The Blood Crown - Chapter 128

Feng Ye lowered his eyelids, his thick fan-like eyelashes trembling slightly. He said grimly, “If we can get the Emperor to abdicate, everyone will be happy. The Crown Prince trusts you deeply and is easy to control due to his young age. By then, we can eradicate the eunuch party.”

“Yes.” Yan Sikong’s breathing was slightly agitated, his chest rising and falling sharply twice. “Your Highness can take advantage of this to seize control of the capital’s garrison, creating doubt about the nation’s minority, and it would be natural for him to assume the regency. With the Chen family’s power, it would be within the grasp of the Feng family.”

Feng Ye raised his head, his gaze sharp and filled with wildness. “I’m afraid Yan Zilian won’t agree.”

“If we are to take action, we must have the assistance of our teacher. This is indeed a problem.” Yan Zilian desires to eliminate the wicked and rectify the court, definitely not to destroy the eunuch party and create a regent with absolute power. Once Yan Zilian learns of this matter, he will immediately understand what they intend to do.

Feng Ye snorted coldly. “Yan Zilian, that old fox, wants the Feng family to assist him in defeating the eunuch party, but he also fears the Feng family growing too powerful. He wants to take advantage of all benefits. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”

Yan Sikong wanted to say something, but from Yan Zilian’s perspective, he had to act like this. He had to consider the overall situation, maneuvering and negotiating, and he was worthy of the heavy hat of prime minister. However, in front of Feng Ye, he had to avoid speaking for Yan Zilian as much as possible.

From his own perspective, although he respected and appreciated Yan Zilian, he would inevitably prioritize Feng Ye. Aside from their emotional bond, only with the Feng family in power could he seek revenge and build a peaceful and prosperous era.

Feng Ye continued, “Yan Zilian is even wary of you. Can’t you see it? He’s afraid that you and I will become too close.”

“I can see it,” Yan Sikong said. “Once you occupy the position of prime minister, there won’t be anyone he trusts wholeheartedly. I am also cautious in front of him.”

“I’m afraid we may have a chance to force the abdication, but he’ll notice and obstruct us,” Feng Ye said anxiously.

Yan Sikong thought for a moment. “Actually, the key to this matter may not lie with our teacher, but with General Zhao Fuyi.”

Feng Ye nodded. “General Zhao commands thirty thousand garrison troops. With his help, we can surely succeed.”

“How much do you know about this man? He used to be under Your Highness,” Yan Sikong asked.

“That’s true, but it’s been over a decade. Even if my father personally persuades him, the result is uncertain.” Feng Ye recalled something. “What about Zhu Lanting, who once delivered letters to me? He is the commander of the Forbidden Army and also the Crown Prince’s martial arts teacher. If we have his help, it would be more advantageous than General Zhao.”

“The Zhu family is the maternal family of the Empress Dowager, and the current head of the family is His Majesty’s maternal uncle. The influence of the relatives by marriage cannot be underestimated. However, His Majesty favors the Zhu family greatly and even married his sister to them. Zhu Lanting is also a straightforward person.” Yan Sikong shook his head. “They have no reason to force the abdication. It won’t work.”

“According to you, Zhu Lanting may become the biggest obstacle in this matter,” Feng Ye squinted his eyes, a fierce light flashing in them.

“We need to plan carefully,” Yan Sikong said. “I still think it’s best to win over General Zhao Fuyi.”

“But now my father and I can’t even leave the city. I can’t even go to the Jing Shan camp,” Feng Ye said.

Yan Sikong thought of She Zhun’s secret passage. “If necessary, I have a way to get you out of the city.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Is it prepared by She Zhun?” Feng Ye sneered.

“Yes, you can leave the city and return without anyone knowing,” Yan Sikong smiled. “I told you, he’s quite something.”

Feng Ye felt a bit suspicious but didn’t want Yan Sikong to notice. “In that case, we might as well give it a try.”

“Right now, the most important thing is His Highness,” Yan Sikong said. “It all depends on His Highness.”

Feng Ye said firmly, “The Feng family will never let others dictate terms to us.”

Yan Sikong’s mood was also complicated for a moment. Although success would resolve all their troubles permanently, the risks were too great. Once they took that step, there would be no turning back, whether for him or for Feng Ye.

Feng Ye embraced Yan Sikong. “I won’t let anyone bully you either.”

A slight smile appeared on Yan Sikong’s lips. “I know.”

—

Feng Chuang submitted the document proposing the reduction of the Datong military forces, and the Cabinet soon drafted their opinions and presented them to the Emperor.

Everyone’s hearts were hanging in the balance, not only those directly involved but also the court and the public at large. After all, Feng Jianping was a figure who could shake mountains and rivers with a stomp of his foot. This matter was of great importance, comparable to the abolition of feudal domains. If the abolition of feudal domains could incite rebellion from the Prince of Liang, who knows how Prince Jingyuan would respond?

This was a game of hidden currents and surging waves, a balance of imperial power and military authority. Those on the chessboard, one misstep could lead to losing everything. The atmosphere in the court was as chilling as the February river, making people’s hearts jump with fear.

A few days later, Emperor Zhaowu secretly summoned Yan Zilian to discuss matters in the palace. Yan Sikong only learned about it later, which he shouldn’t have, but Yan Zilian personally told him—when he was secretly discussing matters.

