Chapter 103: Dropping Rocks on the Fallen

Watching Liu Yijing smile, Han Kuang's face showed no change, but inwardly he tensed up.

The Chief Grand Secretary before him was a true old fox. His grasp of the situation was extremely precise, and calling him over was certainly not for idle chat. He estimated this was a case of seeing an opportunity and preparing to strike.

Han Kuang could not help but admire this old fox, because Liu Yijing truly could endure—a man who could seize opportunities yet remain extremely patient was indeed very difficult to deal with.

In fact, in the original course of history, Liu Yijing was also a man who knew when to advance and when to retreat.

One must understand that when the Donglin Faction was at the height of its power, he was able to cling to no position of authority and chose to withdraw directly. This was not something an ordinary person could do. Even if everyone knew it was the best choice, it was still not something ordinary people could truly accomplish—directly abandoning a high position.

Did Liu Yijing truly want to retreat?

No, he simply had no choice—he could not stay and had to go.

Now, at this moment, the situation had completely changed. Liu Yijing now saw an opportunity to preserve his high position. Although such opportunities had existed before, he had been waiting for matters to settle completely and had not acted hastily.

Now it seemed he had done the right thing—he had finally waited for this moment.

"Grand Secretary, might I ask what business you have in summoning me?" Han Kuang directly addressed Liu Yijing as Grand Secretary, and his tone already carried a hint of distance.

Of course, this did not mean Han Kuang truly wished to distance himself from Liu Yijing. He was using this method to express his attitude—that he did not want to fawn over him, nor did he want to wallow in the same mire.

Of course, whether he truly did not want to—that depended on the person. Using this method to display one's attitude was sometimes genuine; sometimes it was not. Putting on such an attitude was nothing more than wanting more.

Liu Yijing paid no heed to Han Kuang's slightly distant attitude. A smile crossed his face, and he reached up to stroke his beard, appearing as if he had heard nothing at all.

Seeing this, Han Kuang sat down directly as well, seeming in no hurry either. He no longer asked questions, only waiting quietly.

After all, Liu Yijing had summoned him—he was the one more anxious.

Sure enough, after a long while, Liu Yijing was the first to cave.

He gently lowered his hand, let out a sigh, and spoke: "The situation at court is in chaos. We who serve as Grand Secretaries should do something. If things continue like this, it will be detrimental to the nation!"

Liu Yijing wore an expression of pity for the world, displaying the concern of a senior minister for his country and people.

Han Kuang, however, was unimpressed. They were both foxes of a thousand years—there was no need to play at ghost stories.

What concern for country and people? Having worked with Liu Yijing for so long, Han Kuang knew his character very well.

Liu Yijing was simply an old bureaucrat with no firm convictions, utterly incompatible with the Donglin Faction. He was not particularly attached to power either, but if an opportunity arose, he would absolutely never let it pass.

This old fox wore a smiling face on the surface, with a posture of offending no one, looking like a good-natured fellow. But if anyone truly took his good-natured facade at face value, they would be fools.

It was just that Liu Yijing's strength had never been great. The late emperor had always trusted the Donglin Faction, and he knew that his tenure as Chief Grand Secretary would not last long.

"Might I ask what wise counsel the Grand Secretary has?" Han Kuang looked at Liu Yijing and asked with a smile on his face.

Liu Yijing could also see through Han Kuang's performance. He knew that from beginning to end, the Donglin Faction had always looked down on him.

Although Han Kuang was not a die-hard member of the Donglin Faction, he too looked down on Old Liu. In the past, he had no way to change this, but now he did. Liu Yijing knew that if he could ally with Han Kuang and gain his support, he would not only secure his position as Chief Grand Secretary but could accomplish even more.

"His Majesty now employs Wei Zhongxian only because there are some rotten apples among the civil officials—they truly have gone too far. So I plan to purge them and let His Majesty regain his trust in us. Cutting to the bone to remove the poison may be agonizing, but only by doing so will the body heal." Liu Yijing said without the slightest concealment.

Han Kuang was momentarily stunned. He had not expected Liu Yijing to be so blunt.

This was truly without any concealment—he was directly saying they needed to cut to the bone to remove the poison.

Cut whom?

Wasn't it those people of the Donglin Faction?

At this thought, Han Kuang's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

"Then what does the Grand Secretary mean by summoning me?" Han Kuang looked at Liu Yijing and asked directly.

Since Liu Yijing had already made things clear, he naturally would not beat around the bush. He spoke: "The disputes at court are nothing more than those few cases, and the only cases Wei Zhongxian can make trouble with are those same cases. As long as we resolve these cases, matters will naturally settle down."

"How does the Grand Secretary plan to resolve them?" Han Kuang pressed again.

How else could they be resolved? Liu Yijing shook his head with a bitter smile.

He let out a slightly helpless sigh and said: "A man lives one life, and in the end he must take responsibility for what he has done. Even if he refuses to admit it, what use would that be? At this point, it is better to be straightforward—those who should be cleared out should be cleared out, those who should go should go. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Hearing Liu Yijing's words, Han Kuang was thoroughly disheartened.

Although he had just had such straightforward thoughts himself, he still wanted to try to see if he could save Zou Yuanbiao and the others. Now the method was truly laid before him, and it was exactly as he had anticipated.

Although he had long thought of such an outcome, when the matter truly arrived, Han Kuang was still somewhat at a loss.

The situation was now critical. If Liu Yijing truly made his move, the circumstances would take a sharp turn for the worse.

One must understand that although Liu Yijing did not have great power, times had changed. The court was filled with anxiety, and he occupied the position of Chief Grand Secretary. As long as he stood up, countless people would swarm to his side.

Moreover, the Donglin Faction was currently out of favor with His Majesty. As long as Liu Yijing's proposals could please His Majesty, the Donglin Faction would surely be doomed.

Han Kuang had originally wanted to say something more, such as trying to persuade Liu Yijing, but he could now see that the problem was Liu Yijing no longer wanted to listen to him.

"Since the Grand Secretary has already decided, why bother asking me?" Han Kuang said with a dark expression.

"We are both Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat—naturally we must be of one mind. If we were to show any disagreement, what we say before His Majesty would certainly not please him. That is why I wanted to consult with you." Liu Yijing leaned back in his chair, a smile on his face, still appearing utterly harmless.

Han Kuang sighed inwardly. Sure enough, this old fox had found his opportunity. Judging by his posture, he truly intended to bite down and not let go.

There was no time left—otherwise, this old fellow really should have been replaced long ago. Now this old fox was truly causing trouble.

If the current Chief Grand Secretary were a member of the Donglin Faction, things would undoubtedly be much easier to handle—at least he would not be like this old fellow, ready to drop a rock on someone who had fallen into a well.