Chapter 7: Rumors and Schemes

Zhihao leaned back in his chair, eyes flicking over the reports scattered across the table before him. The light of the afternoon sun filtered through the lattice windows, casting long shadows across the room. On the surface, everything seemed calm—tranquil, even. But the whispers? The whispers told a different story.

Rumors had a way of reaching the throne, especially when you least wanted to hear them.

He picked up a small slip of parchment, reading the words again. The northern families are unhappy. They fear for the stability of the kingdom under a new king. He tossed the paper aside, rubbing his temples. The northern families had always been loyal to Zhihao's father, but they hadn't warmed to him—the new, inexperienced ruler.

Of course they're unhappy, Zhihao thought grimly. Everyone's unhappy when power shifts hands. Especially when they didn't expect me to survive long enough to actually rule.

It wasn't just the northern nobles. There were murmurs from other regions too—families whispering about how the new king was too young, too weak, too naive. The kind of ruler who could be easily replaced. The original Zhihao's reputation as a pushover had made it easy for the court to assume they could control him. But now, with the sudden shift in his behavior and the decisiveness he was beginning to show, people were becoming nervous.

Good, Zhihao thought with a smirk. Nervous people made mistakes.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. He looked up as General Tian Yi entered the room, his ever-stoic expression betraying nothing, though Zhihao had already started to recognize the subtle changes in the general's demeanor. Tian Yi bowed lightly before approaching the desk.

"Your Majesty," Tian Yi began, his voice even, "there are reports from the northern territories. It seems the noble families there are hesitant to provide additional support for the military."

Zhihao raised an eyebrow, leaning forward in his chair. Interesting. The northern nobles were not just dissatisfied—they were actively withholding military aid. That made them more than just grumbling aristocrats; it made them dangerous.

Zhihao waved Tian Yi closer, gesturing to a chair. "Sit, General," he said with a smile. "We have much to discuss."

Tian Yi hesitated for a moment, as he often did when Zhihao was being unusually... personable. But after a slight nod, he took the seat. Zhihao's eyes gleamed as he observed the general's cautious movements. Tian Yi might be stoic, but he wasn't blind. He could sense the growing tension within the kingdom just as much as Zhihao could.

"I've been hearing things," Zhihao said, tapping a finger thoughtfully against his chin. "Rumors. Whispers from the court. Apparently, there are those who... disapprove of my rule."

Tian Yi didn't respond immediately, but his gaze sharpened. "Rumors are dangerous, Your Majesty. If the noble families are truly unhappy, they may seek to consolidate power in ways that could be... destabilizing."

Zhihao's lips curled into a wry smile. "Destabilizing. That's a very polite way to say 'rebellion,' General."

Tian Yi's expression remained neutral, but the briefest flicker of something passed through his eyes. He shifted in his chair slightly. "I wouldn't go so far as to call it rebellion. Not yet. But there are factions within the court—factions that may be looking for a way to weaken your position."

Zhihao sighed, leaning back again. He had suspected as much. The noble families weren't just concerned with the kingdom's stability—they were concerned with their own influence. The moment they sensed weakness in him, they would strike, trying to replace him with a ruler more... malleable. A puppet, like I was supposed to be.

"They underestimate me," Zhihao said quietly, more to himself than to Tian Yi. "They think I'm still the old Zhihao—helpless, easily controlled."

Tian Yi's gaze didn't waver, but Zhihao could see the general was listening intently, reading between the lines. Zhihao stood and began to pace, his silk robes trailing behind him.

"If the northern nobles are withholding support, that means they're testing me. They're waiting to see if I'll falter, if I'll make a mistake," Zhihao continued, his tone measured. "But we can't allow that. The kingdom is too fragile right now. If they sense weakness, it could turn into something far more dangerous."

Tian Yi nodded. "Agreed, Your Majesty. The northern families control a significant portion of the military's resources. If they refuse to cooperate, it could leave our borders vulnerable."

Zhihao stopped pacing, his gaze locking onto the general. "That's why I need you, General."

Tian Yi blinked, caught off guard by the sudden intensity in Zhihao's voice.

"I need someone I can trust," Zhihao said, taking a step closer. "Someone who can help me keep the kingdom stable, someone who understands that loyalty to the crown is more than just following orders. I need someone who will help me lead."

Tian Yi shifted, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Your Majesty, I serve the kingdom—"

"Yes, you do," Zhihao interrupted, his voice soft but firm. "But you and I both know that the kingdom's survival depends on more than just loyalty to the throne. It depends on keeping the right people in power. And right now, there are too many people in the court who are looking for an excuse to... remove me."

The room fell silent, the tension thick between them. Zhihao watched Tian Yi carefully, studying the subtle changes in the man's expression. Tian Yi's loyalty wasn't just to the throne—it was to the kingdom itself. And Zhihao needed to position himself as the only person who could truly protect the kingdom.

"I will need your help, General," Zhihao continued, his tone more measured now. "I will need the military on my side. Not just to fight off external threats, but to keep internal threats in check. You've seen the way the ministers and nobles act. They're circling, waiting for a moment of weakness. But if they believe the military is loyal to me, they won't dare act."

Tian Yi remained silent for a long moment, his eyes searching Zhihao's face as if trying to uncover some hidden motive. Zhihao met his gaze, unflinching, allowing the general to see the seriousness in his eyes.

Finally, Tian Yi nodded, though there was still a hint of hesitation in his expression. "Your Majesty, I will do whatever is necessary to protect the kingdom. If that means ensuring the military remains loyal to you, then so be it. But you must be careful. The noble families won't take kindly to feeling... cornered."

Zhihao smiled, a small, calculating grin. "I don't plan on cornering them, General. I plan on making sure they have no reason to turn against me. At least... not yet."

Tian Yi's brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing more. Zhihao could tell the general was conflicted—loyal, but cautious. And that was fine. Zhihao didn't need blind loyalty; he needed someone smart enough to recognize when to act.

As Tian Yi stood to leave, Zhihao called out one last time. "Oh, General?"

Tian Yi paused, glancing back.

"Keep an ear to the ground," Zhihao said, his voice almost a whisper. "If the nobles are plotting something, I want to know before they do."

Tian Yi nodded once more, then left the room, the heavy doors closing behind him with a soft thud.

Zhihao remained standing in the center of the room for a few moments longer, his mind racing. The rumors of dissent were troubling, yes, but they also presented an opportunity. If the nobles were unhappy with his rule, that meant they were vulnerable. Vulnerable to manipulation. Vulnerable to him.

The key was timing. He couldn't strike too soon, but he couldn't wait too long either. He needed to keep the nobles guessing, keep them off-balance while he solidified his alliances. Tian Yi was slowly falling into place, and once he had the general firmly on his side, the military would follow.

Zhihao smiled to himself. The pieces were moving, and soon enough, the board would be his.

But first, he had to deal with the nobles. And for that, he would need more than just military power—he would need information. He would need to know which families were plotting against him and how deep their influence ran.

Time to start digging, he thought. And find out just how fragile this kingdom really is.