"Eunuch Gui is a veteran who has served two reigns, and he has watched His Majesty come all the way to where he is today. If he is imprisoned, His Majesty will have no one left in the palace whom he can trust."
Upon hearing that Eunuch Gui had been imprisoned, Jiang Zhizhou immediately grasped the connections. "This is Duan Hongzhuo's next move. He intends to remove every useful person around His Majesty before making his move."
"Since the Minister of Rites has implicated Eunuch Gui, presumably the evidence is conclusive," Yang Qing said.
"Even if it is nothing but wind blowing from an empty cave, they will make sure the accusation sticks. This time, we have lost a move."
Jiang Zhizhou said to Yang Qing, "Surely you can think of something."
Yang Qing remained silent, slowly pacing around the room.
Only after a long while did he raise his head. "With Eunuch Gui in prison, do you know anyone who could temporarily take his place?"
"This person must be reasonably trustworthy and must not have been bought off by Duan Hongzhuo."
Jiang Zhizhou frowned, swiftly searching his mind for someone who met Yang Qing's requirements.
"Eunuch Gui has become the target of every arrow. Trying to clear his name now would do him no good, even if we found evidence."
"If we actually did that, we would fall into Duan Hongzhuo's trap," Yang Qing said.
"Eunuch Gui is the bait he has thrown out. Our most pressing task is therefore to put someone in Eunuch Gui's position before Duan Hongzhuo does."
Yang Qing looked at Jiang Zhizhou. "Do you understand?"
Duan Hongzhuo had struck through the Minister of Rites. On the surface, Eunuch Gui appeared to be his target, but that was not his true aim.
What he had