Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1031 - 100: Bargaining with the Tiger (Part 3)

To secure great merit, Song Dachuan intentionally suppressed the truth about Liang Dingyuan’s Pei Family lineage and kept the presence of Southern Wei operatives a secret from Zhao Yao.

For the sake of caution, Song Dachuan dispatched agents to shadow Duan Jiangcheng. He harbored the fear that, upon learning of Liang Dingyuan, Duan Jiangcheng might launch a personal investigation. Luckily, Duan Jiangcheng lacked interest in the man, a development that led Song Dachuan to believe divine favor was on his side.

Once he confirmed that Liang Dingyuan suffered from childhood amnesia, Song Dachuan mobilized his subordinates to hunt down medical records, memory-restoring rituals, and specialized physicians.

Zhao Yao, intuiting the true intent behind these maneuvers, devised a scheme. He intended to frame Duan Jiangcheng for the eventual demise of Song Dachuan, thereby fueling internal strife within the Southern Wei ranks. However, before executing Song Dachuan, he hoped to extract intelligence regarding the Southern Wei operations. Naturally, he kept a close watch on Duan Jiangcheng as well.

That very evening, Hidden Guard Alpha and his unit apprehended Song Dachuan.

Regaining consciousness in a damp dungeon, Song Dachuan was gripped by panic. His dread intensified upon realizing that Prince Han stood directly before him.

Observing that his captive was awake, Zhao Yao skipped the pleasantries and stated, "Discovering that Dingyuan claims descent from the Pei Family, Boss Song, is quite an impressive feat."

Being acknowledged by Zhao Yao brought no comfort to Song Dachuan; on the contrary, his suspicion deepened.

"What is your objective?"

"That is precisely the question I intended to pose to you—what are your intentions?"

Song Dachuan remained silent, glaring at Zhao Yao with guarded hostility.

"You chose not to leak news of Dingyuan’s lineage because you seek the elusive Pei Family treasure and the artifact tied to it."

Song Dachuan’s eyes surged with shock, his face reflecting pure disbelief.

He never imagined Prince Han possessed knowledge of the forbidden treasure, let alone the mysterious object itself! Just how deep did his intelligence go?

Reading the turmoil in Song Dachuan’s mind, Zhao Yao offered a fleeting, gentle smile. "I am well-informed. Your Master acts as your commander, whom you serve in his quest to restore the Southern Wei and seize the throne."

"How are you privy to such secrets?" Song Dachuan blurted out. Could the Master have compromised their position? Impossible; the Master would never betray such details to Prince Han.

"The source of my information is irrelevant," Zhao Yao noted with a calm smile. "I shall offer some clarity. In his youth, Dingyuan was struck by a severe illness, erasing his early memories. He possesses no recollection of his identity or parentage. I personally bestowed his name, and it was I who revealed his connection to the Pei surname."

Song Dachuan kept his silence, his features hardened with icy resolve.

"I have exhausted every avenue, employing the most renowned physicians, yet his memory remains locked away," Zhao Yao continued. "Doctors confirm that while his illness was devastating, it caused no physical brain trauma; he has been remarkably fortunate. You will never uncover the location of the treasure through him."

Song Dachuan refused to accept this dismissal, convinced that a solution for restoring the memories must exist.

"Perhaps you are unaware that while Dingyuan’s grandfather survived the calamity, he was sent to a Daoist temple at a young age due to his frailty. He never returned to the Pei estate, nor was he present when the tragedy struck. What likelihood is there that he obtained knowledge of the secret treasure?" Zhao Yao added. "If his branch of the family truly understood where the wealth was hidden, they would not have fallen into such pathetic destitution."

Song Dachuan was no simpleton, and though it grated on his pride, he was forced to acknowledge the logic in Prince Han’s words.

"Your grand ambitions have crumbled."

Song Dachuan locked eyes with him once more, demanding, "What do you want?"

"My curiosity regarding your Southern Wei affiliates is profound; inviting you here was a means to better understand your machinations."

Song Dachuan mused to himself: *So that is the truth.*

"Have you not been investigating us? Are you ignorant of our affairs?"

"My knowledge is extensive, though perhaps not as intimate as yours," Zhao Yao said, lightly fanning himself. Despite the chill of the cellar, the peak of the Lingnan summer made the air feel stifling.

Song Dachuan merely scoffed in disdain.

"My interest in your affairs is purely to ensure you pose no threat to the Master I serve."

"How can we possibly represent a threat? It is you who plots against the Master!" Song Dachuan barked, livid. "You are the one engaging in treasonous schemes against him."

"Hahahaha, that is the most absurd comedy I have ever heard." Zhao Yao chuckled; if he truly desired his brother’s downfall, the man would have been incapacitated long ago. "It is clear the Southern Wei faction resents me and desires my removal."

Song Dachuan snarled, "You are the ultimate danger to the Master. The day will come when you strike—you must be extinguished!"

"I see the issue—you simply cannot endure the fact that the Master views me, his own brother, with more significance than he views your Southern Wei remnants."

Upon hearing this, Song Dachuan sneered, "To the Master, we are clearly the priorities. Who are you to compare?"

Bored by this repetitive bickering, Zhao Yao refocused the conversation.

"Since I know you will not surrender information willingly, I must employ more... tactical methods."

Song Dachuan dismissed the threat of torture with icy contempt, "You may beat me until my soul leaves my body, but I shall never speak."

"I have no intention of letting you die," Zhao Yao replied kindly. "Instead, I intend to make you beg for the sweetness of death itself."

The gentle, chilling smile on Zhao Yao’s face ignited a primal, involuntary fear deep within Song Dachuan’s core.

Zhao Yao rose, signaling for his guards to haul Song Dachuan away.

The prisoner had braced himself for physical agony, not the isolation that greeted him. At first, he dismissed the darkness of the cell, but after forty-eight hours of silence, his resolve began to fracture. He felt the precipice of madness encroaching.

Within the pitch-black confined space, he began to scream and plead, offering full disclosure if only he could be released.

When Zhao Yao finally returned, Song Dachuan appeared withered, much like a fish gasping on dry land. Although he teetered on the edge of sanity, he retained a shard of lucidity. Without reservation, he spilled every detail he possessed to Zhao Yao.

Reviewing the testimony, Zhao Yao realized the Southern Wei remnants were an existential threat that had to be eradicated. Furthermore, it dawned on him that his leader was engaging in a dangerous pact with shadows. Should the Master succeed, could he ever truly extricate himself from the influence of the Southern Wei?