All that could be heard was Ji Bei Hou's laughter. When he finished laughing, Ji Bei Hou fell silent for some time before regaining his composure. He then tidied his robes and looked at Shen Zhi, "Mister Shen, do you have anything else to add? Now, what other taboos do we have? Tell me, just in case. "
Shen Zhi thought for some time before stepping forward, "Master Hou is unwilling to be a fish on the chopping block of the great Xu Dynasty. Furthermore, you have a backup plan overseas."
"If you succeed, you might have the chance to become a dragon. If not, you can still become a Hou Master overseas. That's a good thing."
"It's just that Master Hou, there's still a month before the arrival of the Imperial Envoy. We can then make our plans more detailed. We can also test out the people within the prefecture."
"When the Imperial Envoy arrives, we can seize the opportunity and capture the Governor in one fell swoop. We can then take control of Ying Prefecture and no one will stand in your way."
"But that's not enough. The great Xu Dynasty doesn't have a large navy. As long as we gain control of Ying Prefecture, the southern prefectures will be able to invade at any time. When that happens, Master Hou will be able to move unhindered in the south."
"If we move forward, we will be able to conquer the cities and establish a system of governance."
"If we retreat, we will be able to destroy everything within a thousand miles. The people will not be able to make a living, and the country will be in danger."
"In order to achieve our goal, we have to recruit and control the navy."
"Mister Shen is indeed a genius. You have explained this thoroughly. That Chen Ping is the key." Ji Bei Hou laughed out, his confidence increased.
"Yes, Master Hou. We have to get Chen Ping on board. He has many old subordinates. When the time comes, we will be able to succeed. However, the Governor is currently dealing with him. All we have to do is wait a little longer." Shen Zhi said as he laughed coldly.
Under normal circumstances, Chen Ping would not have agreed to follow. However, the civil officials had always hated the military officials. Hence, Chen Ping was at his wit's end.
When Wei Ang heard this, he looked at the lake. A gust of wind blew some maple leaves into the lake, causing ripples to form.
"Let's wait for another month then!"
In the blink of an eye, it was winter. The weather was getting colder. Although it didn't snow, the wind was cold, and the water was cold. A thin layer of ice had formed over the lake.
In the study room of Hou Mansion, the stove was burning brightly. Ji Bei Hou sat quietly, listening to Shen Zhi's report.
"Marquis, this morning I received news that Governor Gong Yun has been charged with corruption, and has imprisoned General Wang Jugui. However, he is also eyeing Chen Ping like a tiger watching its prey. According to the intelligence reports, he is about to make a move against Chen Ping. Chen Ping doesn't even go to the barracks much now, and has taken sick leave to stay at home." Shen Zhi smiled.
Hearing these words, Ji Bei Hou gulped down his cup of wine. It was winter, and the weather was cold. Drinking a cup of wine in the morning was good for blood circulation. He exhaled deeply and sighed, "This feels good. It looks like the heavens still pity me, and want to lend me a hand. Haha."
Ji Bei Hou's face was flushed red, and he was smiling. It was strange, but after making up his mind, he looked a few years younger. He then knocked on the table, "Mister Shen, the Governor wants to deal with Chen Ping. Let's take this opportunity to convince Chen Ping. Today is the day the Imperial Envoy arrives, how are your preparations going?"
"This month, we've secretly contacted everyone above Rank-9 in the state. We know who's willing to follow us, who's wavering, and who's firmly against it."
"We've definitely exposed ourselves. But since we're going to rise up, it doesn't matter."
"Once we rise up, we'll strike like a thunderbolt, and wipe out all the people who are loyal to the government. This way, Ying Prefecture will be safe and secure."
As he spoke, someone came over and whispered something to him. Ji Bei Hou laughed coldly, "Mister Shen, the Imperial Envoy is here. Do you have the documents on how to deal with Chen Ping?"
Shen Zhi rubbed his chin and laughed, "I've already sent a spy to the Governor's mansion to steal the documents on how to deal with Chen Ping. However, it doesn't seem to have been obtained yet. We need it, and it's here now."
"Marquis, wait for my good news." Shen Zhi stood up and tidied his robes before turning around to leave.
Chen Ping Mansion
Shen Zhi entered the mansion and was led to a study. A serving maid came to serve him tea. Chen Ping hadn't arrived yet. Shen Zhi looked around and noticed that there was a sword hanging in the study.
He took a sip of tea before rushing in. When he saw Shen Zhi, he forced a smile, "Mister Shen, you're here."
Shen Zhi looked at Chen Ping and noticed that his hair had turned white. His face was wrinkled, and he looked as though he had aged ten years. As he walked, he coughed. Two serving maids helped him to his seat.
"Cough cough" Chen Ping coughed once before pulling his robes, "I've caught a cold recently. I hope Mister Shen will forgive me."
He then waved his hands, and the serving maids retreated.
Chen Ping coughed once more before smiling bitterly, "Mister Shen, I'm sure Marquis has some instructions for you. Speak your mind!"
Chen Ping was in a daze, and Shen Zhi didn't reply. He then retrieved a scroll from his sleeves, "This is the Governor's mansion's bulletin. General Wang has been killed. General Chen, take a look."
Shen Zhi handed the bulletin over to Chen Ping, who took it from him. He then said, "The next one is General Chen."
"What?!" Chen Ping took a look, and when he heard these words, his hands trembled.
"I said!" Shen Zhi's smile disappeared, "The Governor is going to take General Wang's head!"
