ATPnovel Chapter 138 Zhao Dezhao's Counterattack
Chapter 138 Zhao Dezhao's Counterattack
Chapter 138 Zhao Dezhao's Counterattack (Part 1)
"Your Highness, this is a message from the palace."
At the Prince of Wugong's residence, Lu Duoxun, with a solemn expression, handed over the secret letter sent by Zhang Dejun.
Zhao Dezhao took it casually, unfolded it, and couldn't help but sneer twice: "Such despicable behavior, indeed the work of my good uncle!"
In the past few days, Lu Duoxun has been running around and has learned two things from some scholars.
First, Zhang Quhua and Zhou Wei had a past grudge.
Secondly, on the day the results were announced, someone seemed to see Zhang Quhua, after going mad, leave with a middle-aged man.
Although Lu Duoxun did not find out who the middle-aged man was, based on these two clues alone, plus Zhang Dejun's secret letter, Zhao Dezhao was able to conclude that this matter must have been done by Zhao Guangyi!
"Your Highness, both Liu Ju, the Crown Prince of Han, and Li Ying, the Crown Prince of Tang, perished in the witchcraft scandal." Lu Duoxun's face showed worry: "Although such methods are despicable, they have been repeatedly proven effective; we must not let our guard down!"
After speaking, he paused briefly, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, and said in a cold voice, "Your Highness, in my opinion, it would be better to go all the way—"
As he spoke, he lightly ran his hand across his neck.
This surprised Zhao Dezhao, who glanced at Lu Duoxun.
Gamblers are gamblers for a reason; once they place a bet, they are much more frantic than ordinary people.
"This is just a last resort," Zhao Dezhao shook his head. "Right now, we can't go that far. As things stand, Father still trusts me; otherwise, why wouldn't he have kept this from Zhang Dejun?"
Zhao Dezhao chuckled softly and looked at Lu Duoxun: "Or do you think Father Emperor doesn't know that Zhang Dejun is one of my men?"
Lu Duoxun was slightly taken aback, but immediately realized what was going on: "So, His Majesty intentionally wanted you to know about this?"
"Of course," Zhao Dezhao said confidently. "My father is not such a muddle-headed person. With his wisdom, he must have realized that this matter was unusual, which is why he allowed Zhang Dejun to send out the secret letter. Firstly, so that I could make preparations in advance."
"Secondly," Zhao Dezhao paused, his expression complex, "he might also be trying to test me."
No matter how much Zhao Da values family ties, an emperor is still an emperor.
The art of witchcraft has been feared by emperors throughout history, and even Zhao Da could not be completely at ease with it.
Of course, the most important reason is that his performance since joining the army to conquer Zezhou has been too outstanding, completely different from the previous Zhao Dezhao. It is normal for Zhao Da to have doubts.
Fortunately, they could still use battlefield experience and Zhao Pu as an excuse.
This is why Zhao Dezhao chose to lie low for a while at the beginning.
"My second uncle naturally understands that without concrete evidence, Father Emperor would certainly not believe such nonsense." Zhao Dezhao's gaze grew cold. "He will definitely have other plans!"
He hesitated for a moment, then decisively said, "I need you to do two things."
"First, immediately conduct a thorough investigation of all servants in the Prince's mansion. Pay close attention to anyone who has been in contact with unknown individuals. The Prince's mansion will be closed to visitors for the next few days, and no one is allowed to go out. You will personally handle the purchasing."
"Secondly, the entire Prince's residence should be thoroughly searched to prevent anyone from tampering with it."
"Yes!" Lu Duoxun hurriedly replied, but his face remained worried: "However, Your Highness, simply defending is ultimately a poor strategy—"
"I understand." Zhao Dezhao raised his hand to stop him, and stood up: "You just need to do these two things well first, and I will take care of the rest."
"Yes." Upon hearing this, Lu Duoxun said no more and watched Zhao Dezhao leave the study.
Before long, Zhao Dezhao appeared outside the Zhao residence and was led by a servant to Zhao Pu's study.
