King of Creation
Chapter 1666: Chapter 1651: This Isn’t Going According to Plan!
The jade scroll delivered by Chief Eunuch Yu Chao’en didn’t contain much information, just some current situation reports to prevent Ye Zhen from being completely in the dark.
At present, on the court, Tianming Marquisate has severely accused Ye Zhen, the Wind Patrol Envoy, of meddling in the affairs of enfeoffed nations, overstepping his authority, and acting recklessly, causing significant losses to Tianming Marquisate.
Additionally, the Heavenly Temple Sun and Moon Heaven accused Ye Zhen of temple slaughter and destruction, being the culprit behind the massacre at Shahe City Branch Temple of the Heavenly Temple, continuously pressuring Great Zhou to hand over Ye Zhen’s entire clan to sacrifice to the gods at the Sun and Moon Heaven of Heavenly Temple.
The main challenges come from these two directions.
However, according to Yu Chao’en, neither Tianming Marquisate nor the Heavenly Temple has irrefutable evidence for these accusations.
At the end of the jade scroll, Yu Chao’en instructed Ye Zhen about one thing: regardless of whether the Shahe City incident was Ye Zhen’s doing or what evidence the other side presents, Ye Zhen should utterly deny it and must not admit it.
Of course, the matter has escalated to a point where mere denial isn’t enough to resolve it; Yu Chao’en specifically advised preparing for the court meeting tomorrow with adaptability.
With a light pinch of his fingers, the jade scroll sent by the Chief Eunuch turned to ashes, and Ye Zhen fell into deep thought.
Back when Ye Zhen was in Shahe City, after discovering Ming Tang, and later assaulting the Shahe City Branch Temple, he had anticipated all of this.
However, in that situation, Ye Zhen couldn’t think much; he had to act that way, he had to kill Ming Tang and any informed parties of the True Profound Continent.
Unfortunately, in the end, it was all in vain, as that rascal Ming Tang had cultivated the Three-Life Dao Realm and was still alive.
But, if given the same circumstances again, Ye Zhen would act the same, as he had no choice in that situation.
Now, the consequences of that incident are more complex and arduous than Ye Zhen imagined, even though he had mentally prepared beforehand.
Ye Zhen didn’t expect that the evolving situation would turn him into a pawn in the power struggle between Great Zhou and the Heavenly Temple.
This kind of critical pawn, if not careful, could end up shattered completely.
From the current situation, Great Zhou’s support for him is quite robust, and Ye Zhen also trusts the attitude of Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long and the others.
However, attitude is attitude, and strength is strength.
If Great Zhou could truly suppress the Heavenly Temple, it wouldn’t have allowed the Heavenly Temple to grow so powerful over the years.
In other words, Ye Zhen trusts Great Zhou’s attitude, but not that Great Zhou can entirely and safely protect him.
It’s not to say that Great Zhou is weaker than the Heavenly Temple.
But because the Heavenly Temple’s power is relatively concentrated, while Great Zhou, despite being vast and resource-rich, is riddled with internal strife, unable to withstand traitors.
For instance, even among the Eight Council Princes of Great Zhou with significant status and power, three are openly close to the Heavenly Temple.
This internal chaos, with everyone looking after their own interests, is why Great Zhou cannot suppress the Heavenly Temple.
Therefore, even though it currently seems like Great Zhou’s support for him is solid, Ye Zhen cannot place all his hopes on Great Zhou; he must prepare another plan.
However, this preparation must be crucial.
The piece of evidence in Ye Zhen’s possession, enough to turn the tables, must be revealed under appropriate circumstances to achieve spectacular effects.
The morning in Luoyi began with the clear and melodious calls of phoenixes within the Imperial Palace.
The Royal Family of Great Zhou values its reputation, so all the Demon Beasts in the Imperial Palace’s beast cage with unpleasant cries are surrounded by Silent Barriers.
Those birds with pleasant calls, the phoenixes’ clear chirps, representing the noble image of the Royal Family, are allowed to resonate throughout Luoyi every morning.
These sounds signify not only the start of the day but also the beginning of the court assembly.
Early in the morning, before the phoenixes’ clear chirps echoed, Ye Zhen was already at the palace gates with his identity seal, then was arranged to wait for a summons in the side chamber outside the Qiankun Hall.
Ye Zhen’s current grade doesn’t entitle him to participate in court discussions.
Therefore, only after the regular court agenda was concluded did Ye Zhen have the opportunity to enter the Qiankun Hall.
Great Zhou is vast, requiring considerable matters for discussion in the thrice-weekly court meetings. Ye Zhen waited in the side chamber for over two hours before hearing the eunuch’s summons.
"Summons Third-class Earl of North Sea, West Patrol Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy Ye Zhen to the hall for duty report and audience!" The eunuch’s high-pitched voice startled Ye Zhen from his meditation, and a eunuch led Ye Zhen towards the Qiankun Hall.
