The Blood Crown - Chapter 134

As the end of the year approached, Yan Sikong also needed to prepare to move into his new residence. Although he didn’t want to move, this house was personally bestowed by the Emperor. If he delayed further, it would inevitably attract criticism.

However, moving would make it even more difficult to see Feng Ye. With twenty or thirty servants in the new house, there would be too many prying eyes. Feng Ye could no longer show up at his house in the middle of the night. Although they often discussed serious matters, just being able to see each other and say a few words could somewhat ease the pain of longing.

After much thought, Yan Sikong told Feng Ye where he had placed his parents’ memorial tablets and agreed that when water was poured on the gate of the old Yan residence and turned to ice, it would be a signal for their secret meeting that night.

Moving to a new house naturally required a housewarming celebration. Moreover, next year Yan Sikong was set to marry the Emperor’s daughter, making him quite prominent. More than a hundred people were invited to the housewarming banquet, and the number of people sending gifts was overwhelming.

Xie Zhongren, still courteous, brought back the congratulatory gift that Yan Sikong had previously returned, this time unabashedly and unchanged. Yan Sikong had anticipated this move and accepted it straightforwardly. If he didn’t accept it, he wouldn’t be able to accept anyone else’s gifts either. Besides, the situation was different this time. Firstly, he truly had something to celebrate. Secondly, he wanted Xie Zhongren to think that his previous soft threat had somewhat worked.

Yan Sikong was busy greeting guests when the doorman announced that Yan Zilian had arrived. He quickly went to the door to welcome him. Naturally, he had sent an invitation to Yan Zilian, but given Yan Zilian’s status, it was customary for him not to come personally. Sending a small gift would have been enough of an honor. His personal attendance could only mean he wanted to discuss matters under the guise of attending the banquet.

Yan Sikong respectfully welcomed his mentor. Yan Zilian exchanged a few pleasantries with the guests and then found an excuse to slip away with Yan Sikong to the study.

Closing the door behind them, Yan Sikong whispered, “Master, the house is full of Xie Zhongren’s spies. I’ve asked Ah Li to guard outside, but we can’t stay long.”

Yan Zilian said urgently, “We haven’t seen each other in half a month, and I’ve had no news from you. What plans does General Feng have? What did Xie Zhongren talk to you about?”

Yan Sikong didn’t dare to hide anything and recounted everything in detail.

After hearing everything, Yan Zilian’s face grew darker. “When you suggested that to me, I was worried that General Feng wouldn’t agree.”

“I’ve discussed it with the young master. As long as we can mobilize the two thousand elite Feng family soldiers to infiltrate the hunting grounds at Shanhai…”

“No.” Yan Zilian’s tone was stern. “Without the cooperation of General Feng and Zhao Fuyi, everything would be in vain. Yan Sikong, are you acting like a fearless young calf or are you desperate enough to grasp at straws? You’re actually thinking of starting a rebellion without informing General Feng, and even involving the Crown Prince? Have you really not considered the weight of this?”

This was the harshest rebuke Yan Zilian had ever given him, but every word was true. Over these past days, his head had cooled a bit, and he knew that this matter was inherently extremely dangerous. Without sufficient support, it would likely be digging their own graves.

However, once Emperor Zhao issued the decree to reduce the Datong military forces, it would be irreversible. They would either passively wait to be weakened and trampled, eventually perishing, or fight desperately.

Yan Sikong said softly, “Master’s reprimand is justified. But what should we do now?”

“I will personally visit General Feng,” Yan Zilian said gravely. “Sikong, without complete assurance, I will not act recklessly. Even if we face disbandment or troop reduction, we still have a slim chance of survival. But if ‘that matter’ fails, it will be a catastrophe from which we cannot recover.”

“I understand.”

Yan Zilian took a deep breath, “As for Xie Zhongren, I had already guessed his purpose for seeking you out. What he said was not mere alarmism. I am acutely aware of the Emperor’s growing indifference towards me. However, if the Grand Secretary were to become a sycophant, constantly flattering the Emperor with deceitful words, would there be any hope left for this court?”

“You don’t need to pander to the Emperor, but we must guard against his actions against you.”

Yan Zilian smiled calmly, “I have long put life and death, honor and disgrace, out of my mind. But you’re right, this cannot be ignored. Since Xie Zhongren wants to use the enmity between you and Feng Ye to sow discord among us, we might as well use this to our advantage and put on a good show.”

“What’s your plan?”

“If we make Xie Zhongren believe that you and Feng Ye are at odds, what do you think he will do?”

Yan Sikong thought for a moment, “He might exploit this, instigating me to make an issue of the exams, and then bribe Liu An to bypass the cabinet and let the Emperor personally decide the results. This way, he could use the excuse of an unsatisfactory evaluation to attack the Prince of Jingyuan and legitimately significantly reduce the Datong military forces.”

