Zhutian: My skills are not serious

Chapter 514 Kill the Emperor and Seize the Queen
As a result of Chu Pingsheng's actions, the plan of Wang and his son was half-ruined. No matter how stupid Shuanglong was, he became cautious and did not stay in Wang Shichong's house for long. The next day, he left for Jiangdu to wait.

Chu Pingsheng didn't want to go with him at first, but he received a letter from Chai Shen the next day, asking him to go to Jiangdu. Because Yu Wenzhi had spoken well of him in front of the emperor, the emperor praised him in front of the court officials in Jiangdu for his fearlessness of the powerful, his integrity, his loyalty and bravery, his courage to expose the evil deeds of the Song clique in Lingnan, and his rebuke of Li Yuan, saying that he was truly a role model for the younger generation. The emperor then summoned him to Jiangdu to receive his title.

Yu Wenzhi messed up his job, and he exaggerated the situation to attack the Song clan and was sarcastic to Li Yuan, so he had to say a few good words about him, so that he could complete the circle and do favors for the Chai family. It was normal.

Considering that there is less than half a year before Yu Wenzhi launches a rebellion, it would not be a good idea for Chai Shen to stay in Jiangdu. Although this old guy is only his father in name, he will lend a hand if he can.

With this in mind, he had to temporarily put aside his plan to practice Tao Heart Planting Demon Technique in seclusion, and took two followers with him to go east along the river to Jiangdu to meet the emperor.

Little did they know that when they were traveling to Huainan and resting in Zhongli County, they heard a breaking news that Dugu Feng, the leader of the Dugu clan, had reported Li Yuan at a court meeting, saying that Li Yuan had evil intentions and had been flirting with the DTZ faction for a long time, intending to rebel. He also presented a list of accounts of Li Yuan's purchases of weapons and equipment from the Dongming faction over the years - just like what the Song clan in Lingnan had done.

Yang Guang was furious after seeing this and ordered Li Yuan to be removed from his post as governor of Taiyuan. The deputy governors Gao Junya and Wang Wei were temporarily in charge of the army. Li Yuan was ordered to hand over the affairs at hand within a month and come to Jiangdu to explain the matter. As for the Lingnan Song clan, the operation was similar, but it was gentler. They only sent envoys to split the Song clan's military and political power, and did not directly deprive the Li clan of its military power.

Chu Pingsheng thought that Yang Guang was too impatient. Wasn't he afraid that doing so would provoke a rebellion from the Li and Song clans? However, this was exactly the situation he wanted to see.

In addition, Yu Wenzhi reported Song Que, and Dugu Feng reported Li Yuan. Could it be that my secret move took effect?

When this happened suddenly, he was no longer in a hurry to travel. He walked leisurely and played along the way. It took him six or seven days to reach Jiangdu.

As soon as he entered the city, he felt that the atmosphere was a little strange. The guards guarding the city gate were facing a great enemy and carefully checked everyone entering the city. Even he was questioned several times. It was not until Chai Shen's subordinates saw it and stepped forward to say a few words that the guards guarding the city said sorry and let him enter the city.

Half an incense stick later, they arrived at Chai's house. He handed the horse to the care of the servants and walked straight into the front hall. He saw Chai Shen walking back and forth with his hands behind his back and a bitter look on his face, with the corners of his mouth and eyes drooping. He heard footsteps at the door, turned his head and saw that it was him coming in. His frown relaxed a lot.

"It's been so many days, why did you just come to Jiangdu? Given the current situation, you might as well not come."

When the father and son met, he did not ask whether he had been harassed by bandits along the way, or whether he was unwell and had been delayed. His first words were complaints and grievances, which showed how bad Chai Shen's mood was.

"What happened outside?"

"What's the matter? Big thing!"

Chai Shen sat down in front of the screen with diamond lattices and said angrily, "Yesterday, Wang Shichong went to see the emperor, and I don't know what he said. In the afternoon, the emperor summoned Yu Wenhuaji, as if to praise him, but Yu Wenhuaji suddenly claimed to be sick and did not enter the palace. When I woke up today, the atmosphere in Jiangdu changed, and the morning court did not open. I found someone who was close to Dugu Feng and asked him about it. I found out that Wang Shichong had reported Yu Wenhuaji. He also had an account book in his hand, which involved the Yuwen clan purchasing weapons from the Dongming clan, and the quantity was more than that of the Song clan and the Li clan. Now the emperor's most trusted person has become Dugu Feng. Now the whole city is under martial law, and the situation is very delicate."

Wang Shichong acted quickly.

Yes, this old guy was afraid that he would tell Yu Wenzhi about his alliance with Shuanglong, so he would naturally rush to Jiangdu as soon as possible to meet up with Shuanglong.

From this point of view, Wang Shichong was really afraid that the world would not be in chaos.

Yes, he is the core of the Ming Dynasty. The more chaotic the Central Plains is, the better it is for them.

After he did this, everything was accelerated. I believe that Yu Wenzhi's rebellion will also be advanced.

Dugu Feng, the commander of the imperial guards, is still a little inferior in terms of hard power compared to Yu Wenzhi, the general of the Right Tunwei and the chief of the imperial guards.

"No wonder..."

Chai Shen sighed: "From Luoyang to Jiangdu... You should go and rest first. I will take you to court tomorrow."

"What are you doing in court?"

"Listen to the seal."

"The Emperor already suspects Yu Wenzhi and still wants to confer a title on me?"

Chai Shen said: "Wang Shichong spoke highly of you in front of the emperor, saying that you are a young hero who can be of great use."

The old man had a strange look in his eyes when he said this.

