Luoyi was a city where news spread at lightning speed.
So after Xie Peng, the Ministry of Revenue's rising star and an old retainer from the Crown Prince's residence, was ordered by imperial decree to have his home confiscated by Marquis Taichuan Liu Ye—and was beaten half to death in the process—the confiscation had not even ended before the news had spread throughout all of Luoyi.
Under the watchful eyes of those with ulterior motives, even more inside information and details about Xie Peng's confiscation case spread through Luoyi.
Duke of the State Ye Zhen had made his move.
In an instant, this news sent countless Luoyi nobles into alarm.
This time, Duke of the State Ye Zhen had not used his own power to deal with Xie Peng. He had merely submitted a memorial.
Then Xie Peng had his home confiscated by imperial decree.
Xie Peng was completely finished, but this matter sent out a startling signal.
The new sovereign in the palace might have reached some secret agreement—or even cooperation—with Duke of the State Ye Zhen.
Otherwise, why would the new sovereign Ji Ao strike against a confidant he had only just gone to great lengths to place in such an important position?
Originally, no matter how high Duke of the State Ye Zhen's rank was, he had merely held sway over the North Sea Three Commanderies. His hand could not reach into Luoyi.
But this matter showed that Duke of the State Ye Zhen's hand had easily reached into Luoyi and become a heavyweight presence there.
If someone could cooperate with the new sovereign Ji Ao—or make him move against his own confidant—what else could he be if not a heavyweight figure in the imperial court?
These nobles and officials had keen noses.
Almost an hour after