The Prodigal Son

Jiang Ci stayed in Yunhuai for only two days before returning to the capital.

When she left, Qin Yu even took Nan Que'er to see her off.

On May 13th, Zhao Luan's imperial edict was delivered.

The one who came to deliver the imperial decree was none other than Yun Ying.

Accompanying Yunying were Lü Si's third uncle, Lü Tongguang, and his family.

"Third Uncle, what brings you here?"

Upon seeing Lü Tongguang and the others, Lü Si was surprised.

"Isn't this all thanks to Lord Qin and your son?"

With a radiant smile, Lü Tongguang said, "His Majesty has appointed me as the Salt Transport Commissioner of Liangjiang and concurrently the Prefect of Ningzhou."

Speaking of this, Lü Tongguang was filled with emotion.

I never imagined that I would one day benefit from Lü Si's influence.

The greatest credit for investigating the assassination of the crown prince and reforming the salt administration certainly belongs to Qin Yu, but Lü Si's contribution was also significant.

On the way there, he also heard Yun Ying say that Qin Yu mentioned in his report that he was able to connect the case of Sun Min's murder with the case of the Crown Prince's assassination thanks to Lü Si.

Moreover, it was precisely because Lü Si resolutely refused to marry Shi Lian'er that the Shi family was not allowed to escape the fate of being purged.

Qin Yu deserves the most credit, so Lü Si should at least get a second credit!

His appointment as Salt Commissioner of Liangjiang and Prefect of Ningzhou was entirely due to Lü Si's influence.

"what?"

Lu Si was taken aback, then laughed heartlessly, "Then you're in for a lot of work now."

Ningzhou is a severely affected area.

Officials and merchants in many parts of Ningzhou were implicated by the Shi family and their extended network of connections. Although the situation has gradually stabilized, all regions have been greatly affected.

With the fall of the Shi family, Ningzhou's commerce will inevitably be severely affected, and it will be impossible for it to recover within three years.

Moreover, although the salt transport system here is still operating, salt transport affairs in many places have been greatly affected.

A few days ago, Qin Yu was forced to mobilize troops to help two counties that were severely lacking in salt transport salt.

Although his third uncle was given an important position, he would definitely be extremely busy.

"That's right!"

Lü Tongguang smiled and said, "Let's talk later. First, please have the imperial envoy read the imperial edict!"

"Yes, yes!"

Lu Si realized what was happening and quickly stepped aside.

Yun Ying unfurled the imperial edict and loudly proclaimed: "His Majesty decrees: Effective immediately, Qin Yu is relieved of his posts as Imperial Commissioner and Grand Admiral of the Navy. All military and political affairs of the Nine Provinces shall be returned to the local authorities! Qin Yu is ordered to escort all members of the Shi family and all the disgraced officials back to the capital by the end of May..."

Yuan Dingguo's troops, together with Qin Yu, escorted the convicted officials to the capital. After arriving at the capital, they immediately withdrew to Dieguan to accelerate preparations and quickly form combat capabilities.

In addition, Yang Jichun was appointed Imperial Commissioner, and Ding Che was appointed Special Envoy for Inspection, leading the Golden Armored Imperial Guards and his subordinates from the Baojing Division to accompany Yang Jichun on an inspection tour of the administration of officials in Shangzhou, Yuanzhou, and Haizhou, and to visit officials implicated in the assassination of the Crown Prince eight years ago.

Shen Jue is temporarily appointed General Who Punishes Rebels, and leads his own troops and Wu Chi's troops to garrison Jiuyi Prefecture. If there is any rebellion or military conflict in Shangzhou, Fangzhou, Ningzhou, or Taozhou, troops may be dispatched without imperial decree.

The imperial edict contained very little information.

Moreover, Yang Jichun was still in Haizhou and unable to attend the ceremony to receive the imperial edict, so Pei Du received it on his behalf.

Qin Yu received the imperial edict on Shen Jue's behalf.

After receiving the imperial decree and expressing his gratitude, Qin Yu scrutinized it for a long time, then looked at Yun Ying with a puzzled expression: "That's all? Nothing else?"

"Is there anything else Lord Qin desires?"

Yun Ying remained cold, but her tone was much gentler than before.

"Does His Majesty have no other decrees?"

Qin Yu frowned. "There are many vacancies in various places. The governorships of Yuanzhou and Haizhou are still vacant! Has His Majesty not appointed any? We can't let these important local positions remain vacant, can we?"

"Of course!"

