698. Of Marriage

The Imperial Study.

The young Emperor Yongxing sat behind the grand desk draped in yellow silk, his expression grave as he listened to the report of the new Prime Minister, Grand Academician Qian Qingshu of the Wuying Palace.

After Wang Zhenwen took to his sickbed, there was a court election among officials, and after a fierce struggle between the Cliques, the position of Prime Minister fell to Qian Qingshu of the Wuying Palace.

He was still from the Wang Clique.

“There have been frequent outbreaks of banditry across the provinces, with gentry and prominent families being attacked. In Jiangzhou and Jianzhou, there have even been instances where commoners colluded with bandits, opening the city gates from within and allowing them to rampage and loot.

“Such things have happened in various places.”

Qian Qingshu, his goatee streaked with white, spoke in a deep voice,

“Your Majesty, I urge you to send troops to suppress these bandits without delay, or chaos will soon follow. If we cannot stabilise the rear, the situation in Qingzhou will become perilous.”

Members of the Wang Clique voiced their agreement.

Half the officials remained silent, the other half echoed support.

Bandits specifically targeting the gentry and scholar-official class had undoubtedly touched a nerve among the court officials.

“Your Majesty, think twice!”

In a loud voice, Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong from the Censorate stepped forward, bowing and saying,

“The conflict in Qingzhou is raging, and the court should put all its efforts behind Yang Gong to hold back the rebel army at Qingzhou. How can we, in a time of scarcity, waste national resources suppressing refugees and bandits?

“They are but a mere rabble, they cannot become a real threat.”

Former members of the Wei Clique immediately voiced their support for Liu Hong’s advice, now the leader of their faction.

The Wang Clique quickly jumped in to argue,

“A rabble? Refugee numbers have caused disaster already, looting food stores, they have become a force that cannot be underestimated. If nothing is done, before the Yunzhou rebels reach the capital, these refugee bandits will have already arrived at our gates.”

The two sides launched into heated debate. The so-called “Small Court Assembly” held in the Imperial Study was much more informal than morning court, and eventually the argument devolved into a shouting match.

Emperor Yongxing watched coldly. Even now, with Wei Yuan dead and Prime Minister Wang gravely ill, the court was still locked in a struggle between the two main Cliques, with other factions trying to get involved as well.

He swept his gaze over the assembled ministers, his eyes falling on the Lead Justice of the High Court, and said mildly,

“Sir Lead Justice, what is your opinion?”

The officials could not help but turn their attention to the Lead Justice of the High Court.

Despite being over fifty, the Lead Justice of the High Court had no grey in his beard or hair, looking well preserved.

“Your Majesty, in my opinion, these refugee bandits can be pacified, grant official titles to their leaders and have them lead their followers to Qingzhou to resist the rebels.”

So the Lead Justice of the High Court said.

Emperor Yongxing fell silent for a long time, then replied softly,

“Let us put the matter aside for now.”

After a pause, he said in a firm tone,

“The first line of defence in Qingzhou has fallen to the rebels. Yang Gong has failed to deal a serious blow to the Yunzhou rebels. Which one of you, my loyal ministers, can tell Us, can Qingzhou be held? If so, for how long?”

No one responded.

Emperor Yongxing’s expression darkened. He looked at the Minister of War and the Minister of Revenue,

“My Lords, We ordered you to allocate troops and provisions for Qingzhou. Any progress?”

The Minister of Revenue stepped forward and bowed,

“A little more time is needed. I beg Your Majesty for an extension of ten days.”

Emperor Yongxing originally meant to rebuke him, but upon seeing the Minister’s haggard appearance, he sighed inwardly and did not press the matter.

He then turned his gaze to the Minister of War and said blandly,

“That Zhao Junru recommended by Minister Xu presented a memorial yesterday, suggesting that the army aiding Qingzhou be led by himself to take a roundabout route and attack Yunzhou, striking at the rebels’ main base.

“Truly, a rare military talent.”

The Minister of War felt a jolt of fear, although Emperor Yongxing was smiling, his gaze was icy cold. A fine sweat broke out on his forehead as he said in panic,

“Your subject was blind to talent. I beg Your Majesty for punishment.”

