Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 838: Chapter 834: Solution

How can we thoroughly subdue the Qianji Tower, making it obey our commands completely?

The current situation is indeed frustrating.

More importantly, the information from the Inspection Department will no longer be available to me.

Unable to get help from the Jade Dynasty, I’m essentially on my own.

Establishing my own network in a short time is nearly impossible, no matter how strong my cultivation is.

Even if I become a Spirit Venerable, I won’t be able to match the Inspection Department and the Listening Wind Pavilion.

Only by subduing a force like the Qianji Tower, or an even stronger force, can we succeed.

”Twelfth Sister, we have no choice,” Li Cunren said. ”Without pulling you in, we can never topple Sun Shaorong!”

”Big Brother, you’ve always wanted to topple Sun Shaorong, not because of his mediocrity, but to put your own person in his place, right?”

Li Cunren chuckled, shaking his head, ”Twelfth Sister, you think too little of your Big Brother.”

Li Miaotan said, ”Just afraid that Big Brother has lost his head.”

”The position of City Defender of the Imperial City won’t have my people placed in it!” Li Cunren snorted, ”That would only court trouble!”

Li Miaotan said, ”I’m afraid Father will think so. Why not first find a suitable candidate to suggest as a replacement for Sun Shaorong to show innocence?”

Of course, this candidate would be a Lone Minister, not under the banner of any of the three princes, only loyal to Father.

”Impossible!” Second Prince Li Cunyi hurriedly waved his hand, ”Twelfth Sister, we can’t meddle in the selection of the City Defender. Father would be very wary of this.”

Li Miaotan said, ”Father is quite well-informed. No one can hide whose people they are from Father.”

Li Cunyi said, ”The key isn’t just whose people they are, but interference with the City Defender’s position is something Father absolutely won’t allow.”

”Second Brother is right,” Li Cunren nodded in agreement.

Li Miaotan lightly furrowed her brows, pondered for a moment, and said, ”I think we still can’t directly mention Sun Shaorong; instead, we should directly talk about the severe casualties of the people outside the city and the public discontent.”

Li Cunren pondered, ”Forcing Father to make Sun Shaorong take the blame?”

Li Miaotan said, ”With the public outcry, someone must be held accountable. It can’t be the Fengtian Palace, so it can only be the City Guard.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If the Emperor is determined to protect Sun Shaorong, he might just directly remove a City Officer, which would almost suffice.”

”Alas—!” Li Cunren sighed.

Chu Zhiyuan could sense his helplessness.

It’s inevitable, after all, being merely a prince and not the Emperor.

The Emperor still holds power now; he’ll have to wait decades for a chance.

Li Miaotan said, ”Why don’t we just impeach the Fengtian Palace directly.”

Li Cunren and Li Cunyi’s faces changed simultaneously, wishing they could cover her mouth.

Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but smile as he saw their startled expressions.

Li Cunren glared at him, ”Brother-in-law, what are you laughing at!”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Is the Fengtian Palace truly held in such high esteem?”

Li Cunren snorted, ”You... once you understand the might of Fengtian Palace, you won’t laugh anymore! Twelfth Sister is too reckless, daring to say anything!”

”It is indeed their responsibility,” Li Miaotan snorted. ”Aren’t they to blame?”

”Twelfth Sister,” Li Cunyi said earnestly, ”the Fengtian Palace has worked hard and accumulated great achievements, having merit without fault, we must not disrespect it.”

Li Cunren snorted, ”Twelfth Sister, just because you’ve awakened the Phoenix Bloodline doesn’t mean you’re invincible in the world!”

Li Miaotan pouted her red lips, not arguing back.

Chu Zhiyuan cleared his throat lightly.

The gaze of the three turned towards him.

Chu Zhiyuan said slowly, ”Big Brother, Second Brother, there is something I don’t know whether to say or not.”

”Just say it!” Li Cunren said, ”We’re not outsiders!”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Since we’re not confident in toppling this Sun City Defender, then let’s not mention it again.”

The three all frowned.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The Emperor is wise and decisive; he will make a decision on his own. We don’t need to worry.”

