Chapter 1633: Overthrow Zhao

The night was as dark as ink, the river breeze picturesque, and the hour was already late, yet the night scene along the Bian River remained as bustling as ever—songbirds warbled, swallows danced, and decadent melodies never ceased. This was, of course, the Bian River, but if one called it the Qinhuai River, there seemed to be no great problem with that either.

On the third floor of the pleasure barge, everyone had been dismissed, even the servants pouring tea and wine had been driven away. Only Lu and Wang remained, blowing in the cool breeze, sipping wine, and secretly plotting great matters.

"Those damned rebels!" Lu Duoxun could not help but curse again.

Perhaps from emotional agitation, or perhaps merely from the force of the wind, Lu Duoxun's handsome beard trembled, with a few glistening droplets of wine still clinging to it.

"Brother Lu, with the Hexi case breaking out, should that matter of ours be set aside for the time being, and only schemed over once the storm has passed?" Wang Yinwu leaned sideways against the railing, and seeing Lu Duoxun's furious expression, asked in a low voice.

At the question, Lu Duoxun fell silent at once. After hesitating a moment, Lu Duoxun said: "I only fear that delay will breed change!"

The reason Lu Duoxun was so extraordinarily furious over the Hexi case was not only his worry for his trusted subordinates and old friends in Hexi, but also another reason—the unexpected eruption of this matter had affected his plans, a long-brewing "Overthrow Zhao" scheme.

Lu Duoxun's character was tough enough, and his will firm enough; for so many years, he had never given up his assault on the chancellorship. However, after several setbacks in the ten years since entering court, he had learned to behave, and had no choice but to learn.

The central government was, after all, different from the provinces. In the provinces, he was the chief official of a circuit—not to mention his time in Hexi, even during his tenure in Liangzhe, Governor Lu was someone whose word was law, who brooked no questioning, projecting an unmistakable dominance.

But bringing such a style to the central court would obviously cause problems. Lu Duoxun had spent several years before he understood this truth—why he had so often suffered defeats before Zhao Pu back then was not only because Zhao Pu was skilled in political maneuvering and ruthless in his methods, but also because Lu Duoxun truly lacked popular support; among the central ministers, those who privately criticized him and found him disagreeable numbered more than one.

Even the Crown Prince—perhaps not at first—but now, Lu Duoxun knew well that he was not favored by Liu Yang. This also forced him to make changes.

Lu Duoxun had once expressed to Emperor Liu his willingness to be a solitary minister, but if he truly became a solitary minister, then he could never lay his hands on the position of Chief Chancellor. This ran contrary to his ambitions and did not match his style. Clearly, that had merely been a way to fool Emperor Liu.

It was not until the Hou Zhi case erupted that Lu Duoxun faced the most severe blow since he had ascended to the chancellorship. Had it not been for Emperor Liu's deliberate protection, he would long since have been squeezed out of court.

Having been taught a lesson, one naturally had to summarize it, and after a long period of reflection, Lu Duoxun had no choice but to bow his head before reality, no choice but to change his style of dealing with people, handling affairs, and governing.

Therefore, in recent years, many ministers had noticed that Chancellor Lu's style had become much more restrained. He no longer was as aggressive as before; he had become amicable, making people feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. Even in the process of overseeing the Censorate, though he punished many people, he did so according to the law, striving to convince the masses.

Lu Duoxun seemed to have become a different person—at least on the surface. Of course, the confrontation with Zhao Pu had not ceased; that was a matter of position and principle that could not change. If he were to cower before Zhao Pu's authority and choose to retreat entirely, then what use would Emperor Liu have for him?

The last one who chose to give up was the emperor's maternal uncle, Li Ye, who had long since been dismissed from the chancellorship and was now sent by Emperor Liu to Jiangxi to serve as Administration Commissioner. And given the relationship between Zhao and Lu, and given Lu Duoxun's character, he was not one to give up easily.

A gentleman hides his abilities within himself and waits for the right moment to act. Lu Duoxun was merely lying low for the time being. In his struggle against Zhao Pu, Lu Duoxun no longer exposed his edge as in the past, contending at every turn; what should be fought for he fought for, and what could be compromised on he compromised as much as possible.

Lu Duoxun's change had also brought the Great Han court a rare period of tranquility in recent years. But on the surface the wind was calm and the waves still, while beneath the surface undercurrents surged—this seemed to be a microcosm of the Great Han Empire.

Even his usual quarrels with Zhao Pu were merely a posture Lu Duoxun adopted, which in his own view was meant to lull Zhao Pu into complacency.

And in secret, Lu Duoxun was doing his utmost, silently and without a trace, to actively prepare for toppling Zhao Pu. Contending at every turn as in the past was the inferior strategy; as for speaking before Emperor Liu and the Crown Prince, or launching attacks—that was even harder to succeed, and would instead invite disgust and lower his impression score.

