The Blood Crown - Chapter 129

In that brief moment of eye contact between the two, there was a surging undercurrent, countless thoughts swirling like sparks colliding in an instant.

Both teacher and student obviously had much to say but hesitated repeatedly before daring to proceed.

Yan Sikong knew that Yan Zilian no longer trusted him and could see that he leaned more towards Feng Ye. However, because their overall goals were broadly aligned, it didn’t matter for now.

However, he was speculating about Yan Zilian’s thoughts, and Yan Zilian was doing the same about his. It was quite troublesome.

Yan Sikong paused. “Teacher, are you afraid that Prince Jingyuan will defy the imperial decree?”

“I have worried about it once, and so has His Majesty,” Yan Zilian said, “That’s why His Majesty sent me to persuade General Feng.”

Yan Sikong threw the problem back at him. “Does Teacher really want to persuade General Feng to comply?”

Yan Zilian shook his head. “We cannot let Xie Zhongren have his way.”

“If that’s the case, then let’s work together to find a way to change His Majesty’s mind,” Yan Sikong suggested.

Yan Zilian sighed. “Difficult.”

“Teacher… do you have any good ideas?” Yan Sikong asked cautiously.

Yan Zilian remained silent for a long time. “The best compromise may be for Datong to reduce its military forces by 100,000 and absolutely not send troops.”

“Teacher, is this really a compromise? This is a severe blow. If this happens, we will have no leverage to confront the eunuch faction,” Yan Sikong argued.

“Do you have a better solution then?”

Yan Sikong tucked his hands into his sleeves and sat upright. He pursed his lips and remained silent.

“Speak up. I can see it in your eyes. Whatever you want to say, say it. Or… did Feng Ye disclose something to you?” Yan Zilian asked.

At that, Yan Sikong shook his head. “I have a plan, but I dare not speak of it to anyone. Even thinking about it sends chills down my spine.”

“What plan is it?”

Yan Sikong stood up, then suddenly knelt heavily in front of Yan Zilian, bowing his head to the ground. In a low voice, he said, “If I speak of it, it would be a grave act of treason. Moreover, this plan is extremely dangerous. If it fails, everything will be lost. Teacher, can you pardon such blasphemy from your student?”

Yan Zilian stood up and helped Yan Sikong to his feet. He sighed deeply. “At this point, how could I possibly punish you? There are only the two of us here. You are my disciple. If you commit treason, I cannot escape responsibility. Speak.”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, his face somewhat pale, genuine rather than Fenggned. He spoke in a low voice, “His Majesty is benevolent, not naturally suspicious. His excessive wariness towards Prince Jingyuan is due to Xie Zhongren’s slander. This includes the position of the heir apparent. If not for Lady Wen’s constant whisperings, His Majesty would not have defied the Empress Dowager’s wishes. The current state of the court is entirely the fault of these villains manipulating and deceiving the emperor. Once we eradicate them, the prosperous era of our Great Sheng, with peace and prosperity from all corners of the world paying tribute, will surely return.”

Yan Zilian nodded solemnly.

“But these villains are deeply favored by His Majesty. Even if we repeatedly clip the wings of the eunuch faction, as long as His Majesty’s favor remains, their foundations are unshaken. At present, we cannot find a good opportunity to strike them down. They have cornered us, and relying on ordinary means to root out evil may not succeed,” Yan Sikong continued.

“What do you mean then…?” Yan Zilian asked.

“To kill him,” Yan Sikong’s voice carried a chilling determination.

Yan Zilian shook his head. “He is heavily guarded within the inner palace. There are skilled guards at every entrance and exit. We have tried sending assassins before, but it’s futile.”

“Not assassination. Even if we succeed in killing him, as long as the eunuch faction survives, we need His Majesty’s decree to charge him with crimes and capture his followers in one fell swoop.”

“And how will His Majesty agree to that?” Yan Zilian asked.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. “His Majesty plans to hold winter hunting at the imperial hunting grounds…”

Yan Zilian’s eyes widened.

Yan Sikong paused, silently observing Yan Zilian.

Yan Zilian turned away and paced back and forth in the room. “Go on.”

“During the winter hunt, His Majesty will take him out of the palace. According to past practices, only five thousand guards will accompany them. In the Mutiny of Xuanwu Gate, Emperor Tang Xuanzong killed Yang Guozhong and forced his consort to death, securing the Li Dynasty’s reign. We can do the same. We need His Majesty to kill Xie Zhongren, who brings calamity to the country and flatters the emperor!”

Yan Sikong finished in one breath, feeling a chilling coldness throughout his body. He knew that every word he said could lead to the destruction of his clan and a monumental event recorded in history. And he had lied to Yan Zilian. If Yan Zilian agreed under consideration, then the one leading the army would be Feng Jianping, not only to kill Xie Zhongren, but also to make this emperor give up the throne!

He knew that Yan Zilian would never agree to force the palace to surrender the throne, but without Yan Zilian’s assistance, it would be impossible, and now he had to see if Yan Zilian would believe him.

Yan Zilian’s two grayish eyebrows were about to be twisted into a line, his face was heavy, and even a thin sweat came out on his forehead.

Yan Sikong also looked nervously at him.

After a while, Yan Zilian whispered, “Can you discuss this with Feng Ye?”

Yan Sikong decisively shook his head: “The student dare not say anything.”

Yan Zilian’s tone was harsh: “If General Feng does not agree, what if this is not good? It is the eternal shame of the evil minister!”

“Student… dare not be sure.” Yan Sikong felt his palms wet, his heart beating wildly, but he dared not show it. Yan Zilian’s last sentence was to test whether Feng Jianping might take the opportunity to seize power.

Yan Zilian paced again, and the two veteran ministers, usually calm and composed, were now extremely agitated.

Yan Sikong stood by and dared not breathe.

He knew that success or failure depended on this one move.

Yan Zilian suddenly turned around, gritted his teeth: “If… if you and Feng Ye can persuade General Feng… come find me.”

Yan Sikong trembled with excitement, knelt down again, and said in a trembling voice, “Teacher, regardless of the outcome, a hundred years later, history will not fail to honor your loyalty!”

Yan Zilian’s eyes were slightly moist. “I’m willing to sacrifice my reputation in life, only wishing to restore the peaceful and prosperous era of our Great Sheng.”

Yan Sikong knocked heavily on the ground three times, expressing his guilt towards Yan Zilian. Then, he raised his head, stood up, and with a determined and cold gaze, slowly backed out.