Power No One Could Constrain Any Longer

"The Dao Lord's avatar is nothing to fear; a powerful sword technique combined with the Fire Armor Talisman can destroy his avatar!"

"Dong Zhongshu is currently copying the relevant documents, so the corresponding requirements might be lowered somewhat!"

"If he comes in person, he should at least be able to find someone!"

Zhang Xuezhou was somewhat worried about Daojun's retaliation, but the new emperor was not so concerned.

If emperors were so easy to kill, the emperors of the Great Han Dynasty would have been wiped out round after round long ago.

Putting everything else aside, the new emperor would change his identity when he went out, altering his hairstyle, crown, and robes, so that few people would recognize him.

"Your house isn't big, so it's easy for those sorcerers to find it. From now on, when you're unconscious, just stay in the palace. With the doors locked, who will know where you're lying down!"

Zhang Xuezhou's fear of retaliation was also properly addressed by the new emperor.

As long as he isn't directly confronted by Daojun, his safety level will be very high.

The safety of the new world is difficult to detect due to the secrecy of the dwellings.

"I wonder how severe the injury inflicted on Daojun by combining the Spirit Wood Staff with that attack!"

Zhang Xuezhou pondered Daojun's injuries and calculated when the other party might retaliate. Just then, he heard the new emperor urging Zhang Xuezhou to find Ao Li again and ask for some more Essence Blood.

Whenever he used the Red Empyrean Sword to kill Dao Lord, the new emperor felt that the probability of him killing him was higher.

"That sword is so unstable, it's like gambling with our lives," Zhang Xuezhou complained. "If it goes limp, it could really kill us!"

"It's a bit unreliable; it's only relatively safe for a sick child to hold it. Even if it's limp, you'll still have to force it up and swing it around a couple of times!"

The new emperor was extremely disgruntled.

If the Red Empyrean Sword were to become spineless in the face of a Daoist Lord, the new emperor felt that such a scene would be utterly hopeless.

This is a sword he wants to use, but one he has to gamble his life with.

Daojun wouldn't give his opponent a chance to start over. After much deliberation, he felt less inclined to urge Zhang Xuezhou to scheme against Ao Li's Essence Blood. He simply told Zhang Xuezhou not to let any opportunity slip by, because if it could be used, there was a real possibility of a counterattack. It was a good backup option.

"I heard that Yi Shuo prescribed you as many as thirty-six kinds of calming herbs. My mother Tian Fen asked me to inquire whether the Pill Formula be used on them?"

Zhang Xuezhou's condition is relatively stable; when he has an attack, he only talks incoherently and does not make a big fuss.

The new emperor was also curious whether Zhang Xuezhou had a good remedy.

"This medicine has a very strong impact; it either works or kills you," Zhang Xuezhou laughed. "Yi Shuo only dared to Pill Formula like this for me. She wouldn't dare to prescribe medicine like this for any other patient!"

"I've heard there's some poison in it?"

"Medicines can be both antagonistic and synergistic; a poison used correctly becomes a medicine, and a medicine used incorrectly becomes a poison!"

"I only have five top-grade Life-Sustaining Pill left. When you are in good health, can you refine some more?"

I will refine it as much as I can!

After leaving the Imperial Medical Academy, Zhang Xuezhou did not return to his residence, but instead went to the palace to stay.

He was accompanied by Yi Shuo, along with two palace guards.

He and the new emperor parted ways in the main hall of the Weiyang Palace.

"Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo seems to have some shady dealings with Kunlun. This man's background is somewhat questionable, and Your Majesty must be cautious!"

"Minister Zheng... Changxin Palace lacks a Chamberlain. Go there to assist the Empress Dowager in keeping a close eye on the safety of the inner palace, and also make sure I see things clearly, so that no unscrupulous person can cause trouble in Changxin Palace!"

The new emperor let out a long sigh.

Zheng was very perceptive and protective of his safety. Even though he knew Zhang Xuezhou was a close advisor, he still dared to offer advice. However, Zheng did not understand the relevant information or the importance of Zhang Xuezhou.

