Present Village’s villagers seemed busy—some farming, some washing clothes, some cooking—but in reality, they were all multitasking, playing their roles while eavesdropping on the conversation inside the Green Tiles Small House.
Of course, this was done with the Empress’s tacit approval; otherwise, no one would dare.
The Minister of Household Affairs, over two hundred years old and a veteran of three reigns, wielded significant power. After listening to the Empress’ Husband’s eloquent discourse, he couldn’t help but sigh:
“With the Empress’ Husband, Great Jin is like a tiger with wings, a flood dragon returning to the sea. I had been pondering the true intent of the Prime Minister’s national strategy, but now, thanks to the Empress’ Husband’s insights, it all makes sense!”
“Although it’s just speculation, I believe this is indeed the Prime Minister’s true strategy.”
Most people couldn’t understand Jiang Canghai’s strategy. Even after Meng Qingzhou’s explanation, they remained skeptical, thinking the plan was too ruthless, harming both others and oneself.
To confront both the Western Buddhist Kingdom and the Northern Sejong Alliance simultaneously was like performing on the edge of a volcano, a slight misstep could lead to self-destruction.
However, some ministers who knew Jiang Canghai well understood that the Empress’ Husband’s words were likely close to the truth.
The Minister of Household Affairs had served alongside Jiang Canghai for sixty years and knew him well. He knew Jiang Canghai was not as kind and gentle as he appeared.
“The Prime Minister’s strategies are often meticulous and gradual. But once he goes to war, he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, even if it means a life-for-life exchange,” the Minister of Household Affairs muttered to himself.
At that moment.
A black streak of light shot across the sky from the west, visible to all.
The Minister of Household Affairs looked up, his pupils contracting sharply, and whispered:
“Beacon of war, a sign of great battle!”
“Coming from the west, it’s a message from the Prime Minister. They’ve officially gone to war with the Western Buddhist Kingdom!”
……
Green Tiles Small House.
Dongfang Liuli saw the black streak of light and sighed softly, saying:
“The war to unify the Wilderness has finally… begun. Who will rise and fall, we shall see.”
Meng Qingzhou thought Dongfang Liuli was reminiscing about her days in court and thus feeling sentimental.
“Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, no matter the floods or upheavals, I will protect you all,” Meng Qingzhou said, holding Dongfang Liuli’s shoulder.
“Yes, I believe you,” Dongfang Liuli rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes vacant.
Su Qingqiu sat on a small stool, hugging her long legs, her chin resting on her knees, and sighed inwardly:
“Your Majesty will be busy again.”
“I’ll go buy some groceries and treat you well tonight,” Dongfang Liuli said, getting up and heading out the door.
…….
Golden Throne Hall.
All officials of the fifth rank and above were present, regardless of sick leave or other duties. Thousands of officials lined up from the hall to the Imperial Dao outside.
Su Qingqiu, holding a sword, stood beside the Empress, her cold eyes scanning the officials below.
Dongfang Liuli, clad in a dragon robe, spoke solemnly:
“I believe everyone has seen the beacon message. The Prime Minister has led Great Jin’s million soldiers into official combat with the Western Buddhist Kingdom.”
“The Empress’ Husband and the Prime Minister have devised a strategy to initiate the war to unify the Wilderness. The details of the strategy will be discussed later.”
The Empress paused, and suddenly the sound of clashing armor echoed into the Golden Throne Hall from outside.
Squads of black-armored soldiers surrounded the entire palace.
Led personally by the ten generals of the Ministry of War, they held lists in their hands, breaking down door after door without explanation.
“Chief Eunuch Li Fan, a spy from an enemy nation, guilty as charged, execute without mercy!”
With a swift slash, blood splattered, and a large head rolled to the ground.
Panic-stricken cries filled the palace, mixed with the sounds of blades piercing flesh, turning the palace into a river of blood, the stench of blood permeating the air.
Not only the inner palace but even the Golden Throne Hall was surrounded by black-armored soldiers.
The ministers were drenched in cold sweat, especially those with unclear backgrounds, who were sweating profusely and quickly spoke up:
“Your Majesty… what is the meaning of this?”
