After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 869 - 855: Poisoned to Death

At this moment, as it quieted down, Liu Cong realized that his control over the Xiongnu was not as deep as he had thought, at least the leaders of the five Xiongnu tribes dared to disobey his orders.

The Xiongnu were composed of five tribes, and if he could not gain the recognition of their leaders, he could not command the troops composed of these tribes.

Liu Cong was not as rash as Liu He. His methods were more ruthless, and he knew better when to be patient. So, he rose from his seat to indicate he would do his utmost to find Liu Yi and honor him as emperor.

The expressions on Liu Huanle and the other ministers’ faces instantly improved.

Regardless of Xiongnu or Han traditions, Liu Yi was the second in line for succession.

Although he was young and his rank was low, he was legitimate after all, and his mother was the Empress, now the Empress Dowager.

Moreover, he was favored by Liu Yuan. In terms of status and affection, he was the first candidate to ascend the throne after Liu He’s death.

Due to Liu Cong’s declaration, his reputation improved somewhat, and the attitude towards Liu Cong, who had rebelled, also softened.

Having tasted the benefit, Liu Cong repeated daily his intention to find Liu Yi and honor him as emperor, even sending people to search for him.

Only late at night, when everyone was asleep, could Liu Cong quietly sit on the wooden bed and think.

He leaned against the bed, holding a letter, his face somewhat gloomy.

After thinking for a while, he finally tore up the letter, which he had read several times, and threw it to a servant, instructing him to burn it.

After collecting the shredded pieces, the servant bowed and retreated. By the next dawn, the shredded paper appeared in the hands of Liu Huanle and Liu Yang.

After quickly piecing it back together and scanning through it, Liu Huanle turned to Liu Yang, "Look at this."

Liu Yang scanned it quickly, his expression turning grim.

Liu Huanle said, "The King of Beihai is in Zhao Hanzhang’s hands. Judging by the date, this letter reached Prince Chu more than a month ago, but Prince Chu did not report it to Your Majesty, nor does he mention it now. Clearly, he doesn’t intend to rescue the King of Beihai."

Liu Yang asked, "Regardless of Prince Chu’s intentions, let me ask you: Zhao Hanzhang wants to exchange the King of Beihai for Emperor Jin. Would you do it?"

Liu Huanle remained silent.

He was torn internally.

If Liu Yi were emperor, exchanging an emperor for an emperor would not be a loss for them.

And judging by the past two months’ developments, Zhao Hanzhang had not been deterred by Emperor Jin at all. When she needed to fight, she fought hard. Now that she had established a new Crown Prince, obviously, the significance of Emperor Jin was diminishing.

But now Liu Yi was not yet emperor, and the Xiongnu had others who could replace Liu Yi.

Liu Yuan’s seven sons: Liu He had killed the fifth and sixth, Liu Cong had killed the first and second, the third had died young, leaving Liu Yi and Liu Cong.

If Liu Yi did not return, Liu Cong was the rightful successor.

So, Liu Yang asked Liu Huanle if he wanted to use Emperor Jin to bring Liu Yi back as emperor, or to use Liu Yi to threaten Liu Cong into making political concessions.

After wavering for a while, Liu Huanle chose the latter option.

Liu Yang agreed as well.

Thus, the next day they said, "We have found traces of the King of Beihai. He should still be in Pingyang City, captured by Zhao Hanzhang. Prince Chu, please send people to negotiate with Zhao Hanzhang and redeem the King of Beihai."

Liu Cong feigned surprise, "Seventh brother was captured by Zhao Hanzhang?"

Liu Huanle and Liu Yang, along with the others, nodded with faces full of sorrow.

A group of consummate actors, Liu Cong immediately agreed and arranged for someone to contact Zhao Hanzhang.

Upon leaving the council chamber, Liu Cong’s face instantly darkened.

He called over a confidant, asking, "Where are Emperor Jin and Zhao Zhongyu now?"

