Sheng Fu

Li Chunyu bowed deeply and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

The old minister, quite astutely, left the main hall.

The Emperor then looked at Shen Jun, his gaze shifting uncertainly, seemingly with a hint of mockery, and asked softly, "If the Purple Gold Alliance hadn't been exposed beforehand, according to your original plan, what were your chances of replacing me?"

Xie Yiming's expression immediately hardened, and he was about to speak when Shen Jun kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I was unaware. I am merely a merchant."

Xie Yiming immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Logically and emotionally, Shen Jun is currently superfluous, but he happens to be a peak-level expert. If he were given to Yuwen Jun to control, he might be able to establish merit on the battlefield in the future.

Upon hearing this reply, the Human Emperor smiled inexplicably and said, "A merchant, yet you possess the cultivation of the peak of the Limitless Realm, which is truly remarkable. I wonder what your killing power is?"

After a moment's thought, Shen Jun replied, "Having been out of practice for a long time, I only possess the cultivation level. If it were a one-on-one fight, I'm afraid I wouldn't be a match for His Highness the Southern King."

The Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze containing both disdain and a probing look.

"Do you want to enter officialdom?" the Emperor asked again.

Upon hearing this, even Xie Yiming was stunned on the spot, while Shen Jun was completely bewildered and couldn't figure it out.

Shen Jun said, "I already have a criminal record, how dare I enter officialdom?"

The Emperor continued, "So, you want to live a carefree and leisurely life, never again concerning yourself with politics?"

Shen Jun felt pressured; judging from the signs, His Majesty did not seem to want to comply with Shen Jun's wishes.

"I will obey Your Majesty's orders." After a long period of contemplation, Shen Jun replied.

The Emperor chuckled and said, "You certainly have a good eye. Stay in the capital. When a suitable official position comes along, I will naturally issue an edict."

Shen Jun kowtowed and replied in a resounding voice, "Thank you for your appreciation, Your Majesty."

Shen Jun's mind was in turmoil; he never imagined he would end up like this.

Shen Jun is a sharp sword, a sword that can pierce through the stagnant atmosphere of the imperial court. This man has no background, is a defeated general, yet he is quite talented and is a Wuji powerhouse.

Xie Yiming hadn't expected that after bringing Shen Jun into the capital, he would pave the way for Shen Jun's future career path. How was he supposed to explain this to Yuwen Jun?
"If the Prince of the South is alright, he may return to his hometown," the Emperor said to Xie Yiming calmly.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yiming had no choice but to bite the bullet and bow, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Before leaving, Xie Yiming glanced at Shen Jun's helpless expression and thought to himself that Shen Jun's name was bad, destined him to be a beast of burden...

Xie Yiming dared not speculate on how His Majesty would settle this person, and could only leave it to fate.

However, Shen Jun will definitely make many enemies in the court later. The Emperor's move is obviously to use Shen Jun as a human shield, but he will never give Shen Jun much real power.

Xie Yiming now truly understands the importance of making the best use of resources and talents.

After leaving the palace, they saw Prince Ping's carriage parked by the roadside. Prince Ping's official, Tang Yong, bowed humbly to Xie Yiming and said, "His Highness specifically instructed that after His Highness leaves the palace, we should go to the back mountain of Prince Ping's residence for a banquet."

Xie Yiming nodded with mixed feelings. Tang Yong pulled back the carriage curtain, and Xie Yiming got in. He might as well go to the banquet. At this moment, Xie Yiming's mood was like wild grass drifting in the wind.

……

Hengchang Sect, night falls.

Tonight, only Yuwen Jun and Li Hongshan remained; the Southern King and the Northern King did not arrive.

If they don't come tonight, then it will be tomorrow morning.

However, the two still ate hot pot on Dragon Head Peak.

“It’s good for two people to eat hot pot, it’ll be quieter. Would the Grand Preceptor like to have someone dance with him?” Yuwen Jun teased, picking up a golden lobster for Li Hongshan.

Li Hongshan snorted and said, "Your Highness need not tease me." "Shen Jun was specially kept in the capital by His Majesty. Today, the Minister of Revenue also went to Jinhua Palace to meet the Emperor. Li Chunyu is old and his power base is deeply entrenched, so he will naturally not support the new policies."

"I reckon Shen Jun will be the Minister of Revenue in the future."

"Anyway, he was a businessman before, so it's reasonable for him to serve as the Minister of Revenue."

"I wonder what your thoughts are on this matter, Your Highness?"

Even if a peak Wuji expert has been out of battle for a long time, he is still a Wuji expert. If he goes to the battlefield and only faces small battles, he will undoubtedly cause a one-sided massacre.

Such a powerful figure was kept in the capital by His Majesty. With a little thought, one can guess His Majesty's intention.

Shen Jun has the ability to check the power of the other nobles, and he has offended too many people. In order to appease public anger, His Majesty can also kill Shen Jun. So, Shen Jun is in a position where he is disliked by both sides.

While pouring wine for Li Hongshan, Yuwen Jun said, "I do want to keep Shen Jun by my side, but I haven't decided what job to give him."

"Since Your Majesty likes it, then it shall be given to Your Majesty."

"Moreover, last time we captured a Wuji expert from the Purple Gold Alliance alive. After that person was imprisoned by His Majesty, there has been no news of him since. Perhaps that Wuji expert will also become Shen Jun's right-hand man."

"It's actually a good thing that the Ministry of Revenue has suddenly gained two more experts at the Wuji level."

As he spoke, Yuwen Jun's expression gradually became serious.

Li Hongshan also put down his chopsticks and stared intently at Yuwen Jun.

"The Cabinet!" the two exclaimed in unison.

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter. It was the first time they had been so in sync, and their laughter was exceptionally unrestrained.

The new political structure already includes a cabinet system.

If the human race could form a decent cabinet, it would make many government affairs easier and more convenient.

Li Hongshan said, "If that is the case, then Bai Xiaowei will be the head of the cabinet in the future, and Shen Jun will be under his command. Shen Jun is very likely to become the number two figure in the cabinet."

"This move can suppress many powerful and influential people so much that they can't even raise their heads."

"It can both check and balance each other to prevent one from becoming too powerful, and at the same time, the deterrent power of the strongest will force all the heroes to bow down."

Yuwen Jun laughed heartily and asked, "Then, in the eyes of the Grand Preceptor, who is the third member of the cabinet?"

Upon hearing this, Li Hongshan's expression froze slightly, unable to guess what was going on for a moment.

Li Hongshan pondered carefully and said, "Among the civil officials, there seems to be no one who is particularly outstanding. Moreover, Bai Xiaowei and Shen Jun are both very authoritative. I really can't guess about this matter. This is a matter that His Majesty decides on his own."

"Has Your Highness already guessed it?"

Yuwen Jun smiled awkwardly and shook his head, saying, "No, but there will definitely be a number three."

"The convergence of these three forces will make the situation more balanced and stable."

"That's just what I was thinking. After all, I don't know much about the many officials in the court, so I wanted to sound out the Grand Preceptor's opinion, but unfortunately, even the Grand Preceptor couldn't make a decision."

Li Hongshan scoffed, "Your Highness is joking."

However, Yuwen Jun's expression hardened again, and he said, "There's no need to trouble the Grand Preceptor. I know who the third cabinet member is. I once worked with him in the Chaos Space."

"Gu Yue is a Wuji powerhouse, and he also possesses the Ziwei True Essence bestowed by His Majesty."

"Once such a cabinet is formed, its significance will far outweigh the upcoming North-South talks!" (End of Chapter)