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The Zhang family’s strength was immense, yet Yu Su managed to overcome them, demonstrating his own considerable power and influence.

Even though he might not possess the earth-shattering capabilities of the likes of Dragon Chancellor or Chancellor Zhang, he shouldn’t have been imprisoned simply due to his relatives’ crimes.

Zhou Yi concluded that the Imperial Court was covering up the truth.

Yuan Shun, as the commander of the Jinyiwei overseeing the Officials, was privy to the affairs of the Imperial Court and said, “The real reason for Lord Yu’s imprisonment was his attempt to persuade His Majesty to change the tax laws.”

Zhou Yi’s gaze sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, “Yu Su wanted to tax the literati?”

“His Majesty is wise! With Great Yong watching us like a tiger, the Imperial Court sends the majority of our tax revenue to support the army at the Northern Border to prevent another rebellion like the one in the Year of Renyin.”

Yuan Shun continued, “In addition, with the recent continuous natural disasters, local governments urgently need disaster relief silver. The Department of Revenue has long been running deficits. Lord Yu seized the opportunity to recommend a tax reform, abolishing the tax exemption laws for officials and the gentry.”

“No wonder they abandoned him.”

Zhou Yi suddenly understood, then asked, “What does the Emperor think about this?”

“According to the eunuchs from Shangyang Palace, initially, Lord Yu managed to persuade His Majesty to start the tax experiment in one province. But later, Qin Ci Fu privately met with His Majesty and painted Lord Yu as another Dragon Chancellor or Zhang Chancellor, planting doubts in His Majesty’s mind,” said Yuan Shun.

Yuan Shun said, “Qin Ci Fu also told His Majesty that he rules the empire with the scholars, not the commoners, and if there’s a shortage of money in the Imperial Court, it’s alright to raise taxes, but never shake the foundation of the Imperial Court.”

“What a ‘foundation of the Imperial Court!’ Little Yuan, I want you to do something for me,” said Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi did not believe Yu Su could carry out tax reforms because even without Qin Ci Fu, there would be others who would speak against it to the Emperor.

No matter how much the Orthodox Emperor supported him, he could not stand the continuous badmouthing by the officials and nobility. Yu Su’s imprisonment was just a matter of time.

Yuan Shun bowed and said, “Please give your orders, Your Majesty.”

Zhou Yi instructed, “Use the traditional skills of the Jinyiwei and plant a dragon robe in Yu Su’s house, then send someone to report it to the Imperial Censor.”

Yuan Shun expressed doubt, “Your Majesty, no one will believe that Lord Yu would make a dragon robe.”

“Everyone knows it’s false evidence, but it doesn’t affect the conviction!”

Zhou Yi was not sure of Yu Su’s motivations, but he decided to go with the flow and push him to the brink.

…

In the twentieth year of the Orthodox Era.

Autumn.

Yu Su was executed for hiding a dragon robe, convicted of the crime of rebellion.

His family members, with numerous offenses, were either exiled or beheaded depending on the severity of their crimes.

…

At the vegetable market.

Yu Su, clad in prisoner’s attire, knelt on the ground.

Thousands of citizens converged here, witnessing the solitary figure of the old man on the execution ground.

Over the years, Yu Qingtian’s reputation had spread throughout Fengyang Country, especially his reforms in government administration, which had a direct impact on every citizen.

Now, Qing Tian was about to die!

The imperial guards stationed at the execution ground shouted loudly, but they could not quell the surging sentiments of the crowd.

The execution official looked up at the sun, fearing a delay might spark a riot, drew the execution card, and was about to proceed with the execution.

A feathered arrow whistled through the air, piercing the executioner’s chest.

Dozens of figures leapt out from the crowd, rushing toward Yu Su on the execution ground.

“Someone is breaking the execution ground!”

The execution official’s face turned pale as he hurriedly called for the imperial guards to encircle and suppress them, knowing that if Yu Su does not die, his own life would be at stake.

However, these men were all martial arts experts with impeccable coordination, and after rescuing Yu Su, they easily broke through the imperial guards’ encirclement and blended into the surging crowd, dashing toward the North City Gate.

“Hmph! Yu Su, he truly harbors ulterior motives!”

His voice boomed like thunder and moved with ghostly swiftness.

An aged figure soared through the sky, traversing the crowd in a few bounds, and with his Innate True Qi, he sent a palm print toward the man carrying Yu Su away.

“Old fool, go back!”

A mystic iron long spear tore through the air, aiming straight at the elder.

Boom!

A loud noise echoed as the elder was sent flying back, spitting out blood.

Chen Jinyu, holding the Mystic Iron Spear, pointed it at the elder while he hovered in the air, his chilly and fierce battle aura almost tangible.

“It’s you!”

The elder’s gaze hardened, recalling the death of Feng Zhong that had shocked the Imperial Court and government, where one of the assassins wielded a long spear.

At this moment.

“`

Two more elderly figures landed on the execution ground, forming an angle as they surrounded Chen Jinyu in the middle.

The old man wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, “Kid, the Jinyiwei got the message long ago that someone would try to rescue the convict. The three of us together are unmatched in this world, and today is your day to die!”

Seeing that Yu Su had already gone far, Chen Jinyu lightly tapped the ground with his foot, and rapidly retreated backwards.

The elder leaped forward in pursuit, a voice reaching his ears as he did.

