Chapter 461: Thoughts

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At Yanxi Palace, after Zhao Gang finished the morning court session, he arrived here accompanied by his personal eunuch.

The sorrowful expression on his face vanished in an instant, and he could not help but burst into loud laughter.

"Mother Empress, this time my throne is secure," Zhao Gang said to Xie Huanghou, looking nothing if not smug.

Sitting upright in the main seat, Xie Huanghou frowned upon hearing this and scolded, "No matter what, he is still your Imperial Father. Now that he has fallen into trouble, how can you show such joy on your face? If this spreads out and that old dog Dou Wei finds out, he will be wagging his tongue in the court again."

She then stood up and came before Zhao Gang, straightening his robes and crown, "You must sit firmly on the throne before you can be without worries. Before you ascend the throne, you must still be careful."

"Yes, Mother Empress," Zhao Gang nodded, but he still could not hide the joy in his eyes.

The Third Prince is now a cripple, and the Second Prince is trapped in Xian City along with his Imperial Father.

Among the current Imperial Princes, there is no one left who can contend with him.

If this throne is not his, then whose is it?

After the New Year, he will be thirty-five years old.

Having waited for so long, it is finally his turn for this throne.

Otherwise, how much longer would he have to wait?

Xie Huanghou observed the expression on Zhao Gang's face and said, "You are being hypocritical. Although the Third Prince and the Second Prince cannot contend with you for the moment, do not forget that the Fifth Prince, Zhao She, has not been honest during this period. Liang Kai has scattered quite a lot of Silver in Jingshi to win over officials for him; it very much looks like he is vying for the succession."

Pausing for a moment, she continued, "Of the Eight Great Influential Clans, the Ma Family's strength is now greatly damaged and not worth fearing. The Fan Family is far away in the Southwest and has little influence in the court. The Dou Family and the Xiao Family have joined forces, and the Han Family and the Wang Family have joined forces; naturally, neither can be underestimated. However, the Liang Family has been cultivating the South for many years, and a while ago they even produced the Casting Cannon Technique. I fear they are hiding very deep, so you must be careful in dealing with them."

Zhao Gang listened and dismissed it, "Mother Empress is confused. Not to mention that the world's grain comes from the Xie Family, the current Yan Wang is also our man. Why fear them?"

Xie Huanghou shook her head, "How can distant water quench a near thirst? If Jingshi falls into chaos, Yan Wang's troops cannot fly over. To pass through the territories of the Han Family and the Wang Family, they would need their permission, wouldn't they?"

She tapped Zhao Gang on the head.

She added, "Furthermore, after you ascend the throne, Yan Wang will ultimately be a great threat. Yan Wang may not truly be helping you; currently, the Xie Family and he, Yan Wang, are merely borrowing each other's strength. You must not be deceived."

Zhao Gang laughed, "Mother Empress, you underestimate your son. Yan Wang's maternal family is, after all, merely a commoner clan. Once I ascend the throne, how could I let him sit securely in Yanzhou?"

Xie Huanghou nodded slightly.

After sitting for a while longer and exchanging some idle talk, Zhao Gang rose and left.

Once Zhao Gang's figure disappeared, a flash of ruthlessness crossed Xie Huanghou's eyes, "Your Majesty, it is one thing that you have been greedy for pleasure and taking in new Imperial Concubines every year for all these years, but now you have actually taken a base prostitute as a favorite and even brought her along on this Northern Expedition. You truly deserve this."

Decades had passed, and the affection she once had for Zhao Heng had long since faded; instead, they had accumulated much resentment over the years due to the matter of the heir apparent.

To her, the most important thing was that her own legitimate eldest son could ascend the throne as Emperor.

This was not only for Zhao Gang, but also for herself.

There are struggles among the Imperial Princes, and there are likewise struggles in the Hougong.

How many of Noble Consort Dou and Noble Consort Han are easy to deal with?

If their sons were to ascend the throne and they were to become Empress Dowagers,

would she have any good days left in the future?

