Chapter 599: How Much Do You Know About the Four Seas?

"Your Majesty, do you think we've grown white-haired together..."

Within the imperial study, Yan Ruxue's voice still echoed in Xiao Mo's mind and the moment she had turned to look at him, it had reminded him, all the more, of a certain woman.

A woman who existed only within the Book of a Hundred Lives, and yet who had left him with a memory carved deep into his very bones.

"I must be overthinking this."

Xiao Mo shook his head.

The Book of a Hundred Lives was nothing more than a false life, after all. How could it possibly be real?

"Your Majesty..."

Just as Xiao Mo was settling his own complicated thoughts, Wei Xun's voice came from outside the imperial study.

"Come in." Xiao Mo raised his head, calling out toward the door.

"Yes."

Wei Xun hurried into the study, swiftly closing the door behind him, then stepped forward and bowed. "This servant pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"No need for such formalities. How is the matter I asked you to investigate coming along?" Xiao Mo asked.

Ever since Yan Ruxue had spoken those words to Xiao Mo a few days ago, and given him a list besides, Xiao Mo had that very day instructed Wei Xun to investigate, one by one, the officials and Yan clan members named on the list.

"Reporting to Your Majesty."

A flicker of joy passed through Wei Xun's eyes.

"These past few days, this servant has been investigating those on the list."

"Among them, the talent and character of the Yan clan members listed have indeed been well spoken of by their relatives and friends."

"This servant has even heard that three of them disapprove of the disloyal, unrighteous deeds the Yan clan has committed. Some have retired to live quietly in the countryside, others have opened private schools to teach and educate, preserving only their good name. Yan Shan'ao has invited them to serve at court several times, but they have all refused."

"And within the Imperial Guard, the Right Divine Might Army Commander and the Right Feathered Forest Army Commander might, in truth, be worth winning over."

"Oh?" Xiao Mo's interest was piqued at once. "How so?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is like this."

Wei Xun continued.

"The current Right Divine Might Army Commander, Zeng Qiang, though he appears, on the surface, to have been bought over by Yan Shan'ao, having accepted large sums of money and beautiful women from him, this servant believes it to be nothing more than a concealment."

"First, his father received the previous emperor's favor, and was a most loyal and righteous official, teaching Zeng Qiang from childhood to serve his country with utmost devotion."

"Second, Zeng Qiang, too, received the previous emperor's cultivation and promotion, and owes him a debt of recognition and advancement."

"Zeng Qiang's mother once hanged herself at home, because of Zeng Qiang's allegiance to Yan Shan'ao. After his mother's death, Zeng Qiang held a simple funeral for her, then sank into drink and women, lingering in brothels, appearing entirely disloyal, unrighteous, and unfilial."

"But this servant only recently learned that Official Wang Can's successful departure from the capital was, beyond this servant's own arrangements, also aided secretly by Zeng Qiang."

"And had it not been for Zeng Qiang, Yan Shan'ao's several attempts on Official Wang's life would surely have succeeded, and who knows how many times he might have already been reincarnated by now."

Hearing Wei Xun's report, Xiao Mo's brow furrowed, “Continue."

"As for the Right Feathered Forest Army Commander, Yue Qianzhi, this servant does not know a great deal, but he is close friends with the current Consort Xue's father, Yan Zhen, and moreover, Yue Qianzhi's ancestors rendered meritorious service in helping establish the dynasty, once saving Emperor Taizong's life on the battlefield."

"Emperor Taizong promised that the Yue family's descendants would forever inherit the position of Right Feathered Forest Army Commander, remaining forever loyal to the imperial house."

"Yan Shan'ao has tried several times to remove Yue Qianzhi, but has never managed to do so, and in the end simply let the matter drop, after all, in Yan Shan'ao's view, having four of the five commanders already under his control is more than sufficient."

"Mm..." Xiao Mo fell into thought. "It seems, then, that I'm not entirely without support within the palace after all."

"There's more still, Your Majesty..."

Wei Xun gave a mischievous smile.

"According to information provided by Consort Xue, this servant did indeed look into the Left Feathered Forest Army Commander, Zhang Haishen. His wife, Jinlian, is indeed a renowned beauty here in the capital."

"In September, three years ago, Yan Shan'ao visited Zhang Haishen's home to drink, and drank immortal-grade wine at that. He grew drunk, and carelessly ended up sleeping with the man's wife."

"And it did not stop at just once, either."

"Rumor has it that Jinlian's skills in bed are extraordinary, her waist more supple than a slender willow branch, softer than silken tofu, and she often practices a certain skill involving willow branches as well. Yan Shan'ao, having tasted this once, could not resist returning, and Jinlian, in turn, felt that Yan Shan'ao satisfied her even more, and so the two of them have carried on their affair repeatedly ever since."

"Zhang Haishen knows of all this, but dares not say a word about it. Still, this servant is certain that although Zhang Haishen appears indifferent on the surface, in truth, this man surely harbors deep resentment in his heart."

"After all, who could possibly bear having a cuckold's horns placed so brazenly upon his own head?"

"However, that list of the 'Yan faction' contains far too many names, their positions ranging from low to high. Given how pressed for time we are, this servant has not yet had the chance to confirm each and every one of them."

"I understand."

Xiao Mo rubbed his fingers together thoughtfully.

"Set aside the minor officials of little consequence for now. Focus first on investigating those members of the Yan faction ranked fifth grade or above, especially those whose loyalties seem to waver, and see whether they might be won over to our side."

"Beyond this, continue maintaining secret contact with those capable individuals mentioned on Consort Xue's list, and send word to General Li and the others at the border, telling them to make proper arrangements for the border defenses, and await my secret instructions!"

"Does Your Majesty mean...?" Wei Xun looked at Xiao Mo, startled.

"The time is nearly ripe." Xiao Mo said slowly.

"Yes!" Wei Xun's breathing grew heavier, a flush of excitement even flashing across his face. "Even if it costs this servant his life, I will do everything in my power to help Your Majesty reclaim the throne, and restore the glory of the House of Zhou!"

"It's still too early to speak of such things. Go now." Xiao Mo waved a hand.

"Rest well, Your Majesty." Wei Xun bowed.

"Wait..." Just as Wei Xun was about to leave, Xiao Mo called him back in time.

"Does Your Majesty have further instructions?" Wei Xun asked.

"How much do you know about the Four Seas?" Xiao Mo asked.

"The Four Seas?" Wei Xun paused for a moment. "Your Majesty, the Four Seas lie too far from us, and our Great Zhou, compared to the Four Seas, is like a mere mayfly. This servant truly does not know a great deal about it."

"Help me gather whatever current information you can about the Four Seas. However much you can gather will do." Xiao Mo said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Though Wei Xun did not know why His Majesty had suddenly taken an interest in the Four Seas, he would carry out the instruction regardless.

After Wei Xun left, only Xiao Mo remained within the imperial study.

Xiao Mo's fingers tapped rhythmically against the table, again and again.

The imperial capital maintained a total of five Imperial Guard divisions: the Left and Right Divine Might Armies, the Left and Right Feathered Forest Armies, and finally, the Vermilion Bird Army.

If he could truly secure the support of both the Right Feathered Forest Army Commander and the Right Divine Might Army Commander, and win over the Left Feathered Forest Army Commander to his side as well, what he needed to accomplish would become far more manageable.

With his plan now set, all that remained was to proceed one step at a time.

For the moment, he still needed to hurry toward the middle stage of the Cave Mansion realm.

As for the matter of the Four Seas...

Xiao Mo thought it over for a moment, then let out a sigh, “I suppose I really am overthinking this..."