Chapter 152: Poisoning.

Chapter 152: The Poison Plot.

Empress Dowager Huo was unwilling to recklessly initiate the Northern Expedition because she did not want to squander national strength for no gain.

But if it truly became unavoidable, she was not someone who shrank from war or vacillated.

Now that the war had begun, their thinking had to adapt and no longer be constrained by previous strategies.

In her secret letter to Zhou Jiamu, Empress Dowager Huo made it clear that he should not feel burdened—he was to command as he deemed best.

He was the frontline commander, the one who best understood the battlefield situation.

If Zhou Jiamu assessed the circumstances and believed defending from the city was the better option, then he should leverage the city’s defenses to grind the enemy down, eschewing rash offensives.

If an opportune moment arose and he deemed it wise to engage outside the walls, he should deploy his forces and fight without hesitation.

This battle was about securing decisive gains, inflicting as much damage as possible on the enemy's fighting forces.

To secure at least another decade of peaceful development for Great Yan.

Along with the secret letter, over a hundred rush-produced Yuanrong Crossbows and a large quantity of supplies and arms were sent to Yanbei.

Pure passivity would only exhaust them. After settling matters in Yanbei, Empress Dowager Huo called a discreet meeting with several trusted officials.

In the Xingtai Hall.

Empress Dowager Huo and Ji Xianshan occupied the central seats, left and right, while Wu Feng, Ding Jinghuan, Song Xu, and Zhu Qingyun were seated below, spaced apart.

Their expressions were solemn.

Even Ding Jinghuan, the most carefree and unrestrained among them, sat uncharacteristically rigid.

The events surrounding the Huo family had long spread throughout the capital, and no one would dare cross the Empress Dowager at such a time.

In contrast, it was Huo Ling herself, the one most directly involved, who appeared the most at ease.

Seeing how tense everyone was, she even quipped to lighten the mood: "Empress Dowager has summoned you today for one purpose—to predict when Emperor Yongqing will die."

The expressions of those below turned stricken.

Ding Jinghuan played along, "Did Your Majesty observe the stars last night?"

The corners of Huo Ling's lips curved slightly. "Empress Dowager did visit the Star-Viewing Terrace last night, but with the rain, there were no stars to observe. Empress Dowager reckoned it by numerology instead."

Ding Jinghuan blinked, catching the knowing smirk in Huo Ling's smile, and suddenly understood. "Your Majesty believes Emperor Yongqing is at death’s door?"

Wu Feng, enlightened, said, "That is indeed not unlikely."

After his initial confusion, Wu Feng also grasped the situation.

"Emperor Yongqing's stroke-induced unconsciousness" was indeed a ruse, but were all the intelligence reports they received false?

Impossible.

If every piece of intelligence were fake, it would be too easily exposed.

Wu Feng himself handled intelligence operations.

If he wanted to seed disinformation as bait, he would salt a few vital falsehoods into the truth.

Only by blending nine truths with one lie can it become difficult to discern.

Song Xu looked thoughtful: "Earlier, we were all sidetracked by the news of Emperor Yongqing's consciousness and Great Mu mobilizing 200,000 troops to march south."

Great Mu came on so strong this time, deploying nearly all the forces from the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, which made everyone think Emperor Yongqing couldn't be as sick as the intelligence suggested.

But what if this is all part of Emperor Yongqing's plan?

Perhaps his true condition is even worse than they imagined?

Zhu Qingyun joined the discussion as well.

They'd completely overlooked this angle before, but now that Huo Ling had torn down the veil, various conjectures were brought forward one by one.

After hashing it out, the group largely reached two conclusions:

Emperor Yongqing's definitely at death's door—it's just a matter of when he'll breathe his last.

Even though Emperor Yongqing clamped down on the succession disputes and recently named the Tenth Prince as Crown Prince, the other princes won't take this lying down.

Zhu Qingyun summarized: "If Emperor Yongqing wasn't knocking on heaven's door, he wouldn’t have rushed into war."