Yun Ying slightly raised her eyes, "I've only come to Yunhuai to deliver the imperial decree; there are others who are rushing to other places to deliver the decree."

"Then there's no problem."

Qin Yu smiled and then inquired about the personnel arrangements of the imperial court from Yun Ying.

Yun Ying didn't hide anything and told Qin Yu about the arrangements made for some officials that she knew.

Yu Zhou succeeded as the naval commander of Raojin, and Zheng Guanchao was promoted to the naval commander-in-chief, in charge of the naval forces of Raojin and Yijin.

Fu Mingzhu was temporarily appointed as the Prefect of Fangzhou, with a six-month probationary period, and was also fined one year's salary and ordered to submit a memorial of self-criticism.

Di Rong was temporarily appointed as the Sima of Fangzhou and was tasked with reorganizing the troops in Fangzhou.

Zhu Songlan was transferred back to the imperial court for service.

The former governors of Shangzhou and Taozhou were to be transferred to Min, which seemed to be a demotion with continued service, essentially a demotion.

The Prefect of Juzhou was transferred to Yuanzhou and temporarily served as the Prefect of Yuanzhou.

In addition, several other officials were dismissed or demoted.

The garrison generals of Ningzhou and Shangzhou were also replaced.

In addition, it seems that several officials from Minjiang will be transferred to Liangjiang region and Hai and Yuan prefectures.

As for the specifics, Yunying wasn't very clear either.

Based on the current situation, the officials of the six prefectures of Shangzhou, Fangzhou, Ningzhou, Taozhou, Haizhou, and Yuanzhou are likely to undergo an unprecedented reshuffle.

After hearing Yun Ying's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.

What is Zhao Luan trying to do?

Officials from Min were transferred to serve here, and officials from here were transferred to serve in Min.

As Qin Yu was pondering this, Yun Ying brought up another matter, "By the way, something big has happened in Yan!"

"What's the big deal?"

Qin Yu looked at Yun Ying expectantly, "Did Yan Li rebel, or did the Yan Emperor die?"

Meeting Qin Yu's gaze, Yun Ying's face immediately darkened.

He's really dreaming!

Yun Ying recovered and pursed her lips, saying, "It seems that Emperor Yan intends to depose Crown Prince Yan and install Yan Li as the new Crown Prince! However, this matter is not yet confirmed! It is said that the struggle between Crown Prince Yan and Yan Li is quite fierce, and it has almost reached the point of armed conflict."

Holy crap?

Qin Yu's eyes suddenly lit up.

If the Crown Prince of Yan and Yan Li fight to the death, that would be wonderful!

Fight!

Fight with all your might!

The fiercer the fight, the better!

Qin Yu secretly hoped for this, then asked with a smile, "By the way, didn't His Majesty send anyone to add fuel to the fire?"

"I don't know about that."

Yun Ying shook her head and smiled, "Besides delivering the imperial decree, I have another important matter to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

Qin Yu asked casually.

A cold glint flashed in Yun Ying's eyes as she coldly said, "By order of His Majesty, dig up the graves! Crush the bones of Shi Dingyuan and his son Shi Zhen and scatter them to ashes!"

Hearing Yun Ying's words, the group couldn't help but be surprised.

But that's normal!

In the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince, Shi Dingyuan and Shi Zhen were the most important masterminds!

Even if they are dead, the imperial court will certainly not let them go.

It was also because Zhao Luan and the Empress Dowager were unable to do this personally; otherwise, the mother and daughter would probably have wanted to do it themselves.

"OK!"

Qin Yu said solemnly, "As long as you have time, I can have someone take you to their graves anytime!"

Yun Ying clenched her fists tightly and said through gritted teeth, "I'm free right now!"

Got it!

It seems she can't wait to dig up graves!

Qin Yu thought for a moment, then said, "Alright, let's go together!"

"good!"

Yunying nodded emphatically.

Before long, Qin Yu and the others brought Yun Ying to the vicinity of the graves of Shi Dingyuan and his son.

The father and son's graves are quite close together.

Shi Dingyuan was posthumously honored and buried according to the standards for a second-rank official.

Shi Zhen was also posthumously honored and buried according to the standards for a third-rank official.

Looking at the two luxurious tombs before them, Qin Yu and his companions felt an overwhelming sense of irony.

Yun Ying gritted her teeth and gave the order with a frosty expression: "Dig!"

At Yun Ying's command, the accompanying personnel immediately stepped forward carrying hoes, shovels, and other tools...