Chapter 961: Chapter 961

In the Imperial Study Room, Zhao Douan’s expression was very serious.

The secret memorial in his hand prominently featured a "confession," which was from an official within the Pure Stream Party, confessing to have taken orders from the Imperial Censor, Yuann Li, and colluded with Mu Prince, Xu Jingtang.

The first thought Zhao Douan had upon seeing it was absurdity.

Yuann Li, being the second "ally" court giant Zhao Douan encountered after arriving in this world, aside from the Empress, always had a clear stance. He was historically opposed to Li Yanfu and had repeatedly joined hands with the Empress to purge the court.

Although not a member of the "Imperial Faction," he was generally faultless in his political alignment.

Xu Zhenguan said calmly, "It’s only a confession; it may not be true."

Zhao Douan was intrigued: "What exactly happened?"

Xu Zhenguan did not hide anything and briefly described the situation.

It was not complicated.

Some time ago, the entire court was dealing with the aftermath of the Li Party’s downfall, and with numerous vacancies, the Imperial Faction grew stronger.

Currently, the court was divided into the biggest factions of "Imperial Faction" and "Pure Stream Party."

However, during the turbulent times when the Six Rebel Kings entered the capital, the officials secretly colluded and allied with the rebels were not just members of the "Li Party."

Yuann Li’s subordinates in the "Pure Stream Party" also had many officials under suspicion. It was just that there was no opportunity to delve into this earlier due to the need for stability.

Now that the situation had stabilized over the past two months, Ma Yan resumed checking the court and successfully found some traitors within the Pure Stream Party.

Initially, they were secretly investigated, but when the tracking was discovered, they had no choice but to arrest a minor official, throw him into the Imperial Prison, and interrogate him. He insisted that he acted under Yuann Li’s orders to provide intelligence to the Yunfu Rebel Army.

"This confession might not be real, and could be an attempt to implicate others," Zhao Douan thought for a moment and said.

Xu Zhenguan sighed softly and said, "I don’t believe Mr. Yuan would do such a thing either. But not everyone in the court thinks so, besides, the issue with Wei Xianzong, although you took it upon yourself, remains a stain on Yuann Li."

Wei Xianzong, the Commander of Qingzhou, was recommended by Yuann Li but later betrayed the court.

The last time Zhao Douan proactively took Wei Xianzong on, it quelled the attacks on Yuann Li, but some doubts about Yuann Li were inevitable.

Moreover... on the flip side, who can truly be certain that Yuann Li, as the "Party Leader," was not secretly colluding with the rebels?

Zhao Douan was also unsure. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✦𝓷𝓮𝓽

"What does Your Majesty think should be done?" Zhao Douan decided to play it safe and first probe Zhenbao’s thoughts.

Xu Zhenguan looked calm and said, "The parasites within the Pure Stream Party who collude with the rebel army must be purged. But Yuann Li cannot fall, at least not now."

Li Yanfu had already fallen.

If Yuann Li also falls due to "collusion," the newly stabilized court will once again be thrown into turmoil.

Public confidence will be shaky.

So, although it is a bit harsh, unless there is solid evidence of Yuann Li’s collusion, this flag must not fall. However, for safety’s sake, it’s necessary to some extent to limit Yuann Li’s influence on current war strategy and intelligence acquisition.

Zhao Douan understood, he pondered and analyzed, "Those traitors surely understand this logic. So whether Mr. Yuan has issues or not, once captured, the traitors will unanimously point their fingers, dragging Mr. Yuan onboard, either to seek self-preservation or to pull others down. This is a smart strategy. Delving deeper, isn’t it possible that the rebels deliberately let these people sow discord between Your Majesty and Mr. Yuan?"

Zhao Douan, who had just used a strategy of sowing discord, sensed the air of conspiracy.

He continued, "But without substantial evidence, Your Majesty cannot act against Mr. Yuan. And if we go on a spree of arresting Pure Stream Party officials, as the ’Party Leader,’ Mr. Yuan cannot just stand by. If he does nothing, he will lose all his prestige, which is certainly not good for him personally, for his family, or for ensuring court stability."

Xu Zhenguan sighed, "That’s exactly why I’m indecisive, hesitating over what exactly to do with this matter and wanted to discuss it with you."

Zhao Douan silently frowned, pondering.

The situation was very delicate.

Ideally, the traitors within the Pure Stream Party should be weeded out without damaging Yuann Li’s prestige.

But that was a challenge in itself.

Because Ma Yan only had evidence against a portion of the officials, and there may not be enough evidence to arrest many other traitors.

Clearing out the traitors would inevitably force Yuann Li to take a stand against the Empress.

And in this confrontation, regardless of who wins or loses, the court would ultimately suffer.

Tsk... these Vassal Kings actually learned to play strategical games, the villains developed intelligence... Zhao Douan clicked his tongue in wonder.

He also realized the dilemma Zhenbao faced.

He pondered, "The major goal of purging the Pure Stream Party is unquestionable and must be done. Confronting Mr. Yuan is also unavoidable. But the key point here is that there needs to be someone to specifically handle this matter, ensuring the right balance. If that balance is lost, it might lead to court upheaval again... and with the frontlines in combat, we absolutely cannot let chaos erupt at the rear."

But who can manage this balance properly?

Though the court is not lacking in talented individuals, finding someone both capable and with a politically clean enough stance, who would never betray and who can match wits with an old fox like Yuann Li, is rare.

"Let me handle this matter." Zhao Douan took a deep breath and seriously said, "It just so happens that I am now physically capable of managing this. However, I am still laying out the next steps to sow discord amongst Xu Jingtang, so it’s best not to reveal my identity temporarily. Perhaps, I can operate under a new identity. Yes... the position of the Master of Lihua Hall is currently vacant for a long time, and Your Majesty could issue a decree to grant me an acting position as Master."