Chapter 287: Chen Tong Facing a Crisis

ter and avenge you!""Presumptuous!"From within the palace, came Zhao Rui's scolding.“As a consort of the prince, according to the hierarchy, you should address me as 'Consort,' not by my given name. W...Chapter 287: Chen Tong Faces a Crisis

No matter what, Chen Tong's statement still satisfied Li Chen.

Yesterday, Sanbao told me that you went to Xishan Province to protect Mount Zhaohe

Chen Tong hurriedly replied, “Yes, I just returned to the capital this morning.”

"The situation in Xishan Province is much more complex than we imagined. The local government has essentially lost its function. Officials are at the beck and call of local powerful families, preying on the common people."

And officials and wealthy families have formed a powerful faction, keeping domestic servants who are equipped with weapons no weaker than those of the imperial army.

After Zhao arrived in Xishan Province, his high-pressure policies caused a series of backlashes from local gentry and officials.

At first, those gentry and officials were enduring, trying to bribe Zhao the Official and collude with him. But after Zhao refused all temptations and killed a few officials who came to bribe him, the local gentry and officials began to band together and oppose Zhao.

Chen Tong's visit this time was clearly well-prepared. He had done his homework, and his report was well-organized and went smoothly.

At first, they only paid lip service to Zhao's every edict, obeying in words but not in deed.

"But Zhao's deputy truly has some cunning. By supporting some officials from poor backgrounds and who had always been suppressed, he managed to gather a group of people around him."

"With Your Lordship's support, Zhao has managed to establish a foothold in Xishan Province. Some of his edicts are also being implemented."

Thus, Zhao's decrees, such as letting fields lie fallow to feed the people, confiscating wealth to aid disaster relief, and forcing local tycoons to donate land and grain to help the populace, completely angered the local powerful groups. They began to assassinate Zhao relentlessly.

"At the worst point, within a single day there were three assassination attempts on Zhao Da. Fortunately for Zhao Da, he was lucky and thanks to the protection of the Jinyiwei guards, he remained unharmed."

"Speaking of this, Chen Tong bowed and said seriously: “Your Highness, I believe that if things continue like this, the Xishan Province will inevitably face two outcomes.”

"Tell me about it."

Li Chen remained composed and said calmly.

He did not comment on whether Zhao Heshan's series of measures were good or bad, nor was he enraged by the audacity of the local powerful groups.

It can be said that Li Chen, who knows history and thus understands the power of the feudal landlord group in rural areas, is not at all surprised by all this.

It wouldn't be surprising if they even did something more daring.

Chen Tong said solemnly: "Either the Xishan province is completely forced to rebel, with local gentry and powerful landlords colluding with rebels to kill Zhao, representing a formal confrontation with the court."

"Otherwise, there needs to be a more powerful figure who forces them to compromise and coexist peacefully with the imperial court. However, the court must guarantee their existing interests and promise not to hold any grudges later on."

Li Chen heard this and laughed.

He looked at Chen Tong playfully and said, "Chen Tong, you commander-in-chief went on a trip to Xishan Province, you've made quite the haul."

Chen Tong's face changed, and he hurriedly said: "Your Highness, I don't understand."

"Are these your own words, or is someone telling you to say them" Li Chen's tone gradually became indifferent.

Chen Tong lowered his head at this moment. Although he didn't look at Li Chen, he could clearly feel the majesty from above his head, emanating from Li Chen, growing stronger and more intense.

The air around him thickened, growing still and heavy like ice, making it hard for Chen Tong to breathe.

Despite the cold weather, visible beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.Chapter 58: First Command of the Army