Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Chen Shao recited more than a dozen sentences in a row, almost all of which were responses that the system was powerless to help.

What do I need this entry for?

Upon returning to the palace, Chen Shao immediately inquired about the movements of Lulong City and Chen Yue's army.

Back in Lulong City, Zhao Yun has now headed north to join Wu Song, and the two of them broke through the encirclement relying on their formidable martial prowess.

They disappeared into the northern lands.

Xiao Jingyao surrendered to the Northern Barbarians with an empty city.

Helian Yunni was not in a hurry to head south.

Instead, they patrolled the northern border.

It will take at least ten more days for Chen Yue to arrive.

After listening, Chen Shao felt drowsy. The battles of the past few days had pushed his body and mind to their limits.

As soon as my head touched the pillow, I drifted off to sleep.

Eunuch Wei quietly served by adding calming sandalwood incense to the incense burner.

Meanwhile, at the Prime Minister's residence.

The night was deep, but the study was still brightly lit.

Every time Chen Shao returned to the capital in triumph, Han Cao could not sleep soundly.

That bastard pulled another wave of minions.

The more stable Chen Shao's situation becomes, the closer he will be to making his move against him; Han Cao knows this better than anyone.

But tonight was different; sitting opposite Han Cao was a middle-aged man with a sinister face.

The man was wearing a dark blue coarse cloth robe and a felt hat on his head.

He looked like a fur merchant who traveled all over the country.

Han Cao sized him up for a moment, then said in a deep voice:

"Why you? Where is Master Wu?"

"Wu Xingyun has betrayed us. His Majesty is furious and has imprisoned her in front of everyone."

"His Majesty asked me to convey a message to Chancellor Han: Although there were some hiccups in the previous cooperation between our two countries and things did not go as planned, this does not affect the friendship between His Majesty and Chancellor."

The Northern Mang envoy continued:

"Her Majesty the Empress has mobilized two hundred thousand iron cavalry."

He decided to reveal his hand: "Lulong is back in our hands, we have no more worries, and we can advance at any time."

"But this time His Majesty wants to achieve everything in one battle and needs to make thorough preparations, so he instructed me to inform Chancellor Han to do something."

Han Cao said in a deep voice, "Do something? Aren't you afraid I'll arrest you and hand you over to His Majesty immediately?"

The messenger was clearly experienced; far from being angry, he chuckled softly:

"Han Xiang is a smart man; he wouldn't do that."

"You and Chen Shao may appear to be getting along peacefully now, but in reality, you are irreconcilable enemies. Prime Minister Han should be well aware of this."

"Of course, they are all minor matters. Minister Han, please let me finish."

Han Cao remained inactive:

"explain."

"First, spread the news that Chen Yuan had been killed by Chen Shao at Xuanwu Gate long ago. His claim of taking care of Chen Yuan in retirement was just a cover-up; the real reason was patricide."

"The Central Plains governs the country with filial piety. If the truth comes out, no matter how great the reputation Chen Shao has built up, it will be ruined in an instant."

The emperor is called the Son of Heaven, receiving his mandate from Heaven, but he must also uphold the ancestral temple and inherit the legacy of his ancestors.

If an emperor is not filial to his parents, he will be unable to uphold the ancestral temple and inherit the legacy of his ancestors.

Even if most people are just putting on an act, they still have to perform well.

For example, Emperor Wen of Han personally tasted the medicine, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang annotated the Classic of Filial Piety, and Zhao Shen became a representative of filial piety among emperors.

If an emperor is unfilial, it can be a reason for his deposition, or even a pretext for changing the dynasty.

Chen Shao was no exception to the common practice.

Of course, Chen Shao was well aware of this, which is why he kept Chen Yuan's death a secret, preparing to find an opportunity to frame someone else and shift the blame.

"What exactly happened to the Emperor Emeritus?" Chen Shao also had doubts about this.

The messenger laughed and said:

"How could Han Xiang, who was so clever all his life, be so foolish for a moment? If he were still alive, given Chen Shao's personality, he would have already pulled him out to put on a show of filial piety."

"Prime Minister Han, the second matter is about Shen Qingci and Yu Qi'an. These two are Chen Shao's right-hand men. One is in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, and she holds all the money and grain in the country. The other is in charge of the Ministry of War, and he holds all the military power in the capital region."

"These two must be eliminated!"

"Chen Shao already has no one he can use. If he eliminates them as well, he will be overwhelmed and trapped in the capital."

"After being honest, Han Xiang became the first meritorious official after the Northern Mang took control of the Central Plains. High official position, generous salary, and a prominent family were all well-deserved."

Han Cao remained calm, fully demonstrating the qualities a qualified politician should possess.

"The first point is manageable, but the second point, if I may be so bold, is that nowadays, no one can touch these two except for Chen Shao himself."

"He needs to give the order himself."

The messenger said with certainty:

"As long as Han Xiang cooperates, we have a way to get Chen Shao to order the execution of these two men."

"Oh?"

Han Cao fell silent.

Following Chen Shao, he indeed wouldn't live long. That young man was gradually sidelining him. Once Jiangnan was pacified and the Northern Barbarians retreated, Han Cao's usefulness would be completely gone.

Even... it doesn't have to come to that point. As soon as he feels he has no more use to him, he'll discard him like a dog after the rabbit is dead.

As for cooperating with the Empress, we've already done it before, it's impossible to clear our names now. What's the difference between once... twice...?

"Chancellor Han"

The messenger seemed to see through his thoughts, saying, "One cannot be a fence-sitter; betting on both sides will only result in losing on both."

"A nominal position, or a cup of poison you'll have to drink sooner or later? What can the Empress give you? Real wealth and status, and a life free from anxiety for the rest of your days."

"Besides, does Prime Minister Han really believe that Chen Shao can withstand 200,000 iron cavalry?"

"What methods do you have to make Chen Shao cut off his own arm?"

The messenger smiled and waved towards the door:

"The Empress has naturally made all the arrangements."

The study door was gently pushed open from the outside.

A tall, gaunt old man walked in silently.

The old man wore a dusty old leather robe, the collar and cuffs of which were sewn with colorful feathers and bone pieces, making a jingling sound with every step he took.

Her hair was completely white, tied into several strands with a black rope and hanging down behind her head.

His face was deeply lined with wrinkles, like the gnarled roots of an old tree.

What's most unforgettable are those eyes, which radiate a ferocious light only a beast possesses, sending chills down your spine.

"Chancellor Han"

"This is the high priest of the Northern Mang Shamanism."

"He is from the Empress's maternal clan. According to seniority, the Empress should address him... In the Central Plains dialect, he should be called 'Grandpa'."

"The High Priest is the most powerful person in my grassland. Half of the shamans and wizards in the entire grassland are his disciples and grand-disciples."

Han Cao believed in the Confucian principle of "not speaking of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits."

I wasn't particularly interested in this, so I just gave a perfunctory bow.

"I've heard so much about you."

The high priest didn't mind.

He stared at Han Cao menacingly for a while, then suddenly grinned.

It was like an old corpse that had been dried up for many years suddenly speaking.

"Prime Minister Han, although we have never met, my eyes never fail to judge people."

"Your forehead is dark and your cheeks are bluish; you've been suppressed for too long."

"If you don't turn things around soon, your body will be fit to feed wild dogs in three months."