High Martial Arts Three Kingdoms: The Incompetent Strategist

"You may leave. I need to have a few words with Eunuch Zhang."

Tang Ke dismissed his attendants and looked at this infamous eunuch from history, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Within this imperial prison, countless wronged souls were created by his own hands, and behind these wronged souls lay untold hardships and helplessness.

Seeing that he did not respond, Zhang Rang pleaded again, "Lord Tang, I know you are in a difficult position. If you are willing, this old servant is willing to write a letter in blood. His Majesty will understand my unwavering loyalty once he reads it."

Tang Ke remained silent for a long time. He could indeed bring a glimmer of hope to this eunuch, but he might also be dragged into a bigger vortex.

"Don't worry, if you are truly innocent, I will do my best to find out the truth and clear your name." Tang Ke's words were soft, but they carried an undeniable force.

Zhang Rang had no prior relationship with him, but he was deeply moved that the man was actually willing to clear his name. He felt as if the cold wind in the prison had softened, and his despairing heart was rekindled with hope.

Seeing his tearful gratitude, Tang Ke felt somewhat unwilling to let this old man get away with it so easily. He thought to himself, "If I don't take this opportunity to squeeze him for money, I'll be letting down the loyal ministers and generals he killed in this prison."

So he changed the subject and said with a smile, "But you are suspected of treason after all. I have just arrived in the capital and have no official position. Even if I were to risk my life to help you, I'm afraid it wouldn't be of much use."

Zhang Rang was naturally suspicious and never acted without a reason. He had no prior relationship with Tang Ke, so if Tang Ke had readily agreed to help him, he would not have believed him. However, seeing Tang Ke's feigned reluctance, Zhang Rang, judging others by his own standards, believed him without question.

Since he entered the imperial prison, not a single relative or friend had dared to visit him. He suffered negative mental torment day and night in this dark and gloomy prison, and was already on the verge of collapse. At this moment, Tang Ke was nothing short of his lifeline.

He quickly reached out from the gap in the iron bars and tightly hugged Tang Ke's ankle, pleading, "It's useful, it's useful! The fact that you came here to see me is enough to prove what kind of place the Imperial Prison is. Please, Lord Tang, do your best. As long as this old servant can get out, I will never forget your kindness."

Tang Ke squatted down and asked, "I wonder if there is anyone trustworthy in Eunuch Zhang's residence who has access to the seal?"

"Yes, yes, yes, but they have all served in my household for many years and would never betray me. The seal on that fake letter shouldn't be theirs..."

Tang Ke interrupted him: "Eunuch Zhang, think this through carefully. If it's not them, could it really be you?"

Zhang Rang was startled, then immediately realized what was going on and hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, I remember now. These lackeys often affix their seals without permission. That secret letter must have been their doing."

Tang Ke nodded: "Tell me their list, and I will question them thoroughly when I get back. Once I find the real culprit, you can naturally be released without charge."

Zhang Rang pondered for a while and then said, "Lord Tang, if you trust me, I will write a letter and persuade them to confess on their own initiative, shall I?"

Tang Ke was taken aback: "Confess voluntarily? That's a capital offense!"

"Yes, it will save you the trouble of confessing. They have been well taken care of by me in the past and know that they will do their utmost to save me."

"That would be best; ideally, this person would be able to both imitate handwriting and have access to the seal."

Tang Ke immediately handed over paper, ink, brush, and inkstone. Zhang Rang wrote furiously, afraid of wasting too much time and displeasing Tang Ke.

When Tang Ke left, Zhang Rang was still reluctant to part with him, his eyes full of hope.

After being released from the imperial prison, Tang Kezhang breathed a long sigh of relief, finally releasing much of his pent-up emotions.

This place is not only unfit for human habitation, it's practically unfit for human beings to come here!

On his way home, he felt as if a pair of eyes were watching him intently from the shadows, just like when he encountered the assassin outside the brothel. He had arranged for his guards to search for him, but to no avail.

Maybe I'm hallucinating because I've been so busy lately.

He comforted himself, temporarily setting aside all his troubles, and galloped away on horseback.

After the sound of horses' hooves faded away on the long street, a black figure slid down from the rooftop like a bat, muttering, "Brother Yuan, I think you're really going to lose more than you gain this time."

Inside the Jiade Hall, the dragon throne hangs high, resplendent in gold and jade. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the glazed tiles of the roof, casting dappled patterns on the marble floor.

Has there been any progress in the investigation of the treason case?

Emperor Ling of Han sat on the dragon throne, looking weary. Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, the atmosphere heavy and tense, even their breathing became cautious, and no one wanted to be the first to speak and touch a sore spot.

The imposing Jian Shuo broke the silence first. Holding a heavy case file, he strode to the center of the hall and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, after my investigation and visits throughout the night, I have made some progress. I am now presenting the results of my investigation."

After speaking, Jian Shuo lowered his head and raised the case file above his head with both hands. A palace attendant stepped forward, took it, and respectfully presented it to Emperor Ling of Han.

Emperor Ling of Han gently opened the book, his gaze quickly sweeping over it, his brows furrowing slightly, his expression growing increasingly solemn.

Inside the main hall, everyone held their breath, the atmosphere extremely tense.

After a long silence, Emperor Ling of Han finally spoke: "Jian Shuo, your investigation was very thorough and meticulous, which is truly commendable."

Before Jian Shuo could even rejoice, the Han emperor continued, "However, your long and detailed account of how Zhang Rang embezzled public funds and abused the people has nothing to do with his plot to rebel."

If the master speaks with a transition word, the content following the transition word is usually the key point. Jian Shuo understood this principle when he entered the palace.

He hurriedly knelt down and begged for forgiveness: "This servant has failed in his duties, please punish me, Your Majesty."

Emperor Ling's expression softened slightly: "You have worked very hard, but investigations require evidence, and no one can fabricate stories out of thin air."

Feng Xu glanced at He Jin, a thought struck him, and said, "The case of Zhang Rang's treason was first discovered by Yuan Shao, the Commandant of the Capital Region. There must have been great progress in the past few days. Why don't we ask him to report the facts?"

Emperor Ling of Han nodded, and seeing that no one responded for a long time, he shouted loudly, "Where is Yuan Shao?"

He Jin quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Majesty, I was just about to report that the Commandant of the Capital Region, Yuan Shao, and the Cavalry Commandant, Cao Cao, have been assassinated and are currently unconscious."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.

Both men held positions with real military and administrative power. The Commandant of the Capital Region was a position under his supervision, overseeing the Crown Prince and all officials below the Three Dukes. In comparison, the Commandant of the Cavalry was slightly less powerful, but Cao Cao was currently also in charge of the Imperial Guards, which was equivalent to holding the position of Commandant of the Imperial Guards.

Who had the audacity to commit such a heinous act against these two key figures right under the emperor's nose?