There is a private prison in the palace, mainly for prisoners that the emperor wants to interrogate alone. However, it has not been used for a long time. After many years, it once again welcomed its guests.
Since it wasn't for interrogation, Lin Chen just stood by and didn't do anything to them. However, the eerie and terrifying atmosphere alone was enough to scare people out of their wits.
When Yun Qing entered, she was almost choked by the dust inside. Then, a chilling aura rushed towards her, penetrating to the bone and making her shiver.
Coming here in the dead of winter must be really tough.
With a single glance from Xie Rang, the eunuch behind him hurriedly brought over a cloak: "Lord Li, it's cold and desolate in the prison, please put this on."
Yun Qing took it and, seeing that Xie Rang was still wrapped up tightly, wasn't worried and whispered, "Okay."
Fortunately, we reached the innermost part after walking for a short while.
When the messengers saw who it was, their faces turned green.
Yun Qing remained unfazed: "How are you all doing here? Are you alright?"
[It probably isn't very good. Look at all these coins; their mouths are practically frozen black.]
"We are not unreasonable people. If you are willing to cooperate, we will be fine. If you don't cooperate, don't blame us for using special methods."
Yun Qing chuckled, her tone gentle but her words icy. She didn't care what these people had planned to do before, as long as she could help them bring down Liang Zhigong, everything would be fine.
Of course, it wasn't just Yun Qing. The young emperor standing beside her, and Lin Chen guarding the side, both exuded an unspoken pressure in their eyes. After a long silence, someone finally couldn't bear the atmosphere any longer and spoke up under the pressure: "Lord Li, what exactly do you want us to do?"
“It’s very simple.” Yun Qing raised her eyebrows, barely satisfied with their pragmatism. “Identify Liang Zhigong, and I will let bygones be bygones.”
Water that is too clear has no fish. In the struggle for power, anyone can be a pawn. Therefore, friends and enemies are not absolute; it all depends on how they choose to act.
The truth or falsehood is not important; what Yun Qing needs is a legitimate reason to eliminate Liang Zhigong.
However, given the circumstances, they seemed to have little choice. After a few whispered exchanges, the two sides finally sent someone to say, "We agree."
...
After emerging from the private prison, Yun Qing's body gradually warmed up.
Xie Rang muttered, "The Grand Tutor doesn't need to say these things to them at all. They have no choice but to agree, whether they like it or not."
Xie Rang felt no pity for them; they had chosen to get involved themselves. He and the Grand Tutor were merely going with the flow and using them in return. If they knew what was good for them, they would eventually change their minds.
“Although Kucha and Wusun are small countries, we don’t need to antagonize them at this time.” Yun Qing stated a principle calmly, “When the Great Xi Kingdom is prosperous, the surrounding small countries will be willing to submit. If they think that the Great Xi Kingdom does not care about its vassal states, it will cause trouble.”
[The capital city is far away, so it's not the capital that's suffering; it's the people on the border who are suffering, and that's unnecessary.]
Xie Rang could only say softly, "The Grand Tutor always considers things so thoroughly."
"Of course," Yun Qing said. "I don't know when Lord Liang will make a move, so I can only ask Your Majesty to stay in this palace for another two days."
Xie Rang didn't feel wronged at all. On the contrary, he was the safest person now, and the one who should be more worried was the Grand Tutor himself.
"Has the Prince of Pingjiang made no move?"
"He agreed, on the condition that I relinquish some of my power."
Yun Qing had long known that cooperating with King Pingjiang would not be without any cost; it was just a matter of who would ultimately compromise.
"It is the Ministry of War. I agree."
The Ministry of War is very important, but it is now basically filled with Liang Zhigong's cronies. These people don't do much practical work, but replacing them would be a bit troublesome. Since we can't control it for the time being, it's fine to let him have it.
"That's all I can do; the rest is up to Your Majesty."
Yun Qing had previously thought that since the imperial examinations had not yet been held, there were very few capable people in the court. However, after this purge, many positions would naturally become available, and then it would be possible to hold a special imperial examination in a legitimate manner.
Xie Rang saw the trust in Yun Qing's eyes and nodded: "Leave the rest to me, Grand Tutor."
Yun Qing smiled and said, "Mm."
-
With the envoys from both countries willing to cooperate, things became much simpler. That very evening, Lin Chen spread the news that they had confessed, stating that it was Liang Zhigong who threatened the envoys, which was why they poisoned the emperor. The news spread almost immediately, and Liang Zhigong led his men to surround the palace.
When the late emperor was alive, he seized a lot of power. The Ministry of War and the Cabinet were his domain. If he were to be purged, the families he colluded with would not escape either. So we can only take a gamble and see if he can use the emperor to command the princes.
The Eastern Depot's guards stood in front, their cold blades facing off against the Imperial Guards. The sharp sword tips reflected the firelight, creating a tense atmosphere. It was clear how many people Liang Zhigong had recruited over the years.
Yun Qing slowly appeared behind the Imperial Guards. In this situation, she was actually much calmer than she had imagined.
"What does Governor Liang mean by this?"
"You've colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, plotting to assassinate the emperor! I haven't even had anyone arrest you yet, and you've already done it first! Don't you know this is treason!"
Liang Zhigong looked at her, a mocking sneer in his eyes: "What right do you have to talk about me? You're nothing but a hypocrite who flaunts his status and acts arrogantly. How dare you say you have no desire for power! If you hadn't forced me, I wouldn't be in this situation!"
Yun Qing thought to herself, "What bad luck! She really is a hypocrite." She remained unmoved on the surface and said, "Hmph, do you think everyone is as greedy as you? You've probably forgotten how to be a decent human being."
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