woman was amused by her granddaughter's coaxing and laughed heartily, her mood improving considerably.Li Lao San was driving ahead and heard his mother's laughter, which completely baffled him. He cou...In an instant, the quiet courtyard descended into chaos.

The servants shrieked and scattered, "Help! Someone's breaking in!"

The maidservants were even more frightened. Some, when they saw the menacing soldiers, fainted on the spot.

In the backyard, the couple had just woken up and were about to have breakfast when they heard a commotion. They weren't sure what was happening.

Although the thirty-year-old master of the house, with dark circles under his eyes, walked to the door, he hadn't even spoken before being blocked by soldiers who loudly asked, "Are you Xiao Yuanqing, the director of military supplies from the Ministry of War"

That old master was taken aback, a hint of fear in his eyes. Gathering his courage, he asked, "It is indeed this official. Why did you break in so early..."

The soldier had no patience to wait for him to finish. Hearing that he had found the right person, he rushed forward and pinned him down. In a few moves, he bound him up, removed his jaw, and carried him out.

The young mistress at the doorstep chased after them desperately and asked, "Who are you Why did you take my husband"

The soldier brushed her away and shouted, "We are from the Northern Expeditionary Army. Xiao Yuanqing is implicated in the case of Yaochi consuming Fusheng paste, and we are ordered to arrest him and bring him back for trial! "

"Anyone who resists or intercepts will be killed without mercy!"

The young woman didn't know if she was frightened by the phrase "kill without mercy," or if she understood upon hearing the words "Yaochi" that the incident had finally occurred.

She turned pale, but did not resist further. She let the soldiers carry her husband away.

Liu Yuanqing was terrified like a quail, he begged his wife to save him.

Unfortunately, besides drooling all the way, he couldn't say a word...

At the same time, in Xindu, over thirty households were subjected to such a terrifying raid.

Some people's husbands have been kidnapped.

But more people have lost their reliance and beloved sons or grandsons.

Because the family was feeling sorry for him, they used up too much food and silver, and materials, only leaving the legitimate son and grandson, sending away the unfavored illegitimate sons and grandsons.

As a result, this became the biggest regret of everyone's remaining lives.

Who would have thought that joining the army wouldn't be a hardship, but instead became a safe haven, a crucible for forging talent

While staying at home, he was coveted and viewed by Yaochi as a treasure trove. He was dragged down into the water and became an outcast!

Some people knew about the child's connection to Yaochi, but they didn't take it seriously.

After all, with a wealthy family background, whether the child spends money on drinking and listening to music in brothels or spending money on fireworks at Yaochi, there's not much difference.

But some people are already getting headaches from the growing pile of debt, and they've secretly complained about it a few times...

When the sun was high in the sky, Marquis Xinting brought several boxes and escorted a hundred people directly to the palace gates.

This time, all the implicated criminals were not sent to the Ministry of Punishment or Dali Temple, but directly locked up in a vacant row of houses outside the palace. There were thirty or so houses, which was enough.

A thousand Northern Army soldiers personally guarded the area, preventing anyone from leaking information and thwarting any attempts to silence them.

Upon hearing that Marquis Xin Ting had returned to report, the Emperor immediately summoned him.

After half an hour, the golden bell hanging at the highest point of the palace was struck. All officials ranking five or above hastily donned their official robes and rushed to the palace.

The Emperor sat upon his dragon throne, silent as he awaited the arrival of his ministers.

No matter whether the officials knew the inside story or not, they all bowed their heads at this moment, daring not to raise them easily.

As everyone with eyes could see, the Emperor was furious. At this moment, whoever dared to offend him would surely die in eighteen different ways!

Soon, all the officials arrived, including Li La Er, Mr. Wen, and Liu Zhi Heng.

Because they had received prior notice, the three remained composed, though they kept their heads down, giving no one a chance to glean any clues from their expressions.

Yi Zong looked around, and shouted loudly, "Kneel!"

