The Blood Crown - Chapter 168

Yan Sikong rode through the night to the Jing Mountain camp, where Zhao Fuyi was busy reorganizing the troops. He instructed Zhao to urgently collaborate with Meng Duo, Cai Zhongfan, Feng Chuang, and others to impeach Xie Zhongren. Yan had already drafted the impeachment memorial for them.

At that time, Wang Wenyu, the Chief Minister, had been in office for three years with mediocre achievements and no real power. The deputy chief was Meng Duo, who had been promoted after Cai Zhongfan, previously demoted by Wang Shengsheng’s schemes, was reinstated following Wang Shengsheng’s downfall due to the new history compilation issue. Yan Sikong, while still in the Ministry of Personnel, secretly maneuvered to have him recalled to the capital. Cai Zhongfan had distinguished achievements, was outspoken, and had been promoted to the Left Censor of the Censorate with Meng Duo’s support. Alongside Feng Chuang, Zhang Min, and other officials from Jiangnan and generals like Zhao Fuyi and Zhu Lanting, they constituted the main force against the eunuchs.

Zhao Fuyi looked through the memorial and was greatly surprised, “Is this all true?”

“Of course,” Yan Sikong said seriously. “I have spent years collecting evidence against him; this is only part of it. This matter must be handled by the general. The others disdain me and won’t believe me. You and the senior officials should mainly impeach him for dereliction of duty, usurpation of power, and forming cliques for personal gain, attributing all the pain of Liaodong to him. This is also what the Emperor despises most about him.” Yan Sikong’s voice grew stern, “The general is about to take office in Liaodong. If we don’t punish the eunuchs, it would be inadequate to explain to the military and civilians there. The general needs to force the Emperor into making a decision.”

Zhao Fuyi nodded solemnly and put away the memorial. “This is only a part of it? Why not list all his crimes to the Emperor and strike a decisive blow?”

“We need to set a trap.”

“A trap?”

“Now that Xie Zhongren is already within the trap, if the senior officials impeach him, the eunuchs will try to save him. With conflicting opinions and endless debates, the Emperor will be unsure whom to trust and will hesitate.”

“Yes, this way, won’t it give those eunuchs a chance to turn things around?” Zhao Fuyi looked at Yan Sikong in confusion, not understanding his plan.

“Then, we will give him a fatal blow.” Yan Sikong revealed a cold smile. “I still have evidence of his and the eunuchs’ corruption, framing of loyal officials, and oppression of the people. If we indict his faction as well, this blow will pierce through them.”

Zhao Fuyi understood. “Indeed, if that’s the case, they will be too preoccupied with their own problems, and the Emperor will no longer believe in a group of guilty officials. But which senior official should we present this evidence to? It must be someone of high moral standing…”

“I will do it,” Yan Sikong said without hesitation.

Zhao Fuyi’s eyes widened. “You? You’re going to impeach the eunuchs?”

“I am also a part of the eunuchs’ faction. By defecting and exposing them, admitting my own crimes, it will be the most credible to both the court and the people.” Yan Sikong’s eyes were cold, and his whole demeanor was grim. “I will not only impeach them but also myself. There are things I have been involved in that cannot be excused.”

“That…” Zhao Fuyi furrowed his brow deeply. “Isn’t this like shooting oneself in the foot? What if the Emperor wants to punish the eunuchs, what will you do?”

“Admit guilt and face the consequences.”

“How can that be!”

“Some of the things I am involved in are not punishable by death. Moreover, I am the Emperor’s son-in-law; he won’t kill me.”

“Even if he doesn’t kill you, treating you as part of the eunuchs will still make it difficult for you! If the eunuchs fall, there will certainly be chaos in the court, with various forces moving for their advantage. We don’t know what kind of situation that will bring.” Zhao Fuyi patted Yan Sikong’s shoulder. “Sikong, you should make a difference. You can’t go down with the eunuchs. Besides, you still need to clear General Yuan’s name.”

“Rest assured, general. How could I cut off my own path?” Yan Sikong said. “After I impeach the eunuchs with my crimes, I ask the general to do two things for me.”

“Speak.”