“Correct. The Emperor has delayed issuing the decree and has not summoned General Feng for the capital inspection for two reasons: he fears General Feng’s disobedience and worries about public dissent. However, if he uses the capital inspection as a basis, he has a valid pretext, albeit a flawed one. As long as there’s an excuse, that’s enough.”

“So how do we proceed with this plan?” Yan Sikong saw Yan Zilian’s confident demeanor and knew he must have a clever strategy, but he still couldn’t grasp what Yan Zilian intended to do.

“You first stage a convincing act with the young master. Once Xie Zhongren comes to find you, you pretend to submit. But you must let him believe that you only want revenge on the Feng family and would never betray me; otherwise, he will become suspicious.”

“I understand.” In officialdom, the bond between teacher and student was stronger and more reliable than even familial or regional ties. Scholars traditionally revered their teachers, treating them as they would their fathers. Graduates of the same year were considered the students of that year’s chief examiner and would typically align with their teacher’s faction once in office, with few exceptions. Therefore, if Yan Sikong betrayed his teacher over a personal vendetta, it would be seen as a grave transgression, and no one would easily believe it.

“Then, the list of examination topics, already reviewed by the cabinet, is still in Liu An’s hands. Xie Zhongren will certainly persuade Liu An to conspire with you to alter the topics. Claiming fear of my discovery, you only change the topics without letting them leak any information. Afterward, Xie Zhongren will secretly present this list to the Emperor. Once the Emperor endorses it, it will be given directly to General Feng.”

“In this way, won’t General Feng be forced to use that deliberately difficult list for the assessment?”

Yan Zilian said coldly, “Before that, I will impeach Liu An for altering the examination topics without the cabinet’s review.”

Yan Sikong’s heart sank. He never imagined Yan Zilian would be so bold.

This move by Yan Zilian was a blatant confrontation, a head-on clash, a desperate measure in the face of no alternatives. If it came to that, Yan Zilian’s impeachment wouldn’t be against Liu An but the Emperor himself.

Who in the world had the authority to issue orders without the cabinet’s approval? Only the Emperor. Without the Emperor’s permission, not even a hundred Liu Ans would dare to overstep. Yet, this act by the Emperor violated the laws and traditions of the Da Sheng dynasty, both legally and morally indefensible. Xie Zhongren and Liu An would never expect Yan Zilian to challenge the Emperor so openly, and even the Emperor himself wouldn’t anticipate it.

Once Yan Zilian took this step, Emperor Zhaowu would likely sacrifice Liu An to save face, punishing him to avoid admitting his own illegal actions. He would also be infuriated with Xie Zhongren for his bad advice. However, at the same time, Yan Zilian would become intolerable in the Emperor’s eyes.

Yan Sikong said solemnly, “Master, this move may be more harmful than beneficial.”

“If General Feng can pass the capital inspection, the troop reduction issue might still have room for maneuver. Without the excuse of the inspection, the Emperor will find it difficult to punish him.” Yan Zilian said gravely, “Given our dire situation, we can’t afford to consider benefits; we are merely trying to minimize our losses.”

“But if you openly accuse the Emperor, even if he swallows his pride this time, he will surely seek to make things difficult for you in the future.” Emperor Zhaowu, despite his indecisiveness and incompetence, was very concerned about his reputation. Yan Sikong had used this trait to eliminate the cabinet’s secondary assistant Wang Shengsheng through the new historical compilation case. Yan Zilian’s impeachment of Liu An would be akin to slapping Emperor Zhaowu in the face in front of the ministers and the world. A cornered rabbit will bite, let alone an emperor.

Yan Zilian said resolutely, “So what? We both know we can’t sit and wait for death. The Emperor has been completely influenced by Xie Zhongren. We are being forced into a corner by the eunuch faction. I have long ceased to care about life and death, honor or disgrace. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, it’s worth trying.”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, “Your plan is indeed worth trying. I’m just worried about you… But since you’ve made up your mind, I will fully support you.” Although this plan was risky, the threats behind them were sharper. Any further retreat would mean utter destruction, with no place for burial.

Yan Zilian nodded, “To succeed, every step must be flawless to deceive Xie Zhongren. You mentioned before that Ye Li, the courtesan of Tinglan Pavilion, is Xie Zhongren’s informant on Yanliu Street. Since you have regular contact with her, she might be useful.”

“That was my intention.” Yan Sikong said, “This woman is the favored companion of Zhou Mixin, the eldest son of the Prefect of Shuntian. Zhou Mixin nearly took her as a concubine. I have a good relationship with Zhou Mixin and have already thought about how to stage this play. Rest assured, I will handle it.” This might be their last chance for a scholarly duel, and he must accomplish it!

Yan Zilian sighed slightly in relief, but after a moment of contemplation, he added, “I’ve avoided commenting on your relationship with the young master, but private affairs can easily ruin things. There are already rumors about your relationship, though few believe them. Still, it’s not beneficial. You must be cautious.”

“…I understand.”