Dongfang Liuli’s lips curled into a cold smile, “Before a national war, we must purge the traitors and enemy spies.”
“From now on, everyone will watch closely the fate of those who betray Great Jin!”
“The ten generals of the Ministry of War will read out the charges from the list and execute on the spot!”
“Today, I will use your blood to bolster the army’s morale.”
The ten generals of the Ministry of War bowed and said, “We obey Your Majesty’s command.”
Immediately.
The ten generals of the Ministry of War took out a three-inch-thick list and began reading from the first page:
“Minister of Household Affairs, fourth rank, Enke Lang, native of Cyan State, Great Jin. Three years ago, he began colluding with the Northern Sejong Alliance, selling intelligence, a traitor.”
“Execute!”
One of the ten generals made a gesture, and a hand knife slashed down.
Several black-armored soldiers pinned down the official, first piercing his dantian with a knife to abolish his cultivation, then covering his face with white cloth, slitting his throat, and finally driving a soul-dispersing needle into his forehead, extinguishing his divine soul instantly.
The process was smooth, killing a minister in front of the entire court like slaughtering a chicken.
No evidence was needed, and no one questioned it, except for those with guilty consciences who kept crying out their innocence.
“Marquis of the third rank, Guqi Marquis, originally a commoner from a small nation, surrendered voluntarily, later promoted to Marquis for numerous merits. Investigation shows Guqi Marquis is an enemy spy.”
“Execute!”
Guqi Marquis was pinned down, and with a swift slash, his dantian was pierced. He screamed in agony, “Your Majesty, I’m innocent…”
But before he could finish, his face was covered, his throat slit, and his divine soul extinguished.
“Your Majesty, how can we kill ministers so recklessly before a national war? It may shake the army’s morale. Please reconsider,” an elderly minister knelt, tears streaming down his face.
One of the ten generals of the Ministry of War patted the elderly minister’s shoulder and said indifferently, “No need to kneel, your name is on the list.”
The elderly minister was stunned, and as he turned, a gleaming blade pierced his dantian, white in, red out, abolishing his cultivation.
……
From the Golden Throne Hall to every corner of the palace, the sounds of slaughter were unending, but Present Village remained detached from the world.
To avoid detection by the Empress’ Husband, the Empress activated a formation, isolating Present Village from the sounds and stench of blood.
“Your Majesty, bolstering the army’s morale is one thing, but such a grand display, is it appropriate?” the Minister of Personnel inquired via sound transmission.
The Empress flicked her long sleeves, stood up, her cold eyes sweeping over the hellish scene before her, devoid of emotion, as if watching chickens being slaughtered, and said indifferently:
“My actions need no explanation to anyone. If I act righteously, I have nothing to fear. Only those with guilty consciences will be afraid.”
“Today’s scene is a warning to all of you. Slowly savor it.”
“Do not fear, traitors and enemy spies are no different from enemies. Their screams are a beautiful melody to us.”
Among the civil and military officials, the old ministers remained calm, some even sneering at the slaughtered, letting out heavy nasal snorts, feeling somewhat gratified.
As for the newly appointed officials, they were trembling like quails, not daring to look directly at the Empress.
The new officials finally understood what it meant to be the Empress, the one who would conquer the Wilderness and the world.
“With such a domineering Empress, the Empress’ Husband’s life must be in turmoil,” the new officials thought.
Two or three hours passed.
Until the entire palace was stained red with blood, the remaining ministers finally lifted their heads, looking around in shock.
“The infiltration of our Great Jin by other nations runs so deep,” the Minister of Personnel was utterly shocked.
In the entire palace, regardless of rank, one-fifth of the people were executed.
The civil and military officials stood in the blood, surrounded by corpses, but no one dared to speak.
The Empress sat on the throne, saying calmly:
“Someone, bring seats for the ministers.”
“Before a national war, let’s discuss the state of the nation amidst the sea of blood, a refined interest.”
“Your Majesty is wise…”
In just a few hours, the Empress’s authority soared, commanding both respect and fear.
……………..
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