Chapter Sixteen: Eradicate Them Completely

In the beginning, Yan Wugou entrusted the reins of state to Yang Chuan with full confidence, hoping that under his guidance, the Great Kang would rise swiftly to become a formidable empire capable of standing against six foes at once.

For three years, Grand Minister Yang toiled day and night. Though he never once trespassed on neighboring borders, the six surrounding nations dared not challenge Great Kang lightly under his rule.

Previously, Yan Kingdom, relying on its ample military resources, had harassed Great Kang's northwestern frontier. Yang, upon setting out, repelled Yan’s forces in less than a month.

Thereafter, he devoted all his energy to bolstering the national economy. Under his governance, Great Kang prospered steadily, and the people lived in peace and contentment.

Yet, who would have expected that within just half a month of Yang’s departure, Yan Wugou would let the nation fall into such disarray?

Watching helplessly as the Empress stepped down from the high platform with determination to launch a northern campaign, the Minister of Agriculture could only sigh deeply.

“Alas, the agriculture of Great Kang has suffered a grievous blow, yet the Emperor remains indifferent. If this continues, Great Kang will inevitably regress to the state it was in ten years ago.”

At that moment, Jiang Ziqi, who had been standing atop the platform, began to doubt the wisdom of his earlier scheme to sow discord between Yan Wugou and Yang Chuan.

Ever since Yang Chuan left, the Empress seemed unwilling to heed anyone’s advice.

When Yang had been in charge, though somewhat autocratic in state affairs, the Empress could entrust matters to him with absolute peace of mind, confident that nothing would be mishandled.

But now?

The Empress, consumed by love and hate, refused all counsel.

If one were to find two more capable regents, Jiang did have some promising candidates under his command.

Yet, he was not one to delude himself.

With all his wisdom, he was not even one-ten-thousandth as capable as Yang Chuan.

How could those he nurtured possibly manage state affairs better than Yang, who was still far away in Great Qi?

Now that Yan Wugou had gone to the Military Council to prepare for the northern campaign, Jiang could only sigh once more and sweep his sleeves as he descended from the platform.

“Everyone disperse. Starting tomorrow, the morning court sessions will be temporarily postponed!”

“Grand Tutor Jiang, what do you propose regarding the grain shortage?” the Minister of Agriculture lingered unwilling to leave, waiting for Jiang to provide sound counsel on remedying the agricultural crisis.

Jiang merely sighed again, waving his sleeves to indicate that the Minister should find a solution himself.

...

Several days later.

Under Yang Chuan’s meticulous governance, many matters within Great Qi had improved significantly.

The Empress of Great Qi, Tian Yueying, recommended by Yang, appeared radiant and confident after the morning court session.

The best way to silence the ministers was to let Yang fully wield his talents.

After three years of “practice” in Great Kang, his administrative skills had grown more refined.

Beneath the high platform, inside the Golden Throne Hall, the ministers reported state affairs with utmost decorum, listening attentively to Yang’s earnest guidance, with scarcely anyone daring to oppose him.

As Yang established a solid reputation in Great Qi, Tian Yueying emerged from behind the curtains, pleased.

“Gentlemen, when Minister Yang first arrived in Great Qi, many doubted his ability and character. Now that he has governed for several days, what are your thoughts?”

The ministers exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with awkwardness.

Yet as citizens of Great Qi, they felt reassured to witness such an outstanding statesman in their lifetime.

Standing on the high platform, Yang observed their reactions.

Though newly arrived, he had been granted extreme authority by the Empress. Compared to Great Kang’s past, the atmosphere here was notably better.

To stabilize the people’s hearts from the start, he had promptly imprisoned the previously autocratic Grand Marshal.

Since then, the officials below had treated him with utmost respect, and no dissenting voices remained.

Seeing no one step forward, Duke Gongsun Xin took the initiative.

“Your Majesty, your greatest virtue lies in your ability to recognize talent.

During your absence these three years, Grand Marshal Cao Ding plunged the court into chaos. Since Minister Yang’s arrival, in just a few days, both domestic and foreign affairs have been handled with great propriety.”

“Great Qi is fortunate to have such a talent—a blessing to the nation and its people!”

As Gongsun Xin praised Yang so openly, some of Cao Ding’s former allies still bore looks of discontent.

Fortunately, Yang was not one to form factions. Otherwise, given their past misdeeds under Cao Ding, he would have executed them a thousand times over.

Yet the subtle maneuvers of Cao Ding’s faction did not escape the watchful eyes of those who cared.

In the past, some loyalists in Great Qi had even discussed uniting to eliminate Cao Ding’s faction.

Unfortunately, Cao Ding often bribed his subordinates. Though harmful to the nation, his faction remained tightly knit and unshaken, even under the leadership of Duke Gongsun Xin.

Now that Cao Ding was imprisoned, these loyalists planned to report to Yang and seek to eradicate Cao Ding’s faction completely.

After glancing once more at Cao Ding’s followers, Grand Secretary Guo An stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Yang and the Empress.

“Your Majesty, Minister Yang, while other affairs have been settled, there remain still those with ill intent in the court.”

Hearing this, Cao Ding’s faction’s hearts leapt into their throats.

Damn it! Yang had never harmed them, yet these old ministers sought their utter destruction!

Since they were not given any chance to survive, the faction members exchanged looks and resolved to strike first.

“Grand Secretary, Minister Yang has just joined governance, and you seize this moment to sow discord in court. What is your intention?”

“Hmph! You still dare to speak? Remember how Cao Ding monopolized power, doing nothing to benefit Great Qi, instead causing the economy to regress and the people to suffer.”

“Today, I shall expose your wicked faces and restore true peace to Great Qi!”

As the two sides were about to erupt into conflict, Yang narrowed his eyes and decided to set the matter aside for the moment.

He knew well that Cao Ding’s faction had committed many evils and were rightly despised.

But with the state just stabilized and competent officials scarce, it was impossible to topple an entire faction at once.

Exchanging a glance with Tian Yueying, who intended to let him decide, Yang made up his mind.

Just as he prepared to reprimand both sides, an officer suddenly burst into the hall, shouting urgently.