In a chaotic world, border soldiers begin their journey by enlisting in the army and getting married

After the Southern King's explanation, Chen Shan understood why the emperor had summoned him.

This is to prepare some methods to deal with the prime minister.

"You can agree to such outrageous demands from civil officials? You're such a stupid emperor."

"They're testing your bottom line and methods, and you're just acting like a naive fool, letting them test you."

Chen Shan immediately started complaining, looking at Huangfu Zhaoxue without saying a word of politeness.

The Third Prince and Nan Tu Rou listened with astonishment, clearly seeing Chen Shan confront the Emperor for the first time.

However, just as they were about to speak, Huangfu Zhaoxue spoke first.

"This is not something I can decide."

"You said last time that even the emperor couldn't rule with one voice, so why are you complaining about me now?"

Huangfu Zhaoxue retorted with some dissatisfaction, but did not reprimand Chen Shan for his rudeness.

Hearing Huangfu Zhaoxue's words, Chen Shan immediately rolled his eyes: "If you can't even judge the situation, what can I say?"

"Chen Shan, why don't you tell us your thoughts?"

"The prime minister's move is nothing more than a display of power. But if he is allowed to continue smoothly, it will probably not be long before the imperial power becomes a mere formality."

If the Southern King were to speak up and let Chen Shan continue, Huangfu Zhaoxue would likely be scolded again.

Although he didn't understand why Huangfu Zhaoxue wasn't angry, she was, after all, the emperor, and it was somewhat inappropriate for her to be constantly scolded like this.

"Your Highness, I cannot make such a decision."

"However, as for solutions, it really depends on what the emperor chooses."

"Foreign envoys, envoys from the Qing Dynasty, should be here at the palace to discuss matters. The Prime Minister has gone to such lengths; is there any need for further patience?"

"Why not just start a war? The small army controlled by civil officials can't compare to the one under your command, Your Highness."

Chen Shan asked a rather sensitive question, but it was also something that Chen Shan had always been curious about.

The Southern King was on the emperor's side. Looking at their relationship, although he was a king of a different surname, he was no different from a royal uncle.

In this situation, the emperor's military strength must be considerable, so why would he need to fear a prime minister?

The emperor, who held military power, could still be suppressed like this; Chen Shan almost wondered if he had transmigrated into a female-oriented online novel.

"If it could be done that way, that would be the best outcome, but unfortunately, things are far more complicated than you imagine."

"If the army is really used to suppress it, the Xia Kingdom will definitely be in internal strife, and the surrounding countries will certainly send troops as well, especially the Qing Kingdom."

"The relationship between the prime minister and them is not simple."

Upon hearing Nan Tu Wang's words, Chen Shan could only sigh helplessly.

This situation is truly baffling.

"Alright, you guys are quite the troublemakers. Let those envoys die in the Prime Minister's residence. That way, no matter how powerful the Prime Minister is, he'll have no choice but to take on this trouble."

"When the emperor questions the prime minister, it will be perfectly reasonable. No matter how much those civil officials try to protect him, they will still understand one thing: if the prime minister falls, one of them will inevitably take his place."

"Civil officials are the most greedy; if you can grasp this point, they won't be so difficult to deal with."

Chen Shan had finally come up with the solutions he could think of.

As for whether it's feasible or not, that depends on the emperor's choice.

As soon as Chen Shan finished speaking, Huangfu Zhaoxue frowned.

"But those foreign envoys are, after all, subjects of the Xia Kingdom. If we kill them, it will only cause unnecessary war, which will be detrimental to the Xia Kingdom."

Upon hearing Huangfu Zhaoxue's words, Chen Shan immediately rolled his eyes.

"Are you sure they've submitted to the Xia Kingdom, and aren't colluding with the prime minister?"

"I've already said what I wanted to say. You can decide for yourselves what to do. I'm not the emperor."

"As for the Prime Minister, I will take action, but I need your help. Someone needs to come forward to testify about the Xiao family being falsely accused of treason."

"So, you're handing over your deputy commander of the Imperial Guard to me."

Chen Shan didn't stand on ceremony.

Having been in the capital for so long, he had already learned everything he needed to know, so there was no need to be polite anymore.

Taking advantage of the Prime Minister's birthday banquet, Chen Shan is determined to expose this matter completely!

Only in this way can the Xiao family be exonerated.

Otherwise, if you keep investigating in secret, you won't get much useful information.

"Deputy Commander Xiao Hu?"

"If we were to do this, I'm afraid it wouldn't be so easy."

Huangfu Zhaoxue frowned, and even the Southern King beside her fell silent.

The Xiao family's affairs seem simple: a power struggle for military control, and they became victims.

In reality, this involved the interests of civil officials as well as the status of the imperial power.

To overturn their verdicts at this point would prove the emperor wrong, which would only further diminish the prestige of imperial power.

That's the most important thing.

Seeing their hesitant expressions, Chen Shan could tell the answer.

"Well, all that talk was for nothing."

"It seems I can't count on you either, Your Highness. This cooperation ends here."

"After all, I don't see what value you can bring me."

After saying this, Chen Shan immediately got up and left the Imperial Study.

Nan Tu Rou wanted to chase after him, but she didn't know what she could do or say if she did.

They could only watch Chen Shan leave.

As the person left, Nan Tu Rou frowned and turned to look at the emperor.

"Your Majesty, can't we help him in this matter? The Xiao family has been wronged."

"Father, didn't you agree on this from the beginning?" Nan Tu Rou asked, puzzled.

Chen Shan asked the question hoping for an answer, but it was clear that this did not give him what he wanted.

Chen Shan left the palace without the slightest hesitation.

"Where is the Black Ice Platform?"

At the alley corner, members of the Black Ice Team emerged.

"Find out all of Xiao Hu's movements, and make our move tonight. I want to see him appear before me."

"His family members were all killed."

After giving the cold order, Chen Shan watched as the Black Ice Platform withdrew, and he began to ponder in his heart.

The current situation is that the emperor and the prime minister are still in a state of balance, but it seems that the prime minister has more power.

But Chen Shan couldn't wait. If he waited until the prime minister had full control of everything, Chen Shan would have no chance to overturn the case.

Since Huangfu Zhaoxue didn't want to show up, Chen Shan forced her to.

Chen Shan personally prepared both witness testimonies and physical evidence for them!

He wanted to see if the emperor still intended to turn a blind eye, now that everything was ready.

Chen Shan didn't want to go back on his promise to Xiao Ningning.

The Chen residence.

Back at his residence, Chen Shan summoned several of his wives. Apart from Xu Sijing, who had gone to the academy, all the others were present.

Chen Shan also revealed his plans.

"My lord, isn't this too risky? What if it makes the emperor hate you too? Wouldn't that be making enemies at the same time?"

"If that time really comes, I'm afraid... there won't be a place for us in the entire Xia Kingdom."

Chu Yiren frowned. Although she did not object to Chen Shan's actions and arrangements, she was worried that Chen Shan would get into even bigger trouble.

Conversely, Xiao Ningning was equally worried.

"Husband, how about... we let it go? Actually, it's fine as it is now."