"Still in An Garden."

Liu Cong asked, "Are they behaving?"

After thinking for a moment, the confidant said, "Quite well-behaved, but those Jin ministers often weep, constantly expressing their longing for Luoyang and Jin State, which is quite annoying."

Liu Cong lowered his eyes, pondering for a while, then quietly ordered, "Prepare two cups of poisoned wine for Emperor Jin and Zhao Zhongyu."

He spoke in a lowered voice, "Do it discreetly, without alarming the Grand Minister and Grand Tutor."

The confidant acknowledged and left quietly.

Meanwhile, Wu Erlang, mingling among a group of refugees fleeing the city, glanced back towards Boping County, feeling a bit uneasy. He quickly squeezed to Ming Yu’s side, "Mr. Ming, are we really just leaving like this?"

Ming Yu walked on without a word, "If not, should we stay and let Liu Cong settle accounts with us?"

"No," Wu Erlang moved to his other side and said, "But what about the Second Lord? Why didn’t you contact the Second Lord when we were in Boping?"

Ming Yu continued walking, "He is a Jin State minister, and I am a scholar seeking refuge with Huyan You. Wouldn’t it be strange for me to contact him?"

Wu Erlang: "So we’re just going to ignore the Second Lord? This is such a good opportunity; we could have rescued him."

Ming Yu stopped, turned to Wu Erlang with a serious expression, "Wu Sheng, remember, your master is the Inspector, not Minister Zhao."

Wu Erlang looked confused, "I know that."

He certainly knew it; the lady had always wanted to rescue the Second Lord, so if they could save him now, how happy would the lady be?

Ming Yu turned back and continued walking, and Wu Erlang hurriedly followed, looking at Ming Yu with a face full of confusion yet reverence.

Only then did Ming Yu say, "At this moment, the Zhao Clan Leader and the Inspector have a harmonious relationship because they are in different places and have aligned interests. If one day they are in the same place, their positions will inevitably lead to conflicts and disputes. So I won’t contact Minister Zhao, nor can I rescue him."

Wu Erlang half understood.

Ming Yu explained no further and said directly, "Do not worry, the Xiongnu merely want to install a new emperor. General Beigong should have already taken military action; they have no intention to deal with the Zhao Clan Leader. What was before, will continue as such."

"When the Inspector’s power becomes so great that they are willing to bow, they will return the Zhao Clan Leader properly."

Wu Erlang asked, "Then won’t the Second Lord have conflicts with the lady?"

"Conflicts will naturally exist, but if the Inspector’s power has grown strong enough for the Xiongnu to willingly return a hostage, it means the Zhao Clan Leader can no longer threaten the Inspector’s position."

Finally, Wu Erlang nodded.

Ming Yu was half right; indeed, Beigong Chun launched an attack on Anping Country. Not only Beigong Chun, but Zu Ti also mobilized troops; even Wang Jun, upon hearing of the Xiongnu’s internal chaos and Liu He’s death, dispatched an army;

But what he didn’t predict was that Liu Cong didn’t treat Zhao Zhongyu as before, instead sending him poisoned wine.

He had grown tired of Emperor Jin long ago.

The Jin ministers’ incessant crying and weeping during this period irritated him greatly. Whenever he ordered Emperor Jin to open the city gates or serve him tea and wine, the ministers would wail and lament loudly, and Liu Cong had reached his limit of patience.

If it weren’t for Zhao Zhongyu protecting Emperor Jin and Zhao Hanzhang being powerful, he would have lost his patience earlier.

And now, he finally could bear it no longer. If Liu Yi returned, his current status and plans would be all for naught, so he wanted to cut off Liu Yi’s path back.

If Emperor Jin and Zhao Zhongyu were dead, would Zhao Hanzhang, out of fury and shame, kill Liu Yi?

In essence, Liu Cong’s action was intended to compel the assassination of Liu Yi.