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After the court session began, Minister Yang indeed brought up the matter of Jiangnan financing the northern food supplies once more, causing an uproar that echoed through the chamber.

Yet, atop the Dragon Throne where the court session was being held, a bizarre scene unfolded.

Sitting there was a Prince, barely a year old, and behind him, beneath the curtain, lingered the slender silhouette of a woman!

To rule from behind a curtain had historically been a sign of a nation in chaos, but now there was no other choice...

The Emperor was gravely ill, the Crown Prince’s life hung in the balance at the hands of Princess Chang, and the Imperial Court naturally required a symbol to oversee the realm.

The Emperor’s adult children were mostly incapacitated.

If any were to oversee the realm, it would disgrace the nation’s dignity, so ultimately it fell to the young newly-born Prince to take the throne.

But as the child was too young to understand anything, it had to be the woman from the Harem overseeing the regency.

However, what was strange was that the regent was not the birth mother of the Prince but the Empress of the current dynasty!

This was quite interesting because, as everyone knew, the Empress had long since died, and her body had been buried in the Imperial Tomb.

But now... concerning the Empress sitting on that throne, not a single person in the entire Imperial Court seemed to think there was a problem...

"Is this information reliable, Minister Yang?

" The one who asked was a general dressed in the attire of a Third Rank military officer, a legitimate son of Duke Wei. After Duke Wei led the troops to quell the northern rebellion, the younger members of the family had no choice but to attend the court in their fathers’ stead.

"With Jiangnan suffering such a disaster, the spring plowing was surely delayed. If Chen Qing’s side can manage to supply enough grain to keep the people of Jiangnan alive, that in itself would be quite skillful.

How could they still have surplus grain to support the north?

" The Junior General looked at Minister Yang with a chuckle, "Minister Yang, you clearly know nothing of military affairs; don’t speak carelessly.

The northern land is barren. At the beginning of the year, the Imperial Court united with allied nations to launch a campaign against the northern rebel forces, which faced enemies on two fronts and lost their largest granary city.

The degree of grain shortage there is absolutely beyond what Jiangnan could provide! "

"Exactly!" Another general next to him agreed emphatically, "If you have time to frame Jiangnan, you should spend more time investigating who is actually supplying grain to the north!"

The other military officers nodded in agreement, clearly endorsing the words of the young general who had just spoken.

After the rebellion in the north, the insurgents initially had overwhelming momentum, the Imperial Court lacked soldiers, and almost instantly lost the entire northern border.

It was also half a year before, at the Emperor’s edict, the Empress personally intervened, sending envoys to the four Ancient Huan Countries, requesting their assistance in suppressing the rebels.

This strategy of leading the tiger away from the mountain had initially faced strong opposition, yet, against all odds, it achieved remarkable results.

The Ancient Huan Countries joined forces, and while they could not conquer the northern territory, their sudden surprise attacks disrupted Duke Wei’s arrangements, leading to the siege of the largest grain-hoarding city.

A vast amount of farmland, intended for spring crops, was also prematurely harvested and trampled by the Ancient Huan Countries, leading to an extreme shortage of grain in the northern territories and almost causing a devastating counteroffensive.

But six months ago, the situation began to change.

From some point onward, the north had established a supply line of grain that not only greatly relieved the military’s shortage but also alleviated famine among civilians, stabilizing the previously tumultuous ten cities of Youyun. The battlefield on both sides once again fell into a stalemate.

"I suspect the Ancient Huan Countries supplied the grain," one of the generals spoke up, "It must be that Duke Wei promised them something more, leading them to agree to provide relief with grain. Only this can explain things!"

Upon hearing this, Minister Yang’s brows furrowed deeply, "I know that the businesses of various families are deeply tied with Jiangnan, but if you continue to grasp at these small profits and allow Jiangnan to grow stronger, it will be an endless calamity!"

A group of generals looked up at the ornate ceiling of the great hall, pretending not to hear a thing.

Indeed, as Minister Yang said, all the great families were tied to the business interests of Jiangnan, but it was not merely a matter of small profits!

The tea, alcoholic beverages, and silk of Jiangnan were worth a fortune!

Countless wealthy patrons coveted these luxuries, including the sons and daughters of their very own families, who were enamored with those goods.

Moreover, those shrewd merchants from Jiangnan knew how to deal with people and would cede complete management rights to them, sharing profits up to seventy percent!

Which family would not protect such generous business partners?

Moreover, in the eyes of many, Chen Qing was just an insignificant threat, without a foundation or power, lacking the support of any Martial Family, and now merely taking advantage of the chaotic situation in Jiangnan to make waves. He really posed no danger at all.

These scholars were simply making a mountain out of a molehill, blatantly coveting those lucrative deals while speaking loftily and righteously!

Seeing the many military officers remain silent, Minister Yang was finally forced to turn his gaze toward the Nine Ministers.

The Minister of Rites and others exchanged glances, their Sorcerer Family had also handled quite a number of businesses in Jiangnan, but they could not afford to disregard the scholarly community as the Martial Families did; after all, on their own, they could not compete with the powerful bloodline families at the Imperial Court.

"Empress," the Minister of Rites stepped forward to pay his respects, "Indeed, there are many issues with Chen Qing in Jiangnan that do not adhere to the Court’s regulations.

His act of recruiting troops can be explained as an emergency measure, but his current large-scale support of engineering studies and forcing the citizens to convert to his beliefs are indeed problematic.

