conspiracy
The spring breeze turns the willows in front of the courtyard green, makes the flowers in the garden bloom, and blows into every crack in the palace walls.
In Xuehan Palace, Ning Lingyi was reviewing memorials. The sunlight filtered through the newly pasted window screens, casting a faint halo on her focused profile.
A message came from outside the hall, saying that Pan Hao wanted to see him.
"Xuan."
Without looking up, she moved the tip of her pen across the memorial, ticking off the word "approved". The feeling of having power in hand was so different.
I heard footsteps and stopped not far away.
Ning Lingyi put down her pen and looked up.
Pan Hao stood tall and straight like a pine tree. The lively and lively expression on his face had long since turned into a solemn expression. Only the eyes looking at her were still bright, but with a little more restrained respect.
"Your Majesty, I, Pan Hao, pay my respects to you."
"No need to be so polite." Ning Lingyi smiled slightly, her eyes glancing across his frosty temples, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart. "What brings you to the palace today?"
Pan Hao hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice, "I have come today to apologize to Your Majesty."
"Oh?" Ning Lingyi raised her eyebrows.
"When Your Majesty's troops were at the gates of the city, I secretly contacted my old subordinates in the capital, as well as some righteous men who had long been dissatisfied with Emperor Guangqi, to spread the news and incite the people..."
He paused, then quickly glanced up at Ning Lingyi. Seeing that she looked calm, he continued, "I acted on my own initiative without reporting this to Your Majesty. Although I was lucky enough to help the people, it was ultimately an overstep. I ask Your Majesty to punish me."
Ning Lingyi listened quietly, and the image of the mountains and seas of torches outside the palace gate and the deafening shouts of "Long live the emperor" that night seemed to reappear before her eyes.
She was silent for a moment, then nodded gently. "I have some suspicions about this matter. You were able to assess the situation, act accordingly, and manage your actions appropriately, avoiding any major unrest. What crime have you committed?"
Her tone softened, and she was clearly pleased. "Pan Hao, you have truly grown up. You are no longer the young man who only cared about fine clothes and galloping horses. General Pan would surely be pleased if he were still alive."
Hearing his father's name, Pan Hao's eyes warmed slightly. He said in a deep voice, "It's not that I'm particularly capable, but rather that your majesty's benevolent policies and righteous deeds have long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. All I did was to slightly ignite the fire of public support that your majesty had accumulated. It was your majesty who won them over."
Ning Lingyi stared at him, feeling a mixture of emotions in her heart.
Hardships make people grow old, but they also make them mature. The young people before us can already see the current situation clearly and know how to give credit to those in power. This kind of insight is far more rare than bravery on the battlefield.
"It's good that you think so," she asked. "What are your plans next?"
Pan Hao suddenly raised his head, his eyes blazing, and without hesitation, he said, "I request to go to Heshuo! The northern border is not yet pacified, and the Western Qiang still exist. I am willing to lead the way for Your Majesty, to recover our homeland and enhance our nation's prestige!"
The voice is sonorous and resounding.
The admiration in Ning Lingyi's eyes grew even stronger.
She seemed to see a young pine tree, which, after going through wind and rain, finally straightened its back, took root in the soil of its homeland, and was about to become a pillar of its country.
"Okay!" Ning Lingyi stood up, walked to the desk, picked up the pen and was about to write the imperial decree, "I will grant it to you..."
Before he finished speaking, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the palace, accompanied by a slightly panicked eunuch's announcement: "Your Majesty! Urgent military report from six hundred miles away! From Heshuo, presented by General Wang Mengzi!"
Ning Lingyi paused holding the pen, and her heart tightened.
Wang Mengzi, the special force she sent out had been deep in the southern desert for a long time, and there was little news. Suddenly, an urgent military report came!
"Hurry up and spread the news," she said immediately, looking at Pan Hao. "Stay here and listen to the news together."
The messenger was covered in dust and his armor was stained with dried mud. He fell to the ground and held up a military report with a red feather attached to it. Ning Lingyi took it and quickly opened the wax seal.
When her eyes swept across the handwriting on the paper, she was slightly startled at first, and a happy smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of her lips, but then the smile froze, her brows furrowed, and her expression became extremely solemn.
