Iron Dynasty

Chapter 1094

Yizhou.

Luo Hong’s eyes flashed with a strange light as he looked at the telegram from Qingzhou.

Among the many cities of the Empire, Yizhou, this city in the land of Bashu, was one of the last to get a telegraph connection.

But to ensure the smooth flow of information throughout the Empire, the Telecommunications Department still put in a lot of effort to connect the telegraph here.

“Ge Yiren has been arrested.” Luo Xin handed a telegram from the Luo family to Luo Hong and then picked up another one. “It’s strange. Why did the Emperor suddenly order the military region commanders to return to Qingzhou for a military conference?”

“You cannot return to Qingzhou. The Emperor has clearly set a trap for you.” Luo Hong said decisively.

Luo Xin laughed when he heard this. He said, “Elder Brother, what are you saying? Why would the Emperor set a trap for me?”

Ever since he arrived in Yizhou, Luo Hong had been sightseeing for a while, but he had not yet mentioned his relationship with Ge Yiren to Luo Xin.

Now a telegram made him realize that he had no way out. Once Ge Yiren confessed, he would not be able to escape the law of the Empire at all.

Seeing that Luo Hong’s face was very grim, Luo Xin asked again, “Elder Brother, what on earth is wrong?”

Taking a deep breath, Luo Hong said, “Do you know why Ge Yiren was arrested?”

“It’s probably related to those who oppose the Emperor.” Luo Xin also disliked Ge Yiren, so he was quite happy to hear that Ge Yiren had been arrested.

Luo Hong nodded. “You’re right. Ever since the Emperor ascended the throne, his actions have become more and more excessive. He completely disregards the powerful families and nobles who once helped him conquer the empire and has repeatedly introduced government decrees that restrict our rights. Now he is even more excessive, completely cutting off the nobles’ path to officialdom, which has caused many people to become dissatisfied.”

Luo Xin’s expression was a little surprised. He said, “Although that is the case, the Emperor is also doing it for the long-term development of the Empire in the future. Elder Brother, the era has changed. Could our soldiers have used Han-style rifles and mortars a little over ten years ago? Besides, the Emperor is only asking the nobles to be more restrained and not to be above the Empire’s laws.”

“You’re so stubborn.” Luo Hong was a little angry that Luo Xin was not seeing things his way. Ge Yiren’s sudden arrest made him a little anxious.

Now that Xiao Ming’s telegram had arrived, it was clear that he was worried that Luo Xin would rebel with him. In that case, he had been exposed and had no choice but to go all out.

“Now he can just casually introduce government decrees that are unfavorable to us. In the future, he can just casually throw us into prison. Have you never for a moment thought about restricting his power and letting everyone discuss state affairs together?” Luo Hong was being very direct.

Luo Xin, who had a smile on his face, suddenly changed his expression when he heard these words. “Elder Brother, this is a capital crime. How can you talk nonsense? The Emperor is the Emperor. If it weren’t for him, would we have the Empire we have today? Don’t ever bring up this matter of restricting the imperial power again. For me, the Emperor’s decisions have never been wrong.”

“He is not wrong now, but what about in the future? Do you want to see the Empire of today fall apart because of his mistakes? Let me ask you, after the Emperor passes away, can Xiao Yi shoulder this heavy responsibility?” Luo Hong asked.

“Xiao Yi is the Crown Prince. He grew up with the Emperor and has naturally inherited the Emperor’s way of doing things. At the very least, he will not be a foolish monarch.”

“Then what about Xiao Yi’s descendants? Who can guarantee that a wise ruler will always sit on this throne?”

“Do you think there will be no foolish rulers just because you have restricted the imperial power?” Luo Xin said angrily.

“At least when there is a foolish ruler, we can stop him instead of being helpless. Luo Xin, the Empire belongs to all of us, not just the Emperor.” Luo Hong tried to incite him.

Luo Xin shook his head. “Elder Brother, what is wrong with you? Who told you these things you are saying? It’s all nonsense. The Emperor is the head of the Empire. Only with the head can there be order. If you allow many nobles to have the power to make decisions, it’s hard to guarantee that they won’t become the spokesmen for their respective factions in the court. At that time, as long as it is a matter that does not serve their interests, they will tear each other down, and then the Empire will truly be finished.”

“Luo Xin, you are the one who has been greatly incited by Xiao Ming. All he wants is for the Xiao family to rule forever. Why should he!” Luo Hong blurted out.

Luo Xin’s heart sank. He remembered Luo Hong’s expression when he saw Ge Yiren being arrested. He could not help but say, “Elder Brother, tell me the truth. Are you and Ge Yiren involved in something?”

When he said this, Luo Xin’s tone was already very stern.

“Now that things have come to this, I will not hide anything from you. Ge Yiren and I secretly discussed the matter of restricting the imperial power. When the time is right, we will rally the powerful families and the army to force the Emperor to accept our advice. I just didn’t expect Ge Yiren to run into trouble so suddenly, which caught me completely off guard. But it’s not too late. We still have a chance, Luo Xin. As long as you and I declare our support for restricting the imperial power, the powerful families of the world will all respond.” Luo Hong tightly grasped Luo Xin’s hand, looking like a madman.

Luo Xin forcefully shook off Luo Hong. His eyes were filled with disbelief. “Elder Brother, are you crazy? You are now the head of the Luo family. By doing this, you are leading the Luo family into an abyss! I will not agree.”

“You have no choice now!” There was a cold look in Luo Hong’s smile. “Do you still not understand? The Emperor’s summoning of the commanders of the six major military regions this time is to test you. The Emperor is already suspicious of us. Even if you return to Qingzhou, you will be immediately dismissed. We are both from the Luo family, and neither of us can escape.”

Luo Xin’s face turned a little pale when he heard this.

Luo Hong continued, “Also, have you forgotten about that Zhu Sansi? What is he? Why should he be one of the six commanders? How many years have you and I fought on the battlefield with the Emperor, and how many years has he? Can you not see the Emperor’s absurdity from this matter?”

Luo Xin did indeed have a lot of issues with Zhu Sansi. It was not that he looked down on Zhu Sansi. He just felt that Zhu Sansi had risen too quickly, which made them seem insignificant.

Seeing the hesitation on Luo Xin’s face, Luo Hong’s heart was filled with joy. He said triumphantly, “If we succeed this time, such absurd things will never happen again. Listen to your elder brother. If Xiao Ming insists on doing things his own way, there is also the third imperial prince, Xiao Zhen, in Yizhou. According to seniority, Xiao Zhen should be the one to inherit the throne.”

Luo Xin stared at Luo Hong for a while when he heard this. After a long time, he sighed. “Elder Brother, your younger brother knows that the Emperor did not appoint you as one of the commanders, which has caused you to be dissatisfied. But what you are doing now is not only treason, but it will also lead the Luo family to eternal damnation. Also, what do you think the Emperor established the chief scribes for in the army? I can guarantee that if I were to declare my support for restricting the imperial power, the soldiers would immediately mutiny, and Chief Scribe Huang would lead the troops to arrest us both. This Southwest Army is full of graduates from the Qingzhou Army Academy. They have their own minds. They are not our Luo family’s private soldiers. From the moment they entered the academy, there has only been one person they are loyal to, and that is the Emperor. So, Elder Brother, for the sake of the Luo family, I must apologize.”

After a pause, he said, “Men, arrest Luo Hong!”