"Use your brain? Use what brain?"

Wei Jingzhong was at his wit's end. The gold and silver supplies were in her hands, and she refused to hand them over. Helpless, he could only coax her and try to pry them out.

"Now that Father Emperor is strong and healthy, the court is full of capable ministers and generals. Although many of them are your people, Father Emperor has even more. It is uncertain who will win or lose in the battle between the two sides."

Especially Gu Shaoyu, Xie Anfeng, and Liu Gelao's group—they are cunning and treacherous. It would be best to lure them away from their stronghold and defeat them one by one.

Wei Jingzhong found it extremely funny.

If it were that easy to kill, why would he bother with any planning?

"I know you're not convinced, but I'm not someone to be trifled with. Didn't you inform Prince Rong to raise an army? Then the court will surely send a general to lead troops there."

Princess Yurong said, "Before the New Year, Zizhou suffered from an extreme cold and freezing weather that was the worst in decades. The people had no food or clothing, and many died of cold and hunger. Grain prices soared, and the people were full of complaints. If we do not appease them, I am afraid that they will riot. Have your people in the court advocate sending Gu Shaoyu to provide relief and appease them."

Local grain merchants colluded to drive up prices, which have already risen from fifty wen to one hundred wen per dou (a unit of dry measure), and are still soaring.

Sending out both civil and military officials leaves the court and the capital vulnerable, making it easy to stage a coup and achieve a swift victory.

Wei Jingzhong's volatile temper subsided, and he suspiciously examined Princess Yurong. Her appearance hadn't changed, and she was as vicious as ever, only her mind was sometimes human and sometimes dog-like.

He said in a sinister tone, "Then I'll hand over Zizhou to you. I'll have people do everything they can to send Gu Shaoyu there for disaster relief, but your men must keep him occupied in Zizhou, and it would be best if they could kill him."

Chaos is what makes a coup d'état and a forced abdication even more exciting!