Chapter 1476: A Temporary Measure

Heyang immediately lowered his head: "I wouldn't dare! Palace Master, I was wrong!"

"The birthday celebration is approaching, and the entire city is under strict lockdown. Now is not the time for rash actions. If the dark guards fail, King Yao will have a pretext against us." Their previous confrontations with King Yao both had boundaries, neither overstepping. If she were to directly assassinate a minister of Yao, it would unilaterally escalate the conflict, pushing the struggle into its next phase. "And if the dark guards succeed, everyone will know that I kill at the slightest disagreement, which would only drive the officials closer to King Yao!"

As an outsider overseeing the state, could she truly threaten the lives of all civil and military officials in the court? Did they really think King Yao, who held immense power, didn't exist?

"Moreover, controlling officials has always relied on promotions, rewards, punishments, and self-interest, never on life and death!" Qingyang sighed, "If you live to my age, you'll understand that even if you set a rule early on that corruption means execution, you'll never be able to execute all corrupt officials."

To her, Heyang's indignation was merely childish annoyance.

He still couldn't hold back: "Can this corrupt trend not be stopped? Must we just watch their charade?"

"One side wants to demonstrate loyalty, the other wants to collect money—it's a perfect match. You're right, this corrupt trend will only intensify—" Qingyang plucked a string of osmanthus flowers from a nearby branch, "—for a short time!"

"Let me ask you, why are these noble officials spending huge sums to buy villas and declare their loyalty?"

Heyang recalled what Qingyang had just said and immediately replied, "For their careers?"

"To get promoted and become wealthy, right?" Qingyang smiled, "Prince Qing's Residence bought one, and its past transgressions were erased; Bai Tan bought one, and his relatives were promoted. Other officials understood this, and that's why they followed suit and bought villas."

"Phase One of the Serene Lake Villa complex has over ten villas, and we don't know how many Phase Two will have, but it's probably a significant number. Since they've spent money and shown loyalty, shouldn't King Yao reciprocate and make a gesture?" Qingyang shook the osmanthus branch in her hand, and fragrant petals fluttered down. "Promotions and raises for dozens of people—that would be a massive personnel change!"

All buyers of Serene Lake Villas want promotions, exoneration, and raises? Even King Yao couldn't act so recklessly.

"Conversely, what about the officials who couldn't buy villas? Their opportunities for promotion and raises have been taken by others; will they ever have a chance to distinguish themselves?" Qingyang's tone was mocking, "The promotion assessments for all civil and military officials in the court now disregard achievements, virtue, or integrity; they depend solely on one's allegiance, and loyalty is entirely bought with money! The court proceedings are like child's play, yet they still call themselves the great Shanjin nation!"

Heyang whispered, "Palace Master is wise!"

"Thirty years ago, in Shan Yu, a vassal demon nation of my Beijia, constrained by factional disputes, Prime Minister Cao Peng used similar tactics to force officials to choose sides. For a time, his influence grew rapidly and dramatically. But in less than half a year, the house of cards collapsed!" Qingyang discarded the flowery branch. "The reason is that people are not troubled by scarcity but by inequality. There simply aren't enough benefits to distribute to everyone evenly!"

"Furthermore, the very people who bought the Serene Lake villas to show loyalty to King Yao are themselves at odds with each other. Bai Tan has always disliked Qi Yunsheng and his nephew Qi Shuan; the Gu family and Bu family are in conflict; and the Lu family and Liu family have been feuding for over thirty years." Qingyang chuckled, "King Yao forcibly bound them together to counter me, but how much true unity can they possibly have?"

"He Xiao is talented. But what he offered King Yao was merely a temporary solution, not a long-term strategy."

Heyang also said bitterly, "Palace Master's foresight! Such crooked ways can never last."

"The more frantic it gets, the harder it is to sustain! Just watch; in as little as one month, or at most two, this farce will be over." As an ancient nation of 600 years, Beijia had seen all sorts of strange and chaotic events. She had long grown tired of these petty political games.

She looked at Heyang and smiled slightly: "You don't need to be anxious. We must wait until Chong Wu officially takes office and successfully assumes command of the troops! This matter is too important; we absolutely cannot let King Yao go back on his word!"

"Yes."

"By then, the fervor in King Yao's court should have faded. That will be our time to make a move. For now, it's best to avoid direct confrontation."

Just then, a bird demon flew over and landed on a branch. Qingyang casually untied a bamboo tube from its claw, pulled out the note inside, and opened it.

Inside was only one sentence: "Envoy Liang entered the palace."

Qingyang slowly tore the note to pieces: "Good, excellent. King Yao removing Liang Xiaohao shows he's determined to oppose me!"

Removing Liang Xiaohao meant offending the temple envoy of Miaozhantian. King Yao was willing to pay such a price because he believed the "Serene Lake Villa" had extraordinary value and significance, capable of helping him consolidate power. Qingyang disliked such a stubborn King Yao.

"The new temple for Miaozhantian has been under construction for two and a half years, always dragging on. It's said that the new batch of coiled gold stones has been stuck for over four months and still hasn't arrived, and Envoy Liang has already expressed dissatisfaction. And now this..."

"Why doesn't King Yao understand that I'm here to help him?" Qingyang sighed slowly, "As long as Yao remains obedient to Beijia, why would I need to trouble him?"

Heyang said, "King Yao is short-sighted and doesn't understand your profound intentions, Palace Master."

