Simultaneous Transmigration: The Re-merging of 99 Selves

Chapter 7 Usurpation

White hat?

There were no fools present; everyone knew exactly what the character "王" (wang) plus "白" (bai) meant.

While the other two were surprised by Zhao Yu's ambition, Wang Chongyang looked annoyed.

He stood up first, replying somewhat stiffly, "I see. However, I am a man of the mountains and have already renounced worldly life to become a monk; it is not appropriate for me to meddle in worldly affairs. I appreciate Your Highness's kindness, but I will take my leave!"

After seven days of martial arts competition, Wang Chongyang thought he had figured out Zhao Yu.

Although Zhao Yu's martial arts were extraordinary, they were all orthodox Xuanmen techniques, and his movements secretly conformed to the numbers of Bagua. Judging from his skills, Wang Chongyang felt that Zhao Yu was not a sinister person.

This greatly changed Wang Chongyang's attitude towards Zhao Yu.

He never expected that Zhao Yu was not a malicious person, but an ambitious one who dared to usurp power and even wanted to win over the three of them to his own use.

But in the current situation, is this the time to fight for power and profit?

Just two years ago, the Southern Song Dynasty stripped Qin Hui of all his titles and posthumous names, changing his posthumous title to "Miu Chou" (meaning "absurd and ugly"), and issued an edict to investigate Qin Hui's crimes of misleading the country.

Immediately afterwards, the Song court announced a northern expedition to launch a major campaign against the Jin dynasty.

In the early stages of the war, the Song army achieved some success by launching an undeclared war, but soon lost cities and territories and had to bow down to the Jin state again.

At this turbulent time, Zhao Yu, as a member of the imperial clan, did not think of serving the country and protecting the people, but instead attempted to seize power and usurp the throne. How could Wang Chongyang not despise him?

In Wang Chongyang's view, all the affairs of the world were ruined by such people, so how could he agree to associate with Zhao Yu?

Seeing Wang Chongyang about to leave in a huff, Lin Chaoying said with some displeasure, "Why are you so impatient? Can't you let him finish speaking?"

Zhao Yu gently tugged at Lin Chaoying and sat down leisurely. He not only didn't stop Wang Chongyang, but also poured himself a glass of wine.

Then Zhao Yucai said, "Just last month, Han Xianggong was beaten to death in Yujin Garden on his way to court. His accomplice, Su Shidan, was also executed, and his head was sent to the Jin Kingdom to sue for peace."

Wang Chongyang, who had already reached the door, stopped. Even though he had become a Taoist monk, he still paid close attention to the political situation between the Song and Jin dynasties because of his previous experience in resisting the Jin.

Wang Chongyang was certainly aware of the pro-war faction within the Song Dynasty.

"Lord Han? Which Lord Han?"

Zhao Yu said in a deep voice, "Grand Tutor, Chancellor of Military and State Affairs, Prince of Pingyuan, Han Tuozhou, Prime Minister Han!"

Wang Chongyang turned abruptly, filled with righteous indignation: "The prime minister of a nation was killed in the capital? And his head is to be sent to the enemy country as an apology?"

Zhao Yu sneered and reminded him, "You're mistaken, Master. Lin'an isn't the capital yet; it's still just a temporary capital!"

Standing there, Wang Chongyang's face was pale and ashen. After a moment of contemplation, he returned to the table and sat down.

"What else?"

Zhao Yu picked up the wine jug and poured wine for the other three: "And then there's the signing of the peace treaty, the payment of annual tribute, and the change of the form of government. Oh, and by the way, we also need to elevate Qin Hui to a high position."

"Are we really going to elevate that scoundrel Qin Hui?"

Hong Qi's face flushed red: "Grandpa Yue died at the hands of that scoundrel, and was only exonerated a few years ago. How can things change again!"

Huang Yaoshi raised his hand to block Hong Qi's path, staring intently at Zhao Yu: "What do you mean by changing the form of government?"

Unlike Hong Qi, Huang Yaoshi was learned in a wide range of fields, including martial arts and politics.

The difference in status between Yue Fei and Qin Hui was simply a matter of how they were regarded by the people in power in the court. Although he disapproved of this, he understood the situation.

However, another thing mentioned by Zhao Yu caught his attention.

Zhao Yu raised the wine glass in front of him and downed it in one gulp. The glass hit the table with a "thud".

