"If the enemy doesn't move, I won't move!"
"Since they haven't given us a clear answer, we'll wait and see for now. Our main goal right now is to develop our strength, reinforce the pass from Xijing to Jiannan, and gain more leverage for ourselves."
Yang Yan walked back to the bedside, his eyes filled with even more calculation: "Reply to Pang Qing and tell him to stay in Xijing, observe carefully, and try to contact Chao'er by any means necessary."
Li Jin nodded: "Understood, Commander! I've always felt that Young Master Yang Chao hasn't truly surrendered to Zhao Muyun; he might be under house arrest or imprisoned."
"Hmm!" Yang Yan's face showed a complicated expression. "Then let's continue to 'observe' and see if his Longmen Pass falls first, or if Xijing falls into chaos first, or... if the Northern Di people attack his lair first!"
"We can only gain greater benefits by intervening when Zhao Muyun and Li Jingang need external help the most."
Li Jin understood that the commander-in-chief was trying to delay and wait for Zhao Muyun's power to be weakened before seizing the greatest benefit.
The risk is that if Zhao Muyun really pulls through and gains a foothold, Jiannan may lose this best opportunity and even face retaliation.
"Furthermore," Yang Yan added, "while Li Jingang, Zhao Muyun, and the Tartars are still locked in a tug-of-war, we can expand into the Jingxiang and Nanyue regions, especially towards the Nanyue King's territory!"
"Yes, Commander, I understand." Li Jin bowed and accepted the order.
Yang Yan waved his hand, signaling him to step back.
The warm chamber returned to silence, with only the crackling of the fire in the stove.
He picked up Pang Qing's letter again, his gaze falling on the line "Yin Ji personally went to Longmen, and the army and people were greatly encouraged," his eyes turning sinister.
"Zhao Muyun is probably going to put this kid on the throne and replace Yin Zhao, isn't he?"
He muttered to himself, bringing the letter close to the candlelight, watching it curl, char, and turn to ashes.
......
Xijing, the Imperial Palace, midnight.
The night was as dark as ink, and the cold wind howled, making the iron horses under the palace eaves clang, adding to the desolation and bleakness.
At a time when all should be quiet, an unusual commotion was brewing within the imperial palace.
Groups of shadowy figures, avoiding the main palace roads and lights, silently converged near the emperor's bedroom, Ganlu Hall, along the side walls, covered walkways, and garden paths.
Inside the Ganlu Hall, the candlelight flickered, casting many shadows of people throughout the hall.
More than thirty opportunistic henchmen had already gathered around Yin Zhao.
The personal eunuch Cao Chunfeng, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Works Liu Yong, the censor Wang Yun, the compiler of the Hanlin Academy Chen Xin, the minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Chen Ping, the grand master of the Palace Li Fu, and others all had solemn expressions.
"Gentlemen, Zhao Muyun is far away in Hedong, and Prince Yinji of Jin has also gone to Longmen Pass. Now is the best time for us to make our move!"
Yin Zhao lowered his voice, his eyes flashing with the fervor of seizing power, "As long as Commander Zhou controls the Prince of Jin's residence and the Grand Commander's Office, and captures Wang Tiezhu and Pei Lun, Zhao Muyun's two henchmen, Xijing will be entirely in our hands!"
Cao Chunfeng bowed obsequiously: "Your Majesty is wise! This servant has secretly contacted the palace guards, and we will surely be able to coordinate an attack from within and without tonight at midnight!"
Liu Yong hesitated, "Your Majesty, Wang Tiezhu's night watchmen are ruthless. Is Deputy Commander Zhou Wu... reliable?"
"Zhou Wu is utterly loyal to me and has long promised to go through fire and water for me!"
His face appeared unusually pale under the light, and his eyes were bloodshot, a mixture of excitement and fear.
He kept rubbing his hands together, occasionally listening intently to the sounds outside.
Cao Chunfeng and several other trusted eunuchs stood by, equally nervous and afraid to even breathe.
"What time is it?" Yin Zhao asked in a hoarse voice.
"Your Majesty, it's just past midnight," Cao Chunfeng replied in a low voice.
"Where is Mr. Qu? Where is Zhou Wu? Have their men arrived yet?" Yin Zhao asked quickly.
"Mr. Qu just sent someone to secretly report that everything is ready and awaits His Majesty's decree."
"Deputy Commander Zhou has also taken control of several key palace gates and passageways, and Zhao Muyun's personal guard has been transferred to the West Garden." Cao Chunfeng's voice carried a hint of flattery and self-aggrandizement.
"Good! Good!" Yin Zhao said "good" twice, his eyes shining, as if he could already see himself regaining power and ruling the world.
He walked to the desk, where a bright yellow imperial edict had already been laid out. He picked up the pen, but his hand trembled slightly. After calming himself down, he wrote down the words "Dishonored subject Zhao Muyun".
He wanted to issue an edict in the name of the emperor to announce Zhao Muyun's crimes of instigating border conflicts, coercing the emperor, and plotting rebellion, strip him of his military power and official position, and order him to return to Xijing immediately to plead guilty.
It was a very crude plan, but Yin Zhao believed that as long as he, the "Son of Heaven," stood up and issued a public edict, some of the civil and military officials who had been "deceived" or "coerced" by Zhao Muyun would respond.
After all, the moral high ground is in his hands!
After writing a few lines, he suddenly stopped and asked, "What's the situation with Pei Lun and Fan Nan?"
Cao Chunfeng hesitated for a moment: "Both Minister Pei's residence and Lord Fan's residence were very quiet after nightfall, with no unusual activity observed."
Yin Zhao snorted: "These two old foxes are definitely two-faced! I'll deal with them after I've taken power!"
At this moment, his confidence was swelled. He felt that as long as the people of Quzhuang and the palace guards controlled by Zhou Wu launched a sudden attack, seized control of the Prince of Jin's mansion and city defenses, and then issued an imperial edict, the great cause could be accomplished.
"Your Majesty, it's almost time."
Qu Zhuang's deep voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall. He had arrived at the door at some point, still wearing an inconspicuous gray robe, standing with his hands at his sides.
Yin Zhao's spirits lifted, and he put down his pen: "Mr. Qu has arrived! Good, I'll be right there..."
His words came to an abrupt end.
Because behind Qu Zhuang, more shadowy figures appeared.
Leading the group was none other than Wang Tiezhu, who was dressed in the official robes of the Commander of the Imperial Guard, sitting in a wheelchair with a cold and stern expression!
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