These words were spoken in the dead of winter, and were enough to freeze anyone to the bone. Chen Ping's body trembled as he glared at Shen Zhi. Just as he was about to speak, he coughed violently, and his face turned red. He covered his mouth for a long time before raising his head, "Impossible. Although I've committed a small crime, why would he kill me?"
Shen Zhi laughed coldly as he pointed at the bulletin and read.
"Deploying soldiers to capture the salt smugglers, resulting in the death of three innocent civilians."
"Falsely claiming military merits and promoting his own family and nephew."
"Reporting to the Governor that there were 119 officers, but in reality, there were only 92. Greedy and greedy!"
"Accepting a tribute of 8000 taels of silver."
Shen Zhi read out the crimes that Wang Jugui had committed, as he glared at Chen Ping, "Do you dare to say that you didn't commit any of these crimes?"
"Cough cough" Chen Ping's face turned ashen and white, as he clenched his fists tightly. His eyes were bloodshot as he pushed the table over, "I'm just eating some empty rice, what's that? Nepotism, what's that? Who doesn't do that? You came here today just to watch me make a fool out of myself? "
Shen Zhi looked over and saw Chen Ping's bloodshot eyes. He was dressed in thick robes, and his chest was heaving up and down.
"I'm not here to watch you make a fool out of yourself!" Shen Zhi glared at him coldly, as his lips curled into a cruel smile, "If we were to talk about the salary, a first ranked official would only receive 605 taels of silver a year."
"Regardless of whether it's a civil or military official, if they don't extend their hands, they will starve to death. Indeed, it's true that no official would eat or take anything."
"Although that's the case, can you say that to the Governor, the Supervisor, or even the Emperor? They're cats raised by the Imperial Court. Catching a mouse would be considered an achievement. "
"As long as you commit a crime, we can use the laws of the country to kill you. The only road left for you is death!" Shen Zhi laughed evilly as he handed over another document, "Take a look at this. You don't have many days left to live!"
Chen Ping's body trembled as he suppressed the urge to throw the document away. He opened it up and saw the Governor's instructions, "Investigate to the end. We have to catch all the corrupt and corrupt officials in one fell swoop. If Chen Ping is like Wang Jugui, we shall set an example for Ying Prefecture. How can the country punish him?"
The Governor had been in Ying Prefecture for half a year now, and this was indeed the Governor's handwriting. Chen Ping looked at it, as his face turned pale. His entire body felt like it had been ripped out of him as he slumped back onto his chair. His eyes were bloodshot as he mumbled, "No, that's not possible."
Shen Zhi stepped forward and glared at Chen Ping, "General Chen, do you feel wronged? Do you feel angry? Do you even feel that you've contributed greatly to the country, and that you still feel lucky? "
"Have you heard of the theory of thorns? For the sake of the Crown Prince, the Emperor wants to uproot all the officials who have contributed greatly to the country!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire study room fell silent. Chen Ping's entire body trembled. He had heard of the theory of thorns before. He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something. But before he could speak, he choked on his words. Tears rolled down his cheeks. After some time, he spoke, "What should I do?"
"What should you do? You can only fight to the death." Shen Zhi laughed, "I have a place to settle your family. Do you want to do it?"
Chen Ping was taken aback. He was about to speak when the butler's voice rang out from outside the study room, "Master, master, something bad has happened. Someone from the Governor's Mansion has arrived, and wants to see you."
"Come in, help me out." Chen Ping said that he was sick, and was indeed sick. Two serving maids rushed in and helped him out.
As soon as he stepped out, an official walked in with two lieutenants. The two lieutenants' swords clanged against each other. Seeing this, Chen Ping's face turned pale.
This official was only an eighth ranked official. He looked at Chen Ping with disgust, and didn't feel the slightest bit of pity for Chen Ping's sickly complexion. He then said coldly, "This month, the pirates have attacked again and again, harassing the coast. This is because of your incompetence. The Governor has ordered you to be suspended from your duties and await further investigation. You don't have to go to the barracks for the next few days."
Hearing these words, Chen Ping coughed violently. The butler hurriedly stepped forward and said some good words before handing over some money. The official then sighed and said, "You should reflect on your actions and write a letter of apology. Who knows, there might be a chance to turn things around. If you continue to resist, only death awaits."
As he spoke, he turned around and left. Chen Ping was a fourth ranked general, and yet he was being bullied by an eighth ranked official. He was so angry that his face turned red. When he turned around and saw Shen Zhi, Chen Ping gritted his teeth and laughed, "I'll do it. I'll contact my former subordinates."
"General Chen is indeed a hero!" Shen Zhi was overjoyed. He then said, "The times create the heroes, and the heroes create the times. However, do you still have any personal guards who are willing to kill for you?"
Chen Ping paused and thought for a moment before his face turned pale. Shen Zhi then laughed, "This is the power of the imperial court. Usually, no matter how hard you try to win them over, the moment they are demoted, they will fall apart. When that happens, you won't even be able to recruit a single personal guard."
"But Master Hou knows that you are in a difficult position, and has already made preparations. Look!"
With a wave of his hand, twenty personal guards walked in and bowed to Chen Ping. When Chen Ping saw this, he made up his mind and didn't hesitate. He raised his eyebrows and exuded a killing intent, "Come, follow me to the barracks."
Seeing Chen Ping leave, Shen Zhi sighed in his heart. Anyone who understood politics and politics would know that life and death were decided by these twenty personal guards.
It was because he understood this that Ji Bei Hou refused to back down. If he were to back down and accept the imperial edict, within a few months, he would fall apart. He wouldn't even be able to recruit ten personal guards.
When that happens, a constable would be able to humiliate him and kill him!
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