The Qiankun Hall of Great Zhou, with its towering galleries, is adorned with countless fierce and majestic Ancient Fierce Beasts, especially in the center of the hall, where over a hundred colossal beads the size of human heads of various colors gaze down at the ministers entering the hall.
This sight unnervingly tightened one’s chest, rendering even Ye Zhen’s Primordial Spirit unable to withstand the mesmerizing stare of those bead-like eyes, forcing him to enter with heightened caution.
Upon stepping into the Qiankun Hall, one’s momentum was immediately quelled.
"Tsk tsk, Great Zhou captured over a hundred of the Ancient Times’ most powerful Fierce Beasts and extracted their left eyes alive to make door beads. Who would’ve thought this was true," Mirage Dragon Primordial Spirit Achou’s voice echoed in Ye Zhen’s Spirit Palace.
As Ye Zhen crossed the high threshold, entering the Qiankun Hall’s interior, an inexplicable force descended upon Ye Zhen, creating a strange discomfort throughout his body.
Simultaneously, the Mirage Dragon Pearl within Ye Zhen contracted suddenly, its aura concealed to the utmost. The previously talkative Mirage Dragon Primordial Spirit Achou instantly fell silent, not uttering a single sound.
Even the normally lively Purple Spirit and the Acquired Spirit Treasure Thunder Light Whip withdrew their auras completely at this moment, as if crouching in a corner, not daring to move.
Ye Zhen knew this was due to entering the Qiankun Hall suppressed by the National Guardian Qiankun Seal of Great Zhou.
The National Guardian Qiankun of Great Zhou is the supreme treasure safeguarding the country’s destiny. When Great Zhou was founded, the nine Great Saint Masters of the Ancestor God Temple of that era collectively designed and constructed this Qiankun Hall, integrated with the National Guardian Qiankun Seal, featuring countless sophisticated arrangements.
One of them is that the Qiankun Hall of Great Zhou forms its realm; you might seem to simply cross a threshold, but in reality, you’ve entered another little world.
This little world, based on the National Guardian Qiankun Seal, is personally controlled by the successive emperors of Great Zhou.
Within this little world, all laws of Heaven and Earth are dictated by Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long, who wields the National Guardian Qiankun Seal.
In other words, within the Qiankun Hall, the Holy Son of Heaven, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long, is invincible.
Here, any assassination attempt or misconduct is pure fantasy.
Every minister stepping into the Qiankun Hall finds their power subdued by the National Guardian Qiankun Seal of Great Zhou.
The Purple Spirit within Ye Zhen, the Acquired Spirit Treasure Light Whip, the Mirage Dragon Pearl, and the Mirage Dragon Primordial Spirit Achou all sensed the terrifying aura of the National Guardian Qiankun Seal, behaving with utmost caution, not daring to provoke anything.
The terrifying nature of the National Guardian Qiankun Seal is evident.
As soon as Ye Zhen stepped into the Universe Hall, dozens of gazes pierced him like needlepoints.
Ye Zhen didn’t have time to pay attention to these, feeling somewhat helpless as he stepped forward, bowing deeply to Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long seated on the Dragon Throne.
"Minister Ye Zhen, Third-class Earl of North Sea and Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy of West Patrol, returns to Luoyi by Imperial Decree to report to Your Majesty," Ye Zhen announced loudly.
"Rise, I am listening," Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long responded casually, yet the atmosphere in the court distinctly changed.
Taking advantage of this moment, Ye Zhen glanced around and realized that there were indeed many familiar faces.
For instance, Ming Tang, recently appointed Heir of Tianming Marquisate, was also among the ranks, coldly staring at Ye Zhen.
Xiou Qiangu of West Patrol stood behind Jings Zhan of Central Patrol, with a slightly rounded face wearing a faint smile, squinting at Ye Zhen.
The gaze seemed gentle, but when it fell on Ye Zhen, it exuded a coldness comparable to a venomous snake.
Besides Xiou Qiangu, Baili Fei, Master of Moon Hall; Mu Xu, Master of Green Hall; and Zhen Yan, Master of Thunder Hall were also present, evidently called in before Ye Zhen.
Each of them was eager, waiting for the opportunity to accuse Ye Zhen.
Meanwhile, the Great Sun Priest Bai Xiang from Ancestor God Temple, wielding the Great Sun Scepter and the priest Gui Yu, who saved Ye Zhen yesterday, were also present.
Even more surprising to Ye Zhen was another pair of keen eyes watching him.
Princess Changle, dressed in Moon Sacrifice attire, was also present in the Universe Hall.
Having not seen her for years, Princess Changle appeared more serene, exuding a noble elegance and gentle smile mingled with authority, akin to a goddess among the priests of Ancestor God Temple.
