Iron Dynasty Chapter 1093

At Fei’s Mansion, Fei Ji displayed disbelief upon hearing the news from his butler: “You claim Ge Yiren was apprehended by the secret guards?”

“It is entirely true. Ge Yiren holds the position of cabinet minister, and major events involving such figures cannot be concealed. News of this is already circulating throughout Qingzhou City,” the butler responded with a sigh of amazement.

A shiver ran down Fei Ji’s spine. Having navigated the complexities of officialdom for years and weathered numerous storms, this development instantly signaled impending upheaval.

“What a relief, what a relief. Thankfully, those three troublesome members of our Fei family have been exiled. Were they to become entangled in this affair, even I might face ruin,” Fei Ji expressed with a sigh of relief.

The butler appeared perplexed. “Master, what exactly do you mean by that?”

“The three under Fei Pei merely transgressed the Emperor’s decree previously. This current incident, however, carries the penalty of death. The fact that this matter has been kept quiet for so long indicates the Emperor has been orchestrating secret arrangements for a comprehensive, top-down rectification of the Empire.” Fei Ji harbored a long-established contingency plan.

Consequently, he had frequently feigned illness, choosing to recuperate at home and completely severing ties with court officials, adopting an attitude of indifference to worldly affairs.

The unfolding events validated his foresight. Ge Yiren's arrest was merely the commencement; he anticipated many more would be implicated, including numerous former officials from Chang’an.

Ever since witnessing Xiao Ming’s ruthless methods in the previous incident, Fei Ji had abandoned all aspirations. After all, with his daughter already enshrined as Empress and no male heir, why would he continue to instigate further turmoil?

After a moment’s deliberation, he instructed, “From this point forward, announce that my illness has worsened and I am unable to receive visitors. I shall grant audiences only to the Emperor and Empress.”

The veteran butler grasped the gravity of the situation, nodding solemnly. He immediately directed the household staff to secure the main gate of the Fei mansion, permitting only the side entrance for the passage of servants.

At the Princess’s Mansion,

Princess Pingyang also received intelligence regarding Ge Yiren’s detainment. As it was a public holiday throughout the Empire, with many citizens enjoying leisure in the city, such a significant event inevitably garnered widespread attention.

“Ouyang Mu, instruct the servants to secure the main gate. From today until this matter is resolved, I will not entertain any guests.”

“Not even Duke Song and Prince Yong?” Ouyang Mu inquired.

“I shall not receive any of them. Whispers and rumors are rampant across the Empire during this period. There may be restless members of the imperial family involved. I do not wish for anyone to seek my intercession,” Princess Pingyang stated, her brows knitted in concern.

Since assuming control of the Ministry of Railways upon her arrival in Qingzhou, becoming a prominent female official within the Empire, she found immense satisfaction. In previous dynasties, women were largely excluded from political participation.

Furthermore, Xiao Ming’s initiatives to elevate the status of women in the Empire resonated deeply with her. Combined with the flourishing living standards under his governance, she enjoyed a life of comfort that even her royal status had not afforded her.

Given these circumstances, what more could she possibly desire?

“Is this matter truly so dire?” Ouyang Mu remained somewhat skeptical.

“A cabinet minister has been arrested. Is that not sufficiently grave? I suspect many heads will roll this time. I understand Xiao Ming’s temperament intimately. When we first arrived in Qingzhou, did you truly believe the assassination attempt was orchestrated by the Wang family?”

Recalling this long-past event, Ouyang Mu admitted, “I harbored suspicions at the time, but lacked concrete proof. Now, however, I can begin to grasp the truth.”

“Precisely. He dared to frame the Wang family with a staged assassination attempt when he was merely the Prince of Qi. How much audacity do you believe he possessed? Later, he purged the powerful families of the six prefectures in a single night. How many would dare employ such decisive methods? Now, with individuals within the Empire seeking to curtail his authority, is that not tantamount to courting death?” Princess Pingyang stretched languidly and rose to her feet.

After more than a decade, youth had subtly receded from her features, yet an innate nobility now imbued her with even greater charm.

“In that case, we must exercise extreme caution during this period,” Ouyang Mu concurred, a chill tracing its way through his body. The brutal internal conflicts that once plagued the Empire had long since subsided, and some had evidently forgotten the terror of cities drenched in blood.

Nodding lightly, Princess Pingyang turned and proceeded towards the main hall. Her current desire was simply to live a tranquil existence and witness the future technological marvels the Empire would unveil.

Meanwhile, the other officials and influential families within Qingzhou swiftly received the alarming news.

A peculiar atmosphere descended upon Qingzhou City for a time.

This tension rapidly intensified following the order to recall the commanders of the major military regions, and the subsequent curfew plunged everyone into further panic.

Raozhou.

Luo Quan was guiding a herd of dairy cows back to their enclosure as dusk approached. After the collapse of the Golden Tent Khanate, the vast grassland, stretching thousands of kilometers, became unclaimed territory.

Before he stepped down and returned to his farm, he seized the opportunity to request a large pasture and some barbarian slaves from Xiao Ming. He also acquired a group of Holstein dairy cows when the Empire maintained favorable relations with the Dutch.

After several years of diligent management, the dairy cows on his pasture were now producing milk, bringing him one step closer to his aspiration of having every citizen in the Empire consume milk.

The genesis of this ambition stemmed from Xiao Ming's explanation regarding the crucial role of milk in enhancing the physical fitness of the Empire's populace.

Furthermore, Xiao Ming had enlightened him that the availability of milk would enable families to raise healthier children, a factor deemed even more vital to the Empire's prosperity than territorial conquest. This, too, was wisdom imparted by Xiao Ming.

As his thoughts wandered, a figure appeared from the eastern expanse of the pasture. It was Niu Ben. Similar to Luo Quan, he had also secured a pasture in Raozhou, but he focused on raising European warhorses instead of cattle.

Observing Niu Ben's rapid approach, Luo Quan jested with a smile, "Were you pursued by a wolf, old man?"

Niu Ben's countenance was grave. He stated, "Wait until I have finished speaking. Then you will see if your smile can persist."

"What is it? What has happened?" Luo Quan inquired, a sense of unease growing.

Niu Ben then pressed a telegram against Luo Quan's chest. "Ge Yiren has been apprehended. That brat Luo Hong is now in Yizhou. The Emperor has issued an order recalling the commanders of the six major military regions to Qingzhou for a military conference. Something momentous is about to unfold!"

Luo Quan, a man seasoned by numerous challenges, grasped the gravity of the situation from Niu Ben's concise report. Yet, the possibility presented remained almost unbelievable!

"That is inconceivable. Luo Hong would never stoop to such actions. Even if Luo Hong were to lose his senses, Luo Xin would not be so reckless," Luo Quan's complexion turned ashen.

During the grassland campaign, he had already recognized the formidable influence the Luo family wielded within the military, which was the very reason for his decision to retire. His intention was to facilitate the Luo family's gradual disappearance from the Empire's collective memory.

He felt profound gratitude towards Xiao Ming for not appointing Luo Hong as a commander, interpreting it as a sign that Xiao Ming harbored no ill intentions towards the Luo family from the outset.

This was because, in his estimation, if the Luo family were to gain control over two of the Empire's six military regions, their ultimate demise would become an inevitability in the not-too-distant future.

"I shall return to Qingzhou immediately. If those two wayward sons dare to commit any act that imperils the Emperor, I will personally put an end to their treachery," Luo Quan declared, his voice strained with anger and heartbreak.

Niu Ben emitted a sigh. "I will accompany you back. At the very least, I still retain some standing with the Emperor."