She handed the military newspaper she had read to Pan Hao without saying a word.
Pan Hao took it, read it quickly, and his heartbeat rose and fell.
Wang Mengzi and Zhao Kun led an elite lone army deep into the enemy's territory, detoured for thousands of miles, and unexpectedly raided the important area south of the desert where the Western Qiang were stationed. They burned countless food and supplies, gained rich spoils, and even took advantage of the situation to seize a large area of land south of the desert with abundant grass and water!
But in the second half, things took a sharp turn for the worse.
Wang Mengzi has issued a warning: the Western Qiang have suffered a series of heavy losses. The royal court is furious and determined to mobilize the entire nation for revenge against the Southern Dynasty! Over 100,000 elite cavalry are expected to be assembled, led by the Qiang King himself, and a massive southward advance is imminent!
"A great victory in the south of the desert is enough to mobilize the entire nation..." Pan Hao put down the military report, his voice hoarse as he looked up at Ning Lingyi, "Your Majesty, the Western Qiang are ready to fight to the death."
Ning Lingyi slowly sat back in the chair. The hall was silent for a moment, with only the rustling sound of the spring breeze blowing through the leaves outside the window, making the atmosphere even more tense.
"Ring the bell, summon all ministers, and discuss matters immediately!"
A moment later, in the Minyou Hall, the situation became tense again.
Wang Jingzhi, Shen Qingyan, Nong Zishi, Xue Cheng, Su Qingfan, Jing Zhao and other core officials gathered together.
Ning Lingyi said nothing more and directly handed Wang Mengzi's military report to everyone for circulation.
The news was like a huge rock thrown into a lake, instantly causing a thousand waves.
Xue Cheng was the first to step forward. "Your Majesty! The Western Qiang are going too far! I request your permission to return to Youzhou immediately and prepare for battle! We will not allow the Qiang dogs to cross the Great Wall!"
Heshuo is the land that he and countless soldiers defended with blood, and it must not be lost again.
However, Wang Jingzhi slowly shook his head, pouring cold water on his words. "General Xue's loyalty and bravery are commendable. Military strategy states that a thousand gold pieces must be expended daily before an army of a hundred thousand can be raised. The Northern Expedition has just been proposed, and the treasury is still not full. Now, facing this potentially devastating war, where will the money, food, and weapons come from? I'm afraid the Ministry of Revenue isn't even able to sustain General Xue's men for several months."
He turned his gaze to the official in charge of finances, who immediately stepped forward, his face grimacing. "Your Majesty, the treasury is truly empty. Taxes from all regions have yet to be collected, and previous expenditures have already stretched the budget. If we are to cope with such a major war, we will need to raise at least an additional eight million taels of silver to sustain us..."
Eight million taels! Everyone gasped.
Shen Qingyan pondered for a moment and took a step forward: "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures may be taken. Perhaps we can follow the old practice of the previous dynasty and sell the titles and certificates. Even if it is a drop in the bucket, it may be a temporary solution..."
"No." Ning Lingyi rejected it flatly before he could finish.
"A title is a national treasure, how can it be sold lightly? This is not the way to long-term stability." She glanced at the crowd, "The most important affairs of state are sacrifices and military affairs. The foundation of military affairs lies in financial resources. Without financial resources, all talk is empty."
Everyone was silent for a moment, and the atmosphere in the hall was heavy.
After discussing for a while, they still couldn't come up with a good plan, so Ning Lingyi ordered everyone to leave first, leaving Su Qingfan alone.
When they were alone in the hall, Ning Lingyi rubbed her brows, a trace of fatigue visible. "Qingfan, the establishment of the Military Affairs Office will separate the food and salary logistics from the Ministry of Revenue. This is because I know full well that the Ministry of Revenue is bloated and inefficient, and can't be relied upon at a critical moment. In fact, most of the burden of the Northern Expedition was destined to fall on your shoulders."
Su Qingfan's expression was solemn, but he showed no sign of backing down. "Your Majesty, rest assured. Qingfan will do his utmost, even if it means selling everything he has, to gather enough food and military supplies for the soldiers on the front lines!"