“As previously mentioned, I hope the general will draft a memorial to present the truth about the Guangning incident to the Emperor. It has been seventeen years since then, and most of the people involved are long gone. Gathering evidence is difficult. I worry that my single-sided account won’t be convincing.”

“Don’t worry.”

“The second thing…” Yan Sikong pressed his lips together. “I ask the general to recommend me for meritorious service in the campaign against the rebels.”

Zhao Fuyi was stunned. “The so-called rebels…”

“Xiao Langwang Feng Ye.”

Zhao Fuyi’s expression changed. “You, a mere civil official, want to suppress the rebellion? Do you know that Feng Ye has never been defeated in his campaign?”

Yan Sikong countered, “Who do you think should lead the campaign against the rebellion?”

“Of course, it should be General Liu Anping. He will lead the army to Huguang, and once the army arrives, Feng Ye, who is not good at water battles, will certainly be defeated.”

“Do you think Feng Ye will wait there for General Liu?”

Zhao Fuyi fell silent.

“You, general, have led troops for many years and achieved numerous victories. You must understand the situation better than I do.” Yan Sikong stepped closer, applying pressure. “If you were him, where would you go next?”

Zhao Fuyi sighed. “Heshuo.”

Yan Sikong nodded. “Heshuo. To support Heshuo, troops can only be moved from two places: Datong and Central Plains. Datong is no longer the Datong of Prince Jingyuan’s time; it is stretched thin. General Di has died in Tianning. Are there any commanders in Yuzhou who can resist Feng Ye?”

Zhao Fuyi was silent for a moment before shaking his head. “I’m afraid… not.”

“When I was still close to Feng Ye, we often discussed military strategies all night and fought side by side in Jingzhou. I am very familiar with his tactics.” Yan Sikong took another step forward, pressuring Zhao Fuyi. “General, is there anyone more suitable than me to pacify this Wolf King rebellion?”

Zhao Fuyi turned away, clearly not agreeing but unable to refute. “This matter is of great importance. It concerns not only your life but also the safety of our Great Sheng. I cannot promise you right now.”

“Are you worried that I won’t be able to defeat him?” Yan Sikong said in a deep voice. “I will focus on peace, putting all the blame for the Prince Jingyuan’s death on Xie Zhongren. I am confident I can persuade him to surrender.”

Zhao Fuyi hesitated. “Feng Ye is proud and fierce, not an easy opponent.”

“Indeed, but if he has any chance of surrendering, only I can lead it, right?”

Zhao Fuyi’s brows furrowed deeply. “This matter, I need to think about it.”

“Feng Ye’s horse is still at the nearby Lingwu Mountain Villa. I have had it raised for three years. Besides Feng Ye, it only recognizes me. It would be the best gift to meet him with.”

Zhao Fuyi had evidently heard about this and looked at Yan Sikong with deep scrutiny. “Sikong, if all means fail and he does not surrender, if he insists on resisting?”

Yan Sikong narrowed his eyes. “Then I will decide the outcome with him on the battlefield.”

Zhao Fuyi took a deep breath. “In the battle of Liang Wang, I know you used unconventional strategies and are far from an ordinary scholar. However, leading troops and providing strategies are not the same. Feng Ye has been in the military since he was eleven and has been leading troops since he was fourteen, renowned across the land. You may… not be his match.”

Yan Sikong straightened his chest and raised his voice slightly. “General, with you going to Liaodong, General Di dead, and General Liu far in Huguang, I dare to say, except for me, no one can pacify the Wolf King’s rebellion.”

Zhao Fuyi’s lips were tightly pressed, and he was deeply conflicted.

“General,” Yan Sikong pleaded, “if we cannot deploy troops, how can I achieve meritorious service? I might be demoted to some barbaric land.”

Zhao Fuyi sighed heavily. “Alright, I promise you.”

Yan Sikong concealed the surge of joy and boiling ambition in his heart, bowing deeply. “Thank you, general.”

Zhao Fuyi was heading to Liaodong with Zhu Lanting fully supporting Chen Li. One day, he would help Feng Ye conquer the Central Plains and support Chen Li into the capital to become a puppet emperor, then the world would be within his grasp!

There was a bit less these days because there’s important plot to write, a bit stuck. Tomorrow should be fine! (End of Chapter)