Several days had passed since the assassination attempt on His Majesty.
No one had expected the curtains to a major political drama in the imperial capital to suddenly open.
Before this, the focus of the court had been on Sun Lang. Everyone had looked at the high and mighty sovereign with mocking gazes. Because the former Commander Of War had returned alive and well, and this Shentse General who had changed his name was clearly aiming his cannon at His Majesty, everyone was paying attention to the development of the situation.
After all, politics was an act of self-interest.
Those in power all looked at problems from the perspective of the big picture, so in the eyes of many people, Sun Lang's many actions had extremely far-reaching significance. He was like a catfish that had jumped into a pond, stirring up the calm surface of the lake and turning it upside down. Everyone had to move, everyone had no choice but to move.
They were all wondering if Sun Lang's return meant that the Wuxun Group would be reunited, if it meant that the Great Generals were retaliating against His Majesty's actions of consolidating authority and suppressing the military officials. This matter concerned everyone's interests, so everyone had to treat it seriously and find their own place in the coming changes.
And yet …
But now, something incredible had happened …
His Majesty had been assassinated.
He was still unconscious, and it was said that his injuries were very severe.
The sovereign of the empire had suddenly become incapable of handling matters.
The temporary regent was an awkward Crown Prince whose legitimacy and legitimacy had not been recognized by the court.
As a result, the Kingdom of Earth, the strongest country in the world that had once defeated the Sky Demon and reigned supreme over the universe, only had the Imperial Court brimming with talents, the tens of thousands of Imperial Army soldiers, the most efficient and most effective army system in history, the massive border armies of the Nine Provinces, the quasi-war state that had yet to be completely lifted, the martial arts training system that had been perfected for several hundred years … and so on.
It just lacked a powerful sovereign.
In a single night, this mighty country had lost its balance of power, becoming a weak sovereign and strong subjects.
It was clear that this would have far-reaching effects … both within and outside the country.
But politics was an act of self-interest.
Just like the Imperial Court, the most outstanding talents of the empire did not immediately think about the current situation or future of the country, but what they could do in this situation.
Of course, it was to fight for power.
The Emperor's coma meant that the Son of Heaven's influence on the Imperial Court had been reduced to its weakest. Many of the ministers and forces who supported the Emperor had become extremely weak and helpless. Without their greatest backing, they had become delicious cakes that could greedily be bitten and fought over at any time.
"Even if they don't snatch it, I have to lure them to snatch it."
In the presidential suite of the Copper Sparrow Terrace, Sun Lang met with his henchmen in his office. "Although I don't know what the Emperor is planning, since he has put on such a show, we have to cooperate. Since our Emperor is so generous as to hand over the benefits in his hands, even if it is out of courtesy, we have to take a bite."
Pangji, Yan Song, Android, Ma Shiying, and the others were Sun Lang's advisors. Under the influence of Sun Lang, these guys had learned how to think and scheme against people and took pleasure in it. Another group of evil creatures had learned the violent side of Commander Of War and preferred to press their enemies to the ground and rub them against the ground.
At this moment, they looked at each other with worried expressions.
Sun Lang smiled and said, "What's wrong?
You're about to be promoted, yet you still have a bitter face. Do you think it's not enough? "
"To be honest, I think it's a bit too much."
Pangji put aside the paper in his hand. The cake he had been given was the Head Imperial Censor, which was a jump of three ranks. Of course, this was only the predetermined position. Before that, he had to kick the original Head Imperial Censor — a stinky, stubborn, and foolishly loyal to the Emperor — back to his hometown.
Given the current state of the court, this matter was not difficult at all.
Sun Lang was now one of the moguls with the most weight in the court. When a man reached the Dao, his chickens and dogs would also reach the Heavens. Pangji, as one of the Shentse's most useful henchmen, could enjoy many privileges and conveniences without any objections … especially in the area of promotion.
To repeat, Sun Lang was now one of the moguls with the most weight in the court.
Indeed, he had weight.
In the past, when Sun Lang spoke in the court, at most, he had some influence. He could take advantage of the situation and choke the Emperor to the point that he could not speak. He could frown coldly and scold a courtier until their heads and faces were covered in dirt. However, at most, he was unable to accomplish anything and was more than capable of spoiling things. He could disrupt any discussion in the court, but at the same time, he could not push forward any proposals because he could disrupt other people's business and other people could disrupt his business.
