What’s meant to come has come, the Jianzheng was absolutely right, all variables would occur this winter… Xu Qi’an sighed inwardly.
He was not surprised by this outcome at all, as he had already prepared himself mentally for it and had long anticipated this day would come.
Yunzhou was bound to rebel sooner or later, and it would happen this winter. So, to Xu Qi’an, this news was as natural as the cycle of the sun and moon.
I need to hurry and fulfil my agreement with the Nine-tailed Fox, and remove as many of the Demon-sealing Nails as possible, only then can I recover my strength and cope with the coming changes. Hmm, I wonder what Fuxiang’s true form is like, is she beautiful?
Xu Qi’an took out a plan from the Earth Book fragment, his goals clearly laid out upon it.
The matter of resurrecting Duke Wei will have to be postponed. First, I must unseal Shenshu. Besides, I can’t find the Sounding Stone right now, and without it, the Soul-summoning Banner’s shaft can’t be forged…
He made a few adjustments to his plan, then beckoned to Mu Nanzhi:
“Let me have a look at the Geography of the Great Feng.”
Geography of the Great Feng was something Mu Nanzhi had bought herself, like a woman setting off on a trip who excitedly purchases a gazetteer, and reads about local customs and products wherever she goes.
“Are the Southern Marches still within the territory of the Great Feng now.”
Mu Nanzhi muttered in confusion, rummaged through her small bundle and pulled out the tattered book, tossing it over.
She really doesn’t cherish books at all… Xu Qi’an caught it and flipped open the Geography of the Great Feng. The reason he wanted to read it was that it had a very rough map of the Central Plains.
So rough that the Great Feng’s thirteen provinces had become a collection of irregular rectangles.
Yunzhou is by the sea, its northern region mostly borders Qingzhou. If Xu Pingfeng wants to use Yunzhou as a foundation to advance north and strike the capital, he must take Qingzhou.
Meanwhile, the court’s best way to buy time is to pin the rebels down in Yunzhou.
So next, the storm will gather over Qingzhou.
…
The imperial study.
Emperor Yongxing sat upright, listening to the ministers quarrelling within the hall.
Once the news that the imperial line from five hundred years ago had proclaimed an emperor in Yunzhou reached the capital, the whole court was shaken.
However, the mood of the many officials was quite calm, as they had already mentally prepared themselves for it. If not for the devastating cold disaster, which left the court too busy with its own affairs, they would have already taken the initiative to march south and strike.
But for the whole bureaucracy and the common folk, it was a harsh wake-up call.
Since the end of the year of official evaluation, the Great Feng had experienced a series of shocking events, including the annihilation of the expedition against the Church of the Warlock God, the late emperor’s passing, the cold disaster, and now the rebellion in Yunzhou.
Even the commoners in the streets realised that the times were turbulent, that great chaos was looming, and so widespread panic was taking hold.
Among the scholars, and low-ranking capital officials, fear and resentment were all the more intense.
In recent days, frequent scholarly gatherings had been held in the capital, where people discussed the Yunzhou rebels and the state of the Central Plains.
“Your Majesty, the rebel Clique in Yunzhou has proclaimed an emperor, shaking the court and the realm. However, few know of the Buddhist sect’s support for the rebels, but rumours cannot be kept in forever, and this is a grave danger.”
The Right Censorate official of the Ministry of War said in a deep voice.
The ministers’ expressions grew heavy, former allies had now turned their backs and become enemies, which would undoubtedly intensify the panic.
The might of the Buddhist sect was something even ordinary people understood well.
A rebel army in Yunzhou, claiming descent from the imperial family of five hundred years ago and now supported by the Buddhist sect, if this spread, would cause the world to question the court and the imperial family of the Great Feng.
Though such doubts would not cause immediate trouble—at worst, there would be grumbling among the common folk—once the situation turned against them, these doubts and criticisms would ferment.
If the people sided with the enemy, they would have no psychological burden at all.
After all, they would still be subjects of the Great Feng, perhaps even supporting the orthodox lineage.
If the rebels really overthrew the present court, the people might not even be able to rally under the banner of ‘restoring the Great Feng’.
Since ancient times, every uprising and war had paid much attention to righteous justification.
That was why.
