Chapter 689: The Nail

Hearing this, Grand Prince Bongnim immediately grew excited and said, "Who do you plan to go to?"

"Your Highness, many of the Ming's important ministers and nobles have business in Joseon. As long as we give them enough benefits, these people will be willing to help us. Chen Facai of the Universal Trading Company is one such person — your servant can go to him."

"So it's that man." Grand Prince Bongnim's expression turned grave. After thinking for a moment, he said, "This man was previously on good terms with Park Jeong-yang. Will he be unwilling to help us?"

"Your Highness, Park Jeong-yang is dead now." Lin Dechang said with a smile, "He too urgently needs someone to help him. In all of Joseon, is there anyone more suitable than Your Highness?"

"In that case, go ahead." Grand Prince Bongnim thought it over and nodded.

"I will never disappoint Your Highness's expectations!" Lin Dechang said with a solemn expression.

Lin Dechang left.

Grand Prince Bongnim looked at Zhao Chenqi and asked, "How confident do you think he is?"

Zhao Chenqi thought for a moment and said, "I think what he said makes sense. Those Ming merchants will be willing to help us, but they will likely demand a hefty price. Your Highness should be prepared."

"No need to worry about that." Grand Prince Bongnim waved his hand and said, "As long as they can deliver results, a bit of money is something I'm willing to part with."

Zhao Chenqi nodded and said no more.

If that aspect wasn't a problem, then everything else was even less of one.

In Hanseong, all sorts of rumors were spreading like wildfire, and the people were anxious and uneasy. For a time, no one knew who would win and who would lose, and Zheng Xuhong had been thrust into the eye of the storm.

The Ming embassy.

Song Xiang was grinding ink for Zhang Yu while chatting with him. "Our people have already sent word — Grand Prince Bongnim's side is preparing to make a move, and we've made contact with Chen Facai as well. I believe results will come soon. Now we just need them to get in touch with Zheng Xuhong, and hopefully make a breakthrough with him."

Song Xiang spoke in a calm, even tone, as if discussing something utterly trivial. That casual, unhurried air was a rare sight.

Zhang Yu nodded and said, "Zheng Xuhong is in a precarious position right now — he should agree. There's another matter: the nail we planted beside Zheng Xuhong — can we use it now?"

Song Xiang nodded and said, "It should be about time."

"Good." Zhang Yu nodded and said, "Tell them not to make things too obvious. As long as we plant a seed of doubt in Zheng Xuhong's mind, that will be enough. If we spell things out too plainly, he'll only become suspicious."

"I understand." Song Xiang also nodded and said, "This matter will be handled properly."

At Zheng Xuhong's residence.

These past two days, Zheng Xuhong had been utterly overwhelmed — he hadn't had a single good day since the incident occurred. Rumors were spreading everywhere, and no one knew who was pulling the strings behind it all.

Zheng Xuhong already understood in his heart that everything — from Park Jeong-yang's death to now — had been orchestrated by someone.

At that moment, a man walked in from outside and came straight to Zheng Xuhong's side, saying, "My lord, still not asleep?"

Zheng Xuhong looked up at the newcomer and said with a bitter smile, "With the situation as it is, I can't sleep. I'm just worried I might end up following in Zhang Fu's footsteps."

"That will never happen." The man said with a smile.

This man was none other than Zheng Xuhong's advisor — Li Feng. He was a man of great learning and ability, and over the years he had handled many matters for Zheng Xuhong, offering extremely useful counsel. After several years, Zheng Xuhong trusted him completely.

"Sir, what brings you here so late? Is something the matter?" Zheng Xuhong looked at Li Feng and asked slowly.

"There's someone outside requesting an audience." Li Feng said with a smile, "I'm sure my lord would never guess who it is."

"Oh? Now that piques my interest." Zheng Xuhong said with a smile, "At a time like this, someone still wants to come to my home? Shouldn't everyone be staying as far away from me as possible?"

"That's not quite right." Li Feng said with a smile, "Though my lord has fallen on hard times, the world is full of fools who love to add flowers to brocade; but there are always clever people too, and no shortage of those who offer charcoal in the snow."

"That's unexpected. I wonder who sir is referring to?" Zheng Xuhong asked with a smile.

"Lin Dechang." Li Feng said with a teasing look.

Zheng Xuhong furrowed his brow, then said, "Who is this man? I've never heard of him."

Li Feng shook his head and said with a smile, "I don't know either. But the name card this man carries is from Grand Prince Bongnim's household. Does Lord Zheng have an idea now?"

Zheng Xuhong's gaze sharpened, and the smile on his face faded.

