Lei Chun thought it over for a moment, but still shook her head and said with some helplessness, "What you're saying makes sense, but there's no one in the court who can stand up to Chancellor Cai. The few who could are only there because he deliberately left them in place."
Wang Yue knew Lei Chun was right. In the final years of Emperor Huizong's reign, the court had been a cesspool of corruption. Good people had no way to serve as officials in Kyoto.
But with him around, that would change. He said confidently, "There may be no one now, but there will be."
Lei Chun looked at Wang Yue in surprise, unsure why he was so confident. She asked tentatively, "Are you planning to establish a sect?"
Wang Yue had known she would guess that. He shook his head and said, "No. I'm going to seek an audience with His Majesty and become the emperor's favorite."
Lei Chun looked at him in surprise. "Why would you think of doing that? Does Young Master Wang practice Daoism too?"
She wasn't joking. The emperor was fond of Daoist arts, so discussing the Dao with him would surely earn his trust.
Wang Yue glanced at Lei Chun, a little surprised. She was sharp, just as he'd expect from someone so important to his plans.
He nodded confidently. "My Daoist arts come from the Shushan Sect. I'm only a lay disciple, but I'm sure that once I reach Kyoto, I'll be able to earn His Majesty's trust."
Lei Chun had never heard of the Shushan Sect. Curious, she asked, "I wonder if Daoist Wang could show me some Daoist arts and broaden my horizons."
Wang Yue knew Lei Chun didn't quite believe him, but he didn't mind. "Once I have time to