Wang Dun’s sudden interference made the situation even more chaotic, but it also proved from the side that this matter had little relationship with Zhao Hanzhang—it probably truly wasn’t her instigation.

Wang Dun similarly submitted a memorial to the court, stating that in just the half year since Gou Chun had taken office, the number of common people who had died because of him had reached a thousand, especially during the winter that had just passed.

Gou Chun had actually conscripted labor during winter for major construction projects. One of the estates required a water garden to be built, so they drove conscripted laborers to go into the water in winter to fill in earth. Among them, eighty-five laborers had suffered frostbite or frozen to death.

For any conscripted laborers who could not arrive at the work site on time, without asking the reason, he would directly execute them. His cruelty was comparable to the King of Hell.

Moreover, Gou Chun’s cruelty wasn’t limited to ordinary common people, but also extended to his subordinates and locally prestigious aristocratic families. Whenever errors occurred, regardless of severity, all received punishment—light cases received flogging, severe cases execution.

For example, there was a veteran who had followed Gou Xi in campaigns for many years. He served as a captain of ten, accompanying Gou Chun to Qingzhou to garrison it, responsible for guarding the city gate.

One day he had abdominal pain, so he went to the toilet. It just so happened that Gou Chun came to inspect and discovered the captain was absent. When the captain returned, he ordered him seized.

Though the captain explained his reason, Gou Chun still executed him on the grounds of violating military discipline.

Furthermore, when his subordinate commanders offered advice, he would flog them on the grounds that their words were offensive…

Wang Dun believed that Gou Chun’s nature was harsh and cruel, making him unfit to be Inspector. He too was a Qingzhou Inspector appointed by the court. The court had not relieved him of his official position, nor had they transferred him elsewhere. Since Gou Chun could not govern Qingzhou well, then he, as the original Qingzhou Inspector, could not sit by and do nothing.

As soon as the letter arrived in Yuncheng, the court erupted in uproar.

An elderly official couldn’t help but question the Emperor to his face. “Has the court’s appointment of officials become such child’s play?”

The Emperor remained silent, as if he actually had any autonomy in the matter. Wang Jun had been promoted to Qingzhou Inspector during Emperor Hui’s time because he participated in harming the former Crown Prince, so he was promoted by Empress Jia.

Wang Dun was recommended by Wang Yan—that was a joint recommendation with Prince Donghai, and the appointment was issued by Prince Donghai.

Gou Chun was directly appointed by Gou Xi.

Yes, just so coincidentally, Qingzhou’s three successive Inspectors perfectly reflected the three transfers of power around him. The Emperor thought sadly—he didn’t know who Zhao Hanzhang would appoint as Qingzhou Inspector next time.

No matter who it was, next time when making the appointment, he must first dismiss the previous Qingzhou Inspector before making a new appointment.

The Emperor thought this way, but reality could not proceed so smoothly.

Did people think that when problems appeared, everyone would try to solve them?

No. The first thing they did was find the person responsible, assign blame first, then handle the matter.

So as the discussion continued, it came around to Zhao Zhongyu’s head.

As Minister of Personnel, the Ministry of Personnel was also under his jurisdiction. Even if Gou Chun was appointed by Gou Xi, before issuing the appointment document, couldn’t they use their pig brains to think—there was still Wang Dun in Qingzhou?

If they had thought of Wang Dun at that time, they definitely would have thought of Wang Jun too. If they had dismissed them all then, there would be no problems now.

Zhao Zhongyu looked at them coldly and sneered, as if it were really true.

When had the court ever managed local military and administrative transitions?

What could the court manage now? The Emperor casually bestowed official positions—whether officials could actually take office and complete the transition all depended on their own abilities, didn’t it?

Before problems emerged, who would consider this an issue?

However, who had found this reasoning for Wang Jun? It was too shameless.

Zhao Zhongyu suspected in his heart it was Zhao Hanzhang, but because they were on the same rope, he couldn’t say it aloud.

The court argued fiercely, but Zhao Zhongyu was in no hurry, because Gou Xi’s fury had somewhat subsided, and his desire to dispatch troops to Yuzhou was not so strong anymore.

