Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 796 It’s not that there are no smart people, but Wu Can can’t handle it!

The hall, shrouded in incense and resplendent in splendor, couldn't conceal a lingering odor of decay. The figures surrounding Wu Can seemed respectful, but their minds were divided. They weren't guarding Wu Can himself, but the axe of power he held, temporarily clenched.

Deep down, these people only care about their own interests. Wu Can's life and death, in their eyes, are nothing more than a timetable for slurping up their own nutrients. While he's alive, they're like maggots clinging to his bones, greedily sucking away the wealth and status that power brings. Once the time is ripe, or if Wu Can's "tree" shows signs of decline, they won't hesitate to abandon him, even pushing him into the abyss, leaving him to shoulder all the blame and become their scapegoat while they escape unscathed.

Wu Can is just a dead tree that they temporarily live in and wait to be sold at a high price.

"Your Majesty, I believe this matter warrants further caution!" A clear, yet tinged with worry, voice pierced the atmosphere of triumph in the hall over the capture of Prince Gao. It was Zhou An who spoke, braving the skeptical and disapproving glances from the room. He declared, "The bravery of the Southern Border Army is known to all! Moving the capital is a matter of profound consequence, a matter of national importance! Furthermore, Prince Gao is the King of Qin, a figure of such high rank. How could he be so easily intercepted on the road by hundreds of his men? This matter... is too bizarre!"

Wu Can was immersed in the joy of his immense "victory." This sudden questioning was like cold water poured on hot coals, instantly stirring up a puff of smoke. After he came to power, in order to consolidate his power, he purged the old officials left behind by his father, Wu Rui, replacing them with those who were timid and adept at flattery.

Zhou An was one of the few individuals with real talent who, through his humble position, had emerged amidst the wave of layoffs. While Wu Can hadn't deliberately promoted him, it did give Zhou An the opportunity to offer his advice. This "favor" filled Zhou An with a deep sense of responsibility, and he couldn't bear to see Wu Can sink to ruin under this seemingly enormous "pie in the sky."

But Zhou An's loyal advice immediately drew a storm of criticism.

"Zhou An! What do you mean by that?" A close minister recently promoted by Wu Can jumped out with an indignant look on his face, his finger almost poking Zhou An's nose. "Are you trying to say that Prince Gao was deliberately sent to the king by Gao Yao? This is absolutely ridiculous! Even if Prince Gao was Gao Yao's puppet, how dare he play with the bloodline of the King of Qin? This is a blasphemy against our king's wise decision!"

"That's exactly what's going on!" another person chimed in, their voice shrill. "It was clearly the king's mastermind and the soldiers' desperate efforts that resulted in the capture of Prince Gao! How come you, Zhou An, are saying it's Gao Yao's conspiracy? It's absolutely ridiculous! Could Gao Yao be so foolish as to disregard the life of the King of Qin, whom he supported? It's ridiculous!"

These flattering voices, like a raging fire, instantly ignited the already restless atmosphere in the hall, completely burning away the slight unease Wu Can had felt at the thought of Zhou An's words. The chorus of voices echoed, forming a massive wave that not only drowned out Zhou An's rational words but also greatly inflated Wu Can's confidence. He could almost see himself commanding the princes and dominating the world with power, using Prince Gao as his own.

"Enough! Zhou An!" Wu Can slammed the table, his voice stern, his eyes flashing with offended anger, "Stop talking nonsense here and confusing the morale of the army! If you dare to talk nonsense again, you will be subject to military law! Step back!" He waved his hands irritably, as if to drive away a noisy fly.

The guards at the door heard the order and immediately stepped forward, one on the left and one on the right, trying to lift Zhou An up and drag him out of the hall.

"Your Majesty! Wait!" Zhou An, desperate, violently broke free from the guards' grip and fell heavily to his knees with a thud, his forehead almost touching the cold tile. His voice was filled with the sorrow of a desperate gamble, "I am not trying to alarm you, nor am I trying to boost your morale! I am simply deeply worried! Your Majesty, think carefully. Gao Yao's brazen claim to the throne is a violation of human ethics and will be condemned by the world! Especially those old ministers who miss the old Qin Dynasty. How can they willingly submit?"

He raised his head, his eyes burning, trying to penetrate the fog in front of Wu Can's eyes. "If Prince Gao is really captured by our army, the one who is most happy right now is probably not us, but Gao Yao! He only needs to secretly send a assassin to assassinate Prince Gao near our camp, or even on the way to relocate the capital! Then, the world will only see that Prince Gao died at the hands of our army! Gao Yao can then logically pin the crime of regicide on our army! Not only can he use our army to eliminate this 'Prince Gao' who may become a hidden danger, but he can also use this as a banner to legitimately mobilize the entire southern border army and launch an all-out attack on our army! Your Majesty, this is killing someone with a borrowed knife, and it is even more of a strategy of driving a tiger to devour a wolf! Please think twice!"

Zhou An's analysis was like an icicle, piercing the core of this "great victory." However, to Wu Can's ears, every word of his words denied the enormous benefits and power he was about to gain.

Deep down, Wu Can's uneasiness, having been exposed, was instantly replaced by greater fear and anger. He was terrified that, as Zhou An had said, this "Young Master Gao" wasn't a talisman, but a death warrant! He was furious. What was Zhou An suggesting? Was he asking him to immediately and respectfully send Young Master Gao back? Wouldn't that make him, Wu Can, the biggest joke in the world?

He had finally seized upon his father Wu Rui's captivity to eliminate dissidents, seize power, and taste the sweetness of supremacy. If Wu Rui were truly released in exchange for Prince Gao... Wu Can couldn't imagine what would happen to him. Power stripped? A drastic fall from grace? Even with his father's unwavering character, he might hold him accountable for his recent misdeeds... the consequences would be unimaginable!

It wasn't just Wu Can; the upstarts in the palace, whose fortunes had been boosted by his rise to power, were terrified. They clung to Wu Can, the new tree, greedily sucking at the sweet juices of power. If Wu Ruiruo returned, it would mean the restoration of the old order, the loss of everything they had worked so hard to gain, and perhaps even a reckoning!

They were vested interests, so how could they possibly tolerate Zhou An ruining this "great situation"? Therefore, even if some felt that Zhou An's words had a point, they would never, let alone dare, stand up and agree. The entire hall was filled with the cries of Zhou An, a lone minister, and the growing anger and rejection of Wu Can and his followers.

"Zhou An!" Wu Can suddenly stood up, his face livid, his eyes gleaming with undisguised murderous intent. "You are spreading lies and misleading the people, shaking the morale of the army. You deserve death! If you dare to say another word, you will be executed immediately! Drag him out! Lock him up!"

This time, the guards didn't hesitate. They pounced like wolves and tigers, firmly restraining Zhou An, who was still struggling to speak out. Zhou An was dragged off the ground. He turned back in vain, gazing at the throne high above, his eyes filled with despair and unwillingness. His hoarse voice still echoed before the palace door closed: "Your Majesty! Do not make mistakes...!"