510 Pre-Election Rumble 4 (2/2)
Sima Yi: ”We have no idea yet. The election hasn't started, but we're discussing it.”
Du Shi: ”What will happen to us once the emperor is instated?”
At this point, Sima Yi clenched his fists in delight as Du Shi revealed her vulnerability by showing concern about her future. As long as he could manipulate this concubine, he would have an edge to persuade Wang Yi to his side.
Sima Yi: ”Currently, we are discussing the rules of the election. As for the aftermath, we haven't talked about it yet, but I'm planning to maintain everybody's status quo in the inner palace. I took the liberty of sending you messages to warn you about the potential changes in advance.”
Now, Sima Yi hinted that they might lose their position in the inner palace, indirect blackmail.
Cai Wenji: ”Lady Du, it's fine. Even if we lose our title and power, we can move to my father's place. He's still the Minister of Arts and Culture. He can shelter us and our children.”
'Dafuq!?' Sima Yi's face twitched, surprised by Cai Wenji's suggestion as it could foil his blackmail plan.
Sima Yi: ”Please don't worry, my ladies. I'm planning to protect his majesty's family with my life, and I'll recommend everyone that we should keep your noble tier as it is. Even if the new emperor has his concubines, we'll make them live in another palace while your current palace will be your forever home.”
From the intentionally-leaked information, Cai Wenji understood that the crisis of all concubines was at hand. Whenever a new emperor took the throne, all concubines of the deceased or the dethroned emperors were usually dismissed, killed, or exiled. Only the lucky ones would be taken in by the new emperor.
Cai Wenji: ”Then, please get to the point and stop blackmailing us. What do you want us to do for you, and what you can do to return our favor?”
Still, as Cai Wenji was a grand scholar's daughter with two lives of experience, she could see through Sima Yi's baseless bluff and call him out.
Sima Yi: ”Very impressive, my lady. Then, I'll be direct.”
Although Sima Yi was surprised by Cai Wenji's sharp wits, he improvised and adapted to the change on the spot with ease.
Sima Yi: ”Please invite Consort Wang to this clan chat personally. I would like to have a word with her in private. In return, my faction will guarantee you and Consort Du's safety after the election.”
Cai Wenji: ”I need proof. How many soldiers do you have? Who are your subordinates? How many cities are under your control?”
The consort attempted to squeeze Sima Yi for more information, which irritated the latter more. Patiently, Sima Yi revealed 50% of his personal and military power, but he revealed all cities that Sima Clan was currently governing.
Cai Wenji: ”Very well. I'll contact Consort Wang for you. I hope you can keep your end of the bargain.”
Sima Yi: ”Thank you very much. I owe you one.”
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The two consorts were decisive. Once they completed their transaction and objectives, they left without saying goodbye.
'Well, shit. Come to think of it, Chunhua was similar to them. A pity that I have to wait 7-8 years before I can marry her. Eh, I wonder if Zhang Min has those traits.'
Not only Sima Yi invited many people, but he also tried to get Zhang Min into the clan. However, she did not decline or accept the invitation message. Zhang Min simply ignored him as if nothing had happened.
'What's wrong with Zhang Min? Fuck, should I cultivate like those buffoons? Do I need at least 6 wings before I can see her again? Fuck you, Zhang Tong! Give your daughter to me already!'
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While the meeting was ongoing, Li Feihong was sneaking through the tight security of Ye City's underground prison using his private dimension and warp gates. He breezed through many squads of prison guards undetected. It wasn't hard for him to locate Ma Chao and Liu Bei's cell.
Ma Chao and Liu Bei were considered VIP prisoners that were capable of breaking out with their brute force and cultivation strength. Therefore, Lu Zhi placed Cao Cao's officers with 4-wing cultivation there.
Cao Chun, Zhu Ling, and Yu Jin were Cao Cao's elites, who had scored many achievements in the other timeline. This time, they were ordered to be Ma Chao and Liu Bei's prison wardens, so these prisoners could not escape.
Inside the private dimension of Li Feihong, a scholar youth in white robes, carrying a feather fan stood behind Li Feihong.
Another scholar, which had refused to join the main clan, was still residing in this dimension. Xu Shu stood by Zhuge Liang's side, watching Li Feihong's spy monitors.
And one more bipolar girl, Lu Lingqi who had lost contact with her father, was sitting nearby, watching the screens with interest.
Lu Lingqi was also not a member of the main clan even though she gained the cultivation method at the same time as many commoners. With her memory and experience from the other timeline, she decided to abandon her immature thoughts and hid in here, pretending that she was already dead in the real world. Her mother, Lu Bu's wife, had already relocated to Li Feihong's world though.
As for other Monster Legion officers, only Zhou Cang remained here, protecting Li Feihong on the sideline. Since Zhang Liao was once Cao Cao's general, Li Feihong and Zhuge Liang didn't trust him. The general was told to attend the meeting along with other former Cao Cao's generals and report them the result of today's farce later.
”What's next, Kongming?” Asked Li Feihong. He was following Zhuge Liang's advice word-by-word during this operation.
”Can you zoom in, so I can see their expression and their face color?”
”Ok.”
In one of the monitors, Li Feihong controlled the camera to focus on Ma Chao and Liu Bei's faces. As the men had expected, they were paled because of malnourishment and stress.
”Good. He's only exhausted, but his eyes are alive.”
Zhuge Liang admired Ma Chao's fighting spirit. Even though the situation was hopeless, he had not given up living. On the other hand, Liu Bei looked like he had been crying. He was too dehydrated to shed a tear though.
”General Li, please kill Liu Bei.”
Hearing the next move, Li Feihong, Zhou Cang, and Xu Shu were stunned. None of them could have believed that Zhuge Liang wanted to kill his former lord!
”Are you sure? You died fighting for him in the other world.”
”In this world, he is a scum. I don't give my loyalty to a greedy, selfish, pretentious mutt that never valued a bigger picture over their desire. To be honest, I'd rather serve you or Zhang Tong.”
”…”
Li Feihong gazed at the monitor, which displayed Liu Bei's despair expression. For some reason, he pitied this guy even though he messed up many things that he shouldn't have done with his character.