326: Chapter 326 Killing Lin Xiao

Before long, Minister Liu Zongfu arrived at the Imperial Study.

Emperor Hong dismissed the other officials to hold a private audience.

"Minister Liu, I didn't have the chance to ask you in court today. What is your opinion of the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, Lin Xiao?"

Minister Liu Zongfu looked puzzled. "I am dull-witted. May I ask what aspect of Lin Xiao Your Majesty is inquiring about?"

"Anything. Speak freely," Emperor Hong replied without elaborating.

Minister Liu Zongfu frowned. "Your Majesty, because I was afflicted with the plague, the time I spent with General Lin was very brief."

"In my view, General Lin is both wise and courageous—a rare talent."

Emperor Hong waved his hand. "That goes without saying. If he were incompetent, how could he have eliminated Prince Bai? Tell me something useful!"

Sensing a hint of dissatisfaction in Emperor Hong's eyes, Minister Liu Zongfu hurriedly knelt.

"I believe General Lin is young and impetuous. He harbors much dissatisfaction toward the Imperial Court and has some misunderstandings regarding Your Majesty."

Emperor Hong's eye twitched. "Misunderstandings? Why do you say that?"

"When dealing with me, the imperial envoy, General Lin was not very respectful. He also didn't seem to care much for the rewards."

Minister Liu Zongfu wiped his forehead. "However, this is merely my personal observation and may be biased, so I did not dare to speak recklessly."

Emperor Hong pondered for a moment and sighed.

"It is only natural that he harbors resentment toward me and the Imperial Court."

"When the Decree to Weaken the Vassals was first issued, Prince Bai cut off their military pay and provisions. The borders were lost, and the Border Army suffered heavy casualties."

"Later, Lin Xiao led the Zhenbei Army to eliminate the rebels and pacify the North. Throughout this process, the Imperial Court indeed provided no help."

"I have failed him, and I have failed the Zhenbei Army. It is only right that they are dissatisfied."

Emperor Hong raised his hand, his expression softening slightly.

"Minister Liu... rise. I am pleased that you could speak the truth."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Minister Liu Zongfu felt as if he had been granted a great reprieve.

"Then, in your estimation, does Lin Xiao harbor the intention of using his troops for personal gain?" Emperor Hong asked again.

"This..." Minister Liu Zongfu's hands trembled.

"Speak! I grant you immunity!"

Only then did Minister Liu Zongfu cup his hands and say, "I believe that if General Lin truly had rebellious intentions, he would not be so blatant in showing his dissatisfaction to me."

"Moreover, he is currently only General Yunhui, a border commander. If he were to use his troops for personal gain, would that not be equivalent to being a traitorous official?"

"Furthermore, General Lin is only in his early twenties and is young and impetuous. He is simply dissatisfied with the Imperial Court and does not understand Your Majesty's difficulties."

"If Your Majesty could summon him to the capital for a meeting, you could surely make General Lin understand Your Majesty's well-intentioned efforts."

After listening, Emperor Hong remained expressionless and asked calmly, "You want me to summon him to the capital?"

Minister Liu Zongfu suddenly fell to his knees. "I have misspeoken! I should not have overstepped!"

"I said I would pardon you. You may leave."

Minister Liu Zongfu did not dare say more and hurriedly withdrew.

Emperor Hong thought for a while, then asked the head eunuch, Zheng Yangwei, who was standing nearby:

"Do you think... if I issue a decree for Lin Xiao to come to the capital, will he come?"

A cold glint flashed in Zheng Yangwei's eyes, and he smiled sinisterly.

"Your Majesty, the question now is: if he truly comes, can we really not let him go back?"

"Among the two hundred thousand troops in the North, there are also Lu Sanchuan, Zhao Yunting, and others. Without Lin Xiao to keep them in check, they are also a threat."

Emperor Hong's face darkened. "Zheng Yangwei! When did I ever say I wanted to kill Lin Xiao!?"

Zheng Yangwei hurriedly threw himself to his knees. "This old servant has misspeoken! Please punish me, Your Majesty!!"

"Hmph, I'll spare you this once. Don't let it happen again!"

However, there was no trace of anger in Emperor Hong's eyes, only a hint of annoyance.

