Chapter 1637 – Subduing Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (Part 48)
“The Nan Family specifically chose this time to strike, indicating they view our Lord as a scapegoat. Regardless of whether the assassination succeeds or fails, our Lord is the prime suspect. The only way to clear this suspicion is to wholeheartedly assist Liu… Liu Gong, seeking no merit but to avoid faults.”
Yan Lin gestured for Yang Tao to assist Jiang Ji in weaving a lie, naturally to clear their little friend’s suspicion.
Besides that, every move they made was under Jiang Ji’s control.
She was well aware of everything the old ministers with ulterior motives had said and done to Yang Tao, more than anyone else.
Yan Lin’s directive for Yang Tao was also a way to validate his own innocence.
There were too many twists and turns involved; Yang Tao didn’t need to understand, just needed to follow through, while Yan Lin would handle the brain work.
Yang Tao secretly bid farewell to the old ministers he once knew, worry etched on his brow.
“I don’t know how many spies are around, why do they insist on provoking me?” he said.
Yan Lin replied, “In chaotic times, one is not in control of their own fate. Zheng Ze does not wish to get involved, yet these matters cannot be avoided simply by wishing.”
There was something that compelled people, either forcibly or willingly, onto this thorny tightrope.
This “something” could be morals, ideals, protection, desires, or power…
Yang Tao acted to protect his small family, but what about Jiang Ji?
“Though a hundred million stand in my way, I shall press on.”
Yang Tao bewilderedly asked, “What did Shaoyang say?”
“Everyone has their own path, some grand, some small, some public, some private; there’s no hierarchy in ‘the Way.’ Following one’s heart, the myriad paths ultimately converge.” Yan Lin smiled and added, “I’m just curious, what prompted Liu Xi to walk this path? Was it for a grand cause or minor affection? After pondering, I feel this phrase resonates most.”
Yang Tao blinked, struggling to comprehend.
Yan Lin facepalmed, “To put it simply, Liu Gong is someone with great ambitions and a large heart.”
Yang Tao chuckled, “It’s rare to see Shaoyang praise someone like that.”
That’s high praise indeed.
Yan Lin shook his head, “Paths differ.”
Admiration is one thing, but such people are best kept on a pedestal and not engaged with; Yan Lin wouldn’t risk joining the fray.
To use a marathon metaphor, competitor Yang Tao divided the forty-kilometer race into eight segments, aiming to run just five kilometers each time, while Yan Lin could accompany him at that pace. But competitor Jiang Ji wanted to run a hundred kilometers straight; forty kilometers was merely a temporary goal for her.
Hmm…
In this scenario, Yan Lin respected her courage and aspirations but simply lacked the stamina to accompany her through the entire hundred kilometers.
Yang Tao rested his chin on his hand and said, “Shaoyang, do you think I should come clean to Liu Lanting about their actions and seek a favor?”
After all, they were former ministers; years of connection weren’t trivial, and Yang Tao didn’t want them punished by Jiang Ji.
Yan Lin lowered his gaze, “No need; Liu Gong won’t do anything harmful to those people, at most just scare them. Overall, it’s more fright than danger.”
Couples think about parting dozens of times a year; even teeth and tongue bicker, let alone lords and ministers.
He didn’t believe Yang Si and the others, who were repeatedly stood up by Jiang Ji, hadn’t ever considered choking their Lord out of frustration.
But thoughts don’t always translate to action; reprimands and education suffice, there’s no need for executions.
Yang Tao responded with an “oh,” feeling somewhat relieved.
Yan Lin continued, “If possible…”
Yang Tao turned to him, asking, “What?”
Don’t just leave half a thought hanging!
Yan Lin supplemented, “Get Zheng Ze to possibly seize the Nan Family’s assets.”
After all, the number of Nan Sheng families Jiang Ji cleaned up through Yang Tao was not few, making a lot of enemies along the way.
Digging graves and seizing property… Jiang Ji bore half the blame for such actions, while Yang Tao, as the executor, took on the other half.
With so many parasites, another extermination wouldn’t be an issue.
If the Nan Family fell to Yang Tao, it would not only solidify his stance but also clear his suspicion.
Yang Tao murmured an “oh,” not thinking too deeply, only squinting and grinning.
“I heard the Nan Family has a wealth of assets; it’s a plump, juicy target—definitely a great opportunity, I wonder if we can seize it.”
In the business of battle and looting, it’s often the case to pocket some profit along the way; many military generals have amassed their fortunes this way.
Now that there were still battles to fight, stockpiling some resources would make it easier to sustain their families in peaceful times.
“Absolutely, as long as you speak up.”
Despite Yang Tao’s identity as a former lord being a disadvantage, it also held benefits.
For example, if he volunteered for an accomplishment, hardly anyone could rival him.
Why is that?
Naturally to placate Yang Tao and fulfill his modest requests without affecting the bigger picture.
Yang Tao declined the temptation from the old ministers, who lost their anchor, sighing to retreat, merely continuing to observe.
But the Nan Family couldn’t sit still, allying with several families hostile to Jiang Ji to stir trouble. However, their initial strike was met with utter failure; their conspiracy, still only theoretical, was caught red-handed by Yang Tao, who secured the letters and testimonies as evidence.
The idle folks were left astonished by this maneuver.
【Resigned Boss】: Isn’t it normally scripted for the host to feign illness and death, waiting for the likes of the Nan Family to puff up with pride and march out, only to strike back dramatically later? They jumped the gun at merely the theoretical stage; the satisfying slap in the face isn’t enough!
What does this resemble?
It’s like a political drama comprising eighty-one episodes, but Jiang Ji’s editing cut it down to a mere five-minute trailer.
Basically, as the Nan Family allied with various clans, they were just about to take the stage when Jiang Ji kicked them right off.
The pacing of this drama was as rapid as a starving ghost reincarnating; instant noodle shows last longer!
One idle character posed the question on everyone’s mind.
【Night Dance Flame Spirit】: So… what was the host’s feigning of illness and death for?
“To seize more properties,” Jiang Ji stated. “Isn’t the Nan Family uniting with six minor clans from Fenzhou? They’ve gotten their just desserts.”
Why wait until the fire burns down the house only to extinguish the flames?
Such hero reversals are unnecessary.
Jiang Ji coldly observed as flames devoured a few books, extinguishing the smoldering fire the moment it set off alarms.
The chaos stirred by the Nan Family was merely a minor flicker, not a significant threat.
She sneered, “Aren’t they cursing me for robbing their wealth and digging up their ancestors’ graves like banditry? Ha! Goodwill left them hanging; now I have every justification to take their entire family’s life. Make an example of them to deter others!”
To her, the Nan Family was merely a frivolous clown.
She didn’t regard them seriously; they just believed they were overly significant, causing disturbances without allowing for peace.
If no example were set, the folks from Nan Sheng would truly think she was a soft persimmon they could trample at will.
Once the Nan Family collapsed, the Nan Sheng factions would likely quiet down a bit.
If they continued to stir trouble, Jiang Ji would have to set a trap, ensuring she wiped them out completely till they learned to silence themselves.
As for the internal assistance…
Casually tossing aside her teacup, Jiang Ji remarked coldly, “Execute them.”
