Chapter 220: Prince Yi's Secret Scheme

Inside the tavern,

Prince Yi waved the folding fan in his hand, a hint of confidence in his expression, and said slowly:

"However, we are not doing nothing; even though we are currently at a disadvantage, sometimes stillness is better than action."

"But the empire has produced a fine general like Jia Zi Jie, who has rendered great service to the state; we cannot allow those censors and officials who only wag their tongues to slander the nation's worthy ministers."

"I think Duke Zhao could reach out to Marquis Yongjia, Marquis Nanxiong and others, send a note to Jia Zi Jie to speak with him, and lend him support."

"If we support granting him a first‑rank princely title now, how could the court treat a meritorious minister so lightly!"

"This is a reverse strategy! Given the current suspicion, it may actually make Jia Zi Jie more wary and even resentful."

"If later the ruler and ministers become distrustful, perhaps our chance to win over Jia Zi Jie will arise!"

Zhu Cui had studied the art of rulership since childhood and knew clearly that no emperor would completely trust any single minister!

Even if his achievements were high, his abilities great, and his loyalty reliable, as long as a minister's existence threatened the throne, he would ultimately find it hard to escape a purge.

The side of the imperial couch cannot accommodate others' snoozing; this is dictated by the emperor's solitary position.

Only Jing Sheng Di and Jia Zi Jie, as ruler and minister, distrust each other; as supporters of the Retired Emperor, they have a chance to recruit Jia Jing, a peerless war hero, and thus seek to restore the Retired Emperor to power.

That counts as a bright scheme!

You're impressive, aren't you?

Then I'll lift you up to the heavens, and wait for you to fall heavily!

Zhu Cui fell silent after speaking and sighed.

If not for differing positions, he actually would not have wanted to scheme against Jia Jing.

Because he harbored some admiration for Jia Jing, who had rendered great service to the Da Han Empire, and such a capable minister perhaps should not die in the shadows of political strife!

He silently resolved to help Jia Jing whenever possible!

After all, relying on Duke Cao, Duke Zhao, it is unrealistic to confront the False Qing and Hun Xie strong enemies.

Beside them, Duke Cao's expression changed upon hearing, realizing he had made a foolish suggestion, and he quickly laughed to make amends, saying:

"If one wishes to diminish, one must first strengthen; if one wishes to weaken, one must first fortify; if one wishes to discard, one must first promote; if one wishes to seize, one must first grant."

"Your Highness's brilliance and deftness are unparalleled; this retreat‑to‑advance move is truly ingenious!"

Meanwhile, Duke Zhao's expression remained grim.

Even though he knew this was Prince Yi's sow‑and‑reap scheme, he still was reluctant to have Jingnan Wuxun send a note to Jia Jing to speak and lend support.

First, he detected in Prince Yi's tone a desire to court the young Jia Jing, and feared that if the Retired Emperor or Prince Yi ascended, they would still employ Jia Jing.

Duke Zhao has been idle at home for many days since Jia Jing cursed him to the point of spitting blood and stripped him of his office.

Not only has the once bustling Duke's manor long lost its former splendor, but his reputation has also plummeted.

He is often mocked behind his back as a "servile sycophant, a wolf‑hearted dog‑like scoundrel," and all this is thanks to Jia Jing!

Thus Duke Zhao has long harbored bone‑deep hatred for Jia Jing, intent on waiting for the Retired Emperor's rise to brutally revenge on Jia Jing, even to exterminate the entire Jia family.

He never expected His Highness Prince Yi to show any favor toward Jia Jing's martial prowess.

Second, he thought Prince Yi's sow‑and‑reap plan was too crude; Jingnan Wuxun and the young Jia Jing already belong to separate factions with lingering grudges.

Now, if a note suddenly appeared to support him, who wouldn't suspect deceit?

Duke Zhao pondered briefly, his gaze complex, and said slowly:

"Your Highness's intention is commendable, but Marquis Nanxiong and others, due to the matter of becoming Duke and Marquis Linchuan, bear deep hatred toward the young Jia Jing, so they are unlikely to agree to this."

Duke Zhao did not voice his unwillingness, but politely declined in the name of Marquis Nanxiong and the others.

From the words and tone, Prince Yi Zhu Cui naturally sensed Duke Zhao's hostility toward Jia Jing.

He smiled and consoled, saying:

"Jia Jing now wields great power; Father the Emperor wishes to reclaim the throne, so he must unite every force that can be united."

"Even courting him is merely a temporary measure; Duke Zhao, Duke Cao, you are the Emperor's most trusted confidants from start to finish!"

"Moreover, Jia Jing's martial prowess is truly terrifying; I have heard from the northwest that he can pick off the enemy commander among ten thousand troops."

"For such a figure, either win him over and divide, or strike him down in a single blow."

"Otherwise, it is best not to show hostility lightly, lest his retaliation becomes difficult to handle!"

Having finished, Prince Yi did not linger on the topic, but after a moment's thought, he shifted his tone and said:

"Jia Jing's matter is not urgent for now; today I have summoned the two Dukes primarily concerning the Prince of South An and matters in Jiangnan."

Duke Cao was startled, his eyes flashing as he said:

"The Prince of South An? Wasn't he just recalled to Shenjing a few days ago, appointed Right Deputy Commander of the Five Military Governor's Office and Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince? What happened to him?"

A few days earlier, Jing Sheng Di recalled the Prince of South An to Shenjing, assigning him as Right Deputy Commander of the Five Military Governor's Office, while Prince Beijing Shui Rong became Assistant Commander of the same office.

At the same time, Fang Congzhe and Xiong Cili were appointed Grand Academicians and entered the cabinet to assist governance.

These major personnel changes caused a great stir and waves in the court.

However, discerning observers know that Jing Sheng Di's moves were to balance court affairs and prepare for the implementation of New Policies and military reorganization.

Over the years, the Prince of South An has repeatedly inspected and campaigned in the southeast and southwest, earning numerous battle honors, and is the only Second‑Rank Grand General of Merit among the court's military commanders.

His recall to the Five Military Governor's Office was to oversee the grand plan of southern army reorganization.

Fang Congzhe and Xiong Cili are leaders of the Zhe faction and the Chu faction, respectively.

Jing Sheng Di's inclusion of the two in the cabinet was clearly to soothe public sentiment and reduce resistance to New Policies in Jiangnan and Huguang.

Prince Yi Zhu Cui furrowed his brows; a deep expression rose on his jade‑like handsome face as he said:

"Father the Emperor has received word that after reorganizing Jingying, it is highly possible to appoint the Prince of South An to command Jingying's troops."

"Now Bashang Daying has fallen into Jia Zi Jie's hands; the Emperor has tasked us to see if we can wrest control of Jingying."

"Currently, in Shenjing we only command part of the palace's Imperial Guard and the Five‑City Military Office, which leaves us rather uneasy."

"As for Jiangnan, the main figure is Gong Dingzi, Governor of Southern Directly‑Administered Region and Imperial Envoy, who has been forcefully implementing New Policies there these months."

The officials and gentry over in Jiangnan sent a letter to Father Emperor, saying that the Jiangnan people's grievances caused by Gong Dingzi are great, and asking whether we can smooth things over with the local Guard Post, to achieve something…