Chapter 297 - Ying Zheng's Hesitation, Li Shimin's Certainty, and the Dragon Vein Land

A great upheaval suddenly erupted within the Yuan Dynasty.

It didn't take long before it attracted the attention of every dynasty across the Nine Provinces, as well as countless ambitious forces.

No one expected the collapse of the Yuan Dynasty to happen so swiftly.

Originally, it was believed that the Northern Song Dynasty would fall even faster than the Yuan Dynasty.

But now it seems.

Compared to the Northern Song Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty was even more fragile.

Temujin, who was once deemed a mighty overlord.

He once aspired to dominate the Nine Provinces, but now that ambition is nothing but a joke.

He couldn't even sweep clean his own inner Imperial Court.

Even when his own sons plotted rebellion, he was completely unaware.

With this level of incompetence?

He dares call himself the overlord of the Nine Provinces?

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Qin Dynasty.

Ying Zheng stared at the confidential report in his hand from the Yuan Dynasty, his eyes flickering with confusion and caution.

"Mister, what do you make of this?"

"Although the Yuan Dynasty suffered a setback against the Southern Song Dynasty, its foundation was still intact. It shouldn't have ended up like this."

"How did all of this happen?"

"I feel like there's a great secret hidden within. If I can't uncover it, I won't be able to eat or sleep in peace."

"If something like this were to happen to the Qin Dynasty one day, what then?"

"If there truly is a mastermind behind this, then who is it?"

"Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao?"

Thinking of this, Ying Zheng quickly shook his head.

What if the mastermind's intention was precisely to make him suspect Zhu Houzhao?

If the Qin Dynasty and Ming Dynasty were to turn hostile, the mastermind would get exactly what he wanted.

He must obtain concrete evidence.

"Your Majesty, after analyzing the intelligence, this minister already has a suspect in mind."

"Oh? Who is it?"

"Temujin's eldest son, Jochi!"

"Or to be more precise, an advisor beside Jochi."

"It is precisely because of this man's existence that Jochi gained the greatest advantage from this upheaval."

"He instantly outshined both Ogedei and Tolui."

"Everyone was shocked."

"Jochi? I know that man. He's a fool with courage but no brains, blindly arrogant."

"Someone like him is unworthy."

"Perhaps, as you say, the true hand behind the Yuan Dynasty's collapse is this advisor."

"Is he truly Jochi's advisor? Or is he a chess piece planted by some dynasty?"

"Planted there solely to divide the Yuan Dynasty?"

"On the surface, Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty really does look like the mastermind!!?"

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me! Find out who this advisor is at all costs!"

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Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall

At this moment, Li Shimin shared the same suspicion as Ying Zheng.

Compared to Ying Zheng's caution, Li Shimin was far more direct.

In his heart, he had already concluded that the one orchestrating the Yuan Dynasty's collapse was none other than the Ming Dynasty behind the scenes.

He even immediately believed that the mysterious advisor beside Jochi was an undercover agent sent by Zhu Houzhao.

"Wuji, do you think this mysterious advisor could be the Pang Tong ranked on the Advisor Ranking?"

Li Shimin asked faintly.

"I sent someone to investigate. There's no one named Pang Tong in all of Ming Dynasty Territory."

"Yet the ranking clearly states that Pang Tong is a subject of the Ming Dynasty."

"So where exactly is this person?"

"Such a brilliant advisor... there's no way Zhu Houzhao wouldn't make use of him."

"The only explanation is that Pang Tong was sent by Zhu Houzhao to another dynasty on a secret mission."

"I believe there is a seventy to eighty percent chance that the advisor beside Jochi is Pang Tong."

Li Shimin put himself in Zhu Houzhao's shoes.

If he were in Zhu Houzhao's position, he might have done the same.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin became both envious and resentful toward Zhu Houzhao.

Just how extravagant must one be!

To send such a capable advisor as an undercover agent?

If that man were to die midway, wouldn't that be a tremendous loss?

Zhu Houzhao's reckless disregard for talented individuals enraged him.

If he had such talent under his command, he would surely cherish and protect him.

Why couldn't someone like Pang Tong have been born in the Tang Dynasty?

"Your Majesty, this minister believes that this advisor's methods are extremely vicious and ruthless. He is certainly not a virtuous man."

"His move has plunged the entire Yuan Dynasty into chaos. Who knows how many innocent civilians have died because of it."

"Moreover, he incited Jochi to kill his own blood brothers."

"Such a betrayal of human ethics is truly disgraceful."

Within the Tang Imperial Palace, there were many self-proclaimed righteous officials who launched furious verbal attacks against the advisor.

Even though he might be someone from the Advisor Ranking.

They spared no criticism.

From Li Shimin's tone, it seemed he had the intention of recruiting Pang Tong.

If that man really came to serve the Tang Dynasty, where would these officials stand?

They must do everything in their power to make Li Shimin abandon this idea.

Watching as more clueless fools stepped forward to oppose him, Li Shimin grew increasingly annoyed.

Were it not a time of employing talent, he would've had these people executed on the spot.

For the sake of internal stability, Li Shimin was forced to compromise.

However, he already had a plan in his heart.

Once the Tang Dynasty's national strength rose again, he would erase everyone who stood in his way.

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Ming Imperial Palace.

"Hahaha, good, excellent, he didn't disappoint me!"

"To split the Yuan Dynasty in such a manner."

"Even I didn't expect this."

"This alone saves the Ming Dynasty nearly 30% in resources."

"This fellow's talent is finally shining. It seems he must take charge of everything from now on."

"Men, pass my order to Dark One in the Yuan Dynasty. Have him, the entire Dark Guard, and Iron Courage Divine Marquis all obey Shi Yuan Dynasty's command!"

"I want to see just how far he can go!"

"And send another order to Pang Tong. As long as the Yuan Dynasty isn't destroyed yet, and Temujin still lives, he may do whatever he wishes!"

"Drain as much of the Yuan Dynasty's foundation as possible. For every 10% depleted, I will double his rewards!"

"Furthermore, I shall grant him a chance to fairly compete with Zhuge Kongming."

Zhu Houzhao smiled as he read the secret report in his hand.

The joy of the Yuan Dynasty's division was only secondary.

What truly thrilled and excited Zhu Houzhao.

It was the fact that the Dragon Vein of the Yuan Dynasty, the place where its National Fortune had gathered, had finally been found.

All of it.

Thanks to that person!

They had not let him down!