At least in the first five years of entering court, Emperor Liu's occasional reprimands and the impatience he showed toward him—Lu Duoxun had felt them all. This was the thing that made him reflect most painfully on his mistakes.

In recent years, especially in the last two, Lu Duoxun had begun secretly collecting all sorts of evidence unfavorable to Zhao Pu. Though Zhao Pu was rarely negligent in his conduct and governance, he was after all not a sage, not perfect. He had no major faults, but if one wanted to find fault, there was a whole basketful. As for the people around him, his protégés, the officials he had promoted—there were even more weaknesses to grab hold of.

And relying on the Censorate and the Wude Office, in the secret chamber of Lu Duoxun's residence there was now stored a large pile of various illegal and disciplinary offenses related to Zhao Pu. Perhaps striking directly at Zhao Pu himself would be difficult, but pruning his partisans and undermining his prestige—Lu Duoxun still had confidence in that.

However, Lu Duoxun had always held himself back. What he pursued was a single fatal blow; matters of merely scratching the surface, he would no longer exert himself to do.

Having held back for so many years, suppressed for so long, and remained calm for such an extended period, Lu Duoxun felt that the time was just about right, and was preparing to launch a political struggle—when the Hexi case broke out.

The current situation was that the prospects for overthrowing Zhao were still unclear, and instead his own old foundation in Hexi might be overturned by Zhao Pu taking advantage of the opportunity. How could this not enrage him?

Of course, using an attack on Zhao Pu to provoke open confrontation within the court, promote a shift in power, and also confuse the line of sight, divert attention, and draw the court's gaze back to the halls of government—perhaps that too could be a method.

But such considerations made Lu Duoxun very hesitant, and the reason still lay in Emperor Liu's attitude. Lu Duoxun had some understanding of Emperor Liu; at present he was probably focused solely on the northwestern affairs. At ordinary times it would be fine—perhaps he could even watch them fight from behind the scenes with a smile. But if at this moment Lu Duoxun stirred up storms within the court, he feared the rod would come down on him.

In the "Overthrow Zhao faction" led by Lu Duoxun, Wang Yinwu had naturally also participated, and many things had been privately provided by him to Lu.

But when it came down to the critical moment, sensing that the wind was blowing somewhat wrong, Wang Yinwu naturally could not help but hesitate. At this time, in this private meeting place, there was nothing that could not be said.

Seeing Lu Duoxun lost in thought, Wang Yinwu said: "Brother Lu, Zhao Pu has after all been chancellor for nearly twenty years, long trusted and favored by His Majesty, with deep roots and numerous partisans. He truly is a towering tree; to topple him, I fear, will not be easy!"

At these words, Lu Duoxun's heart gave a jolt. He turned to stare directly at Wang Yinwu, looking at him until he grew uncomfortable, before saying: "What, is Brother Wang afraid?"

Although Lu Duoxun himself was full of doubts, seeing that Wang Yinwu showed signs of backing out, he naturally could not permit it—this stance had to be firm.

Lu Duoxun's gaze carried some pressure. Wang Yinwu turned his head away unnaturally, casting his eyes toward the river view, and said with feigned calmness: "Brother Lu jests. Though Zhao Pu's power is heavy, he still cannot reach me, the Commissioner of the Wude Office!"

"In that case, why need Brother Wang worry? Why not sit steadily on the fishing platform and calmly watch the winds and clouds?" Lu Duoxun said.

To this, Wang Yinwu fell silent. Silence meant that Wang Yinwu was not firm enough regarding the matter of "overthrowing Zhao."

Seeing this, Lu Duoxun raised the wine flask in his hand, aimed the mouth at his lips, and poured. Taking a deep drink, he let out a refreshing breath and said meaningfully: "Brother Wang, you don't think that I, Lu Duoxun, alone can topple Zhao Pu, do you!"

"Hm?" Wang Yinwu's expression shifted slightly, and he asked doubtfully: "What do you mean by that?"

Leaning gently on the railing, gazing at a brightly lit flower boat in the distance across the water, Lu Duoxun said: "I, Lu Duoxun, am not without self-awareness. Having fought for so many years, I have also come to realize that Zhao Pu entered court ten years before me. A gap of ten years is extremely difficult to close. Though somewhat disheartening, I must also admit that relying on my own strength alone, it is impossible to pull Zhao Pu down from his horse!"

"I would like to hear the details?" Only then did Wang Yinwu realize that Lu Duoxun's preparations went far beyond what he had here. He even suspected that he and the Wude Office were not Lu Duoxun's true reliance.

With a faint smile: "Brother Wang, are you familiar with Zhao Kuangyi, the Vice Director of the Secretariat?"

"The Count of Guangyang?" Wang Yinwu was startled. A thought flashed through his mind, and he exclaimed in surprise: "Could it be that he also..."

"Exactly!" Lu Duoxun affirmed: "Those dissatisfied with Zhao Pu—am I the only one?"