177: Shocked Liu Chongshan

Old Capital.

Liu Chongshan still didn't know that the Netherworld Old Ghost, in whom he had placed such high hopes, had already returned to nature.

At this moment, he was still gleefully awaiting news of Qingzhou's fall.

“Your Majesty, it's late. You should rest.”

The Old Eunuch beside him carefully reminded him.

Liu Chongshan waved his hand.

“No rush. Go brew a cup of tea for me.”

Before the rebellion, he could muddle through; after all, the Dynasty belonged to the Li family, and the more chaotic, the better.

Now that he was on the throne, it was different; the realm belonged to his Liu family.

Of course, he had to be diligent and strive for good governance.

Not long after the Old Eunuch withdrew, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the Imperial Study.

Zhao Hu, the commander of the Imperial Guards, knelt outside the door, his voice trembling: “Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Marquis of Pingyang's Young Master killed someone in the street; the deceased is… is the only son of the Vice Minister of Rites!”

The vermillion brush in Liu Chongshan's hand fell onto the memorial with a *thud*, staining a large area red.

“What happened? Tell me in detail!”

Ever since Liu Chongshan ascended the throne, he realized that being an emperor was far less comfortable than being a prime minister.

The group of ministers who had followed him before, leveraging their contributions to his rise, became increasingly reckless in court.

Especially those military generals and nobles, who, relying on their military achievements, acted tyrannically, causing him, the emperor, endless headaches.

Cold sweat seeped from Zhao Hu's forehead as he respectfully handed over a memorial with both hands.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, according to the confessions of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant's owner and waiter, the Young Master was drinking and making merry in a private room, and the Vice Minister's Young Master happened to pass by. The Young Master, tipsy, came out, and somehow the two had an argument, and the Young Master actually drew his sword and stabbed the man to death…”

Liu Chongshan tapped the table, “I have met the Marquis of Pingyang's Young Master. Although he is a fop, he is definitely not a reckless man who would kill someone in the street!”

“Go, summon Zhang Cheng, the Vice Minister of Justice, to me.”

Before long, a middle-aged official with a goatee rushed over.

“Your humble servant greets Your Majesty…”

“Minister Zhang, what do you make of this case?”

Liu Chongshan directly threw the memorial in front of him.

After reading it, Zhang Cheng's goatee trembled: “Your Majesty, this matter… this matter probably has hidden complexities. Although the Marquis of Pingyang's Young Master is arrogant, the son of the Vice Minister of Rites is no easy opponent either. Last month, he even broke a scholar's leg in a gambling den…”

Cunning old fox.

He was beating around the bush.

Liu Chongshan sneered: “I'm asking you about the case, and you're talking about these things with me?”

Zhang Cheng fell to his knees with a thud: “Your humble servant deserves to die! It's just… it's just that this case involves too many people…”

“I think you're afraid of offending people!”

Liu Chongshan kicked over the incense burner at his feet, “Get out!”

After Zhang Cheng retreated in disarray, Liu Chongshan took a sip of tea, barely managing to suppress the anger in his heart.

He had finally understood; these ministers were all thinking of self-preservation.

The Marquis of Pingyang commanded a hundred thousand troops at the border, and the Vice Minister of Rites was a leader of the literati… If this matter wasn't handled well, the court would be in great turmoil.

“Your Majesty, the tea is here.”

The Old Eunuch came in with the teacup and, seeing the situation, was too scared to speak.

Liu Chongshan sighed and whispered an order.

“Go, summon Zhou Mingde, the Director of Justice.”

The Old Eunuch was stunned: “Director Zhou? He's only a sixth-rank official…”

“I remember the salt smuggler case he handled last month was quite brilliant.”

Liu Chongshan stroked his jade thumb ring, “This case is too significant. If those ministers and vice ministers handle it, they will be constrained.”

A commoner official without deep roots could be useful.

In less than half an hour, a middle-aged man in a green official robe rushed over.

His face was thin, but his eyes were exceptionally sharp: “Your humble servant Zhou Mingde, kowtows to Your Majesty.”

Liu Chongshan directly threw down a memorial: “Look at this case, I want to hear your opinion.”

Zhou Mingde read it carefully, then pondered for a moment: “Your Majesty, this case appears to be a dispute among the powerful, but in reality, it concerns the laws of the court. If favoritism is shown due to the special status of those involved, where will the majesty of the national law be?”

“Well said!”

Liu Chongshan slammed the table and rose, “I order you to preside over this case with full authority and give me an explanation within three days!”

Zhou Mingde bowed deeply: “Your humble servant dares to ask Your Majesty for a handwritten decree—that no matter who is investigated, the investigation can go to the very bottom.”

Liu Chongshan stared at him for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter.

“Good! I will grant you this special privilege!”

Saying that, he pulled over a piece of yellow silk and quickly wrote the decree.

After Zhou Mingde withdrew, the Old Eunuch couldn't help but whisper: “Your Majesty, this Zhou Mingde is just a minor official from a humble background…”

“Precisely because he is from a humble background is good.”

Liu Chongshan sneered, “I was once a member of an aristocratic family too. Those great aristocratic families are deeply entrenched, all wanting to carve a piece of meat from the royal family's hands. Only someone unburdened like him dares to truly investigate.”

* * *

After dismissing everyone, Liu Chongshan went alone to the Blood Trail of the Underworld.

So much time had passed, and the Netherworld Old Ghost still hadn't sent any news; he had to go down personally and ask.

Liu Chongshan lit three specially made Netherworld incense sticks. Amidst the swirling smoke, a blood-colored portal gradually appeared on the wall.

“Blood Trail of the Underworld, open!”

As the incantation was recited, the blood-colored portal slowly opened, revealing a deep path inside.

Liu Chongshan took a deep breath and stepped in.

However, the sight before him greatly astonished him—the originally eerie Blood Trail of the Underworld had now become orderly.

The ghost fire lanterns on both sides were neatly arranged, and there were even Underworld Messengers maintaining order on the path.

“What is this…?”

Liu Chongshan frowned, stopping a passing ghost, “Where is the Netherworld Old Ghost?”

The ghost glanced at him and said coldly: “The Netherworld Old Ghost has long since undergone Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering. Now the Netherworld is managed by several newly appointed Lord Zhaos, who are re-registering all ghosts.”

“What?!”

Liu Chongshan was struck by lightning, “This is impossible!”

The Netherworld Old Ghost was his last trump card.

Liu Chongshan hurriedly walked deeper, only to see that the chaotic Netherworld of the past was now lined with long queues.

One by one, the ghosts, guided by the Underworld soldiers, were orderly registering before a giant bamboo scroll.

These Underworld soldiers were none other than Zhao Wu and Zhao Liu!

“Name?”

“Crimes committed during life?”

“Any grievances?”

Questions rose and fell in succession.

“Strange, how did Zhao Wu and Zhao Liu become Underworld soldiers?”

And their condition has improved so much?

He had clearly given the Netherworld Old Ghost a hint that these souls had special abilities.

For such supreme souls, the Netherworld Old Ghost had no reason to be indifferent.

“Did The Six Zhao Brothers conspire to kill the Netherworld Old Ghost?”

That's not right either. The Netherworld Old Ghost had the soul suppressing banner in his hand; he wouldn't die that easily.

Regardless, the current situation was very unfavorable for him. Liu Chongshan subconsciously concealed his figure, bypassed the crowd of ghosts, and prepared to slip away.

“Stop!”

“Hey, you, come over here and help maintain order.”

Liu Chongshan's heart tightened. He was about to turn and leave, but a voice blocked his way.