blueteamnovel Chapter 588: 447 Rectifying the Source
Chapter 588: 447 Rectifying the Source
Chapter 588: Chapter 447 Rectifying the Source
“Indeed, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world!”
Tang Mingyuan sighed helplessly, knowing that as long as one is alive, one cannot escape the entanglements of cause and effect.
Merely reciting a few poems, he caught the attention of Zhao Mu, who later sought him out for the Su family’s business interests and, for his own comfortable retirement, used Zhao Mu’s visiting card to obtain the privilege of offering tributes.
The privilege of offering tributes was managed by the Imperial Household Department, hence Tang Mingyuan found himself connected with Zhou Shilang from the Eastern Depot.
Zhou Shilang, with only the technique of ice-making at his disposal, sensed Tang Mingyuan’s great talent and ordered the supervising eunuch to provide many conveniences for him.
The Eastern Depot was so powerful that the small amount it leaked was enough for the Su family to quickly become one of the richest merchants in Jiangning!
...
Little did he expect that the changes within the court would backfire so swiftly.
“Who says the ancient ones were fools? By revealing just a hint of the extraordinary, I have gained the investment and alliance of princes and overseers. The shrewdness of their vision is beyond that of ordinary people!”
“Yet such a clever person lost in the court struggle...”
As Tang Mingyuan pondered this, he showed not a hint of defeat, but his eyes blazed with a strong will to fight.
The joy of contending with others is boundless!
“Your Highness, I am puzzled about something. How could His Majesty have suddenly passed away?”
In Tang Mingyuan’s opinion, the Orthodox Emperor was a wise and noble ruler, who had plans for reform even during his time in seclusion and managed to bide his time after ascending the throne, first conquering foreign tribes and expanding the territory.
Returning triumphant, he forced through a reassessment of landholdings and tax reforms.
According to Tang Mingyuan’s original predictions, the Orthodox Emperor could have extended Daqing’s peace for another century, but who knew... he would suddenly depart this world.
Such is the will of heaven, what can one do!
“The true cause of my father’s death, I am also unclear about. The Empress Dowager claims it was a violent illness, and indeed just before his death, he did announce that he was recuperating,” Zhao Mu said.
“Those close to my father who were considered part of his inner circle, like the Prince of Pingxi, turned against him. There definitely were other traitors around him. Just one cup of poisoned wine or a sleeve arrow is enough to take someone’s life!”
“If Your Highness can think of poisoned wine and hidden arrows, surely the late Emperor was on guard against them,” Tang Mingyuan said.
“Such as, poisoning would require collusion with the Imperial Kitchen, numerous taste-testing eunuchs, as well as attending Imperial Physicians. With so many people in the know, it would definitely be exposed.”
“The more ingenious the conspiracy, the more likely it is to go wrong. On the other hand, a simple and brutal assassination is hardest to guard against!”
Tang Mingyuan continued, “The one who killed the sovereign must have been a newcomer to the Emperor, attending by his side with high strength, and capable of a successful surprise attack, otherwise, it would be like me pointing a hand cannon at Eunuch Ma.”
Grandmasters guarding the Orthodox Emperor close at hand, an assassin wouldn’t even have the chance to pull the trigger!
“There are two Innate Grandmasters in the palace. Eunuch Wei supports the new policies and has frequently personally campaigned in support of them,” Zhao Mu said soberly.
“The other, Eunuch Hai, has long been secluded within the palace for cultivation, rarely appearing. Plus, there’s Eunuch Yuan from the Directorate of Ceremonial who attends closely and whose martial cultivation is also extraordinary.”
Tapping the table methodically, Tang Mingyuan pondered for a moment before saying, “Your Highness, keep a close eye on these three people, including their families and disciples. Whoever gains benefits is the regicidal culprit!”
Zhao Mu asked, “What then shall we do?”
“Naturally, we should reveal the regicide to the entire world and then join hands with the loyalists of the National Dynasty to strike like thunder, correcting the chaos!” Tang Mingyuan said.
