After a long while, he sighed deeply, "Nianer makes a valid point! I believe that mother also hopes I can quickly become a true King, rather than a puppet in their hands!"

Yes!

The court politics is the most crucial. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

After the challenging task of relocating the mountain that is "Empress Dowager He," Emperor Yongcheng must seize the opportunity to consolidate power and insert trusted aides.

"Vulnerable" for not more than three seconds, Emperor Yongcheng rallied in the shortest time, continuing to roll up his sleeves and display his skills at the Imperial court.

Wang Yuan and other bigshots observed coldly.

Prince Liang Zhao Yao, Prince Han Zhao Shuo, and other noble members of the Imperial Family were secretly planning.

Emperor Yongcheng continued to implement his reform of the official selection system in the court, while his "Fierce Bird" favorite general created "Big Chaos in Heaven" in Nanzhou.

Indeed, Meng Qin was extraordinarily fierce, much to everyone’s surprise!

After arriving in Nanzhou, he first clashed directly with the local aristocratic families under the pretext of registering salt wells.

Rushing headlong with reckless abandon, Meng Qin was like an Evil Wolf in a tiger pack, desperately tearing at them.

Nanzhou’s powerful elites: ... Damn it, is that Meng one insane?

The soft fear the hard, the hard fear the bold, and the bold fear the reckless.

Meng Qin is truly reckless.

The aristocratic families were initially baffled, even conceding a bit.

But then, realizing Meng Qin didn’t stop after getting a taste, he instead grew more intense.

The noble families were furious, "I was not afraid of you, but was giving face to your master behind you."

Unexpectedly, you damn fool are so oblivious, don’t blame me for losing my temper.

The noble families quickly retaliated—overnight in several counties of Nanzhou, County Magistrate, Official Registrar, County Governor, County Captain, Archivist, etc., all resigned.

Even the lowest level constables and clerks either took leave or disappeared, leaving Meng Qin with one empty Yamen after another.

No way, the noble family controls the official selection system, and most local government officials are either noble sons or recommended by them.

Meng Qin offended the noble families, so they invoked a "non-violence non-cooperation movement" against him.

They didn’t confront Meng Qin directly but went on strike.

Consequently, Nanzhou fell into chaos.

Usually, the presence of the county government might not be strongly felt, and ordinary people wouldn’t easily interact with the government.

But suddenly, the county government was empty, and the patrolling constables disappeared.

Countless rumors spread among the populace.

The people panicked, Nanzhou was in chaos.

As the Vassal King guarding Nanzhou, Prince Nan naturally had to take responsibility.

He endured his disgust for Meng Qin, suppressed his dissatisfaction with the noble families, mediated, and persuaded, exerting great effort to finally persuade both sides to take a step back.

Nanzhou didn’t descend into complete chaos!

Yet Meng Qin focused his attention on Prince Nan.

It wasn’t that Meng Qin stirred trouble without cause, but Emperor Yongcheng had specially instructed him before departure: Closely monitor the movements of Prince Nan and Prince Nanping!

And Prince Nan’s act of comforting the noble families earlier stirred Meng Qin’s suspicion—

The arrogance of the noble families is well known.

That a Vassal King like Prince Nan could make them back down, does it indicate collusion with the noble families?

See, there’s a reason why Meng Qin could become a valued talent under Emperor Yongcheng.

Both the monarch and minister have such unique reasoning!

Prince Nan slapped himself several times: For meddling! For nosing into things! You should have let Meng the mad dog be beaten to death by the noble families!

Meng Qin didn’t get beaten to death by the noble families, but Prince Nan was forced by Meng Qin’s entanglements to let one son and two grandsons commit suicide to protect the whole Prince Nan’s Mansion!

Prince Nan:...

He truly despised Meng Qin.

Like Prince Nan, Prince Nanping also wished to devour Meng Qin alive.

Prince Nanping’s grudge was more unjust.

Meng Qin indeed grasped some weaknesses of Prince Nan’s Mansion, being a Vassal King far from the Emperor, even when low-key, there would always be some crimes like exploiting the people.

Prince Nanping, as the grand general guarding the Southern Border, had strict command and clear rewards and punishments, never harassing the local populace.

Yet Meng Qin still targeted him, secretly suspecting Prince Nanping of "supporting bandits to boost his power."

Under Prince Nanping, there are twenty thousand elite troops, yet couldn’t eradicate a small group of rebels in the Vassal Kingdom?!

Prince Nanping:... Where are my axes, my two big axes, hurry and fetch them, let me chop Meng Qin, that scoundrel, to death!

Meng Qin was not chopped to death by Prince Nanping’s axe but had his head severed by a chief from the Barbarian tribe Guijiu.

Speaking of this Barbarian tribe chief, he was definitely the biggest victim under Meng Qin’s "chaotic governance."