Yang Ge shook his head as he picked up his wine cup and said softly, "That’s why I’m asking for your help to find these people... For both emotional and rational reasons, I want them dead!"
After speaking, he tilted his head back and drained the cup in one gulp.
Zhang Xuansu picked up his wine cup and nodded, saying, "I will do my best!"
...
The national mourning lasted for a full twenty-seven days.
During these twenty-seven days, every household across the nation hung white silk and wore hemp clothes; weddings, slaughtering of livestock, and all entertainment activities ceased...
In every province, countless citizens spontaneously went to nearby temples and Taoist abbeys to recite scriptures and mourn, remembering the many accomplishments Emperor Xiping made for the people during his reign.
After the twenty-seventh day, the period of national mourning ended. Although weddings and slaughtering remained halted, the imperial court and local government offices resumed normal operations.
On the twenty-eighth day after Emperor Xiping’s death, Crown Prince Zhao Hong ascended to the throne in Ziwei Palace, posthumously naming Emperor Xiping as Emperor Gaozong of Wei.
Typically, after a new emperor’s coronation, decrees are issued to reduce taxes, grant general amnesties, and extend favors to civil and military officials as a gesture of benevolence.
Zhao Hong was no exception; upon ascending the throne, he immediately issued decrees to reduce taxes and grant a general amnesty... But when it came to extending favors to the civil and military officials, there was trouble!
That young man did not follow precedent by promoting civil officials from Xiping’s reign or increasing their stipends; he only promoted and increased the stipends of military officials of various ranks. Moreover, he began his rule by striking down with thunderous force, detaining a Chief of Staff and a Grandmaster into the Eastern Factory’s celestial prison.
These two high-ranking ministers were the leaders of the Qi Party and the Chu Party respectively.
Once the news spread, rumors quickly emerged among the public that the "new ruler is stingy and lacks grace, unlike a sovereign" and "the new ruler favors military over the scholarly, showing signs of militarism," among other speculations.
Even Yang Ge heard such rumors at Lu Ting...
...
On the forty-second day after Emperor Xiping’s death, July 18th.
The newly appointed director of the Western Factory, Nangong Feiying, appeared outside Yuelai Inn in casual dress: "Second Master..."
Upon hearing him, Yang Ge wiped his hands and came out from the back kitchen, greeted him with a smile, "Ah, Old Eagle, long time no see!"
Nangong Feiying, with a big smile, bowed his hands: "Congratulations, Second Master, my felicitations!"
Yang Ge was momentarily stunned, then slowly furrowed his brow: "What mischief has that little... Emperor caused again?"
Nangong Feiying’s smile stiffened slightly, then he said evasively, "Second Master, after traveling such a long distance, surely you wouldn’t deny me a cup of tea?"
Yang Ge laughed and scolded, "Stop talking nonsense. Just go upstairs, find a place to sit. I still have some kitchen duties to attend to, I’ll join you shortly!"
Nangong Feiying beamed, "Alright!"
A moment later, Yang Ge walked upstairs with two bowls of tea.
Seeing Nangong Feiying sitting alone on the empty second floor, he quickly stood up and hastened over, taking the bowls of tea from his hands.
Yang Ge: "I forgot to congratulate you, Old Eagle, for taking over Wei’s position."
Nangong Feiying shook his head with a bitter smile, "Second Master, you know me, I just want to go to the frontier, drink big bowls of liquor, eat big chunks of meat, and fight the Tartars. I never really wanted to be any director. But with Wei gone, ah, I don’t know whether to be happy or not..."
As he spoke, his eyes were fixed intently on Yang Ge.
Yang Ge, seeing this, laughed, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Nangong Feiying: "Thinking it over privately, other than your influence, I truly can’t think of any other reason!"
Yang Ge: "Do I have that much influence? Enough, stop playing the fool, tell me, what has brought the great Nangong to such a humble place?"
As they sat down with their tea bowls, Nangong Feiying whispered, "Not to deceive you, Second Master, I’ve come to deliver a decree..."
Yang Ge heard this and got up to leave.
