stonecrandall Chapter 1040 Finally, someone couldn't hold back any longer!
Chapter 1040 Finally, someone couldn't hold back any longer!
He appeared to have died suddenly and disappeared, but in reality, he was fully aware of every move happening inside and outside the court. He knew exactly which officials were praising Hu Hai on the surface, but were secretly sending their pledges to which prince; which generals were making any unusual moves in the army; and who was stirring up trouble in the harem... All of this was reported to him in great detail by his network of spies.
However, of all the news, what angered him most, and even gave him a stinging sense of betrayal, was not the opportunistic courtiers, but two women from the inner palace—Yu Shu and Xiao Yue. Their attitudes and actions formed two extremes that both enraged and saddened him.
Princess Yu Shu, this foreign beauty from Tu'an, is now behaving increasingly outrageously and unabashedly. She seems to have completely abandoned the ancestral precept that the harem should not interfere in politics, and is openly using her former status and still captivating beauty to befriend and win over mid- to high-ranking military officers.
Whether under the guise of banquets or feigning concern for the soldiers' hardships, she generously promised substantial rewards and high-ranking positions after the prince ascended the throne. She was like a vine eager to absorb nutrients and support, desperately trying to build her own network of influence within the army.
This blatant interference in military affairs by concubines of the inner palace appears particularly conspicuous and dangerous in the current delicate situation. Even Empress Lü, who is usually adept at forbearance and secret planning, seems much more restrained in comparison to Yu Shu's overt tactic.
In stark contrast to Yu Shu's excessive enthusiasm was Xiao Yue's excessive passivity. Gao Yao knew that during his "absence," the struggle for the succession would inevitably intensify. He had also secretly hoped that Xiao Yue could do something for their son, Gao Qun.
She doesn't need to be as frantic as Yu Shu. At least, she can secretly connect Gao Qun with some reliable court officials, accumulate some strength for self-protection, or speak up for her son at crucial moments. This is also a mother's duty and foresight.
But Xiaoyue was different! She seemed to have completely shut herself off within the palace, the gates tightly locked, refusing all visitors. Every day, all she did was burn incense and pray in the direction of Gao Yao's palace, praying for his safe return. Upon learning this, Gao Yao was not unmoved; that pure devotion was indeed a rare solace within these cold palace walls. But beyond being moved, he felt mostly a frustrated anger and worry, a sense of disappointment in Xiaoyue's lack of ambition.
"Not fighting? Will not fighting bring peace?" Gao Yao almost sneered. In this cutthroat world of power, especially in the vortex of the struggle for the throne, not fighting often means the greatest danger. Because you have no wings, no allies, and no bargaining chips for self-protection.
Once other princes, such as Gao Zhe born to Yu Shu, or other ambitious young masters, ascend to the throne with the support of Lü Zhi or other forces, the first one to be eliminated will be Gao Qun, who was once the most threatening potential competitor! At that time, Xiao Yue and her unprepared son will be like fish on a chopping board, completely at the mercy of others!
"Stupid! Utterly stupid!" Gao Yao cursed inwardly. He was angry at Xiao Yue's naiveté, but even more worried about Gao Qun's future. Even if she were just secretly preparing a few escape routes for Gao Qun, contacting a few loyal servants who could protect them in critical moments, or accumulating enough wealth to save their lives, it would be better than being like a lamb to the slaughter, completely entrusting their fate to the mercy of others and their own prayers!
This was the kingdom he had single-handedly controlled. After years of painstaking management, the southern border was no longer the ignorant land it once was. He implemented new policies, encouraged agriculture, built irrigation systems, reformed the bureaucracy, and even cautiously introduced some simple technologies and management concepts that were ahead of their time. The people were at least able to eat their fill and wear warm clothes, and the granaries were gradually filling up. Although the people dared not express their praise for him openly, he was not unaware of the undercurrent of their support.
However, what was happening now left Gao Yao with a deep sense of weariness and helplessness. He roughly understood that while the advantages of being a time traveler might accelerate the process and create some prosperity by forcing growth, it ultimately couldn't change certain deep-rooted problems in the era. For example, the issue of succession was an almost unsolvable dilemma.
He had no sons. In an era where the concept of a hereditary monarchy was deeply ingrained, the stability of a ruler's reign was inherently fraught with fatal flaws. No matter how well he governed the country, as long as the shadow of a lack of successor lingered, those ambitious figures lurking in the shadows would never truly be at peace.
In the imperial court, the seemingly obedient officials are secretly placing their bets on him, calculating how to seize the greatest benefits should his power crumble. He can use ruthless methods to suppress some and intimidate others, but if the underlying ideology remains unchanged, the seeds of ambition will continue to sprout.
"Should we really follow the ancient ways and have some kind of 'abdication'? Or adopt someone from the imperial clan?" Gao Yao rubbed his temples, feeling a surge of unease. Both options were fraught with hidden dangers; abdication was prone to instability, while adoption made it difficult to guarantee loyalty. He felt as if he were trapped in a historical quagmire, his individual strength appearing so insignificant in the face of some inherent torrent.
“Your Majesty.” A deep and clear voice sounded from behind, breaking the silence on the watchtower.
Gao Yao did not turn around, but he knew from the footsteps that it was Qinglong.
"Speak." Gao Yao's voice had a slightly hoarse quality that was barely perceptible.
Qinglong stepped forward, bowed, and whispered, "Your Majesty, the palace guard arrangements have been changed tonight."
It's here. Gao Yao's heart sank slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily. So it really was coming after all? He had been waiting, or rather, anticipating this day. But as it truly approached, a complex mix of emotions welled up within him—a cold indifference that it was indeed so, and a hint of indescribable disappointment.
"What's going on?" He turned around, his sharp gaze landing on Qinglong. In the darkness, Qinglong's figure stood as steady as a rock.
"It's not a large-scale troop rotation, but rather subtle, unusual gaps in the shift schedules and personnel at several key outposts. In particular, the guarding on the paths leading to Yongle Palace and the armory experiences brief periods of weakness around midnight. In my opinion, this is not negligence, but rather... a deliberate gap left to allow certain individuals to enter the heavily guarded palace undetected." Qinglong's report was clear and logical, pointing out the suspicious points one by one.
Gao Yao listened quietly, his face expressionless, but his eyes grew colder and colder. "This is somewhat unexpected for me." He gave a soft hum, his tone neither happy nor angry. "Very well, since someone has gone to great lengths to set up this platform, wouldn't it be a waste of such kindness if I didn't go? Let's make preparations, proceed according to plan, and enter the palace."