Dingzhou City, the imperial palace.
Since the emperor had been invited to stay here, Wu Zhi naturally prepared a palace for him.
Of course, it was basically impossible for her to launch large-scale construction projects just to please the emperor. Moreover, no matter how grand and luxurious the palace might be, the emperor would not appreciate it. Therefore, she only did some superficial work. In terms of actual size and comfort, it might even be inferior to Wu Zhi’s own royal palace.
However, the nation was currently in crisis, and the emperor was setting an example by living simply. Many concubines and palace maids had been dismissed, making the current arrangement barely sufficient.
The emperor, Ji Lin, was barely in his twenties, yet his appearance was haggard, his eyes lifeless, and there were faint streaks of white in his temples, making him look like a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties.
This was naturally not due to Wu Zhi’s deliberate mistreatment. In fact, even though she had long harbored ambitions to replace him, she had still maintained generous support for the imperial court, as she needed to uphold the legitimacy of the imperial authority.
Unfortunately, after losing power, the young emperor had indulged himself in wine and women, gradually deteriorating into his current state.
He must now deeply regret not staying in the secondary capital. Although the court there had also seemed unstable, at least he would not have ended up as a puppet today—though even if he had resisted, Wu Zhi would not have given him any other options back then.
“Your Majesty, shall we go to the Yichun Garden for wine today, or to the Tingtao Pavilion to enjoy music and play chess?”
Ji Lin had just risen and finished breakfast when a senior eunuch, dressed in a bright red robe and smiling kindly, approached fawningly.
Normally, a monarch of a nation would be preoccupied with state affairs and have no time for leisure. However, under Wu Zhi’s regime, all military, political, and national matters were uniformly handled by Wu Zhi’s Prince Ding’s council. The emperor and the court officials were merely symbolic figures, serving only to appear during major festivals.
“No, today I want to watch a play. Let’s head to the Jinguyuan Garden!”
Ji Lin waved his hand, and immediately, eunuchs with high-pitched voices began organizing the imperial palanquin and entourage.
Watching this scene, Ji Lin’s lips curled into a bitter smile.
Did he truly enjoy wine, music, and horses? He simply had no other choice.
Would he rather appear wise and capable, provoke suspicion, and end up poisoned by a cup of wine?
“His Majesty departs!”
With the sound of ceremonial whips, the procession slowly commenced, soon arriving at a theater.
“These are today’s play options. Please, Your Majesty, choose one!”
Eunuch Qiao carefully presented a tray, containing red wooden sticks, each inscribed with a play title in black ink.
“The Eastern Tour” or “Three Lives”? These are such old plays…
Ji Lin looked at the two options, showing little interest. “Nothing newer?”
“Oh, yes! A new troupe came to town this spring. Their leading actress is truly exceptional. I’ve been keeping an eye on her for Your Majesty…”
Eunuch Qiao smiled flatteringly.
“Oh?”
Ji Lin flipped through the remaining options and indeed found a new play: “The Biography of Eternal Sorrow”? Let’s go with that!
“Right away!”
With a grin, Eunuch Qiao left to make arrangements. Soon, the sound of drums and cymbals filled the air, and the leading actress appeared on stage, her singing indeed exceptional, which lifted Ji Lin’s spirits.
“The Biography of Eternal Sorrow” seemed to tell the tragic love story of an imperial concubine. Resonating with him, Ji Lin became deeply immersed in the play.
However, as the plot progressed, his expression grew increasingly grim.
“This ‘Biography of Eternal Sorrow’ ostensibly tells the tragic love story of an emperor and his concubine, but in reality, it depicts the sorrow of a last emperor. Despite receiving the emperor’s favor, Lady Ruyu still ended up captured along with the emperor after the fall of their kingdom, forced to enter the new emperor’s palace every day… and the emperor himself was eventually poisoned, while Lady Ruyu died for love…”
Ji Lin’s face turned dark, and for a moment, he felt as if the emperor on stage was himself.
When the play ended, without realizing it, his eyes had turned blood-red.
Nonetheless, he managed to control himself and forcibly restrained his emotions. “Eunuch Qiao, today’s play was excellent. I shall reward you with fifty taels of silver… Also, where is the owner of this troupe? I wish to meet him and bestow some rewards…”
“I shall arrange it immediately!”
Eunuch Qiao, naturally no fool, bowed and left.
Before long, a charming female lead entered the private room, causing the eunuchs and palace maids watching nearby to secretly chuckle, assuming the young emperor was simply acting on youthful impulses.
“Your humble servant, Qian Zhong, pays homage to Your Majesty!”
However, the female lead was merely a cover. Another person had been hiding in the room and, upon seeing Ji Lin, immediately knelt down with great emotion and performed a grand bow.
“Teacher!”
Ji Lin was also greatly surprised. “You have come too?”
Qian Zhong had been his former tutor, who had retired ten years ago. He never expected to see him again today.
“I heard that Prince Ding has been acting tyrannically and holding the emperor captive, so I had no choice but to come!”
Qian Zhong knelt upright and solemnly stated.
“Good! Good! Good!!”
Ji Lin was somewhat excited. “It’s truly wonderful that my teacher has come…”
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Eunuch Qiao guarding the door, and he continued somewhat uncomfortably. “Prince Ding has many followers; even if I wish to meet my teacher, we must resort to such subterfuge. The dignity of the nation is gone, truly infuriating!”