"Summon Prime Minister Yang."

"Yes!"

After a short wait, Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong, who had been drinking tea in the side hall, entered again.

"Prime Minister Yang, Minister Liu Zongfu suggested summoning Lin Xiao to the capital for an audience. What do you think?"

"Absolutely not!"

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong hurriedly objected, "Your Majesty, if you issue this imperial decree, it would be fine if Lin Xiao came. But if he doesn't dare to come, wouldn't that be forcing him to raise an army in rebellion!?"

Emperor Hong nodded repeatedly. "What the Prime Minister says is exactly what I am worried about. This boy is young; although he is exceptionally talented, he is ultimately a bit reckless."

"I fear he won't understand my well-intentioned efforts. If it backfires, it would ruin a promising young talent and loyal general!"

"But if this continues, having someone I've never met holding heavy troops and looming over the North... how can I be at peace?"

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong furrowed his brows and said, "Your Majesty... why not conduct an incognito visit?"

Emperor Hong was stunned. "You want me to go find Lin Xiao?"

"It may not be necessary to meet General Lin in person. In fact, to understand the state of mind of a regional official, one only needs to look at the livelihood of the people in the territory he governs."

"The common people are a mirror of the officials. Your Majesty is a man of great vision and is skilled at judging character. I imagine taking a trip personally would be more effective than listening to anyone else."

"Only by knowing Lin Xiao's character can you better utilize him."

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong said with a smile, "This old official is also quite curious about what kind of extraordinary person could create things like cement, soap, Snow Skin Cream, and honeycomb coal."

Emperor Hong was surprised. "The Prime Minister wants to go with me?"

Generally, if the Emperor went out, the Prime Minister had to stay behind to handle imperial affairs.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong was advanced in years; taking a long journey would not be easy.

"If Your Majesty does not mind, I am willing to accompany you. As for the court affairs, the Crown Prince can certainly serve as the regent," Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong said with a smile.

Emperor Hong laughed. "You usually disagree with the Crown Prince quite often. Why are you recommending him to be the regent this time?"

"I judge matters, not people. The Crown Prince is the future sovereign. It is better for him to face setbacks early than to make mistakes in the future," Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong said frankly.

Emperor Hong sighed with emotion. "The Prime Minister is truly a pillar of my Great Gan. It is the Crown Prince's blessing to have an old official like you to guide him."

"It's just... the North is so vast. I cannot be away for too long. How can I ensure I meet Lin Xiao?"

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong smiled. "Has Your Majesty forgotten? The Worlds Number One Wine Festival is about to begin."

Emperor Hong was delighted to hear this. "Haha... that's right. How could I have forgotten that!"

"Now that there is no more war in the North, we can go join the festivities and observe the people's lives."

As Emperor Hong spoke, he looked at Zheng Yangwei.

"Since the Prime Minister and I are going on an inspection tour, there must be no mistakes in protecting us."

"Pass my decree: immediately recall the Four Great Eunuchs who are away, and have the Shadow Guards accompany us to scout the path ahead."

Zheng Yangwei hurriedly bowed. "This old servant obeys!"

After discussing the remaining details, Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong left the Imperial Study.

He arrived at the palace gate, boarded his carriage, and headed back to his residence.

Upon reaching a corner on a small path, another carriage was already waiting there.

The curtain of that carriage was lifted, revealing half a face—it was Liu Zongfu.

"How was it? Was there any suspicion?" Liu Zongfu asked.

"Everything went smoothly, just as we expected. Provoked by Prince of Donghai, he became increasingly anxious to confirm what Lin Xiao and the Zhenbei Army possess."

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong frowned. "However, he recalled the Four Great Eunuchs. Counting Zheng Yangwei and the elite Shadow Guards, there will be at least five Great Grandmasters accompanying him."

"Not surprising. After all, the North is a place of hidden talent, and the Zhenbei Army has several Great Grandmasters."

Liu Zongfu said regretfully, "With the Five Great Eunuchs joining forces, even a Great Great Grandmaster might not be enough. It's a pity to lose such a great opportunity for assassination."

"No matter."

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong said playfully, "On this inspection tour, our target is not the foolish ruler, but... the Imperial Court."