Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

"Your Excellency, Duke Yi, are very kind."

Lu Chen nodded.

What exactly is Chao Yong trying to do?

Is it related to the secret report I just received?

Duan Chaoyong went to the Wuding Marquis's residence to find Guo Xun yesterday. At that time, the five thousand men from Jingxing Pass had just set off, and Zhang Yin had only left Taiyuan City two days and three nights ago.

Lu Chen had already inquired and learned that the journey from Taiyuan to Shuozhou by regular post would take about four or five days, but could be expedited in three days for urgent official business.

The fastest courier service, known as the "800-li express," changed horses but not riders, traveling day and night. It took only one day and night to travel from Taiyuan to Shuozhou, and only two days to reach the capital.

Fan Jizu summoned Zhang Yin to Shuozhou after receiving a report from Ouyang Hong. At this time, the Mongols had already withdrawn from beyond the Great Wall, and there was no urgent military situation that required Zhang Yin to travel day and night.

To avoid alerting the enemy, Fan Jizu mostly used excuses such as verifying achievements, at most requesting routine expedited processing in official documents, and would never ask Zhang Yin to travel day and night.

In other words, it would take Zhang Yin three to five days to reach Shuozhou. If he moves quickly, he would have just entered the city by now; if he moves slowly, he might still be on his way.

In any case, they are in an information blind spot and know nothing about what happened at "Blackwood Cliff".

As for the people on "Blackwood Cliff," they had discovered the Ming army's night raids two days ago, but it would take them at least a day to figure out what had happened and which Ming army had sent them.

Even if they wanted to notify Duan Chaoyong and his disciple Wang Ziyan in the capital, the messenger's departure time wouldn't be much earlier than the messenger sent by the group from Jingxing Pass.

"Black Cliff" is fifty kilometers away from Jingxing Pass, which is more than enough time to tie the score.

The messenger who secretly reported to him used the name of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to carry out urgent official business, traveling the fastest express courier service in the imperial court, covering 800 li.

The thief couldn't possibly have that kind of opportunity; without special privileges, it would take at least two to three days longer.

In other words, even if the people of "Black Cliff" sent someone to the capital as soon as they discovered that Ming troops were spying on them, it would take them at least until the day after tomorrow to arrive.

Duan Chaoyong did this without receiving any new intelligence support.

Great, I still have at least two days of information advantage!

"Duan Chaoyong told my father that he claimed to His Majesty that he had unknowingly attained immortality, and His Majesty believed him."

Guo Shoulu continued,

"Furthermore, His Majesty also told him that after leaving the pass, His Highness would continue to oversee the country and handle the daily affairs of the court, and only important military and national affairs would be decided by His Majesty personally."

Duan Chao used the excuse that his father was hosting a banquet at the Marquis of Wuding's residence to curry favor with His Highness before His Majesty left the pass.

My father felt that Duan Chaoyong's words were not entirely true and that there must be some deception involved.

"That old liar is obviously talking complete nonsense!"

Lu Chen was greatly surprised.

"I already know what the 'Red Lead' elixir is used for, but Your Majesty hasn't revealed it to me."

Eating that stuff can grant immortality? That's something you'd only believe if you were a ghost!

Based on his empty words and lack of convincing evidence, how could His Majesty, being so shrewd and intelligent, possibly believe him?

The idea that His Majesty would continue to have me oversee the country after His Majesty leaves the pass is utterly absurd.

In the past two years, it was only because His Majesty was determined to go into seclusion to cultivate immortality that I was forced to be summoned to the capital.

Moreover, the one who truly oversees the country is His Highness the Crown Prince; I am merely assisting him.

Once Your Majesty emerges from the pass, you will naturally regain control of the court. How could I possibly continue to oversee the country?

The crown prince acting as regent was a temporary measure when the emperor was not in the capital or was unable to handle state affairs for some special reason.

How can there be a system where the emperor, who is in the capital and able to handle state affairs normally, would constantly have a regent oversee the country?

Duan Chaoyong must have lost his mind. How could the Duke of Yi possibly believe such words?!

"My father is really unsure whether the two reasons Duan Chaoyong gave are true."

Guo Shoulu's answer surprised Lu Chen.

"Like Your Majesty, my father has also been taking the 'red lead' elixir used by Duan Chao for the past two years."

He tried to stop taking it, but it was very uncomfortable, and he could only last for two days before starting to take it again.

My father believes that even if His Majesty does not believe that he has attained immortality, he might still pretend to be confused in order to allow Duan Chaoyong to continue refining the "Red Lead" elixir.

As for allowing the crown prince to oversee the country for a long period of time when the emperor is able to handle state affairs normally, our dynasty has precedents.

During the Hongwu era, Crown Prince Yiwen served on behalf of Emperor Taizu, hearing and judging reports from various departments and handling matters of state, large and small, for as long as fifteen years.

Although he did not have the title of regent, he effectively did.

His Majesty is devoted to Taoist cultivation and has never liked attending court. He also delegates most of the tedious daily government affairs to his cabinet ministers.

During the nearly two years that His Highness has been acting as regent, the court has never experienced any major disturbances.

Given His Majesty's favor towards His Highness, it is not impossible for His Highness to continue overseeing the country.

My father himself has been taking "red lead" elixirs for a long time, and he has long seen that Your Highness has not taken them at all.

But Duan Chaoyong didn't know that. He thought His Highness would agree to attend the banquet because he was worried about not being able to continue receiving the "Red Lead" elixir.

This swindler had no idea that His Highness had been watching him for a long time.

I already knew that Duan Chaoyong had someone behind him, and that he wasn't just a conman.

He went to great lengths to get close to His Majesty, probably not just for his own wealth and glory.

This person's sudden outburst just as His Majesty was about to leave the pass is truly illogical.

My father believes that Duan Chaoyong might be plotting to harm His Highness!

"The possibility is quite high!"

Lu Chen thought for a moment,

"This time, the people I sent finally tracked down Wang Ziyan and discovered the lair of the person behind Duan Chaoyong."

Although his true identity is still unknown, he is undoubtedly a traitor and has already secretly built up a considerable force!

Duan Chaoyong and his apprentice Wang Ziyan were actually sent to the capital by rebels.

Using the "red lead" elixir to entice His Majesty into seclusion for cultivation was, of course, also a preparation for rebellion!

Now that His Majesty has not been involved in state affairs for two years, it will take some time for him to take over again after leaving the pass.

If I were to die unexpectedly at this time, the court would inevitably descend into chaos, providing the perfect opportunity for rebels to rise up in rebellion!

"That Duan Chaoyong was actually a traitor behind the scenes!"

Guo Shoulu's expression changed drastically.

"Originally, my father and I were just guessing, but now we are almost certain that this villain intends to harm Your Highness!"

Not only that, after plotting to murder His Highness, these traitors will likely also harm His Majesty.

Only in this way will the imperial court truly fall into chaos and be unable to respond in time!

"snort!"

Lu Chen sneered.

"Since the rebels are plotting this, why don't we play along?"

Such a momentous event as the assassination of the emperor could only have been presided over in the capital by a key figure among the rebels.

Guo Qing, you should go back to your residence now and have the Duke of Yi send someone to deliver a formal invitation.

This matter should be addressed sooner rather than later; there's no time for today, so let's set the banquet for tomorrow night!