Grand Prince Bongnim — that man was a very sensitive subject in Joseon right now.

The Crown Prince was stuck in the Ming and couldn't return, while the other princes were all watching with hungry eyes, or rather, eager to make their move. This Grand Prince Bongnim had always kept a low profile. But no matter how low-key he was, his position spoke for itself — he was the most outstanding among the king's adult princes, and the second in line. If the Crown Prince couldn't return, Grand Prince Bongnim had the greatest chance of becoming king.

At a time like this, what was he here for?

"Did he say what it's about?" Zheng Xuhong looked up at Li Feng and asked.

Li Feng shook his head directly and said with a smile, "No. But coming at a time like this, it should be to offer charcoal in the snow. This Grand Prince of ours is rather interesting."

"Wasn't he said to be quite close with Park Jeong-yang recently?" Zheng Xuhong furrowed his brow and asked, "Could he be here to set conditions?"

"No." Li Feng shook his head and said, "Those old fossils of the elders faction would never compromise on anything. I expect they're all celebrating right now, thinking of ways to use the Ming to pressure the king into dealing with my lord."

Zheng Xuhong's face darkened, and he said angrily, "A pack of traitors!"

Though he cursed like this and his expression was ugly, Zheng Xuhong knew that if the tables were turned, he would probably do the same. How could anyone let such a rare opportunity slip by?

"So, will my lord see him or not?" Li Feng looked at Zheng Xuhong and asked.

"I'll see him. Let him in." Zheng Xuhong said, "I want to see what they have to say for themselves."

"Then I'll have them receive him." Li Feng nodded and said, "I'll take my leave now."

"Sir needn't do that." Zheng Xuhong hastily stopped Li Feng and said, "Sir can stay here and listen with me. If anything comes up, you can offer me your counsel. I have absolute trust in you."

Li Feng nodded and said, "Very well, then I'll stay and listen."

Before long, a man walked in from outside. It was Lin Dechang.

Smiling, Lin Dechang clasped his hands toward Zheng Xuhong and said, "Greetings to Lord Zheng, greetings to Master Li."

"You know Master Li?" Zheng Xuhong looked at Lin Dechang and asked.

"Who hasn't heard of Master Li's reputation? Word has long been spreading outside that Lord Zheng has an extremely capable advisor who can offer counsel on any matter." Lin Dechang said with a smile, "Your humble servant spends his days out in the world — how could I not have heard?"

"Sit down and speak." Zheng Xuhong nodded and made a gesture of invitation.

Once Lin Dechang was seated, Zheng Xuhong said, "May I ask what brings you here today?"

"I have come today on the orders of Grand Prince Bongnim." Lin Dechang said with a smile.

This caught Zheng Xuhong and Li Feng off guard — wasn't this Lin Dechang being a bit too direct?

Sure, you carried Grand Prince Bongnim's name card, and we knew you came on his orders, but some things weren't meant to be said so openly.

Saying it like that wasn't very appropriate.

Lin Dechang, however, seemed utterly unconcerned and continued: "The court is in chaos right now, and there are people outside sowing discord. Loyal officials like Lord Zheng are being framed—how could Grand Prince Bongnim stand by and watch? This time, the Grand Prince sent me here precisely to find a way to help Lord Zheng."

"What do you mean by that?" Zheng Xuhong asked with a frown.

"Kim Jeong-min and his people are currently rallying support everywhere, and they're also preparing to approach that Prince Fu of the Great Ming to join forces with him, using Prince Fu to pressure His Majesty into dealing with you as soon as possible. They've already prepared to cede part of Joseon's interests in Japan to that Prince Fu of the Great Ming."

"Utterly despicable!" Zheng Xuhong slammed the table in fury and said: "These people have grown far too bold! How dare they do such a thing?"

Lin Dechang said nothing, merely watching Zheng Xuhong's performance.

After a long moment, Zheng Xuhong raised his head and said: "What does the Grand Prince intend to do? If there is anything I can be used for, for the sake of Joseon, I will spare no effort! Even if it costs me my life, I will absolutely stop them!"

"Your Excellency is truly righteous!" Lin Dechang bowed in salute, his expression solemn.

"The Grand Prince has also learned of another piece of news—they plan to collude with Prince Fu of the Great Ming to establish a new Crown Prince of Joseon. They've already chosen their candidate: the Fourth Prince."

"The Fourth Prince?" Zheng Xuhong said angrily: "The Fourth Prince is only four years old!"

Lin Dechang said nothing, the implication clear: why would they choose a four-year-old prince? Don't you understand? Isn't it simply to control him?

