Chapter 127: Speak of the Devil, and He Shall Appear

This time, Han Kuang spoke very bluntly, without any of his usual roundaboutness — perhaps because the relationship between the two had deepened.

After all, following this collaboration, the two of them could be considered comrades-in-arms now.

Raising his head to look at Han Kuang, Liu Yijing curled his lips into a mocking smile and said coldly: "Would they have let us off anyway? Unless we listen to them, there's no chance."

Han Kuang didn't refute Liu Yijing's words, because there really was no point. Back then, he had largely been forced onto this pirate ship by Liu Yijing, and now getting off was naturally impossible.

If he went out and told Gao Panlong and the others that he had been coerced, would they believe him?

They hadn't trusted him even before this, let alone after what had just happened.

So that thought was immediately dismissed from Han Kuang's mind — no matter what, he would have to walk this dark road to the very end.

"Do you have any good ideas?" Liu Yijing calmed his emotions somewhat, tucking the thoughts he had shown on his face back into his belly, then asked.

In fact, the routine memorial concerning this matter had already been sent to the palace, and His Majesty had presumably already read it. Now the two of them were trying to figure out how to deal with His Majesty's upcoming reaction.

Although everyone claimed on the surface that they would never try to fathom the Emperor's thoughts, in reality everyone wished they could see into his mind at a single glance.

To that end, they studied the Emperor's logic and behavior, using it to judge what he would do next. Beyond that, they also bribed eunuchs in the palace to gather intelligence for themselves.

These civil officials could be said to have tried every conceivable method to spy on the Emperor's thoughts — stopping at nothing.

Much of what they said was merely for show; whoever actually believed it was the real fool.

Right now, Han Kuang and Liu Yijing were essentially doing exactly that — fathoming the Emperor's thoughts, only they couldn't say so openly.

Hearing Liu Yijing's question, Han Kuang's expression didn't change. He gently set down the teacup in his hand and said: "Grand Secretary, anything we say here is just borrowing trouble. What we need to wait for is His Majesty's will."

"Do you think I don't know that?" Liu Yijing said with some helplessness.

Liu Yijing let out a light sigh, and only after a long while said: "We don't have anyone in the palace!"

In fact, both Liu Yijing and the other knew full well how important having one of their own inside the imperial palace was to civil officials.

Essentially every Grand Secretary in the Grand Secretariat had a eunuch ally within the palace to relay messages in a timely manner.

The Donglin Faction's capability went without saying — they had gone straight to Wang An, the seal-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, latching onto the thickest leg in the palace.

Information that no one else knew, Wang An could still pass along at the very first moment. What was that?

That was fate!

One had to know how important intelligence was — even with the exact same report, coming out two hours earlier versus two hours later made a real difference.

"As for the eunuchs in the palace, I'm afraid we won't be able to find a suitable one to befriend." Han Kuang said with some hesitation.

Naturally, Han Kuang had already thought of what Liu Yijing was contemplating long before. His understanding of the Donglin Faction ran deeper than Liu Yijing's, and he certainly knew what benefits such a move would bring.

Only, pulling something like this off couldn't be done overnight.

If the eunuch wasn't of one heart with them, he might very well end up betraying their side; if the eunuch lacked ability, he might very well botch things.

So befriending a palace eunuch required great caution, and right now there were three eunuchs holding real power in the court.

One was Wang An, the seal-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, who was on good terms with the Donglin Faction.

Another was Wei Zhongxian, the top-ranked brush-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, who by imperial decree concurrently served as Director of the Eastern Depot. This one held great power and high position, and was deeply favored by His Majesty.

But neither Liu Yijing nor the other had given any thought to him. When Wei Zhongxian dealt with the Donglin Faction, he could be called ruthless and merciless.

Although Liu Yijing and the other had also kicked the Donglin Faction while they were down, the situations were different. The enemy of one's enemy was not always one's friend.

If the two of them allied with Wei Zhongxian, many of their subordinates would surely betray them. That would be a loss outweighing any gain.

So the two naturally couldn't consider Wei Zhongxian either, which left only one person.

The one who had served at His Majesty's side the longest — Chen Hong, brush-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

This man seemed the most suitable candidate, yet he was highly favored before His Majesty and ordinarily never reached out beyond the palace. No one knew what he was thinking.

"Can we make contact with Eunuch Chen?" Liu Yijing raised his head and asked with some hesitation.

Han Kuang had long since guessed that Liu Yijing would bring up Chen Hong.

Han Kuang had no objection to Chen Hong as a candidate, but he had no idea how to go about making contact with him.

Glancing at Liu Yijing, Han Kuang asked directly: "Does the Grand Secretary have a way?"

"What good way could there be for something like this?" Liu Yijing said with a bitter smile: "Nothing more than appealing to emotion and moving them with profit."

Han Kuang nodded lightly. That was indeed the case — only, easier said than done.

Seeing Han Kuang's hesitant look, Liu Yijing smiled and waved his hand, saying: "Actually, it's not as hard as we imagine. Think about it carefully — Eunuch Chen has no one in the palace to support him in mutual aid. Whether it's Wang An, the seal-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, or Wei Zhongxian, the top-ranked brush-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial who by imperial decree directs the Eastern Depot — both of these men hold positions far higher than his."

"At the same time, Wang An has the Donglin Faction as his external support; Wei Zhongxian, though without external support, has started taking in followers these days — quite a few people have gone over to pledge themselves to him."

"And this Eunuch Chen in the palace, though he enjoys His Majesty's trust, is after all rather isolated and weak. Facing Wang An and Wei Zhongxian, Eunuch Chen Hong's pressure is probably considerable. If we befriend him and become mutual external support, I imagine he would be willing."

Looking at Liu Yijing's manner and listening to his confident tone, Han Kuang said nothing more.

Han Kuang felt that this matter was probably not simple, nor as easy as Liu Yijing made it sound. But Liu Yijing was in high spirits right now, and there was no way to convince him.

The two reached an agreement on this matter, preparing to make initial contact with Chen Hong.

Just at that moment, someone suddenly came in from outside to report that Eunuch Chen Hong of the Directorate of Ceremonial had arrived.

Liu Yijing and the other were instantly stunned. Was this someone delivering a pillow just as they were feeling drowsy?

But the two didn't dare delay matters of importance. For Chen Hong to come running here, he must have business — otherwise he wouldn't have come.

Before long, Liu Yijing and the other met Chen Hong.

Seeing Chen Hong's grim expression, Han Kuang and Liu Yijing exchanged a glance, both knowing this matter was no small thing.

Sure enough, Chen Hong produced an imperial edict.

At this, the two were even more astonished.

One had to know that His Majesty usually gave verbal orders — occasions warranting a direct palace edict were few and far between.