The month of fasting was peaceful and tranquil. No one would dare to offend the emperor during the period of mourning, and everyone behaved themselves.

But on the last day before the fast was about to end, something big happened.

That night, there was a heavy rainstorm with thunder and lightning. The lightning flashed one after another like a sharp sword splitting the sky, illuminating the entire night sky. The muffled thunder was even more like gods and ghosts descending, with a force of ten thousand pounds, shaking the heaven and earth, and making people sitting in the house tremble with fear.

The rain was like a hole in the sky, and it rained for most of the night. Yan Sikong and Ali did not sleep all night because water had gathered in the low places of their home. If it was not led out, it would have come into the house.

The next day, he dragged his tired body to the yamen and heard a frightening news.

Last night's lightning struck and split a century-old tree on a mountain in the northern suburbs. The tree fell right on the spot where the Empress Dowager was newly buried.

So this morning Emperor Zhaowu suspended court and summoned the Minister of Rites and the Minister of Honglu Temple to question them.

Since ancient times, thunder from heaven has been regarded as the power of God, carrying the meaning of punishing evil and misconduct. Now, the Empress Dowager has just been buried, and the tree that was killed by thunder from heaven is pressing down on her tomb. What a bad omen this is.

There was a lot of discussion in the court, most of which were words of worry. Many shocking rumors had reached Yan Sikong's ears, but he just listened and remained silent. He knew very well that trouble comes from the mouth, and he should never speak carelessly, especially at this extraordinary time.

Although Yan Sikong did not believe those Taoist priests who scooped up soil and burned incense, nor did he believe that the fall of a mere tree would bring disaster to the country's destiny, he knew the seriousness of this matter and that many people would be implicated. The first to be affected would be the Ministry of Rites and the Honglu Temple. Most of the people there were Yan Zilian's men, and the eunuchs' party would surely take the opportunity to attack them together.

Later that day, the Taoist priest who had chosen the site for the Empress Dowager's mausoleum was imprisoned. Yan Zilian rushed to the palace to plead for the Minister of Rites and the Minister of Honglu Temple, but it was not known what punishment the two would receive.

At the morning court the next day, memorials flew out like snowflakes, half of which were impeachments and half of which were explanations of God's will in an attempt to reassure people's hearts.

Faced with the emperor's wrath, the elderly Minister of the Ministry of Rites requested to retire and return home, while the Minister of Rites was demoted to a local prefect, and he was afraid that he would never be able to return to Beijing for the rest of his life. In addition, Emperor Zhaowu ordered that all those who participated in the planning of the empress dowager's funeral be investigated and severely punished.

Thus, within just one month, more than a dozen officials were demoted or dismissed, and the Taoist priest was also beheaded.

If this incident only resulted in demotion, salary reduction, and the killing of one or two Taoists, it could be considered a "good end". Although he lost the Minister of Rites and the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Yan Zilian was still able to push his own people up, and at most he would have a quarrel with Xie Zhongren for a while.

But when Yan Zilian asked for a secret meeting, Yan Sikong had a vague premonition of something bad happening.

When they met Yan Zilian in the teahouse, Yan Sikong and Feng Ye both sensed something from his solemn expression.

"Teacher, this is for Minister Xu..."

"No." Yan Zilian said urgently, not even letting Yan Sikong finish his sentence, "He's gone, it's not a big deal."

Yan Sikong and Feng Ye looked at each other in surprise, because Yan Zilian looked so unusual.

Yan Zilian took a deep breath and said, "Today, Xie Zhongren found a master who is said to be unseen from somewhere and said that thunder is a bad sign. Because the Queen Mother is fierce and not polite, the heavens are angry and it may harm the country's destiny."

"This is simply nonsense." Yan Sikong said coldly, "This master is just a sorcerer, he should be dragged out and beheaded!"

Feng Ye frowned and said, "Your Majesty... do you believe it?"

Yan Zilian said solemnly: "It's hard to say."

Both of them were waiting for Yan Zilian to continue speaking, because they knew that what followed would be the main topic.

