Chapter 334: Chapter 304: Cleansing the Court and Eliminating Treacherous Ministers
In the following days, Cheng Qiao gradually noticed during his patrols that the atmosphere in Jiangdu Palace seemed to have changed.
Firstly, the Imperial Guards were no longer harassing them with such arrogance as before. This certainly made their daily work much smoother, but the second unexpected thing was that these soldiers of the Imperial Guard often gathered together, whispering secretly. Judging by their expressions, it seemed they were discussing something important, and each of them appeared angry. Yet as soon as he approached, they immediately dispersed.
Cheng Qiao felt a vague unease.
He confided his unease to the Commander of the Left Palace Army, but the reply he got was: "We have managed to coexist peacefully on both sides, so let’s not look for trouble. Whatever the Imperial Guard wants to do is their business, don’t interfere."
Hearing this, Cheng Qiao felt even more apprehensive, as if a dark cloud was hanging over him, enveloping the entire Jiangdu Palace.
That night, after he led his subordinates on a patrol round again, he promptly closed the palace gate.
While closing the Bright Gate, he couldn’t help but glance inside. He saw the Assistant General of the Imperial Guard, Fu Jiang, and Hu Ben Lang Jiang, Ge Yuanchong, lurking about, seemingly heading towards one of the barracks, not knowing what they were up to.
Cheng Qiao sighed, turned, and walked away.
However, the Deputy General and Ge Yuanchong, avoiding the crowd, each carried some wine and food to find a quiet place to drink — drinking while on duty was a serious crime in the army, but in these days, everyone’s mind had already drifted away from the duties, especially with the Emperor not attending court for months, everyone was loose and disregarding rules.
The two sat down and immediately began to drink and exchange cups.
After a while of drinking, it was dark.
Fu Jiang filled Ge Yuanchong’s cup again and jokingly said, "It’s been a while since we were this relaxed. I’ve heard that brother has been leading troops in the city, rooting out rebels these days. Any gains?"
"Ah, what gains,"
Ge Yuanchong sneered, "It’s just a bunch of poor folks. Starving, they took some sticks from their homes and dared to rebel. Killing them brought no merit."
"How is it no merit?"
"Nowadays, not only has Your Majesty not held court for over a month, but he doesn’t even listen to news from outside. Anyone daring to mention rebellion gets executed before the rebels do, accused of disturbing the masses with vile words."
"This—"
"If things continue like this, I’m afraid the rebels will have to be at the gates before he believes."
Fu Jiang said, "Brother, watch your words. Watch your words."
Ge Yuanchong, originally a straightforward and hot-tempered person, couldn’t suppress his anger after drinking a bit. He waved his hand and said, "Watch what words? Look at the state we’re living in. You know, there’s been no fresh vegetables in the army for half a month, everyone’s teeth are bleeding, and some are constipated. What good scenery in Jiangnan? It’s just deadly scenery."
A cold gleam flashed in Fu Jiang’s eyes as he also sighed and said, "That’s right, we’d be better off staying in Luoyang, at least the house and home are ours."
"..."
"Now, having come to this Jiangdu, should anything untoward happen, we’d be ghosts here."
Hearing this, anger surged within Ge Yuanchong, he slammed his cup onto the table, splashing wine about, speaking with malicious intensity: "Rather than us dying, it’s better—"
Fu Jiang widened his eyes: "Brother, what are you trying to say?"
At this moment, Ge Yuanchong’s voice lowered, he leaned closer to Fu Jiang and spoke softly: "To be honest, everyone has long been unhappy with this southern inspection, but they’re angry without daring to speak. This time, His Majesty executed the Imperial Guard for just a woman’s words; who knows how he’ll deal with us in the future, so everyone thinks, better to rebel—"
As soon as the word "rebel" escaped his mouth, the door was suddenly thrust open with a bang.
The two were startled, quickly turning around to see two familiar figures at the door; standing in front was the Right Guard General Wang Shaoji, and behind him, partially concealed by the night, was his brother, the Junior Director Wang Shaoqiu.
Ge Yuanchong was startled, unable to react before Wang Shaoji pointed at him and said: "Well, you two have great courage, plotting rebellion here! I will report to the Emperor immediately!"
After finishing speaking, he turned to leave.
Ge Yuanchong was so frightened that the alcohol he’d consumed turned into cold sweat, he jumped up, rushed three steps into two to grab him, and Wang Shaoqiu behind Wang Shaoji also opportunistically blocked his brother, saying: "Brother, don’t be impulsive, let him finish speaking."
Wang Shaoji angrily said: "What is there to say?"
Ge Yuanchong stood in front of him and spoke in a low voice: "General Wang, I admit I was just talking—but is it only me who has this notion? Ask around Jiangdu Palace, ask your subordinates, who doesn’t want rebellion?"
Wang Shaoji was shocked, looking at Wang Shaoqiu and then at Fu Jiang, as if seeking confirmation.
Both remained silent, nodding slightly.
Upon hearing this, Wang Shaoji stamped his foot in frustration: "You all have guts!"
Ge Yuanchong said: "General Wang, I’ve long wanted to tell you, nowadays His Majesty no longer trusts you as before, and down south, naturally local gentry will replace us. Rather than wait until then to lose military authority, it’s better to do something significant now while we have troops, and if the deed succeeds, your name will go down in history; if not, at least you’ve tried, living up to your ancestor’s reputation!"
"This—"
Wang Shaoji feigned hesitation, and Wang Shaoqiu lightly coughed beside him, seeming to signal something. Wang Shaoji glanced at him before saying: "Your words make sense."
Ge Yuanchong was overjoyed and said: "General Wang indeed has courage!"
He then directly pulled Wang Shaoji and Wang Shaoqiu inside, took out two more wine cups, and the four drank together.
This time, although drinking, the four grew increasingly clear-headed.
Fu Jiang said: "Though we have agreed, passing the word down is not easy, and should we indeed raise troops in revolt—what if someone lacks the courage and leaks the information?"
Everyone instinctively looked at Wang Shaoqiu.
Although three of them were commanders, yet together their intellects couldn’t match Wang Shaoqiu’s. At this moment, they could only hope in him.
Wang Shaoqiu slowly placed his wine cup on the table and said: "Who says the message we’re passing down is that of rebellion?"
Everyone was taken aback: "Then it’s—"
Wang Shaoqiu said: "The message we need to pass is to clear the Emperor’s vicinity, and to execute the treacherous ministers."
Ge Yuanchong instinctively asked: "Who are the treacherous ministers?"
A cold light flickered in Wang Shaoqiu’s eyes: "Whoever caused the Imperial Guard to suffer losses is a treacherous minister."