Emperor Yongxing ignored him, leaving him bent over in that posture, and swept a sullen gaze over the officials,

“No supplies, no capable soldiers. Six hundred years of nurturing scholars and this is what We are left with? Fortunately, the Western kingdoms have not sent troops across the border, only making trouble along the Leizhou frontier.

“Otherwise, Western region armies would already be at the capital!”

His voice rose to a shout at the end.

The ministers remained silent, knowing he was complaining about the lack of timely funds and resources, making it impossible to dispatch troops to Qingzhou immediately.

If the treasury had money, reinforcements would already be on their way to Qingzhou.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Revenue had already started levying taxes, extracting every bit from the people. War always demanded such measures, true in every dynasty.

But such actions only bred public resentment and drained the nation’s strength.

If the war could be swiftly resolved, all would be well. If the court were defeated, the wave of public anger would strike back, and the nation’s fortune would be drained in an instant.

“The situation on the battlefield changes rapidly. Our soldiers are holding the line with their lives, while you lot still cannot prepare the funds, the provisions, or the troops. Do you have any idea how many opportunities you have cost Us?”

Emperor Yongxing erupted in a stream of criticism.

Still, the ministers were silent.

At this moment, a clear light soared up, and a figure appeared between the officials and the Emperor, Zhao Shou.

He was dressed in a scholar’s robe so often washed its colour had faded, yet still tidy, and his greying hair hung loose, making him look like a down-at-heel old scholar.

Emperor Yongxing and the ministers were startled, they had never imagined Zhao Shou could “barge” into the Imperial Palace.

“Your Majesty!”

Zhao Shou smiled and bowed.

Emperor Yongxing composed himself and forced a polite smile,

“The Dean must have important cause to visit the palace.”

Zhao Shou smiled,

“The matter is already on Your Majesty’s desk.”

Emperor Yongxing glanced down in confusion, seeing an extra memorial on the desk. He picked it up in some astonishment, and when he looked up again, Zhao Shou had vanished.

The ministers looked at the Emperor, waiting for his verdict.

Emperor Yongxing unfolded the memorial, and as he read, his face changed with vivid expressions: at first astonished, then a deep frown, and finally his eyes widened as if seeing something incredible.

Surprise turned to great joy.

“Good, very good!”

Emperor Yongxing beamed with happiness: “With elite troops from the shaman clans joining us, the crisis in Qingzhou can be temporarily alleviated. Silver Gong Xu has never failed to surprise Us.”

Elite shaman clans? Silver Gong Xu…? The officials exchanged glances.

Qian Qingshu’s eyes flashed and he asked,

“Your Majesty, is there good news?”

Emperor Yongxing did not answer. He looked towards Chief Eunuch Zhao Xuanzhen under the throne, and said with a smile,

“Pass the memorial around.”

Zhao Xuanzhen received it respectfully, inwardly burning with curiosity but not daring to peek, and handed the memorial to the new Prime Minister, Qian Qingshu.

Qian Qingshu’s expression was calm, but he seized the memorial at once and read it intently. After a long moment, he took a deep breath,

“Minister Liu can finally have a good night’s sleep.”

Minister Liu was the Minister of Revenue, who had aged several years since the cold disaster and lost much of his hair.

Hearing this, Minister Liu looked over sharply,

“What does it say? Quick, let me see!”

You’re not in my faction… Qian Qingshu remained composed as he passed the memorial to Minister Sun, the Minister of Law, behind him.

Minister Sun read it silently, his expression extremely complicated, mingled joy and melancholy.

Melancholy, because the young man once considered a thorn in his side was now out of reach, at the very pinnacle of the martial world.

The memorial made its round of the officials; old faces looked either greatly relieved or overjoyed. The most moved was Minister Liu.

“With this, the Qingzhou situation will at last be eased. I, too, can breathe a sigh of relief and finally sleep well…” Liu was almost moved to tears, “That Silver Gong Xu could persuade the shaman clans to ally with the Great Feng, it’s simply incredible, incredible!”

His tone undisguised in its admiration and praise.

The ministers began murmuring among themselves.

“How did he persuade the shaman clans to send troops at such a cost? What did he do?”

“The shaman clans’ hatred for the Great Feng runs deep. Why did they ally with us rather than Yunzhou?”

