The third year of Kunyuan.
The Great Wu Dynasty sent Lin Feichong to lead an army against the Chieftain King of Zezhou.
When Lin Feichong first arrived in Zezhou, he immediately recruited the commoners and incorporated the local soldiers. He also went to war several times and achieved great results. The morale of the imperial army was greatly boosted.
In July, he fought against the allied army of the Chieftains, killed thousands and seized countless spoils of war. He also seized several counties and attacked Xinfeng County.
When the news spread, the entire imperial court cheered.
Jingyang City, the Crown Prince's residence.
"Your Highness, you are overjoyed. General Lin has obtained another city. I believe he will be able to quell the rebellion this year!"
A few civil and military officials flattered him.
"Hmm..."
Wu Ding sat on the main seat, holding the battle report in his hand. He fell into deep thought. "I naturally believe in Lin Feichong's ability. I'm just afraid that he will be too rash under pressure..."
At his level, he naturally knew that his abilities during normal times were completely different from those he could use in battle.
Even though Lin Feichong boasted in the residence, it was still unknown whether he could really fight. Fortunately, he had used his actions to show that he was worthy of his trust and investment.
He only hoped that he would not be too pressured and force himself to attack. That way, the overall situation would not be affected — if no other forces continued to interfere!
When Wu Ding thought of this, a layer of haze appeared on his face.
Zhang Hanlin was very capable. After being ordered to investigate, he quickly found out everything about Wu Yue, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites. He felt that Wu Yue was an official who only knew how to read books. There was nothing unusual about him and he even leaned towards the Crown Prince. It was obvious that he was a potential supporter of the Crown Prince.
The more it was like this, the more terrified Wu Ding was. Because all of this showed that there was a terrifying power that was skilled in concealment that was targeting him from the shadows.
"Phew..."
Wu Ding let out a long sigh. "I wonder who dares to do this. Is he really not afraid of having his entire family annihilated?"
He was very clear about some things in the market.
Due to the gender restriction, even though he had been forced to acknowledge Wu Zhi as the Sage in front of those aristocrats, he was still unwilling.
In their ideal, the ruler of the country had to be a man, even if he was just a decoration! Otherwise, the bearded man would lose face.
Thus, many powers hoped to elevate Wu Ding to the top, even boasting of being a loyal subject.
However, in his opinion, such a loyal official was a hindrance.
However, the forces that appeared this time were obviously not as simple as they seemed. They really intended to harm him!
Wu Ding stepped into the garden and looked at the dark sky. Suddenly, his heart sank. He had a feeling that a storm was coming.
"Your Highness!"
"Your Highness!"
The sound of footsteps rang out, accompanied by hurried shouts.
Wu Ding only felt a heavy pressure on his chest. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Zhang Hanlin's figure rushing over, "Dao art transmission, urgent from a thousand miles away!"
He came to the front of Wu Ding and bowed deeply. He spoke quickly, "General Lin Feichong underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly. He was poisoned by Tusi's shaman bone and was ambushed in the miasma forest. He died on the spot and his army suffered heavy casualties!"
"What?"
Wu Ding was shocked. His hand that was holding the jade scepter trembled slightly. "Is that so?"
He knew of Lin Feichong's capabilities. It was impossible for him to advance rashly because of greed. There was definitely a hidden agenda.
However, no matter what, it was a fact that he had suffered heavy casualties and lost face for the Imperial Court. Even if he could return alive, he would not end up well.
"Not only that!"
Zhang Hanlin took a deep breath. "There is a rumor that the Sage wants to change the name of the country to 'Kun'! In the future, Yin will be the ruler of virtue. The current generation will be a woman and the court will be ruled by a woman! "
"What kind of nonsense is that? Are you kidding me?"
Wu Ding snorted and his face turned pale.
"There might be a reason for the rumor. Moreover, the Sage is indeed preparing to change the name of the country in the next few days. When this coincides with the rumors, it's easy for the ignorant to make the connection. Those who claim to be from the Crown Prince's faction will also be tempted!"
"This …"
At this point, even Wu Ding was a little lost. "What do you think should be done?"
"In my opinion …"
Zhang Hanlin was just about to say a few old strategies to deal with the changes, but his heart trembled. After all, this was the Crown Prince! If he advanced one step further, he would be the King!
Who wouldn't want the credit of supporting the Crown Prince? Furthermore, the Crown Prince now had the qualifications to fight for the throne, be it in terms of intelligence, strategy, or the capacity of his followers!
However, he had a foundation. He swallowed his saliva and forcefully suppressed these thoughts. Just as he was about to speak, a guard rushed in from outside the door. "There is an imperial edict!"
"An oral edict from the Sage!"
Before the guard could steady himself, a group of eunuchs rushed in. A sharp voice rang out. "The Crown Prince did not judge the right person and caused the Imperial Court to suffer heavy casualties. He is ordered to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion.
"Your son …"
Wu Ding shuddered. The jade scepter in his right hand finally fell to the ground and broke into pieces.
Even though he was talented and had great luck, he was still vulnerable in the face of imperial power and hegemony.
When the edict was announced, all the guards and eunuchs in the Crown Prince's residence trembled. Zhang Hanlin's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He felt as though a storm was brewing.