Yan Sikong already had a foreboding sense of unease in his heart. He said in a low voice, “Teacher, do you have bad news to tell me?”

Yan Zilian nodded.

“Please speak.”

“Recently, we received reports from Liaodong. Winter has arrived, and the Jin people are short of clothes and food, and they are restless. They have already looted more than a dozen villages from us. His Majesty cited the grave situation in Liaodong as the reason…” Yan Zilian said gravely, “He wants to mobilize 150,000 troops from Datong to Liaodong to annihilate the Jin people.”

“Nonsense!” Yan Sikong stood up abruptly. At this moment, he couldn’t contain the volatile anger in his chest because the current General of Liaodong is still that despicable Han Zhaoxing!

“I have temporarily persuaded His Majesty. Han Zhaoxing, the General of Liaodong, is the nephew of Xie Zhongren. The Governor of Liaodong is timid and fearful, just a puppet. This move is actually to restrict General Feng,” Yan Zilian gritted his teeth, “I never expected Xie Zhongren’s appetite to be so large, actually coveting military power.”

“No matter how big his appetite is, he was raised by the Emperor!” Yan Sikong clenched his fists. “Han Zhaoxing is incompetent, having been defeated by the Jin people twice. Even if you give him more troops, it would just send our soldiers to their deaths. The Battle of Guangning in those years…”

Yan Zilian was somewhat surprised. “You know about the Battle of Guangning?”

Yan Sikong’s lips trembled slightly. “I’ve heard about it.”

“How much have you heard?”

“Word of mouth… Han Zhaoxing framed the commander of Guangning for the sake of personal glory.”

“Ah, General Zhao must have told you,” Yan Zilian shook his head, “That’s an old story from over a decade ago. Perhaps only General Zhao remembers it.”

“… “

“Not only did Han Zhaoxing frame the commander of Guangning, but before him, the previous General of Liaodong was also implicated by him and Xie Zhongren. Disheartened, he resigned from his post. If not for that, Qingzhou wouldn’t have fallen, and we wouldn’t have lost the seven provinces of northern Liaodong.”

Yan Sikong listened, trembling all over. It was only now that he realized Han Zhaoxing and Xie Zhongren, these scoundrels, not only killed his foster father but also his biological parents. They had caused his family to be ruined twice!

Yan Zilian noticed Yan Sikong’s unusual reaction. “Sikong? What’s wrong with you?”

Yan Sikong forcefully pressed his fingernails into the tender flesh of his palm, trying to use pain to restrain his collapsing emotions. He whispered, “Both were favored by the Emperor, but led to the loss of territories. I… regret deeply!”

Yan Zilian also looked pained and remorseful. “That’s why we must not let His Majesty repeat the mistakes of the previous Emperor, making mistake after mistake.”

“But His Majesty believes Xie Zhongren’s slander. To weaken Prince Jingyuan, he wants to give 150,000 troops to Han Zhaoxing? How can this be good, Teacher? What should we do?” Yan Sikong said.

“His Majesty currently has two plans: either reduce the military strength by 150,000, forcing General Feng to downsize, or send 150,000 troops to Liaodong.” Yan Zilian rubbed his forehead wearily, “But he’s also afraid that this move will completely anger General Feng, so he secretly consulted me to gauge General Feng’s attitude and to persuade him.”

“I think sending troops is a bluff, downsizing is the real goal. Xie Zhongren knows we won’t agree to send troops, so the next best thing is downsizing. If troops are really sent, it would only show his true intentions,” Yan Sikong said fiercely. “This eunuch is so cunning!”

In the past, Yan Sikong had always worked in the shadows against the eunuch party, from Wang Shengsheng to Ge Zhong to Wen Youchi. Because he was covertly opposing them, with Yan Zilian and Feng Ye supporting him, he had succeeded. This time, although he was still in the shadows, he faced Xie Zhongren’s most direct challenge. He finally faced Xie Zhongren’s power, this eunuch who had risen from a humble palace servant to the chief eunuch in charge of the imperial seal, deeply favored by the Emperor. His intelligence and methods were truly extraordinary. He had played the Emperor in the palm of his hand. They were truly caught in a dilemma, where one wrong step could lead to a deep abyss.

“I’ve been battling him for most of my life. If he were easy to deal with, how could we end up in this situation today?” Yan Zilian sighed deeply. “I dare not tell General Feng for now. You’re closer to the Feng family. I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

“If I tell General Feng, I’m afraid…” Yan Sikong shook his head and said decisively, “General Feng won’t agree, whether it’s downsizing or sending troops.”

“If he refuses, it would be defying orders.”

Yan Sikong fell silent. He wasn’t without a response; he was just considering. If he were to reveal the plan to force the abdication to Yan Zilian, how would Yan Zilian react? If Yan Zilian agreed, that would be good naturally, but if he didn’t, he would be finished. After thinking it over, he still didn’t dare take that risk. He needed to further probe Yan Zilian’s bottom line.

“Sikong,” Yan Zilian called out to Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong was forced to raise his head and look at Yan Zilian.

Yan Zilian appeared old and weary, but his eyes remained sharp. “Will he defy the orders?”

Yan Sikong’s heart trembled.