"Whether Your Majesty believes it or not, Your Majesty has decided to upgrade the Queen Mother's funeral to a national funeral." Yan Zilian looked at the two of them, his tone heavy, "An edict will be issued tomorrow. First, the tomb must be moved. Second, all the princes within a thousand miles must return to the capital to pay their respects immediately."

Their eyes suddenly widened, a chill rushed into their bodies, and their faces turned pale in an instant.

Yan Zilian closed his eyes, looking much older. "I'm afraid this is a plot set up by your majesty and Xie Zhongren to use this incident to bring Prince Zhao Jingyuan back to the capital."

Feng Ye clenched his fists and argued feebly, "My father is a different surname, Wang."

"A king with a different surname is still a king." Yan Zilian said solemnly, "I didn't expect that after escaping the imperial examination, I would be met with condolences again. If General Feng refuses to return to the capital again this time, it will be the third time. I'm afraid..."

Yan Sikong felt his mind go blank for a moment, and his heart was in a state of panic.

Yes, if he refuses to return to the capital again, it will be the third time. The first time was for the celebration banquet and Emperor Zhaowu secretly issued an order, and the second time was for the capital inspection. According to the law, Feng Jianping should return to the capital to report on his work. This time, even if he has thousands of excuses, even if Emperor Zhaowu is weak and incompetent, he cannot tolerate a minister who clearly has rebellious intentions and even more rebellious power. With a knife on his neck, who can remain calm?

Moreover, even if Emperor Zhaowu could tolerate it, his ministers could not tolerate it, and the people of the world would condemn him verbally and in writing. Holding a large army but refusing to return to the court must be an attempt at rebellion!

Feng Ye bowed and said, "Master, what should we do now?"

Yan Zilian shook his head: "The decree will be issued tomorrow. Your Majesty has made up his mind and it is impossible to take it back."

"If my father returns to Beijing, I don't know what will happen..."

"There is no need to panic now." Yan Zilian said, "As long as General Feng returns and shows his loyalty to Your Majesty, Your Majesty will not be too embarrassed. After all, Datong still needs to rely on General Feng. However, Datong's military equipment must be reduced."

Yan Sikong narrowed his eyes: "Teacher, if Prince Jingyuan returns to the capital, will he really just reduce the military? I'm worried..."

Yan Zilian raised his hand to stop him from continuing: "Your Majesty is not a cold-blooded person, nor does he fail to distinguish right from wrong. Moreover, the general you appointed is a famous general with meritorious service. Your Majesty's move is to reduce Datong's military equipment and take back some military power."

Feng Ye gritted his teeth and said, "The 300,000 soldiers raised by Datong are not for nothing. Without them, how could we have defended the border for more than 20 years? If we reduce the military, wouldn't that be destroying the Great Wall?"

Yan Zilian shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Your Majesty will not consider these. He only knows that the Oirat has been badly damaged and Datong is not as nervous as before. Why would he continue to maintain so many soldiers?"

Feng Ye's face was gloomy.

Yan Sikong cupped his hands and pleaded, "Teacher, can you go and advise His Majesty again? Prince Zhao's visit to the capital is truly a mobilization of troops."

Yan Zilian shook his head, "The emperor has made up his mind. It's useless for me to say anything. Your Majesty's move is aimed at Prince Jingyuan." He looked at Feng Ye and sighed, "Prince, let General Feng return to the capital. For now, the only way to reassure Your Majesty is to hand over part of the military power. Does General Feng really want to disobey the emperor's order?"

Feng Ye pursed his lips and said nothing, but the veins on his forehead bulged, and it was obvious that he was very upset.

Yan Zilian stood up and said earnestly, "As the chief minister of the inner cabinet, I only hope for peace and prosperity for the country and the people. General Feng is the most meritorious official of our Great Sheng, and the Feng family will assist the new master in the future. If General Feng returns to the capital, I swear on my life that I will protect General Feng and will also argue for General Feng on the issue of reducing military equipment."

