With one sentence, Ronghua completely separated the Goguryeo people from Gao Shan Yang Zi, which is to say they wouldn’t vouch for Gao Shan Yang Zi. Yun Ye had carefully read Goguryeo’s surrender memorial—it was extremely detailed but didn’t mention Gao Shan Yang Zi’s affairs by a single word. The Goguryeo people knew they had no ability to control the pirates and were clear about the danger they posed. They were unwilling to be tainted by association with Gao Shan Yang Zi.

Right now, Yun Ye just wanted to know who had delivered Gao Shan Yang Zi’s surrender memorial and why he had no knowledge of it. Originally he’d thought it was proposed by Yuan Gae Suwen, but now it appeared that wasn’t the case at all.

Documents all had archives and were specially categorized—this was a method the Three Departments had learned from Yushan Academy. Yun Ye found Gao Shan Yang Zi’s surrender memorial by searching the character index. After reading this memorial, Yun Ye’s temples throbbed painfully. The date of Gao Shan Yang Zi’s surrender was even earlier than Yuan Gae Suwen’s—after Gao Jianwu’s surrender memorial but before Yuan Gae Suwen’s. Yuan Gae Suwen had been the last one to request surrender.

These were three separate forces surrendering, not one. None of them needed to vouch for the others—this was what actually fit their real circumstances. Yun Ye sat back in his chair holding the three surrender memorials. On the attached page of Gao Shan Yang Zi’s memorial was Lu Chengqing’s signature. At that time, the one presiding over the Ministry of War had been Lu Chengqing. No wonder when he mentioned Gao Shan Yang Zi, the first person the Emperor thought of was Lu Chengqing. So all of this had been orchestrated single-handedly by this fellow—he was the one who brought Gao Shan Yang Zi’s matter before the Emperor.

When had these two conspired together? Could it be that when Gao Shan Yang Zi was performing her Heavenly Demon Dance, they’d already reached an understanding? This was too terrifying. No wonder Gao Shan Yang Zi knew Li Tai was in her fleet back then. No wonder Gao Shan Yang Zi could always inexplicably rise from the dead. So Lu Chengqing was actually Gao Shan Yang Zi’s greatest ally.

Everything was clear now. Gao Shan Yang Zi’s pirate group needed a fixed fence for stolen goods. Other countries couldn’t consume such large volumes of cargo—only the Great Tang’s nobility had this capability. That damned Lu Chengqing had gone completely mad for money.

They had planned long ago not to serve as head of the Ministry of War. What they valued most was actually the Lingnan Navy. As long as they controlled the Lingnan Navy, they could let Gao Shan Yang Zi enter the inland seas and gain maximum profit for themselves.

What in this world could bring money faster than plunder? Yun Ye dared to be certain that Lu Chengqing had been manipulated by Gao Shan Yang Zi. This woman’s purpose in entering the Great Tang’s inland seas wasn’t, as Yun Ye had thought, to attack coastal cities—she was going to attack the Lingnan Navy…

He’d even withdrawn Liu Renyuan, giving Gao Shan Yang Zi the greatest convenience. Lu Chengqing expelling all the elite soldiers and fierce generals from the Lingnan Navy had made Gao Shan Yang Zi even more delighted. By destroying the Lingnan Navy, she would have at least three years of breathing room. With the wealth brought by the sea, Yun Ye didn’t dare imagine how massive Gao Shan Yang Zi’s power would be after three years.

The Liaodong Navy was now firmly held in the East Sea by Silla, Baekje, and the Japanese. If they wanted to rescue the Lingnan Navy, there simply wasn’t enough time. As soon as the Liaodong Navy lifted the maritime blockade, the Great Tang’s plan to blockade these three countries would fall through. Only then would fires truly be blazing everywhere.

