Imperial Garden, Winding Lotus Lake.
On a small boat, a middle-aged man dressed in dragon robes fed the fish in the lake.
"Companion, have there been any new candidates for promoting Sacred Emperor Rice?"
Emperor Yuanchu scattered a handful of fish food and asked lightly.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, there is a new candidate."
"The Minister of Revenue has recommended the Left Prime Minister to promote Sacred Emperor Rice."
Eunuch Su reported every detail faithfully.
"The Left Prime Minister?" Emperor Yuanchu shook his head. "Inappropriate. Truly inappropriate."
"The Left Prime Minister is already advanced in years. If I make him travel throughout the Seventy-Two Commandery of Great Qian, how will the people of the realm view me?"
"Will they think I mistreat my old ministers?"
Knowing Emperor Yuanchu's thoughts, Eunuch Su promptly chimed in.
"Your Majesty, aside from the Minister of Revenue, the Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Justice, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, and twelve censors—a total of thirty-nine people—have unanimously recommended the Left Prime Minister."
Hearing the identities of those making the recommendation, a dark glint flashed in Emperor Yuanchu's eyes.
They were all Second Brother's men.
It seemed Second Brother was not entirely foolish.
After listening to Eunuch Su's report, Emperor Yuanchu sighed and revealed a helpless expression.
"Ah—"
"The Left Prime Minister has the support of the masses!"
"Though I am unwilling, I cannot disappoint everyone's expectations. I can only trouble the Left Prime Minister and let the common people enjoy some blessings."
"Your Majesty is wise and valiant. The people under heaven will surely know that it was Your Majesty who allowed them to enjoy such blessings."
Eunuch Su showered him with flattery, serving Emperor Yuanchu so well that it reached the depths of his heart.
"Pass down the decree. The Left Prime Minister is to take up the duty of promoting Sacred Emperor Rice and depart at once. No delay is permitted."
Left Prime Minister's Residence.
After hearing Eunuch Su read the imperial decree, the Left Prime Minister's expression shifted slightly.
Though he had weathered storms and rain for decades, the decree's contents still stirred towering waves within his heart.
For a time, he could not react.
Seeing that the Left Prime Minister remained motionless, Eunuch Su urged him.
"Lord Left Prime Minister, why do you not receive the decree?"
"Could it be that you intend to defy the decree?"
Eunuch Su's sinister words jolted the Left Prime Minister awake.
The Left Prime Minister sighed inwardly and spoke helplessly.
"This old minister receives the decree!"
The Left Prime Minister saw through Emperor Yuanchu's intentions behind this decree at a glance.
Yet this was an open scheme.
Using the achievement of promoting Sacred Emperor Rice, one great enough to leave his name in the annals of history, to make him leave the heart of power.
As a minister, what could he say?
Other than give thanks, there was nothing he could do.
If he refused, the people of the realm would only think he failed to appreciate kindness.
"Eunuch Su, does His Majesty have any other instructions?"
"His Majesty said that Lord Left Prime Minister must depart immediately and must not delay."
"The countless people of Great Qian are eagerly awaiting you, Lord Left Prime Minister."
The Left Prime Minister's heart sank.
Fast!
Too fast!
His Majesty could not wait to make him leave the center of power.
"Oh—right!"
"His Majesty also has something for this old servant to convey to Lord Left Prime Minister."
"This old minister awaits the sacred instruction."
The Left Prime Minister cupped his hands, his face solemn.
"Lord Left Prime Minister, do not be nervous. His Majesty merely wishes to discuss the experience of feeding fish with you."
Feeding fish?
The Left Prime Minister froze for a moment, then saw Eunuch Su slowly open his mouth.
"His Majesty said that feeding fish is like governing a nation. If the fish are obedient, feed them more. If they fight and scramble, starve them for a few meals. If they still refuse to settle down, then one can only harden one's heart and kill them."
"After all, there is more than one fish."
After hearing this, a dark light flickered in the Left Prime Minister's eyes.
His Majesty's words were not meant for him.
Rather, His Majesty was using his ears to speak to the Crown Prince.
Why go this far?
Why go this far indeed!
After Eunuch Su departed, a young man in azure robes congratulated him with delight.
"Congratulations, Father. Congratulations!"
"Leaving your name in history is just around the corner."
Seeing his foolish son congratulating him, the Left Prime Minister frowned deeply and shook his head.
"You think this is a fine post?"
"Father, isn't it?"
"The entire court has been fighting for this opportunity. His Majesty still values you, Father, which is why he entrusted this duty to you."
