High Martial Arts Three Kingdoms: The Incompetent Strategist

Tang Ke felt a chill run down his spine; this sudden summons surprised and unsettled him.

He didn't even have time to go to the He residence to discuss the matter with someone. He could only quickly tidy his clothes and follow the little eunuch through the many palace gates that were like black holes, each step feeling like walking on a knife's edge.

Upon arriving outside the imperial study, the young eunuch gently knocked on the door, and Emperor Ling of Han's urgent yet authoritative voice came from inside: "Come in."

As soon as the door opened, a strong scent of ambergris wafted out. Tang Ke walked in slowly, and the little eunuch behind him gently closed the door.

Emperor Ling of Han stood with his back to the door, holding a book in his hand and flipping through it. He sighed and pondered from time to time. Tang Ke didn't dare to breathe loudly, keeping his hands at his sides and waiting silently, as quiet as a child.

After a long while, Emperor Ling of Han finally turned around, his face slightly tired and his expression complex. The candlelight in the room flickered, illuminating the "Inner Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals" in his hands, adding a touch of solemnity and mystery.

"Tang Ke, do you know why I summoned you?" Emperor Ling of Han's voice echoed in the empty room, brooking no resistance. This famous puppet in history did not seem to be as cowardly as recorded in the history books.

Tang Ke knelt on the ground and respectfully replied, "This humble subject is unaware; please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

Emperor Ling of Han sighed softly, and after weighing his options for a long time, he slowly asked, "What do you think of Zhang Changshi's plot to rebel?"

"This humble subject is ignorant and unaware of the inside story." Tang Ke clicked his tongue inwardly, trying to fathom Emperor Ling's true intentions.

"Zhang Changshi is accused of treason, and the evidence seems conclusive, warranting execution according to the law. However, I have been pondering this matter repeatedly recently and feel that there are many doubts about it." Emperor Ling of Han's words carried a hint of hesitation, but to Tang Ke, they were nothing short of earth-shattering.

"What makes Your Majesty say such a thing?" Although Tang Ke was inwardly horrified, he dared not show it on the surface, for falsely accusing someone of treason was also a capital offense.

“Zhang Changshi has served me for many years with utmost loyalty and has never overstepped his bounds. If he wanted to harm me, he would have had countless opportunities. Moreover, if he really wanted to rebel, why didn’t he burn the letter after reading it, but instead buried it in his own courtyard? This incident happened suddenly, and the evidence is too coincidental, as if someone did it on purpose.”

Emperor Ling's gaze deepened and sharpened as he carefully observed the reaction in Tang Ke's eyes.

Tang Ke dared not look away for a moment, and tentatively asked, "Does Your Majesty mean that Eunuch Zhang may have been framed?"

"It's not a possibility, it's inevitable! I want you to investigate the truth and exonerate Zhang Changshi." When Emperor Ling of Han said this, his tone was firm and forceful, leaving no room for doubt.

Tang Ke was filled with mixed feelings. When he offered the plan to get rid of Zhang Rang, he had not considered the consequences of getting involved in the vortex of court struggle. Now the situation had reached a critical stage, and if he was not careful, he might be doomed.

At this moment, joining forces with Zhang Rang to betray his country would be tantamount to suicide. He carefully prepared his words: "This matter is of great importance. Why doesn't Your Majesty assign the position of Commandant of the Capital Region? I am an outsider and it is probably not appropriate for me to do so."

"It is precisely because you are an outsider that it is more appropriate for you," Emperor Ling of Han said decisively. "He Jin and Zhang Rang have a past relationship, which will inevitably give people something to talk about. Feng Xu and others have always been at odds with Zhang Rang, which is also inappropriate. You have been involved in this case from beginning to end, and you are not involved with any of them."

He paused, then continued encouragingly, "The Empress strongly recommends you, saying that you were brave and reliable when you were assassinated, and that you are capable of shouldering great responsibilities. Do a good job in this matter for me, and I will certainly give you an important position in the future!"

Tang Ke felt a flush on his face, but having come this far, he had no choice but to agree.

"This humble subject obeys your command and will do everything in my power to find out the truth."

Emperor Ling of Han nodded in satisfaction, took out a piece of yellow silk and handed it to Tang Ke: "I will give you another imperial edict, authorizing you to handle this case with full authority. Be sure to act carefully, and do not take it out at critical moments."

Tang Ke accepted the imperial edict with both hands, noticing the royal seal affixed to the seal. He carefully put it away, kowtowed, and accepted the decree with gratitude.

"Go, I await your good news." Emperor Ling of Han waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

Tang Ke was still in a daze when he came out of the palace. It all seemed too unreal. He had unknowingly become a fence-sitter. If he did well, he would naturally be well-liked by all sides. If he did poorly, none of the factions would benefit from him.

It would be easy to exonerate Zhang Rang. Right now, Feng Xu is there to take the blame. Just have Cao Cao produce the letters between Feng Xu and the Yellow Turbans.

You could even just rewrite it, since the original letter was written by Tang Ke himself.

However, this would not only offend Feng Xu and the Way of Peace, but might even put them on the opposite side of He Jin. He Jin and his ilk knew that he had a connection with Ma Yuanyi, and if they revealed it, the consequences would be unimaginable.

It's really not worth it for someone as heinous as Zhang Rang.

"Sir, please wait!"

Tang Ke racked his brains but couldn't come up with a solution. Suddenly, he looked up and realized that he had unknowingly arrived at the entrance of the Yihong Courtyard.

The madam greeted him with a beaming smile. This time, without the imperial guards by her side, she seemed more relaxed, pulling Tang Ke into the shop.

"No, I didn't bring my money bag today, so I don't have any money to spend. Don't waste my time." Tang Ke gestured to Cao Hong's appearance.

"Oh, it's alright if you don't have money, just let us order what we want." Without waiting for a reply, the madam pushed Tang Ke into the shop, beaming as she said, "Would you like to try something new today? Or the usual stuff?"

Tang Ke couldn't refuse, so he scratched his head and said, "The usual way, I'm a pretty consistent person."

It would be good to come here and see Dong Ruyun. Tang Ke has an indescribable feeling for her, and being with her is comfortable and pleasant, with a unique charm.

"Understood." The madam gestured with her eyes, and immediately a pimp came down to lead the Chinese customer upstairs.

This time, however, it was not Dong Ruyun waiting in the room. Although her appearance was almost exactly the same as Dong Ruyun's when she was disguised last time, her spirit was completely different.

Tang Ke was preoccupied with something else and had no interest in going out, so he turned and walked away.

"Please wait, young master!" The woman moved gracefully and closed the door. "You've come to see my sister, haven't you?"

"Sister? Who are you?" Tang Ke was full of questions.

"I am Ruyan, the top courtesan here. Last time you came, my sister disguised herself as me to receive you."

A strange sense of loss welled up in Tang Ke's heart. He reluctantly replied, "Miss Ruyan? It's a pleasure to meet you. May I ask where your sister went?"

"Something came up in her hometown, and she rushed back to Jizhou overnight." Ruyan saw the disappointment in Tang Ke's heart and continued, "But she asked me to pass on a message to you before she left."

"What are you saying?" Tang Ke relaxed his vigilance towards Dong Ruyun, his sister who had suddenly appeared. Since she could mention Jizhou as her destination, the suspicion of her being an imposter was probably very low.

Ru Yan parted her lips slightly and said, word by word, "In the year of Jiazi, great fortune will befall the world!"