The Chancellor's Struggle

"50 years from now?"

"Yes, these requests for escorting supplies to provide support all come from the Imperium's most challenging war zones."

"No matter the reason, we cannot refuse."

Malcador picked up the teacup on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

He knew that Old Han's tea was definitely not that good.

He was going to see the Emperor.

Throne Room, Malcador found the Emperor, Emperor also knew why Malcador had come there.

My old friend, I hope you didn't get burned while drinking a cup of tea.

"Of course not, my lord, but now Curze's missions are scheduled for 50 years from now. What will happen to the Imperium's Judicial System?"

The Emperor did not speak; he simply looked at Malcador in silence.

What can we do? What else can we do?

You can keep doing it; besides, the original troops of the Eighth Legion are all helping you.

To be honest, the Emperor couldn't help but laugh at Malcador's current predicament; he had essentially tried to outsmart someone only to lose more than he gained.

Originally, according to the Emperor's plan, Curze was to be the Imperium's Judge, but before that, he had to be the Imperium's general.

He needs to devise strategies for the Great Crusade and expand the Imperium; he should go to the front lines.

It was his old friend who used just a little bit of his power to completely confine the entire Eighth Legion within the Imperium Judicial System.

At first, there were no problems, and the Emperor did not object.

However, later on, Curze and his Legion gradually became restless, and in the end, Han Mingxuan came up with this desperate solution.

In this situation, under normal circumstances, when the Great Crusade mission wasn't so urgent, Curze could come back to help Malcador, but now Curze won't be able to return in the short term.

Malcador felt a tightness in his chest, and nothing made him feel comfortable.

What are those guys in the Department of General Affairs doing?

Didn't you know that Curze was the Grand Inquisitor of the Imperium Judiciary?

In fact, these people know it all too well.

Moreover, preventing Curze from returning was not out of deliberate obstruction.

The situation at the front was really dire, and they had no other choice, but this way they could kill two birds with one stone.

First, Curze and his cronies left the center of Imperium power, so that the Law reforms he had stirred up would not continue to be proposed with such fanfare.

Secondly, having Primarch escorting supplies can effectively alleviate the loss of resources and speed up the Great Crusade.

So after all the calculations, only Malcador ended up getting injured.

But he was not willing to give up.

In the past, Malcador knew very well that with the Imperium's territory expanding and the number of matters to handle increasing, he would never be able to rest. But now, the appearance of Curze gave him hope.

But if someone places his hopes for retirement on the battlefield, preventing him from retiring indefinitely, then he must exercise the power of the Chancellor.

"Your Emperor, I think there are some things we should put on the agenda."

Which aspect are you referring to?

"Imperium Anti-Corruption."

The Emperor looked intently at Malcador.

"Your Emperor, now that Curze has started, we should go with the flow and not let the Great Crusade distract us from other matters."

"Moreover, friction between Astartes and Mortals officials is frequent, and if this friction is allowed to continue, it will undoubtedly affect the progress of the Great Crusade."

The Emperor fell silent, because what Malcador said was true; they had been unable to free up their resources until now.

But now that Curze has appeared, it seems they have a tiny bit of free time to deal with these things.

Moreover, the Emperor knew another reason: Malcador genuinely wanted to retire.

After all, prior to this, Malcador had always advocated for stability.

"Anti-Corruption is a good thing, my friend, but before that, we need to ensure Old Han's safety."

"I understand. I will take full responsibility for this matter from now on."

For his own rest, for his own retirement life, and also for his good nephew Curze.

Imperium Anti-Corruption.

After leaving the Throne Room, Malcador went to see Han Mingxuan.

However, as soon as he entered, he didn't say much to Han Mingxuan, but just stared at him with a somewhat resentful look in his eyes.

Han Mingxuan put down the Jade Tablet he had only half-carved and looked at the old man with some helplessness.

"Don't look at me like a timid little wife. If you have something to say, just say so. If not, please leave."

"Old Han, you're really a smart man. You even tricked me."

He never expected that Han Mingxuan could use someone else's strength against him, and he couldn't refuse.

"It's not that I tricked you, it's just the current state of the Imperium, and there's nothing any of us can do about it."

"The entire Imperium and the Emperor are a perfect match; they're both very effective, so they're used to the extreme."

"So, it's not my fault that Curze can't leave the front lines right now."

Malcador remained silent for a long while before uttering a single sentence.

"I intend to fight Anti-Corruption."

"Haha, Old Ma, you'll stir up any hornet's nest just to make things easier for yourself!"

"Alright, you go fight Anti-Corruption, I'm going back to Nostramo now."

???

"This isn't like you, Old Han. You're a role model for the Law; you shouldn't be so Sloth when it comes to fighting Anti-Corruption."

"But think about it, once the Anti-Corruption begins, the front lines will be affected. Where will you find the Imperium's logistical support personnel then?"

"Nostramo has very high-quality human resources, it is entirely possible to..."

"Kamon!"

"Exist."

"Please escort Prime Minister Ma out."

"Yes!"

"Please, Malcador the Sigillite."

"Old Han, this is all for the sake of the Imperium. After all, you know, there are very few people in the entire Imperium who can be considered normal."

"That's why I say you and the Huangpizi get along so well. You two are the same; if it's useful, you'll use it to the extreme."

"But that's clearly impossible. Nostramo is not only my life's work, but also the life's work of those Necrontyr. I can't make that decision."

Are you kidding me? Are we supposed to let Nostramo officials run into Terra, this cesspool, if we don't kick this ball out?

Those are all talents carefully selected and cultivated, meant for Curze's core team. How could we possibly let the Imperium have a hand in them?

"Can you really bear to watch me, an old man, die from exhaustion behind my desk?"

"You even have time to drink tea? You'll work yourself to death. Besides, you can practically pound the Primarch into the ground, you won't die."

"Can..."

"Alright, alright, that's enough for now. I have things to do, and you have things to do too, Old Ma. Let's talk again when we're done."

Eh?

Malcador was thus pushed and dragged out.

Looking at the closed door, Malcador somewhat dazed.

This is the first time I've ever been turned away like this.

Curze, oh Curze, when will you come back?

I, Old Ma, have devoted myself to the cause for thousands of years, yet now I can't even take a break.

Hey!

Bitter!