Chapter 556

Temporary Peace.

The temporary palace, though it could not match the former grandeur of Bian Liang, still exerted great effort to create the refinement of Jiangnan and its temporary prosperity.

Pavilions, terraces, towers, and halls hidden among the still verdant plants of early winter;

The faint sound of strings and bamboo instruments drifted from within the high walls, mingling with the sweet, greasy scent of makeup and food.

It seemed as if the northern war flames, the fallen homeland, and the displaced common folk were all separated from this warm‑wind‑intoxicated 'paradise' by an invisible, thick gauze.

A corner of Huangcheng, the duty room of the Privy Council.

The charcoal brazier burned brightly, dispelling the damp chill of a Jiangnan winter.

Qin Hui sat upright behind the desk, clad in a purple robe, his visage gaunt, his three long whiskers trimmed to immaculate perfection.

He was slowly sipping a freshly presented Longtuan victory snow tea, yet his gaze fell upon several memorials spread open on the desk.

These memorials came from the Censorate, from the Zhongshu Sheren, and even two were penned by the Palace Censor.

Their contents were largely the same.

Some impeached Yue Fei for 'holding onto his troops, acting arrogantly and difficult to control';

Some accused him of 'wasting the national treasury and falsifying battle achievements';

Some obliquely mentioned that the Yue Family Army 'maintained close contact with mysterious strongmen of Hebei, raising suspicion of colluding with regional commanders and harboring treacherous intentions'.

One of them even directly cited the news that the Northward Aspiration army harassed the Jin forces in Hebei while the Yue Family Army simultaneously captured Sanshan Town.

In the memorial, these two events were cleverly linked, written as follows:

……'The grassroots bandits of the north suddenly rose, harassing Zhenzhou and Hejian, burning grain and cutting off routes, their momentum not insignificant;

while Yue Fei's southeastern expedition, at exactly the same time, captured Sanshan Town.

The two places are hundreds of li apart, yet their actions are so in sync—could it be coincidental?"

……'Or it is said that this is the Northward Aspiration bandits secretly colluding with Yue Fei, responding to each other north and south, to oppose the Imperial Court and seek merit.'

……'Yue Fei bears the title of a Song subject, but in truth harbors nefarious intentions, using the name of resisting the Jin to practice the real deed of nurturing bandits for self‑aggrandizement.'

……'Even … there is the ambition to join forces with the bandits and establish another stronghold!'

The words are like blades, each stroke striking at the heart.

Qin Hui set down his teacup, and with his well‑kept fingers lightly brushed over the forceful impeachment words on the memorial that seemed to pierce the paper's back.

His face showed little expression, but his eyes were deep as a cold pool.

'Northward Aspiration army… Black Cloud Stronghold…'

He muttered softly to himself.

This name has been appearing more and more frequently in various reports and memorials lately.

From the remnants of the Liangshan bandits at first, to now being able to take the initiative and repeatedly defeat the Jin forces.

Even existing in tacit understanding with a renowned general like Yue Fei.

Its threat has far surpassed the ordinary scope of 'bandits'.

More importantly, their conduct is utterly different.

That kind of seeming righteousness and efficiency unbound by the Imperial Court's statutes and bureaucratic rules.

It furtively made him feel a kind of inexplicable unease.

It was a feeling of slipping out of control.

And Yue Fei, this piece he had originally tried to steer and use, and could discard if necessary,

now seems to be drawing ever closer to that uncontrollable force.

This is absolutely not allowed.

'Prime Minister,'

a low, respectful voice sounded from outside the door.

'Come in.'

The door was pushed open, and a middle‑aged official wearing a green robe and with a capable countenance entered, bowing.

He was Qin Hui's trusted aide, the Censor‑in‑Chief Wanqi Xie.

'How is it?' Qin Hui asked without looking up, his tone light.

'Replying, Prime Minister…'

Wanqi Xie lowered his voice.

'The impeachment memorial has been submitted according to your wishes.'

After the Emperor reviewed it, he pondered for a long time, gave no approval or rejection, but already ordered the Palace Secretariat to forward the related reports to the Chancellery and the Privy Council.

'The Emperor still harbors hesitation.'

A trace of an icy, icy curve tugged at the corner of Qin Hui's mouth.

'After all, Yue Pengju's victory report is also solid fact. The court still needs this blade of his.'

'Then… should we add another spark?'

Wanqi Xie probed.

'I can contact several more censors, focusing on 'colluding with bandits,' 'disregarding the court's statutes,' and 'the army knows only Lord Yue, not the Sovereign.'