The Minister of Law said in a grave tone:
“We can only stop the spread of rumours. All who spread panic, disseminate rumours, or speak of these events must be imprisoned and punished.”
Such a method merely treated the symptoms, not the root cause, but it was necessary to suppress the rumours.
History had shown countless times that rumours were the best psychological weapon, and to leave them unchecked was to hand a sabre to the enemy.
Though the ministers considered the Minister of Law’s proposal less than ideal, it was the best for now.
On hearing this, Emperor Yongxing smiled and said:
“That is not necessary. It is better to guide opinion than to block it. Since the truth will out, we may as well make it public, to show the court’s confidence. Let Our subjects see that We do not fear the Buddhist sect, and the court does not fear the Western Regions.”
This… The ministers looked at each other, feeling this did not match His Majesty’s usual prudent and conservative style.
The Minister of Law frowned deeply, glancing at the serene-looking Prime Minister Wang, and had a thought:
“Does Your Majesty have a sound strategy in hand?”
Emperor Yongxing swept his gaze across the ministers, noticing their slightly bowed heads and attentive attitudes. Occasionally, one would look up at him, only to quickly look down again, but their eagerness was plain in their eyes.
The smile on his lips widened, as he felt a subtle pleasure in controlling the court.
“Indeed!” Emperor Yongxing said slowly:
“Not long ago, Xu Qi’an fought the Church of the Warlock God, the Yunzhou rebels, and the Buddhist sect in Jianzhou, striking down two Vajras in succession. Now the Buddhist sect no longer has any Protector Vajra.
“This is a great victory for Silver Gong Xu and for Our court.”
The imperial study fell silent, and the ministers were moved.
“Your Majesty, is… is this true?”
Liu Hong, Left Censor-in-chief, said in shock, voicing everyone’s doubts.
Though all present were scholars and wielded only a brush, as those at the pinnacle of power in the Great Feng, they were not unfamiliar with the Buddhist sect’s Protector Vajra.
Protector Vajra were third rank!
What did third rank mean?
At present, in the Great Feng, only Xu Qi’an, a third rank martial artist, was holding up the situation.
Emperor Yongxing nodded.
“This matter will soon spread through Jianzhou, it cannot be faked.”
If the emperor could say such things on this occasion, the information was certainly irrefutable.
The ministers seemed to hear the wild pounding of their own hearts in their chests, and the delight and shock on their faces were hard to suppress.
The surprise brought by this news was no less than the victory of a great war, perhaps even greater.
“Your Majesty, please make the intelligence public.”
“Magnificent. With this, we can safely make public the news that the Buddhist sect is supporting the rebels.”
“Silver Gong Xu is already the pillar who upholds our Great Feng, and the people’s hearts can now be settled…”
The ministers discussed this fervently and could not calm down for a long time.
Emperor Yongxing did not interrupt them. Firstly, a small court meeting in the Imperial Study was not as formal as morning court.
Secondly, he understood the ministers also needed a space to bolster their confidence and let off steam. If the Buddhist sect’s backing of Yunzhou’s rebels were made public, it would cause panic among the people, did the ministers themselves not feel worried?
Outwardly solid as mountains and rivers, inwardly as frantic as crashing waves.
Xu Qi’an’s victory in Jianzhou was, without doubt, a rousing achievement.
Once this small power-wielding ruling class had confidence, it would drive the cohesion of the whole dynasty.
After a while, as the discussions began to quieten, Emperor Yongxing looked towards the Minister of War and said:
“I have read Lord Xu’s memorial. Qingzhou will become the battleground between the court and the Yunzhou rebels. If Qingzhou is lost, the rebels will have their northern base and a buffer zone to manoeuvre troops.
“But if we only defend passively, is the court not being too reactive? There is no reason to guard against thieves every day. Would it be viable to take the initiative and march south?”
The Left Censor-in-chief, Liu Hong, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:
“Marching south to attack the rebels is indeed feasible, but this is certainly not the best moment. The Yunzhou rebels have plotted for a long time and now have support from the Buddhist sect. Charging deep into enemy territory now, I fear, would be walking into a trap.
“Moreover, since Duke Wei’s death, the Great Feng has neither a beyond-mortal martial artist nor any outstanding commander. So, a prudent and secure approach should be our first option.”
No outstanding commanders? Several military nobles and generals glanced coldly at Liu Hong.
