Chapter 44 Playing Dirty in the Shadows

Yang Mu stood behind Zhao Ang and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, the Black Tiger Army has remained utterly loyal over the years, yet they have constantly been eyed with suspicion by the imperial court. Now that Zhou Qi is pulling strings behind the scenes, it will likely intensify His Majesty's distrust of the army. How should we respond next, Your Highness?"

Zhao Ang did not reply immediately. He quietly gazed at the night sky as if weighing his options.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and the chill deep within them grew heavier.

A smile touched Zhao Ang's lips. "There is no need to rush. This game of chess has only just begun. The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. They are anxious, whereas we can take our time. Sooner or later, they will reveal a flaw."

Yang Mu pondered for a moment, then looked up at Zhao Ang, offering a slight fist-and-palm salute. "Your Highness is wise. This subordinate will strengthen the patrols around the camp to prevent the enemy from making any further moves."

Zhao Ang nodded, his voice pausing before turning abruptly cold. "Furthermore, clean up Lu Chuan's body. A man like that is unworthy of being seen by our brothers in the Black Tiger Army."

Hearing this, Yang Mu saluted again. "This subordinate obeys!"

Early the next morning, within the imperial palace of the capital.

Emperor Jing sat upright upon the Dragon Throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, his jade desk piled high with memorial reports.

Clad in a bright yellow imperial robe, his expression was majestic, though a trace of gloom lurked between his brows.

His fingers tapped lightly against the desk, producing a steady drumming sound, much like a dormant beast ready to spring at any moment.

Standing below the steps was a censor in official attire.

Lean of face and with a glint of schadenfreude in his eyes, he cupped his hands in salutation and reported:

"Your Majesty, this subject received a confidential report last night. There appears to have been a mutiny within the camp of the Black Tiger Army under the command of the Duke Protecting the State. It is rumored that spies are hidden within their ranks, plotting treason. This subject implores Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter."

"A mutiny in the Black Tiger Army?"

Hearing this, Emperor Jing furrowed his brow, a flash of coldness instantly surging into his gaze.

He raised a hand and slapped one of the memorials on his desk down to the floor, his voice exploding like thunder as he put on an act.

"Absurd! The Black Tiger Army is commanded by the Zhao family; how could there be any talk of mutiny? And what is this nonsense about spies?"

The censor dropped to his knees and kowtowed, his tone pressing relentlessly.

"Your Majesty, while it is true that the Black Tiger Army has long been under the control of the Zhao family, precisely for that reason, Your Majesty must be all the more vigilant! The Zhao family has relied on their military power for generations. Should Your Majesty show even the slightest negligence, it will surely lead to a catastrophic disaster!"

At these words, Emperor Jing's expression grew even darker.

He was well aware of the Zhao family's weight within the military, and he understood the subtext behind the censor's words even better.

Over the years, the Zhao family had commanded hundreds of thousands of troops guarding the border, and their influence could not be underestimated.

Yet, precisely because of this, he had always maintained a deep wariness toward them.

Now, someone was submitting memorials accusing the Zhao family's Black Tiger Army of mutiny, which undoubtedly provided him with a convenient pretext to rein the family in.

"Where is the Duke Protecting the State?"

Emperor Jing's voice was frigid and heavy with intimidation.

"Summon Duke Protecting the State Zhao Rong into the palace. I want to see how he intends to explain this."

Hearing this, a flash of triumph crossed the censor's eyes as he hurriedly kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Before long, Duke Protecting the State Zhao Rong was summoned into the palace.

Though his hair and beard were frosted with age, Zhao Rong possessed a vigorous spirit. Clad in his official robes, his sturdy frame radiated an authoritative presence that commanded respect without the need for anger.

Upon entering the great hall, he showed not a shred of panic, steadily dropping to his knees to pay homage. "Your subject Zhao Rong pays respects to Your Majesty."

Emperor Jing gazed at him coldly. "Lord Zhao, are you aware that someone submitted a report last night claiming a mutiny occurred within your Black Tiger Army camp?"

Hearing this, Zhao Rong furrowed his brow slightly, but his composure returned almost immediately.

He raised his head, his expression calm and his voice steady.

