Chapter 250: War Clouds Gather Again

“That old man still keeps half his words hidden.”

The Blind Man spoke while peeling an orange.

Zheng Fan accepted a damp towel from Yuexin, wiped his hands, and said, “Doesn’t everyone keep something hidden?”

They were all foxes who had lived a thousand years. What was the point of pretending to tell each other ghost stories?

“Still, Master, it wasn’t completely without value. For example, what that old man said about arranging the succession—I think there was some reason to it.”

“That still depends on Heaven’s will. But I still find it a little unreal.

“The Sixth Prince’s wings have already been clipped almost clean. At this point, we may already count as the thickest, darkest feather Xiao Liuzi has left.

“If that possibility really arises in the future and he sits in that position, would the court and realm truly accept him?”

The Blind Man placed a segment of orange into his mouth and chewed as he replied, “Master, this is the same principle as Gao Yi.

“Anyone with eyes can tell Great Yan is divided among three great powers: the Marquis of Zhenbei on one side, the Marquis of Jingnan on another, and Yanjing at the center.

“But in terms of actual strength, the one in Yanjing is still the strongest.

“Especially after the great clans were trampled beneath cavalry hooves and another victorious national war followed, hearts naturally returned to the orthodox center.

“Take Xu Wenzu as an example. Back then, Xu Wenzu was willing to open Tiger Head City and surrender it for the sake of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate.

“But now?

“He’s doing perfectly well in Nanwang City. During the last war, he personally went to the front to supervise the fighting, ordering the military officers under him and the Western Army’s Xishan Camp cavalry to fight the enemy without retreat.

“Perhaps Xu Wenzu still thinks of himself as a man of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate.

“But if you asked him now to raise the banner of rebellion for the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate the way he might once have done, I doubt he could bring himself to do it anymore.

“Xu Wenzu is only one example.

“Look at Li Bao, the great general stationed in Quhe City not far from us. He came from the Zhenbei Army and is one of its seven Chief Commanders.

“But now he guards newly conquered territory and has, for all practical purposes, been separated out into a minor regional lord of his own.

“Even if Li Bao himself is still willing to remain the Marquis of Zhenbei’s utterly loyal adopted son, what about the troops beneath him?

“Would they be willing to follow him back to Beifeng Commandery to eat sand again? Or raise their blades against Yanjing?

“Orthodoxy can be worthless at times.

“But at other times, it is more important than anything.

“To put it plainly, the winner takes everything.

“If the Ji Clan plays the game badly and ends up exterminated, the legitimacy of its imperial throne becomes worthless.

“If it succeeds, then Heaven’s Mandate belongs to the Ji Clan, and even the next generation can keep enjoying the dividends.

“Besides, the central government is an institution—a vast collective.

“It has civil officials, military officials, the hundred offices, and an entire administrative system. It is a colossal creature whose tentacles reach throughout the country.

“Even if Xiao Liuzi is nothing more than a plucked chicken scalded clean with boiling water before inheriting the throne, the moment he puts on the dragon robe and sits in that seat, he instantly gains tremendous authority.

“There have been plenty of such examples throughout history.

“Were Emperor Xuan of Han or the Hongzhi Emperor born into circumstances any less miserable than Xiao Liuzi’s?

“As long as he sits in that position, a huge number of people will automatically become loyal to him.”

“So that’s how it is.”

“Master, to put it bluntly, the Ji Clan may have been the imperial house of the State of Yan in the past, but in practice it was more like the head of an alliance of great clans.

“Now, though, it has truly begun to carry the bearing of a dynasty’s ruling house.

“As for what Yao Zizhan said—that if something really has gone wrong with the Emperor of Yan’s health, he may immediately restart the war against Qian—I think that might actually be correct.

“To call this Emperor of Yan a ruler of grand talent and strategy is not exaggeration in the slightest.

“But an emperor is still a man.

“Even if someone were an immortal, how many could truly face the end calmly after learning their lifespan was almost exhausted?

“This is a chessboard he painstakingly arranged with his own blood and effort.

“How could he possibly tolerate dying before the endgame is complete?”

Zheng Fan laced his fingers together and silently listened to the Blind Man’s analysis.

“So when the time comes, even if he knows perfectly well that continuing to recuperate and strengthen the country would be the correct course, there is a high chance Ji Runhao still will not be able to restrain himself.

