abcnovels
Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Xu Jingzong, Zhang Jianzhi, and the others were stunned, deep in thought.
Wu Zhao pondered aloud, “Since you say so, you must already have an idea?”
Yang Yi smiled slightly.
“This humble servant once heard a rumor circulating among the people of the Qing Dynasty—Qianlong is not the son of the Qing Emperor.”
He paused for dramatic effect, then continued,
“So I combined various popular rumors and wrote a novel titled The Book and the Sword: Gratitude and Revenge. I plan to publish it in the Great Zhou Bao.
“Given the current interest in Qianlong, this novel will undoubtedly spark new debates and shift the focus of the people—from his morality to his lineage…”
Silence filled the hall.
The room was eerily quiet. Wei Yuanzhong, Xu Jingzong, and the others exchanged astonished looks.
This guy is too cunning.
Finally, they understood what Yang Yi meant by “riding on popularity.” This was clearly an attempt to further damage Qianlong’s reputation while he was still the focus of everyone’s attention.
The crowd’s gaze toward Yang Yi gradually shifted.
Minister Yang is too devious.
Under normal circumstances, writing a novel that questioned an emperor’s lineage wouldn’t cause much of a stir. But with the current nationwide discussions about Qianlong, raising doubts about his heritage could be extremely effective.
Though it might not affect Qianlong’s position, it would certainly disgust him and could even cause unrest among the people of the Qing Dynasty.
Everyone in the room began to sweat a little.
This man is full of evil ideas—dripping with malice.
Wu Zhao remained expressionless, but her heart was in turmoil.
This plan is too ruthless. It’s like rubbing salt into a wound. Qianlong will probably be so disgusted with Yang Yi that he’ll spit blood.
Compared to Yang Yi, Wu Zhao suddenly felt like a living Bodhisattva.
Xu Jingzong cleared his throat.
“Minister Yang, this plan is indeed clever, but it is still based on speculation. For someone of your status to get involved personally, wouldn’t it be beneath the dignity of our Great Zhou?”
Everyone instinctively nodded in agreement.
Though the plan sounded malicious, it seemed somewhat undignified for a Minister of the State to write a novel slandering an enemy emperor.
Yang Yi smiled faintly.
“Minister Xu, you are right. But of course, I will use a pseudonym.”
“Have any of you heard of… Runtu?”
Xu Jingzong was taken aback, then pondered.
“Isn’t that the author of Dream of the Red Chamber?”
Yang Yi nodded solemnly.
“Indeed, that is my pen name.”
He continued, “If The Book and the Sword: Gratitude and Revenge is published under that name to slander Qianlong, then it would be Runtu’s work, not Yang Yi’s. What does it have to do with me?”
That makes so much sense.
Xu Jingzong stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming.
“I have heard that Dream of the Red Chamber is a famous work, and many people buy the Great Zhou Bao just to read it. I didn’t expect it to be written by Minister Yang. You are truly a genius, Minister Yang.
“Besides, publishing under this well-known pseudonym will surely attract a large number of readers. Coupled with the mystery of Qianlong’s lineage, it will undoubtedly become a bestseller in various nations. The more popular it becomes, the more uncomfortable Qianlong will be.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up.
They hadn’t considered this advantage before.
Their admiration for Yang Yi grew.
This man’s casual writings can become masterpieces. Truly a genius.
Yang Yi smiled.
“Minister Xu is absolutely right. Some things become more obscure the more they are discussed. As long as it attracts enough attention, white can become black, and black can become white.”
He leaned forward slightly, his voice low but full of confidence.
“By then, Qianlong will be completely confused. And if even the emperor’s lineage is in question, how can the soldiers of the Qing Dynasty have the morale to fight against our Great Zhou with all their might?”
Everyone gasped in shock.
Yang Yi’s plan might not have been the most brilliant, but it was unbelievably devious.
Not to mention the enemy—just hearing it made the ministers break out in a cold sweat.
…
The next day.
Yang Yi exchanged a copy of The Book and the Sword: Gratitude and Revenge from the system store and began to extensively modify its background.
After all, in this world, there was no such thing as overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming.
He changed the setting without altering the story.
In Jin Yong’s original The Book and the Sword: Gratitude and Revenge, Qianlong is portrayed as the brother of Chen Jialuo, the leader of the anti-Qing Red Flower Society.
Historically, the Chen family of Haining, Zhejiang, did exist, and there was much speculation about Qianlong’s parentage—some from unofficial histories, others from novelists.
But none of this mattered. As long as it seemed plausible, that was enough.
Yang Yi didn’t expect his novel to have any real political effect, but it would certainly disgust people.
For him, it was simply an easy and convenient task.
…
At Shu Yu Palace.
Wu Mingyue looked at Yang Yi with a strange expression, holding the manuscript of The Book and the Sword: Gratitude and Revenge he had just given her.
Yang Yi felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze. He smiled slightly.
“Why is Your Highness looking at me like that?”
Wu Mingyue wrinkled her nose and circled around him, muttering,
“I didn’t know you were so devious. Ruining Qianlong’s reputation wasn’t enough, you even wrote a novel to slander him.”
“You really are—”
She stopped mid-sentence, suddenly freezing.
Wait a minute… writing a novel to slander someone…
Isn’t that what I did? Could it be that this scoundrel knows I secretly wrote a novel to insult him and is now indirectly mocking me?
Wu Mingyue’s expression turned uncertain.
It’s not the end of the world if Yang Yi found out, but it would be so embarrassing.
I would never live it down if he knew!
I would be mocked for the rest of my life!
At the thought of such a horrible scenario, Wu Mingyue trembled.
Seeing her strange expression, Yang Yi became curious.
“Is Your Highness feeling unwell?”
Wu Mingyue snapped out of her thoughts and quickly replied,
“Ah… I’m fine.”
She swiftly changed the subject.
“By the way, how did you come up with the idea to write a novel to slander Qianlong?”
Though Yang Yi found her behaviour odd, he didn’t think too much of it.
He smiled and said,
“There have always been rumours about Qianlong’s mysterious lineage. I thought it would be a waste not to take advantage of the public’s interest. At the very least, it should make Qianlong lose some sleep and appetite.”
“I see.” Wu Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief.
At least he didn’t notice anything suspicious.
Suddenly, Yang Yi leaned closer, his eyes locking onto hers. His handsome face was close, and his dark eyes seemed to pierce through her thoughts.
“Does Your Highness have something to hide from me?”
Wu Mingyue’s face stiffened, a hint of panic flashing in her bright eyes. She quickly waved her hand.
“Haha, how could that be?” She scoffed.
“I have no interest in you at all! What could I possibly be hiding?”
“Humph, don’t flatter yourself.”
Yang Yi raised an eyebrow.
“Really?”
Wu Mingyue’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly pushed him toward the door.
“Alright, enough. I need to rest now.”
“I will handle everything you mentioned,” she added hastily.
Yang Yi smiled silently, still watching her with an amused expression.
Wu Mingyue felt a chill run down her spine.
She quickly pushed him out of the room, then closed the door and leaned against it.
After a while, as Yang Yi’s footsteps faded away, Wu Mingyue finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She patted her full, pale chest, a ripple of movement following.
That was close… I almost got caught by that scoundrel.
“Fortunately, the princess, known as the most beautiful and cunning woman in the world, was quick-witted. With a clever trick, she had managed to fool the lazy, stupid, greedy, lecherous servant Yang Dayi, who had an obsession with big breasts and taking advantage of others.”
Yes, that’s exactly how I’ll write it later.