Chapter 858: Chapter 857: The Gradually Growing Soybean Dynasty

Chapter 858 -857: The Gradually Growing Soybean Dynasty

As Shi Lei and others were swayed by Lu Yang to come forward and confess, numerous cold cases were reopened, all connected to the Fifth Prince’s efforts to win people’s favor.

The Ministry of Punishments became busy, even busier than during the Fourth Prince’s rebellion.

The Fourth Prince’s rebellion was no small affair, but it was only one case, merely requiring a bit more effort when it came to arrests.

However, the Fifth Prince’s situation was different. This time there were multiple cases, with a broad impact, implicating many officials in the dynasty.

The Ministry of Punishments interrogated Shi Lei and the others throughout the night. The good news was that they had a cooperative attitude, answering all questions, and since they were the Fifth Prince’s dirty mitts, they had a lot of evidence, which helped the Ministry save much effort.

…

Prince Jiang Qun regretted disguising himself as his father to ascend the throne, dealing with an endless stream of memorials, the bitter medicinal soup that was said to slightly prolong lifespan, and handling the intrigues in the harem and with various elders…

“Luckily, the Right Chancellor and the Left Chancellor are not in seclusion, capable of sharing some of my burden.”

The Right and Left Chancellors dealt with many of the less important memorials, allowing the Crown Prince to catch his breath. Although he didn’t find it difficult to handle these memorials, it was boring, and now that he was using his father’s identity, there were many things he could not do.

“How I miss making incognito visits; I wonder how far Father has progressed.”

Jiang Qun opened a memorial sent from the Prefectorial Governor of Yu State, which reported the discovery of remnants from Great Yu in Yu State, suspecting the presence of a Great Qian Cultivator at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage. He had already contacted the troops stationed in Yu State, asking them to join the search for the Great Yu remnants, but given the unknown strength of the remnants, he requested the dynasty to send reinforcements.

“In that case, let the Luoshui Guards go to Yu State.”

Just as Jiang Qun was about to process the next memorial, Eunuch Li came to report.

“Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice Xu Xin requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

Xu Xin, taking measured steps, entered the hall and bowed to Jiang Qun, “Xu Xin pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Rise, Minister Xu.”

“Yes.”

“What brings Minister Xu here?”

Xu Xin took out a small booklet, which Eunuch Li presented to Jiang Qun.

Jiang Qun, looking puzzled, took the booklet: “What is this?”

“Your Majesty, these are the crimes committed by the Fifth Prince.”

“Who?” Jiang Qun thought he had misheard.

“It’s the list of crimes of Fifth Prince Jiang Tang.”

Jiang Qun, alarmed, quickly skimmed the booklet with his Spiritual Sense, his eye twitching as he saw the litany of Old Five’s various offenses, offering explanations for many of the dynasty’s long-standing secret cases.

“Time is of the essence, and for fear of startling the snake by hitting the grass, only some of the crimes have been verified.”

Even just these partial offenses were serious enough. If they were all confirmed, the fate of the Fifth Prince would not be much better than the Fourth Prince’s.

The only difference was that the crimes of the Fifth Prince did not require the execution of his entire family, sparing Jiang Qun from having to pardon himself again.

…No, how did it come to be Old Five’s turn to cause trouble right after Old Four’s issue had settled down?

I’ve only been the temporary Emperor for three days, and two brothers have already fallen into my hands.

Father, how come you didn’t deal with anyone when you were the Emperor, but as soon as you left, all these issues came knocking?

In history, there have been instances of princes acting as regents, but none where a prince dealt with other princes while acting as regent.

Handling one might be acceptable, but dealing with two—how would future generations view this part of history?

“How were these things investigated?” Jiang Qun, knowing that Xu Xin was thorough and reliable, would not fabricate things to deceive him.

Moreover, even if it were fabrication, one would not dare to do so recklessly.

He was just curious.

“It was the retainers of the Fifth Prince, led by Shi Lei, who confessed.”

