The Grand Preceptor of Great Yan,
Died;
Killed in a manner akin to slaughtering a chicken.

A cut to the neck, the head forcibly bent away from the body, keeping the neck in constant tension;
The only thing missing was a bowl placed below to catch the blood for consumption.

You said living a few more years would be better for Great Yan, and I believe you;
You said that after two years, you would enter Litian City's ancestral hall in white robes and commit suicide, and I believe you;
You said that Tian Wujing didn't kill you because you were useful to the country, and I believe you;

I believe it, I believe it all.

But,

What does it matter?

If I don't kill you today,
I'll feel uncomfortable;

If I kill you today,
I'll feel good.

Feeling good is all that matters, who cares about your grand national plans and the fate of the empire!

Do you know how I felt when I, your humble servant, entered the Jingnan Marquis's residence in Litian City and saw Old Tian's white hair as he sat on the threshold of the ancestral hall?

In these past few years, every time I returned home, what did I feel watching Tian Tian, who could only play alone in his room, only with the magic orb, only with those few demonic beasts, living a childhood like a prisoner?

National righteousness,
Patriotism,
Self-sacrifice,

If you want to do it, then do it;
I used to be a grandson, whether I was pretending or not, I was still a grandson;

Now, I've risen, I have the ability to do a deal and kill you, and you still want me to wait?

Sorry,

I really can't wait.

"Grand Preceptor, open your eyes and take another look, look, the sun is so good today."

Marquis Zheng released his grip,
Zhao Jiulang's corpse fell onto the roof tiles.

"I thought you would give him two more years; that Grand Preceptor almost persuaded me."

Zheng Fan smiled, bent down, and wiped the blood off Zhao Jiulang's white shirt, saying:

"What's the point of waiting?"

Sword Saint nodded and said, "When you struck, I actually felt quite pleased."

"Really? Heh."

Marquis Zheng stretched.

"Li Liangshen, are you planning to take him back?"

"Do you know what he did back then? Did Blind Man tell you?"

"He did."

"Well, to be honest, that crazy woman was actually quite good to me. I didn't really have any direct conflicts with her. The only issue was probably when I was a laborer and she summoned me, and she didn't immediately recognize my innate talent and potential and offer herself to me.

She missed a great opportunity."

If the seven Demon Kings had followed him into the Li family, then she, Li Qian, could really be preparing to become empress of the world.

"Heh, this is just shameless boasting."

"Right, my only conflict is with Shatuo Queshi, but with Ji Chengjue, the new emperor, it's a real vendetta.

On the day of Ji Laoliu's wedding, she actually dared to send Li Liangshen and the Seventh Uncle from her side to assassinate him.

Alas,
On his wedding night, Ji Laoliu's life hung by a thread all night long."

"Similar to now."

Sword Saint meant, similar to killing Zhao Jiulang now.

Because back then, Ji Chengjue had never expected that woman to be crazy enough to send people to assassinate him that very night.

When people go crazy, they really don't follow logic.

And Zhao Jiulang was the same; he didn't expect the Great Yan's Marquis Pingxi to directly step in and assassinate him in the street on the night the new emperor ascended the throne.

Calculating everything,
Is still based on an algorithm of rules,

When that person doesn't follow the rules at all, you can't calculate it.

Ji Chengjue and Zhao Jiulang were both extremely intelligent and meticulous people, but the more this is the case, the more easily they suffer in seemingly absurd situations.

At this moment,
Sword Saint somewhat understood Zheng Fan's measures to ensure his own safety at all times, because there were too many precedents.

"The new emperor wants to use my hand to kill him."

Because he knows that I have Sword Saint by my side.

"Do you dare to use him?" Sword Saint countered.

"I'm even keeping the Sword Servants, so why fear a Li Liangshen? Actually, I understand him; he and I are both soldiers. At this time, every soldier in Great Yan yearns to achieve great deeds.

He's the same.

Not afraid of death, but afraid of dying uselessly.

Besides,

Now, I'm really the only one who can protect him; otherwise, if we let him leave now, or separate from him, Wei Zhonghe and the experts under Lu Bing will definitely rush over and kill him in the capital."

"Wouldn't this be considered cutting off your own arm?" Sword Saint asked.

A third-rank swordmaster and general, dying at the hands of his own people, seems like a loss.

Zheng Fan shook his head and said:

"Firstly, he, Li Liangshen, can't be considered an arm. An arm has to be as thick as mine.

