57Chapter 57: King Liang takes the bait, a flash of inspiration
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Empress Dowager Dou sat behind the flickering candlelight, a hint of emotion on her face. "How could this be false? Last night, on a whim, I summoned His Majesty to my palace. I intended to test him on this matter, but I unexpectedly found the Emperor drunk."
She said with a sigh, "If he hadn't been drunk, he might not have revealed this matter so easily. After all, his thoughts are deep. Perhaps he would have tested you, just as he secretly tests his sons!"
Empress Dowager Dou said with a touch of triumph, "Now that he has revealed this matter while drunk, you can prepare early."
"The succession to the throne is a matter for our Liu clan. It doesn't have too much to do with the court officials, but after all, Guandu Marquis and others are descendants of the founding heroes of the Great Han, and they now hold power. Even your Imperial Brother cannot make every decision on his own."
"Therefore, you must give your Imperial Brother a stepping stone, so he can come down."
"Find an opportunity and achieve a great merit."
When Prince of Liang heard his mother's words, he felt much more at ease, but he still had one question and immediately asked, "Mother, your summoning of His Majesty last night was a sudden idea, wasn't it?"
Empress Dowager Dou frowned slightly. She understood that this was Prince of Liang being cautious, fearing that someone had leaked the news.
She thought for a moment and then said with great certainty, "Indeed, it was a sudden idea."
"Absolutely no one will know, and absolutely no one will let the Emperor know in advance to put on a show."
"You can rest assured."
Empress Dowager Dou comforted Prince of Liang, saying, "You don't need to be afraid. Last night, the Emperor reeked of alcohol; he was definitely hungover. I imagine his heart has not been at ease these past few days."
"Take this opportunity to test him and see if there's a chance to achieve merit."
Only then did Prince of Liang completely relax. "Mother, rest assured!"
He said with an upright expression, "Your son will certainly relieve Imperial Brother's worries!"
.... ....
In Weiyang Palace,
The Emissaries in Embroidered Uniforms under him relayed all the conversations between the Empress Dowager and Prince of Liang, word for word. Emperor Jing sat behind the heavy curtains, a smile involuntarily appearing on his face.
It was not in vain that he had been drunk night after night these past few days, nor was it in vain that he had planted people in the Empress Dowager's palace, step by step, to make her see him last night.
"Clang!"
A chess piece landed on the board, and Emperor Jing's smile widened.
He instructed his attendants, "These past few days, place the memorials from the various princes on the desk. Remember to put them in an obvious place! Absolutely where people can see them at first glance!"
The Inner Attendant bowed slightly in salute.
Working by Emperor Jing's side, they were all extremely cautious—even more cautious than when they worked by The Late Emperor's side.
Fear of power, not virtue, is human nature.
Facing an Emperor who could erupt and kill at any moment, they naturally had to be meticulous.
.... .....
Second year of Emperor Jing, seventh month of summer.
As time passed, the Emperor did not show the slightest intention of dealing with Chao Cuo, which made many vassal kings very dissatisfied. Among them, the most dissatisfied was probably "King Wu."
In King Wu's view, there was a deep blood feud between him and Emperor Jing—referring to the incident years ago when Emperor Jing smashed his son, the officially designated Crown Prince of King Wu, to death with a chessboard.
Therefore, King Wu's memorials were particularly fierce. He had finally caught the Emperor's weakness; how could he not make good use of it?
.... .....
Second year of Emperor Jing, end of the eighth month of autumn.
The desolate autumn wind rose, covering the entire Chang'an City. Countless withered leaves fell to the ground, creating a bleak and murderous atmosphere that made one feel desolate just by looking at it.
This was Prince of Liang's fourth month in Chang'an City, and it should also be his last month in Chang'an City.
But Prince of Liang still hadn't found an opportunity.
He kept pondering how he could achieve a great merit that would silence everyone?
What kind of great merit would have such an effect?
He hadn't been able to think of it, but... on this day at the end of August, he did.
August twenty-first. Evening.
In Weiyang Palace,
The Emperor pulled Prince of Liang to drink and enjoy the palace banquet. Unbeknownst to them, he became drunk, and even in his drunken stupor, he pulled Prince of Liang, insisting that he stay overnight in the palace. The reason he gave was very simple—you and I, brothers, haven't slept side by side in a long time!
Being able to stay overnight on the dragon bed, Prince of Liang should not have refused, as this was a good thing he had fantasized about—sleeping on the dragon bed for a night, wouldn't it absorb some imperial aura, and allow him to ascend the throne in the future?
But he still refused. After all, in his opinion, he was very likely to ascend the throne, so he couldn't leave any leverage in advance.
If those court officials found out that he slept on the dragon bed, wouldn't they impeach him?
So he politely declined, but Emperor Jing, completely drunk, tugged at him, unwilling to let go, only pulling him towards the back hall of Weiyang Palace.
Prince of Liang, half-reluctantly, arrived at the back hall of Weiyang Palace.
As soon as he entered the back hall and helped Emperor Jing to the bed, Prince of Liang merely looked up slightly and saw many memorials casually placed on a desk not far away.
He quickly lowered his head, unwilling to look, but he still caught sight of a few words.
At this moment, Emperor Jing seemed to have seen something and immediately said, "My brother! You've seen those memorials, haven't you?"
"What nonsense!"
"Especially that King Wu!"
"I merely have a slight intention of reducing the power of the vassal states, but he keeps bringing up old, rotten matters from the past, insisting that I kill Chao Cuo!"
Emperor Jing's tone carried dissatisfaction. "His words even contain thoughts of rebellion!"
"He speaks as if he will rebel if I don't kill Chao Cuo!"
Emperor Jing said wistfully, "I am helpless now. In order not to let King Wu rebel, I can only bear the pain of killing Chao Cuo!"
Prince of Liang also echoed perfunctorily, but then a flash of inspiration went through his mind.
That's not right...
Wasn't he recently pondering what kind of great merit he wanted to achieve?
Suppressing rebellion and restoring the nation, isn't that an unparalleled merit?
This is a merit second only to saving the Emperor!
In some ways, the merit of suppressing rebellion and restoring the nation is even greater than saving the Emperor!
But... the Emperor already intends to kill Chao Cuo...
If Chao Cuo dies, won't King Wu not rebel?
He narrowed his eyes.
No.
If King Wu doesn't rebel, where will he suppress the rebellion? If he doesn't suppress the rebellion, where will he find such a great merit?
King Wu must rebel! Chao Cuo cannot die!
Outside the imperial palace,
Prince of Liang thought it over repeatedly and finally came up with a plan.
The Emperor wants to kill Chao Cuo?
Chao Cuo is a disciple of the Chen clan!
He must go find Guandu Marquis!
Guandu Marquis can't just watch his father's disciple die here, can he?!
"Prepare the carriage! This Prince wants to pay respects to Guandu Marquis!"