Chapter 111: The Conspiracy of Two Fallen Men

Amid the swirling heavy snow, Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood on his horse's back, brushing off the snowflakes clinging to his body while muttering to himself in deep worry: "What can be done? What else can be done?"

His tone was filled with anxiety and concern: "The most urgent matter now is to return to Shangmu as quickly as possible and strengthen our power."

"Only when the weapons in our hands are hard and strong can we calmly deal with all sorts of troubles that will arise in the future."

"It won't be long before the New Year arrives; once the spring breeze blows, even if the Prince of Qi does not come, the people of Xi Xia will."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes were filled with worry; he knitted his brows tightly, his face wholly consumed by anguish.

Tuke Tuke Siluo listened silently, saying nothing more. He simply flicked the reins and drove the horse straight toward the city gate.

The figures of the two men soon vanished into the vast, heavy snow.

Inside the Tang Sima residence, in the study, Tang Cheng sat alone quietly on a chair, his brows tightly locked, his face burdened with worries. The room was very quiet; only the faint sound of breathing could be heard.

At that moment, the room door was pushed open, and Huang Huang Chaoran, short and fat as a water vat, walked in. His face showed no expression, remaining very calm.

Tang Cheng looked up at the visitor; his already tightly locked brows furrowed even deeper, and a hint of displeasure and mockery appeared in his eyes: "Brother Huang, why have you come?" His tone subtly revealed hostility.

Huang Huang Chaoran remained utterly composed and said, "I heard that Brother Tang was reprimanded by the Inspector my lord, so I came specifically to pay my respects."

Tang Cheng snorted coldly, rolled his eyes dramatically, looking extremely dismissive: "Brother Huang's sources of information are truly swift." His tone was full of sarcasm.

Recalling today's events and all that had happened before, the fury in Tang Cheng's heart toward Wang Zhe and Jiang Jiang Mingyu increased by several degrees.

He clenched his teeth tightly, his fists gripped until they were rigid, his complexion appearing even more ugly and gloomy.

Tang Cheng's brows were tightly locked, his face filled with rage; he glared at Huang Huang Chaoran, his tone full of reproach: "Now, not only have we failed to kill Jiang Jiang Mingyu as ordered by the Prince of Qi, but we have also forced Wang Zhe to the side of the newly enthroned Emperor."

"This is tantamount to invisibly creating another major trouble for the Prince of Qi, who is biding his time to seize the throne."

"If the Prince of Qi learns of this matter, I, who have botched everything, will certainly not reap any good fruits."

Huang Huang Chaoran lightly stroked his short beard, looking confident: "Matters within this city rarely escape Huang's eyes."

Upon hearing this, Tang Cheng rolled his eyes widely, his expression growing even more displeased: "Since Brother Huang possesses such great ability, why did you not know that the Inspector my lord had already obtained the approval document from the Ministry of War on that day?"

"If not for your erroneous intelligence, this official would never have suffered such a huge loss before the Inspector my lord."

"Now things are fine indeed: not only is Jiang Jiang Mingyu still alive, but this official has also been punished to face the wall and reflect on his faults; if His Highness the Prince of Qi assigns blame, what shall be done?"

Speaking to this point, Tang Cheng's brows furrowed even deeper, his fists clenched tighter, looking utterly enraged.

Huang Huang Chaoran's face showed no trace of apology; he said calmly, "Brother Tang, regarding those past matters, it is indeed true that your younger brother lacked consideration."

"But now the wood has already been made into a boat; to regret it further will not help the situation."

"What is most important now is to devise a foolproof plan to eliminate Jiang Jiang Mingyu as quickly as possible."

"In this way, not only will Brother Tang have an explanation before His Highness the Prince of Qi, but your younger brother will also be able to repay the grudge of that arrow shot on that day."

Tang Cheng snorted, his face still looking very ugly: "Killing Jiang Jiang Mingyu is easier said than done."

"Nowadays, he not only commands fifty thousand troops but also has Wang Zhe standing behind him; he is long past what he used to be."

"Once we act rashly and are caught by Wang Zhe and Jiang Jiang Mingyu with evidence in hand, that will absolutely not be a small matter."

"Our deaths would mean nothing, but delaying the great undertaking of His Highness the Prince of Qi would be a sin that a hundred deaths could not atone for." As Tang Cheng spoke to this point, he clenched his fists even tighter, anxiety showing on his face.

Huang Huang Chaoran, however, let out a cold laugh: "Brother Tang has always had a clear mind; why, now that the matter is at hand, have you become confused?"

"Although we cannot move against Jiang Jiang Mingyu openly, we can strike from behind; opportunities will always arise." A hint of sinister light flashed in Huang Huang Chaoran's eyes.

"At that time, we can request His Highness the Prince of Qi to send someone to take control of the Shangmu army; won't everything turn around then?"

"Just think: once you win His Highness's favor, won't Brother Tang's future prospects be entirely bright?" Huang Huang Chaoran's face showed an expression of eager anticipation.

Hearing him say this, Tang Cheng's complexion finally softened somewhat, and a hint of excitement appeared in his eyes.

