Chapter 1791

Zhao Hao took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "Brother, what do you want?"

"Very simple. This Prince wants you to hand over military command, then leave Wang Fu and never return." Zhao Kuangyin said.

Zhao Hao was stunned: "You want me to hand over military command? How is that possible?"

"Nothing is impossible. This Prince now controls Huang Shang. With a single order from this Prince, Huang Shang will kill you. So, you had better not play tricks, or this Prince will not be polite." Zhao Kuangyin said coldly.

Zhao Hao fell silent for a moment, then said: "Fine, I agree. But I have one condition: you must guarantee my family's safety."

"No problem. This Prince will send people to protect your family." Zhao Kuangyin said.

Zhao Hao nodded: "Thank you, Brother."

Zhao Kuangyin nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. You may go and transfer military command now."

After Zhao Hao withdrew, Zhao Kuangyin immediately summoned his trusted general Lin Chong.

"Lin Chong, take men immediately to take over Zhao Hao's military command. Remember, do not alarm anyone." Zhao Kuangyin ordered. Lin Chong accepted the order and left at once. Zhao Kuangyin then began pacing back and forth in the study, pondering the next plan.

He knew that although he now controlled Zhao Hao's military command, Zhao Hao was after all a scheming man; he would certainly not give up easily.

Therefore, he must make full preparations to prevent Zhao Hao's counterattack.

Before long, Lin Chong returned to report.

"Prince, Zhao Hao's military command has been transferred. All soldiers now obey our orders." Lin Chong said.

Zhao Kuangyin nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. Lin Chong, you handled this matter well. This Prince will remember your merit."

"Thank you, Prince, for your praise." Lin Chong said modestly.

Zhao Kuangyin thought for a moment and said: "Lin Chong, take men immediately to move Huang Shang's family to a safe place. Remember, do not let Zhao Hao's men find them."

"Yes." Lin Chong accepted the order and left at once.

Zhao Kuangyin also ordered people to place Zhao Hao under house arrest to prevent him from escaping or doing anything harmful to himself.

Now, Zhao Kuangyin had seized actual power in Wang Fu, and his plan had taken a major step forward.

Next, he would begin dealing with Zhao Xuan.

He believed that as long as he commanded sufficient strength, he could surely defeat Zhao Xuan and ascend the throne.

Huang Shang had become an ace in Zhao Kuangyin's hand.

He knew that as long as Huang Shang was in his grasp, Zhao Hao would not dare to act rashly.

Zhao Xuan, though protected by some experts, Zhao Kuangyin believed his own strength was absolutely no worse than theirs.

Now, Zhao Kuangyin had begun looking forward to his future life as Emperor. Deep within Wang Fu, Zhao Hao was under house arrest in an exquisite courtyard. Although his movements were restricted, his mind grew more active.

He knew his father, Zhao Kuangyin, was a ruthless man who, to achieve his goals, would not hesitate to sacrifice his own kin. Now that Zhao Kuangyin had seized actual power in Wang Fu, his next plan must surely be to deal with Zhao Xuan.

Zhao Hao silently vowed in his heart that he must find a way to stop Zhao Kuangyin's plan and protect Zhao Xuan's safety.

He thought of Huang Shang, of the loyalty Huang Shang had shown him that day in the study. A trace of comfort arose in Zhao Hao's heart; he knew he still had a trustworthy friend.

Thus, Zhao Hao began considering how to contact Huang Shang and how to get him to help himself resist Zhao Kuangyin.

He thought of a jade pendant in his hand, a token between him and Huang Shang. As soon as Huang Shang saw this jade pendant, he would understand his meaning.

So, while the guard was not paying attention, Zhao Hao quietly threw the jade pendant out the window. He knew that as soon as Huang Shang saw the jade pendant, he would come to see him.

Sure enough, before long, Huang Shang appeared in Zhao Hao's courtyard.

"Zhao Wang, you summoned me?" Huang Shang asked softly.

Zhao Hao nodded: "Huang Shang, I need your help now."

Huang Shang was stunned: "Zhao Wang, what do you need me to do?"

Zhao Hao took a deep breath: "I want you to help me deal with my father, Zhao Kuangyin."

Huang Shang was stunned, then said: "Zhao Wang, you are under house arrest by your father. How can I help you?"

Zhao Hao smiled slightly: "Huang Shang, you do not need to help me directly. You only need to help me deliver some messages."

Huang Shang thought for a moment, then said: "Fine, I will help you deliver messages."

Zhao Hao nodded in satisfaction: "Huang Shang, thank you."

Huang Shang smiled slightly: "Zhao Wang, we are all friends. No need to say thank you."

From that day on, Huang Shang became the only channel for Zhao Hao to contact the outside world. He helped Zhao Hao deliver messages, keeping Zhao Hao constantly informed of Zhao Kuangyin's movements.

And Zhao Hao began plotting his own plan. He managed to contact some generals loyal to Wang Fu, preparing to raise troops at the critical moment to resist Zhao Kuangyin.

He knew this was a life-or-death battle, but he was ready. For the future of Wang Fu, for Zhao Xuan's safety, he must fight to the end. Deep within Wang Fu, Zhao Kuangyin was plotting his next plan.

He knew his younger brother Zhao Xuan had now become a major thorn in his heart. Although Zhao Xuan held no actual power, his influence in the court could not be underestimated.

Zhao Kuangyin clearly understood that to completely control Wang Fu, he must first eliminate Zhao Xuan.

He thought of an ace in his hand—Huang Shang. He knew that as long as Huang Shang was in his grasp, Zhao Xuan would not dare to act rashly.

Thus, Zhao Kuangyin began plotting how to use Huang Shang to deal with Zhao Xuan.

He thought of the most direct method: have Huang Shang assassinate Zhao Xuan.

He knew this was somewhat risky, but if successful, it would solve the Zhao Xuan problem once and for all.

So, Zhao Kuangyin summoned his trusted general Lin Chong.

"Lin Chong, go find Huang Shang immediately and order him to assassinate Zhao Xuan." Zhao Kuangyin commanded.

Lin Chong was stunned: "Prince, is this not somewhat risky?"

"Risky? Lin Chong, you now control the actual power of Wang Fu. Do you still fear a mere Zhao Xuan?" Zhao Kuangyin sneered.

Lin Chong thought for a moment, then said: "Fine, I will find Huang Shang immediately."

Lin Chong quickly found Huang Shang and told him Zhao Kuangyin's plan.

Huang Shang was stunned: "Have me assassinate Zhao Xuan? How is that possible?"

"How is it impossible? You are now Zhao Kuangyin's man. If he orders you to assassinate Zhao Xuan, you must go." Lin Chong said.

Huang Shang gave a bitter smile: "Lin Chong, you know I cannot go assassinate Zhao Xuan."

"Why?" Lin Chong asked.

"Because Zhao Xuan and I are friends; I cannot betray him," Huang Shang said.

Lin Chong paused for a moment: "Friends? Huang Shang, you are now Zhao Kuangyin's man. You can no longer have any contact with Zhao Xuan."

"I know, but I cannot betray my friend," Huang Shang said firmly.

Lin Chong sneered: "Huang Shang, do not refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty. Zhao Kuangyin ordered you to assassinate Zhao Xuan; this is an opportunity given to you. If you do not go, do you know what the consequences will be?"

Huang Shang took a deep breath: "Lin Chong, I know what the consequences will be, but I cannot betray my friend."