“He is always full of surprises, while he is not like Wei Yuan, able to command the armies and win every battle, as a man of martial prowess, he is truly remarkable among those beyond-mortal.”

“With him and the Jianzheng present, the Great Feng still has hope…”

Emperor Yongxing smiled,

“Let the cabinet draft the alliance. Are there any objections?”

The officials replied,

“Your Majesty is wise.”

,,,

After the meeting ended, Emperor Yongxing’s heavy mood over the past few days eased a little. The alliance between the shaman clans and the Great Feng was undoubtedly an inspiring piece of news.

Yet there was still one matter weighing on Emperor Yongxing’s mind.

“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Qian asks for an audience.”

Zhao Xuanzhen stepped into the bedchamber.

Emperor Yongxing frowned and said, “Let him in.”

Since he had not raised it during the discussion in the imperial study, it meant Qian Qingshu had something to report in private.

Qian Qingshu, with his greying goatee, followed the eunuch back to the imperial study.

“What matter does Prime Minister Qian wish to discuss with us alone?”

Emperor Yongxing asked with little expression.

Qian Qingshu replied in a deep voice, “Your Majesty, banditry is rampant everywhere. If we do not send troops to purge them, a great disaster is bound to happen sooner or later. Now that the pressure has greatly lessened in Qingzhou, it is the perfect time to split our forces and encircle the bandits.”

Emperor Yongxing pondered in silence.

Qian Qingshu spoke loudly, “Your Majesty, you have placed your trust in your servant. Your servant shall repay you with my life and would not hesitate even to die a thousand deaths.”

Emperor Yongxing was slightly moved. “Very well, we shall do as you suggest.”

Such a straightforward reply caught Qian Qingshu off guard, but he was delighted and cupped his hands, “Your Majesty is wise.”

Emperor Yongxing nodded, “You may leave for now. We are tired.”

Gazing at Qian Qingshu’s departing figure, Emperor Yongxing sat impassively, unmoving for a long time.

The matter weighing on his mind was the proposal Xu Xinnian had once made, to secretly send experts to organise the refugees, have them turn to banditry, plundering merchants and local gentry to curb the ever-worsening refugee crisis.

Such a betrayal of his own class, if exposed, would make Emperor Yongxing the enemy of all.

After much consideration, he had chosen to abandon the idea.

Yet unexpectedly, someone in court had secretly implemented this plan, and achieved great success, with the scale growing ever larger.

“My enemies are not limited to just the Yunzhou rebels.”

Emperor Yongxing muttered softly.

He knew full well who that enemy was.

At the same time, he secretly made up his mind. He could not delay any longer, the matter of a marriage alliance was now most urgent.

Xu Xinnian had already turned disloyal and was secretly siding with the former fourth prince, now King Yan.

And this decision would surely influence Xu Qi’an.

If Xu Qi’an also defected to King Yan, his throne would be impossible to keep.

Xu Qi’an had been promoted solely by Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan and the Empress were old friends, and he was unswervingly loyal to the fourth prince. Furthermore, Xu Qi’an got on well with Huaiqing.

And now Xu Xinnian had joined the fourth prince…

The only solution Emperor Yongxing could think of was to marry his younger sister Lin’an to Xu Qi’an.

Only in this way could the throne be secure.

…

Dexin Courtyard.

Not long ago, Huaiqing had made certain renovations to her study, bringing in a sand table, a map of Qingzhou, and filling the desk with military texts, including the copy of “The Art of War” written by Xu Qi’an.

Xu Qi’an himself claimed the book was authored by Sun Tzu, but Huaiqing knew, where could he possibly have gotten Sun Tzu from?

It was just fabricated nonsense.

As a princess, it was rare for her to care so deeply about the war in Qingzhou.

Huaiqing was actually not well versed in military strategy, and she was even more of a novice in campaign manoeuvres. But in recent days, from reading military texts behind closed doors and practicing exercises on the sand table, she had improved rapidly.

Of course, this was only progress in terms of overall strategy. Actual troop deployment depended far too much on experience, there was little value in just studying theory.

Behind the desk, the elegantly attired and coolly graceful eldest princess unrolled a slip of paper with slender jade fingers.

