Chapter 97

Chapter 731: The Master Behind the Son of Heaven (4)

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The one who dares to call himself the 'Superior' to the Son of Heaven is none other than the sorcerer Fangshi Shizhao.

Superior (尚父).

Originally, it was a term of high respect used by King Wu of Zhou to address Jiang Taigong. Jiang Taigong assisted King Wen, the father of King Wu, and after King Wen's death, he led King Wu's army to pacify the realm, becoming a hero.

The term signifies that King Wu revered Jiang Taigong as a father. Now, the current Son of Heaven, Emperor Xiaodi, calls Shizhao the Superior.

This alone is enough to gauge the solid trust Emperor Xiaodi has in Shizhao.

"I will decide on the rewards for General Lao and Governor Yu after further deliberation. The deadline will be until the heads of the traitor Huang Boshun and his three clans are brought to me."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Emperor Xiaodi postponed the decision. However, today's agenda is not over yet.

"I will now present the next item. It concerns the deployment of my troops."

At Dong Zhuo's words, from the Son of Heaven above to the eunuchs below, everyone was shocked.

"Are you saying that the Chancellor will deploy troops? To Guanzhong...? Why...? Why deploy troops to Guanzhong?"

"Your Majesty, I intend to deploy troops to Guanzhong to pacify it."

"Since we are about to obtain Huang Boshun's head, why does the Chancellor need to deploy troops personally?"

"Your Majesty, Guanzhong was once under Huang Boshun's control. Now that his forces have been defeated, the Qiang tribes will likely rise up again."

At Dong Zhuo's words, the hall buzzed with murmurs.

The Qiang tribes were a formidable threat.

Every time they rebelled, the Han Dynasty had to expend vast resources to quell their uprisings.

Of course, heroes emerged each time. Dong Zhuo was one of them. He quelled their rebellions through both negotiation and force.

He must still have the strength in his legs and the desire to ride out and pacify them.

"I am confident that no one is better suited than me to subdue the Qiang tribes. Your Majesty, please allow me to deploy my troops."

Dong Zhuo's request left Emperor Xiaodi in a dilemma.

"Is it really necessary for the Chancellor to go personally? Such matters can be handled by your subordinates."

Emperor Xiaodi wanted to keep Dong Zhuo close.

Dong Zhuo was a significant pillar for Emperor Xiaodi. With 80,000 Xiliang soldiers in the capital, no one dared to challenge his throne.

Although Emperor Xiaodi was not yet an adult, he was not so foolish as to fail to understand this.

Keeping Dong Zhuo close would prevent the faction led by Prince Jinliu Xie from attempting to seize power.

However, Dong Zhuo's resolve was firm.

"Your Majesty, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. With General Lao and Governor Yu having defeated the traitor Huang Boshun, Guanzhong is now a land without a master. We must strike down the Qiang tribes before they rise again. Only then can we pacify Guanzhong. Please grant my request."

"Hmm...! I understand your intentions, Chancellor. However, I will need to deliberate further before giving an answer. Please wait."

* * *

"The audience is over, everyone may leave!"

As the Son of Heaven descended from his throne, Cao Cao raised his voice. The officials bowed and performed their final courtesies.

The audience ended without any significant outcomes. However, for Cao Cao, his work was just beginning.

As Cao Cao quickly left the now empty Wende Hall, a eunuch known as 'Eunuch Zhong' followed closely behind.

Cao Cao, without even glancing at him, quickly whispered.

"Eunuch, is everything ready?"

"Hou Li has bribed one of the palace ladies in the Peony Hall."

The Peony Hall is the Empress's palace. The current Empress is Tang Xi, the daughter of the Governor of Kuaiji, Tang Mo, known for her beauty and virtue.

As the Empress of the Han Dynasty, she is an incomparably noble woman, but she does not favor lavish decorations. Moreover, she sets a good example by avoiding extravagance, serving as a role model for the other concubines.

However, this has become a double-edged sword for her.

If there were women in the concubine's quarters who coveted power, they might have bribed the palace ladies in the Peony Hall to plot against her, just as Eunuch Zhong did.

"Can this palace lady enter the Son of Heaven's chambers?"

