They once again congratulated Yang Xian, with many people's envy and jealousy evident.
They felt Yang Xian was truly in the spotlight today, wishing they could be him instantly.
Puffed up by the crowd's adulation, Yang Xian was clearly getting a bit conceited. After warmly responding to the guests' congratulations, he openly disregarded Crown Prince Zhu Biao's outstretched hand.
He directly ordered a servant to bring forth the imperial plaque inscribed with the four characters "Yi Shen Zheng Qi" (Uprightness in All Things). He then interacted with numerous guests.
Left unattended, Crown Prince Zhu Biao, with a darkened face, pulled Li Shanchang and found a nearby place to sit.
Li Shanchang, outwardly composed, was inwardly beaming with joy.
The birthday banquet proceeded as planned. In front of many guests, Yang Xian spoke boastfully, even uttering words that were taboo.
This caused Crown Prince Zhu Biao's face to grow increasingly dark, even to the point of wanting to storm off, especially with Li Shanchang fanning the flames.
As the banquet began, guests took turns toasting Yang Xian, seizing the opportunity to get closer to him.
Yang Xian enthusiastically reciprocated each toast, and under the guests' enthusiasm, the birthday banquet became even more lively.
...
Ultimately, the birthday banquet that day was a joyous occasion for all, except for Crown Prince Zhu Biao, who was extremely displeased. Everyone else was very satisfied.
Li Residence.
Ever since Li Shanchang was stripped of his real power and left with only the nominal title of Left Prime Minister, his actions had become increasingly low-key.
Furthermore, in recent days, he had simply cooperated with Yang Xian's work in the Zhongshu Province, not uttering a word more.
Because of this, the Li Residence had gradually become somewhat deserted, no longer bustling with the same lively scene of constant traffic as before.
Many opportunistic officials, like grass bending with the wind, no longer frequented the Li Residence to pay their respects and curry favor. Instead, the Yang Residence grew increasingly lively.
Although Li Shanchang's influence seemed to have waned, those who knew him understood he was not one to wait for his doom.
Despite losing power, with Li Shanchang's intelligence, dealing with someone was a simple matter.
Upon witnessing Yang Xian's arrogant and triumphant disregard for Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Li Shanchang, the mastermind behind the scenes, keenly sensed the far-reaching consequences this incident would bring.
He dispatched people to thoroughly investigate Yang Xian's crimes, while he himself returned to his residence to oversee matters.
In the study, Hu Weiyong reported in detail to Li Shanchang.
After listening to Hu Weiyong's report, Li Shanchang stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing this, Hu Weiyong's tone became low, and he tentatively asked, "Benefactor, if we present all this information to His Majesty, Yang Xian will surely fall hard. Perhaps the authority of the Zhongshu Province will return to your hands..."
Hearing Hu Weiyong's probing, Li Shanchang's seemingly dim eyes flickered slightly, showing a hint of interest.
In fact, the moment he decided to employ this overt stratagem, Li Shanchang had harbored such thoughts.
However, Li Shanchang ultimately abandoned the idea.
He shook his head and said, "Since we've decided to make a move, we must ensure he is utterly destroyed. These current evidence of his crimes are not enough to take Yang Xian's life..."
As he spoke, a wise glint shone in Li Shanchang's old eyes. He continued, "Furthermore, the power I hold was personally stripped from me by His Majesty.
Even if Yang Xian is dealt with by us, my position as Left Prime Minister of the Zhongshu Province will not last long..."
"It is likely that the day Yang Xian falls will be the day I lose my position as Left Prime Minister of the Zhongshu Province. Such is the art of imperial governance and the principle of balance."
Upon hearing Li Shanchang's analysis, Hu Weiyong fell into deep thought, pondering in silence.
Ultimately, he had to admit that Li Shanchang's considerations were more profound.
Seeing the shift in Hu Weiyong's attitude, Li Shanchang picked up his tea cup, took a sip of the fragrant tea, and chuckled, asking in return, "What do you think Yang Xian represents in the eyes of His Majesty today?"
"A cruel official!"
"A useful tool!"
"..."
Hu Weiyong replied.
Li Shanchang nodded. "Indeed. In His Majesty's eyes, Yang Xian is essentially viewed as a useful tool."
"It is precisely because of this that Yang Xian can stir up trouble and constantly expand his power. Yang Xian also relies on His Majesty's support to have reached this stage!"
"Unfortunately, if a blade becomes too sharp, it will injure the hand that wields it!"
At this point, a cold glint flashed in Li Shanchang's eyes. "Yang Xian's expansion of influence will sooner or later cross His Majesty's bottom line. At that time, given His Majesty's nature, he will undoubtedly suppress Yang Xian from the shadows."
"At that moment, as long as we go with the flow and create a little momentum, Yang Xian will be finished."
