"Your Highness, are you ready?"
His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince glanced at Empress Tensei subconsciously. Then, he puffed out his chest and said in the most dignified and confident tone possible, "I am ready!"
Sun Lang nodded. "Good. I have two things that you need to do immediately."
You.
His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince was slightly surprised. He glanced at Empress again and felt a little unhappy. Didn't you break up with my sister?
Did you really get back together with her?
Are you guys serious?
Hey, hey, don't be like this. You're my teacher, and I'm your student. We're allies, but this woman is my enemy. You have to be clear about this. I know you had a good relationship with her back then, and you cooperated with her very well, but that's all in the past!
Sun Lang glanced at him as if he had seen through His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince's thoughts.
"The Emperor is the king of the Empire. He rules this country with the dignity and tradition of imperial power. His majesty and power come from two aspects. The first is his legitimate status, and the second is his own power. If an Emperor wants to ensure his control over the country and the court, he can't do without either …"
"And what we need to attack and weaken is the direct power that the Emperor has."
"The Imperial Palace is the heart of the Empire. It is the most important place in the world. It is protected by the Imperial Guards and the optimized defense system of the Imperial Army built by the Imperial Treasury for hundreds of years. It also continues to collect the best martial arts in the world and cultivate a large number of strong people. It is really the best martial arts holy land in the world."
"The Imperial Treasury is the functional organization that manages the private property and daily affairs for the Imperial Family. It has an even more important role because the Imperial Treasury is under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Treasury. The Imperial Army is the foundation of a strong country. The production process and system of the Imperial Army are firmly controlled by the Imperial Treasury, ensuring the stability of the Empire and the Imperial Family."
"These two are the Emperor's left and right arms. They are indispensable. Thus, they are also the places we must attack."
He looked at Li Jiancheng and said with a smile, "In our struggle against the Emperor, these two places are the most important strategic points of support. They are places that must be fought for. With your current strength, can you take them down?
Can you defend it? "
His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince was speechless.
Of course, he had the bad habit of being indecisive and slow to react, and he was always criticized by the two great strategists. However, this also showed that he had a strong point, and that was that he knew how to act tough. He could see the situation clearly and accept it quickly.
Given Li Jiancheng's current power and skills, it was far from enough for him to control both the Ministry of Finance and the inner palace at the same time. After all, before this, he did not have much ambition to fight for the position of Crown Prince, and there were not many people in the court who thought highly of him. Now that he had just become Crown Prince, his wings were far from full, and he did not have the help of the Emperor. Other than the title of Crown Prince, his actual power had not increased by leaps and bounds.
If he wanted to use his own power to take down these two pieces of cake, he would certainly be stuffed to the point of bursting.
Furthermore, just as Sun Lang had said, even if he could take it down, he would not be able to defend it.
The inner palace was one thing, and the foreign officials could not reach into it no matter what. However, the Ministry of Finance was a large piece of cake. The imperial family had many mines, gardens, parks, lakes, shops, and other industries under its name. Each year, it brought in an incalculable amount of income. Furthermore, it raised many capable people. More importantly, the Sacred Implement Bureau was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance.
After all, the Imperial Army was the foundation of a powerful country. Whoever controlled the Imperial Army could win the hearts of all the warriors in the world and win the future. In these years of court struggles, the most intense point of contention between the imperial power and the officials was to take the Sacred Implement Bureau back into the country and let the court operate and manage it. Of course, the successive Emperors had guarded it to the death and did not give in at all. The foreign officials had never been able to gain an advantage.
However, now that the Emperor was unconscious, if Li Jiancheng held the Ministry of Finance in his hands, it would be like a three-year-old child holding gold ingots and swaying them in front of a group of robbers. They would certainly rise up and attack him. It would be strange if he could defend it.
The Crown Prince understood this point, but he was still not reconciled.
His heart moved, and he said respectfully, "I can't take it or defend it, but teacher is here."
What he meant was that he was willing to take out a portion of the benefits to satisfy his teacher. It would be like paying a protection fee and asking this fearless General Sun to hold the fort for him.
This was because his fear and psychological shadow of Empress was too great. He would rather share the enormous benefits of the Ministry of Finance with Sun Lang than see the power of Tensei Province increase again.
Sun Lang still shook his head in disapproval.
"It's not good for me to interfere in the Imperial Palace. After all, it's not good for a foreign official to control the Imperial Palace. It will damage the reputation of the Imperial Palace. Furthermore, why should I interfere in the inner palace? Do I want to sleep in the Emperor's bed?"