But now, it was different.
Even the idle people on the streets of the Imperial Capital who talked about state affairs knew of the Shentse General's great name.
Everyone knew that it was this minister who stood against the objections of the masses and supported the Crown Prince of Jiancheng to the throne. This allowed His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince, who was in an awkward position and had questionable legitimacy, to sit firmly in the position of Regent. In return, His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince, who was Regent, gave the Shentse General the greatest courtesy and respect. It was as if a monarch and his minister were on good terms.
It was as if he was a trusted aide and listened to everything he said.
If the ruler of a country had a strong bias toward a certain minister, then it meant that a powerful minister of a generation was slowly rising. Now, Sun Lang was playing this role.
His military achievements, prestige, and reputation from his early years were finally being discounted.
The situation was simply great.
But the more it was like this, the more uneasy Pangji felt.
A wise man must always be calm and rational. He must not be blinded by benefits and benefits. When everyone was celebrating, he must maintain a sense of anxiety and be aware of the crisis under the song and dance.
He said in a deep voice, "As soon as the Crown Prince is Regent, we will start celebrating and making wishes for benefits. It will be too eye-catching … The tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. I think you should understand the principle."
Everyone showed a slightly pained expression.
They had worked together for a long time, and they also had a strange boss like Sun Lang. They liked to speak and do things straightforwardly. They were tired of those cumbersome and complicated political words. Pangji's last sentence was the highlight of his words. The implication was obvious — don't forget that two years ago, it was you who was destroyed by the wind in the Great Desolate Mountain.
Sun Lang said with a smile, "Wow, I am thinking for you. Only you can get promoted and get rich. I am still clean and honest. I am simply the cleanest official in the Empire …"
"You know, we are not in a hurry."
Pangji said, "With you here, we feel at ease. It is only a matter of time before we get promoted and get rich. It is not a big deal if it is a little later. Now the situation is not good. I think it is better for us to restrain ourselves. The layout is more important."
Sun Lang shook his head and said, "It is okay. Just treat it as an advance bonus."
Pangji frowned and said, "Don't be so careless. Do you know that rumors have begun to spread in the streets that the assassination of His Majesty was done by you in order to hold the power in your hands now …"
Sun Lang waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about it. It is just rumors. The people have their own mouths. They have the right to decide what they want to say. We have to protect freedom of speech …"
"Freedom of speech my ass."
Pangji sneered and said, "There is no such thing as freedom of speech in this world. The people in the streets are all brainless retards. What they see is what the important people want them to see. What they hear is what the important people want them to hear. They think this way because someone is guiding them to think this way. They speak this way because someone is manipulating them to speak this way …"
Sun Lang said in surprise, "Wow, a guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes like you is actually denying the wisdom of the working people?"
Pangji looked at him with an indifferent gaze. "Four years ago, when you first taught me how to guide the public to achieve my own goals, you told me this. General, you are so forgetful."
Sun Lang said in shock, "Was I so reactionary in the past?"
"You are also very reactionary now!
A few days ago, you sent people out to put up posters all over the streets to make up stories!
What are the people who are still playing with the minds of the people talking about here?
“
Sun Lang retorted, "What do you mean by making up stories?
That is the truth! "
"What people believe is the truth."
Pangji said coldly, "So when everyone believes that you are the one who plotted to assassinate His Majesty to steal the highest power, you will be condemned by the public."
General Shentse said in shock, "That's not good!
How many people will die?! "
"… Sometimes I really envy your optimism and confidence."
Sun Lang laughed. He looked at the people in the room and said, "Is this what you are worried about?
Because you are afraid of being criticized, you have to keep a low profile and share the cake with others. Everyone will not take a penny, and contribute to the country conscientiously, without asking for anything in return? "
Everyone hesitated for a moment, and then slowly nodded.
Android did not nod. He frowned and said, "I don't think so. You have all become stupid from reading too much."
Sun Lang's civil and military officials were not clearly opposed to each other, but they automatically formed several groups because of their different ways of doing things and their different perceptions. After all, how could they be friends with different views? They were roughly divided into three types: lawful evil, neutral evil, and chaotic evil.
The civil officials mainly belonged to the lawful evil camp. They liked to think and plot against people, hit people with sticks, and hit people with bricks. In short, they were good at using flexible methods and changing ideas to deal with the enemy.
