"Your Majesty, you have lost again," Wang Linchi calmly stated.
"King Heaven Equivalent, as a three-ti Spirit Master, is unquestionably proficient, even in this unknown little ga of chess," Emperor Jing spoke slowly.
Ever since his coronation, Emperor Jing’s physique had steadily increased, and he had beco fat and round. He had a peculiar habit: he ate whenever he felt annoyed. Consequently, after ascending to the throne as a puppet, he had beco thoroughly depressed.
"Your Majesty is too kind. If there is nothing further, this humble servant will take his leave. Official correspondence from various regions has likely arrived by now," Wang Linchi said.
"There’s no hurry," Emperor Jing said, changing his approach. "I just want to ask King Heaven Equivalent one question: now that the Dajing State is powerful and prosperous, when will we sweep away the neighboring Barbarians and assert Dajing’s might?"
He could neither dismiss Wang Linchi nor have him killed. His only option was to devise a plan to remove Wang Linchi from the Capital, the center of power. Then, Emperor Jing could consolidate his own strength and, at the very least, transform his makeshift group of followers into elite aides. After ascending to the throne, he had indeed started to build his own power base. However, this faction was rely playing at governance and stood no chance against the TianQi Party interest group led by Wang Linchi. After all, Wang Linchi was tied to the interests of the entire empire; how could the Emperor’s ager forces possibly prevail?
"Does Your Majesty wish for to go?" Wang Linchi asked in return.
"If King Heaven Equivalent were to personally lead the expedition, I would naturally feel more at ease," Emperor Jing said without hesitation.
"Then, shall Your Majesty issue the decree at tomorrow’s court assembly?" Wang Linchi asked again.
Emperor Jing’s expression faltered slightly, and he shook his head. "Why go to such trouble? King Heaven Equivalent can mobilize forces himself, or even issue orders in my na." He was very reluctant when he ntioned issuing orders in his na.
Attend court? Since ascending the throne, he had only attended court three tis. Each ti he attempted to assert his authority or undermine Wang Linchi, the court officials anticipated his moves before he could even speak. He was consistently caught off guard and forced to retreat in disarray. This ti, if Wang Linchi were to lead the army on an expedition, he knew that if he dared to voice the order himself, so Imperial Censors would undoubtedly denounce him. While upright Imperial Censors certainly existed, they also had families and friends. If they couldn’t be swayed directly, they could be influenced indirectly.
"That is unacceptable. Matters of state, be they military or sacrificial rites, must naturally be proclaid by Your Majesty," Wang Linchi refused without hesitation.
Why would he lead an army out for no reason? These neighboring minor states are nothing but small fry. To put it bluntly, the mont the Dajing army mobilized and fired a single volley from their steam-powered weaponry, these small states would obediently surrender. Only a small minority would resist to the bitter end.
"Very well," Emperor Jing conceded. "King Heaven Equivalent, you have your own plans, and it is indeed not my place to interfere." Although Emperor Jing was inept yet fond of scheming, he possessed one admirable quality: patience.
This ability to endure, Wang Linchi thought, was an excellent trait from my perspective, as it could pave the way for my own ’death’ in the future.
"What is Your Majesty saying? The entire world belongs to Your Majesty," Wang Linchi said with a smile.
This made Emperor Jing quite uncomfortable. He was cursing inwardly. This world is effectively yours; what difference does it make if it nominally belongs to ?
Wang Linchi was not like Dong Zhuo or Cao Cao. He always showed Emperor Jing sufficient respect, regardless of the circumstances. Even when he disagreed or wished to refute sothing, he always declined tactfully. He was too popular. Thus, whenever he tactfully refused, soone else would invariably step forward to handle any potential complications. Every decision Wang Linchi made represented a convergence of interests.
"If there is nothing further, this servant shall take his leave." Wang Linchi rose and bowed, preparing to depart. Showing respect was one thing, but he wouldn’t allow his ti to be wasted.
"Escort King Heaven Equivalent out of the palace for ," Emperor Jing said, instructing a eunuch to see Wang Linchi out.
Only after Wang Linchi’s figure had completely vanished from sight did Emperor Jing’s expression turn malevolent.
"Damn it! How can such a scoundrel enjoy such a reputation and be so adored by the realm!" Emperor Jing cursed.