Zhang Xuezhou had reported his trip to Kunlun to him long ago, and many of the related matters were not without cause or effect.

Zhang Xuezhou's cooperation in the New Emperor's killing of Daojun and Zhu Jiuyin was irreplaceable.

The opponent was calm and rational, and their performance on the spot was far better than Tian Fen's.

If one had to find fault with Zhang Xuezhou, the new emperor could only think that Zhang Xuezhou's personality was too inclined to 'seek peace,' much like those conservative officials in the court who surrendered, trying their best not to offend anyone or cause trouble.

This kind of thinking is bad. After all, whether or not they cause trouble is not up to them. The less trouble they cause, the easier it is for them to be bullied.

The new emperor felt that Zhang Xuezhou needed to correct this mindset, and even learn how to cause trouble and how to deter others from doing so, thus avoiding being schemed against.

This process cannot be accomplished overnight; it will inevitably be full of twists and turns. But as long as he keeps striving upwards, he believes that the problem will eventually be solved.

For example, although they suffered losses in this operation in a foreign location, it also gave Daojun and the others a profound lesson.

If Daojun and his group dared to come to Chang'an City, the new emperor felt that it was not a danger, but rather an opportunity to eliminate rivals.

Zhang Xuezhou and the others were still worried about Daojun's retaliation, while the new emperor was waiting, hoping to find an opportunity to make a move.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

His gaze swept over Zheng Dangshi, and the former Prefect of the Capital looked surprised. Then he bowed and removed the Prefect's hat.

"Shen Chong, grandson of the Marquis of Biyang, is skilled in identification and may temporarily serve in the Office of the Jingzhao Intendant!"

The new emperor had someone fetch ink and write an edict.

Without the Empress Dowager's intervention, Tian Fen dared not obstruct him any further, and his procedure for appointing officials was extremely simple at this time.

With a few words, Zheng was removed from his position, and the new emperor appointed a replacement.

The new emperor held unchecked power, but he was not as tyrannical as previously imagined. He did not retaliate by replacing many officials with his close advisors. Instead, he would adjust officials according to their abilities, since the court's internal affairs were functioning normally and there was no need for a large-scale replacement.

Ultimately, what the new emperor needed was the power to replace officials at any time, not to replace all positions with his own loyalists.

The new emperor was well aware of the abilities of those around him, and also of their limitations.

If the candidate has the ability, he will replace them with a new person; if the candidate does not have the ability, he will not force them to grow faster.

"If Wei Qing is in charge of cleaning up the mess in the fourth wave..."

Most officials will be retained, but a small number will inevitably be replaced by the new emperor.

Even if he has his flaws, he is still better than an official with irreparable defects.

"Wang Hui... Wang Hui..."

The new emperor uttered the words twice.

Wang Hui was a general in the court who advocated war, and he also represented the Empress Dowager's pro-war ideology.

However, the other party was not capable enough to be the leader of the pro-war faction, and the war ended in a dismal failure, making it even less likely that the other party would continue to lead.

"Wang Hui was a qualified commander if he survived a desperate battle. His indecisiveness and the high risk of leading the army are major flaws. This fear of battle and reluctance to attack is a cardinal sin of war. If I punish him too severely, he will become disloyal; if I punish him too leniently, he will encourage others to follow suit. Zhu Jiuyin injured my father, and Daojun injured my mother. If the court's generals follow Wang Hui's example, how can we ever avenge this humiliation..."

Inside the main hall of the Weiyang Palace, the new emperor paced back and forth.

While some adjustments were needed to the officials in the imperial court, the adjustment of military generals was not a simple matter.

This is similar to Zhang Xuezhou needing to change his mindset.

Only with a change in mindset and the courage to confront external threats can the new emperor unite the people and have the ability to seek revenge.

Moreover, what he wanted was not simply a matter of personal grudges; he had heard the news that Zhang Xuezhou had heard during his travels.

The Three Realms are currently in a power vacuum, with various factions lacking successors and the Immortal Court taking the lead in maintaining order.

This might allow him to seize an opportunity to guide himself and the Great Han Dynasty to power.