Chapter 142

Throughout history, officials like Chinu who only oppose but never rebel are extremely rare.

Many are those who crave to overthrow their superiors, using subject power to overcome the ruler.

Du Shanü had previously heard a story, a story of the Tian clan replacing Qi——

In the late Spring and Autumn period, the Qi royal house gradually declined, while the Tian clan of ministers held power generation after generation.

The Tian clan won popular support by winning over the people's hearts, reducing taxes, and relieving the populace, thereby continually strengthening their clan's power.

At the same time, the Tian clan allied with the royal family through marriage, gradually suppressed and weakened other noble houses of Qi, sidelined the Jiang-surname ruler, and firmly grasped military and political authority.

After decades of cultivation, the Tian clan's power completely surpassed the royal house.

Later, through Tian He's exile of Qi Kang Gong, he established himself as ruler, and the Zhou royal house was forced to recognize his status as a feudal lord.

Several hundred years later, the last ruler of the Jiang Qi line died, the Jiang Tai Gong line of Qi was utterly extinguished, and the Tian clan's Qi formally took its place, historically known as 'Tian replaces Qi'.

This is a classic case of 'the dove occupying the magpie's nest'.

Beyond what many imagine, subjects choosing a lord sometimes do not need to consider how talented or how deeply principled the lord is.

On the contrary, a considerable number seek a lord who is not so capable, ensuring the lord will listen to them and be willing to listen, thereby gaining more profit.

History is not lacking in regent ministers willing to support a young emperor's ascension; this is also one reason.

Especially like the Ruan clan, which is extensive and influential, where pulling one thread moves the whole body......

If one were to have them openly raise troops and rebel, telling the world they want to become emperor, that would be absolutely impossible.

They pass down poetry and books, do not command arms; although they have prestige and lineage, their reputation is limited to scholars.

First, they may not be capable of conducting conquests; second, such an obvious act of usurpation would be unacceptable even to scholars, and they themselves would want to maintain decorum.

Therefore, if they wish to secure long-term benefit for the clan, they must inevitably follow the example of 'Tian replaces Qi': first assist a dynasty, then gradually devour it.

And what is the premise for all this?

At the very least, at the very least, one must choose a lord who occupies the moral high ground and has a gentle disposition!

In that case, if the Ruan clan desires a 'weak ruler,' they can thereby employ a 'strong minister'!

Dirty, so dirty.

Seeing Chinu nod in agreement, Du Shanü shook her head and swayed, then shouted a 'scolding':

"You schemers, your tactics are really dirty...... but I like it!"

Previously, Du Shanü always wanted to emulate Emperor Taizong, using the aura of a kingly hegemon to make people submit, with abundant talent under her command, all united in plotting great endeavors.

But she forgot that humans are not plants; as long as one is human, they will have their own petty thoughts, scheming for themselves.

Du Shanü narrowed her eyes with a smile and casually said:

"No wonder Hao Nu Nu keeps mentioning Ruansizong again and again......"

"If the Ruan clan harbors such thoughts, then during Yu Baobao's reign, they must have taken some action as well?"

This was also something on the tip of her tongue, a casual question.

But who would have expected that the three words 'Yu Baobao' hitting the floor would plunge the study into an eerie silence, with nobody answering her at all.

Chinu had been gazing foolishly at his beloved, with soft brows and gentle eyes, but in the next breath he lowered his eyelids, staring blankly at the blue stone tiles on the floor.

Chen Weifang's motion of flipping through documents also paused for a moment; after a good while, he spoke:

"During Emperor Taizong's reign, the ruler was wise and the ministers virtuous; there would certainly not be such a intention."

"The Young Emperor's time on the throne is too short, and there are strong enemies in the north; the Ruan clan is not foolish, so they probably haven't had time to do anything."

The atmosphere was off, and Du Shanü was no fool.

She casually responded with two utterances, intending to move on from this matter, but then heard Chinu say:

"Speaking of...... Ruansizong will only arrive the day after tomorrow; why not bring Yu Baobao over now?"

