Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1089: Chapter 126: Gu of Mind Control (Part 2)

The ministers all knew the means of Prince Han; when he said decapitation, he truly meant it, not just as a threat.

After the court session, many ministers hurried home to inquire whether any family members had secretly purchased the Divine Pill. If they did, they were told to hand it over promptly.

Soon, everyone in Swamp Prefecture knew that the Divine Pill contained toxins and was a harmful potion not to be consumed. Once ingested, it would turn people into lunatics.

Zhao Yao even issued a reward order. If someone was found selling or purchasing the Divine Pill, they could report it to the government office and, upon verification, receive a reward from the office.

The people, upon hearing this order, showed excited expressions. They eagerly wanted to find those selling and consuming the Divine Pill.

With people monitoring everywhere, for the Southern Wei people, selling the Divine Pill was no longer an easy task.

Worrying that the Southern Wei people might continue to spread the Divine Pill’s harm in foreign countries like Annan and Johor, Zhao Yao wrote a solemn letter to the emperors of these countries. In the letter, he detailed the hazards of the Divine Pill and hoped they would crack down on it. Finally, he warned these countries that the Divine Pill was banned in Great Zhou, and if their people were found selling it to Great Zhou, he would show no leniency. Anyone selling or purchasing the Divine Pill in Great Zhou would face decapitation, and pleas for mercy would be useless. Ultimately, he reminded these foreigners to weigh carefully whether the Divine Pill or Great Zhou was more important. He hoped that the Divine Pill would not affect their relations.

After writing to these foreign countries, Zhao Yao deliberately held a naval demonstration in the waters of Swamp Prefecture. This maritime display deeply shocked countries like Annan and Johor, making them understand not to offend the young Prince Han, nor to oppose him, or they would face dire consequences.

These foreign countries expressed that they would also classify the Divine Pill as a banned substance and crack down on it, ensuring that the Divine Pill would not harm their friendly relations with Great Zhou and Prince Han.

Far away in the capital city, the emperor received Zhao Yao’s secret message two days ago, learning that the Divine Pill contained mind-controlling toxins, which infuriated him, prompting an immediate decree to ban it.

In the Imperial Study, the emperor was discussing the matter with Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu.

"Your Majesty, we can’t let the Southern Wei people continue to do whatever they want." Prime Minister He frowned, appearing very serious, "Their actions have become increasingly rampant over the years, and now they daringly produce mind-controlling elixirs. They aim to destroy Great Zhou."

"Thankfully, Prince Han was sharp and detected the problem with the Divine Pill in time; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable." Grandmaster Liu loathed the Southern Wei people extremely, "Your Majesty, we can’t keep tolerating the Southern Wei people."

"Indeed, we can’t indulge them any longer." The emperor had closed one eye to the Southern Wei people all these years, not out of fear, but because of the secret behind them. "It’s also time to deal with them."

"If it weren’t for Prince Han’s timely awareness and prevention of further Divine Pill influx into the capital, many ministers might have consumed it, and over time, they’d become puppets in the hands of the Southern Wei people." Prime Minister He couldn’t believe the situation where half of the court was controlled by Southern Wei people.

"Your Majesty, the Southern Wei people’s influence is not to be underestimated over these years." Grandmaster Liu reminded the emperor, "Don’t let this slip again."

The emperor said, "Everything is under my control."

Grandmaster Liu, upon hearing the emperor say this, unabashedly mocked him, "So, this Divine Pill incident was also within Your Majesty’s control."

The emperor’s smile froze on his face.

Prime Minister He said, "Clearly, the Divine Pill incident was not under Your Majesty’s control."

"Indeed, thanks to Prince Han for the Divine Pill incident; if not for him, Your Majesty might even have consumed it." Grandmaster Liu spoke sharply, "Your Majesty, if this is what you call having everything in control, no wonder the Southern Wei people could make mind-controlling elixirs."

The emperor squinted at Grandmaster Liu and Prime Minister He as they ridiculed him in harmony.

"The Southern Wei people can create mind-controlling elixirs; next, they might produce something even more formidable, potentially shaking the foundation of Great Zhou." Grandmaster Liu mocked, "At that time, will Your Majesty claim it was all within your plans, that you deliberately allowed the Southern Wei people to do this?"

Standing aside, Sun Kui heard Grandmaster Liu unabashedly mocking the emperor and couldn’t resist sneaking a glance. Seeing the emperor’s varied complexion, he almost couldn’t help but laugh aloud and quickly lowered his head, pretending to see nothing.

Prime Minister He nodded in agreement: "How could the Southern Wei people’s actions escape Your Majesty’s notice? Everything must be within Your Majesty’s expectations."

Grandmaster Liu continued to tease, "Then Your Majesty truly leaves no stone unturned."

Feeling the sting of Grandmaster Liu and Prime Minister He’s ridicule, the emperor’s dignity took a hit, "Enough already."

"Your Majesty, back then, I didn’t support letting Southern Wei remnants live. We must eradicate them entirely, or else they’ll do things that harm the foundation of Great Zhou. Now it’s proven I was right."

Prime Minister He continued from Grandmaster Liu’s words, "Your Majesty, the big fish behind the Southern Wei people is important, but I believe it’s not as important as Great Zhou itself."

"Over the years, the Southern Wei people have infiltrated everywhere, even foreign lands like the Western Regions and Annan." Grandmaster Liu’s expression turned serious, "If allowed to develop further, soon, they might even rebel."

"Lao Liu, are you overestimating the Southern Wei people or underestimating me?"

"How about the Divine Pill incident?"

"Even if Zhao Yao hadn’t notified me, I would have learned of it a couple of days later." The emperor wasn’t being obstinate but truthful; if Zhao Yao hadn’t identified and informed him of the Divine Pill situation, he would have found out a few days later.

Grandmaster Liu and Prime Minister He looked incredulous.

"I’ll handle the Southern Wei issue, so you two don’t worry." The emperor curled his lips into a meaningful smile, "Also, don’t underestimate Lao Ba." Lao Ba is his crucial piece against the Southern Wei people.