“There have been far too many enlightened rulers who became muddled in their later years, even destroying the reputation they had built across an entire lifetime.”

“These are all matters for the future.

“Although Tian Wujing hinted at something to me, he never personally admitted it.

“I’m even starting to wonder whether the Emperor of Yan’s health problems might themselves be another smokescreen.

“If even an old fellow like Yao Zizhan can analyze his way to this conclusion, maybe that’s exactly what the emperor wants people to think.

“After all, the Emperor of Yan likes fishing.

“And he’s very good at it.”

“Mm. Master makes sense.”

“So we’ll just take things one step at a time.”

“Oh, right, Master. I heard from a merchant caravan out of Litian City that the Marquis of Jingnan’s wife seems to be pregnant.”

“Is that so? Dujuan?”

“It should be her.”

“Have Siniang prepare a gift and send it to Litian City.

“Don’t make the gift too expensive. There’s no need for gold, silver, or valuables. Send practical things—things that show real thought and care.”

“This subordinate understands.”

At that moment, Xiao Yibo walked over and reported, “Master, a messenger from Litian City has delivered military orders.”

“Give them to me.”

Zheng Fan reached out and accepted the document.

A military order was not an imperial edict. There was naturally no need to kneel nine times after three prostrations, set up an incense table, or go through any elaborate ceremony.

Besides, even when imperial edicts were read in the army, the people of Yan had little interest in overly complicated ritual.

However, after Wen Sutong declined the post at the Imperial Academy, the Emperor of Yan had reportedly ordered him into the Ministry of Rites and created an unprecedented office for him at the same rank as the Minister of Rites, charging him with revising Yan’s ritual codes.

In reality, the task was simply to establish these sorts of formal rules and create a proper ceremonial system, curbing the excessively casual atmosphere that prevailed throughout Yan.

After all, when it came to complicated ritual and etiquette, no one was more accomplished than the people of Qian.

Zheng Fan opened the military order and scanned it once before placing it on the desk.

The Blind Man also “scanned” it.

Then he asked in some confusion, “Master, the Marquis of Jingnan wants us to open a route through the Tianduan Mountains from Shengle City all the way to the snowfields?”

“Yes.”

The northern frontier of the State of Jin was essentially defined by the Tianduan Mountains.

North of the Tianduan Mountains lay the vast snowfields.

“Master, what does this mean?”

“You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?”

Zheng Fan smiled.

“It means he wants me to clear out a road.

“It can’t possibly be for trade.”

“If it isn’t for trade, then it must be…”

“For war?”

By process of elimination, only that possibility remained.

“Write a reply to Litian City for me.

“Say that I accept the order.”

“This subordinate obeys.”

“We’ll still need to wait until A’Cheng returns before we can actually handle this.

“But there’s no harm in preparing early.

“The treasury should have accumulated quite a bit by now. For the time being, focus our purchases on horses and armor.”

Zheng Fan’s original direct troops were equipped extremely well.

But the Jin remnants he had recruited later, along with the clan troops from nearby families headed by the Tufa Clan, were far inferior in equipment.

“This subordinate understands.

“Master, if there really is going to be war, who are we fighting?

“The State of Dacheng?”

“The State of Dacheng’s main forces are all deployed in the northeast.

“Besides, Yan is already stronger than Dacheng. If we wanted to hit them, there would be no need for any complicated strategic detour.”

“Then it would be…”

Zheng Fan nodded.

He was wondering the same thing.

“Could we really be heading out there to help Dacheng fight the savages?”

...

Yanjing.

The imperial palace.

The Imperial Study.

That morning, after court ended, several senior ministers had been kept behind to discuss affairs in the Imperial Study.

Once the discussion concluded, the Emperor of Yan retained Zhao Jiulang to dine with him.

Across all of Great Yan, the person closest to this emperor was not one of his princes.

It was this chief minister of Yan.

Everyone in court and throughout the realm knew it.

Lunch was extremely simple: three dishes and one soup.

Only Wei Zhonghe remained nearby to serve them.

The Emperor of Yan ate half a bowl of rice and barely touched the dishes.

Then he pushed his rice bowl forward and said, “My beloved minister, finish it for Us.”

“This minister thanks Your Majesty for this immense grace.”

Wei Zhonghe carried the remaining food from before the emperor over to Zhao Jiulang’s table.

