Chapter 230: Nezha Shoots King Zhou

Upon hearing this, Sun Chengzong hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment and said, "Your servant will certainly relay the message to him."

Chen Hong nodded, reached out to help Sun Chengzong to his feet, then smiled and clasped his hands toward the four Grand Secretaries, saying, "I have delivered His Majesty's words. With that, I shall take my leave. You gentlemen are busy."

The four smiled as they saw Chen Hong out, then returned to their own seats.

This matter had come far too suddenly—they had to carefully ponder what was really going on.

Even Sun Chengzong felt the same. He had recommended Yuan Keli, seeking for him the position of Sacrificial Wine of the Imperial Academy, yet His Majesty had not used him in that capacity, instead sending him to Denglai as Governor.

Of course, compared to Yuan Keli's previous office, the Denglai Governorship was a promotion—a sign of favor—but it was not what he had schemed for.

Thinking of this, Sun Chengzong could only smile bitterly. His Majesty did not want him meddling in this matter.

His Majesty had used the man he recommended, and used him well—this cut off any further recommendations from Sun Chengzong, while also promoting his own man. It was plainly meant to reassure him: Don't get worked up. I have no grievance against you; I trust you. I will use the people you recommend—just not this time.

Sun Chengzong could see this, and so could the other three.

But the other three's thoughts were different: why would His Majesty treat Sun Chengzong this way?

It certainly wasn't because His Majesty disliked Sun Chengzong—this was clearly exceptional favor. That meant His Majesty didn't want Sun Chengzong involved, but wanted the rest of them to keep at it.

The reasoning was simple, no more than two possibilities. One: His Majesty wanted to watch them tear each other apart like dogs fighting over a bone, and didn't want Sun Chengzong entering the fray lest he be caught in the crossfire—so He used this method to make him back off.

The second: His Majesty was dissatisfied with the man Sun Chengzong recommended, so He would choose from among the candidates the others put forward. But since Sun Chengzong was His Majesty's teacher, and His Majesty didn't want to hurt him, He used this method to make him withdraw.

Both possibilities existed. Which one to believe depended on one's own interpretation.

The Grand Secretariat's atmosphere was strange for an entire day.

When the office let out, none of them had fully figured it out, but one thing they knew: the remaining three would likely have to fight it out.

Chief Grand Secretary Han Kuang, Second Grand Secretary Xu Guangqi, and Grand Secretary Huang Kezuan—each had his own calculations.

In the Western Park.

Zhu Youxiao was fishing by the lake.

He tapped the armrest of his chair with his hand, his face showing little expression. But a thought had occurred to him—it seemed he could begin the next step.

The various factions at court were all scheming and plotting against one another; he could take advantage of this to do something.

So Zhu Youxiao turned to Chen Hong beside him and said expressionlessly, "Tomorrow, go find Wei Zhongxian and Luo Sigong for me. I have matters to ask them."

Alarm bells rang in Chen Hong's heart. Even so, he hurriedly acknowledged, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Though Chen Hong dearly wanted to ask what the matter was, His Majesty clearly had no intention of saying.

If he dared to pry at a time like this, it would be far too obvious—he reckoned His Majesty would have him killed.

So Chen Hong mulled it over for a long while, but still did not dare to ask.

After a brief pause, Zhu Youxiao spoke again: "Have Daoist Han Li of the Azure Cloud Sect come over. I wish to practice. He hasn't finished explaining the Taiji Profound Pure Way from last time. From now on, have him come after dinner each day to lecture for two hours."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will arrange it at once." Chen Hong was briefly startled, then hurriedly acknowledged.

This Han Li had been neglected for a long time. Chen Hong had originally thought His Majesty had forgotten him, never expecting that he would suddenly be summoned now.

Soon, Han Li was brought in.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Han Li and noticed the Daoist had actually grown fat. Having spent so long in the palace, he hadn't grown thin at all—instead he was sleek and well-fed.

Seeing this, Zhu Youxiao laughed outright. This fellow had a carefree heart.

"This poor Daoist pays respects to Your Majesty." Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, Han Li hurriedly bowed in salute.

Having been in the palace this long, Han Li had come to understand: his life was probably settled now—there was certainly no chance of leaving.

If he obediently did as told, he might meet a good end; if he didn't, one day he might just die of some illness.

So Han Li's mindset was now perfectly adjusted. He was simply Han Li, the abandoned disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect. Whatever His Majesty told him to do, he would do.

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, Han Li's expression was extremely reverent.

