Until today, Chen Moyun could still remember how the white stones had been stained crimson with the ministers’ blood.
Everyone, including himself, knew the reason why the Emperor issued the edict. After the edict was sent out, they lived in constant anxiety.
If Lu Qianxuan fell, the White Tiger Army wouldn’t hold out for long. Without the White Tiger Army, it would only be a matter of time before the barbarians or other kingdoms stormed their way to the Capital.
Even now, he couldn’t understand why the Emperor insisted on killing Lu Qianxuan. He should have been the one most aware of their situation.
The Great Yan Kingdom might have looked almighty in the eyes of other kingdoms, but it was actually dying from within.
With corruption running rampant and the Imperial family fighting for power, they were nothing more than an empty shell. The only one holding the kingdom together was none other than Lu Qianxuan and his army.
All things considered, Chen Moyun was relieved to learn of their victory. It was surprising that they had been able to reclaim the city in less than a day.
Even though it was good news, the amount of resources needed to rebuild the city was too much for the kingdom to bear. It was easy to reclaim the city, but it would be difficult to defend it.
Rubbing his forehead, he let out a long sigh and hoped that the Emperor wouldn’t go mad again when he learned of this news tomorrow morning.
After putting away the military report, Chen Moyun left the office and returned to his mansion.
The next day, when the sky was still dark, several horse carriages and palanquins already filled the main road of the Capital City.
Besides them, there were countless civil and military officials in their official robes walking toward the Imperial Palace. Most of them were low-ranking officials who mostly stood outside the hall when the morning court was held.
As for those who traveled in horse carriages, they were imperial princes, nobles, or ministers who held an official post above the 3rd rank. The ones riding in palanquins were mostly ministers who held an official post between the 5th and 3rd rank.
Each of them carried a food box with them as they lined up at the entrance.
The Imperial guards inspected them carefully before they were allowed to enter the Imperial Palace. They even checked the snacks they brought to pad their stomachs.
At this moment, Chen Moyun had already stepped out of his palanquin and was waiting for his turn.
Despite being a 1st-rank minister, he always used a palanquin instead of a carriage. The reason was simple: he had a lot of descendants, and supporting them cost a lot of money.
He wouldn’t dare call himself an uncorrupted official since he still accepted some small gifts once in a while. But he was someone who knew the limit and never crossed the line. Therefore, he was one of the old ministers who survived the bloody storm when the current Emperor purged the court.
Recently, the taxes and tributes sent to the Capital had been decreasing. With the granaries and the treasury empty, the price of grain and other supplies had increased drastically.
With his salary, he was barely able to keep his family alive. They couldn’t live a lavish lifestyle like other families.
He also didn’t dare accept any bribes since the Emperor was keeping an eye on him due to the White Tiger Army’s military campaign.
Thinking about his wife’s plaints at home, he let out a long sigh.
He thought that no one noticed this, but Yu Wenzhou heard his sigh and asked in a low voice, "Lord Chen, you look so troubled today. Is something bothering you?"
Despite their different family backgrounds, both of them were people who were loyal to the throne.
Their goal was to ensure the people had good lives and that the kingdom remained at peace. It didn’t matter who the Emperor was; as long as he could do a good job, they would support him.
Therefore, both of them always stood on the same side. They tried to advise and persuade the Emperor to bee a wise ruler, but after so long, they had started to lose hope.
Seeing that it was his close friend, Chen Moyun shook his head.
"It’s nothing."
"Lord Chen, are you worried about the Northeast City campaign?"
Before Chen Moyun could reply, they saw Jin Liangkai walk over. He stopped a few steps away and said, "Greetings, Lord Chen."
Since his rank was above Yu Wenzhou’s, he only gave him a glance and ignored him.
Even though he treated him with disrespect, Yu Wenzhou still had to greet him. After all, this person’s rank was above his.
"Greetings, Lord Jin."
Treating him as if he were air, Jin Liangkai looked at Chen Moyun’s dark circles and said, "Lord Chen, you look so tired lately. Are you not sleeping well?"
Noticing his smugness, Chen Moyun replied flatly, "Thanks to your blessing, I’m sleeping very well."
Raising his eyebrows, Jin Liangkai chuckled.
"Is that so?"
After a moment of pause, he continued, "I heard that the situation at the northern border has bee unstable again due to the barbarians’ attacks. I wonder if General Lu will be able to reclaim the Northeast City."
When he finished speaking, he glanced at Chen Moyun and saw his eyes turn cold. Knowing that he had touched a sore spot, Jin Liangkai smiled and left in large strides.
Staring at his back, Yu Wenzhou said, "Lord Chen, don’t worry too much. General Lu has a lot of experience, and the White Tiger Army is not weak. It’s only a matter of time before they reclaim the city."
If it had been before he received the military report, Chen Moyun might have been feeling anxious right now.
After all, all the money in the national treasury had been used by the Emperor to build his summer palace. Without money, the Minister of War couldn’t forge weapons or armor.
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