Following Han Zhengqing’s methods, it would be difficult for the realm not to fall into chaos. Prince Gong’s mind was profoundly shaken. He felt his head spinning, truly unable to sit steadily. His hands trembled severely, and he used all his strength to barely stabilize his composure before asking Zou Yanzheng: “If all under heaven falls into great chaos, naturally the court will also have methods to respond!”
Prince Gong quickly regained some clarity from his shock and excitement. Looking at Zou Yanzheng with furrowed brows yet full of hope, he asked: “For instance, in Xibei there are Yuan Hong and Wen Yuan of Xuanfu. Both are great generals of the current dynasty, renowned for their military achievements—they’re not incompetent people. Moreover, there’s still that killing god Cui Shaoting stationed there…” As he spoke, his tone gradually lowered again: “Fujian needn’t even be mentioned. Though the Japanese pirate troubles are severe, Guo Huaiying is even more formidable. He and Xing Yude are like two door gods—with them present, even if General Fan exerts himself in the middle, I’m afraid Fujian won’t fall into chaos.”
Prince Gong didn’t care about being a traitorous subject. Since ancient times, victors become kings while the defeated become bandits.
If he didn’t employ extraordinary measures, his father would show no mercy now and would certainly execute him. As for choosing between his own death and his enemy’s death, he felt that anyone with clear wits would know what choice to make.
Moreover, all his enemies were in the capital, in those lofty positions. He desperately wanted to bring calamity upon these enemies.
The candle flame covered by the gauze lamp suddenly crackled and sparked. The Chief Clerk was startled and just about to speak when Zou Yanzheng had already begun.
“Fujian’s military expenses climb year after year.” As Zou Yanzheng spoke of this, he recalled Han Zhengqing’s description at the time. He couldn’t help but assume a serious expression, as if possessed by Han Zhengqing himself, his face solemn as he said: “Xibei’s military expenditures are also considerable. Last year there was the great flood in Jiujiang, and a few years ago the corruption case in Yangzhou. With all these incidents occurring one after another, can the national treasury still support it all?”
Prince Gong’s eyes flashed with brilliant light as he urged Zou Yanzheng on: “Continue!”
He had always known Han Zhengqing was a ruthless person, but to tell the truth, he had never dreamed of these ruthless tactics. He had thought about plotting rebellion to seize the throne, but he truly hadn’t considered using such methods.
Though inglorious, though carrying the suspicion of selling out the country, just as Han Zhengqing said, the Xibei matter could easily be passed off with various excuses, all pushed onto the court and Cui Shaoting—what did it have to do with him? As for Fujian, that needn’t even be mentioned—there were Japanese pirate troubles every year, and these past few years had been especially severe.
If these two places erupted in turmoil, with internal troubles and external threats, it would be difficult for the realm not to fall into great chaos.
Zou Yanzheng’s gaze was dark as he looked toward Prince Gong, with the momentum of not resting until his words shocked everyone to death: “There’s another matter—Hubei can also be used.”
Prince Gong’s months in the capital hadn’t been wasted. His intelligence network wasn’t weak either, so he naturally knew about the great flood and plague in Hubei, followed by Jiang Tianping disregarding the people’s lives by setting fires and massacring the city, leading to a massive increase in refugees, forcing the court to dispatch an imperial commissioner.
He was so excited he truly couldn’t control his voice anymore, his tone trembling severely: “What about Hubei?”
The Chief Clerk’s eyebrows twitched, and he called out “Your Highness.” Prince Gong ignored him.
Zou Yanzheng’s own voice was likewise trembling. He looked at Prince Gong: “Hubei’s refugee population has surged dramatically. Though the court dispatched an imperial commissioner, because Jiang Tianping’s scandals were exposed, he instead became determined to oppose the court. If someone exerts effort in the middle, having Hubei fall into chaos wouldn’t be difficult either.”
Once these three places fell into chaos, no matter how steady Emperor Jianzhang’s heart was, it would probably tremble along with them. He would certainly be exhausted dealing with the situation.