Nangong Feiying hurriedly said, "Don’t rush off, the imperial decree is still on the way. I’m just here to give you a heads-up."
Yang Ge sat back down in his chair, "What imperial decree?"
Nangong Feiying said, "The decree to promote you as Marquis Luting with the top-grade rank of Grand Tutor... Don’t be hasty. We’re worried you might refuse to accept the decree, which could lead to idle talk and look bad for the royal family, so we came to notify you in advance."
"Rest assured, we’ve thought of a plan. Once I leave here, I’ll head back to the capital to report. If someone asks, I’ll say the decree was hijacked by villains, and just pin the crime on some random notorious bandits. You’ll be off the hook, and we’ll have completed our mission without tarnishing the royal family’s reputation."
Yang Ge burst into laughter and couldn’t help but give him a thumbs up, "Not bad at all, sharp-witted and perceptive, just what the Western Factory needs in talents like you!"
Nangong Feiying chuckled, "Isn’t it all thanks to your grooming?"
Yang Ge shook his head like a bobblehead: "No, no, no, I never taught you this. You’re definitely a self-taught genius..."
Nangong Feiying just chuckled.
"By the way..."
Yang Ge slowly dropped his smile, tapped on the table and asked, "About the poisoning of Emperor Gaozong, have you guys in the Inner Court found any leads?"
Nangong Feiying looked around cautiously, lowered his voice and replied, "Second master, we’re brothers who have crawled out of bloodbaths together. Let me tell you, and don’t take it to heart... This matter involves fights among the higher-ups. It’s better not to get involved, as it’s a thankless task!"
Yang Ge raised an eyebrow, "Meaning... you have found a lead?"
"No, no..."
Nangong Feiying shook his head without hesitation, "They openly forbid us from investigating. It’s too risky; anyone who investigates might as well sign their own death warrant."
After a pause, he gave Yang Ge a look and hesitated before whispering, "You might not know, but four days ago, Shen was ambushed. More than twenty of his skilled Imperial Guards were killed within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. He himself was stabbed through the left arm. If the Imperial Guards hadn’t arrived in time, he would have lost his life..."
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Yang Ge slowly frowned, "That guy’s Golden Bell Shield and Iron Cloth techniques were nearly perfected. There aren’t many in this world who could hurt him!"
Shen Fa’s martial arts might not be top-notch, but barely made it to the second-tier below the top seven champions and twelve heroes. Plus, with his all-around combat skills and strong physique, there truly weren’t many who could hurt him below that tier.
He pondered for a long time before speaking again, "What did the Emperor say?"
Nangong Feiying hesitated before responding softly, "The official statement was that the late emperor died naturally from pent-up frustration. Naturally, the royal family couldn’t say much openly at court. Privately, however, they instructed us to investigate thoroughly... but just telling us to investigate, not how or who, they mentioned nothing about that."
Yang Ge frowned in thought for a long time, then spoke again, "Alright, don’t bother bringing back that decree; have it sent to my residence later."
Nangong Feiying was overjoyed, "You’re willing to accept the decree?"
Yang Ge, massaging his tangled eyebrows, sighed tiredly and said, "When you see the Emperor, relay a message for me."
Nangong Feiying respectfully bowed, "Please speak, Marquis Luting!"
Yang Ge said softly, "Those who harbor thunder within yet keep a calm demeanor can be saluted as Generals."
Nangong Feiying paused in shock, then nodded vigorously, "I will report your words to the royal family exactly as spoken."
Yang Ge patted him on the shoulder, "You guys be extra careful too... Ah, I won’t meddle in those messy court affairs, but if anyone above a Grandmaster gets involved, send me a message."
Relieved, Nangong Feiying then straightened his chest, bowing solemnly, "With those words from you, I fear nothing. Rest assured, even to death, I won’t dishonor us!"
Yang Ge laughed and scolded, "Don’t just talk big; make sure you all stay alive. Only by staying alive do we have dignity, a future... and can gather again for another round of strong drinks!"
Nangong Feiying also remembered the great feast last year, his eyes gleaming.
"There will surely be another opportunity..."
He replied emphatically.