Observing the various expressions on his ministers’ faces, Emperor Mingkang let out a soft sigh and gestured to Wei Wuxie with his mouth.

Wei Wuxie quickly fed Emperor Mingkang a spoonful of white fungus soup.

After swallowing the soup, Emperor Mingkang spoke: “Since Xing Wuyang has been escorted to the capital, you Three Judicial Offices should interrogate him thoroughly, including all those corrupt officials mentioned in the two account books. This time, we must root them all out!”

“Yes.”

Emperor Mingkang glanced at Shao Mingyuan and continued: “Also, investigate the Qiao family fire case thoroughly. Minister Kou, especially question your subordinate Vice Minister Li about exactly how he conducted that investigation!”

All the ministers responded in unison. Emperor Mingkang nodded and looked at Wei Wuxie.

Wei Wuxie understood, turned, and entered the inner palace, returning shortly with a brocade tray.

Emperor Mingkang smiled faintly: “Wei Wuxie, distribute these immortality pills.”

The corners of the ministers’ mouths twitched.

Emperor Mingkang chuckled: “My beloved ministers can test the effectiveness of the immortality pills refined by my new celestial master.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s gracious reward.” All the ministers knelt to express their gratitude.

Emperor Mingkang thought for a moment and instructed: “Marquis Guanjun and Imperial Censor Xing have worked hard this time. Wei Wuxie, give each of them two pills.”

The ministers secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank heavens, having two more companions to share the burden was much better.

Jiang Tang held his newly received immortality pills, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Another new variety—it seemed he would have to send someone to request Third Miss Li again.

“What’s this? Don’t my beloved ministers want to try them?” Emperor Mingkang slowly swept his gaze over the ministers and consoled them: “Don’t be reluctant to eat them—I have more here.”

Ministers: “…” We’re done for!

Chief Minister Lan Shan swallowed the pill in one gulp and, with an excited expression, kowtowed to Emperor Mingkang: “Your Majesty, this immortality pill is remarkably effective! As soon as it entered my throat, it transformed into sweet nectar and immortal dew. Now my entire body feels warm and pleasant, as if basking in spring…”

Lan Shan’s praise brought a smile to Emperor Mingkang’s face, but the other ministers secretly rolled their eyes.

What did he mean by feeling like spring after eating the pill? This was the imperial study—they were already sweating from the heat without eating anything!

Watching the ministers swallow their pills, Emperor Mingkang nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand: “Go attend to your duties. I want to know the results of Xing Wuyang’s case quickly.”

“Yes, we take our leave.”

Coldly observing the ministers’ humble expressions as they bowed and withdrew, Emperor Mingkang revealed an enigmatic smile and said lightly: “Commander Jiang, remain.”

Jiang Tang’s steps faltered.

The spacious imperial study quickly became empty.

Emperor Mingkang sighed: “Milk brother, I’m rather disappointed in the Jinlin Guards.”

Jiang Tang knelt: “This minister is guilty.”

Emperor Mingkang looked down at Jiang Tang and sighed: “Rise. It’s not court time now, and there are no outsiders—why are you kneeling, milk brother?”

“As Commander of the Jinlin Guards, this minister was completely unaware that the Fudong Jinlin Guards were bought by Xing Wuyang. This is my dereliction of duty. Please punish me, Your Majesty.” Jiang Tang remained kneeling, earnestly requesting punishment, but in his heart, he cursed Imperial Censor Xing thoroughly.

His Majesty was more concerned with the path to immortality. If not for that bastard Imperial Censor Xing babbling reminders, why would he have been specifically kept behind? Being scolded by His Majesty was one thing, but if His Majesty got excited and bestowed a few more immortality pills on him, requiring him to watch as he swallowed them, that would truly be cause for tears.

“Punish what? If I punish you, who will serve as my Jinlin Guards Commander?” Emperor Mingkang asked lightly.

“This minister is ashamed.” Jiang Tang lowered his head, warmth flowing through his heart.

Speaking of it, His Majesty treated him extremely well.

“Milk brother, rise and speak.”

Jiang Tang stood up.