Zhu Youxiao nodded in satisfaction and said, "I have invited you here today to lecture me on the Taiji Profound Pure Way. Last time I heard you speak on it, I felt considerable insight, and recently I have found the sensation of qi. As you said, with a few more days of cultivation, I should be able to reach the Qi Refining stage."

"This poor Daoist congratulates Your Majesty!" Han Li hurriedly said with a joyful expression. "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, born with far greater destiny than ordinary mortals—perfectly suited to cultivate my Azure Cloud Sect's Taiji Profound Pure Way. Now that Your Majesty's divine art has manifested, it is Heaven's will that Your Majesty attain the Dao."

Looking at Han Li's earnest expression, Zhu Youxiao nodded in satisfaction.

It seemed this Han Li had improved considerably—far better than before.

Zhu Youxiao said with a gentle smile, "Then please continue, Daoist?"

These days, with nothing to do in the palace, he ate and slept, slept and ate, at most taking a stroll in the courtyard or refining pills in the alchemy room. Han Li knew what His Majesty wanted him to do, so he might as well take it seriously—it was also a way to preserve his own life.

So he asked Chen Hong for many Daoist texts, flipping through them all day long, and even with hasty reading, he had gained some understanding.

Upon receiving His Majesty's command, Han Li began to lecture.

As it turned out, it was quite interesting—Zhu Youxiao actually had the interest to listen on. Though he didn't understand much of it, it was precisely because he couldn't understand that he found it intriguing.

Han Li lectured for the better part of two hours, his mouth parched, yet not daring to ask for a cup of water.

Zhu Youxiao noticed Han Li's gaze drifting toward the teacup on the table and understood. He smiled and said, "I have benefited greatly today. You have worked hard, Daoist. Go back and rest."

When Han Li stood up, Zhu Youxiao said to Chen Hong, "Reward the Daoist with some gifts."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong hurriedly acknowledged and escorted Han Li out to receive his rewards.

In truth, Chen Hong still didn't understand. Regarding His Majesty's original summoning of this Han Li, he knew the whole process clearly—this man was a swindler the Eastern Depot had found. His Majesty kept this Daoist in the palace, having him show his face from time to time.

Chen Hong hadn't thought much of it before, but now, the more he looked, the more it seemed His Majesty truly believed this Daoist.

Yet Chen Hong still didn't believe it himself—instead, he felt something else was about to happen.

The last time His Majesty had shown such closeness to this Daoist was over the Xiong Tingbi affair in Liaodong. What a storm that had stirred up!

It was precisely because of the Xiong Tingbi affair that the whole series of Donglin Faction cases and other matters had followed. One could say the Xiong Tingbi affair was the beginning of all the upheaval—and now His Majesty had brought this Han Li out again. Something major was likely about to happen.

Connecting this with His Majesty summoning the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard tomorrow, Chen Hong felt this matter was getting serious.

But he truly didn't know what it was. Sending word to the Embroidered Uniform Guard was impossible either. It seemed hoping for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to outperform the Eastern Depot was basically out of the question; and trying to stab Wei Zhongxian in the back was probably impossible too.

The news that His Majesty had summoned this Han Li again quickly spread outside.

The court officials had differing views, but no matter how they thought about it, they could hardly spare the attention now—after all, this was the most critical moment of their struggle, and they had no mind to deal with this matter. Besides, His Majesty seeking out this Daoist was nothing new; there was no good way to stop it for now.

But there was another matter that puzzled many. Because His Majesty had seen this Daoist yesterday, and today had summoned Wei Zhongxian of the Eastern Depot and Luo Sigong of the Embroidered Uniform Guard into the Western Park. Some felt trouble was brewing again.

In the lakeside pavilion, Zhu Youxiao received Wei Zhongxian and Luo Sigong.

Looking at the two men kneeling on the ground, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "Alright, you may rise."

After the two stood up, Zhu Youxiao did not speak either, merely idly toying with the fishing rod in his hand. Only after a long while did he raise his head and say with a rather fearful tone, "The day before yesterday, I had a dream. I dreamed that from the distant horizon a giant arrow flew over and struck me directly in the chest. I woke from the dream in fright."

Upon hearing these words from their master, Wei Zhongxian and Luo Sigong exchanged a glance, then quickly averted their eyes from each other.

Zhu Youxiao did not look at them either, but continued, "So I summoned Daoist Han Li of the Azure Cloud Sect to interpret the dream for me."

"According to what Daoist Han Li said, this dream corresponds to Nezha shooting King Zhou. It should be that before Nezha was born, he could not be delivered for three years; after birth he could walk and speak at once, and his body contained divine strength, able to draw the Xuan Yuan Bow that no one had ever been able to draw."

