Chapter 1867: Chapter 1869: Plotting Rebellion
"I have warned you, that Old Madam has been suppressing the other two households for years. Her own son lost his military power, how could she have died from anger? You’ve wasted a move, thinking you could ruin Third Luo and seize Prince Zhuang’s military power. Who would have guessed his son would rise again, causing no loss to Prince Zhuang."
He paused and then continued, "However, this shows the Emperor’s decision."
"What decision?" Prince Le asked back.
"About the next Emperor!" He said, "Think about it. When Prince Ning was deposed, how did he respond? Although there was evidence that Prince Ning poisoned him, did he ever feel anything was amiss afterward? Look at Prince Fu, who was deposed despite insufficient evidence; he might have been framed with the witchcraft found at home. The Emperor knew this, yet he didn’t bother to investigate. Now, merely cutting off Prince Zhuang’s right arm, the Emperor quickly supported his left arm and even reattached the left leg, the meaning is clear."
"You make a valid point." Prince Le nodded slightly, "It seems there’s no need to move against Prince Ping for now."
"Correct, we shouldn’t move against Prince Zhuang either for now. I think the Emperor should have sensed something amiss, maybe even guarded against you, Prince. If we act against Prince Zhuang, the Emperor can release them afterwards. If we move against his forces, the Emperor would restore his power afterward. No matter what we do to Prince Zhuang, the Emperor will find a way to support him afterward. Instead, we should bide our time to take them all down in one go."
Prince Le understood his point, suggesting he look for an opportunity to rebel, otherwise, following the normal succession, the Emperor will never pass the throne to him.
Originally, he wanted to take a slow approach, knocking his brothers down one by one, to see if the Emperor might ultimately pass the throne to him, feeling any remorse for this son.
Yet now it’s unnecessary because his decision reveals that he, like his other brothers, is just a pawn.
Unfortunately, what’s the point of the Emperor guarding against him? He wasn’t interested in the throne initially, but now he wants to ascend to that position only to facilitate his actions.
"So what do you suggest?" Prince Le asked.
"Rather than waiting for an opportunity, create one." After pausing, he continued, "The Emperor is in robust health. Who knows when he might grow weak and infirm? Rather than waiting, make him fall ill—this is a point of entry. Also, consider the Emperor’s early years, when he favored treacherous ministers, causing lamentations among the people. What if he retraced those steps in his later years? That would be a legitimate reason. Even if it’s greatly disrespectful from the perspective of filial piety, it’s not against the national interest. Presently, appointing Ye Zi’an as Assistant Minister of War has opened a window of opportunity."
"Regardless of whether Ye Zi’an admits to the grave-digging incident, the matter can be used as leverage. Digging up ancestral graves demonstrates moral corruption. The Emperor, trusting such a minister, shows senility. What to do next? I believe, Prince, you are clear as a mirror."
"Good, well said!" Prince Le applauded, "Everyone says Assistant Minister Li’s son is an unbearable wastrel, but indeed his mind is unfathomable; the world is often blind to this."
Indeed, Prince Le’s retainer is none other than the legitimate Young Master of the Li Family, First Madam Luo’s family. Everyone says he has good relations with Prince Ping and can drink with Prince Fu, even indulges with the libertines of Capital City. Yet only Prince Le knows he’s actually an ally.