"What else could it be! It's a kingdom of uncle and nephew now, but it'll become a kingdom of elder uncle and nephew in the future!"

After the Jingkang Incident, the status between the Song and Jin dynasties could no longer be equal, and every emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty had to address the emperor of the Jin Dynasty as his uncle.

Although he doesn't actually call her "uncle" in person, it has to be reflected in the official letter.

Now things have gotten even better; the Jin state has gone from being an uncle to an elder brother.

Seeing Zhao Yu drinking in anger, Lin Chaoying was a little worried and patted him on the back.

Zhao Yu felt a little relieved, took a deep breath, and smiled at her.

Then, Zhao Yu looked at the three men and said sincerely, "I do not covet the throne, but I truly do not wish to see the legacy left by our ancestors squandered by such villains! I do not wish to see my Han sons, with their hair disheveled and robes fastened on the left, fall into the hands of these barbarian hordes!"

"If I were powerless to help, so be it; I would simply numb myself with drunkenness all day. But now that I hold a long sword in my hand, how can I sit idly by? Regardless of whether you are willing to help me today, once I return to Lin'an, I will surely change the world!"

The private room was silent. Despite the delicious food on the table, Wang Chongyang and his two companions had no appetite.

On the contrary, Zhao Yu, having spoken his mind, seemed to have shed all his burdens, picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, occasionally whispering a few words to Lin Chaoying beside him.

Looking at his appearance, Wang Chongyang and the other two exchanged glances, their feelings quite complicated.

What Zhao Yu said concerned the political situation of the Song Dynasty. Even though they couldn't verify its truth at the moment, they knew that Zhao Yu wouldn't lie to them.

Otherwise, they could simply go to Lin'an to inquire and find out the truth.

This is not good for Zhao Yu at all.

However, for ancient people like Wang Chongyang, the four words "loyalty, filial piety, integrity and righteousness" were engraved in their bones, and it was difficult to change their minds in a short time.

Finally, Huang Yaoshi spoke first: "You want to usurp... the throne, but what wrong has that emperor done? He also strongly advocated for war before, how could he overturn his own decrees again?"

After a moment's hesitation, he changed "usurpation" to "seizure of the throne."

"Hmph!" Zhao Yu sneered. "My elder brother has always been cowardly, and most of the government is in the hands of others. When he first ascended the throne, Han Tuozhou was in power, and it was he who strongly advocated for war against the Jin Dynasty. After Han Tuozhou's death, Empress Yang and Shi Miyuan took control of the government."

"When a prime minister is murdered by lynching, and the emperor cannot hold anyone accountable, what do you think he can do?"

"So that's how it is..."

Huang Yaoshi murmured to himself.

After a moment, he looked Zhao Yu directly in the eye: "You're telling me all this, what exactly do you want me to do for you? Murder?"

"Brother Huang..."

Hong Qi hesitated, but Huang Yaoshi didn't even look at him.

Zhao Yu knew that the most crucial moment had arrived. He met Huang Yaoshi's gaze without fear and said, "I have heard that Brother Huang is a man of profound learning, knowledgeable in all things, including literature, martial arts, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, mathematics, strategy, medicine, divination, astrology, divination, the Five Elements, agriculture, water conservancy, economics, and military strategy. He is proficient in everything."

"As the saying goes, a country in turmoil needs a good prime minister. If I were emperor, I would be in dire need of a prime minister to oversee the overall situation. If Brother Huang does not mind, you may visit Lin'an in the future. I will certainly welcome you with open arms, and I would even go so far as to visit you three times."

After Zhao Yu finished speaking, he finally scratched Huang Yaoshi's itch.

If Zhao Yu had taken a liking to his martial arts skills, Huang Yaoshi would have turned and left without a second thought. But Zhao Yu actually recognized Huang Yaoshi's knowledge, which was truly the right medicine for the disease.

Huang Yaoshi's "evil" stems more from his frustration at being unable to achieve his ambitions. He is a learned scholar who has no opportunity to use his talents, which naturally leads him to become cynical and misanthropic.

If he truly has no intention of serving in the government, then studying Qimen Dunjia and the Five Elements is one thing, but why bother researching farmland irrigation?

It was precisely because he was eager to do things but could not get them that Huang Yaoshi developed his wickedness.

As it happened, Zhao Yu valued Huang Yaoshi's knowledge, and this unexpected answer immediately invigorated Huang Yaoshi.

"Are you serious?" he couldn't help but ask instinctively.