"In an inadvertent moment, Nezha loosed an arrow, and it flew from Chentang Pass all the way to Zhaoge, striking the headboard of King Zhou's bed. My dream corresponds to exactly this."

Both men's expressions turned rather grim.

Wei Zhongxian especially — at this moment he wished he could kill this Han Li. The useless fraud he had originally brought in now actually dared to say such things?

Only, it seemed there was no way to kill him now, because he had gained the master's trust. But this couldn't go on like this — he actually dared to compare the master to King Zhou. A man like this should be done away with.

If he couldn't do it himself, then let those civil officials make a fuss.

Right, once he returned he would spread this news. Those civil officials had long since taken a dislike to that stinking Daoist; now that such an opportunity presented itself, how could they give it up?

Zhu Youxiao did not look at their expressions either, but continued speaking: "This dream does not correspond to me being King Zhou, but rather to someone plotting rebellion. That is why I have summoned the two of you today — the two of you tell me, have the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot received any intelligence?"

Whether it was Wei Zhongxian of the Eastern Depot or Luo Sigong of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, both were utterly dumbfounded.

His Majesty dreamed of an arrow flying into his embrace, that stinking Daoist said it corresponded to Nezha shooting King Zhou, then said someone was plotting rebellion, and His Majesty wanted the two of them to go find the rebels?

Where the hell were they supposed to look?

Were they supposed to go back and dig up a few people to impersonate the culprits?

"Do you mean to say that neither the Eastern Depot nor the Embroidered Uniform Guard has received any intelligence?" Zhu Youxiao looked at the two men, his tone rather displeased. "I spend vast sums of money every year maintaining the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, giving you such great trust and authority — and this is how you repay me?"

Wei Zhongxian and Luo Sigong were nearly in tears. What kind of business was this?

Still, both wore helpless expressions, cursing that Han Li to death in their hearts, yet there was no other way — they couldn't very well go back right now and just produce a rebel, could they?

With a dream like this, you couldn't fob anyone off with just anyone, could you?

So Wei Zhongxian and the other hastily knelt on the ground and said, "This servant is guilty."

"Your subject is guilty."

Zhu Youxiao's expression seemed to soften somewhat, and he said, "Then do the two of you have any ideas?"

Wei Zhongxian and the other hesitated, truly unable to think of any good solution. But at this moment, seizing power for oneself was the most important thing, so Wei Zhongxian spoke up.

He hastily stepped forward a few paces and said, "Master, this servant believes we should send people to monitor the realm. Since there are those in this world who harbor treacherous designs, naturally sending people to patrol the realm is the most fitting course."

"The Eastern Depot is willing to take on this matter. Establish dedicated branch offices in every province, and patrol the localities each year. Whoever plots rebellion shall be reported to the capital at once."

Zhu Youxiao did not look at Wei Zhongxian. If he agreed to something like this, it would be a miracle.

Although the eunuchs and the civil officials slung mud at each other, some of the things in there were actually true — what the civil officials said about the eunuchs' misdeeds was not entirely false.

For instance, eunuchs being greedy for money — this Zhu Youxiao could understand. After all, as a man, what one seeks in life is nothing more than a few things: beautiful women, wealth, or fame.

Once you became a eunuch, fame was certainly out of the question; as for beautiful women, the desire was there but the ability was lacking, so it didn't matter anymore. That left only wealth.

As a eunuch, taking money served two purposes: one was to present it to the Emperor, so that one could earn merit and be promoted; the other was to stuff it into one's own purse, so that one had money.

After all, as a eunuch, one would have no descendants in the future. When one grew old and left the palace, money could provide for one's old age.

So eunuchs were rather fond of money. If they were sent to the localities, they would surely extort bribes and levy exorbitant taxes. That they would act that way did not surprise Zhu Youxiao in the least, which was why he would never think eunuchs were all good people.

If he listened to Wei Zhongxian and let them loose, the realm would probably descend into chaos.

He could make trouble in the court and in the capital — whether the commotion was big or small didn't matter. But down below, absolutely not; stability had to be maintained.

Maintaining stability was the most important thing.

Besides, his goal was not to expand the Eastern Depot's power. Of course he wouldn't agree!

Zhu Youxiao said nothing. On the side, Luo Sigong of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could no longer stand still.

What was this supposed to be?

Trying to steal the Embroidered Uniform Guard's business, was he?

This job suited the Embroidered Uniform Guard best. The Eastern Depot and the like should just step aside — why push forward?

So Luo Sigong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is most fittingly handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."