Chapter 686: Strange Activity in the Palace, the Fifth Prince! II (1/2)

Chapter 686: Strange Activity in the Palace, the Fifth Prince! (II)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

In every dynasty and every era, the dragons vying for the throne had always been the cruelest affair. It was quite normal for the princes to plant spies amongst each other and seek out information, though outsiders knew little of the risk involved.

The slightest lack of care would end with one's body pulverized and bones ground to dust.

This fear was why the Fifth Prince had sought out Wang Chong.

”Du Hongjian, Wei Shaoyou, Cui Yi, Lu Jianjin, Li Han…”

Wang Chong recited a large string of names, causing Li Jingzhong's face to twist in shock.

”What! Lord Marquis, are there problems with all these people? Can none of them be used?”

When he first gave over this list, Li Jingzhong had never imagined that so many of these people were not useable. But Wang Chong's next words gave him another big surprise.

”Tell His Highness that there's basically no problem with these people and that he place them in important positions. As for the others, we'll have to discuss them later,” Wang Chong indifferently said.

”Ah!”

Li Jingzhong raised his head, dumbfounded. He could understand if there were problems with these people, but how could Wang Chong be so sure that these people could be used?

”Just do as I say!” Wang Chong lightly said. Without even turning his head, he could see into the deepest parts of Li Jingzhong's mind. Li Jingzhong's heart thumped and he hurriedly pressed his head back against the ground.

Wang Chong naturally knew why these people could be used. Whether it was Du Hongjian, Wei Shaoyou, Cui Yi, or the other people he had mentioned, they would all be the Fifth Prince's faithful subordinates upon his future ascension. These people shouldn't have appeared at a time like this, and it was only through various coincidences and chance meetings that they would have eventually gotten close to Li Heng. But since history had already changed and the Fifth Prince had the intention of raising his own subordinates, he could have these people stand by Li Heng's side a little early.

At the very least, in terms of loyalty, there was no problem with these people.

”In addition…”

Wang Chong paused for a moment and waved his palm. A nearby brush was suddenly pulled off its stand by an invisible energy. After dragging itself along an inkstone for a few moments, it fell in Wang Chong's hand.

”For any name that I strike off, tell His Highness that none of them can be used and he should try to keep as much distance from them as possible. Liu Ji, Wang Zeng, Li Yong—no matter how much His Highness likes these people, he must have as little interaction with them as possible. In addition, with regards to Junior Palace Craftsman Wei Lan and Vice Director of the Bureau of Military Personnel Wei Zhi…”

”What about them?”

Li Jingzhong suddenly rallied his courage and raised his head, his eyes full of hope.

”Hmph, doesn't His Highness greatly favor these two?”

Wang Chong put down the list of names and lowered his head to look at Li Jingzhong, his voice tinged with derision.

”This…”

Li Jingzhong hesitated for a moment.

”Is it because they come from the capital's Wei1 Clan?” Wang Chong said indifferently.

”Yes!”

Li Jingzhong knew that nothing could be hidden from Wang Chong and hurriedly nodded.

Of the various great clans of the Great Tang, the Wei lineage could truly be ranked at the top of the list. Its status was far above the Bai Clan and the Zhao Clan. It was a true prestigious clan.

The Wang Clan was called a clan of ministers and generals, with Wang Chong's grandfather even serving as a wise and virtuous minister famed throughout the world, assisting the Emperor in taking the throne and governing the country. Moreover, the Wang Clan's several generations of good relations with the King Song line had made it a truly powerful figure in the capital.

Yet not even the Wang Clan could compare to the Wei Clan.

The reason was very simple. The Wang Clan had only begun its rise in the last few decades while the Wei Clan was an ancient lineage that had existed for four or five hundred years. Long ago, in the Sui Dynasty, the Wei lineage was already being hailed as the greatest of the Sui's noble clans.

Emperor Wen of Sui had only succeeded in founding the Great Sui due to the assistance from the Grand Marshal of the Northern Zhou, Wei Xiaokun2. Following this lineage down through history was extremely complicated.

In short, the Wei Clan's deep resources made it the true number one clan.

Wei Lan and Wei Zhi were descendants of the Wei Clan, so they wielded no small amount of power. It wasn't strange for Fifth Prince Li Heng to want to get close to them.

”Tell His Highness that on this list, he is absolutely forbidden from picking Wei Lan or Wei Zhi!”

Wang Chong gripped the list, his voice firm and accepting no objection.

”If he wants to hear my opinion, then this is it!”

”Why?!”

Li Jingzhong fiercely raised his head with obvious disappointment in his eyes.

”Hmph, are you questioning my judgment?” Wang Chong coldly asked, his eyes holding no emotion.

This scheming minister's personality was bored into his bones and difficult to change, and he had always had a powerful craving for power. However, if he wasn't willing to rest easy, if he wanted to play some tricks in front of him and not accept his words, then Wang Chong didn't have to wait. He would just kill Li Jingzhong right now.

The current Li Jingzhong had still not assisted the Emperor in reaching the throne, and his place at Li Heng's side was not as important as it would be in the future.

Even if he killed him now, he would just be killing an insignificant middle-aged eunuch. He was confident that Li Heng would not break off relations for such an act.