Chapter 745: The Jade Consort |
"Great victory!" Upon receiving the news of the victory, Niu You Dao breathed a sigh of relief.
He finally saw that a favorable situation had appeared on the Southern Domain's side. He also knew that Shang Chao Zong had taken risks in this battle. He just didn't know how great those risks were.
More precisely, he had read many historical books and could imagine how brutal the battle had been. However, he did not want to witness it firsthand.
For him, brutality was not important; the outcome was.
And in the end, the people he supported did not let him down. Neither Shang Chao Zong nor the others.
To some extent, he was now like other Cultivators.
Following Meng Shan Ming, Niu You Dao had already returned to the Southern Domain. However, he did not return to the Thatched Hut.
"Lord Dao, Yu Cang wants to see you." Yuan Gang arrived and handed him a secret letter.
"See me?" Niu You Dao hesitated. He took the letter and looked. This Yu Cang truly wanted to see him. He wanted to discuss something in person.
Ever since the pseudo-Su Zhao appeared, he had become highly wary of the Morning Moon Palace.
It was simple. Only he and the Morning Moon Palace were connected to Yuan Gang and Su Zhao. Now, Su Zhao had unexpectedly appeared, specifically encountering Yuan Gang. This made it difficult for him to doubt.
"I asked them to interfere with the Zhao Kingdom, but I haven't seen any action from their side. They didn't want to help me, yet they want to meet? Tell them that military matters are pressing right now. I have no time. I won't meet!" Niu You Dao refused without ceremony.
...
"Master, are you really going?"
Gu Wu Chun was preparing to leave. Zi Ping Xu was concerned for Gu Wu Chun. There was hope in his eyes.
The Song Kingdom was in a difficult situation. The destruction of the kingdom might soon be upon them.
Though Luo Zhao had suffered setbacks against Meng Shan Ming, it had to be admitted that Luo Zhao was quite a capable commander in battle. But who was before Luo Zhao this time?
Luo Zhao could easily defeat an ordinary opponent. But this time, before him was the Han Kingdom's Minister of Military Affairs, Jin Jue!
Luo Zhao was currently in a weak position, and with limited forces, it would be difficult for him to change the situation.
And before him stood Jin Jue, who employed only reliable strategies. Jin Jue had secured a more advantageous position for his army. And now he was employing a steadfast strategy against Luo Zhao. No matter what plans Luo Zhao devised, none of them worked against Jin Jue. He was in a difficult spot now.
And Jin Jue understood this.
Therefore, Luo Zhao could only prolong the Song Kingdom's life for a little while longer.
An outsider could not grasp how difficult things were for Luo Zhao now. What immense pressure was currently bearing down on him.
He had first suffered a series of defeats from Meng Shan Ming, and now he was enduring defeats from Jin Jue.
What could possibly remain of his self-confidence now?
Now he even believed those who slandered him. Those who said he was too arrogant.
He believed he had been far too arrogant!
And now the Song Kingdom was on the brink of ruin. That was why Gu Wu Chun decided to go to the Palace of Mystery.
There was nothing else to do; the situation had already reached such a point. And Gu Wu Chun, just like Shao Ping Bo and Niu You Dao, could not easily change such a massive situation.
He didn't hope that the kingdoms could now stop the demise of the Song Kingdom. Therefore, he hoped that only the highest authority could save the Song Kingdom. Namely, the Palace of Mystery.
"Is he sure?" Before Zi Ping Xu, Gu Wu Chun only smiled bitterly: "Is there any other choice now? One can only treat a dead horse as if it were alive. One can only try. Chancellor, you shouldn't hold out too much hope either. I am like an ant before the people in the Palace of Mystery. They will not attach much importance to me at all."
"Thank you, Master." Zi Ping Xu cupped his hands and bowed.
Gu Wu Chun turned without ceremony and departed...
"A true son of his father. The Prince utterly defeated them!"
Before the river, looking at the opposite bank of the Han Kingdom, Shao Deng Yun stood on a rock and sighed. He had just received news of the Southern Domain's victory.
He had been very closely following the battle in the Southern Domain. Shang Chao Zong, with this victory, had turned the tide of the war. Because of this, he breathed a sigh of relief and recalled his former master...
In the library, at his desk, Shang Jian Xiong received news of the Southern Domain's victory. News that Shang Chao Zong, in a single battle, had turned the Yan Kingdom's defense into an offensive.
For him, as emperor, this should have been joyful news. But he did not rejoice.
The danger from the Song Kingdom had been averted by Meng Shan Ming, the Han Kingdom in the north was being held back by Shao Deng Yun, and now, from the Zhao Kingdom's side, news of Shang Chao Zong's victory was arriving. Everywhere, Ning Wang's people were winning.