"Your Majesty, this subject has heard nothing of the sort. The Black Tiger Army has always maintained strict discipline; a mutiny is utterly impossible. May I ask Your Majesty where this intelligence came from?"

Emperor Jing let out a cold laugh, his tone tinged with probe. "Are you suggesting, Lord Zhao, that someone is slandering your Black Tiger Army?"

Zhao Rong lowered his head, cupped his hands, and spoke in a resounding voice.

"This subject dares not make wild claims. However, the Black Tiger Army is a vital pillar of the nation, and I dare not take any talk of mutiny lightly. Your Majesty, this subject earnestly requests that the person who submitted this report be summoned here to confront me face-to-face so the truth may be brought to light."

Emperor Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression obscure and unreadable.

He stared at Zhao Rong, as if attempting to find the slightest flaw on the man's face.

Zhao Rong's expression remained tranquil, resembling a towering mountain that stood unmoved regardless of wind or rain.

The hall fell into a sudden silence, broken only by the rhythmic tapping of Emperor Jing's fingers against the desk.

After a moment, Emperor Jing let out a cold snort. "Very well! Since Lord Zhao wishes for a confrontation, I shall grant your request. Bring that person into the hall!"

Outside the hall, the sunlight was blocked by thick layers of clouds, and a cold wind swept through the gaps in the doors, plunging the Hall of Supreme Harmony into an increasingly tense atmosphere.

Standing in the center of the hall, Zhao Rong's gaze was steady, his face devoid of the slightest ripple.

Emperor Jing looked down at the memorial on his desk, his fingertips tapping the surface to produce a dull, rhythmic thud.

With a cold huff and a slight frown, he raised a hand to give a signal. "Bring the petitioner into the hall."

Following Emperor Jing's command, the eunuch by the palace doors cried out in a shrill voice:

"Announce—Zhou Qi, grandson of the Duke Defending the State, entering the presence!"

Hearing the name Zhou Qi, a flash of cold light crossed Zhao Rong's eyes, though it was instantly concealed without a trace.

He straightened his back and turned his head slightly toward the entrance of the hall.

A moment later, a young official strode rapidly into the hall.

Dressed in official attire, clean-shaven and pale-faced, he looked somewhat nervous, with a thin layer of sweat beading on his forehead.

It was none other than Zhou Qi, the grandson of the Duke Defending the State.

"This subject, Zhou Qi, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Zhou Qi dropped to one knee and kowtowed respectfully, though his slightly trembling voice betrayed his inner panic.

Emperor Jing stared coldly at Zhou Qi, a trace of impatience evident in his tone.

"Zhou Qi, was it you who submitted the report last night claiming a mutiny in the Black Tiger Army?"

Zhou Qi raised his head, a flicker of internal struggle crossing his eyes before he nodded and cupped his hands.

"Replying to Your Majesty, it was indeed this subject who submitted it last night. I... I was merely driven by my loyalty to Your Majesty and the imperial court, and felt compelled to report this."

Zhao Rong let out a cold laugh and interrupted him. "Zhou Qi, since you submitted this report, you owe His Majesty and the officials present an explanation. You claim the Black Tiger Army is mutinying—do you have concrete evidence? Or did you witness something with your own eyes?"

Hearing this, sweat poured down Zhou Qi's forehead, and his expression grew even more tense.

His lips trembled slightly as if searching for the right words, but under Zhao Rong's piercing gaze, his speech began to falter.

"This subject... this subject dares not recklessly claim a mutiny, it's just that..."

Zhou Qi glanced up furtively at Emperor Jing, his voice dropping a few octaves.

"Last night, as this subject was passing near the Black Tiger Army camp, I inadvertently heard unusual movements from within. Since it was the dead of night, the commotion sounded like people arguing and shouting. I was worried... worried that something had gone wrong with the Black Tiger Army, and thus I submitted a report through the night."

Zhao Rong stared at Zhou Qi and sneered, "The dead of night, arguing and shouting? Zhou Qi, do you even know what kind of army the Black Tiger Army is?"

"Ever since the military regulations were established, shouting and brawling have been strictly prohibited. Even midnight patrols are conducted with quiet steps. You are a civil official passing by a military camp in the middle of the night? Just how credible is such a claim?"