"Your Highness, please wait a moment. Prime Minister Zhao is on his way back from the government office." A servant brought a cup of tea and then hurriedly left.
Zhao Dezhao wasn't in a hurry; he simply looked around Zhao Pu's study with great interest.
He always harbored a degree of wariness towards Zhao Pu.
Putting everything else aside, the "Golden Chest Alliance" that was later presented to Zhao Guangyi was enough to make him dare not get too close to this person.
Historical records state that the Golden Chest Alliance was specially presented to Zhao Guangyi by Zhao Pu after Zhao Er ascended the throne in order to revive his power. Surprisingly, not a single word of it was leaked during this process!
Zhao Pu was hiding his true intentions far too well!
A thorough search of the History of Song reveals very few and vague records about Zhao Pu. The events recorded in the Biography of Zhao Pu are either extremely significant, such as asking for advice on a snowy night, or extremely minor, so minor as to be negligible.
Perhaps it is because he was involved in too many secretive matters, and too many things could not be brought to the table, that the world has always found it difficult to see his true face.
But it is undeniable that...
Zhao Pu was an extremely wise man. On the one hand, he took the affairs of the world as his own responsibility and was known in history for his unparalleled fortitude and decisiveness. On the other hand, he was also deep and jealous by nature. When he was ruthless, he could kill without shedding blood. When he was shameless, he could be more shameless than anyone else.
For this reason, Zhao Dezhao always treated him with respect but not with intimacy, maintaining courtesy while keeping a respectful distance.
"What is Your Highness looking at?"
Suddenly, a deep, calm voice, as still as an ancient well, rang out from behind him, startling Zhao Dezhao. He turned around and saw Zhao Pu's expressionless, stoic face staring straight at him.
"Greetings, teacher." Zhao Dezhao bowed respectfully, setting the tone for their future interactions.
There is no Your Highness, no subject.
You are my teacher, and I am your student. We are bound by the principles of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher. Since I have something to do, I cannot refuse your help.
Zhao Pu twitched the corners of his mouth into a smile, then gestured for Zhao Dezhao to sit down and speak.
"Teacher, I have encountered a rather troublesome matter. Please teach me." Zhao Dezhao sat down and got straight to the point.
Zhao Pu picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and asked casually, "What is it?"
"The Marquis of Taiyuan wants to harm me with witchcraft and put me to death." Zhao Dezhao did not hide anything and immediately told him everything he knew.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu showed no surprise whatsoever, not even lifting his eyelids. He simply poured tea and said slowly, "Since Your Highness has found me, you must already have a plan in mind. Please speak frankly."
"In the end, you can't hide it from your teacher." Zhao Dezhao grinned, his tone becoming a little more relaxed. "Since Zhao Guangyi used witchcraft to harm me, he just wants to become the crown prince. Since that's the case, why not let him shoot himself in the foot?"
"Teacher, you are a high-ranking official, the head of all officials, and have extensive connections in the capital. I would like to ask you to help spread a rumor within the city."
"Tell me about it," Zhao Pu finally looked up.
"Say it—" A cold glint flashed in Zhao Dezhao's eyes: "The eldest prince, Zhao Dezhao, has been practicing witchcraft and sorcery, attempting to harm the emperor and his father. He is utterly immoral and unfit to be the heir; Marquis of Taiyuan, Zhao Guangyi, is benevolent, loyal, diligent, respectful to the virtuous, and loves scholars. He should be established as the crown prince to secure the nation!"
"It would be best to thoroughly publicize all of Zhao Guangyi's so-called benevolent deeds of the past! Ideally, the world would be full of praise for the Marquis of Taiyuan's magnanimity!"
"I must make all the people believe that I have lost my virtue and filial piety, and that the foundation of the nation should be made the Marquis of Taiyuan!"
"Make this a huge fuss, the more the merrier, let it become a city-wide scandal, until it reaches even Father Emperor!"
After speaking, he looked at Zhao Pu and asked softly, "What does Teacher think of this plan?"