Chapter 29: Conflict Between Ruler and Minister

  "We want to see His Majesty the King."

  Before the disaster relief agency, a large group of officials gathered and shouted loudly.

  "Everyone, please go back! The prince's orders are clear: no one is to be seen today!"

  Dong Yue led the guards to block the official's way.

  Some officials wanted to force their way past, but were all blocked by the strong guards.

  "Everyone, please think thrice, don't make it difficult for Dong." Dong Yuehu's eyes widened, his tone was stern.

  These people are used to being arrogant and don't take Yang You this puppet seriously, even if Yang You has some amazing performances this month, he still doesn't have any status in their hearts.

  All the guards took a step forward, with an air of killing intent. These were all veterans who had been to the battlefield and were also eunuchs of the Eastern Palace, directly under the command of the imperial family. They did not have much reverence for these civil officials. If Dong Yue gave the order to drive them away, the guards would show no mercy.

  The officials of Daxing had always been pampered and were momentarily intimidated by the imposing manner of the guards. Dong Yue let out a furious hum, turned around and prepared to leave.

  "Commander Dong, slow down," a voice came from behind, stopping Dong Yue's figure.

  "Lord Wei?" Not a few officials exclaimed in surprise.

  "Master Wei has arrived, now everything is fine."

  "Wei Daren is the mentor of King's Substitute, and the King's Substitute will definitely listen to him."

  The officials all made way for him, chattering and talking amongst themselves.

  Wei Wensheng slowly walked over from behind, and a large number of officials automatically surged forward.

  "See Wei Shangshu." Dong Yue's heart skipped a beat as he hadn't expected Wei Wensheng to be there too.

  If it were someone else, Dong Yue could ignore him, but as the actual ruler of Daxing, Wei Wensheng, Dong Yue did not dare to be slow.

  "I don't know if it's possible to pass on a message, just say that Old Man Wei Wensheng requests an audience." Wei Wensheng was trembling with rage, but his expression was firm and resolute, clearly also very angry.

  "Dong Yue fell into a dilemma."

  "Alright, Lord Wei, please wait!" Dong Yue had no choice but to yield at this moment. After all, Wei Wensheng's status was too high, even the Crown Prince couldn't ignore him here.

  Dong Yue rushed into the disaster relief office, where everyone was anxiously waiting.

  Before long, Dong Yue reappeared in everyone's line of sight.

  The confrontation between the guards and officials on this side had already been transmitted to the wealthy merchant's side, and when they heard that Wei Wensheng had appeared, many people directly felt a chill in their hearts.

  Wei Wensheng was who, the emperor's specially appointed Minister of the Imperial Guard, and the substitute teacher for the Crown Prince.

  There were even comments saying that Wei Wensheng had a secret letter left by the emperor, and at critical moments, he could control the entire power of Daxing and issue orders on behalf of King Dai.

  The officials and merchants all looked at Dong Yue with tense eyes as he reappeared.

  The first collision between King Dai and Wei Wensheng, the nominal ruler of Daxing City and the actual ruler, is about to erupt.

  "Commander Dong, what instructions does His Highness have for me?" Wei Wensheng's old eyes were calm and his tone was even.

  "Lord Wei, may I have a word with you?" Dong Yue's expression was somewhat awkward.

  "Please!" Dong Yue invited Wei Wensheng to a secluded spot, and everyone automatically kept their distance, leaving space for the two of them.

  "Dong Tongling, speak directly!" Wei Wensheng did not believe that Yang You could still act on his own initiative even when he came in person.

  "The Crown Prince only said one sentence! It was asking whether General Wei could remember what the Crown Prince said three years ago today."

  Three years ago today! Dong Yue's voice was very small, but in Wei Wensheng's ears it was like a spring thunderstorm.

  Isn't that the day Yang Xuangan was defeated? Why would Yang Yu bring this up.

  Yang Xuangan, how could Wei Wensheng forget that his current high position is also thanks to Yang Xuangan.

  At that time, Yang Xuangan's army surrounded Luoyang, and Wei Wensheng personally led the elite soldiers of Daxing to rescue Luoyang. It was because of this great achievement that Yang Guang entrusted him with important tasks, achieving his current status today.

  Wei Wensheng's eyes narrowed slightly as he finally recalled what Crown Prince meant by those words.

  At that time, Yang Xuangan had been attacking Luoyang for a long time without success. Everyone knew that the day of Yang Xuangan's defeat was not far away. At that time, Wei Wensheng was already old and originally thought he could make another military achievement, but as a result, he was killed by Yang Xuangan and suffered a crushing defeat.

  Fortunately, all reports of meritorious service had to go through Yang You's hands, which was the established procedure.

  Three years ago today, Wei Wensheng took advantage of being Yang Shou's teacher to play a word game on Yang Shou's merit certificate.

  As a result, he not only escaped punishment by Yang Guang but was promoted instead.

  Wei Wensheng's face changed color as he thought of this. The meaning of the substitute king was to let himself come and repay this favor today!

  "If only I had known earlier!"

  Wei Wensheng did not regret what happened three years ago, but rather regretted that he should not have forced Yang You to manage the refugees for a little bit of power struggle. Now, the growth rate of King Wang's successor is really too astonishing.

  He found that Yang You had gradually gotten out of his control and had grown to the point where he could exchange blows with him as an equal.

  "Lord Wei, what's going on? Has the Crown Prince changed his mind?"

  The conversation between the two was brief, and after Dong Yue conveyed his message, he turned around and left. The officials then came forward to ask questions.

  Wei Wensheng shook his head and remained silent.

  The remaining officials looked at each other in dismay, unsure of what agreement had been reached between the prince and Wei Wensheng, but judging from Wei's expression, it was likely that he had suffered a great loss.

  "The prince has grown up and knows what he should do. You all just need to focus on your own work."

  Wei Wensheng's tone had an inexplicable desolation, and he turned around and left directly.

  As Wei Wensheng left, some officials also seemed to be lost in thought and quietly left.

  "Wei Wensheng is really muddled! Issuing a decree in the name of the Crown Prince, directly interfering with judicial justice, if this continues, the law will become lawless!"

  "What's the difference between this and selling official positions?!"

  Still many officials stayed behind and continued to shout loudly, with the Minister of Rites at the forefront.

  "It's because of you people that His Highness the Crown Prince had to do this! If it weren't for your constant petitions asking the Crown Prince to take back the Lu family's golden plaque, he wouldn't have said those angry words." Yao Si Lian appeared behind the Eastern Palace guards, saying in a bad tone.

  "Yao Si Lian, did you give the Crown Prince some kind of aphrodisiac, that he would do something so outrageous?" an official scolded, pointing at Yao Si Lian's nose.

  "You are still blaming me, if it weren't for you spreading the words of the Crown Prince out of order, this matter wouldn't have happened. If a minister is not discreet, he loses his lord, isn't this principle something you all understand?!" Yao Si Lian rebuked the group of ministers.

  All the officials were short of breath and flushed with anger, this matter was indeed their fault, secretly scolding that big-mouthed guy, don't let everyone catch on.