105: Da Yan is saved

“Your Benevolent Deity, thank you, Your Benevolent Deity!”

“Great Yan is saved!”

Shen Jianxing kowtowed repeatedly, his excitement palpable.

Yes, it was only at this moment that Shen Jianxing truly felt that Great Yan was saved.

No emperor, no chancellor, no imperial court was enough to save Great Yan; only Lord Chuping was their hope.

The biggest problem for Great Yan, and indeed for the Human Race, was not internal strife among officials, nor ineffective court policies. Simply put, all fear stemmed from weakness.

Other internal court issues, as long as the emperor was determined, could eventually be resolved; it was only a matter of time.

But in the face of powerful demons, no matter how many schemes one had, they would be powerless to act.

One ultimate attack from a demon would wipe them out.

For Great Yan to be able to rely on a powerful being like Lord Chuping, it was truly as if their royal ancestral graves were spewing green smoke.

At this moment, Shen Jianxing was filled with joy, his steps so light they seemed to float.

He had no idea that Lin Chuping, behind him, also shook his head with a touch of helplessness.

Such an innocent heart, he didn't even ask about his own physical condition. Such a person, even a deity, would be unable to resist favoring him a little, wouldn't they?

Unfortunately, the System was not very helpful.

***

At this time, in the imperial court of the capital, the atmosphere was as oppressive as before a storm.

The young emperor sat high on the Dragon Throne, his face grim, his spine, encased in the dragon robe, already stiff, yet he had no choice but to straighten his back and contend with Chancellor Liu.

For the past two years, every imperial decree had to go through Chancellor Liu's “consideration,” and every court assembly felt like a carefully choreographed play.

Every time he attended court, the emperor felt as if he was being forcibly rubbed by life.

When he proposed disaster relief, the old officials would prostrate themselves in unison, tearfully stating that the national treasury was empty;

When he proposed hunting down evil demons, the old officials would all retreat three paces, none willing to step forward;

Yet, the day before yesterday, he heard that the newly acquired Taihu stones in the mansions of those crying poverty cost a thousand gold pieces.

And some powerful families were even secretly raising demon cubs for gambling.

Damn it, was his trashy court still salvageable?

The emperor's face was dark, and he cursed inwardly.

Below, Chancellor Liu, in his purple robe, looked composed yet carried a hint of arrogance, meeting the emperor's gaze with no respect whatsoever.

“Your Majesty, the situation in Qing Province is currently turbulent, and Yan Province has also suffered natural disasters for years. This southward expedition of the Black Armor Guards to suppress the rebellion was originally meant to solidify Great Yan's Foundation, but various strange and evil doctrines have inexplicably emerged among the populace, especially the faith in Lord Chuping, which is growing like wild grass. This seriously harms the imperial court's authority, and I hope Your Majesty will make a decision soon.”

Chancellor Liu's voice was loud, his words filled with apprehension towards the faith in Lord Chuping.

The emperor snorted coldly: “Chancellor, your words are mistaken. The common people have freedom of belief. If Lord Chuping can truly protect the common people, how could We obstruct him? Rather, Chancellor, you have managed the government for many years, and for the current situation, you cannot shirk responsibility.”

Chancellor Liu smiled slightly, seemingly unconcerned by the emperor's accusation.

“Your Majesty, I am devoted to the country, but this Lord Chuping's origins are unknown, and the rapid spread of his faith surely has a hidden agenda.”

“I believe we should immediately send people to investigate the truth. If there are truly aspects unfavorable to the imperial court, they should be eradicated as soon as possible to prevent endless future troubles.”

As soon as Chancellor Liu finished speaking, more than half of the court officials knelt in unison, shouting loudly.

“Please, Your Majesty, eradicate it as soon as possible to prevent future troubles.”

The emperor understood in his heart that Chancellor Liu wanted to use the suppression of Lord Chuping to consolidate his own power.

Though he was furious and wished he could cut him down with a sword, he was powerless.

“Hasn't the Chancellor already sent his Black Armor Guards? Why bother to ask Us!”

Chancellor Liu cupped his hands and said: “Your Majesty, I merely sent my trusted subordinates to secretly investigate the source of the faith in Lord Chuping.”

“As for how to deal with it later, it naturally still requires your personal command.”

Heh~

The emperor, Li Shun, sitting in a high position, let out a cold laugh.

This scoundrel was trying to fool him like an idiot. If it weren't for the Shen Family secretly reporting the situation in Qing Province some time ago, he really wouldn't know what this old scoundrel was up to.

When demons were rampant, he ran faster than anyone. Now that the demons were gone, this old scoundrel felt his back straighten again.

They wouldn't think that because Lord Chuping was willing to protect the people of Qing Province, he was a benevolent person who could be manipulated by them, would they?

What a pipe dream.

Li Shun looked tiredly at the group of officials below, who occupied their positions without doing their duties, only knew how to vie for power and profit, and could not work for the well-being of the country and its people. These were the pillars of his Great Yan. With such “loyal ministers,” how could his Great Yan not perish!

As Li Shun thought of this, his eyes grew slightly cold.

Suppressing the anger in his heart, he already had an idea. He and Old Thief Liu had reached a point of no return; it would be better to strike first.

However, Old Thief Liu had many spies in the palace, and was constantly protected by skilled secret guards. He had to plan carefully.

“Hmph! Court dismissed!”

***

After court was dismissed, Chancellor Liu returned to his residence and immediately summoned his trusted strategists to discuss countermeasures.

“Now that Qing Province is Lord Chuping's territory, does anyone have any ideas?”

Chancellor Liu's gaze swept over everyone.

Although he had already sent a portion of the Black Armor Guards, that was only to control the local populace.

For this Lord Chuping, whose strength was unknown, he certainly couldn't be dealt with simply by the Black Armor Guards.

One strategist stepped forward and said sinisterly: “Chancellor, in my humble opinion, it would be better to secretly send someone to contact Lord Chuping and offer him great benefits. If he can be bought over, this matter of faith can be used for our own purposes, and it can also suppress His Majesty's power.”

Chancellor Liu's eyes lit up: “This plan is excellent, but this Lord Chuping is said to be very mysterious and operates from behind the scenes. How can we contact him?”

The strategist smiled: “Chancellor, those Shen Family brothers seem to have a deep connection with Lord Chuping. We can start with them.”

“The Shen Family?”

Chancellor Liu pondered for a moment and immediately made a decision.

The Shen Family, as a well-known merchant family in the capital, did have some strength. It was just a pity that the next generation of young people in the Shen Family only had three sons. If there were a daughter who could marry into the Liu Family, wouldn't the relationship be even more secure?

“I remember the Shen Family had a half-dead son? Is he in the capital now?”

If he was in the capital, he could send a physician to scout the situation… “My Lord, Shen Jianxing, the third son of the Shen Family, was sent to Qing Province for recuperation three months ago. Shen Xianhong, the eldest son, also travels back and forth between the capital and Qing Province. The brothers I just mentioned are these two.”

Chancellor Liu nodded.

“So that's how it is.”

“Good, let's do that. Quickly arrange for people to keep a close watch on the Shen Family brothers, find an opportunity to contact them, and convey my intentions.”