Above the Great Dao
Chapter 687 - 308: Great Ming Paperhanger

Chapter 687: Chapter 308: Great Ming Paperhanger

Zhang Fuzheng, the Cabinet Chief Minister, froze with an expression of great confidence on his face.

The scene before him was somewhat unexpected.

In this contest for the top scorer position, it appeared to be a struggle between Chen Shi and the prince, and seemingly Chen Tang against all civil and military officials, but in reality, the one controlling the situation was him, the Cabinet Chief Minister Zhang Fuzheng!

He was the one truly in control of the situation.

He openly supported Chen Shi and Chen Tang’s competition for the top scorer, instigated the courage for the prince and Chen Shi to have a decisive battle, and facilitated this confrontation. Because Chen Shi and Chen Tang would not guard against him, it allowed him to approach the True King Nine Palaces at any time.

At the same time, he also activated the Nine Halls to prevent Chen Shi from killing the prince at the final moment, fulfilling the interests of the Thirteen Families.

As a result, whether it be Chen Shi’s side, the prince’s side, or the Thirteen Families, they were all made cautious by his actions.

He was the backbone of this decisive battle, the pillar of Great Ming, and the Elder overseeing the Fifty Provinces of the West Bull New Continent!

Former Cabinet Minister Yan Xianzhi, due to the arrival of a creation named Xiao Wu, resigned from the position of Chief Minister to avoid disaster and waited for a comeback, eyeing the position of Chief Minister covetously. Zhang Fuzheng took over this position in times of crisis, but his credentials were insufficient, lacking connections and the authority and prestige of Yan Xianzhi. It wouldn’t be difficult for Yan Xianzhi to reclaim his position.

But during this contest for the top scorer, Zhang Fuzheng effortlessly grasped the three forces; all civil and military officials, Chen Shi, and the prince all had to rely on him!

His authority and prestige were bound to reach the pinnacle, and Yan Xianzhi could no longer reclaim the position of Chief Minister!

Now the only problem was, he couldn’t control Chen Shi.

The prince was dead.

At the moment Zhang Fuzheng activated the power of Zhongji Palace and shouted "Stop!", Chen Shi exterminated the prince under the might of the Ten Absolute Formation!

Zhang Fuzheng felt as if the sky were falling.

It was not easy for the Thirteen Families to support a controllable True King, having carefully selected and cultivated for twenty to thirty years, and now when it was time for fruition, it suddenly died.

Sweat appeared on his forehead, and his heart was ice cold.

His seemingly clever actions still maintained his position and elevated his authority and prestige, but he knew he had messed up.

At this moment, the sky suddenly turned crimson, two suns slowly closed their eyes, the fierce flames in Outer Heaven True God’s eyes were forced out by the eyelids, forming a fiery sea tens of thousands of miles long at an altitude of eighty miles over the West Bull New Continent, blazing like evening clouds.

"Nightfall has come a quarter earlier!" The Spirit Platform Lang from the Observatory hurriedly reported, seemingly an omen of misfortune.

On May 26th, although it was the height of summer, there was not a trace of scorching heat.

Outside the Chen-Xi Tea House on Wuchang Street, a carriage stood parked, extremely luxurious with various flying talismans painted on its body, including not only traditional Godspeed Talismans and Armored Horse Talismans but also dragon patterns, phoenix patterns, thunder patterns, and a lavish Hua Gai with dangling bead strings depicting Sun, Moon and Stars.

The carriage was drawn by steeds of the dragon breed, two dragon colts with a blue-red hue throughout their bodies and wings growing forth, exceptionally magnificent.

When these creatures ran, they would soar into the clouds, racing through the sky, easily covering thousands of miles in a day.

Xiao Wangsun circled this Treasure Chariot four to five times, unable to bear leaving.

In the tea house, Yan Xianzhi and Zhang Fuzheng sat face to face, both elderly men watching Xiao Wangsun being led away by Jin Hongying, in silence.

After a long time, the tea was somewhat cool, and Zhang Fuzheng slowly spoke: "Elder Yan, that battle we had, I won. Do you admit it?" frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Yan Xianzhi channeled mana to warm the tea, raised the cup, and solemnly said: "Fu Zheng, you usually keep a low profile, but secretly have great knowledge and skills, surpassing me a hundredfold. I did not expect you to maneuver so deftly among the three forces, still at ease. Had it not been for Chen Shi’s final blow, catching you off guard, you could have completely won! I am not as skilled as you, and I concede defeat willingly! A toast to you!"

Zhang Fuzheng raised his cool tea and smiled: "To receive such praise from Brother Yan, I’m satisfied with my life."

The two used the tea as wine, drinking it all.

Yan Xianzhi instructed a waitress to exchange for a hot pot of tea and poured tea for Zhang Fuzheng, saying: "However, Chen Shi killing the prince is a matter of great significance. How to handle the aftermath poses a significant challenge, testing the skills of the Chief Minister. The Great Ming has many flaws, without the skills of a master craftsman, the Cabinet Chief Minister would have collapsed long ago. Fu Zheng, can you teach me?"

Zhang Fuzheng smiled: "Brother Yan has been a Cabinet Minister for many years, and surely already has something prepared. But since Brother Yan inquires, I shall say something."

He paused and said: "The prince is dead, and with the tree fallen, the monkeys scatter; everything is over, no need to concern over it. The various forces the prince deployed in the court and throughout the regions should be dismantled and reorganized where appropriate, for they represent a significant asset."

Yan Xianzhi gently nodded.

Zhang Fuzheng continued: "The title of top scorer for Chen Shi, should be granted without any punishment. First, it demonstrates the court’s justice; second, it silences Chen Shi and Chen Tang; third, despite the Chen Family’s thin population, their strength rivaling that of the Families, the court should maintain a level of respect for powerful forces."

Yan Xianzhi said: "Only fearing the prince’s remaining forces, not willing to surrender."

"That is their issue with Chen Shi, it has nothing to do with the court. The court shall adopt a strategy of conciliation towards Chen Shi and Chen Tang."

Zhang Fuzheng drank tea and said, "As for the third matter, it’s how to address the hard work of the Thirteen Families over the years; the responsible ones for this state must face punishment."

Yan Xianzhi sighed, "That is the most difficult point."

Zhang Fuzheng gently nodded: "This point indeed is challenging. Brother Yan, you shall treat us to this tea."

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