The revitalization of the Tang Dynasty began with the Ganlu Incident.

Inside the front hall of the Liu residence, Ximen Jixuan had lost the composed demeanor he displayed when arresting people in the Hall of State Affairs; his brows now showed signs of anxiety.

At this moment, Liu Hongyi, who had changed his clothes, came out from the back room and asked as he sat down.

"Why are you here so late? Did you get any new confessions from Zheng Zhu and Wang Fan?"

The Eastern Depot was established ostensibly to investigate major cases, and Ximen Jixuan was someone Liu Hongyi himself promoted.

Therefore, he naturally handed over the task of interrogating Zheng Zhu to Ximen Jixuan.

"Reporting to Lieutenant, Zheng Zhu's interrogation is almost complete. Wang Fan is still putting up a fight, but it should only take a few more days to get a rough picture."

Ximen Jixuan stepped forward and bowed, then hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"However, I have come here for another matter... I have just received news that His Majesty has appointed two commanders and five hundred elite guards under the Eastern Depot to be in charge of spying on intelligence in the capital. He specifically instructed that all intelligence must be sealed with paint and wax and sent directly to the palace, and no one else should be allowed to hear about it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Hongyi frowned and said, "Is this true? Who delivered the imperial edict? And who got those two commanders?"

"Reporting to the Lieutenant, it was the Imperial Privy Councilor Yang Qinyi who personally delivered the imperial edict. The two commanders were also recommended by His Majesty: one is Wang Wengan, an Inner Attendant, and the other is Li Shengrong, an Inner Temple Earl."

Ximen Jixuan answered quickly.

But after listening, Liu Hongyi remained seated, his brows furrowed, seemingly lost in thought.

After a moment, Ximen Jixuan was the first to lose his composure and said again, "Lieutenant, when Envoy Yang came to deliver the order today, his attitude was very firm. He clearly told his subordinates that although the two commanders are listed in the Eastern Depot, their actions are the same as his, and they are directly under the Emperor's orders. His subordinates must do their best to cooperate. This..."

Those in the palace are usually extremely sensitive to the emperor's every move.

Although the emperor hasn't said anything yet, the move to add more commanders made Ximen Jixuan keenly aware of something.

He was placed under the Eastern Depot, but as the director of the Eastern Depot, he could not control it and even needed to cooperate with it. So who was the superior?

More importantly, the emperor tacitly approved or even authorized this practice, which is the most unsettling aspect.

Compared to Ximen Jixuan, Liu Hongyi was much more experienced. After a short while, he understood the reason and said.

"This was my fault; I shouldn't have let you arrest people in the Political Affairs Hall..."

Upon hearing this, Ximen Jixuan was first taken aback, then somewhat puzzled, and said, "But Lieutenant, wasn't the Emperor already approving the purge of Li Xun's faction? Does His Majesty intend to appease the court officials? But if he wants to appease the court officials, shouldn't he issue an edict reprimanding his subordinates?"

Still young, Ximen Jixuan didn't see things as clearly as Liu Hongyi in this matter.

"It's not a matter of appeasing the court officials, but rather that I misjudged His Majesty's intentions."

Liu Hongyi's expression was somewhat complicated as he pondered for a moment.

"When His Majesty established the Eastern Depot, I originally thought it was only to strengthen control over the outer court and to specialize in investigating major cases. But now it seems that, in addition to that, His Majesty also intends to divide power and maintain checks and balances within the palace."

"This is my fault. When His Majesty established the Eastern Depot, he actually gave a subtle hint that the Eastern Depot was directly under the Emperor's command and would carry out orders. But I didn't think about it deeply at the time, and it has implicated you."

Ximen Jixuan blinked, still somewhat confused, and could only cup his hands and say, "Please enlighten me, Lieutenant."

So Liu Hongyi continued, "The so-called direct service to the emperor and acting on imperial orders, in the context of the outer court, means holding the imperial edict and acting expediently. But in the context of the palace, it has another meaning. It means that the actions of the Eastern Depot must be approved in advance, and no one can act on their own initiative."

"It is His Majesty's will to arrest Wang Fan, but arresting him in the Council of State Affairs has a different meaning. Now that Li Xun's side has also started to move, once the memorial is submitted, His Majesty will surely be able to guess the reason why you are doing this."

"Understanding is one thing, but permission is another. If it were any other eunuch doing it, it wouldn't be a problem. But since it's being done under the guise of the Eastern Depot, which is authorized to carry out imperial orders, then prior permission must be obtained before proceeding!"

Ximen Jixuan frowned, pondered for a moment, and then understood the difference, hesitatingly asking.

"Now that His Majesty has appointed these two new commanders, he is essentially telling his subordinates that if they fail to properly manage the Eastern Depot, then naturally a new 'Eastern Depot' will emerge, right?"

Liu Hongyi nodded, then, as if he had thought of something else, said...

"Ximen, from today onwards, do not come to my residence again. Also, you are now the chief eunuch of the Eastern Depot, not a subordinate of the Shence Army. Do not refer to yourself as your subordinate when we meet."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ximen Jixuan on the other side was stunned for a moment, and then he hurriedly spoke up.

"Lieutenant, I..."

However, he had only said a few words when Liu Hongyi raised his hand to stop him and said...

"I know you are a person who values ​​loyalty, but in the palace, we are all His Majesty's servants. The affairs under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Depot are of great importance and are not my business. As the chief eunuch of the Eastern Depot, you should avoid suspicion in your daily life."

"Not only me, but all the other eunuchs in the palace, including... including those nobles, also have to keep their distance."

"Remember this: from this day forward, you are a sword in the Emperor's hand. You cannot have your own thoughts. Wherever the master of the sword points, you must face, and can only face, understand?"

Ximen Jixuan lowered his head, his expression showing some struggle, and remained silent.

Seeing this, Liu Hongyi smiled, stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said.

"You are a loyal and honest person. I know your character, which is why I recommended you for this position. Since that's the case, we can skip the formalities."

"You just need to work diligently, and I will do my job well. We will serve each other well in the palace. You are still young. One day, when you take my place, my two sons may need your care."

"If you get bogged down in trivialities and ruin your future, then you will truly have failed my expectations."

After saying this, Ximen Jixuan lowered his head and remained silent for a moment with a complicated expression.

He lifted the hem of his robe, knelt down, kowtowed, and said.

"Rest assured, Lord Liu, I will never forget your words and the kindness you have shown me today. From now on, besides the Emperor, you will be the person I am most grateful to. If one day I am able to hold a high position, I will certainly live up to your kindness."

Liu Hongyi remained seated and accepted the bow with composure.

"Go."

He waved his hand, watching Ximen Jixuan get up and leave, and felt a pang of emotion.

The situation in this palace is likely to change from now on.

He sat there for a long time, until night fell, before he seemed to have made up his mind and slowly stood up. His gaze fell on the distant, dark imperial city, and his expression became more resolute...