No matter how much Silla and Baekje inclined toward the Great Tang, Goguryeo’s example was laid out alive before them. If they wanted to avoid being swallowed by the Great Tang, the only ally they could choose was the Japanese deep in the ocean. The Japanese would probably be their final stronghold.

Yun Ye stretched out his legs and leaned back against the wall. A sense of powerlessness rose deeply from his heart. Politics really wasn’t something people like him could play at. Without that historical knowledge, he’d probably have been buried in the Great Tang long ago.

The glorious empire, like a powerful giant who could uproot mountains and lift cauldrons, could sweep away everything, but when it came to dealing with those buzzing flies darting everywhere, it was often willing but unable.

Yun Ye suddenly smiled. The thing he’d created years ago in a moment of recklessness had now become the Lingnan Navy’s lifeline. For Gao Shan Yang Zi to return from the distant Arabian seas to the Great Tang’s inland waters required at least four months of sailing. At most, she’d just crossed the strait now. After four months of long-distance sailing, her subordinates definitely needed rest and recuperation. She also had to prepare supplies for war. Moreover, the trade winds had now stopped. She would arrive at Guangzhou at the earliest in three months. There was still a chance. Hopefully Lu Chengqing wouldn’t lead the Lingnan Navy to welcome Gao Shan Yang Zi—otherwise, with calculation against the unprepared, they would inevitably suffer great losses.

Yun Ye returned to the Ministry of War. By this time, the clerks had long since finished their shifts and were all crowded in the Eight Delicacies Pavilion eating, drinking, and appreciating song and dance. Liu Jinbao didn’t understand why his lord needed to don armor now. Seeing his lord’s expression was very poor, he didn’t dare ask and could only help his lord put on the armor properly and hang a sword at his lord’s waist.

“Jinbao, you must rush home immediately. Command Dongyu and Ren Xiong to race to Yuezhou with all speed and have them personally deliver this letter to the Dongting Navy’s Liu Renyuan. We’ll do our human utmost and leave the rest to heaven’s will.”

Hearing his lord say this, Liu Jinbao immediately took the letter and darted out. Yun Ye heavily slammed his fist on the desk and walked straight toward Wanmin Palace. He needed to obtain Li Er’s authorization and get command of the Great Emperor. Only the Great Emperor could resolve all crises. Only the Great Emperor could make Gao Shan Yang Zi’s schemes come to nothing. Only the Great Emperor could have confidence in defeating countless pirates on the open sea.

Duan Hong was very surprised to see Yun Ye in full military dress, and he was even wearing a sword. Although Li Er had specially permitted Yun Ye to wear a sword in the palace, entering the great hall dressed like this at this moment was too inappropriate.

Yun Ye didn’t explain. Instead, he lowered his face guard. His entire person was protected tightly by armor, with only a pair of eyes about to go mad showing behind the glass of the face mask. The Lingnan Navy was his life’s work—there could be no mistakes.

The great hall exuded a rich wine fragrance—this was Li Er’s treasured vintage that he never brought out except for grand ceremonies. When Yun Ye entered the hall, Li Er noticed him immediately. There was no helping it—the full set of black military dress was too conspicuous here.

“What are you making a scene about? Go change clothes immediately.” Du Ruhui hurried to Yun Ye’s side, dragged him out of the palace hall, and spoke quietly.

“Chancellor Du, the Lingnan Navy is about to be finished. Lu Chengqing and Gao Shan Yang Zi are in cahoots.” Yun Ye handed the three papers in his hand to Du Ruhui. With Old Du’s political experience, if he couldn’t see the crisis, he’d have wasted his entire life.

“You’re saying Lu Chengqing premeditated seizing your position as Lingnan Navy Commander? Why? Being head of the Ministry of War is much more glorious than being Lingnan Navy Commander, and the actual power is much greater too.”

“It’s all about money. The goods Gao Shan Yang Zi plundered were all sold to Lu Chengqing. Previously, the transactions were all conducted in the outer seas. They found it troublesome and still had to pass through the checkpoint of the Lingnan Navy, greatly reducing profits. Now it’s perfect—Lu Chengqing has become commander. What do you think will happen?”

