High Martial Arts Three Kingdoms: The Incompetent Strategist

Tang Ke knew that Zhang Rang must have found out about Zhang Feng's castration, which was why he was so agitated. Logically, Zhang Feng himself shouldn't have dared to admit it. So who leaked the news?

"To think that I, Zhang Rang, have served in the court for so many years, to be bullied and humiliated by a newcomer like you, is truly a failure." The powerful eunuch's words suddenly turned somewhat melancholy: "You have saved my life, a great favor I have not yet dared to express my gratitude for, but the things you have done behind my back are chilling and must be repaid tenfold!"

Tang Ke laughed and said, "Eunuch Zhang is indeed clear about gratitude and resentment. However, since you know what happened behind the scenes, you should also know that this matter is not entirely my fault."

Zhang Rang seemed to have calmed down a bit, but a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes: "Tang Ke, you rose to a high position in such a short time from humble beginnings, you probably don't want to make enemies and cause me trouble, right? Tell me who is behind this, and I'll go find them myself."

“Eunuch Zhang, if I wanted to harm you, you would not be alive today if I had killed you in the imperial prison that day.”

Tang Ke gazed leisurely into the distance: "To tell you the truth, even if this matter is not my fault, and even if it were my responsibility, arguing with His Majesty would only result in a lose-lose situation."

Zhang Rang's face turned green. Although Emperor Ling of Han had enjoyed his favor for many years since his ascension to the throne, he had recently encountered many setbacks. On the contrary, Tang Ke, this newcomer, was rising rapidly and was in the limelight. It was hard to say who would win if they really fought.

Seeing their demeanor, Yang Ci knew that there was little chance of a major conflict. He grabbed the hands of the two men and said, "We are all officials in the same court. If there is anything, we should talk it out. We must not hurt our harmony. The most important thing is to live in harmony with each other! Lord He, let's set up another banquet. I will talk to Eunuch Zhang and Lord Tang to make peace."

He Jin immediately arranged for all the banquet utensils to be removed and replaced with fresh wine and dishes, and invited everyone to sit down.

Zhang Rang originally came to confront Zhang Feng, but Zhang Feng's shameful deeds were hard to swallow, and Tang Ke's words quickly dispelled his anger, weakening his momentum.

Yang Ci and He Jin, whom he had just bullied, were now so hospitable. One cannot refuse a smiling face, especially since their official ranks were no lower than his own. The imperial guards could not use force here, and they could not refuse any longer, so they had no choice but to take their seats.

Yang Ci naturally tried his best to mediate. Although He Jin did not know what had happened, he guessed from the conversation between Zhang Rang and Tang Ke that the two must have some connection. He was full of suspicion and suppressed his emotions, frequently urging Zhang Rang to drink.

The incident dissipated during the banquet, and it was late at night when Zhang Rang and the other officials were seen off.

As soon as Zhang Rang left, Tang Ke also hurriedly took his leave, ignoring He Jin's attempts to persuade him to stay. He Jin already distrusted him greatly, and if He Jin found out about his affair with He Lingyi, he would definitely be in deep trouble.

"This man doesn't seem like the executioner who carried out the dismemberment torture that day! It's a pity you killed Brother Ma, you must pay for it with your life!" Yin Yixue muttered to herself, watching his departing figure, lost in thought.

If Tang Ke had been more observant at the execution ground that day, he would have recognized Yin Yixue as the woman wearing the bamboo hat. Unfortunately, he was so nauseous at the time that he didn't notice this potential danger...

The bright moon is in the sky.

Looking at the inner market before him, Tang Ke silently retracted his thought that Emperor Ling of Han was not a tyrant.

Previously, whenever he met Emperor Ling of Han, it was either in the court or in the study, and he always appeared solemn and dignified.

This was his first visit to the inner city that he had personally set up.

The Inner Market was a simulated market set up by Emperor Ling of Han within the imperial palace. Eunuchs and palace maids played the roles of vendors and buyers in this market. Not only did it sell all kinds of rare and exotic treasures, but it also allowed buyers and sellers to engage in free trade activities, as if bringing the entire urban life into the imperial palace, which also fostered a sense of everyday life.

Emperor Ling of Han clearly put a lot of effort into this inner market. He arranged for some of his concubines to participate, but that wasn't enough. He even joined in and traded a few rounds himself, enjoying this rare street-style fun and making the atmosphere in the palace more lively than ever before.

Tang Ke stood silently to the side, watching them have a great time, and wondered to himself why Emperor Ling of Han had summoned him to the palace so late.

"Ziyou, why don't you come down and play for a while?" Emperor Ling of Han finally noticed Tang Ke, who had been left standing aside, and beckoned him to come down to the field.

Tang Ke hurriedly waved his hand, indicating to Emperor Ling of Han that he should do as he pleased. This place was full of eunuchs, palace maids, and concubines. If he went down there, he might be accused of causing chaos in the harem at any time.

Emperor Ling of Han played around for a while longer, and finally emerged from the inner market, still wanting more, and asked, "Ziyou, what do you think of my market compared to a real trading market?"

Tang Ke laughed and said, "Very good, very good, but it lacks a bit of the warmth of everyday life."

Emperor Ling of Han frowned: "What do you mean by 'the atmosphere of everyday life'?"

Tang Ke pondered carefully about the market he had visited before his transmigration and said leisurely, "His Majesty's inner palace is magnificent, and most of the items traded there are rare and exotic treasures, which inevitably makes it somewhat detached from ordinary people. When ordinary people go to the market, they simply want to buy daily necessities such as clothes, rice, and vegetables. Their clothing is mostly coarse linen, and the order is often chaotic. It is nothing like His Majesty's inner market, which is so well-organized."

"I see." Emperor Ling of Han nodded and immediately instructed the eunuch in charge of adjusting the inner market to make improvements according to Tang Ke's suggestion.

After busying himself for a while and getting everything in order, he suddenly slapped his forehead and remembered the important matter: "Ziyou, I heard that you almost got into a fight with Zhang Changshi at the He residence today?"

Tang Ke glanced at him with a complicated expression. This guy was indulging in sensual pleasures in the deep palace, yet he wouldn't allow anyone to monitor the movements of various forces.

A chill ran down his spine. It was possible that the person who complained to Zhang Rang was one of his men. He had to be careful.

"Your Majesty, it was a minor misunderstanding between Attendant Zhang and General He. A conflict was imminent, but your humble servant led the Imperial Guards to prevent the situation from escalating further."

Emperor Ling of Han looked into Tang Ke's eyes with a half-smile, as if trying to see through his thoughts: "According to you, you have indeed done a good job of persuading him?"

Tang Ke looked directly into his eyes without flinching: "I dare not take credit for myself; this is my duty."

Emperor Ling's smile deepened: "Unfortunately, the strength of the Imperial Guards alone is not enough; their authority and responsibilities are not commensurate. How is the matter of the new agency I ordered you to establish last time coming along?"

"Your Majesty, I have drafted a proposal. Please take a look." Tang Ke took out the prepared proposal and presented it, then respectfully stepped aside.

"So fast!" Emperor Ling of Han took the plan with delight and read it carefully. He was sometimes surprised and sometimes frowned. He kept picking up his imperial pen to review it. He read the short plan several times and spent a whole hour on it.