20demayo Chapter 2: The Eastern and Western Depots, Galloping Through the Capital!
Chapter 2: The Eastern and Western Depots, Galloping Through the Capital!
Zhu Houzhao was startled, then overjoyed.
Immediately repeat in your mind: Sign in!
"Ding! Successful check-in at Qianqing Palace! Reward: Emperor's Conferment of Divinity Technique, granting invulnerability to swords and spears, and immunity to all poisons!"
"Ding! We have acquired Cao Zhengchun, the supervisor of the Eastern Depot. Your number of Eastern Depot henchmen has increased!"
"Ding! You have acquired Yu Huatian, the eunuch of the Western Depot. Your number of Western Depot henchmen has increased!"
"Ding! You have acquired Shen Lian, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Your Embroidered Uniform Guard membership has increased!"
"Ding! You have acquired the Four Great Constables of the Six Doors; your number of Six Doors constables has increased!"
In that instant, Zhu Houzhao's thoughts became crystal clear.
Although he was the emperor, he had no one he could trust in the court. While he was not reduced to a puppet emperor, he was constrained at every turn and could not fully unleash his potential.
But now, he not only has people he can trust, but also three sharp swords.
From then on, he was the true emperor!
An emperor who can do whatever he wants!
"Cao Zhengchun, Yu Huatian, get yourselves in here now!"
Zhu Houzhao suddenly shouted, startling Liu Jian.
The next moment, the wooden door of the Qianqing Palace was pushed open, and Cao Zhengchun and Yu Huatian came in together.
"This old servant, Cao Zhengchun, greets Your Majesty!"
"Your subject, Yu Huatian, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
Cao Zhengchun had a full head of white hair and a harmless smile on his face.
But those who fell into the hands of the Eastern Depot would only tremble with fear at the sight of his smile.
Yu Huatian had a handsome face, with feminine features, and wore a magnificent brocade robe, spotless and immaculate.
He had an icy expression and never smiled, except when he was in front of the emperor.
The two men knelt before Zhu Houzhao, their expressions extremely respectful.
Zhu Houzhao immediately ordered: "Yu Huatian, you will immediately lead the Western Depot to Xuanfu to thoroughly investigate the battle at Yutai Ridge!"
"Cao Zhengchun, you lead the Eastern Depot to continue investigating the accounts of all troops and granaries around the capital. Find out the truth for me as quickly as possible!"
"Anyone who disobeys or disobeys will be permitted to execute without prior notification!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After receiving their orders, the two quickly left the Qianqing Palace and immediately went to carry out the tasks assigned by Zhu Houzhao.
Upon seeing this scene, Liu Jian's lips trembled. He wanted to say something more, but Zhu Houzhao's cold gaze frightened him so much that he retreated repeatedly.
"Grand Secretary Liu, there are many suspicious things about the Yu Tailing matter. I will make a decision after I have investigated it thoroughly."
Zhu Houzhao did not use a tone of discussion, but directly made a conclusion.
Liu Jian was terrified, but knowing he was powerless to change Zhu Houzhao's decision, he could only bow and take his leave.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This humble subject takes his leave."
Zhu Houzhao stared intently at Liu Jian's retreating figure, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
Imperial power and the power of the prime minister are naturally opposed yet unified.
The imperial power needs the power of the prime minister to govern the country, but it must also guard against the prime minister's power strictly and never allow the prime minister's power to supersede the imperial power.
Just now, he vaguely sensed that the cabinet, seeing that he was young and had only recently taken office, was already trying to take advantage of him.
He had to give these cabinet ministers a good talking-to and let them know whether the world belonged to the emperor or to his cabinet!
Now that he had received the system's reward, Zhu Houzhao's fear and unease had completely subsided.
At this moment, his heart was filled only with the calm and composure of looking down upon the world and in control of all living beings.
The power or lack thereof can change a person's mindset so quickly!
When Liu Jian left Qianqing Palace, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, somewhat incredulous.
