The Prodigal Son

"A map of Yinzhou?"

Zhao Luan raised her head, her gaze falling on the location of Yinzhou. "What, do you have some unique insights into the situation in Yinzhou?"

Zhao Luan's question stumped Qin Yu.

How should I put this?

He said he wanted to suggest she kill the Prince of Chengyang?

If she doesn't have that intention, I'm afraid I'll be in trouble!

Qin Yu silently considered the matter for a moment before tentatively saying, "This humble subject has a question that may be presumptuous, but I am not sure if I should ask it."

"explain."

Zhao Luan put down the memorial in his hand.

Qin Yu glanced at Zhao Luan's expression before asking, "Why did His Majesty appoint the Prince of Chengyang to guard Yinzhou instead of transferring him elsewhere?"

Zhao Luan rubbed his head and sighed, "This involves many things, including some problems left over from the late emperor's reign..."

The father of the Prince of Chengyang had made outstanding military contributions to the court.

After Emperor Xiaowu passed away, the father of the Prince of Chengyang, grateful for Emperor Xiaowu's kindness, repeatedly requested to be buried alive with Emperor Xiaowu, but was refused. In the end, he knelt in front of Emperor Xiaowu's tomb for three days and died of grief.

Moved by the loyalty and righteousness of the Prince of Chengyang's father, the late emperor granted him the honor of being buried in the imperial mausoleum. In a moment of impulsiveness, he also granted the Prince of Chengyang the honor of being permanently stationed in Yinzhou.

Since ascending the throne, the Prince of Chengyang has been diligent and conscientious, and has never made any major mistakes.

Five years ago, Zhao Yi, in alliance with the vassal kings, rebelled, and the Prince of Chengyang immediately led his army to quell the rebellion.

The Prince of Chengyang has rendered meritorious service without any faults. On what grounds does she disobey the late emperor's decree and transfer the Prince of Chengyang to another fiefdom?

She wants to transfer the Prince of Chengyang to another place, but the Prince of Chengyang has to agree first!

Forcibly transferring him away from Yinzhou will only incite the Prince of Chengyang to rebel!

Qin Yu thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Has Your Majesty considered... a permanent solution?"

Hearing Qin Yu's question, Shangguan Youyi's heart skipped a beat, and she secretly felt a chill for him.

He really dares to ask anything!

A permanent solution?

Isn't it just about taking the life of the Prince of Chengyang?

There are some things that even if everyone knows the truth, you can't just ask them directly!

However, Zhao Luan did not evade Qin Yu's question, saying, "Both the father of the Prince of Chengyang and he himself were people who made great contributions to the court."

"I understand. The Prince of Chengyang was forced to resort to this tactic because he feared I would become suspicious of him after several other vassal kings had run into trouble!"

"However, his use of the pretense of marriage proposal to force a marriage, coupled with his close ties with the State of Chu, already demonstrates his disloyalty!"

"I hope his life can be spared, and it would be best to resolve this matter in a peaceful manner..."

She doesn't care about her reputation.

But she could not disregard the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers, nor could she ignore the safety of the nation.

If the Prince of Chengyang pulls back from the brink and is willing to relinquish his military power and take up a fief elsewhere, she can guarantee him generations of wealth and honor!

However, if the Prince of Chengyang dares to incite internal strife or allow foreign enemies to enter Daming, then he will only face certain death!

Qin Yu was somewhat surprised upon hearing Zhao Luan's words.

He was already prepared to be scolded by Zhao Luan.

Surprisingly, she actually answered her question frankly.

There are some things that everyone is indeed aware of.

But they guessed that what Zhao Luan said was two different things.

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Has Your Majesty considered striking first?"

Ok?

Zhao Luan narrowed her phoenix eyes slightly, a playful look on her face. "You wouldn't be suggesting I send someone to assassinate the Prince of Chengyang, would you?"

She had previously considered striking first and eliminating the Prince of Chengyang before launching the war to destroy Yan!

But she also had many concerns.