"Sell everything you have?" Ning Lingyi repeated softly, as if realizing something. "You were ordered to take inventory of the inner treasury and the imperial property before. What was the result?"
Su Qingfan immediately reported, "A preliminary inventory has been completed. The treasury currently holds approximately 1.2 million taels of silver, and various treasures are valued at approximately 800,000 taels. Furthermore, there are over one million acres of imperial farmland throughout the country, as well as seventeen mines of varying sizes. Years of neglect have resulted in unstable production."
Ning Lingyi was silent for a moment after hearing this, and then a hint of self-mockery suddenly appeared on the corner of her lips: "I never thought that one day I would become the regent princess, and the first thing I would do would be to sell off my belongings."
"Your Majesty, this is for the country and the people, not for your own selfish interests." Su Qingfan said hurriedly.
Ning Lingyi shook her head: "Even if all of this were converted, it would still be far from enough for a war that could destroy a nation."
She cast her gaze outside the palace, as if she could see through the palace walls and see those wealthy families. "Qingfan, tell me, if we have to chop with this knife, where should we point it?"
Su Qingfan followed her gaze, understanding her meaning. He whispered, "Those who have accumulated wealth over a century, and are as rich as a country, are not limited to the inner treasury? Which of the princes of the royal family does not have fiefdoms and imperial estates? I roughly estimate that the silver troves of several princes in the capital alone may not be less than one million, and the land and shops are countless. If you can..."
She didn't finish her words, but her meaning was clear.
Ning Lingyi's eyes narrowed. "The royal family is deeply intertwined. If we forcibly collect taxes without a proper pretext, we'll probably end up bringing disaster upon ourselves. By then, internal strife will ensue before external threats arrive."
Su Qingfan frowned in deep thought. Suddenly, a glint flashed in her eyes. She looked up at Ning Lingyi and said, "Your Majesty, do you still remember someone?"
*
In the Princess's Mansion, the red gates were tightly closed. The bustling scene of carriages and horses in the past was long gone, and there were few horses and saddles in front of the gate.
Ever since Emperor Guangqi burned himself to death in the Purple Palace, the once favored Princess Ning Lingli has been like a frightened bird, staying at home and living in fear day and night, fearing that Ning Lingyi's executioners would break in one day.
But as the days passed, there was no movement outside the palace. Even the important officials of the new dynasty seemed to have forgotten her. This strange tranquility, on the contrary, gave rise to a glimmer of unrealistic fantasy in her heart. Perhaps Ning Lingyi was still thinking about the small sisterly bond? After all, they both had Ning's blood flowing through their veins.
That day, she was sipping tea in the main hall, feeling restless. Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. Thinking it was a maid, she turned back impatiently, "Didn't I tell you not to disturb me unless you have something to do..."
The voice stopped abruptly.
The teacup in her hand fell to the ground with a clang, shattering into pieces, and the warm tea splashed on her skirt.
The person standing at the door against the light was Ning Lingyi!
Ning Lingli was so frightened that she almost collapsed to the ground. Then her fear turned to anger. She stood up suddenly and screamed, "Ning Lingyi, you killed my brother and seized the country. Isn't that enough? Are you going to eliminate me, your sister, as well? Come on! Win or lose, I accept it!"
Ning Lingyi watched her yelling in disbelief quietly, with no sadness or joy, no hatred or resentment in her eyes, only calmness.
After she finished shouting, she slowly spoke: "If you want to live, if you want to leave this cage, I can give you a chance."
Ning Lingli's angry words got stuck in her throat. She stared at Ning Lingyi in confusion, as if she didn't understand what she was saying. "What did you say?"
"Cooperate with me." Ning Lingyi took a few steps closer, her eyes falling on Ning Lingli's pale and haggard face. "After this is done, I will grant you freedom and let you stay away from the capital."
Ning Lingli stared at Ning Lingyi in disbelief. "Cooperation? You have all the power in the world now. Is there anything else you need me to do for you?"
Ning Lingyi took something out of her sleeve and handed it to Ning Lingli.
Ning Lingli was stunned, her fingertips trembling as she dared not touch it: "How dare you give it to me? If I..."
"You won't." Ning Lingyi interrupted her, "I believe my sister knows what to do."