…
"The Crown Prince has been ordered to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion?"
In the Prime Minister's residence, under a jade-green tree, Ceng Yu was playing chess with one hand holding a black and the other holding a white chess piece. When he heard this, he was shocked.
"Yes, Master. The news has spread. It is said that the Sage has the intention to change the Heavens and Earth. In the future, he will use Kun as his title and will rule the Imperial Court with a good character!"
The old housekeeper stuck out his tongue.
"Nonsense!"
Ceng Yu's calm and unchanging face finally showed some emotions. "Even if the Sage has the intention to change the title of the Empire, what does it have to do with the Crown Prince? It is so far-fetched! Also, how did the news from the Crown Prince's residence spread so quickly? Quickly go and tell the people in my residence that if they continue to spread rumors, be careful of your heads! "
As he said this, Ceng Yu's eyes narrowed with a murderous look.
The old housekeeper quivered and knew that this matter was serious. Master really wanted to kill someone. He immediately turned into a nodding insect. "Yes, Master! Master, this old servant will go now! "
"Sigh …"
After the trembling old housekeeper left, Ceng Yu put down the chess piece and suddenly sighed.
As Wu Zhi's most important strategist, he understood his master's character very well. She was resolute and decisive, but ever since Young Master Wu left, she had become more and more unfathomable.
The attack on the Crown Prince this time was too deliberate. Yet, the Sage had done so and allowed these thieves to stir up trouble. It was truly unsettling.
"Could it be … the Sage has the intention of casting a long line to catch a big fish?"
Ceng Yu suddenly shivered. He looked in the direction of the Imperial City and immediately felt an extremely deep, bone-chilling cold.
"If that is the case, it is not appropriate for me to participate too much …"
In all the dynasties, how many Prime Ministers were there who could start a country well and end well?
When he thought of this, Ceng Yu instantly lost all of his lofty ambitions. He was prepared to immediately close his doors and refuse to meet any guests, quietly observing the situation.
"With the mind of a Saint, what's the use of these clowns jumping around no matter how happy they are?"
…
"Good! I didn't expect the Clear Spirit Sect to be able to do this! "
In the secret chamber from last time, a few Taoists gathered together, their faces full of joy. "Now that the Empress has reprimanded the Crown Prince and ordered him to close his doors to reflect on his mistakes, the Emperor's favor has waned."
"Wrong!"
A Taoist at the side shook his head and expressed his opinion. "The Empress does not go back on her words. She is very clear about rewards and punishments. This time, the Crown Prince has made a mistake, but it is only a small one. After he closes his doors to reflect on his mistakes, he will be fine after the punishment! On the contrary, if he keeps it to himself, it will be terrifying! Moreover … closing his doors to guests is not without the intention of protecting him! "
This made sense. Everyone looked at each other. "Then, in your opinion, what should we do?"
"Everyone here is a genius. What can my shallow opinion amount to?"
The Taoist first spoke humbly, then his expression turned serious again. "What we are doing is the most dangerous thing in the world to sow discord between the Emperor's flesh and blood. If we are not careful, we will die. Thus, we must consider everything!"
"First, even if we do not understand the Empress's intentions, it does not prevent us from continuing to spread rumors that the Crown Prince has fallen out of favor and will even be deposed! We must make the masses furious and incite resistance. "
"Second, there is another force that we must borrow. That is the Wu family! "
"The Wu family?"
The Taoists were stunned, as if they had understood something.
"That's right. Wu Zhi is a member of the Wu family. Now that he has obtained the world, what do you think his relatives will think? Moreover, although the Crown Prince's surname is Wu, in reality, he is not a member of the Wu family. Even Wu Zhi himself is a married daughter. Let the entire nineteen prefectures become the foundation of someone else's family. Do you think the Wu family will tolerate this? "
"This … is a brilliant plan! At the very least, we can cause internal strife in the imperial court! But … isn't the Empress's husband the Daoist Sect's Immortal Lord Nameless? "
A Taoist said hesitantly, "If we do this, it is hard to say how that Immortal Lord will react."
"Hehe … at this point, do you still have such concerns?"
The Taoist who offered the plan sneered, "Moreover, although we all know that the Empress has a Heaven Immortal behind her back, and that she had a lot of help when she started, and that she is still deeply in love with him, and that there is an empty chair in the throne room, it is obvious. It's just that this Celestial Immortal Wu Ming hasn't appeared for many years. Even the Celestial Venerables can't find him. Perhaps he's long since left the realm or perished … Otherwise, with a Celestial Immortal acting as a mediator, the relationship between us and the new dynasty wouldn't be so strained to this state! "
After he said that, the Taoists all fell silent.
Even though they had done so many things, they still did not have much confidence in overthrowing the Great Wu Dynasty.
However, after Wu Zhi came to power, he suppressed Daoism and other sects, and they had no choice but to do so.
If the Empress was willing to respect Daoism, just like how she treated Dazhou and the Jade Pure Daoist lineage, she would open Daoist academies and support Daoism. Then, even if there was a huge grudge between them, it would not be impossible to negotiate.
Unfortunately, it was useless to say all this now.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