It was precisely because he knew the clock was ticking, and the Crown Prince's foundation was still weak—unable to keep his big brothers in line—that Emperor Yongqing resorted to such a radical strategy: "using external threats to resolve internal strife."

Song Xu agreed: "Lady Zhu's got a point. During the days Emperor Yongqing feigned unconsciousness, the princes were already at each other's throats. A single imperial decree naming an heir couldn’t possibly resolve all conflicts."

Huo Ling listened quietly to their discussion, her fingers drumming on the armrest as her thoughts grew clearer.

She raised a hand to silence the group and turned to Wu Feng: "Do we have the manpower to pull off an assassination within Great Mu's palace?"

Wu Feng: "Whom does Your Majesty wish to assassinate?"

Huo Ling: "Great Mu's Crown Prince."

Wu Feng's face fell slightly.

They did have operatives within Great Mu's palace, but orchestrating an assassination targeting the Crown Prince would be a long shot.

Yet Her Majesty doesn't do things without a reason. Just as Wu Feng steeled himself to agree, Huo Ling added: "It's okay if we fail. The key is that the attempt must occur."

Wu Feng paused: "Your Majesty means..."

Huo Ling's lips curved upward: "To give Great Mu's Crown Prince and the Xiao family behind him an excuse to clean house in the capital."

Without the deaths of his elder brothers, the Crown Prince's throne would keep wobbling.

Even if the young Crown Prince failed to grasp this, the Xiao family behind him would spell it out for him.

Regardless of who truly orchestrated the assassination, the Crown Prince and the Xiao family would immediately point fingers at the other princes.

Ji Xianshan's eyes lit up briefly before he raised a counterpoint: "Emperor Yongqing would likely oppose this."

With the frontlines at war, backline chaos would screw everything up.

Huo Ling replied: "Which is why the Crown Prince and the Xiao family would act in secret."

Even the usually composed Song Xu grew uncharacteristically animated: "Once the Crown Prince strikes, the other princes won't just twiddle their thumbs. When disorder erupts in the rear, the frontlines will inevitably suffer."

Ding Jinghuan clapped his hands: "Given Emperor Yongqing's obstinacy, if he were to find out what the Crown Prince and the Xiao family have been doing behind his back, wouldn't he choke on his rage?"

Huo Ling gave a wry smile: "If Emperor Yongqing could be angered to death, that would indeed be the best outcome."

***

Planning an assassination attempt against the Crown Prince of Great Mu was no small feat.

Moreover, the distance between the capitals of Great Yan and Great Mu was far too great.

To ensure timely coordination and command, Wu Feng decided to infiltrate the capital of Great Mu personally and mastermind the operation.

Huo Ling did not stop him but quietly advised before his departure: "Once you reach Northern Yan, meet with Zhou Jiamu and lay out your plans completely to him, ensuring his full cooperation."

"This operation, your safety comes first. If the situation becomes untenable, abandon the plan and seek alternative methods."

"The Empress Dowager's Shadow Guard Chief must not be lost over such a minor matter."

Wu Feng cupped his hands in salute and grinned brightly: "Your Majesty, I take my leave."

Once Wu Feng departed, he disappeared completely, like a fish disappearing into the vast ocean.

Battle reports from the frontlines were sent back to the capital every few days.

At present, the two armies remained at an impasse. Great Mu had kept baiting, attempting to lure Great Yan's forces out of the city for battle. However, under Zhou Jiamu's disciplined command, the Northern Yan Army fought cautiously, with both sides trading blows.

Great Mu brought in reinforcements.

Great Yan called up reinforcements from the Xingtang Pass garrison and the Swallow Feather Army to support Northern Yan.

Before departure, the Swallow Feather Army Commander Sun Yucheng was stricken with grave illness, and Deputy Commander Chen Liqun temporarily took command.

***

Initially, Huo Shiming nursed resentment.

He resented Fang Shi, resented Huo Ze, and most of all, resented his own hard-hearted eldest daughter.

The once-grand Duke of Chengen's estate had been a place of splendor and constant bustle, with countless visitors and invitations arriving daily.