“Shi Lei is so honest?” Jiang Qun frowned.

“According to what Shi Lei and the others confessed, they were persuaded by Lu Yang to come to the Ministry of Punishments to turn themselves in.”

Jiang Qun couldn’t help but hold his forehead. The Fourth Prince’s situation had been reported by Lu Yang, and now the Fifth Prince’s matter was also inseparable from Lu Yang. Lu Yang, are you determined to send all my brothers to prison to clear the way for my ascension?

“Lu Yang alone persuaded them to turn themselves in?”

“That I do not know, but Shi Lei and the others said that when Lu Yang was persuading them, there was also a cultivator named Xia Tian present.”

Jiang Qun: “…”

Isn’t Xia Tian damned Emperor Xia’s alias?

I knew this wasn’t so simple; it’s indeed Emperor Xia’s intent!

…

In the Luotian Forest, Fairy Eternity is holding a meeting, sitting in a circle with Ao Ling, Jiang Lianyi, Jin Caiwei, and Emperor Xia.

“It’s rare for us all to gather together. There’s only one purpose for today’s meeting, and that is that I am ready to establish a new dynasty. I have even thought of a name for the dynasty, called the Great Soy Dynasty.”

Upon hearing this, the posture of Ao Ling and the others straightened slightly, all startled by Fairy Eternity’s words.

Some were shocked at the idea of establishing a new dynasty, others were shocked at the name of the dynasty.

“The sage once said, ‘The throne of the world should be seated by the virtuous.’ As someone born with such virtues, I ought to be the emperor.”

Ao Ling and Jiang Lianyi clapped their hands vigorously, their gazes burning as they looked at Fairy Eternity. Had Immortal Sister finally harbored the ambition to vie for the world?

Fairy Eternity’s face revealed a smile, pressed her hand down to signal Xiao Ling and Lianyi not to be overly enthusiastic, and then continued:

“I have observed the long river of history. Each dynasty’s change has been filled with blood and fire, plunging the people into misery, and the entire world into suffering, which goes against my wishes.”

The speech of Fairy Eternity was written by Lu Yang in the Spiritual Space. As she read according to the script and improvised on her own accord:

“I believe that establishing a brand-new dynasty doesn’t necessarily have to be through war; it can be done by peaceful means.”

“For example, I had once cooperated with the Fourth Prince to report his rebellion, and by implicating his entire clan, we were able to break the Jiang Family without attacking.”

“But I didn’t expect that the ancestors of the Jiang Family had some tactics of their own, setting up a system of amnesty in advance, which foiled my plans. Truly a tough opponent to deal with!”

“However, it doesn’t matter. What matters go smoothly all the time? The process of starting a business is always tough. I believe that as long as we stand united, there’s no difficulty we can’t overcome!”

Fairy Eternity stood on the table, arms raised high, shouting: “Ladies and gentlemen, are you willing to join me in establishing a new dynasty?”

“We are willing!”

Ao Ling and Jiang Lianyi need not be asked—their unconditional support for whatever Fairy Eternity does is a given.

“Good, then I appoint you two as great generals.”

After Fairy Eternity’s exclamation, she jumped down from the table with a huff, and looked at Jin Caiwei: “Little Tiger, what about you?”

Jin Caiwei had no particular thoughts about establishing a new dynasty, but since Ao Ling and Jiang Lianyi were supporting it, if she didn’t, she would be at a disadvantage, which was intolerable.

“I am also willing!”

“Then I also appoint you as a great general.”

All four women turned their gaze towards Emperor Xia simultaneously, their eyes almost speaking the question: what about you?

Emperor Xia felt his scalp tingle beneath their stares. Everyone else had agreed, would it be unsociable of him to disagree?

Emperor Xia could only slowly raise his hand: “I also agree.”

“I appoint you as Prime Minister.”

The Transcendance Tribulation Stage cultivator secretly protecting Emperor Xia marveled at the scene. He had lived for thousands of years and had never seen anything like it.