The Prodigal Son

Over the next two days, memorials impeaching Qin Yu flooded the palace like snowflakes.

And the number of charges against Qin Yu by officials also increased.

In addition to the initial charges of arbitrarily arresting officials appointed by the imperial court and using torture to extract confessions, new charges have been added, including officials forcing the people to rebel, wantonly suppressing local officials, and accepting bribes from salt merchants.

In these memorials impeaching Qin Yu, he was portrayed as a corrupt official who acted recklessly, oppressed good people, and undermined local stability.

It seemed that if Qin Yu was not punished, they would be unable to explain themselves to the people.

At first, Zhao Luan would take a look at these memorials, but later on, he became too lazy to even look at them.

Zhao Luan had been waiting, waiting for the memorial that Qin Yu had sent.

The waiting period was not easy.

These past two days, Zhao Luan has been mentally cursing Qin Yu dozens of times a day.

She had already set a deadline for Qin Yu in her heart. If Qin Yu had not delivered the memorial by nightfall today, she would definitely hang him up and give him a good beating when he returned to the capital!

She didn't believe Qin Yu was unaware of something this big.

If they don't report this, they're just asking for trouble!

Just as Zhao Luan was secretly plotting, Shangguan Youyi rushed over with a report, "Your Majesty..."

"Qin Yu's report?"

Zhao Luan immediately stood up.

Shangguan Youyi paused slightly, then quickly said, "No, it's Lord Xue's report!"

"Give it to me immediately!"

Zhao Luan eagerly reached out her hand.

Upon receiving the report, Zhao Luan quickly opened it to examine it.

Upon seeing the contents of the report, Zhao Luan finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

Xue Chengdao has already led his troops to Zhenzhou and established a defensive line there.

As they had anticipated, in order to deplete their supplies, Bei Qi drove all the old, weak, sick, and disabled people to Zhenzhou.

Bei Qi also sent envoys to tell them that as long as Da Ning was willing to hand over half of the Nine Dragons Pendant, Bei Qi was willing to return Shuozhou.

Although Zhao Luan did want to take back Shuozhou, the more Bei Qi wanted the Nine Dragon Pendant, the less she would give it to them, unless they first figured out what the Nine Dragon Pendant actually did.

Zhao Luan pondered for a moment, then picked up his vermilion brush and began to write comments on the memorial:

The goal is to defend Zhenzhou with all our might, preventing the enemy from crossing even a single step. Ensuring Zhenzhou's safety will put pressure on Beiqi, forcing them to project an image of a counterattack on Shuozhou and compelling them to send reinforcements there…

Over the past few days, Zhao Luan has come to a realization.

Qin Yu is right. Compared to half of the Yan Kingdom, what is Shuozhou?

The stronger their desire to counterattack Shuozhou, the more troops Beiqi will send to Shuozhou.

This not only depletes Bei Qi's food supplies, but also prevents Bei Qi from concentrating more troops in Xianzhou!

In this way, after they destroy Yan, Bei Qi will be no match for them in seizing territory!

For the sake of long-term planning, what's wrong with letting Bei Qi occupy Shuozhou for the time being?

Just as Zhao Luan finished reviewing the memorial sent by Xue Chengdao, Yun Ying rushed in. "Your Majesty, Physician Qin has sent an urgent report! There's also a report from Ruan Zhi!"

"Bring it here quickly!"

Zhao Luan suddenly raised her head.

It's finally here!

Soon, Zhao Luan opened Qin Yu's report and began to examine it carefully.

As she watched, Zhao Luan's expression grew serious.

In his report, Qin Yu detailed the alarming situation of rampant illegal salt trade in Hai and Yuan prefectures, and advised the court to continue to rectify the salt administration and never compromise with any salt merchants or those with ulterior motives.

At the same time, Qin Yu also gave his reasons for making such a suggestion and made a military pledge that he would definitely rectify the salt affairs and ensure that no major turmoil would occur in the areas where the salt affairs were rectified.

Finally, Qin Yu added two sentences.

No one can sway the will of the imperial court!

Being afraid of both wolves in front and tigers behind will only create more hidden dangers for the imperial court!

Zhao Luan pondered these two sentences carefully, then picked up Ruan Zhi's report and handed it to Shangguan Youyi, saying, "Read it to me!"

"yes!"

Shangguan Youyi quickly took the report and began to read it aloud, "Your humble servant Ruan Zhi respectfully reports to Your Majesty..."