"I personally investigated and learned that all the medicinal soups and food served to the Son of Heaven are managed in the Peony Hall. Indeed, she must have this level of access to enjoy the Son of Heaven's favor."

"It would be difficult for the palace lady to know about the secret passage, and it would be dangerous for her to know."

"Don't worry about that. I've given her a note. She will find the secret passage on her own."

Zhao Jian is a young eunuch who follows Eunuch Zhong and was known as a thief in the Taiguan Bureau and the shadow of the imperial chef since childhood.

The Taiguan Bureau is responsible for preparing the Son of Heaven's meals. The imperial chef, or Zu Sheng, is the head of the kitchen.

In short, Zhao Jian was a troublesome figure who often sneaked into the kitchen and stole food.

Eunuch Zhong enhanced Zhao Jian's natural talents.

He trained him in various assassin techniques, including stealth, making him difficult to detect.

"Zhao Jian is reliable. I am more concerned about the palace lady in the Peony Hall. If our plans are exposed..."

"Don't worry about that. Once the task is completed, she will disappear without a trace."

Disappearing means she will be killed. It is likely that she will be made to appear as if she committed suicide.

However, in the palace, it is not uncommon for someone without powerful backing to suddenly disappear after coveting wealth or power.

The palace is vast, and with so many people living there, the disappearance of one palace servant would not cause much of a stir.

Unaware of the tragic fate that awaited her, the palace lady from the Peony Hall, accompanied by Zhao Jian, carried the food to the Son of Heaven's chambers.

* * *

The guards protecting the Son of Heaven's chambers were exceptionally imposing.

The army guarding the palace is substantial, but the guards who protect the Son of Heaven like his shadow are known as the Hu Ben.

As the name suggests, they are as fierce as tigers, selected from the best of Dong Zhuo's Xiliang soldiers. Their pride is unparalleled.

Only two people besides these guards are allowed to carry swords in the palace.

One is the Son of Heaven.

As the master of the palace, the Son of Heaven can carry a sword, and no one can stop him. However, Emperor Xiaodi has no interest in swordsmanship and does not carry a sword.

The other is the Chancellor, Dong Zhuo.

As the one who placed the current Son of Heaven, Emperor Xiaodi, on the throne, it is only fitting that he be granted the honor of carrying a sword and wearing shoes in the presence of the Son of Heaven.

However, the palace lady from the Peony Hall and Zhao Jian only carried food trays in their hands.

"Who are you? What business do you have here?"

"Do you not recognize me, Hu Ben? I am a palace lady from the Peony Hall."

The Peony Hall is responsible for all the Son of Heaven's meals, including snacks. While the imperial chef prepares the dishes, the palace ladies from the Peony Hall are responsible for selecting and delivering the food to the Son of Heaven's table.

"How can we remember every face when you come and go so often?"

"I brought special food before. Don't you remember?"

"Oh! It's you. Yes, yes. Should I let you through? Will you bring food again later?"

"Of course! If I don't deliver the food on time, I will be dead. No one will notice if I take a little from the Taiguan Bureau's delicacies, so please open the way quickly."

The imperial chef of the Taiguan Bureau is the head chef responsible for the Son of Heaven's meals. If Lu Bu is the best warrior in the land, the imperial chef is the best cook. His dishes are not available outside the palace.

"Let them through."

The guard allowed them to enter, instructing his subordinates to clear the way. However, as Zhao Jian passed by, the guard's eyes narrowed.

"Hold it!"

Zhao Jian felt a chill.

Even as a eunuch, entering the Son of Heaven's chambers is not a task for just anyone. The eunuchs who serve the Son of Heaven closely hold high ranks, and the others are under their command.

Zhao Jian did not belong to this elite group. Moreover, he was not even a eunuch from the Taiguan Bureau. If discovered, he would be killed instantly, as he did not carry a weapon.

"Hey, you! I don't recognize your face..."

The guard's words made Zhao Jian stiffen.

The guard then grabbed Zhao Jian's wrist and examined his palm, becoming even more suspicious.

"Your hands clearly belong to someone who wields a sword. It's suspicious for a eun