The Blood Crown - Chapter 150

Under Yan Sikong’s arrangements, he finally met Zhao Fuyi secretly. Without a word, he dropped to his knees.

“Sikong, oh… what are you doing?” Zhao Fuyi quickly pulled Yan Sikong up from the ground.

Since the pacification of the rebellion, Zhao Fuyi had been stationed at Jing Mountain. Although it was only a two or three-hour journey from the capital, they hadn’t seen each other much. Yet, the bond forged in battle remained.

Yan Sikong’s eyes were filled with tears. “General Zhao, the Feng family has been wronged.”

Zhao Fuyi sighed heavily. “I don’t believe the Feng family would plot rebellion either, but I saw with my own eyes when the Feng army burst into the hunting grounds and I personally blocked them. I also captured them. What can I… what can I do?”

“If the Feng family were really plotting rebellion, why would they barge into the hunting grounds so recklessly and be easily discovered by the general? Everything was premeditated. Xie Zhongren bribed Feng Ye’s carriage driver and stole the military token.”

“What!” Zhao Fuyi was astonished. “Do you have any evidence?”

Yan Sikong’s brows were deeply furrowed. “I have found the courtesan Xie Zhongren sent to seduce the driver, but now the driver is dead. No matter what we say, there is no one to testify.”

“Alas!” Zhao Fuyi paced back and forth, then looked at Yan Sikong. “Feng Ye insulted you, yet you’re willing to clear the Feng family’s name without holding a grudge. Truly humble and generous.”

Yan Sikong cleared his throat. “Even though Feng Ye and I have had differences, I cannot let a loyal minister like Jingyuan Wang be wronged due to personal grievances. Moreover, if the Feng family is punished, the position of the crown prince may become precarious!”

Zhao Fuyi nodded. “I once served under Jingyuan Wang and don’t want to see him framed by treacherous officials. I’ve heard that the eunuch even incited His Majesty to move troops from Datong to Liaobei. If the Datong troops fall into the hands of that incompetent Han Zhaoxing, Liaobei might not be able to hold.”

“Indeed!” Yan Sikong stepped forward and earnestly said, “General Zhao, if the Feng family is wronged, the world will be shaken. The remnants of the Wala may take the opportunity to make a comeback. This is not just the Feng family’s problem; it could be a national crisis.”

Zhao Fuyi’s face grew paler. “But now… but now the evidence is conclusive. Even if I want to argue for them, the situation that day was witnessed by all the soldiers. I cannot lie under oath.”

“You, as the commander of the 30,000 garrison troops, have significant influence in the court. If you speak against it, His Majesty will have to reconsider and it could also intimidate the eunuchs.”

Zhao Fuyi looked quite hesitant.

Yan Sikong said with a mournful tone, “Now, it seems that only you can save the Feng family!”

Zhao Fuyi sighed deeply. “I am just a martial man, with no intention to be embroiled in court disputes. But how can I watch the eunuchs frame loyal officials and see the hard-won defense of Datong collapse from within? I have actually already allied with a few important officials to jointly counsel against this case.”

Yan Sikong was delighted. “Thank you, General! Thank you!”

Zhao Fuyi waved his hand. “I am not confident. Especially after His Majesty has shown coldness towards Elder Yan because of the Liu An case, Xie Zhongren has gradually taken control of the situation.”

“Not so. In the Liu An case, His Majesty was also very displeased with Xie Zhongren.”

“Oh? How did you know this?” Zhao Fuyi asked, then realized, “You knew about the topics in advance.”

Yan Sikong nodded. “The topics were proposed by me and submitted to the Cabinet for approval. Liu An’s sudden change of topics could only be due to Xie Zhongren’s orders. Given him the boldest of courage, he wouldn’t dare to do it otherwise. His Majesty originally wanted to weaken the Feng family army through the Jingcha, but the teacher disregarded His Majesty’s face and impeached Liu An. This move backfired, and His Majesty naturally harbors dissatisfaction towards Xie Zhongren.”

Zhao Fuyi pondered, “In that case, Xie Zhongren’s scheme to steal the military token and frame loyal generals is likely to have angered His Majesty. He probably wants to regain some ground.”

“Exactly. This plan is full of flaws and extremely risky. A slight misstep could lead to a change of dynasty. Xie Zhongren must be cornered and driven to desperate measures. Therefore, General’s words might influence His Majesty’s decision.”

Zhao Fuyi’s eyes shone with determination. “Rest assured, I will do my utmost!”

“Thank you, General!”

True to his word, a few days later, Zhao Fuyi, along with several influential generals, submitted a joint memorial pointing out various doubts in the Feng Jianping rebellion case, advising Emperor Zhao Wu not to be manipulated by treacherous officials and avoid repeating the mistakes of Emperor Gaozong.

This memorial was not discussed with Yan Zilian beforehand and was submitted directly during the court session. When Yan Zilian and Yan Sikong learned of its contents, they were both stunned.

Indeed, this memorial stirred up a hornet’s nest, subtly accusing Emperor Zhao Wu of wrongfully executing Yue Fei like Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty. It infuriated Emperor Zhao Wu, who angrily berated Zhao Fuyi in court. The eunuchs seized the opportunity to accuse Zhao Fuyi of having been under Feng Jianping and of possible cover-ups. Emperor Zhao Wu issued a decree ordering Zhao Fuyi to return to Jing Mountain and forbidding him from participating in the case.

Of course, Zhao Fuyi’s goal was temporarily achieved. Emperor Zhao Wu could not ignore the admonitions of numerous generals, especially the garrison commander. Although he wanted to swiftly condemn the Feng family, he had to consider the mood of the court.

After this incident, the interrogation of the Feng family slowed down. The father and son continued to deny guilt, no new evidence emerged, and the political situation in the court remained unstable. Emperor Zhao Wu dared not make a hasty decision.

Yan Sikong and his group got a breather. He instructed Ah Li to urge She Zhun on two matters: to investigate the black-clad figure from that day and to continue preparing for a possible prison break.

Just as Yan Sikong thought he saw a glimmer of hope, it seemed that fate was determined not to let them escape their predicament.

During a morning court session, a censor under Xie Zhongren’s command reintroduced the topic of Jiangnan maritime taxes, accusing Yan Zilian of shielding local wealthy merchants and aristocrats, causing a shortfall in maritime tax revenue and harming the national treasury.

Maritime taxes were one of the most sensitive topics in the court. As Xie Zhongren said, after Yan Zilian became the Chief Minister, he had significantly reduced the maritime taxes in Jiangnan, causing the national treasury to lose at least a million taels annually. Even Shen Hexuan, a student of Yan Zilian, criticized the reduced taxes on the wealthy Jiangnan.

However, Yan Zilian had no choice. As a native of Jiangnan, he and the officials from his faction were mostly from Jiangnan provinces. The local aristocracy and officialdom were deeply connected, and no one could avoid favoritism.

The maritime tax issue touched the lifeblood of the aristocratic faction. Any mention of it would result in fierce disputes and mutual destruction, making it a topic no one dared to broach lightly.

Xie Zhongren chose this moment to bring up the maritime taxes again, revealing his malicious intent.

Sure enough, Emperor Zhao Wu reacted unusually this time, no longer staying aloof but severely criticizing Yan Zilian for unfair taxation.

It was reported that during that morning court session, Yan Zilian, the venerable old statesman, was reprimanded to the point of turning red with embarrassment.

That night, he fell ill upon returning home.

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