Chapter 106: All are short-lived ghosts

Just as the Wang Family and Yang Xingmi had reached a tacit understanding in Jiangnan, each burying themselves in hair development, accumulating strength.

Yet the situation in the North, just as Wang Po (Wang Xiu) had anticipated, became increasingly chaotic.

Prince Ying Zhu Yougui, after seizing the throne by killing his father, although he had ascended the throne he had long dreamed of, found sitting on it as if sitting on a bed of needles.

His accession was illegitimate; most officials in the court outwardly obeyed but secretly defied him. He was decadent and violent, surpassing even his father Zhu Wen, spending his days indulging in wine and women, neglecting state affairs, arousing heaven's wrath and popular resentment.

What's worse, his fourth brother, who held heavy troops in Luoyang, Prince Jun Zhu Youzhen, outright refused to recognize him as emperor.

Zhu Youzhen, under the banner of 'avenging his father and purging the court,' allied with Weibo Military Governor Yang Shihou, as well as the northern arch-enemy, Prince Jin Li Cunxu, openly raised troops to attack Zhu Yougui.

In an instant, flames of war sprang up across the Central Plains once again.

These pieces of intelligence about the Later Liang Court flowed continuously through the Wang Family's spy network to the desk of Wang Po (Wang Xiu).

"Head of Family, this is the latest news sent back from Bianliang." Wang Tian handed a secret report to Wang Po.

Wang Po (Wang Xiu) unfolded it and couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Interesting, truly interesting."

The secret report said that this foolish emperor Zhu Yougui, upon hearing of Zhu Youzhen's uprising, did not think about how to deploy troops and actively respond.

His first act was to order that all of his father Zhu Wen's concubines, that is, his stepmothers, be summoned into the palace to "serve" him.

He gave it the noble name of caring for his father's widows.

In reality, it was simply taking over his father's entire harem.

"As the beam is not straight, the lower beam crooked—this old Zhu family truly… follows the same line." Wang Po (Wang Xiu) shook his head, his face full of ridicule.

He knew that Zhu Yougui did this not only to satisfy his own perverse desires, but deeper down it was a psychology of inferiority and revenge.

Having been unloved since childhood, now as emperor he sought to take back double what he had previously been denied and wanted to possess.

Such a person is fundamentally not fit to be an emperor.

"Head of Family, Zhu Yougui is decadent and lawless, rebelling both inside and out; I fear his good days are coming to an end." Wang Tian said.

"Hmm." Wang Po (Wang Xiu) nodded; he of course knew Zhu Yougui's fate.

This emperor, after a reign of just over two hundred days, would be besieged by the large army of his fourth brother Zhu Youzhen; ultimately, abandoned by all, he would commit suicide.

"Zhu Yougui is nothing to worry about; he's merely a jumping clown." Wang Po (Wang Xiu)'s gaze fell upon Luoyang on the map.

"The true opponent is this Zhu Youzhen."

Compared to his beastly father and his decadent, incapable elder brother, Zhu Youzhen can be considered the only member of the old Zhu family who appears relatively 'normal'.

Although his abilities are mediocre, at least he knows how to win people's hearts and understands what should and should not be done.

Historically, after his accession, the strength of the Later Liang even experienced a brief recovery.

"However, he is merely a caretaker ruler." Wang Po (Wang Xiu) smirked inwardly.

He knew that Zhu Youzhen's greatest flaw was being overambitious yet talentless, besides being naturally suspicious and obstinate.

After his accession, he would alienate truly capable ministers such as Jing Xiang, instead favoring those who only knew how to flatter and were incompetent.

Moreover, he was especially eager for grand achievements, always wanting to accomplish some great undertaking to prove himself stronger than his father and his brother.

"A ruler who rushes to prove himself often makes the most foolish decisions." In Wang Po (Wang Xiu)'s mind, a plan gradually took shape.

"Uncle Tian," he said, "have the intelligence department closely monitor the progress of the northern war. Once Zhu Youzhen defeats Zhu Yougui and ascends the throne, we will immediately send someone to deliver a congratulatory gift."

"A congratulatory gift?" Wang Tian expressed some confusion, "Head of Family, haven't we been suppressing the Zhu family in public opinion all along? Now we're sending a gift—"

"This is one time, that is another." Wang Po (Wang Xiu) smiled slightly, "Zhu Wen and Zhu Yougui are clowns despised by all under heaven; trampling them follows the will of the people."

"But this Zhu Youzhen, rising under the banner of 'avenging his father,' occupies the moral high ground. If we continued as before, openly opposing him, it would show our Wang Family to be out of touch with the times."

"We must not only send a gift, but a great gift!" A gleam of calculation flashed in Wang Po (Wang-Xiu)'s eyes.

"We will send him……200,000 shi of grain and 300,000 strings of cash!"

"What?!" Wang Tian exclaimed in shock, "Head of Family, this……this is too much! Previously we gave Huang Chao only 100,000 shi of grain. Now Zhu Youzhen, right from the start, we give him this much—"

"He will think we are afraid." Wang Po (Wang-Xiu) finished the latter half of his sentence for him.

"Exactly, I want him to feel that the Wang Family fears him, this new monarch. I want him to feel that the Wang Family is merely a group of wealthy landowners from Jiangnan, having some troops and some money, but deep down still timid."

"I want him to despise us from the bottom of his heart!"

"Only then will he not regard us as his true enemy, and devote all his energy to the struggle for supremacy with Li Cunxu."

"Only then, when he, due to his ambition for grand achievements or financial tightness, wants to come to our Jiangnan to extort a bribe, will he feel it is something easy to accomplish, within easy reach."

Wang Tian listened to Wang Po (Wang Xiu)'s analysis and understood the Head of Family's intention.

Wang Po (Wang Xiu) was engaging in a 'praise to kill'!

He used money and grain to numb Zhu Youzhen, to foster his arrogance and contempt.

When he really sends troops to attack Jiangnan, then……

"Head of Family, this move of yours is……truly too foresighted." Wang Tian murmured.

"To deal with wolves, one must use the hunter's method." Wang Po (Wang Xiu) said calmly.

"Get ready; besides, our own affairs cannot be halted."

"Xuan Prefecture has already been taken; its fields and population must be quickly digested and turned into our strength. Tell Wang Jing to transfer another five hundred graduates from the academy to assist in management."

"Also, Run, Chang, and Su Prefectures…… the military governors and inspectors of those places also need to be dealt with. Tell them: either die like Tian Yi of Xuan Prefecture, or surrender like the He family of Kuaiji."

"I give them one month to consider."

"After one month, I don't want there to be anyone in the Jiangnan East Circuit openly defying the Wang Family or outwardly obeying while secretly opposing us."

(Today Xiao Pujie writes this poem to thank Brother Qing Shan: 'Thanking Twenty Qing Shan.' Twenty Qing Shan is known only by name; a single word settles the gull alliance a thousand li away. The jest of that day is still worth remembering; today I urge you to press on. Dusty thoughts on the road return to simple letters; under the sky, rain‑filled feelings fill the spring city. May you enjoy lasting fortune and longevity, and I will add a new chapter to continue our old affection.)