Eternal Life as False Emperor-Chapter 86 - 65: Noble Consort Cui’s Secret (Part 2)
"The officials of the Imperial Court are the backbone of the court. What we can see, how could they not see it?"
"We are merely low-ranking officials now, but if any of us ever become high-ranking officials or even enter the Cabinet to discuss state affairs, wouldn’t it all be up to you then?"
Among the three, Li Ziyang is the youngest and has been regarded as a prodigy since childhood.
He was born into the Jiangnan Clan, wealthy, and has considerable influence in the court.
He chuckled and continued, "By the way, the court plans to send the three of us to Chang’an County to observe governance. Have my two elder brothers decided where to go yet?"
"Alas..."
Cui Xiazhao shook his head and said, "Chang’an County has been in drought for three years, and the conditions are said to be extremely miserable. My father said that the three of us were handpicked by Your Majesty to observe the governance in Chang’an County, and we cannot refuse."
"If I go, I will choose the Chang’an County Government to use my knowledge to assist in the disaster relief and save the common people from suffering!"
"Chang’an County Government?"
Wang Anshi looked dismissive: "Brother Cui, could it be because you see the Chang’an County Government as the safest option?"
"You...!"
"Brother Wang!"
Li Ziyang quickly pulled Wang Anshi and said, "I plan to go to Weinan County. I’ve heard there are red dragons overturning and demons appearing there; I plan to investigate."
Thinking for a moment, Wang Anshi said, "I’ll go to Yanchang County!"
"Yanchang County!"
The two were surprised and turned their eyes to Wang Anshi.
Yanchang County is said to be the most severely affected by drought in Yongzhou!
Rumor has it that there are millions of disaster victims there, with rivers dried up, and people resorting to cannibalism, living in utter misery.
There are faint signs of civil unrest.
Wang Anshi stood up, his eyes incredibly bright and said, "This is my great aspiration, and I will pursue it relentlessly!"
The two stood in solemn respect and said, "Brother Wang, what a noble purpose!"
Wang Anshi returned the courtesy and said, "Fortunately, Your Majesty has firmly rejected Pseudo-Yan’s proposal to declare independence, indeed a blessing for Great Yu."
"The revival of Great Yu relies entirely on Your Majesty’s body alone!"
"If I have the chance, I will dedicate all my efforts to serve our emperor!"
The two stood and said, "We will do the same!"
...
Deep in the night, Cui Mansion.
Cui Jinghao summoned his trusted steward and said in a deep voice, "Return everything sent from Yan City, remember, don’t keep a single thing!"
The steward immediately said, "Yes, sir. But those things..."
"Hmm? Are my words ineffective?"
"It’s not that, sir, among those things are ten roots of Thousand-year Purple Ginseng, an excellent tonic, and considering your health..."
Cui Jinghao hesitated for a moment, but then shook his head and said, "Thousand-year Purple Ginseng..."
"Forget it, leave the Thousand-year Purple Ginseng and send everything else away!"
"I have already spoken kindly of them in the court; these ten roots of Thousand-year Purple Ginseng will be my reward."
"Your Majesty has decided to go to war, and as a Cabinet Minister, I must stand with Your Majesty."
"Yes, sir."
The steward left, and Cui Jinghao shook his head and returned to the hall.
In the hall, seven or eight officials who had long supported the Cui Family were waiting.
Cui Jinghao gestured for everyone to sit down.
Maids served tea, and immediately someone impatiently asked, "Elder Cui, now that Your Majesty is ready for war, what should we do?"
Cui Jinghao closed his eyes and contemplated, "Your Majesty has rejected Pseudo-Yan. Now, all you need to do is prepare well for the upcoming war!"
"Alas, there’s going to be another war."
"Zheng Yuantao, the third son of King Yan, what is he thinking by declaring himself King Yan?"
"I’m beginning to suspect whether King Yan was assassinated by him!"
"Hush... Silence, this matter cannot be discussed." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
The people below were gossiping, while Cui Jinghao said indifferently, "Gentlemen, I know that Pseudo-Yan has sent a lot of money to your families. Listen to my advice and return it early."
Once the words were spoken, there was silent hesitation below until someone finally spoke up, "Uncle, my Cui Family’s main household and extensive properties are very close to Yan Land, and we have many disciples engaged in trade with Yan Land."
"If we withdraw abruptly, the losses would be huge, so instead..."
This person was from the Cui Family and held the position of a Third-grade Salt Transport Department, not a significant power, but it was a lucrative post!
"Instead of what?"
"The longer this war drags on, the better it is for our business; whether it’s Pseudo-Yan or the court, as long as it drags on..."
Cui Jinghao closed his eyes in thought, and the others dared not disturb him. After a tea break, he finally opened his eyes and said, "Your Majesty is preparing for war, and Pseudo-Yan is determined, a great battle will ensue after spring."
"Three months... I can hold out for no more than three months, have your men quickly finish the business at hand."
"Then, whether Your Majesty wins a great victory or Pseudo-Yan establishes independence, our Cui Family will benefit. Do you understand?"
"Yes! Uncle’s foresight is thorough!"
Cui Jinghao again shook his head and said, "With Your Majesty’s relentless militarism, chaos is approaching."
"Xiabing, I don’t know why, but despite being a Noble Consort, she still hasn’t borne a son or daughter."
"If Xiabing could bear a prince for Your Majesty..."
The hall was abuzz with discussion, while outside, in the dark corner, a young man disguised as a servant was listening intently against the paper window.
After many officials left, he carefully memorized the faces of several officials, then quietly returned to his dwelling.
He took out a special parchment and ink from under the heated floor, and quickly wrote on it: "5th Year of Zhengyong, February 6th, the Salt Transport Department’s Cui Guangting and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat at Cui Jinghao’s residence secretly plotted..."
After finishing writing, he concealed it within his collar.
The next day, he took leave to go out and placed the written secret letter behind the Earth Spirit statue at the City God Temple.