Ning Lingli stared at the thing, thought about it carefully several times, and finally, took a deep breath and nodded heavily.
*
A few days later, in the capital.
In some hidden corners, some horrifying whispers began to spread.
"Have you heard? It turns out that the Heshuo incident... had a hidden story!"
"What do you mean by paying money to redeem the people? That's fake! That's a show put on by the people of Beishuo and Princess Mingzhu! It's just to deceive the people!"
"Not only that! Some people even say that Ning Lingyi herself brought those Western Qiang cavalrymen from the outskirts of the capital! She did it to force the emperor to revolt!"
"Emperor Guangqi was wronged! He was framed! That woman is so vicious, she killed her brother and forced her father to…"
Deep in Prince Kang’s mansion, the lights were bright.
Ning Lingli looked sad as she placed the package Zheng was holding tightly in her arms on the table in front of King Kang.
"Uncle Wang, please look." Her voice was bewitching.
Confused, King Kang untied the brocade. When the jade seal with a dragon knob was fully revealed, he breathed heavily, his eyes widening. "Is this a jade seal? Where did you get it?"
"Ning Lingyi's actions are outrageous and have angered the people and the gods. She can't even keep the imperial seal!" said Ning Lingli.
"She murdered her brother, forced her father, and colluded with foreign enemies. Now she has lost the support of the people. This is a godsend opportunity! Uncle Wang, you are the younger brother of the retired emperor, and your bloodline is noble. If you raise your hand and expose the true face of that woman, my niece is willing to come forward to testify. The loyal and righteous members of the royal family will surely follow! This country should belong to someone as legitimate as you."
King Kang touched the cold jade seal with trembling hands. The touch of the seal, which symbolized the supreme imperial power, made his blood boil. The last trace of doubt was completely swallowed up by greed.
He held the imperial seal tightly in his arms, as if he was holding the whole world.
"Good! Good! Good!" He uttered the word "good" three times in a row, his eyes burning with crazy ambition. "I will follow the will of heaven and restore order!"
So, King Kang contacted a group of royal family members and ministers and began to dream of becoming an emperor.
But before their sweet dreams could even begin, countless torches lit up the night sky above the palace.
The palace door was flung open with a bang, and the leading general flashed a bright yellow imperial edict: "By order of the Princess Regent! Prince Kang Ningke is colluding with the rebels, spreading rumors, and plotting evil! Capture him! All those involved in this case will be detained and confiscated!"
The same scene was being played out simultaneously in several high-ranking mansions in the capital.
The sounds of crying, scolding, and rummaging through boxes and cabinets broke the tranquility of the night. Amidst the flash of swords and the shadow of sabers, a carefully planned "rebellion" was crushed with thunderous force.
In the next few days, Caishikou was covered in blood, countless heads fell to the ground, mansions were sealed, and the gold, silver, jewelry, land deeds and house deeds in the warehouse were counted one by one and registered.
In the end, more than five million taels of silver, as well as countless farms and shops across the country, were continuously sent into the Military Affairs Office's warehouse like streams flowing into a river and registered as official property.
Ning Lingyi stood in front of the high window of Xuehan Palace, looking at the smoke and dust gradually dissipating outside the palace wall in the distance, holding a list of confiscated property that had just been delivered.
There was no joy on her face, only a deep calm.
Su Qingfan stood quietly aside and reported softly: "Your Majesty, the silver and money have been deposited into the treasury, and various industries are also being taken over. The funds for the Northern Expedition have been slightly alleviated."
"Hmm." Ning Lingyi replied calmly, still looking out the window, muttering to herself, "In this world, the fastest way to make money is indeed murder and arson."
The voice was very light, dissipating in the rising evening breeze, carrying with it a sigh and complexity.
*
The spring breeze was still blowing, and a carriage quietly left the capital.
In the carriage, a hand lifted the curtain, and the former eldest princess Ning Lingli looked back at the capital.
There was an extremely complex expression in her eyes, including resentment, confusion, helplessness, bewilderment, and even melancholy.
The title of princess followed her for the first half of her life, and from now on, she could only be herself.
Who is she? She doesn't know.
As the carriage sped away from the capital, everything had nothing to do with her anymore.
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