Even the servants of the Duke's household had held their heads higher than those of other noble houses.

But now, the Duke's estate was like an overgrown garden—withered, desolate, and stripped of its former glory.

Huo Shiming began suffering from headaches, insomnia, and even took to heavy drinking.

He had never been one to drink to excess before.

As a battlefield commander, he had always maintained a clear mind, limiting himself to occasional light drinking for enjoyment, never allowing himself to overindulge.

Even after being recalled to the capital by Huo Ling, Huo Shiming had never broken this rule.

But now, what was the point of adhering to such principles?

Rather than keeping a clear head, he preferred the dulling fog of drink.

As reports from the frontlines gradually reached Huo Shiming's ears, he grew increasingly fearful.

And Sun Yucheng's letter only fed his growing dread.

In the letter, Sun Yucheng mentioned two things.

The first was that he had suddenly fallen ill the day before departure, his body racked with such pain that he could not even rise from bed. In the end, Deputy Commander Chen Liqun had to take his place leading the Swallow Feather Army to reinforce Northern Yan.

"Chen Liqun is suspected to be a loyalist of the Empress Dowager."

Just ten words, yet they made Huo Shiming stare at it for a long while.

Because Chen Liqun was one of the first recruits when the Swallow Feather Army was founded.

The young man was handsome, skilled in both strategy and combat, quickly making a name for himself in the army and winning the trust of both Huo Shiming and Sun Yucheng.

Chen Liqun was from Western Yan and had only visited the capital once in all these years.

If Chen Liqun was the Empress Dowager’s man, when did he switch sides to her?

Was it after he rose to prominence, or...

Had he already sided with the Empress Dowager before the Swallow Feather Army was even established?

Was his entry into the Swallow Feather Army the Empress Dowager’s doing?

For some reason, Huo Shiming suddenly recalled something the Empress Dowager had once said to him:

"Father, do you know why the Swallow Feather Army is called the Swallow Feather Army?"

Rumors said that the Swallow Feather Army was proposed by the Empress Dowager, and its name was taken from her name...

At the time, he’d brushed it off.

But now, knowing the Empress Dowager’s temperament—given how tied the Swallow Feather Army was to her—how could she and the late Emperor not have slipped in their own spies within the ranks?

Those agents hadn’t been used before simply because there had been no need.

Now that she deemed him and his men untrustworthy, she was swiftly wiping out his influence in the Swallow Feather Army, allowing her sleepers to take effect.

No...

It wasn’t just the Swallow Feather Army.

Huo Shiming’s eyes dropped slightly to the next line of the letter.

Apart from Sun Yucheng, most of his trusted subordinates in the Xingtang Pass garrison had been shipped off to Northern Yan by the Commander of Xingtang Pass, Bai Jingwen.

This reassignment would last anywhere from three to five months, or even one to two years. By the time they returned to Western Yan, they’d have nowhere left.

A power play this blatant—how could Bai Jingwen pull this off?

If not for the Empress Dowager’s approval, how could Bai Jingwen have dared!

The flimsy letter in his hands now felt like a crushing boulder, suffocating Huo Shiming.

Shaking uncontrollably, he looked up at Kong Yi, who had delivered the letter.

"How did you manage to bring this letter in?"

Kong Yi replied, "Commander Sun must’ve figured you were in trouble, General. The letter was sent to the capital through our secret communication channel.

"After obtaining it, I hid it in a vegetable cart and managed to smuggle it in."

Huo Shiming closed his eyes, his face pale. "Have you read the letter?"

Kong Yi said, "Without your permission, General, I wouldn’t dream of opening it."

Huo Shiming felt a little better.

He and Sun Yucheng had a special code for communication.

As soon as he got the letter, he knew it hadn’t been opened beforehand, and it was undoubtedly written by Sun Yucheng himself—not forged or penned by someone else.

His earlier question had been a test, too.

Kong Yi was loyal, no doubt, but now that he, Huo Shiming, had fallen from grace, Kong Yi might harbor other thoughts. He had to feel him out a bit more.

