Chapter 64 Bao Si (XII) Guo Shifu
In the morning light of Qiongtai Palace, Lin Jiaojiao frowned over the papers on her desk. On it was a briefing from Yijiu from the border. Written on newly made waterproof paper, the handwriting was clear, yet a hint of anxiety lingered. "Father, listening to Guo Shifu's advice, recently proposed imposing a 'border defense tax,' but Guo Shifu has actually pocketed the money. The people are resentful, and I'm afraid it will spark a civil unrest."
A pale blue shadow hovered beside the paper, scanning and analyzing it line by line. A solemn electronic voice spoke: "According to the scan of the national treasury records, Guo Shifu has embezzled 100,000 dan of tax in the past three months. He also extorted tribute from the princes under the guise of 'searching for treasures for King You of Zhou.' He even withheld 30% of the annual tribute from the Marquis of Shen's fiefdom. Yesterday, the Marquis of Shen secretly contacted Tai Shi Bo, hoping to join forces with the senior ministers to impeach Guo Shifu."
Lin Jiaojiao's fingertips lightly traced the words "Guo Shifu," her eyes darkening. "No wonder the Marquis of Shen hasn't targeted Yijiu recently. It turns out they have a common enemy. However, King You of Zhou has great trust in Guo Shifu, so impeachment alone probably won't work. Ling, can you find any other evidence against Guo Shifu?"
"We've discovered that Guo Shifu is planning to 'light beacons to trick the princes.'" Lights flickered, projecting fragments of his private conversation with King You of Zhou. Guo Shifu smiled flatteringly, "Your Majesty, the princes have recently been dissatisfied with the 'defense tax.' Why not light a beacon fire on Mount Li to test their loyalty? If they arrive overnight, it will both demonstrate your majesty and please Lady Si!"
King You of Zhou laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Very well! As you say, we will hold the 'beacon fire drill' in three days!"
Lin Jiaojiao watched the conversation unfold in the shadows, her heart tightening. "Beacon fires are military signals, how can we play with them? If the princes lose their trust and the Quanrong truly invade, the consequences will be disastrous! We must stop them! Ling, does Yijiu have any countermeasures?"
"Yijiu has already transferred five thousand elite troops from the border to garrison the outskirts of Haojing," a map of the border garrison was projected. "He's worried that Guo Shifu will use the pretext of 'beacon fires' to mobilize the imperial guards and seize control of the palace. Furthermore, the Marquis of Shen has also secretly assembled troops from his fiefdoms. While he hasn't stated this explicitly, it's clear he's trying to counterbalance Guo Shifu's power."
Lin Jiaojiao looked at the defense map, her brows relaxed slightly. "It seems we can use the excuse of 'discontent among the princes and Guo Shifu's corruption' to force King You of Zhou to weaken his power. Ling, can you compile evidence of Guo Shifu's corruption and have Ajing pass it on to Taishi Bo? Then, have Xiaotao go to the laundry bureau and collect the palace maids' testimony about Guo Shifu's treasure-hunting, so we can complete the chain of evidence."
"I'm sorting it out." Light and shadow fell on the paper, quickly revealing a list of evidence of corruption. "Also, I've discovered that Guo Shifu secretly communicated with the Quanrong envoy. Although no agreement was reached, there is a draft of a secret letter stating, 'If civil unrest breaks out in the Western Zhou Dynasty, I am willing to assist the Quanrong.' It's hidden in a secret compartment in his study."
"They're actually colluding with the Quanrong!" Lin Jiaojiao's eyes glared. "We must get this evidence. Marquis Shen has a personal grudge against Guo Shifu. Perhaps we can get him to send someone to help us sneak into Guo Shifu's mansion."
Ling's shadow flickered slightly. "Marquis Shen's men are already waiting outside Guo Shifu's mansion. All you need is cooperation to distract the guards. I will disrupt their consciousness and create an opportunity for them."
Lin Jiaojiao immediately asked Ajing to contact the envoy of Lord Shen and arrange for action tonight.