Secondly, a good gardener knows how to prune branches, and a good emperor also knows how to kill.

The legacy left by the late emperor is large enough. Although Great Yan is in the depths of winter, its branches are lush. The new emperor can prune them at will, and next spring, it will inevitably be verdant again.

Alright,
Let's enter the palace;

Having killed the emperor's grand preceptor, one must give the emperor some face and report back."

Zheng Fan and Sword Saint came down from the roof,
And at this time,
Ah Ming, who had been waiting below, climbed onto the roof again, took out a water pouch, and collected some blood from Zhao Jiulang's corpse.

After coming down, he met Xue San.

"You're drinking the blood of an ordinary person too?"

Xue San knew that Ah Ming preferred the blood of the strong.

"There are two types of wine; one is truly fine wine, substantial in its essence; the other is wine where the reputation is greater than the essence."

"I know, ordinary people like to drink the latter."

"Yes, occasionally being an ordinary person is also very happy, isn't it?"

Ah Ming put away the water pouch and said:

"After all, I just advanced; I want to be happy for a bit."

"........" Xue San.

"Alright, I'll go into the palace; you guys go back first."

Zheng Fan said to the Demon Kings.

"Master, what about here?" Ah Ming asked, pointing around.

Wrecked carriages, corpses;

Zheng Fan waved his hand nonchalantly,

And said:

"Leave it for the crows to clean up."

………

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

Ji Chengjue was sleeping soundly, then, he was awakened by Eunuch Wei.

Becoming emperor didn't bring excessive joy, and he didn't have nightmares of his late father on his first night;

He slept quite peacefully and comfortably, not having slept so comfortably in years.

Getting up, stretching, and looking at the light shining through the window, Ji Chengjue said:

"Oh, right, last night..."

"Your Majesty, the Grand Preceptor, is dead."

"Alas."

Ji Chengjue sighed and gently pinched his forehead.

Zhao Jiulang,
Was still dead.

The instability of the court caused by the death of the Grand Preceptor was secondary; the key was that Ji Chengjue knew that the implementation of the new laws and the continuation of the new policies required Zhao Jiulang.

Being able to sit in the position of Grand Preceptor during his late father's reign meant that Zhao Jiulang's lack of talent was an insult to the late emperor.

Dead, he's dead.

You, Zheng,

If I suffer premature aging, you'll be responsible.

"Alright, let's wash up."

Eunuch Wei ordered two eunuchs and palace maids to come in and serve the Emperor in washing up and changing clothes.

While changing,

Wei Zhonghe reported: "Your Majesty, Li Liangshen, is not dead."

"Oh, not dead?"

"Yes."

"Didn't you say that Sword Saint's sword should be stronger than Li Liangshen's?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, that is indeed the case. Last night, this servant observed their sword energies from the top of the palace. Although Li Liangshen is strong, Sword Saint is even stronger."

The word "even" here had a much stronger emphasis than usual.

"Tsk, not dead."

Ji Chengjue was somewhat helpless; he genuinely disliked Li Liangshen.

Because Li Liangshen not only looked down on that Zheng, but also actually looked down on him.

Talented people are proud of their talent;
But isn't that Zheng even more arrogant at heart?

But that man knows how to behave; what kind of person is Li Liangshen?

At this time,

A small eunuch came in to report to Wei Zhonghe,

Wei Zhonghe reported:

"Your Majesty, Marquis Pingxi requests an audience, also bringing Li Liangshen."

"Oh, that Zheng is giving me face; very well, instruct the imperial kitchen to add an extra portion to my breakfast; I will have it with that Zheng."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Breakfast,

Was to be eaten in the Imperial Study, because Ji Chengjue hadn't moved from there last night.

There weren't any of the usual courtly manners between ruler and subject,

But rather a small table,

On the table, porridge, pickles, eggs, fried dough sticks, and meat patties.

Ji Chengjue sat at one end, and Zheng Fan sat at the other.

Li Liangshen knelt at the entrance of the Imperial Study,
Eunuch Wei stood in front of Li Liangshen, and outside the Imperial Study, there were many shadows wandering around to ensure that nothing impulsive would happen.

Compared to the situation here, the fact that a subject and the emperor were sitting and eating breakfast on equal footing seemed quite ordinary.

Eunuch Wei was long used to it; after all, he'd been invited to sit on the dragon throne, what was a breakfast in comparison?

"Feeling good now?"

Ji Chengjue personally peeled an egg and placed it in Zheng Fan's porridge bowl.

