The next day, Yan Sikong went to the East Palace to give lectures to the prince, and ran into Zhu Lanting who was teaching the prince archery.

When Chen Yu saw him, he was still happy, but not as excited as before. After his mother committed suicide, he had grown up a lot overnight. He nodded to Yan Sikong who saluted him and said, "Sir, there is no need to be polite."

Yan Sikong bowed to Zhu Lanting again and said, "Commander Zhu, I have never had the opportunity to thank you in person."

He was referring to the incident in which Zhu Lanting sent a message to Concubine Xian in order to save the Crown Prince and Concubine Hui. The two of them knew this tacitly, and Zhu Lanting responded by saying, "Master Yan is too polite. This is what I should do."

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "Your Highness's martial arts are improving day by day, and Commander Zhu has made great contributions to this."

"Minister Yan taught you literature, and I taught you martial arts, all for Your Highness. This is the duty of a minister, and I dare not take credit for it." Zhu Lanting said politely.

Yan Sikong has always wanted to win this person over, but has not succeeded. First, the two people have very different professional skills and it is difficult for them to meet. Second, there is no suitable opportunity. Moreover, Zhu Lanting is a serious person. If he tries to get close to him, he will only end up making things worse. He can only wait for another opportunity.

Chen Yu gestured with the bow in his hand and said, "Sir, I have been practicing archery recently. I heard that my father is going to hold a winter hunt."

"I seem to have heard that Your Highness is so brave and heroic that he will surely win the prize in the winter hunt."

"Hunting in winter is much more difficult than hunting in spring. Those that are easy to hunt will be hard to find in winter." Chen Yu straightened his back, spread his long arms, pulled the longbow, and shot an arrow that hit the bull's eye steadily.

Yan Sikong clapped his hands vigorously and said in surprise: "Your Highness really impresses me!"

Chen Yu smiled and said, "If I can hunt a ferocious beast, people will look at me with new eyes."

Yan Sikong knew that Chen Yu wanted to show himself, whether in front of Emperor Zhaowu or in front of the ministers, because his capital was too weak.

Chen Yichong said politely to Zhu Lanting: "Commander Zhu is also needed today, please go back."

Zhu Lanting paid his respects and left.

The two of them came to the study, and Chen Yi dismissed everyone as usual.

Yan Sikong asked, "Your Highness, have you been extra careful with your diet and daily life these days?"

"Don't worry, I always test for poison before eating or drinking, and I have a dagger hidden under my pillow." Chen Yu snorted coldly, "I practice martial arts diligently every day, and if someone really wants to assassinate me, it won't be that easy."

"Then I am relieved."

Chen Yu whispered, "I heard that Father wants to drastically reduce Datong's military equipment. Is that true?"

Yan Sikong's expression suddenly became serious: "It's true, we are all worried about this matter."

Chen Yu sighed, "I thought that since Prince Jingyuan had already returned to the court, my father would trust him. Otherwise, why would he come back?"

"Prince Jingyuan is loyal and faithful, there is no doubt about that, but Your Majesty...Your Majesty has your own considerations."

Chen Yu glanced at Yan Sikong and said, "Sir, why are you playing tricks on me? You don't really think that way, do you?"

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly and whispered, "I think Xie Zhongren must have been behind this."

"He fanned the flames, but it took Father to get the sparks going first." Chen Yu said coldly, "Father will be even more intolerant when he sees that Prince Jingyuan has established me as the emperor."

"This must be the reason, but Your Highness must not reveal it in front of outsiders." Yan Sikong reminded.

"Don't worry." Chen Yu grabbed Yan Sikong's hand, "Sir, you are the only person I trust now. I will only tell you the truth."

"I am honored to be here." Yan Sikong hesitated for a moment, "In this case, I would like to ask Your Highness a question. Can Your Highness answer me truthfully?"

"Sir, please speak."

"The matter of Concubine Hui..."

Chen Yu's expression changed slightly.

Yan Sikong couldn't help but look around. Although there was no one else around, he still lowered his voice unconsciously: "Is Your Highness dissatisfied with His Majesty?"

There was a hint of coldness in Chen Yu's eyes, and he grabbed Yan Sikong's hand and squeezed it tightly unconsciously. Yan Sikong was surprised that this boy had really grown up and his hands were quite strong.

Chen Yu quickly calmed down, his Adam's apple rolled, and he said, "He is both my father and my king. I dare not and should not be dissatisfied with him, but..." He stared straight at Yan Sikong, his eyes oozing with hatred, "But for more than ten years, my mother and I have been bullied because of him, and now my mother has died because of him. I cannot forgive him."

After he finished speaking, Chen Wei's eyes showed some fear again. After all, every word he said was a capital crime.

Yan Sikong held Chen Yu's hand and soothed him, "Your Highness's thoughts are human nature. I understand."