After arranging everything, she took Ling's light and shadow to Taishi Bo's library. According to the plan, she needed to discuss the specific steps of impeaching Guo Shifu with the old ministers.
When passing by the palace, the guards would still unconsciously linger on her when they saw her.
Today, she wore a lavender cloth skirt, the hem embroidered with tiny auspicious cloud patterns. She walked with a gentle grace, yet the solemnity between her brows gave her an air of quiet strength. Even the palace maids passing by couldn't help but whisper, "Madam Si has been discussing matters with the old ministers lately. She must be busy with state affairs."
In the library, Taishi Bo was looking at a pile of bamboo slips with a worried look on his face, while Zhao Gong was standing beside him with a grim expression.
Seeing Lin Jiaojiao come in, Taishi Bo quickly stood up and said, "Madam Si, you've arrived just in time! Guo Shifu has already persuaded the king to light the beacon fire on Mount Li in three days, and even said, 'If the princes don't come, they will be punished.' This is simply nonsense!"
Lin Jiaojiao handed over a list of evidence of corruption. "Taishi Bo, Lord Zhao, we can jointly impeach Guo Shifu under the pretext of 'dissatisfaction among the princes and complaints among the people.' Marquis Shen has agreed to assist, and tonight we will send people to Guo Shifu's mansion to search for evidence of collusion with the Quanrong. As long as the evidence is solid, even if King You of Zhou wants to protect him, he won't be able to withstand the pressure from his old ministers and the princes."
Duke Zhao took the list, examined it carefully, and slammed the table in anger. "If these treacherous officials are not eliminated, the Western Zhou Dynasty will perish! I will contact the other senior officials immediately, and we will jointly impeach them at the court meeting tomorrow!"
As the two were discussing, Ling's voice suddenly echoed in Lin Jiaojiao's mind: "Guo Shifu has sensed something is amiss and has sent people to the Eastern Palace to monitor Yijiu's movements. He's also trying to use the 'Crown Prince's troop movements' as an excuse to frame Yijiu for 'conspiracy'. Quickly have Ajing notify Yijiu and have him publicly announce his troop deployments ahead of time, using the excuse of 'guarding against the Quanrong' to silence Guo Shifu."
Lin Jiaojiao's face changed, and she immediately said to Taishibo, "Taishibo, Guo Shifu wants to frame Yijiu for 'mobilizing troops for rebellion'. We need to get Yijiu to disclose his troop deployment as soon as possible to avoid falling into a trap!"
Tai Shi Bo quickly sent someone to the East Palace to pass on the message, while Lin Jiaojiao followed Ling's light and shadow to the Qiongtai Palace.
She had to personally draft the "Military Deployment Instructions", write down on new paper the reasons why Yijiu mobilized troops, and let the old ministers defend him in the court meeting.
On the way, Ling's light and shadow continued to bring news: "Yijiu has publicly released his defense map and ordered soldiers to conduct drills outside Haojing. The people thought it was to 'prevent the Quanrong' and praised the Crown Prince's wisdom. Guo Shifu's plan to frame him has failed, and he is furiously discussing 'holding beacon fire drills in advance' with King You of Zhou."
"We must defeat him before the beacon fire drill." Lin Jiaojiao quickened her pace and returned to the Qiongtai Palace. She immediately picked up a pen to write the instructions. Ling's light and shadow assisted her in revising the wording to ensure that the logic was rigorous and impeccable.
As night fell, the messenger of Marquis Shen came with news: "We have obtained the secret letter of Guo Shifu's conspiracy with the Quanrong, and also found the account book of his embezzlement of taxes. The evidence is irrefutable!" Lin Jiaojiao asked Ajing to deliver the evidence to Taishi Bo's mansion, while she sat at the desk with Ling's light and shadow, waiting for the arrival of the court meeting tomorrow.
"Remember when we worked together to punish corrupt officials at Weishui?" Lin Jiaojiao whispered, her fingertips lightly touching the light and shadow. "Back then, you helped me check the accounts, and I led the people in petitioning, and we finally brought the official to justice. I never thought that now, the person we have to deal with is actually a senior official of the dynasty."