"Yes, I feel good." Marquis Zheng nodded.

"I'll be having a headache next."

"You're the emperor; if your days are too comfortable, wouldn't you feel bad about it?"

"Don't take advantage and act innocent; I sent you a Li Liangshen, and you actually brought him back alive?"

"........" Li Liangshen at the door.

Eunuch Wei shifted his position, moving from the side to directly in front of Li Liangshen.

"Hehe, Your Majesty, I cherish talent. Such a good fighter, even if he's used as a vanguard when attacking cities in the future, would be better than letting him suffocate in the capital."

"Dishonest, Zheng, you're really dishonest."

Zheng Fan picked up the egg that the emperor had peeled for him,

And said:

"This egg probably costs twenty taels of silver, right?"

"Hehe, hahaha." Ji Chengjue pointed at Zheng Fan and laughed, "Alright, I've been eating cornmeal buns until I'm sick of them; I'm not an emperor who's ignorant of the people's hardships. They wouldn't dare to fool me like that."

"Yes, no one's better at accounting than you are."

"Alright, since you say so, then let's take this opportunity to settle our accounts."

Ji Chengjue used his chopsticks to draw a line in the porridge bowl,

And said:

"The Yupan City garrison commander, Ran Min, has already been transferred to Nanmen Pass by the late emperor. I intend to use this person to conquer the small countries south of Nanmen Pass. I don't seek any major warfare; at the very least, I want to exert some influence and smooth the feathers of these wavering countries.

As for Yupan City, it will be given to your Marquis Pingxi's residence. You choose a person, and then choose a general to install there."

Yupan City being transferred to the Marquis Pingxi's residence meant that everything east of Wangjiang was entirely Marquis Pingxi's territory.

It was equivalent to completely controlling half of the former Dachéng Kingdom, both legally and practically.

"Xu Wenzu, is on good terms with you, and I know that, so let him continue in Yingdu, but I can't cede Yingdu to you."

"Stingy."

"Hmph, when we conquer Chu in the future, the territory we capture can be divided in half, you choose some to be directly incorporated into your fiefdom, and then choose some to implement the prefectural system and be returned to the central government. In short, I won't let you suffer a loss."

"Pfft...hehe..."

Marquis Zheng almost spat out the porridge in his mouth, reached out to take the towel that Ji Chengjue handed over, wiped his mouth, and then stopped:

"Goddamn, 'divided in half', why do you have to be so amusing?"

"Doing business is just like that, as long as both sides are willing, everyone can earn, and Great Yan will naturally earn too."

"Alright, alright, tell me what you want."

Marquis Zheng knew that with the benefits first, the promises of the future, and the handover of Yupan City, it meant that what the Emperor wanted was behind.

"The various division generals of the Jingnan Army, I will bestow favors, official promotions, wealth, and the ennoblement of their wives and children. I can give them all generously."

"You want to divide the Jingnan Army?"

What Zhao Jiulang said before his death was becoming a reality; no one was better at doing business than the Emperor.

"Tsk, don't make it sound so unpleasant. You can contact the people you can contact; after all, the son of the Southern King is also in your house. Oh, right, after the battle in the desert ends with a triumphant return,

I will enfeoff Tiantian, directly enfeoff him as a Prince, Prince Bao, what do you think?"

"So, after I go home, I have to bow and kowtow to my godson?"

"You are a Marquis of Military Merit, you know which is more esteemed in your heart, and besides, how long has it been since you were enfeoffed as a Marquis? Zheng, even if you want to be enfeoffed as a King, wait two years, you go kill a few chickens in the Snow Plains or chop a few ducks in Chu, and I'll give you the title of Marquis Pingxi without any difficulty, okay?

What I mean is,

No matter who is sitting on the dragon throne now, even if it's a demented emperor, under the operation of this imperial court, it will inevitably try to gather the military power of the Jingnan Army.

I'm afraid that if I directly take action, you'll be unhappy, so I'm discussing it with you in advance and informing you.

There will definitely be people who continue to lean towards you; that's your business, I don't care. What I mean is that the court will inevitably do what it should do to win over and divide the army.

Alright?"

Marquis Zheng lowered his head and took two sips of porridge.

"I'm not in a hurry to make Chuanye the crown prince. After the spring next year, in the summer, I plan to send Chuanye to your Marquis Pingxi's residence and let him be a playmate with Tiantian; Tiantian is still his older brother."