"Here, read this letter too."

Huo Shiming handed the letter over.

Kong Yi scanned it rapidly, his expression gradually shifting: "Chen Liqun might actually be the Empress Dowager’s man? How… how is this possible? When did he defect to her side…?"

Huo Shiming let out a bitter laugh. "You’re just as stunned, huh? Who would’ve thought the Empress Dowager had been guarding against me all along?"

Kong Yi rushed to reassure him.

Huo Shiming waved his hand. "Let’s not get stuck on that for now.

"Ah Yi, you’ve been with me all these years. I know your capabilities better than anyone.

"Now that I’m retired and washed up, keeping you here would just hold you back. While I still have some influence left in the court, I’ll write you a letter of recommendation. Take it and go—"

"General!"

Before Huo Shiming could finish, Kong Yi interrupted him.

He spoke earnestly. "General, you saved my life and gave me a chance when no one else would. If not for your intervention back then, I would’ve died at the hands of bandits long ago—let alone enjoyed these years of prosperity.

"You know me better than that.

"I’m not some fair-weather follower, chasing power and wealth. If I deserted you now, what kind of person would that make me?

"Besides—"

Kong Yi’s eyes brimmed with tears as he said remorsefully, "If I hadn’t suggested that strategy to you, you wouldn’t have ended up in this situation."

Huo Shiming observed Kong Yi’s reaction closely.

He gave a slight nod to himself, finally letting go of the last trace of resentment he held toward Kong Yi.

He’d definitely blamed Kong Yi at first.

When he was first confined to his residence, Huo Shiming hadn’t even wanted to see Kong Yi’s face.

But as days passed, even his own wife and children had abandoned him without hesitation—only Kong Yi stuck by him.

Huo Shiming sighed deeply. "Storms show the strongest trees, and chaos distinguishes loyal ministers. Ah, you really see who people are when things go bad."

Guiding Kong Yi to a seat, Huo Shiming asked him what he should do next.

"If you’ll still hear my advice, General, let me tell you what we should do."

Kong Yi spoke up. "With your men all sent to Yanbei, why not petition the Empress Dowager to allow you to go there as well and redeem yourself by proving your worth?"

"Do you think I haven't considered that?"

Huo Shiming covered his eyes, his tone despondent.

He had not only thought about it but had even prostrated himself and kowtowed three times to the Empress Dowager, begging her to allow him to return to the battlefield.

Even the most arduous combat missions would be acceptable.

But the Empress Dowager refused.

No matter what he said, she simply would not relent.

"This..." Kong Yi was at a loss for words. "I can't think of a better solution at the moment."

The hope in Huo Shiming's eyes faded bit by bit.

He gnawed anxiously at the fleshy part between his thumb and forefinger, where a wound from a teacup shard had yet to fully heal.

"I'll try again..."

His voice was hollow: "I'll try once more..."

Ensuring noble titles for his family, rising through the ranks—these had been Huo Shiming's lifelong obsessions and ambitions.

Now, his family was torn apart, and his official career had reached its end. Surely the Empress Dowager wouldn’t be so cruel as to leave him no way out at all?

Clutching at a hope even he scarcely believed in, Huo Shiming submitted petition after petition.

Yet each one disappeared without a reply, never to be answered.

He began losing sleep night after night, especially whenever news of defeats on the frontlines reached him, fueling his paranoia.

These days, the moment he closed his eyes, he was instantly transported back to Xingtai Hall in his mind’s eye.

"...From now on, the Duke of Chengen had better pray day and night, every moment, that nothing happens at the border. If your selfishness leads to war between Great Yan and Great Mu, every coin spent, every life lost—I will hold you accountable. There will be no leniency."

That icy, controlled voice, verging on merciless, felt like an inescapable curse—or worse, a prophetic judgment.

What more could she do to him?

Stripping him of all his positions, confining him to his estate, turning him into a shell of his former self, tearing his family apart—wasn’t that enough to satisfy her anger?

Could it be...

