Chapter 56: Zhao Guangyi: Don't Worry, When I Make My Move, Zhao Kuangyin is Sure to Die

It is exceedingly difficult to assassinate an emperor, let alone when the target is the founding emperor of a dynasty.

Furthermore, he was an emperor who had just quelled the chaotic world and gathered all military power of the realm into his own hands.

How could an emperor who won the empire from the saddle and wielded supreme authority be killed so easily? And how could it ever be an easy task?

A single misstep, and they would be utterly annihilated without a trace!

Besides, simply killing the emperor did not guarantee ultimate success.

Now that Zhao Pu had returned to the capital, rumors were spreading that the emperor intended to enfeoff Zhao Dezhao as the Prince of Qin.

Vaguely, Zhao Dezhao was already showing signs of becoming the crown prince.

At a time like this, even if they managed to assassinate Zhao Kuangyin, figuring out how to subsequently seize the throne and ascend smoothly was equally crucial.

This presented yet another formidable challenge, one whose difficulty was hardly inferior to assassinating the emperor himself.

Only by killing the emperor and successfully ascending the throne could they carve out a path to survival and soar to the highest heights.

"I have already devised a plan in my mind.

While it might be difficult for others to strike against Zhao Kuangyin, what if I were to do it with my own hands?

He harbors no suspicion toward me, so if I make my move, a single strike will be fatal!"

"Your Highness, this is a brilliant strategy! Only Your Highness acting personally can ensure success!"

Cheng Dexuan praised aloud, his eyes lighting up as if a new horizon had opened before him.

One can guard against enemies day and night, but familial traitors are impossible to guard against. All along, Zhao Kuangyin had treated the Prince of Jin truly well, genuinely considering him a full brother.

Even now, with the intention of appointing Zhao Dezhao as the crown prince, he would not be overly guarded against the Prince of Jin.

He would never suspect that the Prince of Jin—his own flesh and blood—would dare to deliver a fatal blow to him!

For the Prince of Jin to take action personally was indeed something completely impossible to guard against!

"Your Highness's plan is ingenious!" Ma Shao chimed in with praise.

"However... Zhao Kuangyin is highly skilled in martial arts and never lets the jade-headed axe leave his hand on a daily basis. He is not so easily dealt with.

Even with Your Highness launching a sudden attack, a fatal blow is not guaranteed.

If the matter cannot be cleaned up immediately, I fear..."

Ma Shao spoke with a measure of hesitation and worry.

In truth, his words were already quite tactful.

What he was truly thinking deep down was that even though Zhao Kuangyin lacked suspicion, for the Prince of Jin to single-handedly kill Zhao Kuangyin was an immensely difficult feat to accomplish.

A single mistake, and he might be counter-killed by Zhao Kuangyin instead!

Compared to Zhao Kuangyin, the Prince of Jin fell far short in martial prowess.

"There is no need to worry about this. As long as I decide to act, Zhao Kuangyin will certainly not live!

He will be entirely at my mercy!"

Zhao Guangyi's tone was icy, yet filled with intense self-confidence.

Ma Shao was slightly stunned, clearly failing to understand whence the Prince of Jin derived such absolute confidence and certainty.

Just as he was about to speak further and offer a reminder, urging the Prince of Jin not to be careless in the slightest,

lest they capsize in the gutter over such a critical matter,

he heard Zhao Guangyi's voice ring out once more.

"You know how to concoct the Pulling-Machine Poison, don't you?"

This question was directed at Cheng Dexuan.

Ma Shao's heart gave a sudden jolt, and he immediately clamped his mouth shut.

All his doubts vanished instantly.

Ah, of course! Trying to eliminate Zhao Kuangyin with genuine blades and spears, even with the advantage of a sneak attack by the Prince of Jin, carried a high probability of failure.

Yet... if poison was involved, that was a completely different story!

Given the Prince of Jin's status, poisoning Zhao Kuangyin was the simplest thing in the world.

No matter how formidable a person was, once poisoned, they would be rendered equally helpless and left entirely at the mercy of others.

Let alone Zhao Kuangyin, even a massive beast would quickly perish after ingesting the Pulling-Machine Poison!

He abruptly turned his head, staring fixedly at Cheng Dexuan, terrified that Cheng Dexuan might utter the word "no."

"Concocting the Pulling-Machine Poison is a trivial matter. How much does Your Highness require?"

Cheng Dexuan smiled faintly, radiating absolute confidence.

Splendid!

Ma Shao clenched his fists tightly, cheering inwardly.

It's secure!

At this point, the matter was thoroughly foolproof!

With this Pulling-Machine Poison, coupled with the Prince of Jin personally administering it to Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Kuangyin was truly doomed beyond doubt!

"Your Highness, I have already formulated a prophecy."

Since Cheng Dexuan had already demonstrated his value, how could he, Ma Shao, lag behind at such a supremely crucial moment?

How could he not strive to showcase his own worth?