Zheng Fan said: "They are a generation apart. Tiantian is Chuanye's uncle; Tiantian is of the same generation as you."

"Yes, yes, yes, he's an uncle, okay?"

"I'm Tiantian's godfather."

"Beast!"

"Hehe." Zheng Fan nodded and said, "Alright, fine."

The Emperor had said everything to this extent,

Even wanting to send the "Holy Grandson" designated by the late Emperor, his eldest son, the uncrowned Crown Prince, as a hostage to the Marquis Pingxi's residence.

Next, the court wanted to win over the generals of the former Jingnan Army in Jin, and Marquis Zheng really couldn't say anything more.

This was a business, a clear business.

Still that sentence,

Unless Zheng Fan rebelled now, there was really no reason to stop it.

"Zheng, it's not that I don't trust you, what I'm most worried about is that it's inconvenient for you to reach out, and if I'm restrained by fear, then this army will directly form feudal separatist regimes in Jin for me and Great Yan, which would be bad.

When there are battles in the future, it will definitely be you, Zheng Fan, who leads the army, and they will still be under your command.

If you regret it then and want to rebel, it's just a matter of a word, but since our relationship is still there now, and we haven't separated yet, then let's first sort out the family property and govern it well.

That's what I mean. I'll take it that you agree."

"Mm." Zheng Fan nodded, but then reminded, "The Prince of Jingnan will return."

"To tell you the truth, the one who wants the Prince of Jingnan to return the most is me, not you. The Prince of Jingnan is more stable than you, stable in all aspects, you understand?"

"Tch."

"Hehehe." Ji Chengjue picked up a fried dough stick and handed it over, "Come on, eat some more. If you still feel a little uncomfortable in your heart, here, the Prince of Jin's residence, you can go there again.

Now I'm the Emperor, not when my father was here, so be careful when you do things; who would dare say anything to you?"

"Ji Laoliu, can't you have fewer dirty thoughts in your head?"

"Dirty what, when we first met, didn't we go to the red tents together?

Even that Prince of Jin, who has never given up on his thoughts, even wants to call you Zheng Fan, his second father."

"We're eating breakfast, don't be disgusting."

"Alright, alright, oh, right, after Chuanye goes to your place next year, you have to treat him well."

"Worry about yourself; don't suddenly like your youngest son again and want to pass the throne to him in the future, and then I'll have to bother to start a rebellion to help Chuanye fight for the throne."

"Alright, alright, can't you, Zheng, wish me well? From beginning to end, you've been watching the imperial family's affairs as a play."

"Of course, it's very exciting."

"You eat, you eat."

Ji Chengjue got up, left the table, and walked to the entrance of the Imperial Study.

Li Liangshen, was still kneeling there.

Wei Zhonghe stopped Ji Chengjue, any closer, and he wouldn't be able to block him, after all, the opponent was a third-rank swordsman, even if the great sword wasn't by his side, the sword energy at his fingertips could still kill in an instant at close range!

Ji Chengjue pushed Wei Zhonghe away,

And sat down directly in front of Li Liangshen.

"You, once wanted to kill me."

Li Liangshen didn't speak.

"Last night, I also wanted to send you off together, but unfortunately, you're still alive and back in front of me."

Li Liangshen knelt, continuing to be silent.

"Alas, I, this person, am really not that open-minded."

Ji Chengjue clapped his hands,

"But you wanted to kill me once, and didn't succeed; I also wanted to kill you once, and didn't succeed either.

We,

This can be considered even, right?"

At this time,

A small eunuch came to report:

"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince requests an audience."

Because the formal coronation ceremony hadn't been held yet, the new titles among the brothers, except for the Second Prince's Count of Min'an, hadn't been decided, so the palace still called the Fourth Prince... Prince.

"Let him in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Not long after,

The Fourth Prince, Ji Chengfeng, walked over and knelt down directly to pay his respects:

"This subject greets Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"

"Fourth Brother is here."

"Yes, I wonder what matters Your Majesty has summoned this subject for?"

"Oh, it's like this, Fourth Brother just told me that the errands were too heavy and tiring.

Like this,

The military duties under Fourth Brother's command, from today onwards, will be transferred to General Li.

Li Liangshen,

I commend you for your merits in guarding the capital these past few years, and enfeoff you as the Earl of Dinghai, leading the various forbidden troops and yamen within the inner city of the capital, integrating them all.

Guarding the capital,

Guarding the imperial city,

Guarding... me!"