The Yan Kingdom was in trouble, and Shang Chao Zong was eliminating all its woes. What was he for then? He seemed to be doing nothing? A freeloader.
Especially now. For the three sects were on Shang Chao Zong's side. How could he tolerate this?
Tong Mo, standing below, also felt unwell. The higher Shang Chao Zong rose, the more unsafe Tong Mo felt. For it was he who had proposed the purge of Ning Wang's veterans back then. If power were to fall into Shang Chao Zong's hands, he couldn't even imagine what would happen.
But now, he could do nothing to Shang Chao Zong. For Shang Chao Zong had many Cultivators around him. He had power, followers, and warriors. Whether openly or secretly, it would be difficult for him to do anything now. Any conspiracy would be useless.
Shang Yun Zhong, standing below, was also displeased. For he was the Advisor for Military Affairs, and yet he did nothing. And the more Shang Chao Zong distinguished himself, the more helpless Shang Yun Zhong became. This made him feel very awkward.
Gao Jian Cheng, standing at the bottom, appeared emotionless. He had long since sided with Shang Chao Zong. Although he was now one of the three ministers, he understood that the imperial court was helpless. He hadn't imagined that by siding with another out of desperation, he would find himself on an unassailable rock.
Of course, upon receiving the news, he also sighed. He understood that Shang Chao Zong was truly capable. And his people were far more capable than the emperor's.
From his position, he also saw that within the Yan Kingdom, support for Shang Chao Zong was growing. He was clearly gaining popularity. His authority was now like the sun at its zenith. And now, besides Shang Chao Zong, no one could replace the emperor.
"Gentlemen, keep a close watch on every province. You must hold everyone firmly in your hands. You cannot loosen your grip!" Shang Jian Xiong suddenly said.
"Understood!" The three men cupped their hands.
They understood what he meant. Shang Chao Zong was now gaining popularity and the support of the people. Therefore, they needed to maintain control over every province. If they controlled the provinces, they could retain power. If they lost power, they would have nothing with which to threaten the three sects.
Shang Jian Xiong already realized that this time, due to the military turmoil, the three sects clearly saw that the imperial court was ineffective. Therefore, the three sects might want to change the ruling power. They would choose whoever was beneficial to them.
Simply put, the imperial court must now possess the ability to create chaos at any moment; only then would the three sects not dare to change the government.
With this statement, he could be said to have admitted his helplessness.
"The beauty?" Shang Jian Xiong turned his head and asked Tian Yu.
The Jade Consort was a concubine sent by Mu Zho Zheng. Tong Mo, Shang Yun Zhong, and Gao Jian Cheng exchanged glances. Shang Jian Xiong had started calling this concubine "the beauty." Many people were displeased by this. Why "Jade Consort"? It implied that the Jade Consort was without a single blemish, absolutely pure. But how could a foreign concubine be without a single blemish?
Tian Yu, looking at the reaction of the three ministers, quietly whispered: "In Yu Park."
Shang Jian Xiong immediately stood up and left.
"Your Majesty!" Tong Mo stopped him: "The emperor's body is important and precious. Perhaps you should rest. You must take care of yourself!"
He hinted at the dark circles around Shang Jian Xiong's eyes. He had already tried to persuade the emperor once more.
It was said in the imperial court that the emperor was very fond of this concubine. And he constantly engaged in physical exercises with her. The emperor spent all his time with her. This created a severe imbalance in the harem. One must not underestimate the emperor's concubines. After all, they all came from wealthy and influential families. All could cause problems.
Even the empress was displeased. And the empress was Tong Mo's daughter. Even she couldn't bear it and began complaining to her father.
Not just complaining, but scolding. She said, "Perhaps I should personally bestow the position of Empress upon this concubine?"
Shang Jian Xiong became enraged and approached Tong Mo: "Rest?"
Tong Mo felt awkward with the emperor so close. He began to back away, but when he bumped into a pillar, he could retreat no further.
Shang Jian Xiong looked at him and asked: "We can't even rest. Only with the Jade Consort can we forget our troubles. Is that not allowed?"
"Alright, alright!" Tong Mo could only stammer out.
Shang Jian Xiong turned his head, looking at everyone: "Last time, tainted food was presented to the Jade Consort. We turn a blind eye to some things, but not to others. That time, they crossed the line. We did not investigate the matter. Gentlemen, mind yourselves. If anyone dares to interfere in our household again... Then do not blame us for our cruelty!"
Poisoned? Gao Jian Cheng and Shang Yun Zhong exchanged glances. They didn't know who had done it. However, upon reflection, it was a normal occurrence. A girl without protection or backing entered the imperial court and became a favorite. Of course, many concubines would begin to feel jealous of her. Especially a crowd of concubines. So, it was a normal occurrence that they would try to poison her.