The Court should hold him accountable... "

That’s it?

Minister Yang was not satisfied with this result and hurriedly stepped forward, "Your Highness, the harm caused by Chen Qing goes far beyond that!"

"Is that so?" The Empress’s cold voice came from behind the curtain, "Minister Yang, do not rush; you may speak at leisure."

"Yes, Your Highness..." Minister Yang’s spirits were lifted as he quickly said, "Chen Qing has deviated from the path, not only assuming power in Jiangnan without approval from the Court and seizing numerous county magistrates’ and Provincial Government Offices’ official seals, but he has also severely belittled Confucianism, ostracized scholars, and during the chaos in Jiangnan, he has bewitched the people! "

"The common people are ignorant, not understanding the gravity of their situation, and greatly support him. Jiangnan has now been forged into his personal kingdom. Is this what you call acting out of emergency? He simply wants to seize the opportunity to rule over Jiangnan for himself!"

"This can be seen from his large purchases of horses and the construction of ships from dark wood.

According to the information obtained by this humble official, Chen Qing supports bizarre and lascivious techniques, creating something called a cannon that can harm people over a kilometer away.

Moreover, he prioritizes heavy engineering over Confucians, producing a large number of these troubling devices that distress humanity. His intentions are punishable!"

"If in the future, craftsmen take pride in making such harmful devices, and objects that can hurt people are everywhere, what will become of this world?"

"This... your words might be somewhat biased, Sir Minister," frowned one of the Military Generals, "Such a formidable weapon, when used in the military, can change the tide of battle. How can it be simply dismissed as bizarre and lascivious techniques? Chen Qing has to face demons in Jiangnan and does not have the support of the bloodline families; to hold up, don’t you think he needs some strategies?

Why does it become harming humanity when it comes to your words? "

"Humph!" Minister Yang snorted coldly, "General, you are also aware that Chen Qing does not have the support of noble families? Then with your military insight, do you think Chen Qing, assisted only by some militia, could withstand the demons you mentioned, or Princess Chang?"

"Well..." The words choked the group of Military Generals!

Indeed, this left them somewhat unable to retort because to deny that would be to undermine their own authority.

A civilian officer, with only a group of civilians and craftsmen at his side, able to withstand the formidable forces of demons under Princess Chang? It was almost laughable.

Seeing the Military Generals speechless, Minister Yang gave a cold smile, "This humble official believes that Chen Qing’s ability to compete with Siao Mingxue is simply a ridiculous joke.

He is actually in cahoots with Princess Chang, using wealth to lower our guard, and purchasing a great deal of military supplies for her.

Ordinary civilians are not capable of handling such things as Dragon Horses and Elephant Horses.

In my opinion, he most likely serves Princess Chang! "

"This..." All Military Generals were startled, and one has to say, there indeed were such possibilities...

The Chief of Staffs also frowned upon hearing this. With Chen Qing’s resources, to defend Jiangnan against the monster of West Sea and Princess Chang seemed far-fetched, but if, as Minister Yang suggested, he had been with Princess Chang from the beginning, then it was plausible.

Thinking this way, Jiangnan, relying on those crafts and purchasing military supplies from the north, indeed posed a significant threat!

"Does the Minister have evidence?" The Empress’s voice languidly asked, "After all, according to Minister Wang’s reports, Chen Qing has always been loyal to the Imperial Court."

"Whether Minister Wang is credible or not requires further investigation!

" Minister Yang said assertively, "This humble official has some informants in Jiangnan, and they are currently collecting evidence against Chen Qing, especially information regarding firearms. It won’t be long before it is sent to the Capital City. Once the proof is irrefutable, I hope the esteemed Ministers will not be lenient with this traitor. Not only is this traitor willing to be a lapdog for Princess Chang, but he also in Jiangnan, a place heavy with literary tradition, confounds right and wrong, vehemently oppresses Confucianism, and should he be allowed to stay there for long, I’m afraid even if Jiangnan is taken back, its centuries of scholarship will no longer exist! "

All civil officials nodded in agreement, and the other ministers also stepped forward to say, "In the civil examinations, the talented individuals from Jiangnan often account for more than half, making it the most important place for culture and education in our state. For trivial gains, Chen Qing ruthlessly persecutes scholars; such actions are perilous and could result in an enduring calamity, and must be stopped before it’s too late! "

"Is there truly such great harm?" The Empress murmured softly.

Other Military Generals sneered privately, for these scholars, their greatest reliance was Great Jin’s policy of tax exemption for those with official scholarly titles; they accumulate land, one after another becoming landowners.

Chen Qing’s ostracism of scholars, proving the strength of engineering studies, struck at their roots, and of course, they were anxious.

However, now it seemed indeed troublesome because the demons under Princess Chang were already problematic, and if added to Chen Qing’s craft, they really did present a threat.

They did not insist on protecting Chen Qing; it was just that they lacked sufficient forces. Naturally, they would like to dispatch troops to Jiangnan and take everything there!

"But now... there’s a shortage of soldiers at the Court.

.." The previous Military General frowned and said, "Even if what you said is true, and Chen Qing really is Siao Mingxue’s lapdog, with the current shortage of military forces, and the north still demanding attention, where can we find the extra troops to pacify Jiangnan? "

"You are mistaken!" Minister Yang’s spirit revived, he had finally persuaded this group of muscle-headed brutes.

"According to the intelligence that this official has received, now... is the best time for the Court to retake Jiangnan!"