It contained two pieces of information:

First, the shaman clans, encouraged by Xu Qi’an, had formed an alliance with the Great Feng and would dispatch troops to aid Qingzhou.

Second, Zhao Shou had personally delivered the memorial from Qingzhou.

Huaiqing felt nothing about the first piece of news, she had long known it.

But the second piece she mulled over for a long time.

The light at the door dimmed. A palace maid stood outside the study, softly saying, “Your Highness, King Yan has arrived.”

Huaiqing tucked the slip into her sleeve, rose, and went with the maid to the inner hall.

In the inner hall, King Yan stood tall and imposing in his purple robe and jade belt, exuding regal luxury and a sombre presence. He held a cup of tea in his hand, looking calm and reserved.

“Fourth Brother, what brings you to my Dexin Courtyard?”

Huaiqing spoke coolly.

After Emperor Yongxing’s accession, he had “expelled” his brothers from the palace, but his unwed sister could still stay.

Kings and Princes rarely entered the palace.

King Yan waved off the maids in the hall and said in a deep voice, “I heard that Xu Qi’an has allied with the shaman clans and, at minimal cost, persuaded them to send their elites to aid Qingzhou.”

Huaiqing replied frostily, “That is a good thing.”

King Yan nodded, “It is indeed a good thing. For me, though, it is neither good nor bad, it simply means waiting for another opportunity. But that is not why I came today.”

“Please go on, Fourth Brother.”

King Yan said gravely, “Today, Zhao Shou entered the palace. The Jianzheng kept Cloud Deer Academy suppressed for two hundred years, Zhao Shou has only entered the palace twice in his life. Once was to force Father to issue a self-reproach edict, and the second time was this.”

“What do you think the Jianzheng means by this?”

The last time might have been justified, but this time, just to deliver a memorial?

Huaiqing lifted her hand, letting her wide sleeve slip down a little so it would not get in the way as she sipped her tea slowly and said coolly, “You must have your guesses, Fourth Brother.”

King Yan grunted in assent and nodded as he spoke, “At such a time of crisis, the Jianzheng may be planning to reconcile with Cloud Deer Academy and allow Zhao Shou to become an official. A peak third-rank Great Scholar is worth the Jianzheng swallowing his pride. I have come to invite you to Qingyun Mountain to pay respects to Dean Zhao Shou.”

He spoke quite plainly, Huaiqing was half a student of Cloud Deer Academy, having studied there for several years.

Zhao Shou would grant her this favour.

Huaiqing nodded, “Even if you had not come for me, I would have gone to find you.”

King Yan laughed, “Good sister.”

…

Fengqi Palace.

Lin’an, attended by two personal maids, walked through the courtyard and entered the cold, clear Fengqi Palace.

She stepped over the threshold into the inner hall and found it as quiet as the courtyard, the number of maids and matrons kept to the minimum.

Lin’an knew her birth mother was making things difficult for the Empress.

But since her imperial brother’s ascension, the Empress had thoroughly lost her mood. No matter how her birth mother bullied or picked on her, the Empress paid it no mind.

Lin’an had originally thought the Empress had given in. But she once overheard her birth mother remark, full of spite, that after Wei Yuan’s death, that worthless woman had become like a corpse, truly boring to deal with.

In the simply adorned inner hall, the Empress, dressed in informal clothes, sat at the table with no expression as she looked at Lin’an.

Lin’an had not seen the Empress for many years, but in her memory, the Empress and Huaiqing were alike, cool and aloof, friendly to no one. But not as she was now, utterly cold and nothing else.

“Greetings, Mother Empress.”

Lin’an respectfully saluted her nominal mother.

The Empress was extraordinarily beautiful, even if her youth had faded, time did not seem to mar her looks. Her flawless features, which could topple nations, had only gained a touch of maturity.

“His Majesty just came to see me.”

The Empress regarded the girl before her, round-faced, almond-eyed, with a natural charm. She could captivate men without a word.

In contrast, her daughter Huaiqing, though just as striking in figure and looks, was far too cold.

“Brother Emperor?”

Lin’an was slightly surprised.

The Empress nodded faintly, her voice calm, “Lin’an is of marriageable age. His Majesty came to discuss your marriage.”

Lin’an’s expression changed abruptly.

698. Of Marriage

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