The Crown Prince pretended not to hear the last sentence. After interacting with Sun Lang for a few days, he had gradually developed a big heart and could selectively ignore some crazy words.
"As for the Ministry of Finance …" Sun Lang said faintly, "If I get it, that side …"
He pursed his lips, and the civil and military officials on the other side quarreled, none of them giving in. "The people on the other side won't be able to sit still. Although they seem to have reached an agreement now, they are all very shrewd. Once my power and influence grow too much, they will have other thoughts …"
"The situation is changing. Our dispute with the Emperor has reached a certain intensity. We should try to get more help. At least, we shouldn't increase the number of enemies. At this time, my hand has stretched too far, and it will easily cause problems. If they have other thoughts, they will be persuaded by the Emperor and become our enemy."
The Crown Prince was stunned for a moment, and then he said emotionally, "Teacher, you are really thinking about the big picture and have no selfish motives. I am very grateful. I will not forget your contribution …"
Sun Lang patted him on the shoulder, "Also, you are going to be the Emperor. The Ministry of Finance is the private property of the Imperial Family. The Sacred Implement Bureau is the source of the Imperial Family's strength. You have to understand this. You can't let it fall into the hands of foreign officials. Now, you have to drag the Empress into it. At least it will still stay in the hands of the Imperial Family … Do you understand?"
The Crown Prince was really moved this time.
That was the Sacred Implement Bureau. With the Sacred Implement Bureau, it meant that there would be an endless supply of Imperial Army. The Imperial Army could allow warriors to exert more power. It was the true core of the six armies of the Empire. Its significance to the entire country was obvious. However, Sun Lang could give it up so decisively.
And all of this was for the sake of the stability of his student's position as the Emperor …
He was on the verge of tears. He held Sun Lang's hand and said sincerely, "In the future, when I become the Emperor, you will be the Emperor's Preceptor. In this life, I will never betray you. If I violate this oath, may I die under arrows!"
Sun Lang said gently, "You are much stronger than your father. I believe in you."
Empress Tensei did not say anything.
The Imperial Tutor instructed his student a few more words and told him to act quickly. The Crown Prince nodded and quietly left through the side door of the Golden Palace.
A minister saw him and asked, "Where is His Highness going?"
Sun Lang stopped him with a smile, "The Crown Prince is worried about His Majesty. He has something to do. Sir, you don't have to worry. I am his teacher. You can ask me about the joint investigation team."
The Crown Prince left the Golden Palace and urgently summoned his confidants to the palace for a meeting. Pei Ju and the others were not qualified to enter the palace because their ranks were not high enough or they were the Crown Prince's personal aides. They could only wait outside. Now that they heard the Crown Prince's summons, they rushed over as quickly as possible. They were Li Jiancheng's most trusted people.
As soon as Pei Ju and Wang Ke arrived, they began to ask about the Crown Prince's well-being. After all, they had quarreled with him for more than ten years and had developed feelings for him. They had a sense of duty and responsibility to protect a mentally handicapped child.
The first thing the two said when they raised their heads reflected their different personalities.
Pei Ju said, "His Highness should consider promoting us. After all, we are waiting outside for a meeting in the Golden Palace. His Highness doesn't have anyone to speak up for him in court."
Wang Gui asked, "Looking at His Highness's expression, today's meeting was daunting but not dangerous. Did Sun Lang show his power again?"
When the Crown Prince thought of Sun Lang's love for him, he was touched. He sighed and said, "Grand Preceptor Crown Prince, you're an honest person. I really can't understand why Imperial Father and Tian Ce would bully such an honest person …"
The two strategists looked at each other and reached a rare consensus.
His Highness was fooled!
What a joke. An honest man? If Sun Lang was an honest man, there wouldn't be any sly people in the world!
Their hearts pounded, and then they asked anxiously, afraid that His Highness would say something humiliating. After all, the situation was stronger than the person. Sun Lang's power was overwhelming. Even if he tricked His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince to the point that he didn't even have his underwear left, Pei Ju and the others couldn't do anything about it.
The Crown Prince was very moved and recounted what had happened in the Imperial Court.
It was said that the General was like a jade pillar that supported the sky, not yielding an inch to the Empress' attack, and defeated the other side. Moreover, he even counterattacked and won a complete victory.
Pei Ju and Wang Gui looked at each other and saw the fear in each other's eyes.
