As the latest battle report arrived, detailing the defeat of the General Who Guards the East and the loss of thirty thousand border troops, the Empress ordered the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War to expedite preparations for the imperial army's logistical support for the expedition.
The Ministry of Revenue, which had been dragging its feet, completed its preparations in less than a day.
The next day, thirty thousand imperial troops were dispatched to support the eastern frontier.
Three days later, news of the fall of Pingyang County on the eastern frontier reached the capital, prompting the Empress to issue an urgent order for the supporting army to march day and night.
Meanwhile, Xue Yun, seated in the Imperial City Guard, stared at the invitation in his hand, his mind filled with questions.
"Why would that old scoundrel Chen Yuanliang invite me for a drink for no reason?"
Puzzled, Xue Yun summoned his two subordinates to discuss the matter.
Captain Luo Jiang and Deputy Captain Zhu Hong soon arrived.
After reading the invitation, Luo Jiang frowned and said, "Brother, this invitation reveals nothing. Do you think he might be trying to win you over?"
"Win me over? That old scoundrel has always been against me. Why would he suddenly be so kind?"
"Besides, our Imperial City Guard can't offer a Prime Minister like him any help in court. Showing favor for no reason is either deceitful or malicious."
Xue Yun was somewhat displeased, thinking it was nonsense.
Luo Jiang chuckled and said, "Brother, you know Chen Yuanliang's recent behavior. He's been secretly forming factions. He probably wants to become a powerful minister and control the court."
"For this, he naturally needs our Imperial City Guard to act as his informants or intermediaries, perhaps to curry favor with the princesses in the palace, or even the inner officials."
"That's right, Brother! Recently, several princesses in the royal family have increased their military power, and the influence of the inner officials has also grown. This might be why Chen Yuanliang is facing difficulties in winning them over and is now trying to win you over."
Zhu Hong agreed enthusiastically.
"Makes sense."
Xue Yun nodded.
He had also received news from the palace today that the Empress intended to transfer personnel from the Imperial City Guard to form an Imperial Guard that would only obey the Emperor's command.
The duties of the Imperial Guard would partially overlap with those of the Imperial City Guard, which would undoubtedly weaken his authority.
With the support of the Imperial Guard, the Empress would likely embark on sweeping reforms. This was probably why Chen Yuanliang was getting restless.
Xue Yun pondered for a moment and said, "If that's the case, it seems I must attend Chen Yuanliang's banquet. At the very least, I need to gather some useful information."
"Brother is right. And if we can ease relations with Chen Yuanliang, perhaps we can distract His Majesty, and our plan can continue to unfold."
Luo Jiang immediately flattered him.
"Yes, at worst, we can get Chen Yuanliang to obtain more information from the palace. He surely won't be happy to see the Imperial Guard established, so he'll try to disrupt its formation," Zhu Hong chimed in.
With both his subordinates agreeing, Xue Yun said, "In that case, you two create a diversion for me tonight. I'll leave the Imperial City and go see Chen Yuanliang."
"Don't worry, Brother!"
"No problem, Brother!"
With the decision made, that evening, with the help of his two subordinates,
On the surface, through reports from his subordinates, he maintained the illusion of being on patrol and commanding from within the Imperial City.
In reality, however, he quietly made his way to the Prime Minister's mansion.
At the Prime Minister's mansion, Xue Yun entered through the back door and was led by the butler to meet Chen Yuanliang.
"Prime Minister, why have you summoned me tonight? It's not just for a drink, is it?"
Although the plan was to ease relations with Chen Yuanliang, after a period of confrontation, Xue Yun still didn't give him a pleasant look.
"Hahaha, of course not. I wouldn't summon you for mere entertainment and waste your official duties. There is an important matter to discuss."
"Oh? What is it?"
Xue Yun asked curiously.
"Come, come, sit down first."
Chen Yuanliang invited Xue Yun to sit and personally poured him a drink.
This gesture was very pleasing to Xue Yun, who felt honored that the Prime Minister of the court was personally pouring him wine.
His stern expression immediately softened, and he said with a forced smile, "Prime Minister, you are too kind. How dare I trouble you to pour wine for me? I should be pouring wine for you."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong. We both serve Her Majesty the Empress of Yunyue Kingdom. There's no need to be so formal when pouring wine for each other."
"Come, come, as an apology for my previous blindness and confusion, and for inadvertently offending Lord Xue."
Saying this, Chen Yuanliang stood up and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.
Seeing Chen Yuanliang's straightforwardness and his cheerful and polite demeanor, Xue Yun became even happier.
He quickly raised his cup and stood up to return the toast.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.
"After three rounds of drinks, Prime Minister, you should tell me what this is about. Why did you invite me here?" Xue Yun asked with a rosy face and a smile.
"To be frank, I am sixty-two years old, and my position as Prime Minister is already the highest possible. There is no further promotion."
The Prime Minister sighed, then looked at Xue Yun with excitement and said, "But now, I have seen another path to advancement, but it requires certain things, and only Lord Xue possesses them."
"May I ask if Lord Xue would be willing to part with them?"
"Oh? How come I didn't know there was something that could help the Prime Minister advance further?"
Xue Yun asked perfunctorily, but he was puzzled.
The Prime Minister was already of the first rank, with no room for advancement. This old man claimed he could still be promoted and become wealthy. Unless...
Could it be that this old fellow wanted to collude with me to control the court and then force the Empress to grant him a fiefdom and a royal title?
Besides a royal title, Xue Yun could not think of any other possibility.
Chen Yuanliang grinned and said, "This 'thing' is Lord Xue's head!"
"Guards!"
Several soldiers who had been waiting outside rushed in.
"What?" Xue Yun was shocked and tried to stand up to question Chen Yuanliang.
However, as he exerted himself, he felt a weakness spread through his body, and his head felt a little dizzy.
"You poisoned my wine?" Xue Yun exclaimed in shock.
Although he didn't know what benefits this old scoundrel would gain from killing him, at this moment, to save his life, Xue Yun immediately pleaded, "Prime Minister, you cannot kill me. Killing me will bring you nothing but harm!"
"I can help you control the court, deceive His Majesty, sever the Empress's connection with the outside world, and help you become a king and claim a fiefdom!"
"Hahaha~"
Chen Yuanliang burst into laughter.
After a moment, he said, "Xue Yun, Xue Yun, even at the brink of death, you still don't understand what I want. You ignorant fool, if not for that little eunuch advising you and the Empress backing you, how could you possibly contend with me?"
Xue Yun was stunned, not understanding what the Prime Minister was talking about, and wanted to explain.
"Come, escort Lord Xue on his final journey!"
"Yes, sir!"