This was the true moment to achieve great merit!

If he performed well, once the endeavor succeeded, glory and prosperity would follow!

"Let's hear it."

Zhao Guangyi hurriedly prompted.

Ma Shao performed a hand incantation, paced out the Dipper steps with his feet, and after a few breaths, slowly spoke: "The sun conceals itself, the land of Jin ascends."

"Wonderful! Exceedingly wonderful! What a brilliant 'the sun conceals itself, the land of Jin ascends'!"

Zhao Guangyi's eyes lit up as he clapped in applause.

This prophecy was indeed exquisite.

Not only was it concise, but it also conveyed everything that needed to be said.

The words "sun conceals itself" referred to the death of his swine-like elder brother, Zhao Kuangyin.

Once that sun had set, it was time for his own sun—the land of Jin—to rise. It was only natural that he, the Prince of Jin, should succeed him as emperor.

He truly had not raised this Ma Shao in vain!

With this prophecy, once the deed was done, they could have people spread it far and wide, effectively sealing the mouths of detractors!

It would let everyone know that his ascension to the throne was mandated by Heaven!

"Being able to relieve Your Highness of your worries is my greatest honor."

Ma Shao said with an air of utmost humility.

Now, the only problem remaining before them was how to ensure that the Prince of Jin could seamlessly inherit the imperial throne after eliminating Zhao Kuangyin...

...

"Xixin, you have rendered a tremendous service.

To have encountered a rare talent like Young Master Li and brought him back to meet me—you have done a truly splendid job.

With Young Master Li here, our Great Song will undoubtedly march further and achieve greater things!"

Inside the Wansui Palace, Zhao Kuangyin looked at Zhao Dezhao, a rich smile blooming across his face.

Although this Young Master Li possessed quite a fiery temper and, judging by his words and demeanor, showed seemingly little respect toward an emperor like himself...

perhaps... one could not quite call it disrespect, but rather a very strange sensation.

It was as if... even though he was the emperor, when facing him, Young Master Li could converse on an equal footing.

Moreover, one could sense that this was not an act put on by Young Master Li, but something deeply rooted in his very bones.

It felt completely natural, as though it ought to be that way by the very order of nature.

This piqued Zhao Kuangyin's curiosity as to what kind of era Young Master Li came from.

Why did it evoke such a peculiar feeling...

"Father Emperor, this is my good fortune, as well as Your Majesty's fortune and the fortune of our Great Song.

This is truly not my own doing; Young Master Li simply sought me out proactively, and I merely brought him to see you."

Zhao Dezhao replied, shaking his head.

He was speaking the absolute truth. This was a case of walking down the path and suddenly being struck by a massive windfall—pure, unadulterated luck.

"Hahaha, sometimes good fortune is also a form of capability."

Hearing Zhao Kuangyin's words, Zhao Dezhao became entirely convinced that his father emperor's dramatic shift in attitude was entirely due to Young Master Li.

He could only wonder what magnificent and glorious achievements Young Master Li had described to his father emperor regarding his future reign that could prompt his father emperor to make such a momentous decision, directly bestowing the position of crown prince upon him.

While feeling a deep sense of gratitude toward Young Master Li, his anticipation grew increasingly unbearable.

In the future, he would certainly have to question Young Master Li in meticulous detail.

Presumably, Young Master Li would bring him an even greater surprise!

...

"The timing must be carefully controlled; select the dead of night.

This will facilitate our operations in secret.

We must accomplish the deed before anyone realizes what is happening.

After I resolve my elder brother, I shall leave the palace and return home.

Have Wang Ji'en keep watch outside.

After I have been gone for a while, let him be the one to break the news of Zhao Kuangyin's sudden demise to that woman surnamed Song.

Faced with such a sudden calamity, that woman will undoubtedly lose her wits.

She will either send someone to look for Zhao Dezhao or Zhao Dezhao's younger brother Zhao Defang.

As a senior eunuch close to Zhao Kuangyin and highly favored by him,

Wang Ji'en is the only one by her side at this juncture, so this task will inevitably fall upon his shoulders.

At that moment, Wang Ji'en is to come straight to summon me into the palace. Thus, the grand局 will be settled!

Within the Forbidden Army, I have some men of my own.

I will make specific arrangements to ensure that entering the palace that night goes unhindered,

and to help me secure control of the situation.

Entering the palace ahead of Zhao Dezhao will ensure success."

Zhao Guangyi laid out his scheme to Ma Shao and Cheng Dexuan.

The two men pondered it carefully upon hearing the plan and deemed it entirely feasible.

They then deliberated further, ironed out several specific details, and set off to execute their respective tasks.

Cheng Dexuan was to inform Wang Ji'en of the plan via a secret letter, securing his cooperation...

With the two men departed, Zhao Guangyi stood with his hands clasped behind his back by the window, meticulously re-evaluating the strategy he had formulated.

After a thorough review, a smile slowly surfaced on his face...