Contrary to his expectations, Emperor Mingkang didn’t continue pursuing the matter of the Fudong Jinlin Guards, but suddenly asked: “Milk brother, who do you think is capable of serving as Fudong’s General?”

Jiang Tang’s heart jumped, and a person suddenly flashed through his mind.

In terms of military achievements, prestige, and personal ability, the best candidate for Fudong General was none other than Marquis Guanjun.

However, His Majesty asking him this was rather interesting.

The best candidate was right there, yet His Majesty still sought his opinion. Based on his understanding of His Majesty, this indicated that His Majesty had some hesitation about using Marquis Guanjun.

After brief consideration, Jiang Tang understood Emperor Mingkang’s thoughts.

Marquis Guanjun was too outstanding. His prestige in the Northern Territories was unmatched, and there was even a saying that the people of the Northern Territories only knew of Marquis Guanjun, not of Emperor Mingkang.

Now that the Northern Territories’ warfare had just ended, His Majesty was happy to see Marquis Guanjun remain peacefully in place for a few years, thereby alleviating the situation of his dominance in the Northern Territories. If Marquis Guanjun were sent to Fudong, what if he became another Xing Wuyang in a few years?

By then, Marquis Guanjun would have unparalleled prestige in both southern and northern armies, but there wouldn’t be another “Marquis Guanjun” to infiltrate Fudong, capture him, and deliver him to the emperor.

Rather than using the best general and creating an uncontrollable situation, it was better to use a second-tier one to avoid such troubles.

“What does Milk Brother think of Marquis Guanjun?” Emperor Mingkang asked tentatively.

“Marquis Guanjun is naturally unmatched in courage and martial prowess, but this minister believes transferring Marquis Guanjun to serve as Fudong General would be inappropriate.” Having figured out Emperor Mingkang’s thoughts, Jiang Tang responded accordingly.

A smile flashed briefly in Emperor Mingkang’s eyes, and Jiang Tang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed he had guessed correctly.

“Oh, milk brother thinks Marquis Guanjun is inappropriate? Can you tell me why he’s inappropriate?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, Marquis Guanjun has fought in the Northern Territories since his youth and is adapted to the northern environment. Fudong’s natural climate and local customs are vastly different from the Northern Territories, and the soldiers’ characteristics and key points of warfare are completely different. As a supreme commander, in this minister’s view, personal martial prowess is less important than rich experience, so this minister believes Marquis Guanjun is not quite suitable.”

Jiang Tang’s words pleased Emperor Mingkang, who chuckled softly: “Heh heh, milk brother makes some sense. I’ll summon the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers to discuss this later.”

“Your Majesty is wise.” Jiang Tang quietly sighed in relief.

He had finally passed this test. He needed to hurry and meet with Third Miss Li to see if the new celestial master’s immortality pills would kill anyone.

“Wei Wuxie—” Emperor Mingkang called out.

Hearing this call, Jiang Tang’s legs went weak, and he nearly knelt.

Wei Wuxie had already walked to Jiang Tang’s side.

Emperor Mingkang smiled cheerfully: “Earlier, with so many people present, it wasn’t appropriate for me to reward you separately. Take these immortality pills home to eat, milk brother—they’re fresh from the furnace.”

Jiang Tang silently swallowed a mouthful of old blood, gratefully received the immortality pills, and took his leave.

After Jiang Tang left, Emperor Mingkang’s smile faded. He returned to his imperial desk and used his finger to write “Xing Wuyang” on the desktop, then brushed it away and wrote “Marquis Guanjun.”

Staring at the newly written three characters for a long time, Emperor Mingkang sighed.

His Marquis Guanjun was truly young indeed.

“Wei Wuxie, did Marquis Guanjun travel south this time to pay respects to his father-in-law’s family?”

“Yes.” Wei Wuxie couldn’t fathom His Majesty’s intention in asking this and answered truthfully.

Emperor Mingkang nodded slowly, his gaze profound, murmuring: “He truly is a good son-in-law.”

Meanwhile, as soon as Jiang Tang returned to the Jinlin Guards office, he directly kicked a chair, flying.

Jiang Shiyi coldly caught the chair and set it down properly.

“Shiyi, go invite Third Miss Li here for me.”