“In the end, it’s just a matter of some money. It’s not a big deal. You’ve done this kind of thing quite a few times before, and we didn’t see ourselves donning armor to punish you.” Liu Hongji also walked out holding a wine cup.

“Duke Kui, if you have connections with Lu Chengqing, sever them quickly. This junior is not speaking empty words. Once the Lingnan Navy suffers disaster, anyone who participated in selling Gao Shan Yang Zi’s stolen goods—whether individuals or clans—will certainly not escape death. You don’t understand this woman Gao Shan Yang Zi. You think she’s easy to control because she’s a woman, don’t you? You underestimate her too much. Yun Ye stakes his head that this woman is going after the Lingnan Navy this time. As long as she destroys the Lingnan Navy, she’ll have at least three years to exploit. Three years later, when the court’s navy is rebuilt, her power will also be immeasurably large.”

Liu Hongji’s face flushed red as Yun Ye hit the nail on the head. He laughed awkwardly and said, “Boy, you’ve made a fortune at sea for so many years—it’s our turn to make some money too. What’s wrong with doing your job well at the Ministry of War? If you’re not satisfied, how about we jointly recommend you to become Minister of War?”

Yun Ye looked left and right and discovered Left Grand Councilor Zhangsun Shunde was also there. He cupped his hands with difficulty and said, “This junior has no intention of blocking anyone’s path to wealth—not the slightest such thought. I only ask the lords: once Gao Shan Yang Zi successfully launches a surprise attack on the Lingnan Navy, how will you all deal with yourselves? This junior has fought with Gao Shan Yang Zi for nearly ten years and knows what kind of woman she is. She’s a madwoman—even ‘audacious’ isn’t enough to describe her.”

“You all think that now you’ve given that woman a stable identity, she should work for everyone and make money properly. As long as she doesn’t harm the Great Tang’s people, who cares where her money comes from? She gives everyone wealth, everyone gives her safety—each takes what they need. If that’s the case, this junior will turn and leave immediately and never ask about South Seas affairs again.”

“But I can’t convince myself no matter what. That woman’s purpose this time is to destroy the Lingnan Navy—there’s no other purpose. Even if there is, it’s wanting to plunder the Great Tang’s prosperous coastal cities. When that time comes, a calamitous disaster will descend. Trading the lives of entire families, old and young, plus one’s life’s glory for a bit of money isn’t worth it.”

Zhangsun Shunde clenched his fists, making cracking sounds. After a long while, he asked Yun Ye, “What’s your plan? Eliminate Gao Shan Yang Zi right now? If your guess is wrong, how will you compensate us for our lost financial source?”

Yun Ye laughed twice and said, “Your money has nothing to do with me! That I can think about saving your entire families’ lives already means I’m being the best person possible. Otherwise, I could just stay peacefully at the Ministry of War, neither hearing nor asking. As long as I wait until Gao Shan Yang Zi launches her surprise attack on the Lingnan Navy, then lead the Great Emperor to pacify her—that would absolutely be a great merit. At that time, asking His Majesty for the position of Minister of War wouldn’t be difficult. Do I need your recommendation? Can’t I find people to recommend me?”

Yun Ye’s temper flared up at once. Being shameless to this degree was truly rare. If the Lingnan Navy weren’t his direct forces, standing aside and watching at this moment would be the best choice.

“Outrageous!” Zhangsun Shunde flew into a rage, pointing at Yun Ye’s nose and saying, “Lacking upbringing! This old man must ask Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda how they’ve been serving as your elders all these years.”

“Go to hell! My junior needs no concern from you! What now—the old man’s come out—can you bite off my dick?” Cheng Yaojin snatched away the chicken leg in his hand and smashed it into Zhangsun Shunde’s face.