"Are He Hui and He Jin, the brother and sister, getting involved in this mess again?"
In Yong'an Palace, Empress Dowager Dong rose up in anger upon hearing Zhao Zhong's report.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
Zhao Zhong quickly advised, "Don't get upset and ruin your health."
"Can't I be angry? My brother was clearly ordered by that vile woman He Hui to do this to He Jin."
"How could he suddenly die in prison?"
Empress Dowager Dong remained deeply troubled by this matter.
Although she later managed to regain some ground by having several senior officials petition her to send relatives of the imperial family to govern local areas, thus taking away a significant portion of He Jin's power, it did not bring her any real benefit.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, we will definitely find a way to avenge General Dong's death."
Zhao Zhong calmed the furious old woman down.
"Following His Majesty's wishes, we propose restoring Liu Wei's title of Prince of Taiyuan to weaken the control of Bingzhou by He Jin."
"Now look what's happened, He Jin has even gotten involved, giving Liu Wei the appointment of Grand Protector of the Northern Desert."
"This has completely ruined our plans!"
Empress Dowager Dong said angrily.
He had already persuaded Liu Hong to draft an edict to restore Liu Wei's title of Prince of Taiyuan, but He Jin went and suggested that a Protectorate General of the Northern Desert be established.
They also suggested that Liu Wei be granted the title of King of Yunzhong.
Liu Hong not only agreed on the spot, but also praised He Jin for his understanding of the bigger picture and his extraordinary vision.
Thus, Liu Wei was enfeoffed as the King of Yunzhong and appointed as the Grand Protector of Mobei, to guard the desert.
By the time Empress Dowager Dong learned of this matter, the outcome was already a foregone conclusion.
"Little Zhongzi, are we just going to let that vile woman He Hui get away with this?" Empress Dowager Dong was extremely displeased.
"Your Majesty, I have a plan that will make the Empress suffer a terrible fate!"
Zhao Zhong's eyes darted around, and a plan came to him.
"Quickly! Come quickly!" Empress Dowager Dong was overjoyed.
"Your Majesty, the decree to change the title of Marquis of Yinshan to King of Yunzhong and appoint him as Grand Protector has already been issued and cannot be changed."
"Then an envoy will be sent to convey the imperial decree."
"We can plant assassins among those who deliver this decree, and once they reach Yunzhong and meet Marquis Yinshan, we'll seize the opportunity..."
Zhao Zhong made a throat-slitting gesture.
Empress Dowager Dong was immediately startled, unable to understand the purpose of this action, and asked in bewilderment, "Why send assassins to kill Liu Wei?"
"Your Majesty, you are unaware of the rumors circulating in the court and among the people that Empress He intends to put Marquis Yinshan to death."
"If someone were to assassinate Marquis Yinshan during the imperial decree's delivery, regardless of whether it succeeds or fails, the first person Marquis Yinshan would think of is the mastermind behind it all?"
Zhao Zhong smiled slightly, guiding Empress Dowager Dong's train of thought.
"I understand. As long as the assassins insist that they were sent by Empress He, then Empress He's attempt to cover up the truth will be like burying her head in the sand!"
After a moment's thought, Empress Dowager Dong understood.
He Jin and Empress He requested an official appointment for Liu Wei, intending to keep him in the northern desert.
Now they've sent assassins to kill him.
If the assassination succeeds, besides framing Liu Wei, Empress He will be enraged and will be ostracized by Liu Hong.
If the assassination attempt fails, Liu Wei will harbor even greater resentment towards Empress He and will undoubtedly seek revenge.
In any case, it brought many benefits to Empress Dowager Dong and her group.
"No, Your Majesty, the assassins should just tell the truth and say that we sent them!" Zhao Zhong smiled sinisterly.
"Why...why is this happening?"
Empress Dowager Dong was taken aback at first, but then she understood and clapped her hands in approval, exclaiming, "Wonderful!"
Seeing that Empress Dowager Dong understood his intention, Zhao Zhong continued, "In order to avoid arousing Liu Wei's suspicion, we must ask His Majesty to send a respected person from the court to convey the imperial decree."
Um!
Empress Dowager Dong nodded: "It would be best if this person had no connection with us or He Hui's side, and also had some reputation in the court."
"In this way, even if the assassin is exposed, he will be completely severed from us."
Who should I recommend?
Zhao Zhong thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I just remembered someone. What do you think of Cai Yong, the Imperial Advisor?"
Upon hearing this person's name, Empress Dowager Dong smiled!
Cai Yong was an upright man who often liked to comment on court affairs. He had many criticisms of the Ten Attendants and the Empress Dowager's relative He Jin, and he also relied on his reputation among the scholars in Luoyang to write articles that satirized them.
Neither Empress Dowager Dong nor Empress He liked him.
However, due to his influence in the academic community, there was nothing that could be done about him.
Now that Zhao Zhong has proposed sending Cai Yong as an envoy to Yunzhong to deliver the imperial edict, his intentions are self-evident.
If the assassin were to wound or kill Liu Wei, Cai Yong would be in trouble.
Cai Yong died last, so as to avoid his constant nagging.
"If we suggest he go, everyone will be happy, and that bitch He Hui won't interfere."
"Xiao Zhongzi, you're getting more and more perceptive! Should I be on guard against you?"
Empress Dowager Dong made a seemingly unintentional joke.
Zhao Zhong broke out in a cold sweat and knelt on the ground, crying as he pledged his loyalty: "If this servant has even the slightest disrespect for the Empress Dowager, may I suffer the pain of being bitten by a snake!"
"Alright, get up!"
Empress Dowager Dong was very satisfied with Zhao Zhong's attitude, saying, "I know your loyalty."
"Since you put it that way, let's make the arrangements!"
Zhao Zhong quickly left.
"Wait, I just remembered something!"
“Our chess piece didn’t go to the border with Marquis Yinshan either, and there hasn’t been any contact with it for almost four months!”
"Take this opportunity to send someone with the messenger to give that chess piece a hint."
"Remind her not to forget her identity and mission."
Empress Dowager Dong then gave further instructions.
"This servant understands!"
Zhao Zhong stooped and backed to the door before turning around and leaving.
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