Chapter 1 The Emperor's Plan

Listening to Jing Yue's suggestion, Jiang Chen's eyes flashed with approval.

"Not bad, that's what I think too."

"Moreover, I already have someone in mind!" As he spoke, Jiang Chen picked up a jade pendant, a tribute from the South, and waved it in front of Jing Yue, hinting heavily.

As someone who had served by the emperor's side for many years, this little riddle was naturally not difficult for Jing Yue. She quickly reacted and said, "You mean, the Zhenhai Regional Commander?"

Jiang Chen nodded with a smile, "That's right. Now that Jiang Zuo Wang is imprisoned, I believe Cheng Yu, as the Regional Commander, will soon receive the news. I will take this opportunity to test the Cheng family's loyalty."

"There are still some days before the Empress Dowager's birthday. It's enough time for me to set up a plan. When Cheng Yu enters the capital, he will face the test directly. Two paths, two endings!"

"If he chooses to take Jiang Zuo Wang's life, I will not pursue the matter of him requesting a marriage edict. The position of Zhenhai Regional Commander will still be his, Cheng Yu's."

"But if he disobeys my will, then I can only send his entire family, young and old, to the Yellow Springs with Jiang Zuo Wang!"

Beneath the calm tone was a bone-chilling killing intent.

Jing Yue's beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and a deep admiration welled up in her heart.

A double-edged sword, a flawless plan, truly worthy of the emperor I serve!

But before she could calm her amazed emotions, Jiang Chen spoke again, "Jing Yue, send another team of dark guards to Autumn Leaf Palace to monitor Jiang Zuo Wang without any blind spots."

"My intuition tells me that such a meticulous person must have left behind some tricks, and we must guard against them. Before the Empress Dowager's birthday, I don't want any accidents!"

"Also, spread the word that Jiang Zuo Wang is an ally of Mei Wen Shi and that he slaughtered civilians to raise troops, so that the common people know what kind of person he is."

"Doesn't he like to use rumors to attack me? This time, I will repay him in his own coin!"

Jing Yue's eyes lit up, and she eagerly accepted the order, "Yes, this subordinate will do it immediately!"

The next day.

Xu Changqing escorted the prisoners into the capital, and at the end of the procession were many military equipment and provisions.

According to past practice, these spoils of war would be the first to be taken over by the imperial court.

But this time, the officials who came to greet them completely treated these goods as air. Not only did they not ask a single question, they didn't even glance at them. After taking over the prisoners, they left without looking back.

The urgency in their movements made Xu Changqing stunned, and he personally felt the importance that the court attached to the matter of Jiang Zuo Wang!

But unfortunately, despite the joint trial by the Three Departments and the non-stop interrogation, there was still no harvest.

These surviving soldiers simply did not know who their real master was.

Therefore, the specific disposal plan for Jiang Zuo Wang has not been finalized.

Jiang Chen's close ministers advocated execution, rather err on the side of killing than letting go, but the regional kings from various places submitted letters of protest, saying that the court could not treat the imperial family harshly.

The two sides argued endlessly, and there was no result for a long time.

Considering the plan, Jiang Chen simply went along with the flow and imprisoned Jiang Zuo Wang in the palace, neither killing him nor releasing him.

This compromise pacified most people in the court and temporarily quelled the dispute.

Jiangnan, Zhenhai Regional Commander's Mansion.

The news of Jiang Zuo Wang's imprisonment reached Cheng Yu's hands in just one day, like a boulder thrown into the water, stirring up layers of waves!

In the study.

Mei Ruoying had completely replaced Cheng Yu's position, sitting upright behind the sandalwood table, appreciating the famous calligraphy and paintings collected by the Cheng family as if she were the master.

With her elegant and refined appearance, no one would believe that this fairy-like woman was the criminal who suppressed a group of Jiangyang bandits and made it to the top ten on the imperial wanted list!

'Bang!'

The official kiln celadon cup was heavily placed down, and Cheng Yu frowned, "It's been two days, haven't you come up with a countermeasure yet?"

"The emperor has already imprisoned Jiang Zuo Wang, he must have found some clues. The next one to suffer may be this Regional Commander. Do you have any suggestions?"

Although his tone was still calm, the hidden panic could not be concealed.

Mei Ruoying put away the calligraphy and paintings, a flash of impatience flashed in her beautiful eyes, but it quickly disappeared. She said lazily, "What are you panicking about with me here?"

"Moreover, your Cheng family has been operating in the South for many years and has deep roots. Dozens of small and medium-sized families are advancing and retreating with you. Plus, you are the Regional Commander, holding hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers in your hands... The emperor will not easily move such an important minister."

Hearing this, Cheng Yu's brows relaxed slightly, but the worry in his eyes still did not dissipate, "That's true, but today's Emperor is brave and determined, not a timid person."

"If he really finds out something, I'm afraid that what you just mentioned will immediately become the Cheng family's death warrant!"

"After all, which king in the world can tolerate a minister who is involved with rebels? And that minister's power is so strong!"

The hand scrolling the painting axis paused, Mei Ruoying pondered for a moment, and the corners of her red lips curled up into a beautiful arc, "Don't worry, it's because Jiang Chen is tough that I'm sure we're safe for the time being. Your secret has not been exposed."

"If Jiang Zuo Wang was really caught with something, do you think Jiang Chen would spare his life given his character?"

Mei Ruoying's firm tone made Cheng Yu's spirit lift, but then he became annoyed again, "In any case, the fact that His Majesty took action against Jiang Zuo Wang itself means that he has become suspicious. If the investigation is not over for a day, my Cheng family will be at risk of exposure at any time!"

"Moreover, these years of business dealings between us are all in Jiang Zuo Wang's hands. Once he confesses, the Cheng family will suffer immediately."

Mei Ruoying listened quietly, her pretty face calm and beautiful, like a graceful Chinese flowering crabapple, standing by the table, her beauty captivating.

Even Cheng Yu, who was in a heavy mood, couldn't help but take a few more glances, sighing secretly in his heart, but he didn't dare to show it on his face, very afraid of her vicious methods.

"I have already solved everything you mentioned."

Mei Ruoying spoke coldly, a trace of gloom appearing on her pretty face, "Before I left for Jiangnan, I had already won over seventy percent of Jiang Zuo Wang's forces."

"The account books of you secretly providing him with food, soldiers, and horses have been completely burned, so you don't have to worry."

Cheng Yu was still not at ease, "But there are still thirty percent left..."

"The remaining thirty percent are already dead people." Mei Ruoying interrupted calmly, the indifference in her tone chilling.

"Before, in the imperial capital, Jiang Zuo Wang had not yet been imprisoned, so I naturally couldn't win over too much... But now that he has been imprisoned, I naturally have to let go."

"Those who were unwilling to submit were all sent to the underworld last night."

Saying that, as if she found it interesting, Mei Ruoying giggled, "Master Cheng, tell me, isn't this ally of mine very reliable?"

"Considering how much effort I've put in, please don't let me down... If you don't keep your promise, the next one to go to the underworld might be you!"

Cheng Yu broke out in a cold sweat, "Haha, Miss Mei is joking, Cheng will definitely keep his word! Absolutely keep his word!"