After hearing Li Shanchang's plan and analysis, Hu Weiyong was finally convinced. He rose again and expressed his unwavering loyalty to Li Shanchang.
"I intend to fully support you as my successor, to make you the Left Prime Minister of the Zhongshu Province, and to hand over the leadership of the Huaixi faction to you!"
Hearing Li Shanchang's explanation, a flicker of ambition appeared in Hu Weiyong's eyes.
Next, Hu Weiyong feigned refusal for a while. However, how could Li Shanchang not know Hu Weiyong's subtle intentions? He directly finalized the matter.
Just as Hu Weiyong respectfully agreed, Li Shanchang added, "However, while I will not target Yang Xian without sufficient confidence of his demise, Crown Prince Zhu Biao might not be so restrained."
Li Shanchang's expression gradually became solemn, and he earnestly instructed Yang Xian, "Therefore, for the next period, regardless of how the court situation changes, do not interfere. Just wait patiently until Yang Xian is at his lowest ebb and everyone turns against him. Then, we will deliver the final blow, ensuring he is utterly annihilated."
And just as Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong were planning to bring down Yang Xian, Crown Prince Zhu Biao had also begun preparations to deal with Yang Xian.
After Hu Weiyong left, Li Shanchang let out a sigh, as if contemplating something.
"Weiyong, the positions of Left Prime Minister of the Zhongshu Province and the leader of the Huaixi faction are not easy to hold. I hope you will not regret it in the future."
Li Shanchang murmured these words to himself, a complex expression on his face.
Thinking of this, Li Shanchang could not help but recall the former leader of the Huaixi faction, Xu Da.
Few people knew that the position of leader of the Huaixi faction was handed over to him by Xu Da.
Back then, he had naively trusted this seemingly honest and upright military man and taken over this perilous position.
Indeed, since the founding of the Great Ming, the Huaixi faction had been the largest faction in the court, and the leader of the Huaixi faction was equivalent to the foremost official of the Great Ming.
However, this position of the Great Ming's foremost official was not as easy to hold as imagined.
Although it came with great power, for the most part, he was not in control of himself.
As the leader of the Huaixi faction, he had to fight for the faction's interests, and if the officials of the Huaixi faction felt their benefits were compromised, they would naturally grow dissatisfied with their leader.
Whether it was Xu Da or Li Shanchang, although they were the absolute leaders of the Huaixi faction, they were also the spokesmen for the interests of many officials within the Huaixi faction.
Striving for benefits for one's subordinates was a natural duty of a leader. If this leader could no longer fulfill this duty, then the Huaixi faction
would independently seek a new leader.
Even Xu Da and Li Shanchang would be unceremoniously abandoned by them!
Driven by self-interest, everyone was beholden to their circumstances, even those at the pinnacle of power could not escape.
Xu Da, seeing only a glimpse of the storm ahead, had thrown this hot potato to Li Shanchang.
"Benefactor, take a look at this poetry collection, haha, Yang Xian is finished!"
A few more days passed. Hu Weiyong entered the Li Residence, rushed to Li Shanchang's side, and handed him a poetry collection.
Li Shanchang took it and looked, his face showing surprise.
On the cover of the poetry collection were the six characters "Qing Zhu Wan Shi Shi Ji" (Green Bamboo Stubborn Stone Poetry Collection) written clearly.
"Green Bamboo Stubborn Stone..."
Li Shanchang stroked his snow-white beard, his brows furrowed, and he muttered to himself, "Green Bamboo Stubborn Stone... Green Bamboo Stubborn Stone..."
"Isn't this Yang Xian's pseudonym in literary circles? Is this poetry collection Yang Xian's?"
Since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, literati had liked to adopt pen names.
The two most famous great poets of the Tang Dynasty, Li Bai and Du Fu, both had their own pen names or pseudonyms.
Yang Xian's pseudonym was Qing Zhu Wan Shi.
It was said that this was because he considered himself an incorruptible official comparable to Bao Zheng of the Song Dynasty, destined to leave a significant mark in history.
On the other side, Hu Weiyong nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.
His expression remained excited, his eyes shining brightly.
Hu Weiyong said with a gnashing tone, "This poetry collection records Yang Xian's works over the years, containing over a hundred poems and lyrics by Yang Xian."
"Benefactor, I have repeatedly analyzed it, and there are more than a dozen poems and lyrics in this collection that are highly problematic. They can be considered anti-Imperial poems, or even specifically targeted at His Majesty."
As he spoke, Hu Weiyong crouched down beside Li Shanchang and casually flipped open the poetry collection in Li Shanchang's hand.
He pointed to a few lines and said, "Benefactor, look at this poem 'Jiang Shan' (Rivers and Mountains). It contains a line, 'Since ancient times, emperors have been heroic, even beggars can rule the land.' This is a blatant mockery of His Majesty."
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