This remark came out of the blue; not to mention Chen Weifang, even Du Shanü was taken aback.

Today the sky is clear and the air bright; idle clouds lightly spread over heaven and earth.

The sun shines blazingly, yet the heart is anxious.

Chinu occupied the side of the couch, hiding in a corner where the sun's rays did not reach, he pulled at his clothing, looking as if he felt a bit cold:

"Your current identity is the daughter of the Deposed Crown Prince Huang."

"Although we have already issued a forged edict for you, explaining to Ruansizong how you could subdue me and Afang is also a problem...... but the Young Emperor is different."

Compared to serving the female sovereign, the lingering prestige of Emperor Taizong remains; serving the Young Emperor is even more proper and justified.

If Yu Baobao were present, it could explain why they are here, and why they have painstakingly devoted themselves to assisting.

Moreover, '【the heir of Emperor Taizong marrying the daughter of the Deposed Crown Prince Huang as wife】'—there should be no one in the world with a higher status than this couple.

However, whoever held office during the Young Emperor's reign has also heard rumors of his negligence in governance.

If viewed through Ruansizong's eyes——

The Young Emperor is incapable, and the daughter of the Deposed Crown Prince Huang is a woman.

Although they both occupy the righteousness and justification of opposing the usurper Yuan Lang, neither is formidable enough to be feared.

If Ruansizong were to come, first meeting Du Shanü then the Young Emperor, their identities would mutually confirm each other, and the astonishment at the Young Emperor still being alive could somewhat conceal the problem of Du Shanü's origin......

These two......

They were meant to be together.

Even the timing is just right.

When Chinu's words fell, this time the room truly fell so silent that you could hear a pin drop, with not a single person speaking.

Du Shanü does not know why things have turned out this way, or perhaps she does know, but simply does not want to face it.

Thus, after a long silence, she merely asked:

"What does Afang think?"

Chen Weifang was still flipping through the documents, but if one paid a little more attention, one would notice that he had been turning only that same page all along.

Du Shanü asked; Chen Weifang responded after a few breaths, then also answered absentmindedly.

"It all depends on the Wise Lord's decision."

This time, Du Shanü also didn't speak.

The three fell silent together for a moment, until they heard footsteps rushing down the corridor.

"Report—"

"Ju Cheng, Ju Cheng, the city has fallen!"

"The city is full of corpses, no survivors!"

"It's serious, it's serious that perhaps the scouts, in searching for survivors, touched those corpses soaked in floodwater inside the city, and halfway they developed a rash... Now the people are outside the city, we dare not let them in..."

Rash?

Rash?

Could it be, an epidemic?!

These words were like a thunderclap out of clear sky; everyone in the study was startled.

Du Shanü rose first, her movement too large, she accidentally knocked over the teacup on the low table beside her.

The teacup fell to the ground and shattered.

The shards spun on the blue stone slab, scraping out a fine trailing sound—

It said, "neglect", "neglect".

Half a city away, outside Dun Cheng.

The weather was nice, the sun shining brightly on the yellow land outside the city gate, a few flies buzzing around.

Seven or eight men squatted in the shadow by the wall, their clothes askew, the exposed necks and wrists covered in scratches that had turned red, scabs forming then breaking again.

"It's itchy to death!"

A short man rubbed his back hard, his voice fiery:

"If it weren't for those damned superiors, who would willingly go dig through Ju Cheng's corpse pile? Now it's fine, the rash has broken out, the city gate won't let us in—after all we risked our lives running back, are we just meant to wait outside to die?"

No one answered him.

Another scout buried his head, scratching his arm, causing skin flakes to fall.

A shadow flashed on the battlements, then withdrew; no one ever opened that gate gap.

After a long silence, someone in the crowd suddenly said:

"If they won't open the gate, we'll just climb over the wall..."

"After all, we can't be the only ones to die."

?? has arrived, today is cash on delivery...