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Song Mo’s first words were, “You and your father, the Lu family, are incredibly bold. You even dare to use the imperial edict as a bargaining chip?!”
Lu Song Li thought, it’s just a trade, get used to it.
But she said, “There’s no other way, it’s all for survival.” You won’t give us a way to live, so we’ll earn it ourselves. Is there a problem with that?”
Lu Song Li discovered that Song Mo and the Empress Dowager, this pair of grandparents, were very similar. They couldn’t tolerate any offense, and yet they were very stingy.
“Tell me, what do you want to discuss with this prince?” Song Mo asked calmly.
“Your Highness, why don’t you take a look at this?” Lu Song Li placed the documents in her hand on the table and pushed them forward, then withdrew her hand.
These documents contained the information she had collected over the past few days about the assets of the Xie and Zhao families, as well as the criminal acts of the key members within their factions.
Song Mo suppressed his annoyance and picked up the documents. But with just a glance, he sat up straight. He looked deeply at Lu Song Li before lowering his head again, first flipping through the documents, then returning to the beginning, picking out certain key points to read.
After finishing, Song Mo lowered his eyes. He hadn’t expected the Xie and Zhao families to be so wealthy, especially the Xie family. They had accumulated so much grain and gold and silver. He couldn’t underestimate these noble families.
Lu Song Li had been observing the Fourth Prince. Although he tried to maintain a stoic expression, hiding his emotions, Lu Song Li could still see that he was moved.
Yes, after the Fourth Prince ascended the throne, the first problem that gave him a headache was the empty treasury.
In recent years, Da Li hadn’t experienced a period of peace and prosperity. Droughts, floods, earthquakes, snowstorms, and other disasters occurred frequently, requiring the allocation of grain and funds for disaster relief every year. Furthermore, the war on the border had never completely subsided. During Emperor Kang Cheng’s reign, the treasury had barely managed to support the country’s various expenditures.
Only after becoming the successor did Song Mo realize that the treasury, the money bag and grain bag of the country, was empty. Before even formally ascending the throne, Song Mo realized that being the head of the family wasn’t easy. This was also why he had already arrived at the prison, yet he still allowed Wu Chunyu and Meng Xinliang to continue pressuring the Qin family. It was all because of a lack of money.
“You want this prince to deal with the Xie and Zhao families? Did your father agree to this?” If this is an exchange, did your father agree?
Song Mo looked at Lu Song Li. How did she get her hands on such confidential information? The documents even included evidence of Zhao Wenkuan’s secret dealings with foreign tribes while serving as the Minister of Rites! There were also records of the Xie and Zhao families’ hidden assets and wealth, all clearly marked. The Xie family and the Lu family were engaged, so the Lu family knowing about them was normal. But what about the Zhao family? This made him suspicious that these documents were actually collected by the Qin family and the Lu family together, and then she was the one brought out to negotiate.
Lu Song Li chuckled. She naturally knew what he was asking.
But he thought too simply of her. Xie Zhan was already a burden to him now, right? Using him would damage his reputation. Not using him, a meritorious minister wouldn’t be rewarded, how would other ministers feel? It could be said that Xie Zhan was currently in a dilemma for Song Mo.
And she, on the other hand, provided Song Mo with this excellent solution. A win-win situation, she didn’t believe Song Mo wouldn’t be tempted.
Xue Huaimin had planned for him for so many years. He said he would throw him away, and he did. She didn’t believe he had any deep feelings for Xie Zhan.
Now, he clearly wanted to deal with the Xie and Zhao families, but he was using it as a bargaining chip with her. What kind of wishful thinking was that? His abacus beads were clicking too loudly.
But that was fine. He didn’t take her seriously, which was actually good.
So, Lu Song Li replied, “No, whether the Xie and Zhao families are dealt with or not is entirely up to Your Highness. How could this humble civilian interfere?”
Now Song Mo knew he had miscalculated. “Then what is your intention?”
“We are alleviating Your Highness’s worries. Of course, this is also for the sake of our Qin family. This way, Mr. Wu won’t have to trouble us anymore about the money that was wasted on the Qin family’s wedding preparations.”
The Fourth Prince wanted to take the assets of the Xie and Zhao families, but he needed a plausible reason. All he wanted was a pretext to convict them.
Lu Songli couldn’t help but think, I showed you how fat the sheep were, and I even handed you the knife. If you don’t go kill those two fat sheep, there’s no need to keep holding onto the sheep from our Qin family that has already been slaughtered, right?
Moreover, Fourth Prince, it’s not realistic for one person to have it all.
The Xie family falls, the new emperor is satisfied. She just didn’t believe he wasn’t tempted.
Song Mo understood her implication, but didn’t want to delve deep into this issue with her. Continuing the conversation would make him look bad.
“Just state your conditions directly.”
“I want Fourth Prince to speak up for the Qin family to be sent to exile.”
Song Mo pondered, indeed, it’s not easy to kill the Qin family now. The reason for holding on is the possibility of hidden wealth by the Qin family. Now that the Xie and Zhao families are ready to be slaughtered, holding onto the Qin family doesn’t make much sense. And using this condition to exchange for the will in Lu Desheng’s hands is not impossible.
