. Currently, in Xishan Province, the number of registered residents that can be found is less than two million."“The imperial court is failing to provide disaster relief. The government has no money o...Chapter 688: Zhao Xuanji's Ruthlessness

Li Junze shivered all over, as if he had suddenly come to his senses. He looked at Li Chen with terror in his eyes.

Right now, he truly felt that Li Chen would kill him at any moment.

Never would he have expected his life to end here. Li Junze, discarding all dignity, knelt on the ground with a thud and cried out, "I was only led astray by someone, my mind clouded by their influence. Please, Your Highness, show mercy! Please, Your Highness, spare me!"

No matter how many elite soldiers and generals his father, King Wen, commanded, or how ambitious he was to usurp the throne, after all, distant water cannot quench a nearby fire. Right now, Li Chen could take his life at any moment, so for the sake of survival, he would do anything.

"Led astray"

Li Chen chuckled lightly, narrowed his eyes and said, "Come on, tell me the name of the person who bewitched you."

"This palace is here, and all the civil and military officials are here. Naturally, they will make a decision for you."

But think carefully, make it clear, speak the truth about the real culprit, and you might live. Otherwise, you die today!

Under Li Chen's intimidation, Li Junze swallowed nervously and subconsciously turned his head towards Zhao Xuanji.

And at this moment, Zhao Xuanji strode over and came to Li Chen's side, facing Li Junze.

"My prince, Your Highness speaks well. Please think carefully before you speak."

Zhao Xuanji's voice was low and menacing.

Li Junze's eyes flickered.

He was hesitating.

It seems there's no real culprit.

Li Chen said faintly, giving Su Pingbei a look.

Su Pingbei immediately stepped forward, glared at Li Junze with a sinister smile and said: "Your Highness, hand this traitor over to me. I will make him experience the cruellest punishments in the world before he dies."

Li Junze's pupils constricted, he opened his mouth to speak.

At that moment, a dagger came out of nowhere and pierced his throat.

The sudden scene surprised even Li Chen.

Wielding a dagger was Zhao Xuanji.

Though Zhao Xuanji is old, his attacks are extremely ruthless.

He was afraid that one knife wouldn't be enough to kill Li Junze, so he repeatedly stabbed him three or four times, slashing his throat to pieces.

Li Junze's eyes widened, his hands covering the bloody, gaping hole that was his throat. He stared at Zhao Xuanji in disbelief.

His mouth opened as if to speak, but all that came out was a meaningless gurgling sound, followed immediately by a thick stream of blood spurting from his lips.

With a thud, Li Junze finally breathed his last.

Even in death, his eyes remained wide open, fixed on the sky, refusing to close.

Zhao Xuanji dropped his dagger and turned to Li Chen, saying calmly, "Your Highness, such treacherous rebels deserve to be punished. This old minister was overcome with anger and acted rashly. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Li Chen looked at Zhao Xuanji expressionlessly and said in a flat tone, "Your Excellency's dagger skills are quite proficient."

"Trivial tricks, nothing to laugh about." Zhao Xuanji seemed not to hear the sarcasm in Li Chen's words.

“Your Majesty, I humbly beseech you to reconsider your imperial decree. Today, Your Highness has decisively quelled the rebellion, proving that Your Highness's civil and military prowess is no less than anyone else's.”

Zhao Xuanji suddenly cupped his hands and addressed Zhao Qinglan.

The sudden plot twist left everyone struggling to accept it.

Seeing Zhao Xuanji express his sincerity, Li Chen smiled.

"Su Pingbei has made great achievements in defeating the Eastern Isles. This palace intends to bestow a princess upon him, as well as promotions and rewards for a number of other soldiers. What do you think, Lord Minister"

Zhao Xuanji said impassively, "Since everything before was a misunderstanding, then rewards and punishments should be clearly defined."cinity of Beijing. You say you're acting on orders, whose orders are you following And what are you coordinating defenses against"Speaking of this, Hu Shifan suddenly became fierce and rebuked: "With...