In the third year of Kunyuan.
The native chieftain Fan Wang of Yiren in Zezhou raised a rebellion. The Great Wu Dynasty dispatched Lin Feichong to lead troops to suppress the revolt.
Upon Lin Feichong’s initial arrival in Zezhou, he immediately conscripted civilian laborers, integrated local militia forces, and achieved significant victories in repeated battles, greatly boosting the morale of the imperial army.
In July, Lin engaged the chieftain’s allied forces in a major battle, killing thousands on the battlefield, capturing countless supplies, and subsequently recapturing several counties, advancing his forces into Xinfeng Prefecture.
When the news arrived at the imperial court, joy and celebration spread among the officials and the entire court.
In the Crown Prince’s residence in Jingyang City.
“Your Highness, great news! General Lin has captured yet another city. Surely, he will pacify the rebellion before the year ends!” several civil and military officials flattered.
“Hmm…”
Wu Ding sat on the main seat, holding the battle report in his hand, but fell into contemplation: “I naturally trust Lin Feichong’s abilities, but I fear he might become overly aggressive under pressure…”
At his level, he naturally understood that one’s usual capabilities were entirely different from those displayed in wartime.
Although Lin Feichong had spoken eloquently within the palace, whether he could truly fight and command in actual battle remained uncertain. Fortunately, Lin had proven himself through actions, showing he was indeed worthy of trust and investment.
I only hope he doesn’t feel compelled to act recklessly because of me. If that doesn’t happen, the overall situation should remain unharmed—provided no other forces continue to interfere!
As Wu Ding thought of this, a shadow passed over his face.
Zhang Hanlin had been very effective. After being assigned the task, he quickly uncovered all the details about Wu Yue, the vice minister of the Ministry of Rites. The impression he got was that of a slightly bookish official with no abnormalities, and even some inclination toward the Crown Prince, clearly a potential supporter of the Crown Prince faction.
The more so, the more alarmed Wu Ding became, because all of this indicated a terrifying and well-hidden force working against him.
“Hmph…”
Wu Ding exhaled deeply: “Who knows what vicious villains dare to do this? Don’t they fear being exterminated to the ninth degree of kinship?”
He was acutely aware of the sentiments circulating among the commoners.
Due to gender restrictions, even under the threat of swords and axes, the gentry had only reluctantly acknowledged Empress Wu Zhi as the sovereign. Deep down, they remained unwilling.
In their ideal vision, the ruler of the nation must be a man—even if merely a figurehead! Otherwise, how could men preserve their pride?
Therefore, many forces wished to install Wu Ding as emperor, even priding themselves as loyal subjects.
Unfortunately, from Wu Ding’s perspective, these so-called loyal subjects were nothing but troublemakers.
However, the force emerging this time was clearly not so simple—it was truly intent on harming him!
Wu Ding walked into the garden, gazing at the darkening sky, suddenly feeling a sense of impending storm.
“Your Highness!”
“Your Highness!”
Footsteps echoed, accompanied by hurried calls.
Wu Ding felt a heaviness in his chest, and as he glanced sideways, he saw Zhang Hanlin rushing toward him: “Urgent news from Dao Fa, a thousand-mile emergency!”
Zhang arrived before Wu Ding, bowed deeply, and spoke rapidly: “General Lin Feichong, having underestimated the enemy and advanced recklessly, was ambushed by the chieftain Wu Gudu in a malarial forest. He was killed on the spot, with heavy casualties among the troops!”
“What?”
Wu Ding’s heart jolted, and his hand slightly trembled as he held the jade scepter: “Could it really be so?”
He had always known Lin’s abilities; it was impossible for him to recklessly pursue glory. There must be hidden hands at play.
But regardless, the loss of troops and officers was a fact, greatly damaging the court’s dignity. Even if he returned alive, the consequences would not be good.
“That’s not all!”
Zhang Hanlin took a deep breath: “There are also rumors spreading among the people that the Empress intends to change the dynasty’s name to ‘Kun’! From now on, virtue will be governed by the feminine principle, and the throne will be passed down through women, with females ruling the court!”
“What nonsense! What kind of joke is that!”
Wu Ding scoffed, though his face paled slightly.
“Rumors may seem baseless, but they often have roots. Moreover, the Empress has indeed been preparing to change the dynasty’s name recently. Combined with these rumors, it easily stirs the imagination of the common people. Those who consider themselves supporters of the Crown Prince will surely become restless!”
“This…”
Even Wu Ding was momentarily stunned: “What do you think we should do?”
“In my humble opinion…”
Zhang Hanlin was about to suggest some cautious strategies of maintaining stability and responding prudently, but his heart suddenly trembled. After all, this was the Crown Prince! If he took one more step, he would become the emperor!
Who wouldn’t desire the merit of supporting the future ruler? At this moment, the Crown Prince, whether in terms of talent, strategy, or his faction’s strength, was already qualified to vie for the throne!
However, Zhang had already established his foundation. He swallowed hard, suppressing these thoughts, and was about to speak when suddenly a guard rushed in from outside: “An imperial decree has arrived!”
“The Empress’s verbal edict!”
Before the guard could even steady himself, a group of eunuchs rushed in, and a shrill voice rang out: “The Crown Prince has shown poor judgment in appointing officials, causing heavy losses to the imperial army. He is ordered to confine himself within his residence for self-reflection. So decreed!”