If this matter is not handled properly, it will inevitably lead to internal strife.

At that time, not only will the plan to destroy Yan be affected, but it may even shake the foundation of Daming.

She couldn't leave the Prince of Chengyang alone, but she worried that if the war to destroy Yan began, the Prince of Chengyang and the Chu Kingdom would stab Da Ning in the back.

Therefore, dealing with the Prince of Chengyang at the drop of a hat is always a troublesome matter!

The Prince of Chengyang held considerable military power, and his subordinates were also numerous skilled warriors.

According to reliable intelligence, Cao Yuan, who serves under the Prince of Chengyang, is very likely a hidden grandmaster!

Assassinating the Prince of Chengyang is definitely not that easy!

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled, "Assassination isn't always necessary; we can lure the enemy out!"

"Um?"

Zhao Luan's eyes lit up, and she looked at Qin Yu expectantly: "How do you plan to lure the snake out of its hole?"

"I haven't decided on the specifics yet."

Qin Yu grinned, "Your Majesty's imperial might is too overwhelming. I'm extremely nervous being by Your Majesty's side. Perhaps I can come up with a better solution if I go home and think about it!"

Come back home?

A sudden realization flashed in Zhao Luan's eyes.

Ultimately, he still wanted me to agree to the conditions he had previously proposed!

No wonder this bastard made demands as soon as he arrived; he was prepared all along!

asshole!

Does he really not want to stay by my side?

Am I supposed to eat him?

We tried to nurture him with good intentions, but he still tried to avoid us.

What an ungrateful bastard!

Zhao Luan grew angrier the more she thought about it, and felt an urge to hang Qin Yu up and whip him.

After suppressing his impulse, Zhao Luan said with a dark face, "You already understand why I appointed you as the Palace Attendant. If you can get rid of the troublesome Prince of Chengyang, why would I want to keep you by my side? Do you think I don't find you annoying?"

well!

That makes things much easier!

Qin Yu smiled with satisfaction: "Your Majesty, I pondered this all night and came up with a solution that's not ideal, but if the Empress Dowager is willing to help, I believe there's at least a 70% chance we can eliminate the Prince of Chengyang without bloodshed!"

"What did you say?"

Zhao Luan suddenly stood up, her eyes burning with fervor, and her breathing became rapid.

Seventy percent!

It's already a very high degree of certainty!

Moreover, based on her understanding of Qin Yu, 70% is probably a conservative estimate.

In Qin Yu's mind, the chances of success were at least 80%, or even 90%!

If she could eliminate the Prince of Chengyang without bloodshed, she would have no worries when it came time to destroy Yan!

Qin Yu was satisfied with Zhao Luan's reaction and repeated what he had just said.

"really?"

Zhao Luan tried hard to suppress her excitement, "You need to understand, this is no joke!"

"Your Majesty understands!"

Qin Yu nodded slightly, then said solemnly, "But I must say beforehand that this matter is best accomplished with the Empress Dowager's full cooperation! Without her cooperation, the chances of success are probably less than 20%!"

"Is the Empress Dowager that important?"

Zhao Luan frowned slightly.

She was still somewhat distrustful of the Empress Dowager.

If we can have a 70% or higher chance of success without the Empress Dowager's cooperation, that would be even better!

"Very important!"

Qin Yu said with a serious expression, "This plan requires the cooperation of many, many people, including Lü Si, and even Wang Dou and his group!"

"Wang Dou? Who is Wang Dou?"

Zhao Luan was slightly taken aback, having already forgotten about this person's existence.

"The two people who created the divine bird, he also has a brother named Wang Su."

Shangguan Youyi reminded him from the side.

"I remember now!"

Zhao Luan narrowed her eyes slightly. "You're not thinking of using this opportunity to get those two brothers out of here too, are you?"

Qin Yu chuckled, "I do have that idea, but they are indeed very important! If this plan is used well, it could kill three birds with one stone!"

"Killing three birds with one stone?"

Zhao Luan stared wide-eyed at Qin Yu, her eyes filled with anticipation…