The nearby eunuchs and palace maids kept their eyes lowered and remained silent, as if they had heard nothing. Such words would never be spread. Any talk concerning Wang Linchi could only be of his good na, his integrity, his loyalty, and the like; defamatory rumors simply could not circulate. As for official records, it was even more out of the question. No Qiju Lang would dare write such a remark in the Qiju Note, the daily chronicle of the Emperor’s activities. If Wang Linchi himself found out, it might not be so bad; as a prominent figure, he might not deign to care. However, if the Great Families learned of it, while they couldn’t touch the Emperor, wouldn’t they make trouble for a re Qiju Lang? Furthermore, they themselves were beneficiaries of the existing power structure; they would hardly sabotage their own standing.
Although Emperor Jing appeared to be a puppet, his lifestyle was countless tis more extravagant than his predecessor’s, yet no Imperial Censor had impeached him. This was entirely due to the substantial benefits Wang Linchi ensured he received. Otherwise, if Wang Linchi had truly wanted to target Emperor Jing, the Emperor would undoubtedly have perished long ago under the imnse pressure and negativity.
"Your Majesty, do not be alard. Although we failed to lure the tiger from the mountain, we have managed to probe King Heaven Equivalent’s attitude," a middle-aged man reassured him, strolling out from the rear hall with an air of confident control.
"Oh? You have a plan?" Emperor Jing’s spirits lifted. This middle-aged man had offered him many suggestions and was the core of his fledgling administration. According to Emperor Jing’s inquiries, he was the sole scion of a minor Poor Family that had fallen into obscurity many years ago. The drawback was that he was the last of his line; if he failed to produce heirs, his branch of the family would have no future resurgence. This was precisely why Emperor Jing trusted him: he was soone who had not received a share of the spoils. The Great Families feasted on at, while the commoners gnawed on bones. The Poor Families were in a more awkward position, getting at still on the bone—a bit of both. As for so truly struggling Poor Families, they maintained a haughty air while being unable to associate with their betters, ultimately ending up with nothing at all. Consequently, many such ’talented individuals’ were frustrated and unfulfilled.
"Indeed I do. All we need to do is..." Before the middle-aged man could elaborate, Emperor Jing coughed pointedly, interrupting him.
"Ahem, you may all leave now," Emperor Jing said to the surrounding eunuchs and palace maids.
Such matters could not be known by others; otherwise, how could it be called a secret plot? If word got out now, it would reach Wang Linchi’s desk almost imdiately.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuchs and palace maids, indifferent as ever, quickly departed from the main hall.
Only after everyone had left did Emperor Jing finally speak. "Speak now."
"After careful and repeated consideration, I have co to understand one thing: Your Majesty is the rightful sovereign of all under Heaven. Why bother quarreling with a re underling?" the middle-aged man began. "As the saying goes: ’If the ruler wants a subject to die, the subject must die.’ We need only summon him to the palace on so fabricated charge and then eliminate him."
"The deed itself is simple, yet there is no one to carry it out," Emperor Jing sighed, feeling helpless.
"There are such n," the middle-aged man said. "We rely need to train a group of death-sworn warriors, equip them with armor and weapons, and the problem will be solved." He paused before adding, "It will, however, require ti and funds."
"If Your Majesty trusts , I can oversee this matter and bear any infamy that results!" the middle-aged man declared forcefully.
Emperor Jing’s eyes lit up at these words. This is indeed feasible: I reap the benefits, while soone else takes the bla. However, he was unaware of the saying: there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
"How long will it take?" Emperor Jing was not short of money; thanks to Wang Linchi, his private treasury was overflowing.
"At least three to five years," the middle-aged man replied after a mont’s hesitation.
Hearing that the tifra was in years, Emperor Jing felt a flicker of reluctance. He had initially assud it would only take three to five months.
"Your Majesty, please do not think the ti too long. Death-sworn warriors are not so easily trained," the middle-aged man continued. "More importantly, Wang Linchi is still useful at present. If you eliminate him now, you will suffer significant losses. It would be better to wait until he has developed Dajing to its zenith, swept through the surrounding states, and completed the task of expanding our territory. Then it will not be too late to kill him. At that ti, you will inherit a complete and powerful empire, allowing you to display your ambitions to their fullest extent."
"Indeed." Emperor Jing sneered. "Although this scoundrel is detestable, he is quite capable. We might as well make full use of him." He felt he had indeed overlooked this point; fortunately, his aide had rembered.
"Precisely so," the middle-aged man echoed.
"Very well, I shall entrust this to you. When the ti cos, go to the private treasury and withdraw one hundred... no, one thousand taels. That should be sufficient, yes?" Emperor Jing had initially intended to give only one hundred taels, but on second thought, it seed too little, so he ultimately offered one thousand.
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man looked as if he wanted to speak but ultimately held his tongue. A re thousand taels to train a death squad capable of assassinating Wang Linchi? That’s preposterous! Anyone with a modicum of sense would know it’s insufficient.
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