Chapter 90: It's You! Empress Zhang

Wei Zhongxian also knew that at this point, regret was useless—he needed to find a way out.

The simplest and most effective method was to get Luo Sigong removed and replace the Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard with one of his own trusted men.

That way, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would be firmly in his grasp. Once he held both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot, Chen Hong naturally wouldn't be able to stir up any waves.

Or he could simply topple Chen Hong outright—without support from within the palace, Luo Sigong would be left at his mercy.

But Wei Zhongxian also knew at this point that this matter would not be easy to handle.

Over at the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they had just produced this Chen Kedao, and right now was precisely the time when His Majesty trusted him most—there was nothing Wei Zhongxian could do about that.

If he forcibly tried to slander the man, he might well end up making the master weary of him instead.

As for Chen Hong's side, that was even harder to deal with. That fellow had already enjoyed deep trust from the master, and now he had the support of the Embroidered Uniform Guard as well.

Chen Kedao had handled this matter well, so Chen Hong naturally had the backing to stand tall, and the master would inevitably trust him even more.

Turning it over in his mind this way and that, none of it worked—Wei Zhongxian couldn't help but grow irritated.

Was he supposed to just wait until they grew strong enough to dominate?

Although he knew the matter was beyond remedy for now, Wei Zhongxian was also worried that if he didn't resolve this problem now, it would only become more difficult to resolve later.

But for the moment he had no good plan—how could he not be agitated?

Sun Yunhe, standing off to the side, was also racking his brains.

Watching Wei Zhongxian's expression grow uglier and uglier, he felt he ought to say something—otherwise Wei Zhongxian would take his anger out on him, and what had he done to deserve that?

Glancing at Wei Zhongxian, Sun Yunhe said cautiously, "Director, your subordinate has an idea."

Hearing Sun Yunhe's words, Wei Zhongxian was taken aback.

Although Sun Yunhe was his trusted confidant, Wei Zhongxian knew all too well what kind of man Sun Yunhe was.

Seizing people, extracting confessions under torture, framing the innocent—none of these things were beyond Sun Yunhe. But when it came to strategy and scheming, the man was nothing but a rough brute.

What kind of plan could he possibly have?

Glancing at Sun Yunhe and seeing him watching him timidly, Wei Zhongxian felt a sudden jolt of alarm in his heart.

He knew his own mood had affected his subordinates—that was no good.

If he showed weakness, then his subordinates would inevitably lose their nerve, and worse, they might become estranged from him.

He might not have a way to deal with the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Chen Hong right now, but he could not afford chaos within his own ranks.

With that thought, Wei Zhongxian resumed a stern expression and said in a low voice, "If you have something to say, say it."

"Yes, Director." Seeing Wei Zhongxian regain his composure, Sun Yunhe acknowledged the order, and with a bit more confidence in his heart, he spoke up: "Director, in your subordinate's view, this matter is as difficult as you make it, and as simple as you make it. You currently hold the Donglin Faction case in your hands, command the Eastern Depot, and enjoy His Majesty's trust and favor—that alone already places you in an unassailable position. What you're thinking about now is nothing more than how to make His Majesty rely on you even more while distancing himself from the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

After pondering briefly, Wei Zhongxian nodded.

He hadn't expected Sun Yunhe's words to carry some sense. But sense alone was useless—he still needed to find an actual method.

Wei Zhongxian's tone had softened considerably as he asked directly, "Do you have a plan?"

"Director, the plan is very simple." Sun Yunhe gave a fawning smile and lowered his voice: "In your subordinate's view, this is nothing more than a contest for favor. Whoever can earn His Majesty's greater trust will gain more."

"To earn His Majesty's greater trust, all you need is to handle matters with excellence."

Seeing Wei Zhongxian glare at him, Sun Yunhe hurriedly added, "Whatever they can do, we can do too. And not only must we do it better than them, we must do it faster than them. They found themselves a Chen Kedao, didn't they? We can find ourselves a Li Kedao."

"That Chen Kedao is Li Zhi's student—we can also find someone, a fellow disciple of Li Zhi, anyone at all, as long as he understands Li Zhi's teachings. If one person isn't enough, then find two."

"If two are still too few, then find several more. As long as we do it better than that side, why worry that His Majesty won't grow close to you, Director? Once you gain His Majesty's trust, is there anything you couldn't accomplish?"

Hearing Sun Yunhe's words, Wei Zhongxian's eyes lit up.

He shot Sun Yunhe an appreciative glance and said with a hearty laugh, "Not bad, not bad—you've got some ideas, lad. I'll find someone to handle this right away."

Seeing Sun Yunhe looking at him with expectation, Wei Zhongxian knew he wanted to take on this task himself.

But Wei Zhongxian dared not give him the assignment.

There was no other reason—it was simply that Sun Yunhe's reputation was too poor.

If entrusted to him, not only might the matter fail, it could well backfire.

If this matter was handled well, it would naturally be a great merit for himself; if it was botched, he would lose tremendous face. How would His Majesty view him then?

This was a risk Wei Zhongxian dared not take.

Still, since Sun Yunhe had offered him the idea, Wei Zhongxian couldn't very well just cast him aside. He could only soothe him with kind words: "The Donglin Faction case can't do without you, so you needn't get involved in this matter."

"But rest assured—the idea was yours, and I won't forget you. You'll have a share of the credit here, and once the matter succeeds, I will surely reward you handsomely."

Sun Yunhe wanted to argue a few more points, but seeing Wei Zhongxian's stern expression, he knew in his heart that he had no chance.

Better to say nothing more—otherwise he would only make the Director loathe him.

With that thought, Sun Yunhe hurriedly bowed and said, "Rest assured, Director. Your subordinate understands."

Seeing Sun Yunhe being so sensible, Wei Zhongxian nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile, "That would be for the best."

Leaving Sun Yunhe behind to continue with the case hearings, Wei Zhongxian departed the Eastern Depot.

He was going to make arrangements for this matter.

Every faction had its own calculations, and the entire capital was thick with intrigue and shifting currents.

But within the Forbidden City, the atmosphere was still harmonious and pleasant.

Especially since everyone knew one thing: this imperial palace was about to welcome its mistress.

After several rounds of selection, the choice of Empress had finally reached its final round.

Zhu Youxiao looked at the eunuch Li Huan, who had come to deliver the news, his face betraying no expression.

Casually glancing at the name card Li Huan had presented, Zhu Youxiao spotted a familiar name at once.

Zhang Yan.

Courtesy name Zu'e, childhood name Baozhu. From Xiangfu, Henan. Father: Zhang Guoji.

With just one look at the brief introduction, Zhu Youxiao knew who this person was.

This was the Empress of the Tianqi Emperor in history—the renowned Empress Yi'an.

I never expected that she would end up being the one chosen—quite an interesting turn of events, really.

The moment he saw this name, Zhu Youxiao knew his Empress was settled.

Not because Zhu Youxiao had any particular attachment, but because according to historical records, this Empress Zhang had done quite well for herself.

Moreover, after Li Zicheng breached the walls of Beijing, this Empress Zhang hanged herself.

In the end, only three candidates remained for the position of Empress, and he knew nothing about the other two.

And so,

it shall be you,

Empress Zhang!