Dugong

Chapter 99 Be prepared for danger in times of peace
It's a thick book, at least a hundred pages long.

A hint of envy flashed in Li Ping'an's eyes. The title "Old Ancestor" was the legitimate name of the Inner Palace Attendants Bureau, making it easy to cultivate a large number of confidants.

Your Majesty must not only eliminate Eunuch Leng, but also eradicate any remaining threats.

For example, after Eunuch Chu died, many of his former subordinates remained in the palace. Only by summoning them to his side could Li Ping'an effectively manage the Imperial Horse Administration and Cining Palace.

Otherwise, he would emerge from the cold palace all alone, without a single person by his side, holding only the titles of steward and admiral, yet his orders would not be able to get through two doors.

Li Ping'an memorized the name "Eunuch Lai," and said, craning his neck, "This guy is my next target."

"Could you turn a few more pages, Eunuch Leng?"

This is quite shameless, but shamelessness will allow Li Ping'an to become known as one of the more eunuchs under Leng's command, and he can throw a tantrum on the ground.

"Your actions are unlike those of my former master, who valued face and reputation!"

With a sarcastic remark, Eunuch Leng flipped to page thirty or so of the booklet, gritted his teeth, and tore it off.

"If I take these to His Majesty, will it be possible for my family to enjoy imperial tea every day?"

"cannot!"

Li Ping'an shook his head and refused, then advised, "Since Eunuch Leng is so fond of imperial tea, how about we take some from the Tribute Office every year and send it to the temple?"

Eunuch Leng said, "Our family not only loves drinking imperial tea, but also enjoys eating imperial cuisine, wearing imperial satin, and sleeping on a black lacquered cloud-patterned couch!"

Li Ping'an certainly understood what Eunuch Leng wanted, but he pretended not to understand. If he could get the other party to peacefully transfer power, it would be more satisfactory to His Majesty than investigating the case and wiping out the family.

A benevolent ruler does not enjoy killing!
"How about we provide the funds to build a temple, with Eunuch Leng as the abbot, and hire 180 monks to serve you, providing you with imperial meals and tea until your passing?"

Eunuch Leng looked surprised: "Judging from Eunuch An's behavior, I thought he was a bloodthirsty butcher. How come he knows how to use gentle methods?"

Li Ping'an said, "Killing is a means to achieve an end, not the end itself. The same applies to appeasement."

"Did your godfather teach you that?" asked Eunuch Leng.

Li Ping'an nodded and said, "My family inherited my godfather's mantle, so by seniority we call you uncle. I beg you to take a step back, okay?"

"Alright, based on this title of 'uncle,' our family will back down."

Eunuch Leng tore off another 30 pages from the book: "Can't we just kill these people? We need to leave a few people for our family to take care of in our old age."

Li Ping'an couldn't help but be tempted. Eliminating six-tenths of Leng Gonggong's subordinates would leave him with only the position of Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, making him nothing more than an old man waiting to die.

“I am but a weapon, powerless to choose my own fate. Whether to kill or not, and how many to kill, is not up to us. His Majesty desires that you leave the palace to retire. Why do you defy the will of Heaven?”

In His Majesty's eyes, Eunuch Leng was no different from servants like the little eunuchs; they were just valuable bottles and worthless jars.

Now, Eunuch Leng dares to negotiate with His Majesty based on his own worth. This is absolutely unacceptable; it would truly damage the Emperor's authority.

"God willing……"

The old eunuch muttered to himself, a look of resentment and tyranny flashing in his eyes, before closing the book.

"Then let's kill them all, Eunuch An!"

Li Ping'an stared at the book: "Uncle Leng, why don't you leave yourself a way out?"

"A way out?"

Eunuch Leng said, "Little Anzi, you're too young. You'll have plenty of opportunities in the future. Don't you understand that I'm old and frail? I've spent half my life trying to get to this coveted position. Stepping down is no different from dying!"

Li Ping'an's eyes darted around, and he understood the meaning behind Eunuch Leng's words: he would rather fight to the death than relinquish power.

He immediately channeled his inner energy into his palm and grabbed the book with lightning speed.

What kind of bullshit morality is this? Once we get the list of names in the book, the difficulty of eliminating Eunuch Leng will drop by 90%.