Most of the generals belonged to the chaotic evil camp. They only wanted to let the enemy have a taste of their penis.
Of course, nothing was absolute. There were always some people who were both evil and violent. They liked to think of ways to trick the enemy into opening their mouths and then laughing maniacally before stabbing them.
Android was obviously such a person. As a violent general, he also liked to think about people.
Just like Sun Lang.
So he raised an objection.
Several civil officials showed dissatisfaction, and their eyes were full of questions.
Sun Lang smiled and said, "Tell me about it."
"First of all, we have to make one thing clear."
Android said, "Rumors have always been deliberately spread by people with ulterior motives. Rumors always have a source. The assassination of the king is a sensitive and important matter. Who would be so bored as to spread such a big news?
And to point directly at you, a powerful figure in the imperial court? "
He clenched his fist and waved it hard. "Obviously, this is a premeditated conspiracy. Someone is f * cking looking for trouble with us!
Someone is spreading such unfavorable rumors against us! "
Android's fierce-looking face trembled, revealing the unique fierceness and dominance of a general. He looked around and sneered. "Motherf * cker, a dog can't change its habit. Even if you go to the end of the world, you still can't change your cowardice. They're already in your face, and you still want to take a step back and let it go?"
"Figure out what's going on!
I wanted to beat you up, so I found an excuse, saying that you hid a knife in your house and wanted to kill someone. You took out all the ironware in your house and smashed it. Then you put on an amiable and honest look, and I won't beat you up?
I just lost an excuse. If I find another one, I can continue to beat you up!
But you don't even have any ironware. I can beat you up even more happily! "
He spat a mouthful of thick phlegm on the ground. He had the aura of a big brother.
Sun Lang nodded and praised, "Fatty An's hooligan and domineering attitude already has the style of an American imperialist. Of course, he's still a little inferior to me … Also, wipe the floor."
Android rolled his eyes and took out an expensive silk handkerchief from his sleeve. He squatted on the ground laboriously and wiped the floor. First he used the silk handkerchief, then he used his fingers. In the end, his fingernails were scraping sparks on the ground. Only then did he look up and said resentfully, "Is that enough?"
Sun Lang said seriously, "I've heard a classic chicken soup story before. It talks about how a person should have a serious and responsible work attitude, no matter what he's doing. For example, if you're asked to scrub the toilet, you have to scrub the toilet until it's clean. You can drink a cup of water from the toilet without batting an eyelid …"
He said this with an encouraging look, as if he was saying, "Why don't you lick the floor".
Android jumped and said, "Who would do that!
What a joke! "
Sun Lang nodded and said, "Yes, this is just a fabricated lie. It can't stand up to scrutiny. But many people believe it, so it becomes the truth … But rumors are just rumors. They can't withstand a single blow."
Everyone was thoughtful.
"Just as Android said, our enemies won't give up just because we give in. They will come at us more fiercely. What we need to do is to fight back."
Sun Lang pointed at the paper in everyone's hands. "Everyone's promotion is not just about the team's bonus. In fact, there's another layer of consideration … Sometimes, we have to act a little greedy to make people feel at ease. If we act noble and untainted, I'm afraid more people won't be able to sleep at night."
Everyone looked at each other and slowly accepted this explanation.
Yan Song suddenly laughed and said, "We're all going to be promoted. What about you?
Although you have more authority, you still have the title of General of the Shentse. You don't have any real power … "
"That's another layer of consideration … If I have real power, the Crown Prince's trust, and you guys are like wolves and tigers, then the officials in the court won't be able to sleep at night …"
Yan Song laughed and said, "But your official residence still hasn't been approved …"
Sun Lang waved his hand and said, "Sigh, it doesn't matter. It just shows how noble I am to think about the overall situation. Otherwise, it won't look good if I'm thinking about the allocation of properties when I just got promoted … You see, the Copper Sparrow Terrace is not bad. The young ladies there are all talented. They speak and sing well. I like it very much …"
Before he finished speaking, his expression changed. He reached out and opened the window. The roar of the Seraph came from the sky. In a moment, a letter ignored the resistance of the air and fell straight into Sun Lang's hands.
General Shentse opened the letter.
After a moment, he shouted in exasperation, "Go and tell the Minister of Works!
My official residence will be done immediately, immediately, with the highest efficiency!
Otherwise, I'm going to raid his house! "