"Why do you ask this, sir?" Chen Yu looked at Yan Sikong with some uneasiness.

Yan Sikong smiled faintly: "I think Your Highness will feel better if you say it out." If the issue of reducing the military cannot be smoothly handled, Feng Jianping will probably not sit idly by. In case, just in case, things change, what he wants to test is whether Chen Yi has the ruthless heart to do anything to become emperor.

Now he knew that Chen Yu hated Emperor Zhaowu in his heart, but was afraid to express it because of the constraints of etiquette and filial piety.

This is a good thing.

——

A few days later, Yan Sikong was meditating in the house with a light on when he suddenly heard some noise coming from outside the window. He was very familiar with the sound. It must be Feng Ye coming. However, the noise today was a little too loud...

Just as he stood up, Feng Ye pushed the door open and rushed in, smelling of alcohol.

"Feng Ye." Yan Sikong hurriedly went up to him, "Have you been drinking? What's wrong?"

Feng Ye dragged his heavy feet into the house and sat down on a chair with a gloomy face, not saying a word.

"Why did you come to see me when you were drunk?" Yan Sikong said worriedly, "Don't let anyone see you on the road."

"It's windy and dusty today, and there are not many people on the road." Feng Ye spoke. Unlike his flushed face and empty eyes, his voice was very clear, just like usual.

"What's wrong with you?" Yan Sikong poured him a glass of water.

"I had a big fight with my dad." Feng Ye took the cup of water and splashed it directly on his face. He wiped his face with his big hands, his expression full of aggression.

Yan Sikong took the cloth again and wiped the water stains off his body, while asking, "Why?"

"Why? Why do you say? What else could it be?" Feng Ye said this with gritted teeth.

Yan Sikong was silent. The quarrel between the father and son of the Feng family was nothing more than Feng Ye questioning Feng Jianping's return to the court, which put the Feng family in danger. Feng Jianping was naturally very angry and thought that Feng Ye was unruly, disloyal and unfilial.

Yan Sikong gently wiped his smooth skin: "Your Highness is a loyal and righteous man. You cannot weigh the pros and cons."

"Is this a simple matter of pros and cons?" Feng Ye gritted his teeth and said, "At the least, Datong's military expenditure will be greatly reduced, and countless soldiers who have followed us through life and death and served the country will be ruthlessly abandoned. At the worst, the foundation of the Feng family will be shaken. Now it's like being a fish on a chopping board. If he insists on not coming back, he will be manipulated like this."

Yan Sikong held Feng Ye's face in his hands and said softly, "Feng Ye, don't dwell on what has already happened. Right now we need to work together to overcome the difficulties. If the court agrees to only reduce the military by 80,000 and turn the page, then everyone will be happy."

"What if... it can't be done?" Feng Ye said worriedly, "If it's really 80,000, my father will accept it, but I'm afraid Xie Zhongren will take this opportunity to severely damage my Feng family."

Yan Sikong said: "This is indeed what we are most worried about, but I believe that His Highness will not sit idly by and wait for death."

Feng Ye shook his head: "He now thinks I'm acting impulsively and doesn't want to tell me anything. I have no idea what he's planning."

"I guess His Highness is just hesitant. You are his prince, the person he trusts most in the world. If he makes up his mind, he will definitely discuss it with you."

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes and thought: "Do you have any guesses?"

"I've been thinking about this all the time these days." Yan Sikong held Feng Ye's hand, gently stroking the reassuring thick cocoon in his palm, "As I said, if giving up 80,000 troops can save us, then we'll accept it. There's still a long way to go, but if not... we must prepare countermeasures in advance."

"What countermeasures?" Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong with burning eyes.

Yan Sikong licked his lips and said, "Feng Ye, you know I am bold and crazy. Do you really want to hear it?"

"I know best what kind of person you are. Tell me." Feng Ye said coldly, "Maybe you and I have the same idea."

Yan Sikong gently stroked Feng Ye's face and said, "There is a way to solve all our problems once and for all without letting the Feng family be cursed for treason for all eternity."

"say."

Yan Sikong's bright eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Force the emperor to abdicate and help the prince ascend the throne."

Feng Ye took a deep breath and said in a hoarse voice: "You think what I think."

Yan Sikong also took a deep breath, his voice trembling a little: "If Your Highness agrees, this matter will be very promising."

"My father..." Feng Ye frowned, "I don't know. I don't even dare to mention it to him now."

"Your Highness has been away from the court for thirty years and is not alert to these conspiracies and struggles. He is always proud of his achievements and believes that Your Majesty will not be merciless. Therefore, he will definitely not agree now." Yan Sikong's eyes were gloomy. "But once the reduction in Datong's military expenditure exceeds his tolerance, it is not certain."