“I’m just a prince, how can I speak eloquently?” Song Mo’s words were full of probing. Is the will really in your father’s hands?
“Fourth Prince, don’t underestimate yourself. In this world, who else is there besides you?” Lu Songli gave him a hint.
Song Mo was indeed pleased to hear that.
Then he pondered, “The information you provided is considered a merit. The Qin family has always been a pillar in guarding the borders. It’s a pity to exile them. If my highness is fortunate… there might be a way to compromise.” Song Mo found this family quite useful, as they had solved a major problem for him with just one move.
Lu Songli thought to herself, I hope not. But now that he brought up this topic, it’s a good opportunity to give a warning to Xie Zhan!
“Fourth Prince, it was the late emperor’s decree to punish the Qin family for their negligence and exile them. Even if Fourth Prince means well, it’s not appropriate to go against the late emperor’s will at this time, right?”
Actually, upon hearing these words, Song Mo did dismiss the idea of promoting the Qin family immediately.
“Furthermore, my husband and his brothers have been through a lot. They just want to live a peaceful and stable life in a remote place like Pingzhou. Unlike Xie Zhan, who is exceptionally talented and ambitious, capable of assisting the king with great power.”
Upon hearing Lu Songli’s praise, Song Mo’s eyes narrowed. Exceptionally talented? Indeed, Xie Zhan was exceptionally talented, even the powerful minister Xue Huaimin was outmaneuvered by him with a simple plan.
And with great ambition, what kind of ambition would be considered great? To wield power over the court?
He had been lamenting the impending loss of talents like Xie Zhan after dealing with the Xie family.
But Lu Songli’s words made Song Mo realize that Xie Zhan would not be a better companion than Xue Huaimin. If not removed, he would become a threat. By then, would the court become a one-man show under his rule?
“Lastly, after Fourth Prince ascends the throne and becomes wealthy and powerful, there will surely be a continuous stream of talented people willing to serve the new emperor. Why bother about a small family like the Qin family?” In fact, she was also implying, why bother about a small figure like Xie Zhan?
Talented individuals are expendable. If you lose one Xie Zhan, there will be thousands more willing to serve you. So, don’t be careless in handling the Xie family. Lu Songli instilled this idea in him.
“Remember, Xie Zhan was once your fiancé, with so many years of history between you. Is it appropriate to praise him so much in front of this highness?”
“In the end, isn’t it the case of the man having a wife and the woman having a husband?”
Song Mo realized she was provoking Xie Zhan, but he had to admit that Lu Songli’s words struck a chord with him. Only by getting rid of him could this dynasty be under his control. He didn’t go to such lengths just to find himself controller.
And the rumors about Xie Zhan in the past few days had also made him very angry. Who let him handle things carelessly?
Once he thought about how he held so many crimes committed by the core members of the Xie faction in his hands, and considering Xie Zhan’s significant contributions to the rise of the new ruler, Song Mo had no psychological burden at all when it came to dealing with the Xie family.
“Is this your only condition?” Song Mo asked.
“Yes.” The way he asked made it seem like more conditions could be put forward, but Lu Songli didn’t believe it. She took out the immunity token from her sleeve and placed it on the table. “Your Highness, if our Qin family safely reaches Pingzhou, this immunity token can also be returned to you.”
Although she and Qin Heng had made the necessary preparations, it would be nice if this could make him let his guard down. Moreover, with Emperor Kang Cheng dead, this immunity token wasn’t of much use and had instead become a hot potato. It was better to return it.
“You and your father from the Lu family really have a way with words.” Song Mo stood up with the documents in hand, speaking as he walked out.
“Your Highness overpraises us.”
Song Mo’s mouth twitched—was that really a compliment?
Lu Songli spoke to his back, “Your Highness, if there was anything offensive just now, I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“You certainly know how to adapt to the circumstances,” came Song Mo’s voice.
Lu Songli thought to herself that there was no other choice; when under someone else’s roof, one has to bow their head. However, she said aloud, “After all, we are all citizens of Da Li. My father and the Lu family have long been recipients of Emperor Shizong’s grace. We simply want to survive.”
“The Qin family will reach Pingzhou safely.”
This indicated that Song Mo had agreed to their terms.
Lu Songli also responded, “Your Highness will surely achieve everything you desire.”
These words made Song Mo turn back to look at her.
Lu Songli calmly met his gaze. Song Mo understood—her words did indeed imply what he was thinking. She knew who held the third imperial edict, or perhaps both the third and second edicts were with the Lu family.
What Lu Songli said was indeed what he had suspected. If her guess was correct, the third imperial edict should be in the hands of Lin Ran, the Commander of the Imperial Guards. It would surface soon.
The Golden Guard (Jinwu) refers to a bronze staff with golden ends, symbolizing authority. Holding the Golden Guard signifies wielding power in extraordinary situations.
Watch carefully—once the second imperial edict appears, the third will definitely follow. Even if the second edict doesn’t show up, the third will appear soon.
Emperor Kang Cheng had planned everything meticulously. He might allow her father to use the edict to gain some benefits, but he would never let it jeopardize the stability of the empire.