Denghuangtai

"Grand Minister of Works, the Empress Dowager summons you."

Just as Yun Zheng was deep in thought, a eunuch hunched over and ran up to him, saying something.

Upon hearing this, Yun Zheng stood up and walked towards the back hall.

Upon entering the inner hall, one sees Empress Dowager Yun and the young emperor standing face to face. Empress Dowager Yun has a solemn expression, her gaze fixed on the young emperor, as if trying to see through him.

The young emperor, head held high, defiantly met Empress Dowager Yun's gaze, a stubborn expression on his round little face.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager."

Yun Zheng spoke up and stepped forward.

"Heming." When Empress Dowager Yun saw her nephew whom she had raised, she remembered Yun Zheng's respectful attitude in the past, and the anger and chill in her heart from being contradicted and threatened by her own son was slightly relieved.

"Look at your cousin! He's really grown up to be something else, daring to threaten his own mother with the Tiger Tally and the entire Zhao dynasty!"

"Tiger tally?" Yun Zheng was stunned. After the founding of the country, Emperor Gaozu refined a piece of black iron and made nine tiger tallies, each controlling a different number of troops. The most was naturally held by the emperor, and the other eight were later given to the princes of the prefectures and kingdoms.

During Emperor Jianyuan's reign, many years of wars depleted his military strength.

Although if the remaining troops in Chang'an were to be gathered together, there could be 70,000 to 80,000 men, these soldiers would have to remain in the capital region to defend against any unforeseen circumstances, and it would be impossible to transfer them to the north for support.

Moreover, the tiger tally, which was held by the emperor, had always been in the hands of Empress Dowager Yun. Where did the young emperor get the tiger tally?

"Your good brother secretly sent someone to visit the Prince of Yan without telling anyone. This tiger tally was given to him by the Prince of Yan." Empress Dowager Yun's eyes were as cold as ice, and she spoke through gritted teeth.

Throughout her life, she fought against concubines and emperors, finally outlasting and defeating them all. Unexpectedly, her own son betrayed her, a truly cruel twist of fate!

"The Prince of Yan is so kind?" Yun Zheng was even more surprised. This Prince of Yan was the youngest brother of the late emperor. When the late emperor ascended the throne, this Prince of Yan was the same age as the young emperor now.

It can be said that the Prince of Yan was almost raised by the late emperor. He was taught the Six Arts of a Gentleman, both in literature and martial arts. Even his queen was personally selected by the late emperor.

To presume to speak, the late emperor had no sons and practically raised this young emperor as his own. If it weren't for the current Empress Dowager Yun's success in giving birth to the young emperor, the Great Zhao dynasty might very well belong to the Prince of Yan.

For this reason, Empress Dowager Yun was always quite wary of the Prince of Yan. After the late emperor passed away, important officials such as the Minister of the Imperial Clan suggested that the Prince of Yan, who had not yet gone to his fiefdom, should leave the capital and go to his fiefdom. Empress Dowager Yun agreed without hesitation.

As the imperial decree was delivered to the Prince of Yan's residence in the capital, the palace eunuchs and servants were also ordered to pack the Prince of Yan's belongings. The Prince of Yan's departure from the capital was the fastest in history.

Given how ruthless Empress Dowager Yun was to the Prince of Yan in the past, why would the Prince of Yan offer up the Tiger Tally and military power at such a crucial moment?

When did the Prince of Yan become a Buddha who saves all sentient beings?

Repay evil with kindness?

Yun Zheng didn't believe he could have such character.

"Your Majesty, has the Prince of Yan made any requests?" Yun Zheng asked, switching places.

"What do you mean by this, cousin? The Prince of Yan is my uncle. Do you really think he would harm me?" The young emperor looked coldly at Yun Zheng, a sneer rising in his heart.

A few days ago, when his teacher subtly reminded him to be wary of the maternal relatives through the "Annals of Lüshi", he outwardly put pressure on his teacher and rebuked him for sowing discord between him and Empress Dowager Yun. It seemed that he trusted the Yun family a lot, but in reality, the Yun family had long become a major hidden danger in his heart.

He had been feigning docility because his power was limited, and he could only bide his time and wait for an opportunity. This was also why he wanted to protect Pei Qingyan.