Zhao Jiulang continued eating ravenously.

“We’ve made things difficult for you.”

Zhao Jiulang smiled.

Afraid of spraying rice from his mouth, he could only cover it with one hand, nod, and continue eating.

His Majesty’s appetite was far worse than before.

Yet the quantity prepared for the emperor could not be reduced.

And because of the good habits he had developed long ago at the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate, the Emperor of Yan had always detested extravagance and waste when it came to meals.

If he had never left food behind in the past, then he could not start leaving any behind now.

Because no matter how cautious you were, you could never avoid the countless eyes watching you.

Thus Zhao Jiulang, the chief minister of the realm and the emperor’s foremost confidant, ate no late-night snack and skipped breakfast every day, deliberately keeping his stomach empty so he could come here at noon and gorge himself.

Perhaps no one would believe it if word spread.

The Chancellor of Great Yan was actually forced to binge-eat every day.

At last, the meal was finished.

Zhao Jiulang leaned back while clutching his belly, breathing out again and again.

“How are preparations for the investiture ceremony?” the Emperor of Yan asked.

“Replying to Your Majesty, everything has been arranged properly,” Zhao Jiulang answered.

The Emperor of Yan looked toward Wei Zhonghe again.

“And the Eastern Palace?”

“Your Majesty, this slave has already had people put everything in order.

“It looks exactly as it did when Master still resided there before ascending the throne.

“Her Majesty the Empress’s ceremonial robes and the Second Prince’s ceremonial robes have also been completed.”

“Mm.”

The Emperor of Yan closed his eyes and nodded.

By now, Zhao Jiulang had finally recovered from the meal.

He sat a little straighter and said, “Your Majesty, the envoy from the State of Dacheng is still waiting to request an audience.”

“The matter has already been settled. What is there left to meet about?”

“He says he wishes to express his gratitude for imperial favor.”

“Spare him.”

“This minister obeys.”

“This deployment of troops—has there been much criticism from court and the realm?”

Zhao Jiulang smiled.

“Quite a lot.”

“A flock of sparrows with no vision.”

Zhao Jiulang merely smiled and said nothing.

“Situ Lei dared to withdraw the troops from his western frontier and personally lead his campaign in the northeast.

“Whether he was merely putting on a display of heroic openness before Us, or whether he truly still carries reverence for Great Xia’s legacy in his heart, it makes no difference.

“Since he has already gone halfway, then We shall push him the rest of the way.

“We will make Situ Lei spend his entire life bearing the title of king while, in reality, remaining a subject of Great Yan.

“For ten years, twenty years, thirty years—he will have no face to send troops onto Yan soil.

“Sixty thousand iron cavalry driving straight into Shangjing of Qian, two hundred thousand iron cavalry trampling the Helian and Wenren Clans into dust—that is the way of hegemony.

“We—will now practice the kingly way.”

Zhao Jiulang bowed low and said, “This minister can suppress all criticism among the court officials by himself and share Your Majesty’s burdens.”

“Jiulang, serving as chief minister of Great Yan truly has made you suffer.”

Zhao Jiulang raised his head and smiled.

“To remain beside Your Majesty and steal a place in the histories beside you—

“Jiulang has profited.”

The Emperor of Yan pointed toward a yellow scroll resting on the imperial desk.

Wei Zhonghe understood immediately.

He picked it up, placed it inside a box, and delivered it to Zhao Jiulang below.

“There is no need for the Situ Clan’s envoy to enter the palace and express gratitude.

“Give him this piece of Our calligraphy instead.

“Tell him to deliver it to Situ Lei.”

“This minister obeys.”

...

Inside a palace compound administered by the Court of State Ceremonial in Yanjing, Dong Bian, chief envoy of the State of Dacheng’s delegation, looked down at the box before him after seeing off the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial.

A long while later, he gestured for several accompanying officials nearby to open it.

Inside was a yellow imperial scroll, but no seal had been stamped upon it.

So it had been sent as a diplomatic gift rather than proclaimed as an imperial edict.

Dong Bian stepped forward several paces.

His subordinates silently withdrew to give him room.

He lowered his head and looked at the yellow scroll.

Upon it were written eight powerful characters:

“Though mountains and rivers divide our lands, the wind and moon share the same sky.”

[End of Chapter 250]