NCCnovel Chapter 137 The Eve of Chaos
Chapter 137 The Eve of Chaos
Five days later at night, Tian Yuan received the official documents and the God-killing Sword sent by Gu Jiancheng in his study.
After he finished reading the document, he stared at the God-killing Sword on the table in a daze.
Gu Jiancheng had clearly given him a difficult task. Liang Changping considered the Evil-Slaying Blade his lifeblood, and taking it from him was like snatching food from a tiger's mouth. Bringing up diplomatic relations? Liang Changping didn't care. He was desperate for war so he could kill with abandon. What a reckless man!
Tian Yuan tapped the table lightly with his fingers, and suddenly clenched his hands into fists.
His father had been seriously ill for many days. The good situation that had been favorable to him suddenly took a turn for the worse. Except for his ninth younger brother who was dependent on him and followed his lead, the other princes were all looking for trouble with him. He had had enough, but if he took a risky move, there would definitely be a purge in the court, and the situation would be unstable. He needed the support of the Xia Kingdom even more, at least to make the Xia Kingdom guarantee that it would not take the opportunity to cause trouble, so as to help him ascend the throne and stabilize the court.
Tian Yuan picked up the God-Slaying Sword and drew out the blade. As the sword flashed with a cold light, Tian Yuan's expression instantly became cold and sinister. He thought, using the God-Slaying Sword to exchange for the Evil-Slaying Knife would not only help King Cheng, but also get a promise from King Cheng. Why not do it?
At this time, the personal guard came in and leaned over to whisper to Tian Yuan.
Tian Yuan placed the God-Slaying Sword back on the table and asked, "Is anyone following us?"
The guard said, "I sent someone to secretly bring them to the Prince's residence. I checked carefully and found no one was following them."
In the secret room of the Prince's Mansion.
The ninth prince Tian Shang, the general Liang Changping, and three other officials in plain clothes were all thinking about their own things and remained silent.
The door opened and Tian Yuan walked into the secret room. Everyone hurriedly stood up and saluted Tian Yuan.
Tian Yuan waved his hand: "No need to be polite, please sit down."
Tian Yuan said this as he lifted up his robe and sat down in the main seat, then looked at everyone.
"I have secretly summoned you all here tonight because you are all my confidants and the most trusted ministers of my Kingdom of Yue. The court is currently in turmoil, and I would like to ask you all to help me make a decision. What should I do now?"
Liang Changping was the first one who couldn't suppress the anger in his heart.
"Your Majesty has been seriously ill for some time. He should have issued an edict ordering Your Highness to oversee state affairs and handle government affairs long ago. However, Your Majesty listened to the Eighth Prince's words and concluded that Your Highness had detained the First Prince and his retainers without reason. He also kept saying that he would strip Your Highness of his military power. How can this be justified?"
"Yes!" Tian Shang sighed. "Father is truly old. If it weren't for my eldest brother openly challenging Your Highness's authority, causing trouble in the street, and beating Your Highness's groom to death, Your Highness wouldn't have handled the case according to the law and detained him and his accomplices first."
Others echoed: "Yes, Your Majesty is really old, and his hearing is not very good..."
Tian Shang suggested, "Your Highness, why not release the eldest prince first? Once our father's anger has subsided, there will still be room for improvement."
Tian Yuan angrily said, "You want me to let the boss go like this? Where is my dignity then?"
Liang Changping said, "But if Your Highness doesn't release them, I'm afraid His Majesty won't be able to justify it! Is this military power or face? I hope Your Highness will think twice."
Tian Yuan looked at Liang Changping and smiled.
"General, you are very clear-headed. If I am deprived of my military power, you will be idle at home again."
Liang Changping laughed out loud.
"Your Highness is truly wise, appointing people based on their merits and making good use of them. I may not have any other talents, but I am good at leading troops in battle. If Your Highness ascends the throne in the future, I will be responsible for protecting our country."
One of the ministers was not as optimistic as Liang Changping.
"Your Highness, it's said that the Second Prince is also at peace. I've heard that he's recruiting soldiers in his fiefdom. His personal guard alone now has over a thousand men, yet Your Majesty seems to be completely indifferent to this. Your Highness should make plans early, just in case!"
Another minister was also worried. "And then there's the Eighth Prince. He's always been eloquent in front of Your Majesty, and everything he does is to please Your Majesty, disregarding the hardships of the common people. A few days ago, he suggested to Your Majesty that he had found a cure from a divine doctor, and that all it needed was a massive reconstruction of the Golden Palace, and Your Majesty would be cured. Your Majesty was delighted and has approved his proposal. However, this will require increased taxes and labor service, and the people will suffer untold. If this continues, the State of Yue is in danger!"
Tian Shang said, "What I fear most is that Father is planning to appoint another Crown Prince. My eighth brother must have gotten some information to be so bold and reckless, telling such lies!"
Tian Yuan slammed the handle of the chair hard and said through gritted teeth, "Father! You forced me to do this!"
Liang Changping was shocked: "Your Highness, what are you doing?"
"I've been the Crown Prince for thirty years. I've had enough! Even now, my father is still skeptical of me, hindering me in every aspect, using one prince after another to test me. What exactly can I do to satisfy him? Instead of being roasted under the fire all day long, worrying every day and living a life worse than death, it's better to start a rebellion! And put an end to it all!"
Tian Shang was panicked: "Your Highness, are you going to..."
"Force the emperor to abdicate!"
As soon as the word Tian Yuan came out, everyone looked at each other in silence.
Tian Yuan looked at everyone and said, "This matter is not urgent and will take some time. I would like to trouble you all to carefully plan with me. Otherwise, if we fail, we will all be implicated! Don't be afraid! I am not a cruel and ruthless person. As long as I ascend the throne, I will treat my father well and will also be lenient with my brothers. As long as they behave themselves, I will definitely forgive them! And you, you will all be meritorious officials. I will give you high positions and generous salaries to help me govern the Kingdom of Yue!"
Tian Shang stood up and bowed to Tian Yuan: "Your Highness, I will follow your orders!"
Other ministers also expressed their loyalty. Tian Yuan looked at Liang Changping who had remained silent.
"What do you think, General Liang?"
"Your Highness, I am deeply dissatisfied with some of Your Majesty's current actions, but my family has sworn to be loyal to the one who ascends the throne. I will not interfere in other matters!"
Tian Shang sneered, "General Liang, His Highness has been very kind to you. If it weren't for His Highness, you'd still be holding the idle position of a deputy general, enjoying your retirement at home. Now is the time to use someone, how can you refuse like this? You're only disappointing His Highness!"
"Ninth Prince, there is no need to say more! As long as Your Highness ascends the throne, I will swear allegiance to you until death! If Your Highness is dissatisfied with what I have said today, you can take my head immediately!"
Tian Shang swung his sleeves in disdain: "Foolish loyalty!"
Seeing that Tian Shang and Liang Changping were arguing, Tian Yuan stood up, walked up to Liang Changping and patted him on the shoulder.
"I understand the General's character quite well. I understand that you don't want to get involved, but I'm sure the General won't spread what we discussed tonight, right?"
"I swear here that I will never reveal a single word to anyone!"
"Okay!" Tian Yuan patted Liang Changping's shoulder again, "Stay here for a while, I have something to discuss with you."
Tian Yuan looked at the others.
"You should all return home first and think carefully about which step to take next. We will discuss this again in three days."