“Your opponent is me!”

“Who?”

Just as the elder was about to turn his head to look, he felt the hairs on his back stand up and involuntarily shifted half a zhang to the side in midair.

Swoosh!

A green long sword swept past, easily piercing the protective True Qi, severing the elder’s shoulder cleanly.

The elder let out a painful scream, his movement turning ghostly as he split into three or four shadows. However, no man was as nimble, convenient, or swift as a flying sword. The long sword made a turn in the air, slashing all the shadows at the waist.

The shadows dissipated, revealing the elder cut in two.

Despite being bisected, the Innate Grandmaster’s life force was strong, and he hadn’t lost his breath yet. Looking at the sword spirit returning to the hands of the middle-aged man in Jinyiwei robes, he said in shock,

“Are you the descendant of the Duke of Zhen Guo?”

In the several hundred years of Fengyang Country’s history, the only Martial Arts Grandmaster recorded to have the secret technique of flying swords was the Duke of Zhen Guo.

“I am the very son of the Duke of Zhen Guo!”

Li Hong, holding the long sword, swept his gaze over the remaining two grandmasters. Since the distance was more than ten zhang, the flying sword couldn’t continue to slay in pursuit.

The two grandmasters exchanged a glance, a fear kindling in their hearts, and in a flash, they disappeared from the execution ground.

…

Shangyang Palace.

“Trash! All of you are trash!”

The Orthodox Emperor cursed angrily after hearing the report from the Imperial Guards; he almost fainted on the spot.

Newly appointed Qin Grand Secretary, the six department ministers, and the commander of the Imperial Guards, Yang Zheng, and other officials kneeled on the ground, quietly enduring the Orthodox Emperor’s scolding, equally shocked that Yu Su had been allowed to be rescued.

This was no simple rescue from the execution ground!

With Yu Su’s reputation for honesty and integrity, he would never voluntarily associate with the powerful and rich. They must have needed him.

An old man who can neither shoulder burdens nor carry weights, his only capability was governance and managing state affairs.

Moreover, the one who took him away was the remnant of the Duke of Zhen Guo!

After venting his anger, the Orthodox Emperor coldly said, “Why are you all so silent?”

Qin Grand Secretary, sensing the Orthodox Emperor’s gaze on him, knew he had to speak.

“Your Majesty, since a member of the Li family had the audacity to show his face, he must have been well-prepared. They may very well cause trouble soon. The Imperial Court must be alert. We can call the Capital Garrison to protect the Divine Capital and order the Jinyiwei to thoroughly investigate Li Ni’s whereabouts!”

The Orthodox Emperor pondered for a moment, then nodded, “That is acceptable.”

Yuan Shun, the commander of the Jinyiwei, was the only official who was standing in the palace, immediately knelt upon hearing this.

“Your Majesty, I am guilty! Over the years, the Jinyiwei did detect traces of Li Ni and thought only of capturing him before reporting to Your Majesty, never imagining this huge upheaval.”

“Yuan Aiqing, there’s no need for self-reproach. Your prior warning was already a merit; it’s only the Imperial Guard’s failure to protect him that’s to blame.”

The Orthodox Emperor’s expression softened slightly before he asked, “Where did the Jinyiwei discover him, and do you know the size of his power?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, in recent years, Li Ni has been active in the Jiangnan region.”

Yuan Shun wore an expression of helplessness, “It’s just that the Jinyiwei’s jurisdiction in Jiangnan was too restricted by local governance. Despite years of investigation, we’ve only managed to vaguely detect his trail, without knowing his exact whereabouts.”

Hearing this, all the officials in the palace turned to look at Yang Zheng.

Jiangnan was under the control of the powerful families; even the emperor’s authority might not have been effective there in the past, and only they were capable of providing protection to Li Ni.

Feigning a shocked expression, Yang Zheng said, “Your Majesty, the Yang family is loyal to the Imperial Court, it’s impossible for us to collude with Li Ni!”

The Orthodox Emperor’s face darkened, realizing that even Yang Zheng could only vouch for his family, having no confidence in the other seven interconnected noble families.

If Li Ni secured the support of the Jiangnan aristocracy, it would be easy for him to rally an army of a hundred or two hundred thousand men, just like during the turmoil of the Cang Huang Rebellion, undoubtedly a calamity that could shake the foundation of the National Dynasty.

“Your Majesty, we must be vigilant in this matter!”

Qin Grand Secretary said, “The Duke of Zhen Guo once swept across the world. His descendent may have inherited the military strategies, and relying solely on the Capital Garrison isn’t secure enough.”

The Orthodox Emperor nodded slightly, having thoroughly read the history of the National Dynasty, aware of the Duke of Zhen Guo’s divine might.

The Capital Garrison, having been reorganized by Yu Su, was at full strength and also diligent in regular training, yet seldom tested in battle, making their combat effectiveness uncertain.

Yan Shangshu, the Minister of War, feeling the Emperor’s gaze, said with a forced demeanor, “Your Majesty, the Northern Border army is battle-hardened and the elite of the National Dynasty. We can summon a hundred thousand troops to secure the Divine Capital with absolute certainty.”

The Orthodox Emperor pondered for a moment, perhaps out of fear of the Duke of Zhen Guo’s reputation or considering taking control of the military power of the Northern Border, and said.

“Granted!”