Ruan Zhi also reported to Zhao Luan about the rampant illegal salt trade, and also mentioned the assassination attempt on Qin Yu in Jiankou County.

As for suggestions, Ruan Zhi did not offer any.

As Zhao Luan listened to Ruan Zhi's report, he lowered his head and pondered.

Why did Qin Yu's attitude suddenly become so tough? Besides the reasons he mentioned in his report, were there any other reasons?

That bastard, how dare he make such a pledge!

Doesn't he know how many people want to see him suffer?

He made a solemn pledge, so if a major upheaval occurred during the rectification of the salt administration, all the blame would fall on him, and he wouldn't be able to protect him even if he wanted to!

"Keep Qin Yu's report a secret; just say it's from Ruan Zhi!"

Zhao Luan instructed Yun Ying and then told Shangguan Youyi what Qin Yu had reported, but she did not mention the military order.

Shangguan Youyi continued his analysis: "It seems that Doctor Qin most likely suspects that someone is behind Sun Min's murder, trying to put pressure on him and the court. He must be enraged by this and wants to have a good showdown with those people."

"That's certainly possible."

Zhao Luan nodded slightly, then asked Shangguan Youyi, "What do you think?"

Shangguan Youyi said solemnly, "Although Physician Qin's reasons are quite valid, his ideas are too radical! This humble subject still agrees with Prime Minister Gao's previous opinion: to thoroughly investigate the case of Sun Min's murder first!"

She felt that Gao Yi's opinion was the most prudent one at present.

This way, the situation won't escalate, and the court's face can be preserved for the time being.

As for what happens next, we'll talk about it after we've investigated!

While thoroughly investigating the Sun Min case, we can also de-escalate the situation.

In this way, even if the salt administration needs to be reorganized later, there will be some room for maneuver.

The impact of Feng Min's murder was enormous!

This is definitely not the time to continue reforming the salt administration.

Zhao Luan remained silent, lost in thought.

Since Qin Yu dared to make a military pledge, he must have a high degree of confidence, right?

She was torn between trusting Qin Yu, giving him her full support, and letting him go ahead and do it.

However, she still had some concerns.

It's naturally a good thing that Qin Yu succeeded.

But if it causes a major upheaval, that would be a real problem!

Zhao Luan pondered the matter, but could not make a decision for a long time.

After pondering for a long time, a ruthless glint flashed in Zhao Luan's eyes. "Draft an edict: Appoint Qin Yu as Grand Admiral of the Navy, grant him the Yellow Axe, and give him control of the naval forces of Hai and Yuan prefectures! Furthermore, I will order Yuan Dingguo of Dieguan to immediately lead his troops to Shangzhou and await Qin Yu's orders! Order Qin Yu to first thoroughly investigate the case of Sun Min's murder, and then thoroughly reorganize the salt administration..."

"..."

Yun Ying and Shangguan Youyi suddenly widened their eyes, looking at Zhao Luan in disbelief.

Qin Yu has gone mad, has she gone mad too?

The position of Grand Admiral of the Navy is one thing.

return……

A fake Yellow Axe?

This...this has already been given away?

Coming to his senses, Shangguan Youyi quickly advised, "Your Majesty, shouldn't we discuss this matter with the ministers again? Besides, Yuan Dingguo's troops haven't even been fully staffed, let alone trained..."

"Send as many as you can! Anyone who dares to cause trouble will be treated as training!"

Zhao Luan's face was frosty, her gaze unusually firm. "Tell Qin Yu to go all out and do whatever he wants! If anything goes wrong, I'll... never mind! Since I've already given him so much power, I might as well give him complete control!"

Qin Yu is right!

Being afraid of both wolves in front and tigers behind will only create more hidden dangers for the imperial court!

Once the imperial court encounters a crisis, these hidden dangers will erupt all at once.

We must not allow a few officials and merchants with ulterior motives to dictate the will of the imperial court!

Otherwise, whenever the imperial court tries to rectify the chaos in various regions in the future, it will face pressure from a coalition of officials and merchants.

Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back!

Since we've started, let's see it through to the end!

We will never give anyone a chance to bargain!

If you want to coerce the will of the imperial court, then first ask yourself if the sword in your hand agrees!

chaos?

She wanted to see who dared to cause trouble!

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, the two generals were dumbfounded once again.

And... you want to completely relinquish power?