Prime Minister Wen nodded with satisfaction, "As ordinary people, it would be very gratifying to see the Prince and Princess bravely rush out to save others when they learn of danger.
However, the Prince and Princess hold high positions. While others can substitute for you in saving lives, the governance of the realm is something only you can do.
This old minister has specifically come to tell the Prince and Princess that only by protecting yourselves can this realm have a future."
Lu Qingwan repeatedly nodded, "A senior once told me that a ruler must possess the heart of a butcher and the methods of a Vajra.
At the time, I did not fully understand the deeper meaning. Now, it seems that Prime Minister Wen and my senior share the same profound insight!"
Prime Minister Wen's eyes lit up, "The heart of a butcher, the methods of a Vajra?
Excellent words. It seems the Princess also has wise guidance behind her!"
Rarely finding someone with such a shared understanding, and with both Si Fengwu and Lu Qingwan being intelligent individuals who grasped things quickly, Prime Minister Wen felt completely at ease.
After some pleasantries and mutual admiration with Lu Qingwan, he returned to the main topic.
"Speaking of which, ever since the unification of the Southeastern Three Kingdoms and one part, the court has been inundated with matters great and small.
Although each issue has been dealt with promptly and appropriately, and the court appears to have suffered no significant losses, a thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an ant's nest. These frequent occurrences can inevitably affect the common people's trust in the court.
Have the Prince and Princess considered a method to thoroughly resolve these problems?"
Prime Minister Wen was not foolish. Behind every matter since the establishment of the new dynasty, the stability of the new dynasty was affected.
The people around Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu came and went quickly. Even if he did not know about the troubles stirred up by the Grand Elder of Han Xiao Hall, he must have caught some clues.
This was an attempt to urge Si Fengwu and Lu Qingwan to cut the Gordian knot!
The two exchanged glances, seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.
They wished they could cut the knot, but they needed to know where the knot was!
However, this recent incident had indeed exhausted them greatly. So, Lu Qingwan agreed to Prime Minister Wen's words, regardless of whether they could find the enemy.
"Prime Minister Wen's reminder is timely. The Prince and I were also preparing to thoroughly resolve those hidden scoundrels causing trouble!
However, the identities of our opponents are mysterious, and their backgrounds are powerful. It is somewhat troublesome for the Prince and me to handle them.
Therefore, we must consult with all the esteemed ministers.
In the days to come, please keep a close watch on court affairs, lest someone becomes desperate and causes further malicious incidents like this large-scale disappearance case.
If such an event were to occur again, even if we could prove it was intentional, it would greatly damage the court's authority."
Prime Minister Wen's words had already piqued the curiosity of the ministers. Lu Qingwan's response made their eyes instantly light up.
Especially the heads of the three departments, whose professional spirit was fueled by curiosity, their six eyes were all focused on Lu Qingwan. Han Guang boldly asked, "Listening to the Princess, do the Prince and Princess already know who is behind these disturbances?"
Indeed, exploring the unknown was a common human instinct.
Lu Qingwan blinked, her smile tinged with weariness, "We have a general idea, but the forces involved are very complex. I fear that while I may have the courage to speak, the esteemed ministers may not have the courage to listen."
For his ambitions, the Grand Elder of Han Xiao Hall had almost dragged all the dynasties he could find into this quagmire.
With only a few informed individuals like Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu, it was impossible to guard against everything.
Lu Qingwan had long intended to inform some trusted ministers of the Grand Elder of Han Xiao Hall's actions, to gain more hands to help solve the core problems.
As she spoke, she glanced at Si Fengwu, her eyes filled with inquiry.
He smoothly took over the conversation, "As of now, those attempting to prevent my ascension and the formal establishment of the new dynasty include remnants of the former Northern Wei, remnants of the former royal family of Southern Zhao, as well as some individuals from the Tujue, Southern Qi, and Great Qin..."
The ministers were initially pleased to receive concrete answers to their lingering questions.
Hearing about the remnants of the former Northern Wei and the royal family of Southern Zhao was still somewhat acceptable.
When they heard of the Tujue, some panicked. Upon hearing of the Southern Qi, everyone's hearts sank.
By the time Si Fengwu mentioned individuals from Great Qin, the heads of the Six Ministries, the Grand Academicians of the Hall of Literary Brilliance, and including Prime Minister Nan, everyone was so shocked their faces were devoid of expression.
Si Fengwu feigned ignorance, "What is wrong, esteemed ministers? Why are you all making such faces?"
The ministers felt a pang of anguish. Only Prime Minister Nan stubbornly asked, "Your Highness, why don't you simply tell us who else in this world is trying to prevent the establishment of the new dynasty?"
The other ministers nodded silently, appearing resigned to accept the facts, though they were reluctant to do so.
Si Fengwu playfully pointed to himself, then to Prime Minister Nan and the others, "Are not those who do not wish to prevent the establishment of the new dynasty all here?"
Prime Minister Nan could only force a bitter smile.
Although Si Fengwu spoke jestingly, in a certain sense, it was also the truth.
Indeed, at present, there were far more people who wished to prevent the establishment of the new dynasty than those who wholeheartedly wished to assist in its founding.
However, Si Fengwu felt gratified. The chaos of yesterday was like a mirror reflecting demons.
It was immediately clear who was a friend and who was a foe beside him and Lu Qingwan.
Take these people before him, for instance. Even someone as unemotional as Si Fengwu felt that as long as these esteemed ministers did not go too far in the future, he would wish them a lifetime of peace and prosperity.
After all, who would he not trust, when they dared to come see them, knowing that he and Lu Qingwan might be infected with cholera?
Lu Qingwan looked at the ministers with their varied expressions and clapped her hands cheerfully, "Alright, esteemed ministers, do not despair just yet.
The obstacles to the establishment of the new dynasty are due to the peculiar geographical location of the Southeastern Three Kingdoms and one part, not due to our lack of character.
We will discuss those matters later. In short, we will face any challenge that comes our way; we do not provoke trouble, nor do we fear it.
The most urgent matter at present is to combat the cholera. I have already ordered the Imperial Hospital, the hospitals of Ji Ci, Bu Ye Zhou, and other institutions to implement methods for treating cholera.
What the esteemed ministers must do now is to perform your duties diligently and guard your posts, so as not to cause chaos amidst the busyness.
As for those enemies that cause you such distress, esteemed ministers, rest assured, the Prince and I will deal with them.
If we cannot resolve them, the Prince will not rashly reveal the identities of these formidable enemies to you all."
Upon hearing Lu Qingwan's words, the ministers felt that she was right.
The most important thing for those in high positions was to stabilize the situation. Since Si Fengwu dared to tell them about so many surrounding enemies, he must have already had a plan to resolve them.
Thus, a group of people, braving the risk of cholera infection, entered the palace and left in a flurry without gathering any specific information.
As soon as they left, Lu Qingwan decisively said, "Li Su, have someone guard the sleeping quarters. No one is to enter the inner hall without summons."
After speaking, she took Si Fengwu's hand and they turned towards the spatial laboratory.