"Far too audacious!" Zheng Xuhong said furiously: "How dare they?"

"Why wouldn't they dare?" Lin Dechang sighed and said: "As long as they've latched onto that Prince Fu of the Great Ming, this matter truly might succeed. As long as the Crown Prince cannot return, Joseon will inevitably have to select a new Crown Prince. And this Prince Fu of the Great Ming is the uncle of the current Ming Emperor, deeply trusted. As long as he speaks up, this matter could very well be accomplished. If the Crown Prince cannot return and a new one must be chosen, who do you think the Great Ming will support?"

The answer to this question went without saying—it would certainly be Kim Jeong-min. Whoever they supported, the Great Ming would support. Because that would bring the most benefit to the Great Ming, or rather, the most benefit to that Prince Fu. Judging from the current situation, a four-year-old king would likely be exactly what Prince Fu of the Great Ming would welcome.

Zheng Xuhong's expression turned very grim.

This was digging at his very roots! If this matter succeeded, would people like him have any chance of survival?

Zheng Xuhong raised his head and said: "We absolutely cannot let them succeed! May I ask what the Grand Prince intends to do?"

"In the next couple of days, they will likely reach an agreement with that Prince Fu. We must first get Your Excellency out of danger—we cannot let His Majesty dispose of Lord Zheng according to their wishes. Lord Zhang Fu has already gone. If they eliminate Lord Zheng, then who else would be left to stop them?"

"Among the senior ministers at court, aside from Lord Zhang and Lord Zhang, the remaining two are Lord Xiao and Lord Qian. Lord Xiao is timid and hesitant, and Lord Qian—you know him as well—his stance is not so simple either. Once they have the Great Ming's support, they will surely act without any restraint."

Zheng Xuhong nodded, feeling that Lin Dechang's words made sense.

He also thought of another possibility: this matter might have been a conspiracy from start to finish—a scheme by the elders faction. To that end, they had killed Park Jeong-yang and Park In-yong, framed Zhang Fu, and ultimately forced Zhang Fu's entire family to death. It was even possible that Zhang Fu himself had been killed by their hands. In that case, everything would be perfectly explainable.

Now they were using the Zhang Fu affair to try to topple him as well. If he also fell, then there would be no one left at court to stand in their way. With the Great Ming's support, they would have completely succeeded in seizing power.

Then they would turn around and support the Fourth Prince, having him inherit the throne. By then, the Fourth Prince would still be young—wouldn't he be completely at their mercy?

They had certainly calculated this well.

Zheng Xuhong's gaze flickered with uncertainty.

He had been too careless!

Precisely because the one who died was Park Jeong-yang, he hadn't thought they would strike against their own man.

At the time, he had thought the possibility of Kim Jeong-min being behind it was far too small. Remembering that Park Jeong-yang was his student, he hadn't thought Kim would be capable of such a deed. Now it seemed highly likely that Kim had done it. Under such circumstances, matters had become troublesome.

"Can I meet with His Majesty?" Zheng Xuhong raised his head and looked at Lin Dechang, saying: "These matters, I think His Majesty should still be informed. Once His Majesty knows, he will absolutely not tolerate it."

Lin Dechang gave a bitter smile, his face showing helplessness as he said: "What use is merely talking about it? If they've reached an agreement with the Great Ming, these people will dare to do anything. By then, even His Majesty may be in danger. They might even frame Your Excellency, claiming you plotted against His Majesty. Even my master the Grand Prince—he might well be framed by them as well."

Zheng Xuhong was greatly alarmed—Lin Dechang's words made sense.

He raised his head to look at Lin Dechang and asked: "Has the situation truly become so dire? Then what does the Grand Prince intend to do?"

"In this matter, the most critical factor is the people of the Great Ming. If the Great Ming supports the Grand Prince, then things will be much easier to handle; if the Great Ming applies no pressure, then Your Excellency's problem will be resolved without difficulty."

Lin Dechang said with a smile: "So this matter still needs to be approached from the side of the Ming people."

"Easier said than done." Zheng Xuhong said with a bitter smile: "They can go to Prince Fu of the Great Ming—are we supposed to do the same? Besides, what do we have to convince that Prince Fu of the Great Ming?"

"I do have another idea." Lin Dechang said with a smile: "Prince Fu of the Great Ming has been in Joseon for so many days now—you should all understand by now that he doesn't involve himself in too many matters."

Zheng Xuhong hesitated for a moment before asking: "You mean that deputy envoy of the Great Ming, Lord Zhang Yu?"