Chapter 3: Making Close Friends?

As soon as he finished speaking, another minister, Qian Longxi, interjected, saying: "In fact, resolving this matter is not difficult at all"

Around the same time, there were also people from Deputy Li Biao's side who went out to speak directly outside. Additionally, Cheng Jiming and others, even the least experienced Zhou Yanru, also found excuses to leave Wen Yuan Pavilion almost simultaneously

This flawed system is even more frustrating because adding people to the chat group not only requires achievement points, but also does not allow for specifying whom to add. Instead, the system randomly adds individuals after meeting the conditions for adding people. In other words, after spending achievement points to add someone, there is a possibility of being added to a group with the elderly, the weak, the sick, women, children, and commoners.

The former Chief Assistant Li Biao was forced to relinquish his position as Chief Assistant, how could he possibly be content? Although he did not speak, he was likely contemplating something

As a result, even before noon, the matter regarding Emperor Chongzhen possibly being frightened into madness began to spread among some of the powerful figures in the capital.

Hu Guang was completely unaware of the situation outside. At this moment, he lay on the dragon bed, having dismissed everyone, and focused solely on communicating with the system, finally understanding the chat group system.

After a while, these ministers gathered again in the cabinet. They looked at each other, and it was evident that they were all aware of the news from the palace. This was somewhat unexpected for them, leaving them momentarily speechless.

Cannot! The system acknowledged the authority, yet remained indifferent. Following the established protocol, the emotionless electronic female voice continued: "The task system is activated, with the main series of tasks being the revitalization of the Ming Dynasty. This task must be accepted. The system hereby reminds the host that there will be an evaluation upon task completion, graded as excellent, good, qualified, average, or poor, with the worst outcome potentially being immediate annihilation"

It seems that I must seize this opportunity well. At the moment when Emperor Chongzhen is in a state of panic and most in need of advice, I must act before them and propose to His Majesty the recall of the Guanning Army by Yuan Chonghuan. I refuse to believe that the Guanning Army will truly disband!

Although he did not dare to observe the battle from the city walls, the notorious reputation of the Jianlu has long been known. In such a vast area as Northeast China, there are certainly many strongholds, yet all have been captured by the Jianlu. What would the capital do if it were not for the elite Guanning Army?

Based on their understanding of Emperor Chongzhen, they believe that in such circumstances, he would certainly be frightened, but not to the point of losing his sanity. In such a situation, it is the time when the emperor is most likely to be compliant, making it much easier to say certain things and take certain actions. However, if the emperor were to lose his sanity, would that not render all their plans futile?

Prime Minister Han Ru and Qian Longxi both have a close relationship with Yuan Chonghuan. If Yuan Chonghuan were to be convicted, they would not fare well either, thus they are thinking of ways to protect Yuan.

The Emperor is still too young, having not experienced great storms and waves, and has surprisingly become a bit deranged with fear! Although he has gone to rest now, it is uncertain what will happen when he wakes up.

All his previous hopes have been dashed; the members who could join the group are not at all what he had envisioned, but rather the world, that is, the people who are currently living alongside him

On the other side sat the Vice Minister of the Cabinet, Li Biao, who was originally the Chief Minister of the Cabinet. Due to Han Luan's recall, he had no choice but to relinquish the position of Chief Minister and return to being the Vice Minister. At this moment, upon hearing the conversation between the minister Zhou Yanru and Han Luan, he merely glanced up and continued to act as if nothing had happened, although his eyes remained fixed on the same spot, clearly indicating that his thoughts were not on the memorial.

Meanwhile, another minister, Cheng Jiming, observed everything with a cold smile in his heart. He had realized that, with the enemy troops at the city gates, everyone knew that it was essential to stabilize the Guanning Army. His Majesty had initially dispatched trusted eunuchs to reassure them. However, when the troops suddenly collapsed three days later, he did not believe that there was no story behind it

As the ministers of the cabinet harbored their own ulterior motives and calculated their own interests, suddenly a clerk entered, whispering something to the Chief Minister Han Luan. Immediately, Han Luan's expression changed, revealing a look of great surprise.

Yu Sheng is the courtesy name of Zhou Yanru. He sensed the implicit derogatory meaning in the words of the Prime Minister, but at this moment, he was not in the mood to dwell on it. With concern, he said: "If the Guanning Army collapses, the capital will be in danger. As the Prime Minister, you should urge His Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible."

Hu Guang was left speechless; there truly is no system more frustrating than this. It is merely a chat group, yet it demands that the host face annihilation if they fail to complete the tasks. Is there really such a perverse system?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yanru turned to look at him and quickly asked, "I humbly request Elder Qian to impart your wisdom!"

After lecturing others with an air of superiority, Han Zhuan sighed and said: "The Guanning Army is the elite of the court; without them, it is impossible to undertake the heavy responsibility of expelling the Jianlu. Given the current situation, it is no wonder that Yu Sheng has become anxious!"

Zhou Yanru listened and found it very reasonable, yet he could not figure out what exactly to do, so he hurriedly asked again. However, Qian Longxi did not provide him with an answer, but only urged him to think for himself

He asked with a glimmer of hope: "System, could you find someone else? I am lacking in knowledge and ability, and I cannot bear such a lofty and great task as revitalizing the Ming Dynasty!"

"Host, do not underestimate yourself. According to the system's detection, you possess the potential of a great revival. Under the shadow of death, your potential can be further stimulated." After the system responded, there was a 'ding' sound, and then a cold electronic female voice turned serious, "Main quest initiated, default host has accepted, main quest one..."

The Chief Minister Li Biao, upon hearing the conversation, kept his eyes fixed on the memorial, yet could not help but shake his head inwardly: Zhou Yanru, like His Majesty, is too young and easily flustered in the face of events! Only when news comes from the palace, and when His Majesty is in a state of panic, will the Chief Minister propose that General Yuan Chonghuan of Jiliao is the key to resolving the matter, thereby achieving the goal of protecting Yuan. At this moment, the timing is not right; how could they possibly bring it up now!

"System, can you be any more frustrating?" Hu Guang exclaimed in disappointment and anger

Upon thinking of this, he immediately thought of Emperor Chongzhen. He was nearly half a year younger than Zhou Yanru, having previously either stayed in the Prince of Xin's residence or lived in the imperial palace, and had never experienced military affairs. Now, faced with the fierce Manchu invaders besieging the city, and with the elite troops of the Guanning Army having scattered, he would likely be just as panicked as Zhou Yanru

Hmph, the situation in the capital region has deteriorated to this extent, and in the end, it is still uncertain how it will conclude. Let us see how you protect Yuan! Once the enemy troops retreat, with just a slight guidance, this position of the prime minister will surely still belong to me!

As for Zhou Yanru, the youngest minister in history, wasn't he previously full of vigor? Now, with the siege of Jianlu and the collapse of the Guanning Army, he has become so flustered; it truly shows a lack of responsibility

Qian Longxi discerned his thoughts and secretly held them in contempt. So what if he had achieved the highest honors, such as being the top scholar and holding a prestigious literary reputation, and had become a high minister of the Ming Dynasty at the mere age of thirty-seven? He shook his head and said, "The Guanning Army is elite; if they are in disarray, there must be a reason. We only need to address the root cause, and there will surely be no issues."

"Do not be impatient; is this the demeanor expected of a minister?" The old man, who was none other than the Prime Minister Han Luan, raised his head and asked with calm composure.

Whether it is the Chief Minister Han Luan, the Deputy Minister Li Biao, or other officials, they all began to feel a sense of urgency. No one remained calm any longer, and each took action. Some conveyed messages outward, while others contacted the Imperial Secretariat.