Only after quieting down did Liu Cong realize his control over the Xiongnu wasn’t actually that deep. At least the leaders of the five Xiongnu tribes dared to disobey his orders.
The Xiongnu were composed of these five tribes. If he couldn’t gain the recognition of the five tribes’ leaders, then he couldn’t command the forces composed of the five tribes.
Liu Cong wasn’t an impulsive fool like Liu He. His methods were more cruel and he was better at forbearance. So he rose from his seat and descended, expressing that he would do everything possible to find Liu Yi and support him as emperor.
The expressions of Liu Huanle and the other ministers immediately improved.
Liu Yi—whether according to Xiongnu tradition or Han tradition—was the second in line for succession.
Although he was young and junior in age, he was a legitimate son! His mother was the Empress—oh, now the Empress Dowager.
Having received Liu Yuan’s favor, whether in terms of status or degree of favor, he was the first choice to succeed after Liu He’s death.
Because of Liu Cong’s statement, his reputation improved somewhat, and everyone’s attitude toward the rebellious Liu Cong also improved.
Liu Cong, having tasted the benefits, would say once daily that he wanted to find Liu Yi and support him as emperor, even sending people out to search for him.
Only when deep night came could Liu Cong sit quietly on his wooden couch to think.
He reclined on the couch, holding a letter in his hand, his expression somewhat gloomy.
After pondering for a long while, he tore up the letter he’d already read several times and handed it to a servant, telling him to burn it.
The servant collected the torn paper fragments and retreated with a bow. By dawn the next day, the torn paper appeared in the hands of Liu Huanle and Liu Yang.
Liu Huanle pieced the paper together and quickly scanned it before turning to Liu Yang. “You look.”
Liu Yang read through it rapidly, his expression somewhat ugly.
Liu Huanle said, “Prince Beihai is in Zhao Hanzhang’s hands. Judging by the date, this letter reached Prince Chu over a month ago, but he neither reported it to His Majesty at the time nor speaks of it now. Clearly, he doesn’t want to rescue Prince Beihai.”
Liu Yang asked, “Setting aside what intentions Prince Chu has, I ask you: if Zhao Hanzhang wants to exchange Prince Beihai for the Jin Emperor, do you exchange or not?”
Liu Huanle didn’t speak.
His heart was also conflicted.
If Liu Yi were emperor, exchanging emperor for emperor wouldn’t be a loss.
Moreover, looking at the past two months’ developments, Zhao Hanzhang completely disregarded the Jin Emperor. When it was time to attack, she still attacked fiercely. Now she’d established a new crown prince—clearly, the Jin Emperor’s significance had been diluted.
But Liu Yi wasn’t emperor yet. Furthermore, their Xiongnu had someone who could replace Liu Yi.
Of Liu Yuan’s seven sons, Liu He had killed the fifth and sixth, Liu Cong had killed the first and second, and the third had died young long ago. Now besides Liu Yi, there was still Liu Cong.
If Liu Yi didn’t return, then Liu Cong would be the legitimate successor.
So Liu Yang asked Liu Huanle: did he want to exchange the Jin Emperor for Liu Yi to return as emperor, or did he want to use Liu Yi to threaten Liu Cong and make him yield politically?
Liu Huanle wavered left and right for a long time before finally choosing the second option.
Liu Yang agreed as well.
So the next day, the two said, “We’ve found traces of Prince Beihai. He should still be in Pingyang City, captured by Zhao Hanzhang. Prince Chu, please send someone to negotiate with Zhao Hanzhang to ransom Prince Beihai back.”
Liu Cong looked surprised. “Seventh Brother was captured by Zhao Hanzhang?”
Liu Huanle and Liu Yang and the others all nodded with sorrowful expressions.
All masters of theatrics, Liu Cong immediately agreed and promptly arranged for someone to contact Zhao Hanzhang.
As soon as they left the council hall, Liu Cong’s face instantly darkened.
He summoned a trusted aide and asked, “Where are the Jin Emperor and Zhao Zhongyu now?”
“They’re both still at Anyuan.”
