In Lingchuan, more than five hundred li away, Qi Rong was sitting languidly on a rosewood carved chair, looking at the blueprints for this project of building dikes and bridges. Suddenly, for no reason, his heart tightened, causing him to frown deeply.
Since the founding of the country, the Liu Kingdom had often suffered from floods in the south during the flood season and droughts in the north with no harvests.
The plan for building dikes and bridges was originally conceived during the previous emperor's reign. People had even been sent to conduct surveys many times. A detailed analysis of the terrain and geology had been carried out, and the design blueprints were personally supervised and made by the previous emperor. So, there should have been no great difficulties in its implementation.
However, after Qi Hong usurped the throne, in order to increase his political achievements, he repeatedly cut the budget, which postponed the plan for several years before finally putting it on the agenda.
Building dikes and bridges had always been the unfulfilled wish of the previous emperor. Therefore, as the chief supervisor this time, Qi Rong was naturally very dedicated.
At this moment, a middle - aged man in a black robe with a mask walked in from outside the door. Seeing this, the guards quickly closed the door and automatically retreated from the room.
"How is the situation in Longchang?" Qi Rong put down the blueprints in his hand, his eyes cold as he looked down at the black - robed man kneeling below the platform. He waved his hand, gesturing for him to stand up.
The black - robed man stood up, removed his mask, and respectfully replied, "My lord, as you expected, since we took action in Longchang, the Li family has stopped their activities and no longer continued their excavation. Moreover, the Li family's minions in Longchang have been eliminated by the emperor's order as part of your plan. Only a small number of remnants are left, and it will be very easy for us to deal with them."
"En." Qi Rong nodded slightly, showing no surprise on his face.
Everyone in the world knew that Longchang was rich in minerals and was a crucial area in the Liu Kingdom. However, few knew that there was an even greater secret hidden there!
Back then, Qi Hong had plotted to usurp the throne. He was not the legitimate heir to the Liu Kingdom. Therefore, his father had not told him the secret. Instead, after the death of his elder brother, the crown prince, he had told the nine - year - old Qi Rong. Even though he had suffered a great deal over the years and had been on the verge of death, he had never revealed a single word of the secret.
However, for some unknown reason, in recent years, the Li family seemed to have received some news. They had been secretly exploring within the territory of the Liu Kingdom and finally locked in on Longchang. Then, they had started to secretly excavate.
Previously, Qi Rong had not been sure. But after a long - term follow - up and observation, combined with the situation of the Li family in the past two years, he was now certain: the Li family finally wanted to overthrow the regime and become the emperor themselves!
The world - class treasure left by the ancestral emperor was their bargaining chip for seizing power!
Regarding the Li family's ambitions, perhaps even the old woman in the harem, who wanted to support the second prince to ascend the throne and promote the Li family to its peak, did not know that she had raised a bunch of ungrateful wolves!
"Send a letter to Qiu Daoji and tell him to lie low for a while to avoid arousing too much suspicion." Qi Rong calmly gave the order.
A few years ago, Qiu Daoji was just an ordinary wandering sorcerer. After Qi Rong's packaging, he had transformed into a Taoist immortal and was personally invited by the emperor to become the national master of the Liu Kingdom.
"Yes, my lord." The black - robed man respectfully replied. He never doubted his lord's decisions.
Under his lord's plan, the overall situation was now under control. Restoration was just a matter of time!
"By the way, how is Yun Sheng?" As if suddenly remembering, Qi Rong casually asked, picking up the bridge - building blueprint and looking at it again.
"My lord, the Li family tried to stop Yun Sheng from investigating further for fear that he would discover something. But Yun Sheng played along and disappeared. In fact, he is fine."
Hearing this, Qi Rong couldn't help but sneer, "As expected of Yun Sheng. He's as sly as a fox!"
He had guessed this situation as soon as he heard the news.
A sly person like Yun Sheng would never be easily controlled by the Li family. On the contrary, the Li family might be tricked by Yun Sheng!
"My lord, should we interfere?" The black - robed man couldn't help but ask worriedly.
After all, unlike the Li family, Yun Sheng was very good at hiding. If he discovered the secret of Longchang and told the emperor, it would be a huge loss for them!
It would be better to take this opportunity to kill Yun Sheng and frame the Li family!
Seeing his subordinate on high alert, Qi Rong didn't care. He snorted and said, "No need. Keep that life for now. It may still be useful."
Moreover, he had already made arrangements in the capital and prepared a big "gift" for Yun Sheng.
Before Yun Sheng could tell Qi Hong the secret of Longchang, he would be thrown into prison. Whether he could gain freedom or not would depend entirely on Qi Rong's mood.
Of course, if Yun Sheng obediently married his daughter to him, he might consider making Yun Sheng suffer less.
Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Qi Rong's face. He put down the blueprint in his hand and looked at the black - robed man. "Yang Cheng, how is she now? What has she been doing in the capital?"
It had been some time since he left the capital. Even though he had sent carrier pigeons to her courtyard, he had never received a single word from her. He only got some sporadic news from Nightingale.
After he left, she seemed to be quite busy.
Seeing his usually cold - faced lord suddenly smiling, Yang Cheng was stunned for a moment. He carefully asked, "My lord, who are you referring to?"
As the chief leader of the Dark Night Guards, he had access to the most comprehensive and important information.
But he was a bit confused about who his lord was referring to.
"Yun Xi, the eldest daughter of the prime minister's mansion." Seeing his subordinate looking blank, a hint of displeasure flashed in Qi Rong's eyes. He didn't mind clarifying again.
The only woman he would take the initiative to ask about was Yun Xi. As his secret guard, Yang Cheng should have remembered this long ago!
Noticing his lord's displeasure, Yang Cheng suddenly remembered that his lord had indeed told the secret guards to keep an eye on the movements of the eldest daughter of the prime minister's mansion. He quickly replied, "A few days ago, Miss Yun Xi designed to capture some dead soldiers from the Li Kingdom. Just as the people from the capital magistrate's office were about to report it, Miss Yun Xi suppressed it, saying it was an obvious frame - up. The capital magistrate's office also agreed with this view, and so far, there has been no news about the Li Kingdom's dead soldiers appearing in the prime minister's mansion."
A faint smile appeared on Qi Rong's thin lips. "As expected of my little daughter - in - law! Although she's a bit timid, she's quite smart and has a sharp tongue."
Suddenly remembering something, Yang Cheng's expression became tense. "Also, Miss Yun Xi learned that Yun Sheng was in trouble and has left the capital for Longchang, seemingly with the crown prince."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Rong's face darkened immediately. He was filled with murderous intent, scaring Yang Cheng so much that he didn't dare to look directly at him.
"Why didn't you report this?!"
Yang Cheng was sweating profusely. He quickly knelt down. "My lord, this news just came this morning. I didn't mean to hide it. Moreover, with Nightingale around, Miss Yun Xi should be fine..."
Before Yang Cheng could finish his sentence, a guard knocked on the door and walked in with his head down. "My lord, Nightingale sent a message: Miss Yun Xi was attacked and has disappeared with the crown prince!"
As the guard reported, the air in the room suddenly turned cold. A table was instantly split into pieces under Qi Rong's palm!
The two men quickly knelt down. Qi Rong stood up, said nothing, and strode towards the door.