Chapter 150: Suppression

The capital city.

Within the Imperial Palace court.

Civil and military officials gathered.

Upon the dais, a figure was garbed in a long, black robe, embroidered with mountains, rivers, the state, the sun, and the moon. A hair crown adorned his head, framing a face chiseled with distinct features, though streaks of white were visible at his temples.

Yet, even so.

As he sat upright upon the throne, he exuded a formidable aura, causing many to avert their gaze.

The Qin Emperor!

Gu Xuanji!

At this moment.

The court was nearly silent, save for a single figure who stepped forward to report.

"Half a month ago, a million Barbarians launched a large-scale invasion of Dahuang Prefecture. In just a few days, eighteen cities fell, resulting in over two hundred thousand military casualties and more than a million civilian deaths.

Subsequently, Nangong Yu, the Xuancheng City Lord, led the Black Tiger Army in resistance, finally stemming the tide of the Barbarian advance.

Now, the Barbarians are ferocious in their momentum, and Dahuang Prefecture’s military strength is limited. Nangong Yu has specifically requested reinforcements from the Imperial Court."

Having spoken.

The figure retreated back into the ranks.

Gu Xuanji surveyed the assembled officials, his expression unchanging.

"What are your views, gentlemen, regarding the Barbarian invasion of Dahuang Prefecture?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty!"

An elderly man with a goatee emerged from the side ranks, cupping his hands in reply.

"Our Great Qin is a superior country, not comparable to mere Barbarians. The current Barbarian invasion of Dahuang Prefecture clearly demonstrates their lack of respect for Great Qin.

I believe we must use thunderous force to slay the million Barbarians, demonstrating the proper might of Great Qin.

Otherwise, we risk being underestimated by others!"

As his words fell.

Another figure quickly stepped forward.

"I agree with Grand Tutor Wen. Our Great Qin is a superior country; how can we allow the Barbarians to run rampant? In recent years, we have tolerated their plundering of the border, refraining from sending troops into the barren lands, because the Barbarians have never posed a significant threat.

However, the Barbarians now dare to invade Dahuang Prefecture, their ambition to destroy Great Qin is clear for all to see.

We must not retreat from this matter, we must drive the Barbarians entirely out of Dahuang Prefecture."

"I second that!"

"We second that!"

The assembled officials in the court held a unified opinion regarding the issue of reinforcement.

In their eyes.

The Barbarians were utterly unqualified to challenge Great Qin. Great Qin had already shown them face by not attacking the barren lands, and now they dared to invade Dahuang Prefecture, essentially digging their own graves.

Commander Wei Gao cupped his hands, his voice resounding. "This subject is willing to lead troops immediately to reinforce Dahuang Prefecture."

"Mm."

Gu Xuanji nodded slightly, but did not immediately agree. Instead, he turned his gaze toward an elderly man, who had remained standing there unperturbed from the beginning, showing no intention of participating.

"Chancellor Fu, do you have any thoughts regarding this Barbarian invasion?"

Hearing this.

The elderly man, who had remained silent, slowly cupped his hands.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject believes that the Barbarian invasion of Dahuang Prefecture must be supported by something else. Although it is said that the Barbarians are now cooperating with the Eternal Life Alliance’s evil beings, the Eternal Life Alliance alone should not be enough to give the Barbarians courage.

Furthermore, the Barbarian’s cooperation with the Eternal Life Alliance must have other ulterior motives.

After all, evil beings are not human, and when the time comes for a falling out, the Barbarians will not be able to resist."

Hearing this.

Many fell into contemplation.

They had considered this issue as well, but no one had voiced it.

After all, the primary focus now was on sending troops to suppress the Barbarians, and the remaining matters would be considered slowly after the Barbarians were suppressed.

Gu Xuanji pondered for a moment.

"Indeed, this Barbarian invasion of Dahuang Prefecture came without warning, yet was prepared for a long time."

Speaking to this point.

He turned his gaze toward another direction.

"Has the Demon Suppression Division transmitted any information beforehand?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, evil is wreaking havoc in Great Qin, and the Demon Suppression Divisions in various locations are fully engaged in suppressing demons. For the time being, no additional information has been received," Dongfang Zhao replied, cupping his hands.

As the Town Guardian of the capital Demon Suppression Division, he was not to be compared to ordinary Town Guardians, and he was usually able to participate in court meetings.

However, most of the time, Dongfang Zhao was simply going through the motions and rarely spoke up.

"I trust the Heavenly Inspection Guard’s intelligence capabilities. If the problem does not originate within Great Qin, then it must originate elsewhere. I hope that within a month, we can obtain some useful information.

I wonder, can the Demon Suppression Division accomplish this task?"

Gu Xuanji’s tone was calm.

Dongfang Zhao’s expression remained unchanged as he lowered his head and replied, "Your Majesty’s orders dare not be disobeyed. The Demon Suppression Division will definitely investigate this matter with all its might, striving to provide Your Majesty with information within a month!"

"Not striving, but certainly."

Gu Xuanji emphasized once more.

"This subject obeys!"

"Furthermore, the Barbarian invasion of Dahuang Prefecture is a provocation against the dignity of Great Qin. If Great Qin does not take action, it will inevitably be looked down upon by others. Wei Gao, step forward and receive your orders!"

Gu Xuanji’s expression suddenly turned solemn, and his voice turned cold.

Upon hearing this.

Wei Gao stepped forward.

"This subject is here!"

"I order you to lead the Fire Scale Army to reinforce Dahuang Prefecture, cooperating with Nangong Yu to leave all million of those Barbarians there. Can you accomplish this?"

"This subject will definitely not fail the imperial decree!"

Wei Gao solemnly accepted the order.