The court is now filled with Empress Dowager Yun's people, and he needs someone who will definitely not pledge allegiance to Empress Dowager Yun. Pei Qingyan is the perfect candidate.

"Wasn't Emperor Wen of the previous dynasty also Emperor Shao's uncle?" Empress Dowager Yun was so angry at her son's naive words that she almost fainted.

Fortunately, Yun Zheng reacted quickly and caught her.

With Yun Zheng's help, Empress Dowager Yun sat back down on the couch. She rested her elbows on the low rosewood table, rubbing her temples, her tone one of utter disappointment. "The young emperor was so loyal back then, he didn't even suspect his own uncle. But what happened in the end? He let the wolf into the house, and Emperor Wen led his troops to attack the capital. He even had his head chopped off by Emperor Wen himself!"

"With the Empress Dowager and the Yun clan around, what is there to fear from the Prince of Yan?"

The young emperor's voice was clear and crisp, and his innocent tone revealed his naive thoughts.

He was well-versed in classics and history, and naturally knew the story of the young emperor. But so what? The art of rulership lies in maintaining balance. Now that the empress's relatives were in power, if he wanted to have his own power base, he had to support the imperial clan.

The fiercer and more intense the struggle between the imperial family and the maternal relatives, the more secure the emperor will feel as a ruler.

This idea was thanks to his scheming tutor. It was also that tutor who secretly acted as a go-between, connecting him with a clerk in the Prince of Yan's residence, who then secretly passed the message to the Prince of Yan.

This Prince of Yan, being raised by the late emperor, still remembered the emperor's kindness. Upon hearing that his nephew had a request, he offered up the tiger tally without hesitation.

How can such a loyal subject be compared to that scoundrel Emperor Wen?

"Utterly foolish!" Empress Dowager Yun, unable to contain her anger any longer, raised her hand and smashed the teacup on the ground. "To be deceived and yet still gloat here..."

"aunt."

Seeing Empress Dowager Yun growing increasingly angry, Yun Zheng, fearing she might say something damaging to their mother-son relationship, quickly changed the subject, saying, "The situation regarding the Prince of Yan is indeed an internal problem, which can be discussed at length. The northern region is an external threat, and the situation is critical. Now that Your Majesty has obtained the Prince of Yan's tiger tally, why not immediately mobilize troops? Once the external crisis is resolved, we can then consider how to address the internal problem. What do you think?"

"Oh."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Yun sneered, "I would like to send troops, but ask your so-called Emperor if he would easily hand over the Tiger Tally."

Yun Zheng frowned and turned to look at the young emperor.

The young emperor raised his head and said, "If you want to use the Tiger Tally, release Marquis Yin'an first."

"Um?"

Yun Zheng's expression remained calm, but a hint of joy flashed in his eyes. What was this called? "What you've been searching for is right under your nose!"

He was initially worried that the young emperor's sudden actions would disrupt his plans, but unexpectedly, their goals were the same!

"Your Majesty, Pei Qingyan is stubborn and arrogant, not a good general or minister. Why should you let this cause a rift between you and the Empress Dowager and her son?" Yun Zheng said earnestly on the surface, but in his heart he was urging him on, "Be any more forceful. That would be unbecoming of your imperial demeanor. You must stick to it to the end."

"Grand Marshal, the Empress Dowager's ambition for revenge has blinded her; have you been blinded as well?"

The young emperor blurted it out, only realizing how ridiculous his words were after he finished speaking.

In terms of kinship, the deceased Yun Heng was Empress Dowager Yun's younger brother and Yun Zheng's father. They were blood relatives, and if Empress Dowager Yun couldn't let go of the hatred, Yun Zheng was even less likely to.

Of the three people in the palace, the young emperor is the one with the shallowest relationship with Yun Heng.

"Look at this, this is what they call blood relatives," Empress Dowager Yun sneered, slamming her fist on the low table in anger. "Zhao Gua, don't forget, half of your blood is Yun's! The Pei family should also be your enemies!"

"Mother! You are the Regent Empress Dowager of the Great Zhao Dynasty. Please carefully consider whether personal hatred or the fate of the nation is more important!"