Chapter 295

First Volume, Chapter 295: A Decade of Planning

"Even during the reign of the former emperor, the Grand Commandant's military authority was stripped away and divided among the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Stables, and the Weiwu Temple; the Longhu Army and the East and West Camps in Jingdu answer only to me. Though the title of Grand Commandant is now nominal, it remains one of the Three Dukes, its rank superior, and still permits, per Shedynasty ancestral law, constraints upon me."

"Therefore… such a vital position—Gao Ming is too old to continue holding it."

As he spoke, the Liang Emperor pulled a pre-prepared military dispatch from his sleeve and tossed it to the Black Guard: "I am not a heartless man. When Qin Feng returns to Jingdu, deliver this letter to the Dali Temple."

The Black Guard picked up the envelope and turned to leave, but was immediately called back by the Liang Emperor.

The Liang Emperor pondered: "What was Gao Ming's uncle's name again?"

"Oh, I remember—Li Le."

"Yes, him. Did he escape from Pingyao County?"

The Black Guard dropped to his knees with a thud. Though he was a cold-blooded assassin who abhorred losing composure, the sudden question from the Liang Emperor left him trembling with terror.

The Black Guard's voice cracked with despair: "Your Majesty, I… forgot this matter."

The Liang Emperor cast him a sidelong glance: "Forgot?"

The Black Guard swallowed hard: "It's been ten years. All details regarding Li Le are recorded in the Black Guard Division's secret archives. These past days, I've been fully occupied hunting Northern Barbarian Spies—I've completely forgotten this."

After all, the Black Guard is only human—he cannot remember every detail.

Yet the sovereign before him remembers every last detail—even Gao Ming's uncle's name!

What an terrifying memory!

The Liang Emperor did not rebuke the Black Guard. Instead, he clasped his hands behind his back and spoke solemnly: "Ten years ago, I began laying my plans. I instructed Li Le to create some 'trouble' in Pingyao County, so I would have grounds to remove Gao Ming when the time came. If this were to become public, how would the Manchu Civil and Military view me? How would the people of Heaven view me?"

The Black Guard clenched his teeth: "I deserve death. No imperial edict is needed—I shall return to the Black Guard Division and accept my punishment."

The Liang Emperor raised his hand: "No need. The Black Guard Division's full attention is on the Northern Barbarian Spies. I've already burdened you with multiple duties. I only wish to know—what has become of Li Le?"

The Black Guard's eyes filled with gratitude. Without hesitation, he answered: "During the Tianji Camp Guards' search of the Gao Residence, Li Le resisted arrest and was executed on the spot. Like Zhou Yufu, his head was beheaded and displayed on the City Gate to appease the people."

At this, the Liang Emperor's expression turned sly: "I once promised Li Le a lifetime of wealth and honor—if he came to Jingdu, I would guarantee his safety. With my word, why would he resist arrest and doom himself? Clearly, Qin Feng Xiao'er feared someone might intercept Li Le en route and use him as leverage, so he killed him outright."

The Black Guard could not help but sigh: "Qin Feng's schemes run so deep—he has already pierced Your Majesty's heart…"

The Liang Emperor's gaze held something indescribable—perhaps dread, perhaps gratitude…

As the Black Guard left the Imperial Study, the White Clothes guest had already entered the Inner Palace.

The Second Prince, pacing anxiously, hurried forward upon seeing the White Clothes guest return: "How did things go in Pingyao County?"

The White Clothes guest's face was grim: "Your Highness, Zhou Yufu, the Gao Fu Manager, and Gao Grand Commandant's uncle Li Le—all were killed by Qin Feng. All have been beheaded and displayed. The remaining servants were either dismissed on the spot or executed if found implicated. By now, Qin Feng has likely begun ransacking the Gao Fu."

At this, the White Clothes guest clenched his fist: "Qin Feng clearly anticipated I would intercept Li Le en route—so he killed him on the spot!"

The Second Prince collapsed into his chair with a thud, eyes vacant, mumbling: "Qin Feng is brilliant—he saw through everything. In all of Pingyao County, Li Le was the only direct blood relative of Gao Ming, and held countless secrets."

"With Li Le dead, we have no leverage left. Gao Ming's final chance is gone…"

The lute-playing woman beside them frowned, puzzled: "Your Highness, Pingyao County has become such a mess—why would Grand Commandant Gao Ming willingly send Qin Feng there? Isn't that inviting trouble?"

The Second Prince's face darkened. He ignored the lute-playing woman.

The White Clothes guest glared at her and snapped: "Foolish woman's reasoning!"

"Even if Grand Commandant Gao Ming were a fool, he wouldn't be foolish enough to invite trouble! Qin Feng is the Emperor's favorite—do you think the Ministry of Personnel could have dispatched him without the Emperor's approval?"

"Besides, Pingyao County's corruption has become impossible to hide. That's precisely why Grand Commandant Gao Ming was forced to act—he hoped to kill Qin Feng and restore order to Pingyao County at once. But alas, Qin Feng Xiao'er is far too cunning…"

"It's unnatural! Your Highness and Gao Ming have pressured relentlessly—yet the Thirty-Six Counties of Jingdu stood like iron barrels, keeping Pingyao County's corruption sealed away. Then suddenly, the Emperor brings it up in court—without reason!"

The Second Prince sighed: "No one knows the Father Emperor better than his son. The Emperor knew everything from the first day Pingyao County's grain tax began to show deficits. He said nothing for years because he still found Gao Ming useful. Now that he speaks of it—Gao Ming's days are over."

The White Clothes guest's eyes burned with lethal intent: "Your Highness, let me kill Gao Ming before he implicates you."

As the White Clothes guest turned to leave, the Second Prince weakly waved his hand: "No need. Father Emperor knows everything… Watch. Jingdu is about to change."

…

The ancestral Gao residence in Pingyao County.

Qin Feng stood with his hands behind his back, flanked by his three sisters, watching the mountain of crates piled in the courtyard. He couldn't help but mock: "The National Treasury is empty, yet this tiny courtyard hides Jinshan Yingshan… Hmph. No wonder the Di never take Shedynasty seriously—this bureaucratic rot has sunk into the bones."

Jing Qianying, who loved wealth above all, glanced at the chests of gold and silver, then slipped quietly beside Qin Feng and whispered in his ear: "Feng'er, the Tianji Camp Guards still haven't found the ledgers—they must've been destroyed in advance by the Gao Fu's Evil Servants. Without proof, how much was embezzled? That's entirely up to you to decide."

Qin Feng jumped back in alarm, feigning shock as he stared at Jing Qianying: "Sister! You're not suggesting I embezzle, are you?"

Sensing the strange glances around them, Jing Qianying flushed slightly but said nothing. Instead, she raised her sword scabbard and jabbed it hard into Qin Feng's ribs.

Luckily, Qin Feng reacted fast and dodged behind Liu Hongyan, whining: "Second Sister, control Fourth Sister!"

Liu Hongyan had no patience to mediate. Since entering the Gao Fu, her brush had not stopped—recording every ounce of stolen wealth as it was brought out.

"Good heavens—so far, we've recovered one hundred twenty thousand taels of White Silver, thirty thousand taels of gold, and countless pearls and agates."

"How much did Gao Ming steal?!"

Seeing Liu Hongyan's astonishment, Qin Feng smirked inwardly: "No matter how much he stole, he won't live to enjoy it. Once we finish here, we'll return to Jingdu and ransack Gao Ming's mansion there—again."