Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 403 - 402: Climbing a New Power

"If it’s merely a matter of dying to prove one’s commitment, I don’t think Father Emperor would particularly care. Since I can remember, he hasn’t been the type to buy into that," Lu Yan shook his head. "But if the person from the Ministry of War’s Warehouse Department were to do it, he would believe it."

"Oh? What is special about this person?" Lu Qing asked.

"This person is the personal attendant of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Treasury, and as for the Assistant Minister..." Lu Yan nodded to Lu Qing with a meaningful expression. "Though he works in the Ministry of War, he privately maintains a very close relationship with Minister Luo Yushu of the Ministry of Personnel, with whom he shares a deep connection."

Lu Qing showed an expression of understanding, nodded, and did not inquire further.

Zhu Yu paused slightly upon hearing the name Luo Yushu, feeling somewhat familiar, but couldn’t immediately place who it was. It dawned on her a moment later that the famous name of Minister Luo was something she had encountered on the guest list for Lu Zhang’s wedding.

After a brief exchange, Lu Qing and Lu Yan parted ways, with Lu Yan returning to rest. The day’s events had left him utterly exhausted, and despite their lack of smooth progress, now even Lu Zhang had parted ways with them, taking the "traitor" who had botched things. Lu Yan, despite conferring with Lu Qing, still held anger in his heart, which had nowhere to vent except through sleep.

After Lu Yan left, Lu Qing secured the door and his gaze fell on Zhu Yu, who was deep in contemplation.

"You’re wondering why the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Treasury is closely associated with Luo Yushu, yet General Cao cannot explain it?" He returned to the table, sat down, and directly addressed the doubt in Zhu Yu’s mind.

Zhu Yu snapped out of her thoughts and, hearing his words, laughed, "You guessed right. I can’t figure out the logic in all this.

I can understand why someone would specifically target General Cao; after all, he’s a major contributor to the current Holy Emperor’s ascent to power, enjoying many years of glory right under the Emperor’s nose, and even holds military power, which reflects the Emperor’s trust in him.

I don’t think the current Holy Emperor is someone who trusts casually. General Cao hasn’t crossed any of the Emperor’s taboos over the years. Regardless of how close he is with Duke Yan, his allegiance has been unwaveringly loyal to the Emperor. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

If someone had a plot, they’d naturally want to see such a person removed from the Emperor’s side.

However... forging weapons as a frame against the Jie King and my father is an easy task. The Vassal King is inherently a role viewed with suspicion; operating in the far-flung lands away from the Emperor makes clandestine maneuvers easier.

Black Iron is produced in our Shuo land, and the Jie King has long been painted as an ambitiously aggressive figure. If they were accused of teaming up for mischief, at first glance, it might seem perfectly plausible to anyone.

But Cao Tianbao?

He’s right under the Emperor’s watchful eye and already wields significant military power. If he truly wanted to do something, he’d hardly need to resort to such sneaky maneuvers.

Furthermore, isn’t the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Treasury one of Luo Yushu’s followers? Everyone knows that Minister Luo is a protégé of Duke Yan, and in line with Zhao Bi.

It’s no secret that Cao Tianbao follows Zhao Bi’s lead.

So technically, they’re in the same camp!

If Cao Tianbao inexplicably received a batch of counterfeit military-grade Black Iron weapons and armor, this wouldn’t be a trivial matter; both the Assistant Minister and Minister Luo ought to be trying their best to extricate Cao Tianbao.

Yet, the Assistant Minister stood firm, condemning himself to death rather than bearing false accusations, starkly showcasing his integrity, but without a doubt plunging Cao Tianbao into an even more precarious situation!

How could people from the same camp commit such acts of undermining one another?

Duke Yan’s cunning is practically written on his face; I don’t believe he’d sit back and watch as his trusted confidants descend into infighting."

"You’re absolutely right in your reasoning," Lu Qing nodded, first agreeing with Zhu Yu’s perspective, then added, "I also believe that despite General Cao’s deference towards Duke Yan, at his core, he is unfailingly loyal to the Emperor.

This may well be the underlying reason for the calculated moves against him."

Zhu Yu furrowed her brow: "I see what you mean. I have no intention of questioning Cao Tianbao’s loyalty to the Emperor, but Duke Yan clearly doesn’t strike me as one content with servile subordination.

I’m inclined to believe that Cao Tianbao is upright, perhaps even a bit naïvely loyal, admiring and valuing closeness to someone on such a level that it clouds his judgment.

That’s why he harbors so many prejudices against you, always remaining at odds.

I trust he never suspected Duke Yan of harboring ambitions against the Emperor. If Duke Yan’s plan was to use Cao Tianbao to seize the throne from the Emperor, I believe Cao Tianbao would never agree.

This is a truth Zhao Bi can’t possibly have missed all these years.

Therefore, Zhao Bi’s strategy isn’t outright usurpation, but a slow, methodical approach, with a carefully crafted, righteous justification to make it appear justifiable, thereby consistently securing General Cao’s support.

That way, they are less likely to have differing paths or rifts, and Zhao Bi certainly wouldn’t dig a pit for him due to his steadfast loyalty to the Emperor, a fact he’s known all along. Doing that would be akin to cutting off his own arm."

"You’re correct," Lu Qing chuckled, "Lu Zhang, the only son of Consort Zhao, serves as the perfect guise for Zhao Bi. He only needs to play the role of a loving maternal grandfather and support Lu Zhang’s ascension, making everything legitimate, and Cao Tianbao would undoubtedly wholeheartedly endorse it.

When the timing is right, cleverly pin the ambition on the Yue Family or some other entity, and seize the opportunity to eliminate Lu Zhang, the ’useful pawn,’ from the board. Not only would Cao Tianbao not notice anything amiss, but he might also find it entirely reasonable.

Thus, he would remain Zhao Bi’s most effective ally.

As such, the schemes targeting Cao Tianbao wouldn’t have originated from Zhao Bi’s plans."

Zhu Yu followed his explanation, sorting through her thoughts: "If it’s not Zhao Bi, yet the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Treasury is so close to Luo Yushu, Zhao Bi’s protégé..."

She raised her head in realization and looked at Lu Qing: "It seems you’re right. To these highborn nobles, the concept of mentorship is nothing more than a band of opportunistic schemers trying to latch onto their coattails and take advantage of their connections.

This Luo Yushu... has he failed to latch onto Zhao Bi and is now seeking other avenues?"