Is it sweat?
How could a fifteen-year-old boy make him sweat?
Liu Jian grew increasingly alarmed and frightened as he thought about it, recalling the moment Zhu Houzhao gave the order and made eye contact with him.
He always felt that he was not facing a young emperor who had just ascended the throne, but an iron-fisted emperor who held absolute power and controlled life and death!
Liu Jian shook his head, banishing the random thoughts from his mind, and strode out of the palace.
As soon as he left the Qianqing Palace, he saw Liu Jin, who had previously been favored by Zhu Houzhao, lying on the ground, being beaten on the buttocks with wooden sticks by agents of the Eastern Depot.
"Ah! Your Majesty, spare me!"
"Ah! Your Majesty, this old servant will never dare to do it again!"
"Ah! Your Majesty, spare me! This old servant is going to be beaten to death!"
"..."
Liu Jin's buttocks had been beaten until they were torn open and bleeding profusely, making him look extremely miserable.
Liu Jian shivered, turned his head, and quickened his pace as he left the palace.
……
The Western Depot (Xichang) government office.
Yu Huatian arrived at the yamen and immediately took stock of the troops.
"Big boss!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
Ma Jinliang, the head of the Western Depot, has heterochromatic eyes with more white than black, a half-mask covering his mouth, and two swords on his back. He looks like a demon and can stop children from crying at night.
"Immediately muster five thousand agents from the Western Depot and have them accompany me to Xuanfu to investigate the Yu Tailing case!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Moments later, the gates of the Western Depot opened wide, and five thousand Western Depot agents rode their horses through the deep night towards the East Gate!
This scene shocked all the officials in the capital.
"The Western Depot is making quite a show of force; what are they planning to do?!"
"Those murderous bastards from the Western Depot are no good anywhere they go!"
"My God! They actually left the city?!"
"..."
While everyone was still in shock, the gates of the Eastern Depot suddenly opened, and thousands of Eastern Depot agents rushed around the capital.
However, they went in the exact opposite direction from the West Factory, exiting through the West Gate.
The person in charge was none other than Cao Zhengchun, the director of the Eastern Depot.
"Hurry up, all of you! If you delay His Majesty's time, I will not let you off lightly!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Thousands of agents from the Eastern Depot rushed out and headed straight for the military camp in the Western Hills!
The Eastern Depot and the Western Depot met halfway through the journey. Cao Zhengchun and Yu Huatian sat on their horses, their eyes meeting briefly before darting away, but the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
The Eastern Depot and the Western Depot had similar duties and functions, so it was inevitable that they would compete with each other.
They wanted to show Zhu Houzhao who the sharpest knife in His Majesty's hand was!
The people from the East and West factories passed each other by, each going off to complete their own missions.
Shenhou Mansion.
The Wind and Rain Pavilion.
Zhuge Zhengwo and his four disciples sat upstairs, watching the East and West Factories pass by in the city.
"His Majesty's sudden mobilization of the East and West Depots, with the directors of both depots leading the teams, suggests that something big is about to happen," Tie Shou said thoughtfully.
Leng Xue was somewhat agitated: "Why didn't His Majesty entrust this matter to the Six Doors? Or are these eunuchs more favored by His Majesty?"
"Cold-blooded, watch your words!"
Zhuge Zhengwo's face darkened: "Whether it's the Imperial Guard or the Six Doors, they're all just His Majesty's lackeys. His Majesty can use whomever he wants; you don't need to gossip like that, understand?!"
"Uncle, I understand. I just hope to receive more attention from His Majesty."
Even after being reprimanded, Leng Xue's expression remained icy: "With the Six Doors involved, we can definitely handle it better than those imperial guards!"
Zhuge Zhengwo sighed. How could he not want that too?
But His Majesty is the master of this land; he can use whomever he wants without having to explain himself to others.
"These are not things for you to consider."
As Zhuge Zheng was speaking, he suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Has there been any unusual activity at the Dragon Guard Manor these past few days?"