Song Chengru hadn't seen the letter itself, but Song Chuyi recounted its contents to him word for word. He never would have imagined that Zhang Tianhe, who once vowed to uphold integrity and serve the people, could become so insatiably corrupt. His goat-like beard lifted in a sneer as his anger turned to cold disdain. Truly, the environment one associates with has an impact; after spending so long in the northwest, seeing others enjoy luxuries—fine meals, grand fur cloaks, and strings of pearls and gemstones—it seemed Zhang Tianhe had left behind all notions of duty and righteousness.

  His thoughts on the matter only sted a moment before he focused on the more pressing issue at hand. With Zhang Tianhe as the governor of the northwest and in league with those plotting against the Cui family, it would have been all too easy for him to isote and weaken Cui Shaoting, expining the ck of any news from Cui.

  This group had silently woven a thick web behind the Cui family, a web that would ensnare them until every drop of vitality was drained. If it weren't for Lai Chenglong's warning and Song Chuyi's sharp instincts, that bde hanging over their heads might have already fallen, decapitating their entire cn. He felt a chill of dread—political struggles were like this: calm on the surface, but when it mattered most, a single document could seal the fate of nine generations. Yet, beneath the fear was a surge of anger. He thought they had finally escaped the clutches of wolves like Prince Duan, but it turned out that just when they hoped for peace, the Chen family was plotting not only against the Cui family but also against him, an ally to the Eastern Pace.

  No one was a saint, after all, and even saints would lose their patience with people like this. Song Chengru thought for a moment, then told Song Chuyi his pn. "Tonight, I'll speak with your uncle. We'll immediately find someone trustworthy to travel to the northwest and warn Shaoting not to support Yang Xuan's proposal for open trade, and to inform him of the Chen family and Yang Xuan's collusion."

  This pn was sound in theory, but the reality was less promising. Both the Song and Cui families were under close surveilnce. No matter how reliable the messenger, they'd likely be stopped before reaching the northwest. And with Grand Secretary Chen's cautious nature, there were undoubtedly assassins lying in wait along the route.

  "No, Grandfather," Song Chuyi called out. "I have another way to contact Uncle."

  Song Chengru, well aware of his granddaughter's abilities, wasn't particurly surprised. She'd managed to get a message through even to Lai Chenglong, a feared Jinyiwei official, so if she cimed she could re-establish contact with Cui Shaoting, he believed her.

  "But the proposal must still be submitted as usual," Song Chuyi said calmly. Her initial panic had disappeared, repced by a quiet confidence. "I'll notify Uncle to submit it, but only you and Prime Minister Chang will see it. When it's ready to be submitted to the Emperor, Prime Minister Chang will be the one to do it. Can you help me with that?"

  Song Chengru immediately grasped her intent. She wanted Cui Shaoting to submit a proposal—not for open trade, but one accusing Zhang Tianhe of collusion and embezzling military funds. The letter they intercepted would serve as evidence within the proposal.

  This would also require allies in the cabinet to ensure the proposal reached Emperor Jianzhang directly, bypassing any interference from Grand Secretary Chen. Thus, both Song Chengru and Prime Minister Chang were essential pieces of the puzzle. Together, they could avoid the oversight of Lord Chen and ensure the proposal reached the Emperor. Then, Emperor Jianzhang could expose the rotten core of the northwest and all its hidden corruption.

  Given the Song family's ties to the Cui family, it would be prudent for Song Chengru to keep a low profile. His main task was to persuade Prime Minister Chang, who would likely be receptive. Although Zhang Tianhe was one of his recommendations, Cui Shaoting was also someone he'd promoted. With Zhang Tianhe's btant corruption, if the northwest erupted due to embezzled military funds, Prime Minister Chang would go down in history as a traitor. But if he cooperated with Cui Shaoting, he'd be remembered for his integrity.

  Surely, Prime Minister Chang would want a peaceful retirement. He'd help.

  Once again, Song Chengru couldn't help but ment that Song Chuyi wasn't a man. If she and Song Jue could work together, there would be no need for the Song family to even consider withdrawing from politics; they could secure their family's prosperity for generations.

  He looked at Song Chuyi and nodded slowly. "I'll send Yingshu to speak with Prime Minister Chang. Starting tomorrow, any proposals from the northwest will go through me first, and I'll copy them before passing them on to him, then to the Emperor."

  This way, they'd avoid the involvement of Elder Cabinet Members Lord Chen and Lord Du, allowing them a clear path forward.

  But the problem remained of how to keep Grand Secretary Chen from interfering. Like Song Chengru, Lord Chen was a seasoned politician, able to detect the slightest irregurity.

  Song Chengru frowned, thinking for a while, then suddenly cpped his hands and ughed. "How could I forget about Wang Ying?"

  At first, Song Chuyi didn't understand. Then, after a moment, she grasped her grandfather's meaning. Since Grand Secretary Chen managed the Censorate, and Wang Ying was reted to Fang Xiaoru, he was a trusted ally of lord Chen. If they slipped a copy of Cui Shaoting's proposal to Wang Ying for transcription, Wang Ying would dutifully report it to Lord Chen. Once Lord Chen was aware of the proposal's contents, he'd naturally avoid interfering.

  "But Wang Ying isn't easily fooled. We may need Li Ru's help," Song Chuyi said, recalling her grandfather mentioning Wang Ying's ties with Li Ru. "Have Li Ru go to Wang Ying, mentioning that he overheard Cui Shaoting's proposal and thought it would benefit the country. Then, you can arrange for Wang Ying to transcribe the proposal. He'll be convinced."

  Li Ru, a fellow countryman of Wang Ying, rarely showed closeness to Song Chengru, making him a perfect candidate. The Old Master stroked his beard in approval.