Chapter 687: Replacing the Heir

Song Xiang looked at Zhang Yu, somewhat confused, and asked, "What do you plan to do?"

"It's simple—send out Zhang Fu's suicide letter and make the whole city know about it. At the same time, pin the blame on Zheng Xuhong, saying he framed Zhang Fu and forced his entire family to commit suicide." Zhang Yu pondered for a moment, then continued, "Forget it, just say directly that he killed Zhang Fu's whole family. Besides that, the deaths of these servants must also be counted in. Let everyone outside know that Zheng Xuhong killed these servants. This time we'll make Zheng Xuhong run around in a panic, and make the King of Joseon run around in a panic too."

"I understand." Song Xiang nodded, her expression grave as she said, "I'll go handle it right away."

Zhang Yu nodded as well and said nothing more.

Over this period of time, Hanseong had been in turmoil, one thing after another, leaving people almost unable to keep up.

A few days earlier, Zhang Fu's case had been stirring up a storm—and now, here came more trouble.

At first it spread on a small scale—rumors that Zhang Fu's entire family was dead; not only dead, but dead in a particularly miserable way. And the one who had done this deed was Zheng Xuhong.

Though it was only hearsay, it spread with remarkable conviction.

Besides that, another piece of news also came out—Zhang Fu's household servants had all been silenced as well. Everyone was dead, and the one who had done it was still Zheng Xuhong.

Some said Zheng Xuhong was the real backer behind these businesses, and Zhang Fu was merely the scapegoat. It was only because Zhang Fu refused to accept his role as scapegoat that Zheng Xuhong had resorted to such ruthless measures.

In an instant, public opinion was in an uproar, and Zheng Xuhong became the target of everyone's arrows.

At Kim Jeong-min's residence.

Five or six old men sat gathered together, none of them in the mood for tea. Their faces were all grim.

Kim Jeong-min sat in the seat of honor, with Zhao Chenqi beside him.

Zhao Chenqi glanced at Kim Jeong-min and said slowly, "Your Excellency Kim, something about this affair doesn't seem right."

Kim Jeong-min also nodded and said, "It truly is off. The rumors outside spread far too quickly—clearly someone is manipulating things. But for the moment we can't find out who did it, which makes this matter rather difficult to handle."

Everyone's faces were not looking good; they too had sensed it.

After all, they were all old hands in officialdom. If they'd had some hesitation at the start, now they were suspicious.

This affair made everyone's heart tremble with fear.

Zhao Chenqi looked at Kim Jeong-min and asked with some concern, "Your Excellency, what do we do?"

Those present wore varied expressions, but all their faces were heavy.

The choices before them now were nothing more than two. One was to seek out the truth of the matter and find out exactly who was stirring up trouble. As for the struggle with the young Turks faction, that would have to be set aside for now. Everyone would unite around the King and figure out who was behind this.

The other option, of course, was to kick a man when he's down—strike while the iron is hot. Zheng Xuhong's affair had blown up enormously; no matter what, this man could no longer be protected, so they should find a way to bring him down.

Zhang Fu was dead, and if Zheng Xuhong fell as well, the young Turks faction would lose two of its generals in succession. The benefits their own side could reap from this were too numerous to count—they could even regain the upper hand.

There was also another thing they could do—take the opportunity to elevate the Second Prince to the position of Crown Prince.

Kim Jeong-min glanced at Zhao Chenqi and asked with narrowed eyes, "What are you trying to say?"

Old bastard, thinking quite a lot! Zhao Chenqi sneered inwardly.

He had originally wanted to goad Kim Jeong-min into taking the lead, but he hadn't expected the man to kick the ball right back to him.

After pondering briefly, Zhao Chenqi said, "Since things have already come to this point, we might as well go all the way—push Zheng Xuhong down and put our own people in his place. Besides that, we should take this opportunity to replace the Crown Prince."

No one objected to the first part; it was merely a matter of choice. And this choice had no downsides—everyone could gain more benefits.

But upon hearing the latter part, the expressions of the several men shifted.

If this matter were mishandled, it would be a crime worthy of having one's entire family executed and property confiscated. Though the benefits were greater, it was after all not easy to pull off. The current Crown Prince's position was still fairly stable, and besides, he was still in Great Ming. Replacing the Crown Prince was no small matter—it required Great Ming's support. If Great Ming didn't support it, even if you made the change, it would be for nothing.

Kim Jeong-min glanced at Zhao Chenqi and asked with a hint of realization, "Have you already made contact with the Great Ming side?"

At these words, everyone was stunned, and all eyes turned to Zhao Chenqi.

Everyone knew this old fellow was no simple character. Having dealt with each other for so many years, though they belonged to the same faction, they'd had no shortage of squabbles in daily life. After all these years, they each had some understanding of the others. A man like Zhao Chenqi wasn't one to act without certainty. Since he dared to make such a proposal, he must already have some news.

Kim Jeong-min's question had hit the nail right on the head. If Zhao Chenqi truly had obtained Great Ming's support, then this matter really could be done.

