I, Kangxi, am here to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming!

Qianqing Palace, Warm Pavilion.

Hong Xiguan has been living like a thief these past two days, doing everything with trepidation.

He made two ruthless moves in one go, "politely sending" Ao Bai's right-hand men, Tong Bao and Mulima, out of the country. This was like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth, with an extremely high risk factor.

At this moment, he was like a gambler waiting for the lottery results, staring intently at the direction of Ao Bai's mansion every day, fearing that the old tiger would suddenly lose its temper and jump up to bite people.

However, three days passed, and all was calm.

Tong Bao went to Shengjing to take up his post with a smile, while Mulima happily entered the inner court to serve.

Ao Bai, aside from sending someone to express his gratitude, didn't utter a single word.

"call……"

Hong Xiguan breathed a sigh of relief, finally putting his mind at ease.

"Looks like that old dog really didn't notice!"

"Indeed, my series of sugar-coated bullets are so realistic, thin-skinned yet generously filled, enough to keep him busy for a while!"

Now that the first step has been successful, we should strike while the iron is hot and remove the remaining nails.

"Cao Yin!"

Hong Xiguan called out towards the door.

"Master, what are your orders?"

Cao Yin drifted in like the wind. This kid is now the Heaven and Earth Society's liaison in the palace, and he's very clever at getting things done.

Hong Xiguan lowered his voice and said, "Go and tell Wan Yunlong to inform the Heaven and Earth Society to do something secretly, to cause some trouble on the northwest border, make a big fuss, and preferably forge a few border defense emergency documents, saying that the Dzungar tribe attacked the Khalkha Mongol border and killed the Zasagtu Khan... and request the court to send troops."

Cao Yin was stunned: "Master, what... what are you doing? This is a capital offense!"

Forging border emergency documents, and such a serious matter at that!

"You big idiot!" Hong Xiguan glared at him angrily. "This is called strategic deception! Don't you understand? Get to it now, and I'll reward you handsomely after it's done!"

Although Cao Yin was full of questions, he still obediently accepted the order and went to do it.

Hong Xiguan stroked his chin, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

This tactic is called "luring the tiger away from the mountain." Once the northwest is in "emergency," I will have a reason to transfer Nemo and Ananda, the two commanders, out of the capital.

At that time, one will go to Zhangjiakou to starve, and the other will go to the Mongolian grasslands to feed mosquitoes. Ao Bai will have far fewer troops at his disposal!

Although the border emergency was fabricated, it was not entirely fake news.

Since the Dzungar Khanate came to power under the leadership of Sengge, the son of Batur Khuntaiji, it has shown its ambition to expand and has been in constant conflict with the Khalkha Mongols of Outer Mongolia (the three tribes of Zasagtu Khan, Tushetu Khan, and Chechen Khan), with frequent disputes over pastures.

If one of the three Khans of the Northern Desert were to die, the Qing Dynasty would certainly not stand idly by and would have to send troops to intervene, which would be perfectly reasonable.

Next comes the third step: taking over the power of the palace guards.

"Song'etu!"

Hong Xiguan called out again.

The image of Suo'e appeared in the warm pavilion like a ghost.

Ever since he joined Hong Xiguan's side, this guy has been like a man possessed, constantly thinking about how to make a name for himself.

"master."

Hong Xiguan pointed towards the guards' quarters inside the Forbidden City: "You know that first-class guard in the palace named Sebent, right?"

Suo'etu nodded: "I know, Ao Bai's spy in the palace."

"Very good." A cold glint flashed in Hong Xiguan's eyes. "Go and make preparations. Once news arrives from the Northwest, use the pretext of 'rectifying the discipline of the imperial guards' to purge this Sebent and all his traitorous underlings from my ranks!"

"Then, replace all the palace guards with my personal guards, as well as reliable people you selected from the Plain White Banner and Plain Yellow Banner."

"I will turn this Forbidden City into an impenetrable fortress! Turn it into that old dog Ao Bai's crematorium!"

Songgotu was thrilled and clasped his hands in acceptance of the order: "Yes, Your Majesty! This servant will take care of it immediately and make sure it's done cleanly and efficiently!"

After arranging everything, Hong Xiguan stretched and felt refreshed.

This is the legendary "Jiu-Jitsu".