Liu Cong asked, “Are they behaving?”
The aide thought for a moment before saying, “Quite obedient. It’s just that those Jin ministers cry from time to time, always saying they miss Luoyang and the Jin state. Very annoying.”
Liu Cong lowered his eyes in thought for a long while before finally giving low instructions: “Go prepare two cups of poisoned wine and send them to the Jin Emperor and Zhao Zhongyu.”
He lowered his voice further. “Quietly—don’t alert the Grand Commandant and Grand Tutor.”
The aide acknowledged and withdrew with a bowed head.
At the same time, Wu Erlang, mixed among a group of refugees fleeing the city, looked back toward Boping County, feeling somewhat uneasy. He quickly squeezed over to Ming Yu’s side. “Mr. Ming, are we really just leaving like this?”
Ming Yu walked forward with his head down. “If we don’t leave, should we stay to be purged by Liu Cong?”
“No,” Wu Erlang moved to his other side. “What about Second Master? When we were in Boping County, why didn’t you contact Second Master?”
Ming Yu didn’t slow his pace. “He’s a Jin state minister, and I’m a poor scholar who went to seek Huyan You’s patronage. Wouldn’t it be very strange for me to contact him?”
Wu Erlang said, “Then we’re just abandoning Second Master? This was such a good opportunity—we clearly could have rescued Second Master.”
Ming Yu stopped walking, turned to look at Wu Erlang, and said with a serious expression, “Master Wu, you must remember: your master is the Governor, not Minister Zhao.”
Wu Erlang looked confused. “I know that.”
He was aware—hadn’t the young lady always wanted to rescue Second Master? So if they could rescue Second Master together this time, how happy would the young lady be?
Ming Yu turned back and continued walking. Wu Erlang quickly followed, looking confused yet devout as he watched Ming Yu.
Only then did Ming Yu say, “At this time, Clan Leader Zhao and the Governor have a harmonious relationship because they’re in different places, yet their interests align. If one day they’re in the same place, their positions will determine they’ll have disagreements. Then conflict will inevitably arise. So I don’t contact Minister Zhao, nor can I rescue him.”
Wu Erlang half-understood.
Ming Yu had already stopped explaining, directly telling him, “Don’t worry. The Xiongnu are only changing emperors. General Beigong should already be taking advantage of this opportunity to deploy troops. They have no mind to deal with Clan Leader Zhao. What was before will remain the same in the future.”
“When one day the Governor’s power grows strong enough that they’re willing to submit, they’ll naturally return Clan Leader Zhao properly.”
Wu Erlang asked, “Won’t Second Master and the young lady have conflicts then?”
“They will, naturally. But since the Governor has already grown powerful enough that the Xiongnu would voluntarily return hostages, that means Clan Leader Zhao can no longer threaten the Governor’s position.”
Only then did Wu Erlang nod.
Ming Yu had guessed half correctly. Beigong Chun indeed deployed troops to attack Anping Commandery, and not only Beigong Chun—Zu Ti also sent troops. Even Wang Jun, upon hearing of the Xiongnu internal chaos and Liu He’s death, dispatched a great army.
But what he didn’t guess was that Liu Cong didn’t treat Zhao Zhongyu as before, but had someone send him poisoned wine.
He had long been annoyed with the Jin Emperor.
During this period, the Jin ministers had been weeping and wailing. Every time he dragged the Jin Emperor out to demand gates be opened, or had the Jin Emperor pour wine and serve tea for him, those Jin ministers would shout and cry and make a fuss. Liu Cong had long reached his limit of patience.
If not for Zhao Zhongyu protecting the Jin Emperor, and Zhao Hanzhang being so powerful, he would have lost patience long ago.
And now, he finally couldn’t bear it anymore. If Liu Yi returned, all his current position and schemes would be wasted. So he wanted to cut off the path for Liu Yi’s return.
If the Jin Emperor and Zhao Zhongyu died, Zhao Hanzhang would surely kill Liu Yi in rage and humiliation, wouldn’t she?
One could say Liu Cong’s action was specifically to force Liu Yi’s death.