”Father is wise and decisive, but he might still be misled.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Since it’s not the first time impeaching this person, how could the Emperor not investigate? Could there be smoke without fire?”

”Alas... Father values the old friendships too much,” Li Cunren shook his head. ”It’s only because of childhood friendship that he indulges this guy so much!”

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

Li Miaotan said, ”This Sun Shaorong is a childhood playmate of Father.”

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly understood.

Li Miaotan said, ”If it weren’t for this, with his talent, it would be hard for him to even be a County Magistrate.”

Chu Zhiyuan reflected, ”Would the Emperor really entrust him with the Imperial City just for personal friendship?”

The Imperial City is of utmost importance, and it would be too risky to disrupt it because of friendship.

Sun Shaorong has been able to sit in the position of City Defender stably for a long time, which is not without reason.

Giving his childhood friend a future, for an Emperor, there are too many options, no need to keep him in charge of the Imperial City.

Granting an honorary but insignificant title would be most appropriate.

Thinking of this, he said slowly, ”Big Brother, Second Brother, what do you know about this Lord Sun?”

”Of course we know,” Li Cunren said. ”He is a mediocre, petty person, with no talent or virtue. If Father didn’t value old friendships, he would have been expelled from the Imperial City long ago!”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”It can’t be that simple, Big Brother, Second Brother. If you were the Emperor, and you had someone you grew up playing with, how would you place him? Would you have to put him in the City Defender’s position?”

He continued slowly, ”Elsewhere, a City Defender position is a good post, but the City Defender of the Imperial City sits on a volcano, suffering great torment!”

The two pondered and slowly nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”So this Lord Sun must have extraordinary qualities, most likely hidden from view.”

Their expressions turned solemn.

They frowned and pondered, asking themselves if they’ve been fooled by Sun Shaorong?

Could Sun Shaorong be a shrewd and capable person, merely feigning incompetence?

They soon shook their heads.

This Sun Shaorong hardly handles affairs, very idle, indeed showing no signs of exception.

”It’s not that mysterious,” Li Cunren eventually trusted his own judgment. ”This Sun Shaorong is merely someone who rose through favors!”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If that’s true, then let him continue to stay there... He might think that the City Guards can’t withstand the experts of the Demon Clan and prefers to feign ignorance, believing that the death of the citizens is better than the death of the City Guards.”

The three were taken aback at what they heard.

Chu Zhiyuan saw their expressions clearly; his words obviously surpassed their understanding.

Li Cunren’s expression subtly changed, and he said solemnly, ”The City Guard is meant to protect the people!”

Li Cunyi hurriedly nodded, ”Brother-in-law, if the City Guard can’t protect the people, then what is the point of its existence?!”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

The City Guard’s existence is not for protecting the people but for controlling and suppressing them.

These two princes’ thoughts were really so simple?

It didn’t seem like they’re pretending.

Li Miaotan softly said, ”If we ignore Sun Shaorong, the experts of the Demon Clan will continue to run rampant.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Big Brother, Second Brother, the best way to stop the Demon Clan’s experts from rampaging in the Imperial City is not to replace Sun Shaorong.”

”Then what is it?” Li Cunren asked.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It’s to deal with me.”

The two were startled.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If I’m dealt with, the Demon Clan’s experts naturally won’t come to assassinate me anymore.”

”Husband!” Li Miaotan glared at him.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”If I leave the Imperial City, the Demon Clan’s experts won’t come anymore.”

”Where are you going, husband?”

”The Outer Realm Battlefield,” Chu Zhiyuan said slowly.

Li Miaotan lightly furrowed her brows.

Li Cunren and Li Cunyi were slightly stunned and hesitated, slowly nodding.

It was indeed an excellent solution.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Instead of toppling Sun Shaorong, let me go to the Outer Realm Battlefield.”

Actually, if I don’t bring it up, someone would suggest it soon anyway.

The Court is the last place lacking intelligent people.

Rather than being expelled from the Imperial City then, it’s better to propose it proactively now.

It would allow me to seize the initiative and gain some compensation.