“Your Majesty’s son…”
Wu Ding jolted upright, and the jade scepter in his right hand finally fell to the ground, shattering into pieces with a loud crack.
Despite his extraordinary talent and great fortune, before imperial authority and absolute power, he remained powerless.
As the decree was announced, the guards and eunuchs around the Crown Prince’s residence trembled in fear. Zhang Hanlin’s forehead was drenched in cold sweat, sensing the approaching storm.
…
“The Crown Prince has been ordered to confine himself for self-reflection?”
Inside the Chancellor’s residence, beneath a tree as green as jade, Zeng Yu was playing a game of Go alone, holding both black and white stones. Upon hearing this news, he paused in surprise.
“Yes, my lord. The news has spread throughout the city. They say the current Empress intends to change the dynasty’s name. From now on, the feminine principle will govern the court!”
The old steward stuck out his tongue.
“Nonsense!”
For the first time, Zeng Yu’s usually calm expression changed: “Even if the Empress intends to change the dynasty’s name, what does that have to do with the Crown Prince? Such a forced connection! Also, how did the news from the Crown Prince’s residence spread so quickly? Go down immediately and tell everyone in my household—if anyone dares to gossip again, they’ll be risking their heads!”
As he spoke, Zeng Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a glint of killing intent.
The old steward shuddered, immediately realizing the seriousness of the matter. His master was truly capable of executing people. He quickly nodded like a bobbing duck: “Understood, my lord! This old servant will go down immediately!”
“Sigh…”
After the nervous old steward left, Zeng Yu set down the Go piece and sighed suddenly.
As Empress Wu Zhi’s most important strategist in later years, he deeply understood her character—resolute, decisive, and perceptive. However, since Wu Gongzi’s departure, she had become increasingly inscrutable.
This attack on the Crown Prince bore too obvious traces of manipulation. The Empress’s reaction, allowing these villains to stir up trouble, was deeply unsettling.
“Could it be… the Empress is deliberately letting things unfold to catch a bigger fish?”
Suddenly, a chill ran through Zeng Yu as he gazed toward the imperial palace, feeling an icy dread seep into his bones.
“If that’s the case, I should not get too involved…”
Throughout history, how many founding chancellors had met peaceful ends?
At this thought, Zeng Yu immediately lost all ambition. He decided to immediately withdraw from society and observe how things developed.
“As per the Empress’s mind, what use are these little clowns, no matter how wildly they jump?”
…
“Excellent! Who would have thought the Qingling Sect could achieve such results in the southwestern affairs!”
Back in the same secret room, several Daoists gathered together, their faces filled with joy: “Now the Empress has reprimanded the Crown Prince and ordered him to confine himself for self-reflection. This shows her favor is waning!”
“You’re mistaken!”
One of the Daoists shook his head and offered his opinion: “The Empress is decisive and fair in rewards and punishments. This time, the Crown Prince’s mistake, though real, was minor. Being ordered to confine himself for self-reflection and then forgiven after punishment is nothing serious. On the contrary, if she had kept silent and held back, that would be truly terrifying! Moreover, this confinement might even be a form of protection!”
This argument made sense, and the others exchanged glances: “Then, according to your opinion, what should we do?”
“You all are wise and capable. My humble opinion counts for little,” the Daoist first humbly replied, then turned serious: “Sowing discord between the royal family members is the most dangerous endeavor in the world. One slight misstep could lead to death and the extermination of our entire sect. Therefore, we must plan with utmost caution!”
“First, regardless of the Empress’s true intentions, we should continue spreading rumors—that the Crown Prince has fallen out of favor and may even be deposed! We must incite public unrest and provoke resistance.”
“Second, we must harness another force—the Wu family!”
“The Wu family?”
Several Daoists looked stunned, as if beginning to understand.
“Exactly! Wu Zhi is from the Wu family. Now that she has seized the empire, can you imagine what her relatives must be thinking? Moreover, although the Crown Prince bears the Wu surname, he is not truly of the Wu family. Even Wu Zhi herself is like spilled water—her marriage has turned the nineteen provinces of the empire into someone else’s inheritance. How could the Wu family bear this?”
“This… indeed a brilliant plan! At the very least, it could cause internal chaos within the court! However… isn’t the Empress’s husband that Daoist Immortal Wuming Zunzhe?”
One Daoist hesitated: “What would that Immortal do if we proceed like this? It’s hard to say.”
“Hehe… At this point, can we still have such concerns?”
The Daoist who had proposed the plan sneered coldly: “Besides, though we all know the Empress has a Tianxian behind her, greatly assisting her rise to power, and even now their marital bond remains deep—evidenced by the empty chair reserved for him in the Golden Hall—this Tianxian, Wu Ming, has not appeared for many years, and even several Zunzhes cannot find him. Perhaps he has already transcended realms or perished… Otherwise, with a Tianxian mediating, our relations with the new dynasty would not have deteriorated to this extent!”
After this was said, the Daoists fell into silence.
Despite having done so much, they still lacked confidence in whether they could truly overthrow the Great Wu Dynasty.
Unfortunately, after Wu Zhi’s rise to power, she had heavily suppressed Daoism and other sects, leaving them no choice but to act.
If the Empress had shown reverence to Daoism, just as the Zhou Dynasty did with the Yüqing sect, establishing Daoist academies and promoting Daoist studies, even past enmities could have been resolved.
Alas, now it was too late to say anything of the sort.
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