Lu Yi confidently replied,

"The Eastern Country has forty cities, with Suiyang commandery as the hub for canal transportation. It's a strategic point that guards the imperial lands and serves as the shield for Jiang and Huai. Tax grains and money from the southeast, from the two vassals Zhen and Xun, are transported to Luoyang from this place. A trusted person should be placed here.

We can promote the Suiyang Governor to Liang Xiang locally and appoint Xun as the Prefectural Governor, concurrently overseeing Cao Duwei, to manage both military and political affairs and clean up the mess. In this way, if there is any change in the world, they can block the river and close the pass, take control of Taicang, and seize the southeast."

Contesting for a mere city rather than an entire country, it's thought that Shanglin Garden wouldn't care, so the Crown Prince nodded,

"Alright, go handle it."

"Yes."

Lu Yi left the palace with a frown.

In fact, he also had more to say but chose to spare the Crown Prince from unnecessary worry and indecision.

After all, Suiyang is a crucial place, and Qingyang is no less critical.

Currently, the vassal soldiers of Gen Kingdom are besieging under Wangwu Mountain. If they march day and night, they can reach the capital overnight. Just a County Magistrate is needed to shut the formation and withdraw the pass, to let the vassal soldiers in. Without a reliable person guarding the gate, there can be no peace of mind.

But Suiyang is indeed important, concerning the entire southeast's tax grains and money; without a confidant, it's even more intolerable. However, there are still too few competent and capable people in the Qing Palace nowadays, those who can stand independently are only one or two.

With Shanglin Garden letting go of such a lucrative position, there's naturally no reason not to contend for it. But the question is, why are they suddenly making a move at this time? Logically, at least until Lady Gouyi gives birth would the situation change.

Could it be that the other side sensed the Divine Sect sending strong reinforcements and plans to surprise them into early action? No, that mysterious Demon Head has unpredictable origins that can't be traced, probably not aligned, still need to tread carefully...

"Mr. Lu, Marquis Ling is here to visit."

Upon returning to the office, the guard immediately reported.

"Please invite him in."

A young martial artist soon arrived swiftly, greeting with respect upon entering the palace,

"Mr. Lu, I'm sorry to disturb you late at night."

Lu Yi naturally knew that the noble family of Marquis Ling has followed the Immortal Venerable since generations before to conquer the world, ennobled among the emperor and nobles. They've produced the first immortal queen, with continuous marriage alliances with the Immortal Family, and the title of Marquis Ling passed down through generations constantly. Each generation must command guards for the Immortal Emperor.

If there's real talent and great merit, there's even a precedent of being ennobled as a king, making them the ultimate powerful vassals among foreign relatives with real power. Such figures are naturally targets for the Crown Prince to win over, ordinarily hard to meet, and surely he wouldn't blame him for seeking him out at this hour, immediately welcoming him with a smile, inviting him inside,

"Is the Young Master here to pay respects to the Qing Palace, or do you have any instructions? Feel free to speak."

The Young Master laughed,

"Actually, it's nothing serious. I invited a group of brothers to gather and feast at my residence this evening, went on until midnight, suddenly saw a beggar coming in through the door, asking for a drink. A guest is a guest, so I invited him to have a few drinks together. Oh, that beggar has quite the appetite, continued eating through seventeen or eighteen tables without stopping, truly an alien..."

Lu Yi smiled without speaking.

The Young Master rambled,

"...Then I saw he had some skill, probably a Mixed Cultivator Wild Taoist from somewhere, trying to show off in front of me, wanting to be a guest, earn a meal. But since everyone was enjoying, I asked if he had any special skills to showcase, guess what, he actually presented a piece of poetry.

I'm just a rough man, my company too is just a bunch of warriors, but I thought Mr. Lu, with your literary brilliance, you must see it and give some comment."

"Oh, presenting poetry?"

Lu Yi saw the poetry that the Young Master handed over, a grand collection, writing about

Sweep the six directions, conquer the eight fronts, repel the four barbarians, and vanquish ten thousand nations,

In extreme luxury, with endless battles, whip the world, flog the lambs.

Emperor Shengwu, resident of Shanglin, with his beautiful consort hidden in a golden house,

Jade tiles on the ground, walls smeared with milk, glazed tiles, silver goblets.

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