“Your Majesty must endure humiliation and bear burdens…”
Qian Zhong said solemnly. “Under the heavens, all lands belong to the king. Although Prince Ding has usurped Your Majesty’s authority, there are still many officials in the court who are willing to serve the emperor loyally.”
“This is a great opportunity. The chance for a caged dragon to ascend is right before us; we absolutely must not miss it!”
“What do you mean, Teacher?”
Ji Lin’s eyes lit up.
“Prince Ding is tyrannical, but her soldiers are fierce. Recently, we received news that she has pacified the south, gaining control over half the empire. This is truly terrifying…” Qian Zhong said gravely. “Once she unifies the entire nation, she will surely force the emperor to abdicate.”
“I would rather die than let those traitors benefit!”
Ji Lin clenched his teeth fiercely.
“The situation has not yet reached that point. I have thought long and hard, and I believe our only good opportunity lies in a northern campaign!”
Qian Zhong revealed his plan completely.
“A northern campaign?”
“Exactly!” Qian Zhong continued. “Prince Ding’s foundation lies in her million-strong army. If our court wishes to stand on its own, we must first neutralize that… Once Prince Ding returns victorious, Your Majesty can feign compliance to strengthen her resolve for the northern campaign. As soon as Prince Ding heads north and faces off against the northern lords, we can secretly strike, uprooting her entire faction at once!”
Qian Zhong’s face bore a fierce expression. “At that time, with a single imperial edict, heroes across the land will surely rise up, creating an internal and external alliance to eliminate this great menace!”
“Excellent!”
Regardless of whether Qian Zhong had become foolish from too much study, proposing such an idealistic strategy, the young emperor, having been born and raised in the palace under the care of women, now listened with shining eyes.
“I cannot stay long. Please, Your Majesty, grant me an imperial edict for convenience in carrying out the plan!”
Before leaving, Qian Zhong bowed again and requested.
“Very well…”
Ji Lin tore off a piece of his robe, bit his finger to draw blood, wrote an edict with it, and stamped it with his personal seal. “Teacher, this important task is entrusted to you!”
“Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Your servant will not hesitate to face any danger!”
Qian Zhong bowed once more before turning and leaving the small room.
After completing this act, Ji Lin felt his heart racing, unable to calm himself. He looked at everyone around him with a scrutinizing gaze.
He feared that spies of Wu Zhi might be hidden among the palace servants, prematurely revealing the plan and causing it to fail.
Little did he know, even if he did nothing at all, to certain people, the emperor’s position itself had already become somewhat inconvenient.
…
The sixth year of the Da Ding era, July.
Wu Zhi decisively defeated the rebel king Chen Jie, killing 50,000 enemies, capturing tens of thousands, and seizing countless supplies, thereby pacifying the south and returning in triumph.
Such a grand event naturally required a grand celebration by the entire court, along with a series of honorary titles and rewards, which were given out freely.
For example, her several sons and daughters now bore titles such as Duke of the State, ranking above the highest official grades.
With the achievement of unifying the nine provinces, Wu Zhi’s reputation reached its peak, shining so brightly that almost all men of the time felt overshadowed.
Of course, with the instigation of certain individuals, discussions about the northern campaign were constantly brought up, with seemingly sound reasoning.
In the Zhou world, the idea of great unification was also deeply rooted.
For any ambitious leader, the temptation of unifying all nineteen provinces of the Zhou dynasty was hard to resist.
“A northern campaign? How ridiculous!”
Inside the Prince Ding’s palace, Wu Ming scoffed at the clamor below.
“An immediate attack would not only destabilize our foundation but also force the northern lords to unite under the pressure of our army, which would be undesirable. We must proceed gradually, waiting for them to fall into internal chaos!”
“Your words are indeed wise, but I can’t help feeling there’s something left unsaid,” Wu Zhi asked with a half-smile.
“One cannot sweep the world without first sweeping one’s own house. To dominate the realm, we must first settle matters at home, for instance… the imperial family!”
Wu Ming pointed toward the distant palace. “That young emperor has been making moves recently!”
In his view, installing the emperor in the past had been for the sake of legitimacy, to consolidate their rule, which was more beneficial than harmful.
But now, with the south unified and Wu Zhi’s prestige firmly established, the existence of the imperial court had become a hindrance.
Unless they kicked it aside, how could they achieve unity and focus on the northern campaign?
The current situation was similar to that of Cao Cao’s southern campaign in the Three Kingdoms era. If the opponent had returned to Xuchang after conquering Jingzhou to eliminate dissent and consolidate their foundation, regardless of whether they deposed the emperor afterward, the Jin dynasty under Sima and the invasion of the Hu people might never have occurred…
With this thought, Wu Ming suddenly felt a tremor, sensing something amiss. He immediately activated his divine sight.
Roar!
In his vision, a dragon’s roar came from the direction of the palace. The mist parted, revealing a black dragon’s aura.
“I was momentarily careless, but someone managed to deceive me. It must be Jue Tian’s doing!”
Seeing this, Wu Ming’s lips curled into a cold smile.
Only a rival of equal skill could conceal such an omen of fate. However, the other party did not know that Wu Ming had already made up his mind. Whether or not there was a trap, he was ready to cleanse the court. Naturally, he easily pierced through the veil of mist.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage