700 The Key to Changsan City (1/2)

Shangguan Yangyu was one of the ugliest prefectural magistrates of Chang'an City since the founding of the Tang Empire thousands of years ago. He had an obscene feeling from the inside out.

Since he was famous for his ugly appearance, naturally, he couldn't make people happy. However, whether it was his wife or him, they both couldn't deny this. Hence, while standing in the solemn and mian hall, he felt more and more ashamed and more sweat started appearing on his forehead. His triangular eyes didn't stop flashing.

Li Yu had seen Shangguan Yangyu many times and he knew that he was extremely ugly. However, every time she saw him, she felt there was newer ugliness added on the pile; a sense of disgust couldn't help but arise.

However, she controlled her own expressions and showed great respect through her words, just like the warmth of the spring wind. She was like this as she was very clear that this prefectural magistrate had an incredibly rare prowess under these ugly looks. If not, he wouldn't be able to hold such a thorny position for this long.

Li Yu was very practical. So long as he was talented, even though his looks were incredibly ugly and he looked crafty and corrupt, she would accept him wholeheartedly.

Moreover, no matter how many faults Shangguan Yangyu had, he had a beautiful strength: even though he gained fame after attaining his position, he didn't leave his wife who had ordinary looks. Till today, he still had deep feelings for his wife.

This impressed Li Yu considerably. In addition, due to the importance of the position of the prefectural magistrate of Chang'an City, this was the first minister that she met since the new emperor started his reign.

According to logic, for Shangguan Yangyu, this was a godsend. For someone like him who had no idea what morals were, he had no psychological issues to be under the Princess and the new Emperor. As for the soliciting intentions between Her Highness' words, he immediately worshipped them.

However, to the surprise of Li Yu and the few people in the hall, Shangguan Yangyu was still as respectful and ingratiating. He looked as if he wanted to kiss the soles of Li Yu's instep. But whenever the topic went deeper, he stared like a fool with his round eyes as if he had no idea how to answer.

Li Yu furrowed her brows slightly. She knew of course that Shangguan Yangyu wouldn't be as dumb to not be able to understand her words. Hence, him pretending to be dumb could only mean that his and some of the courtiers' attitudes weren't firm.

What left her more troubled was that the second person that she wanted to see today refused to enter the palace!

The eunuch leader and the palace nanny didn't stop denouncing the man's disrespect. They looked resentful, almost as if they wanted to send for the Yulin Royal Guards to arrest the man and sent to the palace for punishment.

”Everyone keep quiet.”

Li Yu shouted as she waved her hand and chased out all the eunuchs, palace maids and the palace nanny nearest to her.

Chao Xiaoshu wasn't a normal person. Even though she had the position and power she had today, she didn't dare be disrespectful to him, much less attack this person.

He was the underground leader of Chang'an City. Even though it had been years since he asked about the Jianghu world, and when he returned to Chang'an City last year, he had ignored the Fish-dragon Gang's assistance, everyone clearly understood that the Chang'an City's underground was still under his rule.

However, if Chao Xiaoshu was only an elder in the Jianghu world, any of the ministers in the hall wouldn't pay her any attention. Naturally, it would not make Li Yu this troubled.

The key was that Chao Xiaoshu was a Grand Cultivator of the Knowing Destiny State. He had a brotherhood with her father and when she saw him, she had to address him as Second Uncle Chao. Luckily, he had many brothers who would sacrifice their lives for him and in some ways, they were involved in the safety of Chang'an City.

After the eunuch and the palace maids were chased out, Li Yu wasn't the only person left in the hall. There was another middle-aged minister. He was Grand Scholar Mo Han who had joined the ranks four years ago.

”Your Highness, you do not have to worry for now. Just because Chao Xiaoshu isn't willing to enter the palace doesn't mean that he has any opinion of you. Back then when he rejected the position conferred by His Majesty and left the palace, he had already stated his position. Today is just a continuation of that day; to let Your Highness understand his determination for not participating in the government.”

Mo Han smiled and said.

Li Yu furrowed his brows and said, ”Chang III and Fei VI have been popular with the Yulin Royal Guards. Liu V is already the commander of the Valiant Cavalry Battalion and when Chen VII returns to the bodyguard office, he would become the right-hand man of Xu Chongshan. These people follow the orders of Chao Xiaoshu. If father was still alive, they would naturally not dare to do anything. But now that he is dead, what if Chao Xiaoshu has any ideas, what dangers would Chang'an City be in? I do not want to give up my life for anyone.”

Mo Han smile gradually faded as he asked, ”Then what does Your Highness think we should do with Chao Xiaoshu?”

Li Yu remained silent for a long time. She understood what the Grand Secretary meant and said, ”These were the old matters that were arranged by father, only time can change them. Neither I nor Her Majesty, can handle it.”

Mo Han said praisingly, ”It is precisely because of this that His Majesty created the Fish-dragon Gang back then. It seemed insignificant and was even denounced by the censor as nonsense. But who would have thought that those people from the Fish-dragon gang back then would become such important figures now? These people were only loyal to the previous emperor and hence, they will definitely only listen to the instructions from the designated heir of the previous Emperor. His Majesty and Your Highness do not need to do anything. Your Highness would just need to follow what she used to do to maintain order and Chao Xiaoshu will understand Your Highness' wishes.”

Li Yu said, ”Grand Secretary's words make sense. I will make some arrangements later.”

”The Yulin Royal Guards, the Valiant Cavalry Battalion as well as the Bodyguard office, they all cannot extend a hand inwards. This includes Her Majesty and the Prince. Back then, many had been killed that rainy night at the Spring Breeze Pavillion. This was a declaration from the previous minister and from how I see it, there is no problem with the safety of Chang'an City.”

Mo Han's expression became increasingly grave as he said, ”I am worried instead about matters outside the border. There have been rumors that on the Wilderness, the Headmaster had drawn his sword and battled with Haotian. This has led to the West-Hill army turning against each other. The previous Emperor might have led the cavalry to defeat the enemy but the Headmaster has passed away and so has the previous Emperor. The West-Hill Divine Palace will not squander this opportunity.”

”Even though the Tang Empire is strong, it has become the public enemy of the world. There are powerful enemies surrounding us and if we are not careful, we will fall into a precarious state. According to sources, Prince Long Qing has already led the cavalry from the Left King's Palace to attack the Tang Empire. They are prepared to go by the Yan Road to move south; Your Highness should advise His Majesty to think about the military horses and not to place his thoughts on these small things of the court. With an enemy approaching, a civil strife must not break out.”