The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 434 Take the initiative

It's good that they're greedy; it'll be easy to bring them down.

The officials made extra money, and Emperor Yuanjia and his father could rest assured.

A win-win situation, how wonderful!

"Lord Qi, people always have to pay the price for their actions. Please."

The dungeon doors were opened, and the Azure Dragon Guards roughly dragged Qi Wenhe inside.

Afterwards, he would be stripped of his official robes and purple sash, and his status as a second-rank official would be reduced to that of a prisoner.

As for the Qi family, whom he only paid attention to briefly, the plaque outside the mansion had been taken down, and all the servants in the mansion had been dismissed.

The Azure Dragon Guards were relatively mild-mannered; they only asked Qi Wenhe's wives, concubines, and children to remove their belongings, without physically pulling or tearing at them.

But their gentleness could not quell the panic among the people of Qifu Prefecture.

What seemed like a long-lasting fortune suddenly collapsed, and what seemed like a prosperous family crumbled in an instant.

It was as if the women's fate was never in their own hands, unpredictable and elusive.

Confused, they begged for mercy, pleaded for information, and did everything they could to try to salvage the situation and break the deadlock.

The Azure Dragon Guard kept his mouth shut and didn't reveal a word.

Finally, it was Madam Qi who spoke up and made the decision: "Alright, it's not like you're going to die. What's with all this crying and wailing?"

Then, she turned around and presented the charge against Qi Wenhe for selling official positions: "Qi Wenhe does not like to confide his secrets to the women and children in his household. I beg Your Excellency to investigate this matter thoroughly."

What needed to be done has been done, and what needed to be said has been said.

Regardless of how the Emperor ultimately deals with her, it will be none of her business anymore.

She knew that everyone else in the mansion still had a chance of survival, but she, Qi Wenhe's first wife, was doomed.

She started walking: "Let's go."

Seeing that she was sensible, the Azure Dragon Guards were willing to give her face: "Please, Madam."

The commotion at the Qi residence reached the homes of officials in the surrounding area.

Those with a guilty conscience are bound to feel uneasy, but most people continue to do their own thing calmly.

Some people even use the analogy of managing one's family to warn their relatives:

"Greed is the most detestable demon in the world. It's good that Da Yong is like this, and it will be even better in the future. Being content will naturally bring wealth and honor, but the greedy will suffer the consequences..."

……

Zheng Xun watched as the unexpected incident in the capital dissipated without causing any ripples.

Nodded with relief.

Very good, most officials are behaving themselves.

The fact that her father didn't interfere much, yet the matter was resolved properly, shows that she doesn't need to do everything herself, and her days will be easier from now on.

And one of her purposes for leaving Beijing has been achieved.

After all, if she doesn't leave, how dare those seemingly honest demons and monsters show their faces?

That's how it should be.

If they dare to cause trouble, the Emperor and she will nip the trouble in the bud.

If this happens a few more times, I'm sure no one will dare to harbor any disloyal thoughts again.

However, is there some kind of curse associated with the position of Minister of Personnel?

What a pity about Qi Wenhe, such a good man.

The doubt lasted only a moment.

Zheng Xun quickly turned the light screen around.

The matter in the capital has been resolved, but the matter in Xizhou is still unresolved.

How long has it been? Xizhou is already shrouded in gloom and despair.

Seeing the valiant soldiers of Dayong looking so anxious and uneasy, Zheng Xun felt a pang of unease.

Fortunately, Pang Yunyi's words carried weight, and no chaos broke out in the army during the critical moment.

Pang Yunyi had a bluish stubble on his chin and bloodshot eyes, making him look like a demon.

“Mr. Xu, everything has been arranged, but I don’t know how long this calm will last.”

Pang Yunyi and his soldiers were not afraid of fighting, but the plague was a slow torment.

A sharp blade hangs overhead, its arrival uncertain, and its fate unknown.

Living in the shadows for too long can easily lead to restlessness and instability.

Xu Zhen's solution was to find something for everyone to do.

Although most of the busyness may seem like a waste of time, being busy at least prevents you from having time to overthink.

Wang Feiyu wiped his face: "Perhaps, we can do something like... a speech. His Highness said that speeches are the best way to inspire people."

Pang Yunyi grinned menacingly: "In my opinion, we should go all the way and throw those diseased corpses back to the Brown Country."

"Don't speak in anger. Can General Pang bear the consequences of doing this?" Wang Feiyu said helplessly.

Xu Zhen waved his hand to stop their argument: "I will personally take care of the patients."

Pang Yunyi was so shocked he almost jumped up.

"Why would you do that?! If you had also contracted the plague, that would be one thing, but you haven't! Xu Zhen, you are my strategist. If anything happens to you, I'll do whatever I want! I'll be fighting with Che Zhong'an every day!"

Xu Zhen, supporting his forehead, couldn't help but smile: "Don't worry..."

"How can I be at ease? You frail scholars are already delicate, what if..."

“Listen to me,” Xu Zhen interrupted him gently. “The soldiers who are infected need a pillar of support, Pang Yunyi. We cannot let the soldiers infected with the plague live in anxiety and uncertainty. To put it bluntly, no one else is up to the task. I will stand with them through thick and thin so that they can take their medicine and get treatment with peace of mind, and so that the people outside can also feel at ease.”

"That doesn't necessarily have to be you; I'm good enough too."

"Don't joke like that. The soldiers can't do without you; they were your soldiers to begin with. Pang Yunyi, His Highness has entrusted you and the Xizhou battlefield to me, and I cannot fail His Highness's trust."

Pang Yunyi absolutely cannot be allowed to get into trouble, because his soldiers only listen to him and can only exert their combat power by cooperating with him.

Wang Feiyu raised his hand: "I can do it too..."

Xu Zhen smiled: "Are you good at calming people down?"

"Just saying a few nice words..."

Xu Zhen shook his head: "Alright, Yunyi and I have other plans for you."

Wang Feiyu whispered, "You're the strategist. We're all a bit dim-witted; what would we do without you?"

"Even if I go in, it won't prevent me from analyzing the battle situation and strategizing from afar... I'm willing to give it a try!"

Xu Zhen was never a passive person; no circumstance would prevent him from fulfilling his responsibilities.

Pang Yunyi pursed his lips: "But have you considered that if you die, the situation will only get worse?"

"General, I believe in you, and I also believe in the doctors of Dayong. They will definitely be able to develop a prescription before something happens to me."

If the plague cannot be resolved, then let it end with him.

He would lead those infected with the plague to... die.

Pang Yunyi lowered his head in dejection.

Xu Zhen's voice was light and calm: "You can't stop me."

"You said I'd tie you up now..."

"I will commit suicide immediately."

Pang Yunyi saw determination in his eyes.

His shoulders slumped: "I, Pang Yunyi, rarely suffer a setback..."

"Don't worry, as long as I'm alive, you'll never lack these opportunities."

Xu Zhen spoke casually, but Pang Yunyi couldn't laugh: "Is it really necessary?"

Xu Zhen did not answer.

Pang Yunyi already had the answer to this question in his heart.

"Go ahead."

He agreed, but Xu Zhen was still pushing his luck: "However, you still have to put on a show with me."

Pang Yunyi's eyes lit up: "A play? You're going to fake it?"

No. We need to remove you from this situation.

Xu Zhen knew he was doing it voluntarily, but the others didn't.

If someone misunderstands and thinks that Pang Yunyi pushed him out, that would be terrible.