Seeing Prince Gong was tempted, Zou Yanzheng said: “Once these three places fall into chaos, why worry that all under heaven won’t descend into turmoil?”
Prince Gong then asked: “Didn’t you say chaos both inside and outside? I understand the external chaos, but from where does the internal chaos arise?”
Zou Yanzheng composed his expression and lowered his eyes: “Internal chaos begins with the Eastern Palace.”
Prince Gong became even more spirited. The exhaustion from days of being hunted, the mental strain of scheming to frame Prince Zhennan, and the depression from failure were all swept away: “How does it begin with the Eastern Palace? I wish to hear the details.”
The Chief Clerk looked at Prince Gong, his eyes flashing with indescribable disappointment.
He was an ambitious man—that was correct. He was Prince Gong’s die-hard loyalist—that was correct. Supporting Prince Gong was also correct. Wanting Prince Gong to rebel to preserve himself, following along to achieve success and glory as one with merit from supporting the dragon—that was even more correct. But he absolutely did not hope it would be accomplished this way.
As he thought this, the empty space where his left sleeve hung seemed to begin aching. He covered his long-lost empty left arm and sighed, feeling his chest grow faintly painful, gradually aching until he could barely breathe.
Before Zou Yanzheng could speak, word suddenly came from outside that Wu Qianli sought an audience. Wu Qianli was Prince Gong’s trusted confidant, sent by him to search for Prince Zhennan together with Wu Feng. Presumably, there was news.
Prince Gong had no choice but to regretfully stop this infinitely beautiful vision of the future. He spoke warmly to Zou Yanzheng: “Yanzheng, wait for me a moment.”
However, the Chief Clerk refused to follow Prince Gong’s wishes and remain in the study to receive guests. He followed Prince Gong step by step out the door. Seeing Prince Gong looking animated and several years younger, he couldn’t help but frown: “Does Your Highness truly intend to do this thing of selling out the country for personal glory?!”
The Chief Clerk ultimately possessed some scholarly backbone. If Prince Gong rebelled, as Emperor Jianzhang’s own son, it could at most be considered internal succession struggle. Succession struggles had existed since ancient times, and instances of brothers killing each other and fathers and sons turning against each other were commonplace. He had no psychological burden about that.
But the practice of colluding with external threats and inviting the wolf into the house was absolutely not something people like him could accept. Seeing Prince Gong frown and stop, he not only failed to tactfully stop talking but became even more impassioned: “Your Highness, how can this be done? If you truly dare to do this, even if you seize the throne in the future, you will still be…”
Prince Gong suddenly turned to look at him: “Will still be what?!”
His expression was as fierce as if he wanted to devour someone. The fear and trepidation of these days, the humiliation in the capital, the heartlessness of his childhood sweetheart Crown Princess Consort Lu, the cruelty of his parents, and the life-and-death perils on the road of flight had long since pushed him into a corner with no retreat.
Between him and the Eastern Palace, and even between him and his own father, it was either your death or my demise.
The Chief Clerk knew he didn’t want to hear it, but still dutifully advised him: “Your Highness should plan for the long term. If you listen to Marquis Jinxiang’s words and commit such an irreversible mistake that will echo through the ages, I fear you’ll leave a stench for ten thousand years!”
The historian’s brush was like a knife. Moreover, the Tartars and Japanese pirates weren’t so easily persuaded—serving as your weapon for nothing, how things would be resolved later was still uncertain. Though the Chief Clerk wanted Prince Gong to successfully seize the succession and ascend to the throne, he hadn’t even wanted to rebel before, let alone what Han Zhengqing was proposing now—colluding with foreign tribes!
“Say no more!” Prince Gong couldn’t listen to a single word. He turned back and looked at him with near coldness, then glanced at his empty left arm: “You’ve followed me with great merit and hard work. In the future, just enjoy your comfortable life.”
The Chief Clerk stood behind him, watching him stride away with high spirits. For the first time, he felt he had followed the wrong person. A strong wind blew past. He shivered, only then realizing that his back was already soaked with sweat.