If you think about it carefully, you can understand it. Yu Wenzhi went to Jinyang and spoke well of him in front of Yang Guang after returning. Wang Shichong came to Jiangdu to visit Yu Wenzhi and also turned around and spoke well of him.

No one knows a son better than his father. What kind of person was Chai Shao in the past? Although he was not unlearned, he was not as hardworking and ambitious as Li Shimin, Song Shidao and other outstanding young people. He followed Li Xiuning around every day and always mentioned "Miss Xiuning" when he returned home. Who would have thought that after a trip to Jinyang, he would become a hot commodity. Yu Wenzhi said he was good, and Wang Shichong also said he was good. As a father, he wanted to reprimand him for his misbehavior and ruining the relationship between the Chai and Li families, but he couldn't open his mouth.

"Oh."

Chu Pingsheng was naturally happy not to look at that ugly face. He took a step forward and walked towards the backyard.

Wang Shichong spoke well of him in front of the emperor because he probably realized that he had not told Yu Wenhuaji about Shuanglong's account books of the Yuwen clan's purchase of weapons and equipment, and that he also had evidence of the Wang family's collusion with the Demon Sect. So instead of making enemies with the Chai family, it would be better to show them goodwill and adapt to the situation.

Chai Shen shook his head, sighed, picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip. It was too cold and he spat it out.

The tea is cold.

Today...it got cold so quickly.

...the next morning.

There was a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps in the palace. The guards all stood in the corridor in front of the steps with serious faces.

Chai Shen was in front and Chu Pingsheng was behind. The nominal father and son walked up the stairs and headed towards Guiyan Palace.

I met several officials on the way and had to exchange a few words with them.

Chu Pingsheng could see clearly that his cheap father did not have much influence among the court officials.

Chai Shen was the Prince's Right Internal General, a fourth-rank military officer, seemingly only one level lower than Yu Wenzhi's Right Tunwei General. But the problem was that the prince had been dead for several years. If the prince were alive, the Chai family's status in the court would naturally be beyond doubt. Now that the prince is dead, King Yang Liang of Yue has never made him the legitimate heir, and now he is still suspected by the emperor. One can imagine how embarrassing it is for Chai Shen to be such an official.

Since ancient times, the status of merchants has generally been low. The title of "the richest man in the Sui Dynasty" given to Chai Shen only served to add icing on the cake in the court, and it was impossible for these aristocratic families to be respectful and obedient.

"The emperor is worried about Yu Wenzhi's matter, so please keep quiet later."

As they approached the palace gate, Chai Shen whispered a reminder.

"understood."

Chu Pingsheng responded indifferently.

The father and son then entered the hall under the guidance of the eunuch.

To Chu Pingsheng's surprise, Yang Guang was not sitting on the dragon throne waiting for them. Instead, Dugu Feng and Wang Shichong, one on the left and the other on the right, stood in the hall with stern faces.

Dugu Feng is an old man in his sixties, with half white hair and a goatee under his mouth. He likes to squint at people, and there is a bit of viciousness in his glance, which complements the Minister of Personnel Wang Shichong.

There were two royal guards in red behind Wang Shichong. When Chu Pingsheng saw their faces, he burst into laughter, because they were none other than Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.

Chai Shenchong bowed to Dugu Feng and said, "General Dugu, where is His Majesty?"

"Chai Neilu, please be patient."

Just as he finished speaking, he heard a shout from behind: "The Emperor is here." Then a man walked out of the door leading to the back hall. He was wearing a dragon robe, a crown, a broad forehead, a high nose, and long eyebrows. He looked very energetic, and had some temperament of a supreme ruler. He was not like the description in some later books that he was a dissolute, lustful, cruel and inhumane playboy.

"Chai Shen is here?"

"Yes." Chai Shen took two steps forward and said respectfully, "My son Chai Shao is here too."

Yang Guang glanced at Chu Pingsheng behind him and nodded slightly: "You are Chai Shao."

"Yes."

"You have presented me with the secret of immortality and handed over evidence of Lingnan Song Que's rebellion. You are loyal to me and deserve a reward."

"It is the duty of a minister to share His Majesty's worries." Chu Pingsheng said as he silently said in his heart, you fool me, I fool you, you fool me, I fool you...

"Chai Shenting Feng."

"The minister is here."

"I now appoint you as the General of the Right Guard."

Chai Shen was stunned when he heard about this reward. General of the Right Guard? Isn't that Yu Wenzhi's official title?
Dugu Feng whispered beside him, "Your Majesty dismissed Yu Wenzhi from his post late yesterday. Now the position of General of the Right Tunwei is vacant. Sir Chai, why don't you thank him?"

Chai Shen hurriedly bowed to express his gratitude.

Chu Pingsheng sneered in his heart. Wang Shichong should have replaced Yu Wenzhi with Chai Shen, right? To let the Chai family and the Yuwen clan collide, so as to test the water of the master behind the Chai family?
"Chai Shaoting Feng?"

Chai Shen touched his arm and Chu Pingsheng took a step forward.

"I appoint you as the Tiger Guard General to assist your father in sweeping away the bandits and restoring the country for our Sui Dynasty."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Chu Pingsheng thought that he was a pretty good person. He was previously a seventh-rank attendant to the Crown Prince, and now he was promoted five levels in one go and became a fourth-rank Tiger Guard General.

"Hahahaha, I want to see who dares to snatch my official position."

Just as the Chai father and son were conferring official titles, they heard a piercing laugh outside, followed by the eunuchs' shrill screams. A fishy wind blew in from outside the hall, and Yu Wenzhi, wearing Ming Guang armor, walked into the hall with his son Yu Wenchengdu and several personal guards.

(End of this chapter)