Everyone looked at Zhao Chenqi, hoping he would give them an answer.

"Nothing escapes Your Excellency Kim." Zhao Chenqi said with a bitter smile, "Word has it that the Crown Prince can no longer return—the Great Ming side wants to keep him there. This time, the Great Ming envoy has come precisely to scout for a suitable candidate. And all these chaotic affairs happening now are very likely connected to this matter. Though we don't know who's pulling the strings behind it all, doing such things for the sake of the Crown Prince's position wouldn't be strange at all."

Everyone's expressions changed, and one of them hastily asked, "Your Excellency Zhao, is this news reliable?"

"Nine times out of ten." Zhao Chenqi nodded and said, "Though I can't tell you the source of the information, it's basically already confirmed. Moreover, if we want to act, we can first test the Great Ming envoy. As long as His Highness Prince Fu over there gives the word, we'll have our confidence."

After these words came out, everyone fell silent, and no one pressed Zhao Chenqi about his source of information. Because he'd said they could go ask that Prince Fu of Great Ming—that couldn't be faked.

Kim Jeong-min looked at Zhao Chenqi and asked, "What do you intend to do?"

Zhao Chenqi didn't hide anything and said directly, "Right now Grand Prince Bongnim is close to us. If we take this opportunity to bring Zheng Xuhong down as well, the young Turks faction will have no one left. Even if they still have a few people, they won't be able to stir up any waves. Then we'll jointly recommend the Second Prince to get this done. Once the Second Prince becomes the Crown Prince, our own fortunes will naturally rise with the tide—I'm sure all of you seated here know the benefits."

These men had all lived through several reigns and experienced no small amount of political struggle. They naturally understood what the ultimate outcome of installing a Crown Prince would be. After all, they had done it once before—they held power precisely because they had pushed the current King onto the throne. If they did it again, there was no reason it couldn't be done.

Everyone's faces grew solemn.

If this matter could be done, then it should be done.

Kim Jeong-min pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhao Chenqi and asked, "What about Grand Prince Bongnim?"

The inclination behind these words was quite obvious. If Grand Prince Bongnim was willing to listen to their side, then this matter would be easy to handle, and they would be willing to carry it out. But if Grand Prince Bongnim wouldn't obey, then it wouldn't work.

Some of the men below had even begun to have active thoughts—Grand Prince Bongnim was after all already an adult and might not be easy to control. If they chose a young king, perhaps things would be easier to manage.

Did their own side have any suitable candidates?

The several men exchanged glances, but each harbored his own schemes.

Zhao Chenqi naturally knew what they were thinking. They were all old foxes—no point trying to play tricks on one another.

Zhao Chenqi said with a smile, "As for Grand Prince Bongnim's character, I'm sure all of you seated here know it well, so I won't say much more. There are many advantages to installing Grand Prince Bongnim. First of all, he is close enough to us."

This point had to be stated up front, and Zhao Chenqi raised it directly.

The people present all valued interests—they wouldn't do anything without benefit—so this Crown Prince had to be close enough to them. Compared to the elders faction, the original Crown Prince had been closer to the young Turks faction.

The reason they had been willing to yield all these years was, on the one hand, because of the current King of Joseon, and on the other hand, because of the Crown Prince. If there was nothing to gain, then naturally they wouldn't bother.

After hearing these words, everyone nodded.

Zhao Chenqi smiled lightly and continued, "Grand Prince Bongnim is the King's second son, and he has great advantages in both age and standing. If the Crown Prince cannot return, then it is only natural and proper for Grand Prince Bongnim to succeed to the throne. If we report this to Great Ming, that side will also support it. So this is Grand Prince Bongnim's advantage—our difficulty in maneuvering will be much reduced."

"Your Excellency Zhao, you don't need to say all that." Someone below spoke up. "We all know you're often by Grand Prince Bongnim's side and have a very close relationship. Now, can you tell us some things we don't know? That's what we want to hear."

"Don't be impatient." Zhao Chenqi said with a smile, "I'm getting to that."

After speaking, Zhao Chenqi nodded to Kim Jeong-min and said, "Grand Prince Bongnim has long been displeased with the ways of Zheng Xuhong and his lot, and he is rather well-disposed toward us. Grand Prince Bongnim also said that Joseon still needs seasoned and steady ministers to take charge, lest something go wrong. Moreover, all of you have descendants, and Grand Prince Bongnim is quite fond of reading—your descendants naturally excel in scholarship, and Grand Prince Bongnim would be glad to exchange ideas with them often."

This was a guarantee! Once I take power, I will promote you; and when you are no longer able, I will still promote your descendants.

But everyone present was a seasoned old hand, and they did not put much stock in such promises.

Kim Jeong-min said, "That the Grand Prince loves learning is naturally something we are glad to see."

Having said that, he fell silent. The implication was that these conditions were still not enough.

Zhao Chenqi shot a glance at Kim Jeong-min and cursed inwardly: Old fox!