"He's so quick-witted, and he's even a general …" Pei Ju said in a low voice. "No wonder he's the number one in Tianyuan. Just thinking about how we might have to face such an opponent in the future makes me feel uneasy."
The Crown Prince then talked about the mission that Sun Lang had given him. In the end, he said, "A kind man, a kind man …"
Pei Ju thought for a moment and shook his head. "Your Highness, this matter isn't that simple. Sun Lang isn't that kind. He didn't reach out to the Imperial Palace probably because he didn't want to be in the limelight and attract trouble. After all, his priority now isn't to fight for power, but to make sure that His Majesty can't make a comeback …"
Jiancheng argued, "But he did give up the chance to take control of the Sacred Weapons Directorate. He even said that he would let the Sacred Weapons Directorate remain in the hands of the imperial family. This is out of kindness, otherwise …"
Pei Ju sighed. "But his intention was obviously to let Empress Tensei touch the Imperial Palace … Although I don't know how he reconciled with Empress, his intention is very clear. Even if you succeed the throne in the future, you will still have to face a strong challenge from Empress. If you want to suppress Tensei Province and take back control of the Imperial Palace, you will have to continue relying on Sun Lang's help. And if Empress wants to fight against you, you will also have to rely on Sun Lang's help …"
"This is the way of checks and balances."
At this point, Pei Ju smiled bitterly. "He actually used the Emperor's art of balance on the Emperor. This is what it means to be able to cover the sky with one hand and overturn the court."
The Crown Prince's expression gradually became unsettled.
He still didn't want to believe it. He hadn't developed a suspicious personality.
"But that is the Sacred Artifact Supervisor," he said.
"He should know the value and significance of the Sacred Artifact Supervisor. Even if he had such intentions, he wouldn't allow Empress to touch the Sacred Artifact Supervisor …"
Pei Ju frowned. "That is indeed the case. I don't understand it either. Sun Lang is too willing …"
Wang Gui, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said, "Unless …"
The two of them looked over. "Unless what?"
Wang Gui suddenly shivered and shook his head. "No, that's impossible. This is too absurd …"
Pei Ju asked suspiciously, "What?"
Wang Gui changed the topic. "It's a baseless assumption. It's so crazy that it's unbelievable … Let's not talk about this anymore. His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince, regardless of what Sun Lang's intentions are, he's right about one thing. Right now is a good opportunity, a good opportunity to meddle in the internal affairs of the palace. Since we've chosen Sun Lang, we can't hesitate anymore. Let's start with the Nine Gates of the Emperor. Sun Lang will cooperate with us."
At the same time, in the golden palace.
"Ha, they definitely won't be able to guess why you're so generous."
Empress laughed coldly beside Sun Lang.
"The Sacred Weapon Supervisor. The manufacturing process of the Imperial Army, the forging techniques of the Imperial Army, the most important cornerstone of the Empire. It's a top secret that all the countries want to know at all costs …"
She turned her head to look at the side of Sun Lang's face. "You handed it over to me so easily. Don't mention Eldest Imperial Brother, all of the civil and military officials will be shocked."
Sun Lang said affectionately, "Because I believe in you …"
Empress was completely unmoved. She had seen this level of acting many times in the past and had long since become immune to it. She laughed coldly and said, "You believe in me?"
Sun Lang continued affectionately, "Yes, I'm doing this for your own good. Otherwise, why don't you and the Crown Prince switch places? You'll be in charge of the internal affairs of the palace, and he'll be in charge of the Imperial Palace."
Empress snorted coldly. Of course, she did not want to get close to the palace. She wanted to stay far away from the Emperor. Perhaps it was because of the shadow of that night, or perhaps it was because of a woman's intuition.
But the problem was, if she did not want to get close to the palace, would Li Jiancheng be willing to stay away from the palace?
Of course not.
General Tensei said, "You're just afraid. You're afraid that when my brother takes over the Sacred Weapon Supervisor, he'll find out that the Empire can no longer create an Imperial Army. You're afraid that he'll trace it back to you and reveal what you've done. So, you can only give me the Imperial Palace and let me keep the secret for you."
Sun Lang smiled. "And you can only keep this secret for me."
Empress said slowly, "That's not necessarily true."
"No, it's definitely true."
Sun Lang said, "Just like how your father has never dared to reveal it. We hold the button to destroy each other because what he wants to do is much more excessive than what I do …"
Empress narrowed her eyes. "What do you know?"
General Tensei only smiled. "Control the Imperial Palace and then investigate it yourself. See it yourself. Find the answer yourself … Trust me, you'll be shocked."