New Endgame
The fall of Duke Cheng'en's mansion and the dethronement of Consort Lin were like a huge rock dropped into a seemingly calm lake, sending ripples that spread and completely altering the power dynamics at court. The nobles suffered a severe blow, and officials who had previously had close ties with the Lin family were either purged or silenced. For a time, the voices of the nobles in the court were much weaker.
Xiao Jingche, riding on the momentum of his purge of the nobility, continued his advance. He knew that eradicating the Lin family was far from a safe endeavor. The "Ninth Brother," hidden even further away, remained at large, and the Empress of Kunning Palace, after this incident, saw her prestige and influence rise, leaving him feeling even more uneasy.
He must speed up and consolidate imperial power.
Thus, over the following months, Xiao Jingche implemented a series of new policies with unprecedented force. He promoted scholars from humble backgrounds and filled mid- and low-level positions in the Censorate and the six ministries, attempting to forge a new force entirely loyal to the emperor, rather than to any particular faction. At the same time, under the guise of "strengthening military preparations and responding to the northern barbarians," he frequently interfered in the affairs of the Ministry of War, attempting to tighten his control over the logistics of the garrisons and the assessment of their commanders. This was particularly problematic for the northern border troops, who were repeatedly hampered. Wei Zheng's repeated requests for additional troops and upgraded military equipment were either rejected or delayed, citing reasons such as "treasury shortages" and the need for comprehensive planning.
However, Lu Qinglan's influence was already deeply entrenched, permeating the government and the people. Many of the officials Xiao Jingche promoted from humble backgrounds had already been secretly investigated and even influenced by Han Mingyuan (since reinstated) or Gu Zhao. His attempts to tighten military control also met with resistance from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue. The cumbersome and inefficient procedures made it difficult for his will to be fully implemented.
Xiao Jingche felt as if he were walking in a quagmire, with every step met with resistance. He knew that Kunning Palace was definitely behind this. Although he and Lu Qinglan had not clashed head-on, this silent struggle had spread to every corner of the court.
One day, Xiao Jingche received a secret report from the Northern Frontier, relayed by an informant planted within Wei Zheng's army by the Imperial City Administration. The report mentioned that Wei Zheng had recently been receiving a number of unusual "caravans," carrying not ordinary goods but rather difficult-to-verify "medicinal herbs" and "fur." These caravans, accompanied by exceptionally skilled and secretive guards, were also suspected of being cunning. Even more suspicious was the fact that Wei Zheng's trusted lieutenant-general had secretly left the camp for several days, seemingly heading towards the capital.
"Caravans? Secretly entering the capital?" Xiao Jingche stared at the secret report, his brow furrowed. He had long suspected Wei Zheng and Lu Qinglan were colluding, but he had no concrete evidence. Could this clue mean they were plotting something? Were those "caravans" connected to "Ninth Brother"? Or... were they secretly mobilizing forces?
A strong sense of unease gripped him. He couldn't wait any longer! He had to take the initiative and break this suffocating deadlock.
He summoned the newly appointed and extremely loyal Minister of Personnel, Zhang Wenyuan. This man was a man of outstanding talent and came from a poor family. He had achieved his current position only because of the emperor's special promotion. He was Xiao Jingche's confidant who had been carefully cultivated.
"Wenyuan, I want to reorganize the defense of the capital. Who do you think can take on this task?" Xiao Jingche asked casually.
Zhang Wenyuan's mind raced, immediately understanding the emperor's deeper meaning. The defense of the capital region was a matter of vital importance to the emperor's life and property, and had always been handled by his closest confidants. Previously, this position had been held by a distinguished veteran general. Now that the distinguished general had fallen from power, the emperor clearly wanted to replace him with one of his own. He might also be using this as a way to test, or even intimidate, the empress.
"Your Majesty," Zhang Wenyuan bowed and said, "I think that the commander of the Cavalry Battalion, Zhou Zhen, is loyal and brave, and may be worth a try." Zhou Zhen was a general promoted from the guards of the imperial residence after Xiao Jingche ascended the throne. He had a clean background and was loyal to the emperor.
Xiao Jingche pondered for a moment and nodded. "Zhou Zhen is indeed loyal, but he is still young and may not be able to convince the people. Therefore, Zhou Zhen will be promoted to Deputy Commander of the Capital Garrison, acting as Commander. The former Commander... is old, so let him retire."
This was the first step in gradually seizing the military power in the capital by promoting officials in name only and demoting them in reality.
"Your Majesty, I will do it immediately." Zhang Wenyuan accepted the order.
At the same time, in Kunning Palace, Lu Qinglan also heard the news.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty wishes to mobilize the garrison commanders in the capital and promote Zhou Zhen to deputy commander to act as commander." Fu Yu reported.
Lu Qinglan was flipping through an account book. He didn't even look up when he heard this, but said calmly, "Your Majesty is worried. Zhou Zhen? He's just a military man, not a concern. He has no foundation in the capital's garrison, and his sudden rise to power, with all the complicated relationships below him, will be enough to give him a headache for a while."
"Then do we need to..." Fu Yu indicated whether to secretly obstruct it.
"No need." Lu Qinglan closed the account book, his eyes cold. "Let him do it. This will give His Majesty a good chance to see if the person he personally promoted can truly be used at his will. We can also take this opportunity to see who else will be eager to join the new master."
She paused and asked, "Have you received the 'guest' from Northern Xinjiang?"
"Your Majesty, he has been received as planned and placed in a secret location west of the city, under strict protection by our men. The Duke of Wei's men have also secretly entered the capital and are ready to be dispatched by Your Majesty at any time."
"Very good." A sharp glint flashed in Lu Qinglan's eyes. "Tell Wei Zheng to have his men remain silent and on standby. They must not act rashly without my orders. Also, have our men quietly report to Prime Minister Gu the news that His Majesty is secretly investigating the remnants of Ruiyuxuan and the Cheng'en Mansion, as well as... attempting to contact the tribe of Zuo Xianwang of Beidi."
"Your Majesty wants to..."
"Gu Zhao is a wise man. He knows what dangers lie ahead for the nation." Lu Qinglan said calmly, "Your Majesty has actually begun to play tricks on the tiger and contact the Northern Di tribe to deal with me. This trend must not be allowed to continue. It's time for this old prime minister to give Your Majesty another warning."
In the endgame, both players have made their moves. Xiao Jingche, eager to break the deadlock, presses forward, while Lu Qinglan, poised at the center, perceptive and guiding the situation in his own direction. The "guest" from Northern Frontier, quietly ushered into the capital, and the emperor's secret, soon to be revealed to Gu Zhao, will become the key to tipping this fragile balance.
The storm is accumulating in the silence, and the final game has quietly begun.
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