EFB Chapter 21 The Pill Palace Will Be Built
Chapter 21 The Pill Palace Will Be Built
A deafening roar, like thunder from the heavens, exploded on the dome of the Golden Palace!
All the ministers who were prostrating themselves on the ground, weeping and kowtowing as they offered their advice, felt as if they had been struck hard on the back by an invisible hammer. They were all shaken to the core and felt as if their livers and gallbladders were about to burst!
The wailing and heart-wrenching advice that rose and fell were instantly choked off.
Lin Ye suddenly stood up!
His towering figure rose from the ground like a mountain, and his heavy twelve-symbol dragon robe fluttered and rustled without wind, stirring up a suffocating gale.
The crown tassels shook violently, the twelve white jade beads colliding wildly, emitting rapid and cold cracking sounds, like hailstones densely hitting everyone's heart.
The handsome face that had retained a gentle contour just moments before was now a terrifyingly pale blue, with veins on his forehead bulging and twisting like writhing dragons. All warmth had vanished from his deep phoenix eyes, leaving only a raging fire that could burn everything and a chilling light that could freeze the soul.
"Enough—!"
With a furious shout, the rage and unwavering will in his voice silenced everyone instantly!
His icy gaze, like a tangible blade, precisely pierced the faces of those who had just voiced the most vehement opposition:
"Grand Counselor! Minister of Revenue!" Each name was like a death warrant. "You eat the emperor's food, yet you do not share the burden, but instead spread heresy and curse the dynasty. Your intentions are deserving of death! Guards!"
"Your subject is here!" Outside the palace gate, the Imperial Guard Commander, who had been standing at attention with his hands on his sword and exuding a murderous aura, stepped into the palace like an iron tower, slamming one knee on the ground, his armor clattering! Several black-armored captains followed behind him, their cold gazes sweeping across the entire scene like ferocious beasts ready to devour their prey.
"Strip these two of their official robes immediately!" Lin Ye's voice was utterly cold. "Take them to the Heavenly Prison! Await their fate! Anyone who dares to speak ill of the Pill Palace or slander the Immortal Master will be punished in the same way!"
In the suffocating silence, several ministers who were on good terms with the two stepped forward to plead for their lives.
"Your Majesty! Both of you are advanced in years. Even if you have not made any great contributions, you have certainly worked hard."
"Your Majesty, the two ministers may have spoken inappropriately and offended Your Majesty, but... but it was out of a sincere heart of loyalty to the emperor and love for the country!"
"Your Majesty! We beg you, in consideration of their old age and senility, and in consideration of their decades of devoted service, spare their lives! Your Majesty—!"
"Pull him down now!" Lin Ye said, unmoved.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please have mercy!"
"Your Majesty! My loyalty is absolute! Heaven bears witness!"
"Your Majesty! No! No! The imperial mausoleum..."
The two were instantly terrified, their cries for mercy shrill and piercing.
However, the commander of the Imperial Guards had a face as cold as iron and waved his hand.
The fierce imperial guards pounced immediately, roughly tearing off their official hats and stripping them of their court robes, which symbolized their status. They ruthlessly dragged the three struggling and crying men out of the Golden Palace!
The desperate screams echoed and lingered in the empty hall, eventually disappearing outside the hall gates, leaving only a few askew official hats and a few dirty marks left by being dragged, a shocking sight.
The hall was eerily silent.
The air seemed to solidify into lead, pressing heavily on everyone's chest.
The surging wave of opposition has now been completely crushed and frozen by the emperor's merciless iron fist and the cold, murderous aura of the imperial guards.
The ministers all bowed their heads deeply, their bodies trembling uncontrollably, cold sweat soaking their inner garments, and they held their breath to the limit, fearing that the slightest movement would provoke his thunderous wrath.
Lin Ye's gaze, like a cold, sharp blade, slowly swept over the silent, pale-faced officials below the steps.
The anger on his face seemed to subside slightly. He then slowly sat back on the dragon throne, his fingers lightly tapping the armrests, making soft, rhythmic sounds that resonated with everyone present.
"Minister of Works." Lin Ye's voice returned to calm, but it was even more chilling than his previous angry outburst.
The Minister of Works, who had been standing silently at the edge of the military ranks, trembled almost imperceptibly. He then took a deep breath, strode forward, and bowed deeply: "Your subject is here."
"I entrust my 'Dan Palace' to you." Lin Ye's voice was completely calm, as if he were assigning a routine task. "From this day forward, your Ministry of Works will be fully responsible for it. Survey Wuya Mountain, finalize the construction plans, and submit them to me for review within ten days."
Li Yong lowered his head even further, his voice steady yet tinged with a barely perceptible tension: "Your subject... obeys the decree! I will certainly do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's trust!"
"Ministry of Revenue," Lin Ye's gaze turned to the Vice Minister of Revenue, "oversee all funds, provisions, and materials; mobilize laborers and artisans. Everything needed, no matter the quantity, must be guaranteed; there must be no delays or shortages! If even the slightest mistake occurs…" He paused, his unfinished sentence causing the Vice Minister of Revenue to turn deathly pale, and he knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty… Your Majesty, I would rather die than fail! I will do everything in my power to ensure the needs of the Imperial Palace are met!"
"Wu Qing, Zhao Fei." Lin Ye looked at the two generals.
"Your subordinates are here!" Wu Qing and Zhao Fei immediately stepped forward and clasped their hands in greeting.
"Dispatch elite troops and immediately seal off Wuyashan! During the construction of the Dan Palace, clear out all unauthorized personnel. Anyone who trespasses or spyes, regardless of who they are, will be killed on sight! As for the construction site guards, if there is even the slightest mistake, I will hold you two accountable!"
"Your subordinate obeys!" The two men replied in firm voices.
"Prime Minister Gao Ren."
Gao Ren quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply: "Your old minister is here."
"Your Excellency is in charge of coordinating all matters. The construction of the Imperial Palace is a vital national project, and its success cannot be compromised. All necessary manpower and resources, regardless of which department is involved, must be fully utilized without shirking or obstruction. Any delays will be your sole responsibility!"
"Your humble servant... obeys the decree! I will do my utmost to ensure the completion of the Dan Palace on schedule!" Gao Ren tried his best to maintain a fearful expression.
"As for everything Master Gongsun needs," Lin Ye's voice paused slightly, taking on an indescribable meaning, his gaze seemingly piercing through the palace, "no matter how rare or unusual, it must be provided. The Immortal Master's words are my decree. To disrespect the Immortal Master... is tantamount to treason!"
The last four words, like icicles, pierced into everyone's marrow.
"Dismiss the court."
Lin Ye stopped looking at the assembled officials below, who seemed to have survived a catastrophe but were filled with resentment and fear, and wearily waved his hand.
The heavy palace doors slowly opened, letting in a sliver of sunlight.
The officials felt as if they had been granted a pardon, yet their steps were heavy, as if they were walking on cotton, and they filed out with their heads down.
No one dared to speak, no one dared to look into each other's eyes; fear lingered on everyone's face, and deep in their eyes was suppressed anger and helplessness.
Inside the Golden Palace, only scattered official hats, drag marks on the floor tiles, and the thick, suffocating stench of blood and the emperor's lingering, rusty aura remained in the air.
The establishment of the Dan Palace on Wuyashan Mountain is now a done deal.
Even if the court officials had their own ideas, they knew that this was not the time to discuss them.