"Good!"

Gu Xuanji nodded in satisfaction.

"I hope to hear good news from Dahuang Prefecture someday. If there are no other matters, then the court is adjourned for now!"

Leaving the court, Dongfang Zhao was out of sync with the other civil and military officials, and left the palace alone.

Returning to the Demon Suppression Division.

Zhou Yuanzheng was already waiting there.

"How was it? Were there any changes during the court session?"

"Your Majesty ordered me to have the Demon Suppression Division investigate within a month to find out what other factions exist behind the Barbarians, besides the Eternal Life Alliance." Dongfang Zhao shook his head slightly, and recounted everything that had happened today.

By the time he finished speaking, Zhou Yuanzheng’s complexion was already dark.

"The Barbarians dared to attack Dahuang Prefecture because they must have come prepared. Searching for the factions behind the Barbarians, how easy can that be?

A month’s time is overly tight!"

In this regard.

A trace of dissatisfaction also arose in Zhou Yuanzheng’s heart.

"His Majesty’s decision today seems to be somewhat targeting us!"

"Targeting is normal."

Dongfang Zhao seemed to have expected this long ago, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Since the establishment of the Demon Suppression Division, its strength has grown day by day, and how many of the civil and military officials inside and outside the court do not fear the Demon Suppression Division?

It is only natural for His Majesty to suppress the Demon Suppression Division now."

Merit overshadows the master!

Suppression is inevitable.

If there were no suppression, allowing the Demon Suppression Division to continue peacefully, Dongfang Zhao would instead be worried.

Now, in court.

Gu Xuanji’s open suppression of the Demon Suppression Division made him feel relieved.

With suppression.

That means the Demon Suppression Division is still not to be lightly moved.

Otherwise, if the Imperial Court really wanted to eliminate the Demon Suppression Division, it would definitely not reveal even a hint of it beforehand.

In the end.

The Demon Suppression Division is different from others, it cannot be eliminated simply by saying so, eliminating the Demon Suppression Division will involve many things.

Hearing this.

Zhou Yuanzheng’s expression calmed down a little.

"Are you saying that His Majesty is now suppressing the Demon Suppression Division to create opportunities for the royal family?"

"Maybe."

Dongfang Zhao shook his head slightly.

"The martial artist’s lifespan limit, no one has been able to break it so far. His Majesty has been on the throne for seventy-three years, and now there is not much time left. The Demon Suppression Division is at its zenith, and the new emperor may not be able to suppress it.

Weakening some of the Demon Suppression Division’s strength beforehand is beneficial to the new emperor.

I am just worried that today’s events in court are not the end, and there will be other countermeasures targeting the Demon Suppression Division in the future. At that time, if not handled well, it will also be a great trouble."

Serving a ruler is like accompanying a tiger.

No one knows when they will say the wrong thing, causing them to burn themselves.

Don’t look at how strong the Demon Suppression Division is, but it was also established by relying on Great Qin.

If the Imperial Court is determined to annihilate the Demon Suppression Division, then it will be difficult for the Demon Suppression Division to contend with it.

To take a step back.

If the Imperial Court does not destroy the Demon Suppression Division, but only deals with a portion of the people in the Demon Suppression Division, it will be enough for them to suffer.

Zhou Yuanzheng understood in his heart and sighed heavily.

He also knew Dongfang Zhao’s difficulties.

Therefore, every time there was a court meeting, he would almost always let the other party go, and he rarely involved himself there.

After all.

When it comes to dealing with people, Dongfang Zhao would be more gentle. His own personality was impulsive, and he might make rash moves at any time, which would inevitably cause even greater trouble.

Thinking of this.

Zhou Yuanzheng then said, "Then you didn’t mention Shen Changqing’s matter in court?"

"His Majesty is also aware of this matter. If he doesn’t mention it, I can’t mention it either. Let’s put this matter aside for now. When our Demon Suppression Division gives out rewards, it can also appease people’s hearts."

Dongfang Zhao shook his head.

Slaying a Barbarian general was indeed a meritorious deed.

In the past, this alone would have been enough for promotion and wealth.

If it were someone else, the Imperial Court would definitely not lack rewards, but Shen Changqing was a member of the Demon Suppression Division, and the meaning was completely different.

The Demon Suppression Division had been gaining momentum during this period of time, and the Imperial Court wanted to suppress it, so it was impossible to give any reward opportunities.

Of course.

If he openly mentioned it in court, Gu Xuanji would not give nothing, but that would undoubtedly make the Demon Suppression Division’s situation even more dangerous.

Therefore.

Not mentioning it was the best option.

Everyone knew it, and the matter passed.

Zhou Yuanzheng said, "If the Demon Suppression Division only gives rewards, I am worried that he will be dissatisfied. A martial artist who has reached the Tiger Roar Leopard Thunder realm at such a young age, if he becomes dissatisfied with the Demon Suppression Division, it will be a considerable loss."

"Don’t worry, the Demon Suppression Division still has some resources, and the things that should be given will definitely not be lacking."

Dongfang Zhao was clearly prepared.

"Speaking of which, I plan to let him enter the Seclusion Pavilion."

"Seclusion Pavilion?"

Zhou Yuanzheng’s expression froze.

"Haven’t those old fellows in the Seclusion Pavilion not taken anyone for a while? You are arranging for Shen Changqing to enter, they may not agree!"

He was also very helpless with the people in the Seclusion Pavilion.

If you want to talk about the most difficult people in the Demon Suppression Division, it is not those Town Guardians, but those old antiques in the Seclusion Pavilion.

Dongfang Zhao smiled slightly.

"Don’t worry, the people in the Seclusion Pavilion will not refuse Shen Changqing’s addition."

End of Chapter