"I'm old, and I came to Yao just to live out a peaceful old age. But the King and ministers of Yao are increasingly disrespectful, so I can only fulfill the mission entrusted to me by the Emperor." Qingyang took another pill, and her complexion became even more radiant. This medicine helped her suppress the recently absorbed True Sun Fire. "A domesticated dog, having eaten and drunk well and lived comfortably for a few years, starts to think it's a companion, a partner to its master. This is called not knowing one's place."

Heyang sneered, "Dogs that don't know their place are eventually slaughtered for meat. Palace Master, you're too kind, still thinking of saving them. I just fear that King Yao and his ministers will never recognize their position, utterly betraying your goodwill."

"Alright, you're not a child anymore, don't be so fiery," Qingyang said kindly, patting his arm. "Envoy Liang will come to me after leaving the palace. Prepare to receive him."

***

**King Yao's Palace.**

King Yao had just finished listening to Liu Wu's report, and his brows furrowed: "After the incident at Little Peach Manor, Quru Hai was still loitering nearby?"

"Yes, Quru Hai has a distinctive appearance, and several people identified him," Liu Wu said. "Perpetrators often like to revisit the crime scene after committing a crime."

"A false alibi, his whereabouts on the night of the incident unknown, and appearing near Little Peach Manor the next day, hmm—" King Yao mused.

Everyone knew Xue Zongwu was killed by Emperor Jiuyou. But who was behind Emperor Jiuyou's mask? The Luodian people had always been prime suspects, and Quru Hai was becoming increasingly suspicious.

Liu Wu asked for instructions: "Should we question Quru Hai?"

King Yao rejected: "No, just send someone to keep an eye on him for now, not a moment's relaxation."

If they questioned him now, Quru Hai certainly wouldn't admit anything, and then the ball would be in King Yao's court, leaving him to figure out what to do. Taking action against Quru Hai without cause was not a good idea; it could easily lead to a diplomatic incident. It would be better to search for evidence first.

"Yes," Liu Wu reported again. "Additionally, the Mubang clan vehemently denies killing General Xue."

King Yao couldn't help but sneer: "Are they denying they are the Black Armored Army?"

He could imagine the panic and helplessness of the Mubang clansmen when they heard of Xue Zongwu's death. They only wanted to claim the glory of acting on behalf of Heaven but not the guilt of killing a great general of Yao.

"No."

King Yao said dismissively, "Then make them explain themselves clearly, otherwise, my Yao army will level their lands."

Liu Wu acknowledged and withdrew. Just then, Royal Guard Zhao Song requested an audience.

"My King, He Xiao reports that only two villas remain at Serene Lake Villa complex."

He was assigned by King Yao to He Xiao's side, frequently entering the palace to report.

"That fast?" King Yao was slightly surprised, a smile immediately spreading across his face. "Who else bought a villa?"

The first row of lakeside villas at Serene Lake Villa complex sold out in less than a day—as soon as he received this good news, he understood the value of He Xiao's Serene Lake plan! It had been less than two days, and the first phase was already almost sold out? He truly hadn't expected it.

Zhao Song presented a box with both hands: "This is the list of new buyers, please examine it, Your Majesty."

In fact, the box contained more than just the list; there were also brand-new banknotes. Just yesterday, two villas were sold, and He Lingchuan sent the initial gilded payment to the palace. Daily settlement!

King Yao gestured, and Qiu Long, the old palace attendant standing behind him, stepped forward two paces to take the box and transfer it to King Yao's hands. The list contained only the building number, buyer, and price, very simple. King Yao took it, flipped through it quickly, and couldn't help but laugh heartily: "Oh, Minister You couldn't sit still either."

Seeing him beaming with delight, Zhao Song quickly said, "Minister You acted late and only bought a villa in the third row, but he pre-ordered a first-row lakeside villa for Phase Two from He Xiao."

"Minister You is still Minister You," King Yao said, beaming. Since Beijia's overseer became involved in politics, Zhao Song had rarely seen the King so cheerful.

King Yao was naturally pleased. From the moment Prince Qing's Residence purchased the first Serene Lake villa until now, less than a dozen hours had passed, and the first phase of Serene Lake Villa complex was almost sold out. What did this indicate? Ten ministers had, through this method, revealed their true intentions to him: they would firmly stand against the Overseer Qingyang. The speed and number of participants exceeded King Yao's expectations. The faster and more Serene Lake villas sold, the larger the faction of officials supporting him. He understood that his use of He Xiao as a chess piece was the right move. No wonder National Preceptor Shuangye would use this person against Qingyang; He Xiao certainly had a knack for it.

At this moment, a palace attendant reported that You Rongzhi requested an audience. King Yao ordered Zhao Song to withdraw and wait outside the hall. Inside the hall, the King and his minister discussed some official business, then the topic turned to Serene Lake Villa. As the site supervisor for the villa complex, You Rongzhi immediately reported on the progress of various aspects of the construction site, including materials, labor, and practical difficulties. King Yao also paid particular attention to Qingyang's reaction.

Then he said, "The first phase of the villa complex is about to sell out. He Xiao said he has already submitted the approval for Phase Two?"

King Yao hummed in affirmation: "Do you see any problems with the progress of the various construction tasks?"

You Rongzhi immediately replied, "So far, materials and labor are in place, and everything is proceeding in an orderly manner."

***

Went to the hospital today.The time spent at the hospital for examinations, waiting for lab results, and treatment was longer than expected.Rushed home to work on the manuscript, finally made it...