“Isn’t that a bit hasty?”
Zhao Mu hesitated, “Moreover, with the Officials already recognizing the new sovereign, where can we find the loyalists of the National Dynasty?”
“The Empress Dowager and the Prince of Pingxi have usurped power and their foundation is not yet stable,” Tang Mingyuan said.
“There must be Officials in the court who are dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager acting as regent, and the imperial clan will not support a mentally ill prince’s accession to the throne. At the same time, the abolishment of the tax reforms has caused deep resentment among the people. It can be said that this is the best opportunity.”
“Once the Empress Dowager purges the court and replaces all the Officials with her own people, it will be difficult to set things right again. As for the loyalists of the National Dynasty... all the civil and military officials are loyal retainers. They will be loyal to whoever wins!”
“You make a compelling argument.”
“Emperor Longqing?”
Zhao Mu said, “The mother of my thirteenth brother was a palace maid. Our father, in a drunken stupor, graced her with his presence. She fell ill and died shortly after giving birth. My thirteenth brother was raised by the wet nurses in the palace, and he suffered from a mental illness since he was young. He couldn’t speak until six years of age, and even now at sixteen, he still can’t dress himself or eat properly!”
“Such a background, somehow makes one feel uneasy...”
Tang Mingyuan pressed on, “Has the illness of the brain been diagnosed by the Imperial Physician?”
“The Imperial Physician has treated him many times, but brain illness is not an ordinary disease. It can only be judged by speech and behavior, and it cannot be truly diagnosed.”
Zhao Mu frowned, “Master, could it be that you suspect my thirteenth brother is feigning stupidity? He was but a few years old!”
“Who can be certain?”
Tang Mingyuan said, “I’m just an ordinary person and could not prevail over someone who learned to play the fool from a young age, deceiving the former Empress Dowager and the Officials.”
Zhao Mu carefully recalled all his memories related to Emperor Longqing.
“I’ve heard the eunuchs discussing that my thirteenth brother often goes to Kunning Palace, begging for food from Mother Empress Dowager like a little dog. Because his speech is childish and amusing due to his illness, he often makes Mother Empress laugh...”
At this point, Zhao Mu suddenly gasped in shock.
Tang Mingyuan shrugged his shoulders, speaking with a sense of helplessness.
“Amusing indeed, the difficulty is hellish!”
...
In the sixth year of the Orthodox Era.
October.
Emperor Longqing ended his mourning period and officially ascended to the throne.
Suddenly, rumors circulated among the people that the new Emperor’s ascension was not legitimate and he would struggle to maintain the great governance.
Corresponding prophecies also emerged: “Supervisor Zhou is invincible under heaven, and whoever gains Supervisor Zhou shall gain the world!”
...
The Imperial Palace.
The East Gate.
In the midst of winter, a biting north wind blew fiercely.
Zhou Yi arrived early for duty, his body covered in a layer of white frost, constantly stamping his feet to beat the chill, appearing no different from any lowly martial eunuch.
At the same time, he performed the Breath Listening Technique, eavesdropping on the conversations of nearby eunuchs.
Most of them discussed how to curry favor with the newly promoted Head Supervisor of the Imperial Household Department, Eunuch Zhong, also known as Zhou Yi’s once foster son Xiao Zhongzi, now under the Empress Dowager’s command.
Another foster son, Xiao Xuzi, had become the second Head Supervisor of the Eastern Depot, with immense power and influence.
Whenever eunuchs discussed these two, they inevitably mentioned their common foster father, the mysteriously vanished Eunuch Yi.
“Have you heard? Outside, they’re all talking...”
“Whoever gets Supervisor Zhou gets the world, such grandeur. If I could get such recognition, I’d die without regrets!”
“Keep your voice down. Do you really want to die?”
“...”
Zhou Yi stood at the corner of the wall, listening to the varied discussions among the eunuchs, some admiring, respectful, others spitting venom, cursing.
He noted each one in his heart, planning to settle the scores one by one in the future.
“Slandering behind one’s back can get you killed, heeheehee...”