Thinking of this, her gaze became increasingly resolute; in a while, she would summon her younger brother.

If Zhao Heng truly cannot return, the matter of establishing a new monarch will take place within this month.

"Congratulations to the Emperor, long live the Emperor."

Over here, after Zhao Gang exited Yanxi Palace, the eunuch Gao Wei, who was attending him, bowed deeply to him, his face full of sycophancy.

Since ancient times, when one person attains the Dao, their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

This is a principle that every eunuch serving behind an Imperial Prince understands.

Gao Wei now clearly saw a bright future laid out before him.

Was the Chief Steward Liang Cheng not also just a eunuch who served the Emperor in the past?

However, at present, there are other eunuchs in the Crown Prince's Mansion besides him.

In order to stand out in the future, he must win Zhao Gang's favor.

"Hahaha, sensible." Being hailed as Emperor by Gao Wei, Zhao Gang felt as if he had drunk honey.

Gao Wei observed Zhao Gang's expression and became even more smug.

A thought could not help but pop into his mind; this method would surely make Zhao Gang even more delighted.

De Wang Mansion.

This is the residence of the Third Prince.

After Dou Wei finished the morning court session, he hurried here.

The news that Zhao Heng is trapped in Xian City is likely known to all the nobles in Jingshi by now.

It is impossible for the Third Prince not to know.

Therefore, he needed to come and comfort him at the first opportunity.

After all, most officials currently tacitly assume that the First Prince will succeed to the throne.

As soon as Dou Wei entered the door, he saw the Third Prince already waiting in the front courtyard.

Hurrying forward, the Third Prince said, "Uncle, how is it in the court now? How do they plan to handle this?"

Dou Wei then told the Third Prince his thoughts.

"After the court session, I discussed it with Xiao Cheng. If the Emperor is truly captured by the Northern Di and taken north, I will join forces with his Xiao Family to send you to the throne," Dou Wei said.

Xiao Cheng is currently the Zhenguo Great General of the Great Song.

This title is not just because he is from an influential clan.

It is because, in the past, Xiao Cheng commanded the Imperial Guards and the Xiao Family's troops to repeatedly repel the invading Tibet.

Afterwards, he also pacified the Southern Barbarians who were causing trouble in the south of Yizhou.

To commend his merits, Zhao Heng bestowed upon him the official rank of Zhenguo Great General.

After arriving in Jingshi, Xiao Cheng and Yang Feng jointly took charge of the Imperial Guards.

Yang Feng commands the Dianqian Division Left Guard, and Xiao Cheng commands the Dianqian Division Right Guard.

Of the one hundred thousand Imperial Guards currently in Jingshi, he can mobilize at least half.

With such assistance, it will not be so simple for Zhao Gang to ascend the throne.

"If we have General Xiao, this matter is half-accomplished." Upon hearing this, the Third Prince let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Although he is now a cripple.

But he married early in his youth and has one son.

Now, his remaining life holds no joy, and the only thing he still cares about is the throne.

Even if he could only ascend the throne for one day, he could still pass it on to his son.

"Uncle, if the great undertaking can be accomplished, I will agree to any condition you set, Uncle." Zhao Mu gripped Dou Wei's hand tightly.

Patting Zhao Mu's hand, Dou Wei said softly, "I am your uncle; if I do not help you, who else would I help?"

Seeming to think of something, his brows furrowed again, "However, besides the Xie Family, I fear there is another trouble."

"Is Uncle speaking of the Liang Family?" Zhao Mu asked.

During this period, the Liang Family has been very active, changing their previous attitude of not participating in the struggle for the heir apparent.

Dou Wei nodded, "You need not worry about this matter; currently in Jingshi, our Dou Family and the Xiao Family still hold the greatest power, and the Liang Family cannot stir up any big waves."

The two discussed a few more things, and then Dou Wei returned to his residence.

Immediately, he ordered men to head to Wuguan to keep a close watch on the movements in Xian City and seek an opportunity to secretly contact the Northern Di.