Without confronting you directly or declaring war, I'll just promote you, transfer you, and replace you. By the time you realize it, you'll find yourself surrounded by my people, and the knife in your hand will have turned into a fire poker.

It feels so good to have the enemy completely under your control!

……

However, Hong Xiguan quickly calmed down.

Because he still faces the last and most difficult problem: cleaning up the mess!

In addition to the Upper Three Banners (Plain Yellow, Bordered Yellow, and Plain White), the Qing Dynasty also had the Lower Five Banners (Bordered White, Plain Red, Bordered Red, Plain Blue, and Bordered Blue).

The banner leaders of these five banners were all princes of the Aisin Gioro clan, such as Jieshu from the Prince Li lineage, Doni from the Prince Rui lineage, and Luo Keduo from the Prince Yu lineage...

Although these people usually keep a low profile, they all hold real military power and political influence.

When Ao Bai was alive, they dared not act because of his tyrannical power.

If Ao Bai dies, will they take the opportunity to cause trouble?

"These princes of the imperial family are a pack of wolves who devour people without spitting out the bones. If they are not dealt with properly, they will threaten the imperial power and my safety!"

This is a problem that Hong Xiguan himself cannot solve.

He wasn't familiar with those wild boars at all, and he didn't have the prestige to subdue them.

Looking across the entire Qing Dynasty, there was only one person who could keep these princes in check: the old lady of Cining Palace.

……

Cining Palace.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang lay half-reclined on a soft couch, twirling Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, listening to Hong Xiguan report on his overall plan.

"Hmm... a promotion in name only, a diversionary tactic, a tactic to undermine the enemy's strength... not bad, not bad."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang nodded slightly, a smile of approval on her face.

"Xuan Ye, your methods are far superior to those of Fu Lin back then. It seems I was right about you."

With the old lady's approval, Hong Xiguan finally felt relieved.

"Grandmother, what I'm most worried about right now is the banner chiefs of the Lower Five Banners. What if they..."

"You don't need to worry about that."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang waved her hand, her tone calm yet exuding an undeniable air of dominance.

"Those brats, I'll go and talk to them."

"As long as you promise not to hold them accountable for their past actions and not to touch their titles and interests, they'd be happy if Ao Bai died sooner. Who wants to be ridden around and shit on by a lackey all day long?"

"I will take care of this for you."

Hong Xiguan was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Majesty! I am deeply grateful!"

With Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's words, this grand scheme was finally put to life.

Just as Hong Xiguan was about to take his leave, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang suddenly called him back.

"Xuan Ye, wait."

Empress Xiaozhuang's expression suddenly became somewhat complicated, and a hint of sadness was visible in her eyes.

"There's something I need to tell you."

Hong Xiguan's heart skipped a beat, and a bad premonition welled up in his mind.

"Please speak, Grandmother."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang sighed and slowly said, "Hong Chengchou... is dying and wants to see you one last time."

Ok?

These three words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Hong Xiguan's mind.

Hong Chengchou?

The Governor-General of Jiliao during the Ming Dynasty, who later surrendered to the Manchu Qing Dynasty and was vilified as a traitor by the Han people... Hong Chengchou?

More importantly, according to the mystery of his birth that Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang had previously revealed to him, Hong Chengchou was his real biological father!

Hong Xiguan was completely stunned, his mind went blank.

Is he... about to die?

Since Hong Xiguan ascended the throne, Hong Chengchou had voluntarily resigned and never attended court, nor had the two ever met.

In his mind, this person was like a symbol living in legends and history books, and had nothing to do with him.

But now, this person is dying, and he wants to see me one last time.

What is this?

Father and son recognize each other on their deathbeds?

This is so melodramatic!

I'm busy here staging a coup, killing powerful ministers, and becoming the greatest emperor of all time, and you suddenly throw me this family drama?

Hong Xiguan stood there, his expression more painful than tears, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang looked at him and seemed to have anticipated his reaction.

"Xuan Ye, I know you're feeling conflicted."

"But he was, after all, your biological father. His life, his merits and demerits, will be judged by future generations. But before he died, he had only one wish: to see you one more time."

"Go see him, just for my sake, and to let him leave in peace."

Hong Xiguan remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he took a deep breath and nodded: "...Understood."