'Among the populace… we can also spread some rumors.'

Qin Hui waved his hand.

'The timing is not right. Pressing too hard now would only show that we cannot tolerate people.'

'Although the Emperor dislikes the cost of warfare and is eager for peace, he is no mediocre ruler.'

'Our suspicion of military officers must be increased bit by bit, like boiling a frog in warm water.'

He paused, a flicker of calculation flashing in his eyes.

"However, we also cannot let Yue Pengju have things go too smoothly."

"He just took San Shan Town; his morale is high, isn't it?"

"What does the Premier mean?"

"Issue a document in the name of the Imperial Secretariat."

Qin Hui spoke slowly.

"Commend his achievement in recovery, and grant him some money and silk."

"But at the same time, we must remind him, 'The Imperial Court is currently discussing peace, while the great general is abroad.'"

"'One should prioritize steady defense of the borders, avoid lightly provoking border conflicts, lest ruin the overall situation.' The wording should be stern."

"Furthermore, order him to detail the troop strength, grain and forage consumption, and casualties of his forces."

"And also report in detail the interactions between the army and northern personnel, submitting a thorough register to the Imperial Secretariat for record."

Wanqi Xie understood implicitly.

"This is an apparent promotion but actual demotion, an apparent reward but actual punishment."

"The praise is empty; the restrictions and suspicions are real."

"Demanding a report on dealings with the north is nothing less than a blatant warning and scrutiny."

"Your subordinate understands; I will go draft the document."

"Moreover..."

Qin Hui called him back.

"Also give a greeting to Zhao Ding, the Commissioner of Finance for the Jianghuai region."

"The provisions for the Yue Family Army can be delayed on the grounds of 'unsmooth transport' and 'insufficient stores'."

"Delay slightly and withhold a bit."

"It need not be much, but we must make him feel the pain, so he knows who controls his food."

"Yes."

Wanqi Xie bowed and withdrew.

The duty room returned to silence.

Qin Hui lifted the now slightly cool tea, took a sip, and once again turned his gaze toward the window.

In the courtyard, a winter plum had put forth tender yellow buds, which stood out starkly against the gray-white sky.

"Northward Aspiration…… Yue Fei……"

He softly chewed on these two names.

"Want to go against the trend? Want to change something?"

"How could the murky waters of the Song court, the established 'rules' of the world, be so easily shaken?"

He set down the teacup, producing a slight yet clear clink.

As if he had made some kind of resolution.

Almost at the same moment.

In a secluded, out-of-the-way corner of Lin'an City, inside the rear study of what appears to be an ordinary wealthy merchant's residence.

Candlelight flickered.

"\"Zeng Tu\"—or rather, the Iron Crow Army's shade occupying Zeng Tu's body—stood with hands lowered, posture respectful."

Behind the desk sat a shadowy figure whose face was blurred in the darkness; only a loose robe and slightly stooped posture could be made out.

"\"……The joint operation of the Northward Aspiration Army and Yue Fei has achieved initial success. The northern foothold has been removed, and the north-south coordination has become more evident. \\""

A hoarse, low voice emanated from "\"Zeng Tu\"'s mouth, reporting to that figure.

"\"Qin Hui and company have already begun their moves. Impeachment, restrictions, and withholding provisions are all expected measures. \\""

The shadowy figure seemed to shift slightly, emitting a barely audible cold snort.

"\"Mortal means are too slow, too blunt. \\""

"\"For the master's power to recover, the script's key points must proceed smoothly. Yue Fei must be eliminated as soon as possible. \\""

"\"Qin Hui's suspicions and the court's pressure are not enough. We need…… a more direct catalyst. \\""

"\"Zeng Tu\" lowered his head even further."

"\"Please, Your Excellency, give your orders. \\""

The voice from the shadow said lightly.

"\"Within Yue Fei's army, it's not monolithic. There are always those who value wealth and status more, or…… who fear the unknown more. \\""

"\"Go contact that person. Give him what he wants, or let him see the future he fears most. \\""

"\"Let the turmoil around Yue Fei come more violently. \\""

"\"Yes. \\""

"\"Zeng Tu\" bowed to receive the order, his form melting into the candlelight's shadow and vanishing silently."

In the study, only that blurred figure remained, along with the dancing candle flame.

Outside the window, the winter plum blossomed quietly in the night.

And a double 'dark arrow' aimed at Yue Fei, coming from both the court and the shadows, has already been silently loosed.

It was aimed at that lone general far on the Xiangcheng front, still basking in the faint glow of the joint operation's initial victory.