Tang Cheng slowly lifted his teacup, took a small sip, a trace of an amused smile hanging on the corner of his mouth: "Brother Huang, after saying so much, I fear your intentions go beyond simply seeking revenge against Jiang Jiang Mingyu, don't they?" As his words fell, he set down the teacup, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Huang Huang Chaoran.

Huang Huang Chaoran spoke frankly without any evasion: "That's right; to put it bluntly, your younger brother indeed has other ambitions." His fingers continuously rubbed the edge of the table, as if trying to conceal a slight unease.

"Although the Huang family is a prominent clan, we originated merely from merchants and are not highly valued." When Huang Huang Chaoran said this, a hint of resentment colored his tone, and the corners of his mouth turned slightly downward.

"If not for this, our Inspector my lord would not have so blatantly dismissed your younger brother from office." Huang Huang Chaoran's fists unconsciously clenched, his knuckles turning white.

"What your younger brother is doing is to seize this rare opportunity to climb onto the golden branch of His Highness the Prince of Qi." A flash of ambition passed through Huang Huang Chaoran's eyes, his gaze burning like torches.

"In this way, not only can I regain the lost official position, but I can also bring glory to my entire Huang family; truly, killing two birds with one stone." An expression of eager anticipation floated onto Huang Huang Chaoran's face, and he even stood up somewhat excitedly.

Seeing Tang Cheng's face change slightly, Huang Huang Chaoran hastily added with a fawning smile: "However, please rest assured, Brother Tang. We shall create great achievements together, sharing both honor and disgrace."

The two men then began discussing strategies to eliminate Jiang Jiang Mingyu in low voices. The atmosphere inside the room was gloomy; only the white snow drifting outside the window reflected on their faces, making them appear greenish and their expressions strange.

The flames in the fireplace danced, illuminating their cruel and sinister expressions.

Tang Cheng stretched his neck, his two hands gripping the corners of his clothes tightly, listening carefully to Huang Huang Chaoran's plan. After listening, he slowly raised his head, his brows tightly locked, and asked with a serious expression: "Are all these things you say true?" His tone revealed wariness.

Huang Huang Chaoran raised his hand and waved it without hesitation, his tone certain: "Rest assured, Brother Tang; I discovered this matter long ago. As long as the plan succeeds, even if Jiang Jiang Mingyu has a hundred thousand troops, he cannot withstand us."

"You also know that your younger brother's father-in-law, He He Dachuan, is originally from Shangmu and is extremely familiar with this place." Huang Huang Chaoran, full of confidence, gestured with both hands in the air.

Tang Cheng did not respond immediately but paced back and forth in the room, his fingers continuously rubbing his chin, his brows tightly locked, his gaze solemn, obviously carefully weighing the pros and cons.

Huang Huang Chaoran grew somewhat impatient and raised his voice to urge: "Brother Tang, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; what are you still hesitating about?" Anxiety permeated his tone.

"Everything now is still under your younger brother's control; this is our only chance to turn the tables." Huang Huang Chaoran stepped forward, his speaking pace quickening as he anxiously tried to persuade.

After remaining silent for a long time, Tang Cheng finally took a deep breath and made his decision: "Good; only the ruthless survive as great men; let us do it." A trace of coldness flashed in his eyes.

Immediately after, he asked with concern: "But this official is currently facing the wall in reflection and cannot organize manpower; what shall be done about this?" Tang Cheng's fingers twisted uneasily.

Seeing Tang Cheng relent, Huang Huang Chaoran, who had been somewhat nervous, immediately showed joy on his face.

Huang Huang Chaoran had long been prepared; he immediately strode forward, slapped his chest, and guaranteed: "Rest assured about this; your younger brother will arrange the manpower, absolutely foolproof."

Tang Cheng cleared his throat lightly, his tone somewhat hesitant: "Is this not rather inappropriate?" His fingers nervously twisted the corners of his clothes, his gaze shifting restlessly.

Huang Huang Chaoran waved his hand carelessly: "Consider this a small meeting gift from your younger brother to His Highness the Prince of Qi. As long as Brother Tang achieves merit before His Highness, the one facing the wall in the residence will likely be our Inspector my lord instead."

A cunning light flashed in Huang Huang Chaoran's eyes; the corners of his mouth turned upward, as if he could already see the scene of Wang Zhe and Jiang Jiang Mingyu lying on the ground admitting their mistakes.

"Rest assured; with your younger brother taking action, I guarantee it will be foolproof." Huang Huang Chaoran, full of confidence, slapped his chest to guarantee, his gaze firm and powerful.

Tang Cheng hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded lightly, a sinister smile gradually appearing in his eyes as well. The two men exchanged a glance, each seeing in the other's eyes an unspoken implication.

Huang Huang Chaoran clenched both fists and said excitedly: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you are finished." Malice filled his tone, and in his eyes, he had already sketched out the scene of Jiang Jiang Mingyu suffering miserably and being humiliated.

Tang Cheng also relaxed, leaning back in his chair.

Both wore sinister smiles on their faces; only the fireplace flickered in the room, radiating the scent of a scheme come to fruition.