All officials hurriedly knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

But the Emperor did not call out as he usually did.

A deathly silence hung heavy in the hall. After a long while, the Emperor spoke, “Since my ascension to the throne, I have failed to hold onto the Heavenly Martial River and Mountains, retreating to the south of the Yangtze River. I consider myself unworthy of our ancestors, constantly reflecting and disciplining myself.”

I wouldn't say it was pouring my heart and soul into it, but I did my best to fulfill the responsibilities of an emperor.

May there come a day when the nation is prosperous and its people strong, driving out the Tartars and retaking our lost lands.

"I don't expect you all to be like me, but since you are eating the salary of the country and serving the monarch, you must at least fulfill your duty, wouldn't you agree"

But there are those who perversely take my benevolence as a laughing matter, unfit for me or the people. Instead of serving me and the realm, they pursue personal gain and pleasure, attempting to corrupt the backbone of Tianwu and destroy this prosperous situation!

"I am furious! Today, I shall show you all what happened and what mistakes you have made!"

The Emperor's face turned ashen, and he slammed his fist on the table, commanding, "Hou of Xinting, from beginning to end, tell these fools what their sons, their grandsons, have done!"

All the courtiers rose and carefully stepped aside, leaving only Marquis Xinting standing in the middle.

Xin Ting Hou took out a small jade box and said, “Several years ago, during the northern campaign, soldier Chen He of the army died suddenly. In his belongings, they found a strange-looking smoking pipe and this jade box.”

"After an examination by the doctor, Chen He died from an overdose of a drug similar to Wushi San. He died from depletion of his vital essence and energy."

After much investigation, I found a courtyard called Yaochi. On the surface, it was a place for drinking and having fun, but in reality, it lured young officials and noble youths to consume a drug called Fuhong Paste.

"Rose plaster, in small amounts can be used as medicine, but when heated and smoked, it can make people feel euphoric, with an active mind, even falling into daydreams and becoming addicted to the feeling. "

But long-term use can be addictive, and if you stop, it's like being dead.

After successfully enticing the so-called guests at the Yaochi, they would raise the price. This box of Fu Rong Paste, for instance, would cost one hundred taels of gold. Many guests sold their property just to continue consuming it.

But Yaochi's greed was insatiable. Because most of the sons of prominent families joined the army and went to the Northern Expedition camp, there were no more customers.

Then, Yaochi used the son of the eldest princess, who had the heaviest smoke addiction, and collaborated with the eldest princess herself. Through his daughter Bao Lei, using gatherings and flower-viewing parties as pretexts, she lured young noblewomen from various families to consume the Huaying Paste...

"Gulong!" Before Xin Ting Hou could finish speaking, an official standing not far away was startled and fell to the ground.

Everyone glanced at each other and understood.

This official is over half a century old. He only had a daughter when he was close to forty years old and loved her dearly.

I heard that his daughter is very close to the princess's granddaughter...

Lord Xinting did not pause, continuing, "After receiving the news, I reported it to the Emperor."

The Emperor, fearing more victims, overlooked the fact that the mastermind behind this was yet to be uncovered. He ordered me to seal off the Yaochi last night and apprehend over a hundred people, including all the big and small managers and staff members. Forty or so patrons who were in the midst of consuming Fuhong Paste were also taken into custody.

Then, according to the list seized from Yaochi, over thirty people who had not entered Yaochi last night were also apprehended. The Chang princess's mansion was thoroughly searched, and all evidence was collected.

Having said that, he looked at the emperor on the dragon throne and saw the emperor nod.

He continued, "Perhaps esteemed lords have only heard me speak of the dangers of Fusheng Ointment, and are still unclear about it. Just coincidentally, there are a few individuals suffering from cravings and causing a commotion. Let me show you all with your own eyes."y still wants to continue being enemies with our Li family Then bring your horses over, and we'll meet them head-on. Wang sir, take care of yourself!"He said this and then went out, walking straight d...