Controlling the Game, Taking Care of His Family

William Wang's words were clear—Minister Cao understood. In fact, Minister Cao had already considered resigning; before Ninth Royal Uncle left the capital, he had reminded Cao to use this opportunity to return the Ministry of Revenue to the Emperor. The Emperor's patience with him had reached its limit, but...

"Ever since the late Emperor's reign, I've managed the Ministry of Revenue. In recent years, the court has waged wars year after year, draining our resources. Jiangnan may be wealthy, but its tax revenue is not high, and the floods there must be managed every year. The Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War—every department needs silver. After all these years, the national treasury is nearly empty, with little left. Recently, the Emperor spoke of launching another war. I told him the Ministry of Revenue couldn't support such a campaign, but he saw me as obstructing his ambitions for dominance."

Minister Cao's eyes reddened, a glimmer of tears shining in their murky depths: "Everyone says this is a prosperous era, but who knows how poor the court truly is beneath it all? I don't cling to the power or wealth of being Minister of Revenue—I just can't let go."

He couldn't let go of the Ministry of Revenue he'd managed for years, couldn't let go of the common people, couldn't let go of the responsibility on his shoulders.

By the end, Minister Cao's tears were unstoppable, falling one by one.

What a pity...

William Wang shook his head, a trace of regret flashing through his eyes—so fleeting it was almost impossible to catch.

The situation in the capital—Ninth Royal Uncle set the game in motion, but how it would end was uncertain. With Nolan far away in Shandong, he couldn't guarantee things would unfold exactly as he planned.

William Wang knew Ninth Royal Uncle's intentions. Seeing everything unfold as Nolan predicted, he didn't interfere—just watched coldly from the sidelines, observing as Prince Rowan failed to audit the accounts and ended up losing face instead.

Everything went as expected—until Minister Cao stubbornly stuck to his views and repeatedly embarrassed the Emperor. Only then did the situation spiral beyond their predictions, prompting William Wang to step in. And the result...

Minister Cao gave no one any face. He cared nothing for power or immense wealth; all he wanted was to be an official who brought blessings to the people.

William Wang knew further persuasion was pointless. Once Minister Cao calmed down, William didn't press official business any longer—he chatted idly with him for a while, then took his leave.

Back at his residence, William Wang immediately wrote a secret letter, reporting the current situation in the capital to Ninth Royal Uncle—hoping to see what Nolan planned next. After all, when it came to these twisted imperial affairs, Nolan always saw more clearly than he did.

At the same time as William's letter, another arrived—from Prince Titus of Lyndaria. Earlier, Ninth Royal Uncle had vanished at sea for a while, so Titus couldn't reach him. Only after hearing Nolan was in Shandong did he send his message in secret.

In his letter, William Wang not only described the capital's situation, but also mentioned the Emperor's arrangements for this round of Imperial Examination scholars.

Young masters from top families like the Wang–Hsieh Alliance mostly landed cushy posts in the capital, while the poor-born scholars who sided with Ninth Royal Uncle were all sent off to impoverished county towns as minor ninth-rank officials.

Meanwhile, the poor-born scholars favored by the Emperor—and sons of his trusted ministers—were placed in more prestigious departments, clearly marked for future promotion.

This move by the Emperor was not just about cultivating talent for himself—it was a warning to everyone: those who oppose him will meet a bad end. Even if someone from Ninth Royal Uncle's circle passes the exams, so what? They'll never have the chance to realize their ambitions.

Though the Emperor's approach seemed petty, it was undeniably effective—Ninth Royal Uncle's eyes flashed cold as he sneered inwardly.

He'd been worried there was no one useful in the provinces, but the Emperor had just handed him an opportunity. So what if it's a poor, remote county? Far from the Emperor's gaze, it's much easier for these men to rise in rank.

Ninth Royal Uncle wrote back, telling William Wang not to make any further arrangements and to let the Emperor reassign his people as he wished. As for Minister Cao, Nolan found himself in a difficult spot.

For this veteran minister who had served two reigns, Nolan still held deep respect. Though Minister Cao supported him, when it came to official business, he was always strict and by the book.

Minister Cao was highly capable—he had managed the Eastlyn treasury exceptionally well over the years. Without him, the treasury would be in even worse shape. Nolan knew the Emperor was dissatisfied with Minister Cao, so he took this chance to let Cao stir up the Six Ministries and quietly retire.

Ninth Royal Uncle and Minister Cao had planned this move for ten years. According to their original plan, as soon as Nolan safely reached Shandong, Minister Cao would request retirement and return the Ministry of Revenue to the Emperor. But after the crisis broke out, Cao became stubborn—he couldn't let go.

He feared that after he left, the Eastlyn treasury would be even emptier, and the Ministry of Revenue officials would funnel all the silver into the Emperor's wars, ignoring the lives of the common people. If that's the case...

"Then let him fulfill his wish to serve the people—make sure his family is well cared for," Nolan instructed William Wang.

In truth, after hearing Minister Cao's words, William Wang had already foreseen his fate. It wasn't that Nolan wouldn't protect him—it was that Minister Cao himself was determined to die.

Although Nolan was far away in Shandong, with William Wang and Prince Samuel Zhai in the capital, he couldn't control everything, but nothing major would go awry. The real surprise came from Lyndaria—events there had far exceeded Nolan's expectations.

Somehow, Prince Terrence Valen had won back the favor of the Lyndarian Emperor—and the support of the royal clan. Now, he was locked in open rivalry with the Princess Royal.

Originally, the Princess Royal wouldn't have opposed Prince Terrence so fiercely, but after learning that the son in her womb might become Emperor, Terrence became her greatest enemy and obstacle. Now, her top priority was to eliminate Terrence—the roadblock in her path.

The Princess Royal had earned merit for saving the Emperor, and with the army’s secret support, she held the upper hand over Prince Terrence. But this advantage soon vanished: the civil ministers, led by Left Chancellor Damian Du, suddenly sided with Terrence and turned against the Princess Royal.

Damian Du had long been the Princess Royal’s lover—their relationship was half partnership, half romance, and he had always secretly backed her in court.

But now, with the Princess Royal carrying another man's child—a child who might become Emperor—how could Damian Du still support her? At best, he could remain neutral; siding with Terrence was simply inevitable.

Thus, Damian Du maintained his neutrality, acting as a solitary power-broker. But Prince Titus refused to let him remain aloof—he was determined to drag Damian Du into the fray.

Prince Titus activated a group of agents he'd planted beside the Princess Royal—they killed Damian Du's beloved legitimate son, and successfully framed the Princess Royal for the crime.

After more than twenty years as lovers, Damian Du and the Princess Royal became bitter enemies. Stricken by grief, Damian Du quickly threw his support behind Terrence, targeting the Princess Royal at every turn.

The person who knows you best—aside from your enemies—is your old lover. With Damian Du leading the charge, the Princess Royal found herself unable to fight back.

Damian Du knew the Princess Royal well—and she knew him just as intimately. The Princess Royal of Lyndaria was never some sheltered young lady; she was a ruthless, skilled political operator. After a careful scheme, she forced Damian Du to resign.

Damian Du had dominated Lyndaria’s bureaucracy for over a decade, rising from a mere scholar to the highest ministerial post. In the end, he fell to the Princess Royal’s machinations, forced to leave in disgrace. It was a sad end—and the sorrow was only beginning.

The one who replaced Damian Du as Prime Minister was none other than the Princess Royal’s nominal husband—Master Ian Reed.