When scholars disparaged others, it really cut deep.
Although a peerless commander like Wei Yuan was rare, the Great Feng was not short of veteran generals.
But from Liu’s mouth, it sounded as if the court’s military was totally bereft of talent.
At this point, a member of the Ministry of War stepped forward and said:
“We can summon Xu Qi’an back to the capital, grant him military authority, and send him to guard Qingzhou.
“Xu Qi’an was Duke Wei’s disciple, he has written military treatises, even the great Confucian Zhang Shen has admitted he is less capable. Moreover, he is a beyond-mortal martial artist. No one else is more suitable to defend Qingzhou.”
Other than Xu Qi’an, the Great Feng had no other third rank martial artists.
The Sitianjian’s existence was mostly ignored by the ministers.
Prime Minister Wang stepped forward at once, rebutting:
“Xu Qi’an has no battlefield experience. Allowing him to lead the defence of Qingzhou is much too reckless. Qingzhou must not be lost, the court cannot afford it.”
He paused, glanced meaningfully at several displeased officials, and said in a low voice:
“Xu Qi’an is not invincible. If the rebels have a beyond-mortal martial artist to pin him down or even kill him, the court will lose Qingzhou. Moreover, Qingzhou is already firmly in Yang Gong’s hands, are we not afraid that changing commanders before battle will give him rebellious thoughts?”
There was a moment of silence in the Imperial Study, no one argued.
When it came to matters unrelated to factional strife or personal gain, the ministers’ minds were still sharp, able to clearly see pros and cons.
Emperor Yongxing nodded and declared in a clear voice:
“From today, mobilise troops and send reinforcements to Qingzhou.”
Finishing, he looked at Prime Minister Wang and said: “Xu Xinnian of the Hanlin Academy, a disciple of the great Confucian Zhang Shen, is versed in the art of war and achieved merit during the campaign in the northern border against the Yao and barbarians. For this reinforcement to Qingzhou, his name must be included.”
Prime Minister Wang’s expression faltered momentarily before he said,
“Yes!”
It was clear Emperor Yongxing meant to bind Xu Qi’an’s fate to Xu Xinnian’s, forcing the Silver Gong, who had always ignored imperial summons, to throw himself into Qingzhou’s defence.
At the same time, it was a hint to the Prime Minister that he intended to promote Xu Xinnian, to give this scholar-official a chance to win military merit.
…
King Yan Manor.
The former Fourth Prince, now King Yan, sat in his study, with the brazier blazing. He wore white brocade robes, the rings and pendants at his waist tinkling, the air of nobility overwhelming.
In his left hand was a book, on his right side, fragrant tea and pastries.
On the blue cover, the title read Annals of Zhou. King Yan was reading volume two, chapter thirteen.
It recorded the early and middle years of Great Zhou and the youth of a certain emperor.
That emperor was originally a concubine-born son, with three legitimate princes above him. The crown could never have been his.
But as fate would have it, the three legitimate princes, through a series of conflicts, either died by accident or incurred the Emperor’s dislike. In the end, the one who benefitted was this son of a concubine.
“Huaqing, you really are our dear sister.”
King Yan laughed, “We were too impatient. The fight between the legitimate sons has only just begun. How could we, as a concubine’s son, be so lacking in patience?”
…
Southern Marches, the Hundred-Thousand Mountains.
The Night was bleak and grey. Amongst the endless mountain chains echoed at times the desolate call of night-owls.
A colossal crimson bird, twenty feet long, glided with wings spread wide, soaring over peak after peak.
When it reached a certain valley, it abruptly folded its wings. Its body began to mutate rapidly mid-air, feathers retracting inside, wings shrinking into human arms, its beak flattening and softening into lips.
Its head swelled round like a ball and changed into a human head… By the time it landed in the valley, it had become a heroic man with long slitted eyes.
In the valley was a cave, guarded outside by two beautiful women clad in animal skins, their firm thighs and flat abdomens exposed.
“Greetings, Protector Hongying!”
The two enchanting women bowed.
“How is Elder Yeji?”
Hongying’s bird-demon eyes looked into the depths of the cave.
“She still has not awakened. We have already sent for Protector Qingmu,” the seductive woman on the left replied.
Hongying frowned deeply, saying sternly,
“Who injured Elder Yeji?”
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