Quick Wear: The Sickly Boss Is Addicted to Spoiling Me

Chapter 838: The Scheming Little Emperor x the Cruel and Merciless Regent 27

Shen Xi and Qi Zhi quickly summoned their trusted ministers to discuss countermeasures in a secret room.

According to the plan, the news of Qi Zhi's awakening was strictly concealed from the outside world, and the security in the palace was quietly strengthened. Elite guards were arranged to patrol every palace gate and every passage in secret, and the Royal Guards took turns on duty day and night to not let go of any suspicious person.

In the court, the ministers still maintained the previous order on the surface, but privately, undercurrents were surging because of Zhou Chongli's imprisonment.

Those officials who colluded with Zhou Chongli began to meet frequently in private, looking panicked, and trying to plan new countermeasures.

Shen Xi remained calm and pretended to deal with these ministers with ulterior motives while waiting for them to reveal more flaws.

He deliberately mentioned some government affairs in the court, inducing those with ulterior motives to make wrong remarks in order to further control their minds.

Although Qi Zhi pretended to be unconscious in front of everyone, he was actually secretly collecting intelligence from all parties and analyzing the situation through secret guards.

He recorded the information of every suspicious person in detail, not missing any details, and made full preparations for subsequent actions.

One day, Yu Yu hurried to Shen Xi and Qi Zhi and brought an important news: Zhou Chongli's followers planned to launch a rebellion at the royal sacrificial ceremony three days later. They planned to create chaos in the city when the emperor and officials went out of the city to offer sacrifices, and then seize the palace in one fell swoop with the help of internal and external forces.

When Qi Zhi learned about this, he immediately discussed it with Shen Xi.

The two decided to take advantage of the situation and arranged a large number of elite soldiers in the sacrificial team, ostensibly to escort the sacrifice, but in fact to prepare for emergencies.

At the same time, numerous ambushes were set up in the palace, waiting for the rebels to fall into the trap.

On the day of the sacrificial ceremony, the sky was gloomy, as if foreshadowing an impending storm. Shen Xi, wearing a gorgeous sacrificial dress, sat on the dragon chariot, his expression calm, but his heart tense.

Qi Zhi was originally going to come, but Shen Xi didn't allow him to come because he was worried about his health.

Almost every time Qi Zhi proposed, Shen Xi refused.

"I said no and it means no. The emperor's uncle is not well yet. There is no need to take risks. Besides, we are already prepared. Nothing will go wrong."

Shen Xi looked very serious and didn't look like he was joking at all.

Seeing him like this, Qi Zhi could only shake his head. His body had indeed not recovered to its best condition.

Even if he was at the scene, he might not be able to protect Shen Xi.

"OK then."

However, even though he didn't go, he would let the secret guards protect Shen Xi in secret.

The sacrificial procession slowly left the city and everything seemed peaceful.

But when the team was halfway there, suddenly, shouts of killing were heard all around, and a group of rebels in black clothes emerged from the darkness and rushed towards the sacrificial team.

Shen Xi's heart trembled, but he did not panic. He immediately ordered his soldiers to counterattack according to the pre-arranged plan.

At the same time, there was chaos in the palace.

Zhou Chongli's followers thought the time had come and led the rebels to rush towards the palace gate.

But as soon as they approached, they were caught off guard by the imperial guards hiding in the dark. For a moment, the palace was filled with the flashing of swords and the shouting of killing.

After a fierce battle, the rebels were gradually defeated and surrendered one after another. Zhou Chongli's followers were also captured one by one, and the internal troubles were finally initially resolved.

When they returned to the palace, Qi Zhi was still reading a book. Shen Xi took a few steps forward and snatched the book from his hand.

"With so many things happening outside, your uncle doesn't care about me at all, and he still has the leisure to read books here?"

Qi Zhi smiled without saying anything, just reached out and pulled the person in front of him and hugged him.

It seemed that only this way could he slowly calm down his excited mood.

"I believe Xixi will come back safely, so I'm not too worried."

Although he said this, his trembling hands still revealed his thoughts at the moment. Shen Xi did not expose him and stayed quietly in his arms.

"I didn't betray your trust."

Shen Xi leaned in Qi Zhi's arms, enjoying this moment of peace.

When he went to court the next day, Shen Xi took advantage of yesterday's incident to reorganize the government. It can be said that the entire court underwent a major reshuffle.

After seven or eight days, the matter gradually calmed down.

As soon as internal troubles are resolved, external troubles arise.

Shen Xi sat on the dragon throne and looked at the ministers who were submitting their reports.

"Your Majesty, the northern barbarians have been frequently harassing our borders in recent days, burning, killing and looting. The people are suffering. Although the soldiers on the border have fought hard, the barbarians' offensive is fierce. Our troops are gradually insufficient and we urgently need reinforcements!"

A minister was extremely anxious and began to speak with a trembling voice.

"Your Majesty, you must not ask for peace!" A young general stepped out and said loudly, "The barbarians are ambitious. If we ask for peace with an annual tribute today, they will definitely make further demands in the future. Where is the dignity of our dynasty? How will the people view us?"

"But the war on the border is tense now. Rashly recruiting soldiers may affect the people's livelihood. Moreover, our army's strength has not yet fully recovered. What are our chances of winning a head-on confrontation with the barbarians?" A civil servant retorted worriedly.

The two sides held their own opinions and argued endlessly. Shen Xi became more and more annoyed as he listened to the ministers' arguments.

He knew very well that seeking peace was the worst option, but he was afraid of repeating the same mistake if he rashly sent troops.

"Quiet! I'll go down and think about this matter carefully, and give you an answer tomorrow."

After the court session, Shen Xi returned to the bedroom and told Qi Zhi everything they had argued about in the court today.

"Xixi has no idea at all?"

"Of course not. Simply retreating and seeking peace is impossible. The chances of success are slim if we rashly send troops. They knew we were experiencing internal strife, so they rushed to provoke a war at this time when we were short of troops.

Since he can place undercover agents in our country, why can't we do so in other countries?

There are many barbarian tribes, and they are not united internally. They often clash over resources.

We can send people to secretly contact the tribes that have a grudge against the barbarian leader, and promise them huge benefits, so that they can contain the barbarian leader from within. This way, when our army goes out again, it will be more effective with less effort. "

Qi Zhi looked at his current appearance and felt very relieved.

But ideas are just ideas after all and may not become reality.

They sent an undercover agent to the barbarian area to see if there would be any suspicion.

The surprising thing is that they all had the same idea about attacking the Central Plains.

There is no way, it will start to disintegrate from within.

Then we can only send troops.