After the power struggle in the court, Li Chenxi temporarily secured the military authority of Wei and successfully exposed the plot of Grand Chancellor Wang. However, she knew that the power struggle was far from over, and the political landscape in the palace remained volatile.
Everything seemed calm on the surface, but the undercurrents were still surging. The officials and generals who coveted power had not stopped their movements; if anything, they were becoming more restless. Li Chenxi had thought about it many times in the quiet of the night: Who would ultimately be the victor in this palace game?
The Mystery Behind the Power Struggles
That night, Li Chenxi was flipping through military reports from the frontier in her study when she was abruptly interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Your Majesty, Master Du has brought an urgent report." Du Anxiaoting entered with a thick document in her hands.
Li Chenxi took the document and opened it. Her brows immediately furrowed. The document detailed several months of private dealings between Grand Chancellor Wang and some officials. What shocked her the most was the evidence of collusion with foreign enemies.
"Could it be that not only has he been manipulating the court, but he's also colluding with external forces?" Li Chenxi murmured, her tone laced with coldness.
Du Anxiaoting nodded. "The situation is indeed alarming. The connections between Grand Chancellor Wang and external forces are deeply hidden, but these clues suggest that his intentions go beyond power. It seems he's looking to collaborate with foreign enemies for greater benefits."
A sharp gleam appeared in Li Chenxi's eyes. "This conspiracy is far more complex than we imagined."
After a pause, she suddenly asked, "Tonight, have all the key generals gather at the palace. I have something to discuss."
Schemes Within the Palace
As night fell, Li Chenxi summoned her most trusted generals. She knew that the storm was far from over; it was merely entering a more dangerous phase.
"Grand Chancellor Wang's collusion has now become an undeniable threat," Li Chenxi's voice was cold, carrying immense authority. "We must accelerate our actions and expose everything."
The generals lowered their heads, their faces grim. Li Chenxi scanned their solemn expressions, and her thoughts seemed to deepen. Slowly, she spoke again, "Our goal isn't just to eliminate the threat posed by Grand Chancellor Wang, but to dismantle the entire power structure behind him, to completely remove this dark tide."
One of the older generals stood up, his expression determined. "Your Majesty, if, as you say, Grand Chancellor Wang is colluding with foreign enemies, we must proceed with caution. This is no longer just a palace power struggle; it concerns the future of Wei."
Li Chenxi pondered for a moment, her eyes cold. "I understand. We cannot act rashly, but we cannot stand by either. We must find Wang's weaknesses, uncover the proof of his dealings with the external forces, and take action before the pressure from the outside world reaches us."
The generals nodded in agreement, understanding Li Chenxi's resolve.
"Tomorrow, we will begin investigating all leads related to Grand Chancellor Wang. I will personally send people to the frontier and other key locations to search for more evidence," Li Chenxi added. "Tonight, you must make preparations. Ensure the safety of yourselves and your families."
Moving Forward, Step by Step
Over the next few days, Li Chenxi intensified the investigation into Grand Chancellor Wang's conspiracy. Through a carefully laid network of spies, she slowly uncovered the connection between Wang and foreign enemies. These clues gradually formed a vast web of conspiracy, involving powers far more complex than she had initially imagined.
In the process, Li Chenxi discovered that Grand Chancellor Wang was not only colluding with external forces but also using his political power to recruit numerous officials into his scheme, even some who were supposed to be loyal to the throne. Their goal was not just to weaken the authority of the central government, but to fracture the Wei Dynasty, creating a more loosely controlled political system that would maximize their personal interests.
Li Chenxi realized that the real enemies were not just one or two individuals, but a massive interest group. Her mood grew heavier, but she also knew that this was the greatest test she would have to face.
Encircled by Both Internal and External Threats
One night, as Li Chenxi sat alone in her study, contemplating the shifting tides, she made a critical realization. "Foreign enemies?" She murmured to herself, suddenly coming to the realization that Grand Chancellor Wang's collusion with external forces might not just be about splitting the Wei Dynasty's power but was part of a larger invasion plan.
She immediately ordered Du Anxiaoting to summon all the senior generals to report this significant discovery.
"If Grand Chancellor Wang is indeed colluding with external enemies, this power struggle will no longer be just a palace matter—it will be a crisis that threatens the very survival of Wei," Li Chenxi said, her eyes meeting each of her generals. Her voice was chilling. "We must act swiftly, not only to eliminate the internal enemies but also to prevent the external invasion."
"Should we accelerate the deployment of defensive lines and prepare for any movement from the outside?" one of the generals asked.
Li Chenxi nodded. "Yes, all defense lines must be immediately strengthened, especially along the borders and in the capital. I also need to gather intelligence on the movements of these external forces. No sign, no matter how small, should be overlooked."
Her voice was low and resolute, and her eyes shone with an unprecedented determination. The threat from external enemies could no longer be ignored, and the undercurrents of conspiracy in the palace were ready to explode at any moment.
The Prelude to the Final Showdown
As the investigations and preparations continued, Li Chenxi knew that she was facing not just a palace power struggle but a battle that would decide the future of Wei. Every move she made would determine the fate of the nation.
"Only by fully exposing the conspiracy will we be able to restore Wei to its rightful path," she resolved quietly to herself. No matter the cost, she would not let the country descend into chaos and division.