The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 270 - 237, "Fabricated Charges" and the Era of Obsolete Firearms (Two in One)_2

He fell into silence.

In his mind, he couldn’t help but recall a few hours earlier, he and Mr. Wang were still here playing Shuanglu chess, guessing the possible "retaliation" of Zhao Douan.

But he never imagined it would be such a tempest, making a mountain out of a molehill.

"Sir, please say something."

This time it was Shi Meng’s turn to play the role of the urgent one:

"If we wait any longer, I’m afraid the news will spread throughout the Capital Camp."

Xue Shence stood up and paced inside the room.

This matter, it appeared to be merely the dismissal of a dozen or so low-ranking military officers, affecting the Duke’s son... but in the eyes of senior military officers like Xue Shence, what really mattered was the turmoil this would cause in the army.

If it couldn’t be properly resolved, it was feared that grievances would arise.

And as the actual "department" in charge of the Capital Camp, the Privy Council would face immense pressure.

The crux was, what exactly did Her Majesty intend.

"Come with me to the palace, let’s ask for an audience with Her Majesty," Xue Shence paused and spoke.

Without delay, two military officers headed straight to the Imperial Palace and saw the Empress of Great Yu in the Yangxin Hall.

About half an hour later, the gatekeeping soldiers saw Xue Shence walk out of the Imperial Palace with a grim face.

At dusk.

In the Capital’s official circles, the news about Zhao Douan’s first day joining the Divine Mechanism Camp, wielding his authority, and dismissing Young Master Tang Ping along with a dozen military officers spread quickly.

And someone who knew the details filled in the story of Xue Shence’s palace visit.

It is said, when Xue Shence asked the Empress why the dismissals, she replied with a military discipline violation.

When Xue Shence asked further which military discipline was violated, the Empress merely answered with "fabricated charges."

Whether the story was true or false, the result was that Xue Shence returned to the Privy Council, pretending nothing had happened, and Shi Meng also shamefully returned to the Divine Mechanism Camp, no longer trying to resist.

For a time, the ministers were astonished.

...

At White Horse Hall, behind the government office.

Sun Lianying, his temples frosted with white, sat in a bamboo chair, listened to his subordinate’s report, and couldn’t help but drift away.

Waving his hand to send the person away, the Old Director then looked up at the increasingly yellowing leaves above and muttered:

"What is this young man up to?"

Imperial Court, Governor Hall.

Ma Yan sat in the grand hall, watching the increasingly troubled clouds in the dark sky outside, and inexplicably recalled the scene when Zhao Douan first stirred trouble in the Imperial Court.

Originally, he thought that beating the Princess’s son and arresting officials at will was already mad enough.

Unexpectedly, now he went further, sweeping people away in one stroke.

Oddly, Ma Yan felt a bit of schadenfreude: "This time, it’s Xue Shence’s turn to have a headache."

...

In the evening, Dong Xuan unexpectedly ran into Yuann Li again on his way home from Xiuwen Pavilion.

"Has the Grandmaster heard about the mess Zhao Douan stirred up today?"

Yuan Qingyi, with his sleeves folded, asked with a chuckle.

The elderly Grandmaster Dong glanced at the old villain and shook his head:

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"I only know of a bunch of hotheaded officers who were dismissed, but Lord Yuan, do tell, what else did Zhao Douan do?"

The refined and handsome Imperial Censor chuckled and played it off:

"Perhaps I heard wrong. I just recall every time Zhao Douan steps into a government office, he tends to turn that part of the world upside down, and someone always has bad luck, but I don’t know whose turn it will be this time."

Bah... wasn’t it you who pushed and promoted Zhao Douan to this stage today? Pretending to be innocent… Dong Xuan shook his head, saying:

"Let’s see."

He was actually quite curious about what Zhao Douan ultimately wanted to do.

...

Li Mansion.

Under the night sky, "Young Master" Li Yinglong, no longer traveling by sedan, leapt down from the carriage and hurried into the mansion, with the servants along the way paying their respects by calling him "Young Master."

Li Yinglong nodded perfunctorily and waited until he entered the study before he lightened his steps and said with a smile beaming across his face:

"Father, there’s excitement to watch!"

Thereafter, since the last incident, the visibly more low-key Young Master recounted the news he had obtained.

Inside the study, an extensive, expensive desk was covered with stacks of fine paper and brush stands.

Li Yanfu, whose beard nearly merged with his sideburns, dressed in a loose, luxurious robe, was practicing calligraphy.

After quietly listening to Li Yinglong’s account, he slowly finished the last stroke on the paper, raised his sleeve with the other hand, and said in a hoarse voice:

"So?"

Li Yinglong was all smiles:

"This time Zhao Douan has picked a fight with the military officers, isn’t this good news for us?

Whether it’s Her Majesty wanting to act against the old ministers of the late Emperor headed by the Privy Council, or that Zhao surnamed getting carried away, now he’s not only offended the Duke but also disgusted Xue Shence and his crowd.

I heard that now in the Capital Camp there’s already much discussion, and in the city, the Imperial Palace Guards, Jin Wu Guards, and other imperial guards have received the news... A great many military officers share the same resentment.

Hehe, whatever Zhao Douan’s intentions might be, the chaos he caused now seems to have exceeded his expectations, and if it can’t be handled well...

Heh, even if he is temporarily favored by Her Majesty, but after a few days when Her Majesty finishes dealing with the military officers and needs to soothe the military’s spirit, he won’t avoid being pushed out..."

During his speech, there was undisguised malice in his eyes.

Deeply engraved with the resentment from last time.

"Done talking?"

Li Yanfu, without lifting his head, moistened the brush in the brush-cleaning pool and twirled the brush handle:

"But what does this have to do with you?"

Li Yinglong was at a loss for words, realizing he had made a mistake again, and shamefully bowed his head.

Li Yanfu, however, didn’t scold him, but just leisurely said:

"The real competition does not lie in caring about the opponent but should focus on oneself... However, keeping an eye on this matter isn’t wrong, continue to explore, and report immediately if there are any changes."