"Minister Ye Zhen reports to Your Majesty, since residing in North Sea County for nearly four years, diligently governing. Increased registered population in North Sea County from over 10,350,000 to 34,550,000," Ye Zhen began his report after a brief exchange of glances with Princess Changle.
"Owing to North Sea County’s proximity to the border, per Your Majesty’s mandate, I commenced military expansion, increasing the troops stationed in North Sea County from 300,000 to over 1,110,000.
Over the past four years, the Soldiers of North Sea County have repelled and eliminated over 400 groups of bandits, rescuing nearly one million civilians.
Three years ago, successfully repelled an invasion by the Green-scaled Dragon Palace of North Sea, capturing Crown Prince Ao Zheng, forcing Blue-scaled Dragon King to sign a treaty preventing water demons from coming ashore, allowing North Sea military and civilians to fish in the North Sea to bolster livelihood!"
"Four years ago, North Sea County supported 300,000 soldiers, annually submitting tax materials totaling 180,000 high-grade spiritual stones, whereas now, supporting 1,110,000 soldiers, annually submitting tax materials valued over 3 million high-grade spiritual stones, an increase of over tenfold, nearly twenty times."
Listening to Ye Zhen’s report, the face of Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long on the Dragon Throne softened, the smile in his eyes growing deeper.
Having contemplated countless opening scenarios—each as tense as drawn swords—they hadn’t anticipated that this fellow Ye Zhen would truly focus on reporting.
Watching this unfold, the expressions of Ming Tang, Prince Lik Ji Yuan, Baili Fei, Mu Xu, Zhen Yan, Xiou Qiangu, and others turned increasingly skeptical.
Damn it, this rhythm is off.
This wasn’t supposed to be about commending Ye Zhen, right?
Yet somehow, it turned into Ye Zhen bragging about achievements?
The problem was, Ye Zhen’s approach was reasonable and justified; he was indeed reporting, leaving nothing to criticize.
No one could find a fault, so they could only listen.
"Your Majesty, in these years, North Sea County has thrived under Your Majesty’s benevolence, and the changes have been far more than the few matters minister noted just now."
At this point, Ye Zhen offered a Jade Scroll, "Your Majesty, the tax, population, military, land, and commercial changes in North Sea County in recent years are detailed in this Jade Scroll, which minister presents to Your Majesty for review."
The Jade Scroll was promptly delivered to Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long.
Upon a brief glance, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long struck the royal table fiercely, exclaiming, "Only four years, not even four years, yet North Sea County’s livelihood has increased tenfold, military preparedness by over fourfold, with numerous victories.
If all my Great Zhou ministers were like Third-class Earl Ye Zhen of North Sea, why worry the Great Zhou wouldn’t be strong, why worry the Great Zhou wouldn’t prosper!
Why worry the Great Zhou can’t unify All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds!"
Smack!
Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long once again struck the royal desk, handing the Jade Scroll to Chief Eunuch Yu Chaoen, "Great Attendant, distribute Ye Minister’s report Jade Scroll, hundreds of copies to everyone present, one per person, for thorough review.
Let everyone see Ye Minister’s accomplishments over these years and reflect on why Ye Minister can achieve this! Consider the efforts Ye Minister has made over the years!
Ye Minister should be a model for all ministers of Great Zhou!"
Listening secretly made him sweat; he wasn’t any model nor had exerted such efforts.
He had been a hands-off manager for four years, merely benefiting from North Sea County’s poor foundation, making the achievements appear astounding, leading to significant improvements.
Many recognized this point, yet no one was foolish enough to bring it up during such a sensitive time.
Before the civil and military officials could say anything, Chief Eunuch Yu Chaoen personally copied the Jade Scroll hundreds of times and went down himself, distributing one by one.
For the civil and military officials in the Great Zhou Imperial Court, reviewing this report Jade Scroll was no big deal; it was familiar.
However, the several Hall Masters from Heavenly Temple, like Moon Hall Master Baili Fei, Mu Xu, Zhen Yan, also found themselves forcefully handed a copy of the report Jade Scroll by Yu Chaoen.
Originally, Baili Fei and others firmly refused, but Yu Chaoen glared, saying slyly, "Could it be the several Hall Masters intend to defy His Majesty’s Imperial Decree?"
Under such a heavy accusation, Baili Fei and others had no choice but to accept.
No alternative as nominally, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long remained acknowledged as the world ruler by Heavenly Temple.
"Several Hall Masters, you heard His Majesty’s verbal decree, make sure to thoroughly review this report Jade Scroll, don’t just take it and not look!" Yu Chaoen added.
Helplessly, Baili Fei and others had to immerse their divine sense into it, merely pretending to examine.
Each one’s expression resembled stepping into dog feces.
Including Ming Tang, Prince Lik Ji Yuan, Xiou Qiangu, and others.
Damn it, right from the start, they were led by Ye Zhen’s tempo, force-fed candy!

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