The Imperial Palace in Xijing City.
Late at night, the imperial study was brightly lit by candlelight.
Yin Zhao sat behind his desk, with a list of "usable ministers" laid out in front of him, provided by Fan Bingbing.
The thirty-seven people included Liu Yong, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works; Wang Yun, Censor; Chen Xin, Compiler of the Hanlin Academy; Zhou Wu, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards; Chen Ping, Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; and Li Fu, Grand Master of the Palace. They covered many key departments in the court.
"Your Majesty, although these people hold different positions, they all wield real power and are dissatisfied with Zhao Muyun's new policies."
Qu Zhuang stood aside and analyzed in a low voice, "Liu Yong is in the Ministry of Works and can control the manufacture of military equipment; Wang Yun is in the Censorate and can influence public opinion; Zhou Wu commands part of the Imperial Guards and is a key military force; Chen Ping, Li Fu and others have prestige in the court and can contact more ministers."
Yin Zhao nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement: "Mr. Qu is indeed a man of great talent, managing to build such a situation in just six months. But... are these people reliable?"
“Reliable.” Qu Zhuang smiled. “I have dirt on them. Liu Yong embezzled funds for river repairs, Wang Yun’s son seized farmland and caused a death, and Zhou Wu had private dealings with the Northern Di… If these things were exposed, they would all be capital offenses. They have no choice but to be loyal to Your Majesty.”
Yin Zhao smiled with satisfaction.
This is the art of rulership—using both kindness and severity, promising great benefits while also holding their weaknesses in one's hands.
"When will we make our move?"
"When Li Jingang's army reaches Longmen Pass," Qu Zhuang said, "then Xijing will be shaken, and even the Grand Commander and the Prince of Jin will personally go to the front line to supervise the battle."
"The palace is empty, which is a good opportunity. Your Majesty can leave the palace under the pretext of 'comforting the army', but in reality, he can secretly meet with his ministers, take control of the palace in one fell swoop, issue an edict, and seize Zhao Muyun's military power."
Yin Zhao frowned: "Although Zhao Muyun is away, his cronies are still there. Pei Lun, Lin Feng, Xiao Cheyun, and others hold military power; how could they sit idly by?"
“Therefore, we need to coordinate from within and without.” A cold glint flashed in Qu Zhuang’s eyes. “I have already arranged for someone to ‘invite’ Pei Lun into the palace for a meeting at a crucial moment, but in reality, to place him under house arrest.”
"Lin Feng must defend Longmen Pass, and Xiao Cheyun must defend Wuguan Road. As for the other Zhao faction members in the court, as long as His Majesty controls the city's defenses and issues an edict, they will be leaderless and dare not act rashly."
Yin Zhao paced back and forth in his study, his mind in turmoil.
He knew it was a gamble; if he won, he would be the true emperor; if he lost, he would be doomed.
But does he have a choice?
Continuing to be Zhao Muyun's puppet will only lead to his death sooner or later.
"Let's do it!" Yin Zhao gritted his teeth. "Mr. Qu, I entrust my life and fortune to you. I hope you will live up to my expectations."
Qu Zhuang bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to help you regain power."
Leaving the Imperial Study, Qu Zhuang walked along the passageway between the palace walls.
A night breeze blew by, bringing a touch of coolness.
He looked up at the moon, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
Yin Zhao thought he was a loyal minister, but he didn't know that he was never truly loyal to this puppet emperor.
All of this was Zhao Muyun's scheme—to lure out the snakes from their holes and wipe out the hidden rebels in the court.
“Great Commander, Great Commander,” Qu Zhuang sighed, “Just as you predicted, as soon as we throw out a little bait, our Emperor can’t sit still.”
He straightened his clothes and hurried out of the palace.
There are still many people to meet and many things to arrange.
The covert battle in Xijing has entered its most critical stage.
......
July 18th, Longmen Pass.
The morning mist, like a veil, shrouded this strategic pass that commands the throat of Guanzhong.
The wall is four zhang high and built of bluestone. After a hundred years of wind and rain, the wall is covered with marks of swords and arrows, like the scars on the face of an old general.
On the side outside the pass, the river flows swiftly, its roar like thunder.
Lin Feng stood with his hand on his sword against the wall.
The morning dew on the armor was still wet, gleaming faintly in the rising sun.
He was squinting as he looked eastward—where smoke and dust were rising from the horizon.
"They're here," the lieutenant whispered.
As the smoke and dust drew closer, flags, weapons, and men gradually came into view.
The dark army surged in like a tide and began to form ranks five miles outside the pass.
With banners covering the sky and the sun, the number of people was roughly estimated to be at least 80,000.
On the central banner, a huge character "Li" fluttered in the wind.
“Li Hu, just our prisoner!” Lin Feng uttered the name calmly, but his grip on his sword tightened.
Li Hu, Li Jingang's nephew, is closer to him than his own son.
He and Yang Yan were stationed in Xijing back then.
Xijing was captured by Lin Feng, and Li Hu was captured by Lin Feng on his escape route. Later, he became the subject of negotiations between Dayin and Dafeng to temporarily cooperate in order to resist the invasion of the Northern Di.
Li Hu was released during the battle between the two sides against the Tartars.
Many people don't understand why Zhao Muyun let Li Hu go back. After all, he was Li Jingang's beloved friend and relative, so he should have been paid more money!
Lin Feng, however, knew that sending a good-for-nothing like Li Hu back would be a way of helping Da Yin.
If Li Jingang's subordinates were all people like Yang Yan and Yang Fan, who were both literate and martial, that would be a real headache!
"Order: All troops to stand at attention. Archers and crossbowmen are to be placed on the wall, each equipped with 150 arrows. Rolling logs, stones, hot oil, and molten gold are to be prepared in sufficient quantities."
"Remove all the fake cannons and bring in the real ones—even though there are only ten, we should let them taste our power."
"yes!"
The orders were passed down through the ranks.
The 10,000 troops defending Longmen Pass quickly took their positions.
Archers lined up behind the crenellations, their arrows gleaming coldly in the sunlight; the trebuchet winch turned, loading stone projectiles.
The most conspicuous thing is the ten Divine Machine Cannons on the wall.
This was specially arranged for the defense of Longmen Pass. Although it was not as good as the new cannons of the Western Expeditionary Army, it was still a powerful weapon capable of firing at 500 paces.
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