Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 523 - 271: Managing by Dividing the River_2

Chapter 523: Chapter 271: Managing by Dividing the River_2

Just as in the real history, why did Emperor Gaozong of Qi not actually need to worry about Emperor Yingzong threatening his throne?

Because according to the thinking of normal people, General Han Fuyue, the bulwark of the nation, was promoted by Emperor Gaozong himself and was his confidant. As long as Emperor Gaozong kept General Han Fuyue, and with General Han Fuyue’s command over the military to support him, then Emperor Yingzong wouldn’t even dream of usurping the throne—even after the death of Emperor Gaozong, when Emperor Xiaozong ascended, Emperor Yingzong would still have no chance.

Not to mention that General Han Fuyue was not the only powerful minister under Emperor Gaozong.

It could be said that the vast majority of ministers in the court supported Emperor Gaozong. In such circumstances, with no one to collaborate with, how could Emperor Yingzong stage a coup?

But the situation was different now.

General Han Fuyue was nearly driven to rebellion by Emperor Gaozong.

And all the significant power in the court had fallen into the hands of Qin Huizhi.

If Qin Huizhi truly set up Emperor Yingzong at this time... then Emperor Gaozong would have almost no power to resist. After all, after Qin Huizhi’s purge, how many ministers in the court who dared to oppose Qin Huizhi’s authority and support him were left?

Qin Huizhi’s power originated from Emperor Gaozong’s appointment, but now, Qin Huizhi’s influence had gradually become his own, and Emperor Gaozong was in a weaker position.

If this step succeeded, then overthrowing Emperor Yingzong afterwards would be much easier.

Because while Emperor Gaozong was on the throne, Qin Huizhi would still exercise restraint, and some ministers in the court still supported Emperor Gaozong.

But once Emperor Yingzong was in power, with no supporters in the court, the power would further fall into Qin Huizhi’s hands.

Emperor Yingzong was the ringleader of the Jingping uprising, lacking popular support and, at this moment, the support of the courtiers as well.

If Qin Huizhi found another opportunity to depose him, the likelihood of successfully plotting to usurp the throne would greatly increase.

Of course, no matter how good the plan is, it all comes down to the specifics of its implementation.

Given Qin Huizhi’s mediocrity, which has gotten him to where he is today without any bottom line, whether he can walk through this step by step is questionable. But regardless, this was the only possibility of plotting for the throne that lay before Qin Huizhi.

Whether it would succeed or not was another matter, but how could he be content if he didn’t at least try?

In this process, of course, Qin Huizhi could not do without the support of the Jin and the Zhao Yi Army.

The backing of the Jin needs little mention; their insistence in the peace negotiations that "the prime minister cannot be removed without cause" directly secured Qin Huizhi’s position for more than ten years, ensuring his dominance in the court and the countryside.

The support of General Han Fuyue proved even more useful than that of the Jin.

After all, the Jin were kept at a distance.

The Zhao Yi Army currently controlled the entire North; the Jin couldn’t fight their way over.

As the saying goes, "Distant relatives are not as good as near neighbors." Qin Huizhi was closer to the Jin, but the Zhao Yi Army, which was nearer, could offer more help.

Moreover, General Han Fuyue enjoyed high esteem among the people in both the North and the South.

If he could gain the support of General Han Fuyue, whether actual or in name only, it would make the process of deposing Emperor Gaozong and elevating Emperor Yingzong much smoother.

After all, didn’t Qin Huizhi rise to high position by colluding with the Jin inside and outside the court?

Now, replacing the Jin with General Han Fuyue would make the path even clearer and burden-free.

Originally, Qin Huizhi wanted to eliminate General Han Fuyue because, as a chief minister in the court, he posed a threat to his status. But now, had General Han Fuyue turned into a disloyal minister and a traitor? And he needed to collaborate with him?

Then Qin Huizhi would be more than eager.

After dismissing his entourage, Qin Huizhi and General Meng Lin talked in secret for a long time.

And thus, a palace coup revolving around Emperor Gaozong and Emperor Yingzong began to take shape...

...

On this day, the seas were calm and the nations were at peace.

However, the reigning Emperor Gaozong was somewhat under the weather.

He felt the chill of the wind and could not stop coughing; he also ran a slight fever.

After the imperial physician saw him, he prescribed a remedy, and then Emperor Gaozong felt groggy and constantly wanted to sleep.

Qin Huizhi, who came to visit, expressed that His Majesty’s dragon body was most important and he should rest assuredly, as the world was at peace and there were no troubles within the four seas—the trivial matters of the court could all be handled by him, sparing His Majesty the effort.

Once His Majesty rested well for a few days and fully recovered, he would be able to deal with the state affairs, with nothing delayed.

Emperor Gaozong had no choice but to agree.

Although he had many grievances against Chancellor Qin Huizhi, what else could he do? The two of them had committed so many misdeeds together, and as the prime minister demanded by the Jin in the peace agreement, he could not possibly be dismissed.

He would have to make do; he could not do without him.

Furthermore, in Emperor Gaozong’s judgment, although Qin Huizhi had become increasingly domineering and outrageous, overall, he remained loyal to himself. Without him, Qin Huizhi couldn’t accomplish anything.

In reality, Qin Huizhi’s control over the court had far exceeded Emperor Gaozong’s expectations.

After Qin Huizhi "isolated from inside and out," nobody dared to impeach him or even to speak ill of him. Therefore, the voices Emperor Gaozong heard were severely distorted.

Thus, many prerequisites were established unknowingly.

Not long after Emperor Qihui returned to the court, he passed away, and there were many suspicions among the people.

Emperor Yingzong was placed under house arrest, but he was in good health.

Qin Huizhi’s control over the court grew stronger, and there were no ministers daring to defy him.