Yan Sikong watched Yan Zilian and Feng Ye stare at each other from a distance. It was a silent contest, and both of them were filled with turbulence. He understood Yan Zilian's position, but a voice in his heart told him very clearly that Feng Jianping must not come back.

Having said this, Yan Zilian took his leave.

As soon as he left, Yan Sikong trembled and said, "If Your Highness returns to the capital, I'm afraid it will be dangerous."

Feng Ye lowered his eyes and looked at the ground: "What do you mean?"

"You know in your heart that from the moment your Highness defeated the Oirat, the Emperor could no longer tolerate him. The rabbit is dead and the dog is cooked, the bird is gone and the bow is hidden. This will never be forgotten in history."

Feng Ye's eyes turned cold: "But Yan Zilian swore to his word."

"Since His Majesty has made up his mind, the teacher will definitely persuade His Highness to return to the court. He cannot watch the generals on the border rebel! But once His Highness returns, if something really happens, the teacher may not be able to save him."

Feng Ye raised his head and said in a deep voice: "I don't want my father to come back either. I'm also worried about something happening, but I can't openly disobey the order. Do you have any good ideas?"

Yan Sikong paced back and forth. On that cold, rainy night in late autumn, he was so anxious that sweat broke out on his forehead. "There is no other way. Your Highness, either you return or you don't. There are only two options."

"If I go back..."

"If you go back." Yan Sikong stopped in his tracks and stared at Feng Ye with a weird look on his face, "You may not be able to go back."

Feng Ye's breathing became heavy: "If I don't come back, wouldn't that be treason?"

Yan Sikong walked a few steps to Feng Ye, slowly squatted down, and put his hands on his knees. His eyes were filled with a cold and sharp light, and his silence was more powerful than words.

Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong for a long while, then understood what he meant. He suddenly trembled and said, "You are crazy."

Yan Sikong grabbed Feng Ye's hand and held it tightly, saying in a stern voice: "Am I crazy? Don't you have any confidence in your heart? If you were the emperor, would you tolerate a border general who has achieved more than his master, is famous all over the world, has 300,000 troops under his command, and is only 600 miles away from the capital, but has refused to return to the court twice?"

Feng Ye's eyes widened and his face turned pale.

Yan Sikong was also trembling all over. Before today, he had done many things that were enough to kill him a hundred times, and these were all he had been thinking about for more than ten years, but he had never, never dared to think about those two words - treason.

It's not that he doesn't have enough courage, but he knows his own limitations. Killing a few treacherous ministers is not the same as overthrowing a dynasty. However, at this moment, when he suddenly realized that the Feng family might be desperate, these two words appeared in his mind. He was instinctively afraid, and because the Feng family had such strength, he trembled violently at the possibility that these two words might come true.

The two of them stared at each other without blinking, neither of them willing to admit defeat, as if even a blink of hesitation would mean they would no longer have the courage to do so.

Finally, Feng Ye looked away. The lines of his jaw were extremely stiff and his Adam's apple was rolling vigorously. Although he had said things like "My Feng family can change the surname of everyone in the world" more than once, he had never thought about actually doing it.

The two words "謀反" are as heavy as Mount Tai pressing down on your head.

Yan Sikong also calmed down a little. He said in a hoarse voice: "Feng Ye, I am not trying to scare you. Everything is up to King Jingyuan. But if the Feng family decides to... start a rebellion, I will follow them through thick and thin."

Feng Ye stood up and pulled Yan Sikong up with him, but he didn't dare to look him in the eye: "I, I'm a little confused."

Yan Sikong held Feng Ye's arms tightly, giving him support.

Feng Ye took a deep breath and calmed down: "Even if I agree, my father won't agree."

"Not necessarily." Who doesn't want to rule the world?

Feng Ye finally looked Yan Sikong in the face: "Let me think about it. Once I'm done, I'll write a letter to my father."

"Hurry up." Yan Sikong emphasized.

Feng Ye nodded heavily.