I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

A single sentence sealed the fate of Minister Cui and the others!

Zhou Yi knelt on the ground, revealing a smile as if to say, “As expected.”

The new policy concerns His Majesty’s achievements and failures in history; anyone who dares to obstruct it is committing a heinous crime. At this point, whether Minister Cui and his group are a faction is no longer important.

Reform has always been bloody since ancient times, and a group of ministers is just right for establishing authority.

The Orthodox Emperor said, “Show this confession to those outside, they claim to be upright gentlemen every day, yet they live as treacherous villains!”

Eunuch Yuan, holding the confession, left the hall, and soon a chorus of grievance cries arose.

Minister Cui reacted most violently, his daughter in the Inner Palace as a consort, already pregnant with the royal heir, must not lose the Holy Blessing.

“This servant is wronged, willing to prove my innocence with death!”

As he spoke, he charged towards the palace door, and just as he was about to crash into it, the guard inside caught Zhou Yi’s glance and immediately used Qinggong to block in front of him, pressing Minister Cui to the ground.

The Orthodox Emperor ordered, “Take them all to the imperial prison and submit them to a joint trial by the three departments.”

Amidst the wails, the eunuchs dragged all the officials away.

The Orthodox Emperor then looked towards Zhou Yi, a flash of satisfaction and annoyance in his eyes, and scolded, “You too, roll out! If such a thing happens again, you will be severely punished without mercy!”

“Thank Your Majesty.”

After bowing, Zhou Yi did not stand up but rolled away from the Yangxin Hall on the ground.

His forehead touched the ground, leaving behind a trail of bloodstains.

Seeing this, the Orthodox Emperor couldn’t help but feel compassion, among the countless officials of the National Dynasty, in terms of loyalty and capability, Zhou Yi could be ranked in the top three, a paragon of loyalty to the National Dynasty.

The only flaw is his brutality and love of killing, but this is also an advantage!

“Summon Imperial Physician Liu to treat young Yi’s wounds.”

“As you command!”

Eunuch Yuan bowed solemnly to take the order, a flash of jealousy in his eyes.

Eunuchs are the emperor’s servants, no matter how high their rank, they are treated like property, no different from the furniture and utensils in the palace.

For an Imperial Physician to treat a noble, it is indeed a great honor for a eunuch to enjoy.

Eunuch Yuan quickly dismissed the thought of upstaging Eunuch Yi.

“The situation is settled; best to step aside for now!”

…

The Valued Hall Watch.

Eighteen adopted sons gathered together, one massaging his shoulders, another applying medication.

The endearing calls of “Godfather” filled Zhou Yi with a sense of bliss.

Xiaoquzi flattered, “Godfather, that Yuntai Academy has been around for hundreds of years. Even esteemed elders must respect it when they visit, but you ordered it to be destroyed with just a word.”

The backbone of the Inspectorate had been transferred from the Valued Hall Watch, and everything that happened at the academy and the dungeons had already been reported to the palace.

Among these was certainly what Eunuch Wen had said, and in the ears of his adopted sons, it meant that Zhou Yi would rather risk himself than let them take the blame and die.

This made the originally fabricated relationship of father and sons gain a few more strands of sincerity.

“Remember, our loyalty is only to His Majesty; everything else is nonsense.”

Zhou Yi said, “Never mind that Yuntai Academy. Even if the Jiangnan gentry oppose His Majesty, I dare lead my men to surround them and spare no one!”

“Godfather is wise.”

Xiaoquzi kept singing praises, taking the words to heart for possible future use.

Daqing in the north has few noble families, as they usually suffer purges with each change of dynasty and mostly consist of nobility who established their standing with the founding Emperor. Jiangnan, on the other hand, has seen little warfare, with clannish powers entrenched, and some noble families enduring through several dynasties.

In Xiaoquzi’s eyes, Zhou Yi could not possibly contend with the noble clans, but they might be a stepping stone when the time is right!

While they were talking.

A eunuch hurriedly entered, reporting, “News from Yichun Palace: upon hearing of her father’s imprisonment, the distressed Lady Cui fell and had a miscarriage.”

“Understood.”

A flicker of unusual color crossed Zhou Yi’s eyes. He had thought that the Empress Dowager, coming from humble origins, was not adept at palace intrigue; he hadn’t expected such decisive and ruthless action.

“But such heavy-handed tactics will surely arouse His Majesty’s suspicion; maybe… this couple is only a step away from turning openly hostile and don’t care for anything else!”

Considering this, Zhou Yi was even less optimistic about the Empress Dowager’s situation.

The Emperor, carrying the might of his successful western campaigns, had reached an unsurpassable peak in prestige, with no one in the National Dynasty able to challenge his edge.

Zhou Yi instructed, “Keep a close watch on Yichun Palace and report any news promptly.”

“As commanded.”

The eunuch bowed to take orders and left for Yichun Palace.

The loss of the royal heir will undoubtedly cause a significant stir.

Lady Cui’s every action, even those of her personal maids and eunuchs, needs constant surveillance.

“Xiaoquzi, go down to the south for a task. The Wu family of Jiangning has forcibly interfered in the tribute cloth business. Out of regard for the royal heir, our house has swallowed pride and acknowledged it.”

Zhou Yi’s voice was cold. “Now that the royal heir is gone, the Wu family should be gone too!”

Xiaoquzi said, “Godfather, we have been watching the Wu family closely. The fabrics they supplied last month faded, a crime of deceiving the Emperor, and they deserve to have their family eradicated!”

“Hehehe! I trust you to handle things well.”

Zhou Yi patted Xiaoquzi on the shoulder, “Go to the Inspectorate for an external affairs Token, and when you get to Jiangning, contact Eunuch Xing. Do things cleanly and leave no loose ends!”

Within the capital, a family’s destruction is just that, for after all, it’s right under the Emperor’s nose and some semblance of law is observed.

Once outside the capital, the destruction of a family meant eradication!

“Thank you, Godfather.”

Xiaoquzi gave three knocks and nine bows, left high-spirited, determined to thoroughly loot Jiangning on this trip.

The other sons looked on enviously. Xiaoquzi, indeed the most favored son, always got to handle the lucrative affairs and would be treated with even more respect in the future.

Zhou Yi’s eyes narrowed as he watched Xiaoquzi’s departing figure.

“This fellow’s schemes are too deep; he cannot be kept for long!”

…

End of the month.

As the New Year approaches.

The Orthodox Emperor held banquets in succession, celebrating the expansion of the National Dynasty.

The Emperor’s joy and anger dictate the mood in the palace. Influenced by this, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed and joyful.

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