The first county magistrate in history

Chapter 284: Loyalty but slandered, the rabbit is dead and the dog is abandoned

Xia Mochu looked at An Dehai deeply, smiled bitterly, and shook his head: "Uncle An, you should know that I promised my father that I would do my best to assist Mo Ning to ascend the throne. And, you know, I didn't want to be the emperor. Even if I hadn't been poisoned, I would have wanted to be free from official duties. Mo Ning used to be naughty, but now, as you can see, she has grown rapidly."

An Dehai said worriedly, "Forgive me for being blunt, but I'm really worried that the little princess will be bewitched by Qin Zheng. Your Majesty has seen that the little princess trusts Qin Zheng so much that she practically obeys his orders. Take the department store for example; she won't let Your Majesty get involved."

Xia Mochu smiled and said, "Mo Ning is kind-hearted by nature, so there's nothing wrong with her defending her master. I've also thought that if we really affect the department store's profits, it would be like cutting off the fuel from under the cauldron, killing the chicken to get the eggs, which would do more harm than good.

Besides, Qin Zheng and I originally agreed that the revenue from the department store would not be used to replenish the national treasury, but rather to renovate Liangjin. After all, the national treasury lacks the money to fund Liangjin's renovation. It's already very difficult for Qin Zheng to be self-sufficient."

The more the empress defended Qin Zheng, the more worried An Dehai became: "Your Majesty, I really cannot stand Qin Zheng's arrogance and disrespect, but it is not that I am narrow-minded, nor am I jealous of talented people.

Actually, I admire his talent. But the greater his talent, the more restless I am. Since ancient times, human hearts have been fickle and unpredictable. Who can guarantee that Qin Zheng truly has no ambitions? Perhaps he doesn't have ambitions now, but who can guarantee that he won't have them in the future?

If his ambitions grow, with his wisdom and tactics, as well as his incomprehensible background, can we stop him?"

Xia Mochu's expression suddenly became serious.

In fact, this is not only Andehai's concern, but also her concern.

An Dehai said again: "Your Majesty, I have another worry!"

Xia Mochu: "Uncle An, just say it!"

An Dehai: "If Qin Zheng truly supports the princess, we can all rest assured. After all, he may be a member of the Five Elements Sect, and his actions represent the Five Elements Sect. However, I am worried that the Five Elements Sect will not change its original intention and want its own people to take charge of the country?"

Xia Mochu's expression changed drastically: "Impossible?"

An Dehai said, "First, I beg Your Majesty to forgive me. In fact, I have always suspected that Qin Zheng was directing and acting all this time, just to get closer to Your Majesty. In Hongtong County, did he already know Your Majesty's identity?"

Xia Mochu blushed, knowing that An Dehai was referring to the incident in Hongtong County where she and Qin Zheng had both been drugged by a drug.

Xia Mochu's expression became solemn and his mood became complicated.

In fact, she also had doubts.

After all, it was Qin Zheng who captured Swallow Li Si and then killed him, leaving no evidence. Everything was just Qin Zheng's story, with no actual evidence.

At the beginning, she valued talent and ignored many things.

But during this period, she also thought about it and had doubts.

This time, An Dehai brought it up, making her even more uncertain.

Xia Mochu didn't say anything because she didn't know what to say.

An Dehai continued, "I feel that although we should not be slandered for our loyalty, and abandon our efforts to the afterlife, it is right to be on guard. It is not wrong to let Qin Zheng reform Liangjin. With his talent, he will surely succeed. However, it is inappropriate to let him hold all the power."

Your Majesty must have heard that Qin Zheng's last mission earned him great renown and earned him widespread respect and admiration. Since then, you should also know that many righteous individuals have frequently sent petitions to Your Majesty, urging you to appoint Qin Zheng as an imperial envoy to inspect their regions, punish wickedness, and combat corruption. We have always suppressed these requests.

But this shows that Qin Zheng's influence has penetrated deeply into the hearts of the people. I am afraid that it will develop to the point where Qin Zheng can just make a call and all the people will support him.

"Liangjin is the granary of our Daqian. If he continues to gain a great reputation in Liangjin, once he has ulterior motives and takes the entire Liangjin away, our Daqian Dynasty will be in danger!"

Xia Mochu's expression changed, and her brows furrowed tightly. "What does Uncle An mean?"

An Dehai said: "Just like in the imperial capital, Qin Zheng can only be behind the scenes!"

Xia Mochu understood: "Let Mo Ning take the credit for Liang Jin's transformation?"

An Dehai nodded. "If the princess wants to ascend the throne, she must have made outstanding contributions so that no one dares to oppose her. This can also test Qin Zheng's intentions. If he truly supports the princess, it can prove that he has no ambition to usurp the throne. It also proves that the incense had nothing to do with him. However, this is only temporary. In the future, you still have to be careful. After all, people's hearts can change!"

Xia Mochu nodded: "I think Mo Ning also wants to follow Qin Zheng, so let's go with the flow. Originally, I was reluctant to let Mo Ning leave me."

An Dehai was delighted when his suggestion was accepted. "Your Majesty is wise, but no matter what, we must be wary of Qin Zheng. Your Majesty, I have another concern!"

Xia Mochu was speechless. Why was Uncle An so worried?

But knowing that it was for her own good, she never doubted Andehai's loyalty.

Even though An Dehai often oversteps his authority!

Xia Mochu said, "Uncle An, please speak."

An Dehai said, "Your Majesty, have you ever considered that what if Qin Zheng deliberately created a black cavalry, deliberately making us think he was an envoy of the Five Elements Sect?"

Xia Mochu was shocked. "Uncle An, are we worrying too much? Didn't you say that this trip to Guanxi to investigate the grain crisis confirms that Qin Zheng is an envoy sent by the Five Elements Sect to inspect the area?"

An Dehai shook his head: "I did think so. But, if Qin Zheng is really the envoy of the Five Elements Sect, he should protect the interests of the Daqian royal family. Why would he collude with Xia Bitu, not only protecting the Fuzhen Sect, but even letting Ningguta go this time?

Shouldn't they have already swiftly eradicated Xiabitu, the Fuzhen Sect, and Ningguta to protect Daqian? Unless..."

Xia Mochu's expression changed again: "Unless what?"

An Dehai looked shrewd and calculated, "Unless he is a fake Five Elements Emissary. Or, if he is really an Emissary of the Five Elements Emissary, then the Five Elements Emissary wants to establish a new emperor!"

Xia Mochu was horrified, his expression suddenly cold and stern: "No matter who it is, if they dare to covet my Daqian kingdom, I will never allow it, even if it means we perish together!"

Just as he finished speaking, suddenly, there was a crack and a rumble...

A flash of lightning illuminated the entire imperial study, and thunder roared, causing the entire imperial study to tremble...

Heavy rain falls from the sky!