Which of the officials in court didn’t have sharp eyes? Naturally they also discerned Gou Xi’s intention, so everyone stopped rushing to handle the Qingzhou matter—let them argue. If they could argue out a result, that would be best. If not, it didn’t matter.

They only cared whether Gou Xi and Zhao Hanzhang would fight, and didn’t care about Qingzhou changing Inspectors.

In fact, some individual officials felt that changing Qingzhou’s Inspector would be quite good—Gou Chun was truly too harsh and cruel.

However, who should replace him?

Most people disliked Wang Jun, so they proposed that the Emperor reappoint Wang Dun.

Gou Xi still didn’t want to give up Qingzhou, so he expressed opposition.

Once he opposed, the voices in court instantly decreased by more than half. Everyone discussed sporadically, day after day passing.

Gou Xi also paid more attention to Zhao Hanzhang and Yuzhou’s movements. Scouts reported back that Zhao Hanzhang had returned to Yuzhou, but not only had the Zhao Family Army at the Yanzhou border not increased, they had actually decreased.

Supposedly Zhao Hanzhang had called them back to farm.

After half a month passed like this, the court still couldn’t discuss any resolution to the Qingzhou matter. The Zhao Family Army at the Yanzhou border had nearly completely withdrawn. In the first ten days of the month, it had rained for three consecutive spring days. The day before yesterday the weather cleared, and everywhere in the fields were people plowing and trampling grass—they needed to prepare for spring plowing.

Spring plowing had arrived at hand. Qingzhou was still at war. Zhao Hanzhang had no choice but to submit a memorial, suggesting that the Emperor divide Qingzhou into Qingzhou and Guangzhou, appointing Wang Jun as Qingzhou Inspector and Wang Dun as Guangzhou Inspector, each governing their own territory. At present, spring plowing was most important.

Zhao Hanzhang reminded them, “The Xiongnu watch like tigers eyeing their prey. If spring plowing cannot continue and autumn and winter provisions are insufficient, should the Xiongnu raise troops, we will be in grave danger.”

The Emperor was very tempted, so he looked at Gou Xi.

Naturally Gou Xi did not agree. In this way, wouldn’t he lose Qingzhou?

Zhao Hanzhang harbored ill intentions. Dividing Qingzhou in two and giving it to Wang Jun and Wang Dun—ostensibly to pacify their conflict, but actually to seize Qingzhou from his hands.

However, at this time, Gou Chun was suffering defeat after defeat in Qingzhou. Wang Jun and Liu Kun were attacking him, Wang Dun was also attacking him. Of course, whenever Wang Jun and Wang Dun encountered each other, they also attacked each other. All three sides had nearly beaten each other’s brains out.

Now, Gou Chun had withdrawn to Le’an Commandery, and when Gou Xi confirmed that Zhao Hanzhang had no intention of attacking Yanzhou, he had already dispatched reinforcements. They were now counterattacking, having already reclaimed one-third of Jinan Commandery. As long as there was sufficient time, he believed they could definitely pacify the chaos and regain control of Qingzhou.

But… spring plowing was imminent.

Wei Qiao was sent as a persuader. He said to Gou Xi, “The General has heaven-sent talent, strong troops and horses. Looking across the realm, only Beigong Chun has the qualification to compare with the General. This time the General dispatched eighty thousand reinforcements to Qingzhou, but in half a month has only captured three counties. Could it be that Wang Jun holding Jinan Commandery is too formidable?”

Gou Xi snorted disdainfully.

Wei Qiao also nodded. “Wang Jun merely has good luck. Not to mention comparing him with the General—even compared with General Gou Chun, he barely measures up. Yet why can he press forward step by step, consecutively capturing dozens of cities?”

Gou Xi frowned slightly.

Wei Qiao said, “Shubao wrote saying that Qingzhou’s officials and common people have considerable grievances against General Gou Chun. Some cities’ officials began opening city gates to welcome Wang Jun when his great army approached. Other cities’ common people would find ways to send messages to Wang Jun’s forces, only hoping they could quickly capture the cities.”

Gou Xi’s face turned iron-blue.