Bang!
Leng Gonggong was prepared. He reached out and met Li Ping'an's palm with his own. He felt the immense and boundless true energy. His old face tightened and his white hair was disheveled.

Despite his best efforts, he was still no match for the opponent and stumbled back a few steps.

"Uncle Leng, I'm sorry for my rudeness." Li Ping'an took the book with a smile, and his expression changed slightly after he opened it. Apart from the first page about Eunuch Lai, the rest of the pages were blank.

Hearing the commotion outside the door, the old woman rushed into the room.

Li Ping'an waved his hand: "Wait outside, I'm going to have a martial arts match with Eunuch Leng."

The old eunuch Leng's right arm trembled and he was powerless. He endured the pain and sat down again, praising, "Eunuch An is truly gifted. My family has practiced martial arts for half our lives, but we can't compare to your skills after just a few years."

Li Ping'an asked, "Uncle Leng, do you still want to fight? We can kill you on the spot right now."

"If Your Majesty wishes to kill us, you need not trouble yourself."

Eunuch Leng said, "Why is Eunuch An so insistent? What difference is there between you and me? No matter how loyal you are to His Majesty, you can't compare to the Grand Chamberlain of the Prince's Residence."

"Our family today is your family tomorrow!"

Li Ping'an, of course, understood the underlying meaning and said softly, "Thunder and rain, all are the Emperor's grace. The day His Majesty no longer needs us, we'll find a temple to spend the rest of our lives!"

"Hehehe, I hope Eunuch An will keep his word."

Eunuch Leng didn't believe that anyone in the world could swallow the poison of power and then give it up. Perhaps one in ten thousand could do it, but it was definitely not someone like Eunuch An.

"Little Bamboo, see the guest out!"

Li Ping'an stood up and asked, "Eunuch Leng, do you actually have that roster?"

"Of course."

Eunuch Leng took out another scroll from his sleeve, waved it to signal Li Ping'an to grab it, as if to say, "Hey, come and eat."

"That old fox deserves to die!"

Li Ping'an left cursing. Knowing that guy's personality, he'd probably just be another blank slate, teasing us and making fun of us.

As Eunuch Leng watched Li Ping'an's departing figure, he slowly opened the book, each page filled with names.

"You've enjoyed wealth and luxury with our family, so now you have to risk your lives!"

……

Back to the Imperial Stables.

Li Ping'an dismissed all his adopted sons and sat alone in the duty room, lost in thought.

He couldn't show weakness in front of Eunuch Leng, so he spoke with righteous indignation about ending his life, but deep down he was reluctant to give up his immense power.

"Our family likes to eat white flour steamed buns, but we can't only eat white flour steamed buns!"

Li Ping'an gazed towards the Imperial Study, pondering how to ensure His Majesty would always need him, so as not to end up like Eunuch Leng.

"Back then, my great-grandfather taught us to 'think about danger and think about retreat.' Our family can do the former, but not the latter. Maybe we can do it decades from now!"

Before one has climbed to the top of the mountain to look down on all living beings, before one has sat on the throne of the ancestors, what right does one have to talk about "retiring"? Those who retire early have already been defeated and lost power.

Li Ping'an pondered for a long time, and a plan was vaguely formed in his mind.

The way of the emperor lies in balance!
"Since His Majesty prefers balance, we will not allow the palace to become unbalanced. We will always keep others in check, such as Consort Zhang and Eunuch Hai..."

Thinking of this, Li Ping'an called over Xiao Yuzi and whispered instructions in his ear.

"Let a few of the grandchildren clash with Grandpa Hai's godson, and secretly arrange for men to give them a good beating!"

Xiao Yu said worriedly, "Eunuch Hai is His Majesty's close attendant. If we provoke him like this, won't he speak ill of my godfather?"

"I'll say it sooner or later, so it's better to say it sooner rather than later."

Li Ping'an looked down on Xiao Haizi from the bottom of his heart, both back then and now.

This guy got lucky and won the battle by taking advantage of others. His cowardly nature hasn't changed; it's just that power has masked it. How can he compare to us, who fought our way up from mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

(End of this chapter)