"We have more support this time," Ling's voice was filled with warmth, and the light and shadow gently rubbed the back of her hand. "Marquis Shen, the old ministers, Yijiu, and the people are all on our side. After Guo Shifu's downfall, even if King You of Zhou didn't want to give up power, he had to consider the attitudes of the princes and the people."
Lin Jiaojiao nodded, feeling at ease. As the night deepened, the candlelight in the Qiongtai Palace was still lit, illuminating the figures of the two people walking side by side.
At court the next day, Taishi Bo was the first to step forward, holding the evidence and kneeling in the hall. "Your Majesty! Guo Shifu embezzled taxes, withheld tribute from other princes, and even colluded with the Quanrong, plotting rebellion! Please punish him severely!" Elder ministers including Duke Zhao echoed this sentiment, and even the Marquis of Shen stepped forward, saying, "I am willing to pledge my fiefdom as a guarantee that every word Taishi Bo says is true! If Guo Shifu is not removed, the Western Zhou Dynasty will be in danger!"
Guo Shifu's face turned pale, and he quickly defended himself: "Your Majesty, this is all a false accusation! They have teamed up to frame me!"
At this moment, a eunuch hurried in with a report: "Your Majesty, envoys from various vassal states have requested an audience. They say the 'defense tax' is too heavy for the people to bear. If Your Majesty does not dismiss Guo Shifu, they will refuse to pay the annual tribute!"
King You of Zhou looked at the old ministers who were pleading for mercy in the hall, and heard the dissatisfaction of the princes, and his face instantly turned ugly.
Guo Shifu wanted to argue, but Ling's light and shadow quietly interfered with his consciousness, causing him to slip his words: "Your Majesty, I... I just wanted to collect more treasures for Your Majesty, not... not to embezzle!" This statement actually confirmed the charge of corruption.
King You of Zhou was so angry that he slammed the table and said, "How dare Guo Shifu deceive me! Come, throw him into the Heavenly Prison and investigate his crimes thoroughly!"
When Guo Shifu was dragged away, he was still crying out, "Your Majesty, please spare my life!" The old ministers in the hall all breathed a sigh of relief.
Shen Hou looked in the direction of Lin Jiaojiao, with a complicated look of gratitude in his eyes - if he hadn't joined forces with her, he would never have been able to defeat Guo Shifu with his own strength.
After the court meeting, Taishi Bo approached Lin Jiaojiao and whispered, "Madam Si, although Guo Shifu has been overthrown, the king is still unwilling to abdicate. He has only agreed to let the crown prince 'take charge of government affairs' and hold real power. We must wait for the right time."
Lin Jiaojiao nodded. "Allowing Yijiu to hold real power is already progress. As long as he can stabilize the government and win the support of the people and the princes, it will only be a matter of time before King You of Zhou abdicates."
When they returned to Qiongtai Palace, Ah Jing was already waiting at the door, holding Yijiu's briefing: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that the 'border defense tax' has been abolished, and the taxes embezzled by Guo Shifu have been returned to the people. The people are praising the Crown Prince's benevolence!"
Lin Jiaojiao took the briefing, Zero's shadow hovering beside her. Her voice was filled with relief. "Guo Shifu has fallen, Marquis Shen has formed a hidden alliance with us, and Yijiu has assumed real power. While the 'plan' hasn't been completely successful, it has taken the most crucial step. All we need to do now is stop King You of Zhou from lighting beacons to trick the princes, and we'll completely stabilize the situation."
Lin Jiaojiao looked at the handwriting on the briefing, then looked at the light blue light and shadow around her, her heart filled with emotion. From being isolated and helpless at the beginning to now joining forces with many parties to overthrow the treacherous ministers, although this road was difficult, it also made her see hope.
She whispered, "Zero, once we've completely stopped the beacon-fire plot and stabilized the situation in Western Zhou, we'll go back to Weishui and see the locust flowers bloom, okay?"
The light and shadow swayed slightly, as if nodding, and the electronic voice was gentle: "Okay, I will wait for that day with you."
As night fell, the candles in the Qiongtai Palace lit up.
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