After hearing his son's words, the Left Prime Minister sighed. He did not even have the desire to scold him.
His son possessed not the slightest political instinct.
Without his protection, the boy would help count the money even after someone sold him off!
Leaving Yujing, this place of right and wrong, might not be a bad thing.
"After I leave Yujing, who will preside over affairs for the Crown Prince?"
"Ah?"
The young man in azure robes was instantly dumbfounded.
He had never considered that.
"Father, then what should we do?"
"You have already received the decree. If... this... we cannot defy the decree."
The young man shrank back, his face creased with worry.
"What should we do?"
"What else can we do?"
"Return every gift the Crown Prince sent to the Eastern Palace."
"From today onward, you will accompany me down to the commanderies and counties to promote Sacred Emperor Rice."
"Until we succeed, we will not return to Yujing."
"What do Yujing's storms and rain, rights and wrongs, have to do with us?"
After speaking, the Left Prime Minister felt his heart and mind open wide, his spirit refreshed. Even his posture straightened somewhat.
Eastern Palace.
"All the gifts sent to the Left Prime Minister have been returned?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, these gifts were untouched—not a single coin missing, not the slightest discrepancy."
The Eastern Palace's Chief Secretary lowered his head as he reported.
He could already sense the surging fury emanating from the Crown Prince.
With a bang!
The Crown Prince kicked over the low table, his expression savage, like an asura from the Nine Nether Hells.
"Why?"
"Why?"
"Father Emperor, in what way has your son failed to do well?"
The Crown Prince roared in fury like a wild beast upon the wilderness.
Within a dim secret chamber.
Candlelight danced, illuminating one corner of the chamber.
"The Saintess's calculations were divine. The Left Prime Minister truly has left the capital."
"One forged letter drove a wedge between the dog emperor, the Crown Prince, and Prince Zhenbei."
"This subordinate admires the Saintess's wisdom so deeply that I am utterly convinced."
Hearing her subordinate's flattery, the ethereal young woman's lips curled upward slightly.
Her smile was as beautiful as an orchid in an empty valley—pure and flawless, fresh and refined.
"Flies do not bite seamless eggs."
"If the dog emperor, the Crown Prince, and Prince Zhenbei had been united as one."
"Even if I exhausted every means at my disposal, I could not have driven a wedge between the three of them."
"In the end, I merely handed the dog emperor a knife, and he stabbed the Crown Prince with his own hand."
The ethereal young woman nodded slightly.
There was not the slightest surprise in her clear eyes.
The relationship between emperors and crown princes had always been thus throughout the ages.
"Hehe, Prince Zhenbei probably still does not know that he has already taken the blame."
The old man chuckled. Whenever he thought of the Saintess's scheme, admiration and awe rose in his heart.
A forged letter had deliberately been allowed to fall into the hands of Black Ice Platform spies, then delivered before Emperor Yuanchu.
And then...
The Left Prime Minister, head of the civil officials, had been driven out of Yujing.
It was truly brilliant!
"How are things on Civet's side?" The ethereal young woman abruptly changed the subject.
"Because that letter was exposed, he is being hunted by Prince Zhenbei."
"However, the Grand Elder has already headed north to cover Civet's retreat."
"Have Civet come to Yujing. I have someone new for him."
"Understood, Saintess!"
"Also, when will we begin contacting the Crown Prince's side?"
"No hurry!" The ethereal young woman shook her head. "It is not yet time for us to take the stage."
"The current Crown Prince will still fight like a trapped beast."
"Having lost the Left Prime Minister, his greatest source of support, he certainly will not accept this willingly."
"He will most likely turn his sights toward Shang Hongye."
"Shang Hongye's search for a husband?"
"Precisely! The Crown Prince, with one arm severed, is desperate to replenish his strength."
"Is there any better tonic than Prince Zhenbei's military power?"
The ethereal young woman could almost see the inevitable clash of dragons and tigers that Shang Hongye's arrival in the capital would stir up.
The princes would surely smash their heads bloody fighting over Shang Hongye.
"Yet the harder he struggles, the tighter the dog emperor will draw the chain in his hand."
"In the end... he will strangle him alive."
"Only after the Crown Prince falls into despair can we approach him."
"After all, we are rebels and traitors."
"Without reaching the depths of despair, how could the Crown Prince possibly listen to us?"
Seeing that the Saintess had everything under control, the old man finally relaxed and formed a hand seal.
"Wusheng Laomu, True Emptiness Homeland."
"The Holy Mother will surely protect us and ensure the plan succeeds."
Before you continue