CHAPTER 394: CHAPTER 257: USURPATION OF POWER

Mid-July, it’s the hottest weather in Bianliao Country.

However, the people in the Royal City have reached the point of closing their doors and not stepping outside.

A month ago, the King of Bianliao reinstated Tie Muhun as General, while also appointing him as Minister of the Imperial Guard, commanding an army of a hundred thousand to station in the Royal City.

A few days ago, additional troops were dispatched to several small towns around the Royal City, claiming to protect the safety of the people due to chaotic times.

But anyone who pays even a little attention to court affairs knows what’s really going on.

The King is trying to seize power.

The power of the Mighty General.

External troubles haven’t been resolved, and after less than two years of good days, internal strife is brewing.

Not only did he let Tie Muhun’s Imperial Guard station in the Royal City and restore his position, but he even appointed him as Minister of the Imperial Guard!

This is directly stepping on the Mighty General’s head!

The people don’t really care who holds power.

They just want to live peaceful and stable lives.

But it’s different for generals who protect the country; everyone in the Royal City knows what Tie Muhun has done.

During the years when Tie Muhun commanded the troops, the people of the Royal City lived in misery.

But since Yelyu Lie replaced Tie Muhun as General, the lives of the people have visibly improved.

While not rich, at least they don’t have to worry every day when that General will again extort them under the guise of insufficient military funds.

Later, the Princess of Great Xia came to Bianliao for marriage.

The people didn’t think much of it, only assuming it was for peace between the two countries and just sending a random princess for show.

But this Princess of Great Xia was like a goddess descended to earth, single-handedly helping the people of the Royal City live affluent lives.

She also didn’t forget the rest of Bianliao, gradually sending people to surrounding cities to develop fruit and vegetable cultivation.

It was the General who protected the peace, and it was the General’s wife who made Bianliao Country rich and strong.

Now, as Bianliao is beginning to emerge from hardships, the King is in a hurry to discard the donkey after grinding.

Therefore, while the people dare not speak openly, in their hearts, they all feel resentment for the Mighty General.

But what can the people do?

Inside the Martial Hall of the General Mansion, Yelyu Lie summoned a few deputy generals.

Banlai was a rough fighter; ever since Tie Muhun entered the camp, he disliked that dog and provoked him multiple times.

The result was that Tie Muhun openly acted like brothers with Banlai, while secretly tripping him up.

Banlai was also foolish; each time he was provoked, he got mad and attacked Tie Muhun in front of everyone.

Yet Tie Muhun never fought back, calling him "brother" every time.

Thanks to Banlai, the liability turned into unexpected assistance, helping Tie Muhun, who was originally unpopular in the camp, gradually gain acceptance among the soldiers.

Yelyu Lie had warned Banlai many times to no avail, and only after punishment did Banlai restrain himself somewhat.

But it was too late.

During the time Yelyu Lie was attending to Yun Chunnuan, Tie Muhun successfully gained the soldiers’ trust.

After all, many in the camp were new recruits, with few aware of Tie Muhun’s vile deeds.

A few days ago, his troops stationed in surrounding towns, causing Banlai considerable anxiety and making him shout angrily, "Damn it! The King is about to take action! Why do that dog’s troops have to station near the Royal City? Isn’t this just catching a turtle in a dream?"

"It’s called catching a turtle in a jar," Na Jiezhe remarked quietly from the side. "It’s better to avoid trouble than to waste time talking here."

Hearing this, Banlai got even angrier, "Don’t lecture me! I treat you as a brother, but are you treating me like an idiot?"

Facing Yelyu Lie, Banlai said solemnly, "General, Na Jiezhe cannot be trusted. One night I found his movements suspicious, followed him for a while, and discovered he sneaked back home to change into night clothes before heading to the Royal Palace! He’s clearly betraying the General!"

Na Jiezhe: "..."

To think he was called foolish, yet he’s truly blunt.

Accused of being a traitor, he was still discussing the King’s plot to catch turtles with the General.

And it was all out in the open, not even anonymously reported from behind the scenes; he was directly with the General when accused...

Na Jiezhe sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.

He looked at the General, whose expression was solemn, with a gaze seemingly filled with suspicion.

Na Jiezhe could only feign panic, quickly kneeling on the ground, "General! Indeed, I have entered the Royal Palace at night several times, but it was only fulfilling my duties as ordered by the King, dare not defy him, and definitely not betraying the General."

Na Jiezhe was still a Guard of the Royal Palace’s Imperial Guard, something everyone present knew.

Time passed by slowly, and Yelyu Lie remained silent.

Everyone else was tense, keeping their heads down, not daring to speak.

Who knows how long had passed when Yelyu Lie finally dismissed everyone.

Na Jiezhe, sweating heavily, was about to leave, but was summoned to stay alone.

Banlai’s expression was complex.

He had known about this for a long time, unwilling to believe a brother would be such a scoundrel, and in a fit of impulsiveness, told everything.

He didn’t know what the General would think...

But he didn’t regret it either; if indeed a traitor, the General should know sooner... and root out any future trouble!

Banlai gave Na Jiezhe one last look, then turned and left.

With only the two of them remaining in the inner room of the Martial Hall, Na Jiezhe finally let out a long breath, wiping the sweat off his face, "General, when will these days end? The King doesn’t trust me much either..."

Unhurriedly, Yelyu Lie blew the leaves floating in his teacup, "After today, trust will be complete."

Na Jiezhe paused, "The General planned it?"

He originally thought the General had gathered the deputy generals for some discussion, but that idiot Banlai ruined the plan.

He had accused Na Jiezhe publicly, leaving the General in an awkward position, whether to speak or remain silent.

But listening to this, it seems there was an ulterior motive?

"There’s a traitor among the ranks. From the five just now."

The inner room had seven people total, meaning Banlai was excluded from suspicion.

Yelyu Lie sipped his tea, his glass-like eyes, like the tea in his cup, slowly rising with mist, making his thoughts unreadable and unfathomable.

He motioned for Na Jiezhe to come over.

Na Jiezhe quickly approached.

After a brief whisper, Na Jiezhe’s wide eyes turned from shock to excitement, "Tonight, I will act! General, please support me!"

At this moment, Yun Chunnuan had just returned from the Storage Ring Space.

Two months ago, her mother had taken Dora away, returning only a day ago.

Yun Chunnuan, worried about them, chose a time when her husband would definitely not return, directly entering the address her mother-in-law had left her from the Storage Ring Space.

Without lingering, confirming they were safe, she quickly returned.

Time is still in the Storage Ring Space, and exiting back to reality, time begins to pass.

Though she didn’t linger long, a whole hour had passed.

Yun Chunnuan had just returned when she heard the sound of the door opening...