Chapter 1789

Huang Shang immediately kowtowed in gratitude: "Your subordinate greets Your Majesty."

"Hmm."

Next, Zhao Hao briefly introduced Huang Shang to a series of arrangements made by his father, Zhao Ding, and his own plans, then asked Huang Shang to first familiarize himself with his power and influence.

Zhao Hao's plan proceeded in two steps; the first step was to stabilize Zhao Kuangyin, after all, the current Zhao Kuangyin was the legitimate heir, and he was also the eldest son of the Wang Fu, so as long as he lived one day, the Jiangshan of the Zhao family would not be for the Wang Fu to sit upon.

The Zhao family's Jiangshan must be inherited by the legitimate eldest son, Zhao Xuan, because Zhao Xuan was the proper Crown Prince and had the support of many ministers. However, to allow Zhao Xuan to smoothly inherit the throne, Zhao Kuangyin must first be removed.

And to remove Zhao Kuangyin, one absolutely needed a supreme expert.

Now, this supreme expert had finally appeared.

Zhao Hao believed that as long as he and Huang Shang joined forces, Zhao Kuangyin would certainly not be a match.

At that time, he would take the opportunity to seize Zhao Kuangyin's military power, leave Zhao Kuangyin hollowed out, and make him a Prince in name only.

As for the second step of the plan, that was to wait until Zhao Xuan successfully ascended the throne and became Emperor, then he would find a way to usurp the position and seize power, becoming Emperor himself.

Now, Zhao Hao felt his plan was already foolproof.

He had confidence that he would surely succeed.

"Huang Shang, this Prince now entrusts the safety of the Wang Fu to you; you must protect this Prince well," Zhao Hao said solemnly.

"Your subordinate obeys the order," Huang Shang said respectfully.

Zhao Hao nodded in satisfaction; he felt his great cause of Jiangshan had already taken a big step forward.

In the days that followed, Zhao Hao and Huang Shang were almost inseparable; he asked Huang Shang to stay by his side at all times to protect his safety.

And Huang Shang also protected Zhao Hao with all his heart and strength; he knew his life and fortune were already bound together with Zhao Hao.

Inside the Wang Fu, Zhao Kuangyin also received the news; he knew his younger brother Zhao Hao had already joined forces with Huang Shang, which was very bad news for him.

"Come here," Zhao Kuangyin shouted loudly.

"What are Your orders, Prince?" a guard immediately ran in.

"Immediately go and fetch my trusted general Lin Chong for me," Zhao Kuangyin ordered.

"Yes," the guard immediately accepted the order and left.

In a short while, Lin Chong arrived at Zhao Kuangyin's study.

"Prince, you summoned me?" Lin Chong asked.

"Hmm. Lin Chong, this Prince has received news that Zhao Hao has already joined forces with Huang Shang; they intend to harm this Prince. What do you say should be done?" Zhao Kuangyin asked.

Lin Chong frowned: "Prince, who exactly is this Huang Shang? How could he be so important to Zhao Hao?"

"It is said he is an unparalleled expert, even more powerful than this Prince," Zhao Kuangyin said in a deep voice.

Lin Chong's face immediately changed: "Prince, if this Huang Shang is so powerful, how should we respond?"

"This Prince does not know either," Zhao Kuangyin sighed, "but what is most important now is to find a way to remove the threat Huang Shang poses to the Wang Fu; otherwise, this Prince will find it hard to sleep or eat."

Lin Chong thought for a moment and said: "Prince, your subordinate has a strategy that can remove the threat of Huang Shang without alerting Zhao Hao."

"Oh? Speak and let me hear it," Zhao Kuangyin immediately became interested. "Prince, your subordinate has learned that Huang Shang has a weakness, which is his family. As long as we can capture his family and use them as leverage, we need not fear him not complying," Lin Chong said.

Zhao Kuangyin's eyes lit up: "Excellent strategy! Lin Chong, I will leave this matter to you; as long as it is accomplished, this Prince will absolutely not treat you poorly."

"Thank you for Your trust, Prince; your subordinate will certainly not fail the trust placed in him," Lin Chong said with full confidence.

Zhao Kuangyin nodded in satisfaction: "Good, I will leave this matter to you to handle."

Lin Chong accepted the order and left, while Zhao Kuangyin began to pace back and forth in the study, thinking about the next plan.

A few days later, Lin Chong finally had news.

"Prince, your subordinate has investigated clearly; Huang Shang's family currently lives in a small alley in Jingcheng, rarely goes out, and there are hidden sentries protecting the surroundings," Lin Chong reported to Zhao Kuangyin.

"Very good," Zhao Kuangyin said with satisfaction, "Lin Chong, you immediately take people to capture Huang Shang's family; remember, absolutely do not alert Zhao Hao."

"Yes," Lin Chong immediately accepted the order and left.