Would she truly not stop until she’d hounded him to his grave?

Such thoughts churned and festered in Huo Shiming’s mind until the day he discovered his food had been poisoned.

***

The three-month house arrest had long passed, yet the imperial guards stationed at the gates of the Duke of Chengen's residence remained.

The capital had transitioned from early autumn to early winter, with fine snowflakes falling without end, blanketing everything in white.

In the past, with Fang Shi managing the household and maids and servants attending to his every need, Huo Shiming never had to worry about winter clothing or how to procure firewood for warmth. He could have steaming meals and tea whenever he wanted.

Now, with no mistress in the household, the servants became more and more neglectful. Forget winter clothes and firewood—even a hot meal was hard to come by.

That noon, the servants delivered his meal as usual, but by the time it had turned stone-cold, Huo Shiming still hadn’t touched a bite.

When Kong Yi arrived and saw this, he couldn’t help but plead with Huo Shiming to look after himself.

Huo Shiming looked at his emaciated hands, his voice hoarse: "I know my limits. Take these dishes away."

Kong Yi sighed, no longer trying to persuade him, and silently removed the food. He looked around but couldn't find any servants, so he had to leave the food in the corner.

"Any new news from Yanbei?"

As soon as Kong Yi reentered, Huo Shiming demanded immediately.

Kong Yi looked at Huo Shiming, hesitating: "General Zhou Jiamu secured another victory, but... but... Lieutenant General Geng and Colonel Rong both fell in that battle."

Huo Shiming’s eyes narrowed sharply.

These two men had been his most trusted lieutenants in the army, following him loyally for years.

Huo Shiming’s voice was tight with suppressed emotion: "Do we know how they sacrificed themselves?"

Kong Yi: "It’s said they were overzealous in chasing glory, marching headlong into Great Mu’s main forces. Great Yan couldn’t mobilize reinforcements in time, so... it happened."

Huo Shiming’s breathing grew rapid, his chest heaving violently. He didn’t buy a single word of this official explanation.

"Lieutenant General Geng and Colonel Rong are battle-hardened veterans who served under me for years. How could they just 'run into' Great Mu’s main forces for no reason?"

Huo Shiming drove his fist into the table, boiling with rage: "Zhou Jiamu!"

Just as he was about to say more, a piercing yowl of a cat faintly reached them from outside.

"Why is there a cat out there?" Huo Shiming frowned.

Kong Yi guessed: "Must be a stray that got in."

"Let’s go take a look."

Huo Shiming and Kong Yi had been speaking in the secret chamber of the study to ensure their conversation wouldn't be overheard by anyone.

When they stepped out of the study, they saw the dying stray cat collapsed beside the food.

Their faces went pale.

Huo Shiming strode forward, seizing the cat by its neck to examine it closely—and sure enough, he found traces of food around its mouth.

It felt like a hammer had struck his head. Huo Shiming was so terrified he nearly lost his soul from fright, barely registering when Kong Yi dragged him back into the secret chamber.

"General! General!" Kong Yi shook Huo Shiming’s shoulders. "Pull yourself together! There’s no time for hesitation now!"

Huo Shiming clutched Kong Yi’s arm, his face filled with terror: "Why... why? I’m her own father! How could she do this to me?"

"Right, right." Huo Shiming began pacing like a caged animal again. "She’s always been this ruthless. To root out all opposition and leave no loose ends, there’s nothing she wouldn’t do."

As if finally making up his mind, Huo Shiming stopped pacing.

Months of confinement had left him gaunt and worn, stripping away his former commanding presence.

His face was sunken, revealing stark signs of aging—only his eyes, the same ones he’d passed to his children, blazed with unnatural intensity in the dim chamber.

"I can’t just wait for death. If this continues, it’ll be the end of me. Kong Yi, do you have any way to help me survive this crisis?"

Under Huo Shiming’s piercing gaze, Kong Yi gritted his teeth: "There’s only one way left for you to escape now, General."

"What way?"

"Eliminate the Empress Dowager. Control the emperor to command the court."