Chapter Eighty-Six: Explosive Pill

Li Zisheng knew exactly what needed to be done at this moment; it was a survival instinct that anyone thrust into such peril would inevitably develop—a sensitivity to danger that only those under threat could truly understand.

The reason he had invoked the name of Gao Lishi was to borrow the prestige of a tiger to bolster his own courage, or perhaps to signal to his counterpart that his knowledge far exceeded their expectations.

However, such a tactic could lead to one of two outcomes. On one hand, once a pawn discovers things it was never meant to know, it might be discarded immediately to regain control. On the other, even if a pawn knows too much, it might still hold significant utility, leaving it to be discarded only after it has served its purpose.

Li Zisheng knew he was in the second category—a mere beast of burden being utilized. Yet, his opponent had overlooked one crucial fact: Li Zisheng was a man from the future. The information he possessed was not only substantial but potentially surpassed everything the Sanwei Pavilion had gathered. In this regard, he held an invincible position. While the Pavilion might possess greater detail, Li understood the grand trajectory and the direction of future events. In that respect, his advantage was unparalleled.

"The Way of Heaven diminishes the excessive and supplements the deficient"—this was an immutable truth. The Sanwei Pavilion was not enough to alter such a grand tide. Li Zisheng believed this implicitly, which was why he could face Ling'er’s threats with such nonchalance.

Seeing Li Zisheng’s attitude, Ling'er was forced to compromise. She had to reveal the true purpose of her arrival in Yuecheng; it was a rule, the most fundamental rule of the game.

"Zisheng, besides searching for the Yishan stone inscriptions and yourself, there is indeed another reason for my presence in Yuecheng. But if you were to learn of it, it might not bode well for you. I advise you to remain ignorant; otherwise, you will have to bear the consequences yourself. No one can help you."

Ling'er repeated the warning, but seeing the resolve in Li Zisheng’s eyes, she realized the stubbornness of his character and ceased her protests.

"Zisheng, the current Emperor’s civil and military achievements are rare in history, which has led him to entertain the idea of performing the Fengshan sacrifices. The Grand Councilor, Zhang Shuo, is a sycophant; he flattered the Emperor and pushed for this plan. But while the Great Tang appears calm on the surface, the undercurrents are surging. The empire has begun to rely heavily on foreign generals—an alarmingly high degree of reliance—while we Han people are being oppressed. We are supposedly valued, but in reality, we are under immense pressure. How can we be expected to remain loyal? An unjust sovereign and an unrighteous dynasty deserve to be overthrown and consigned to history."

Ling'er spoke with intense agitation. Although she had not yet revealed her ultimate objective in Yuecheng, her words gave Li Zisheng a clear picture.

Ling'er’s reasoning was not without merit. The greatest strength of the Tang Dynasty was its inclusivity—absorbing the cultures of all nations without being assimilated—the mark of a great empire. Yet, this had also become the fuse for its eventual downfall.

Culturally, this worked; the Tang remained distinctive despite the influx of foreign influences. But if foreign culture were to penetrate the realms of politics and military affairs, the entire structure would collapse. Li Zisheng saw this as clearly as a reflection in a mirror. Countless historical precedents proved that such a path led only to ruin.

Ling'er continued, her passion overflowing. "Han people are sidelined, while foreigners ascend to power by luck. Why should one remain loyal to such a dynasty?"

She paused, as if to compose herself. But Li Zisheng knew perfectly well that the opportunities for Han officials in the Tang were not as scarce as she claimed. The Tang royal bloodline itself was half-foreign, though they officially claimed pure Han lineage. Everyone knew of the "Hu" blood in the Tang people.

Li Zisheng realized that while more than half of the officials in the Tang were Han, the faction Ling'er belonged to held a deep prejudice against foreigners. He could now pinpoint exactly what kind of person led the Sanwei Pavilion: someone with an intense, pathological hatred for those of foreign origin.

"And today, Yuecheng shall be the place where these foreigners are destroyed; it will be the burial ground for these foreign officials."

Ling'er’s next words left Li Zisheng stunned. It was inconceivable—why would Yuecheng become a graveyard for them?

"The primary target is Deng Qing. It is not enough that this wretch enjoys the Emperor’s favor; he has even colluded with foreign barbarians to commit treason. His heart is wicked, and he deserves to die."

Ling'er spoke with venom, but to Li Zisheng, her words carried a double meaning.

Her rhetoric was self-contradictory. Was she disillusioned with the imperial court, or was she attempting to "rectify the court" by removing those around the Emperor? Her hatred for the foreigners was extreme, yet she claimed to be protecting the Tang realm. This shift left Li Zisheng confused.

He sensed profound ulterior motives in her words. Realizing she was likely still hiding the truth, he chose not to dismantle her arguments, opting instead to listen further.

"Deng Qing is a parasite of the state. He has enjoyed the bounty of the Tang, yet now he turns his blade against us. Truly, he has the heart of a wolf. Today in Yuecheng, Deng Qing has arranged a meeting with the leaders of various barbarian tribes to plot against the Emperor’s Fengshan ceremony. He is tired of living. Fortunately, the Sanwei Pavilion has countless secret passages here, and we have already filled Yuecheng with 'Bursting Pellets.' It will be enough to raze this city to the ground and slaughter these barbarian cubs to the last one."

"Bursting Pellets?" Li Zisheng asked softly.

"You likely haven't heard of them. These pellets possess immense power—a specialty of the Tang's Maoshan Taoists. One pellet is enough to level a small house. Yuecheng is already rigged with them. Once those barbarian leaders arrive, they will never leave. Hahaha!"