Ge Wenxuan’s heart was stirred, and he said,
“Great General, do you mean…?”
Qi Guangbo smiled and said,
“Attack the heart first!”
With just this simple sentence, many clever people present immediately understood Qi Guangbo’s plan.
Initiating peace talks was to seize even greater advantages, and to do so without shedding blood.
Once the army finished resting and consolidated its hold over Qingzhou; when the provisions and military supplies were in place and the National Teacher refined Qingzhou’s fortune, then they could tear up the treaty and march north.
The grand objective remained unchanged, and they could strengthen their forces and expand their advantage in the meantime.
Ji Xuan nodded slightly:
“If we drive the Great Feng to the brink of despair, a desperate counterattack is inevitable. At that point, we will suffer heavy casualties as well. A wise hunter knows when to leave an opening in his net.
“With the Jianzheng gone, the Great Feng court is in turmoil. Proposing peace at this moment is equivalent to lifting a corner of the net, letting them see hope and lose the courage to fight for their lives.
“Meanwhile, we can seize the opportunity to demand what we want, money, grain.”
Hearing his analysis, the commanders who had not caught on immediately looked to Qi Guangbo with admiration.
As the saying goes: to defeat the enemy by strategy is best. Leading an army into battle is not the same as one-on-one combat; the latter only requires letting loose one’s power, while the former is a matter of skill and strategy.
While everyone was still immersed in the joy of eliminating the Jianzheng and conquering Qingzhou, the Great General had already devised a brilliant plan according to the situation and people’s hearts.
Following Qi Guangbo’s line of thought, Ge Wenxuan thought further and sneered:
“Young Lord Ji Xuan, we will of course take money and grain, but why not be even more ambitious? The Great Feng is little better than fish on the chopping board. If they want to negotiate with us, how can that happen without a heavy price?
“At the very least, they ought to cede several provinces.”
The eyes of the generals lit up, but then someone frowned and said,
“Isn’t this forcing the Great Feng into a corner? If you ask me, we should know when to stop, asking for money and grain is enough. We’ll use Great Feng’s own resources to recruit troops and then turn their own money against them.
“If we get too greedy, it might all come to nothing in the end.”
This was the more conservative approach.
Someone immediately retorted, “The Jianzheng is gone! Whatever we say goes. Do you think the Great Feng court dares utter a word of refusal? We may as well make that young emperor issue an edict of self-condemnation, he wouldn’t dare refuse.”
This was the radical view.
Ji Xuan said thoughtfully:
“The key is to strike the right balance. Unchecked greed will only backfire. Though the Jianzheng is gone, don’t forget, what about Xu Qi’an?”
He looked around at everyone, and analysed forcefully:
“Zhao Shou has been in retirement for years, without an official position. He won’t die for the Great Feng court. Luo Yuheng is the same. But Xu Qi’an carries the fate of the nation on his shoulders, if the Great Feng falls, he will surely die with it.
“Therefore, he will surely play a critical role at court. He is the unyielding type, if pushed too far, he’ll do something desperate, even mututal destruction.
“Of course, Yunzhou’s army stands a near certain chance of taking the Central Plains. He’s only a third rank, hardly able to stir up real trouble. But in that case, the Great General’s plan for peace talks will come to nothing.”
Ge Wenxuan wanted to speak, but, mindful of Ji Xuan’s status, did not reply.
Tap tap!
Qi Guangbo rapped the table, cutting through the discussion, and smiled:
“Zisu, your vision is still too narrow. You only see the balance of power, and Xu Qi’an’s character.”
Ji Xuan bowed his head:
“Great General, please instruct me.”
Qi Guangbo had been his first teacher.
Qi Guangbo said slowly,
“Little Emperor Yongxing is a competent caretaker, but lacks resolve. For such a monarch, the Jianzheng was his final pillar. Now that the Jianzheng is dead, do any of you think he will fight to the bitter end, or accept our proposal of peace?”
“Of course he’ll accept,” Ge Wenxuan said with a laugh.
Qi Guangbo nodded, and continued:
“Next, onto the ministers at court. Wang Zhenwen is sick in bed, Wei Yuan died at Mount Jing City, and of those who remain, whether they are corrupt or upright, they are simply lacking. So, the only real obstacle to negotiations is Xu Qi’an.
“But the little emperor’s interests are not the same as Xu Qi’an’s. For the Little Emperor, making peace means stabilising the situation. There will be no fighting, and he will enjoy peace again, even if only for a time, it gives Great Feng a chance to catch its breath.
“But for Xu Qi’an, it means all hope of a comeback is gone. So these two are bound to have different aims, and be at odds.”
Zhuo Haoran rubbed his chin and said,
“So, Great General’s plan strikes two birds with one stone. If it succeeds, we get provisions and money without lifting a finger, and even force the court to cede land. If it fails, at least Xu Qi’an and the Little Emperor will turn against each other. If that causes further trouble in the capital, all the better!”
Even this butcher, Zhuo Haoran, understood the plan, so naturally the others did too.
Ji Xuan was persuaded.
Qi Guangbo went on,
“That Xu Qi’an has always been a thorn in the side of Qianlong City, and in the National Teacher’s heart. He once had Wei Yuan and the Jianzheng to protect him, and was utterly unrestrained.
“Now, we’re going to let this famous Silver Gong Xu know just how vast the world really is.”
Zhuo Haoran and the other officers laughed in agreement:
“Well said, Great General! With the Jianzheng and Wei Yuan gone, who does Xu Qi’an think he is, daring to challenge the National Teacher and Qianlong City? Perhaps he’s curled up in fright like a quail already!”
“Xu Qi’an only has fame, our Young Lord Ji Xuan is also third rank!”
“Exactly. Perhaps the National Teacher won’t even need to act, Young Lord Ji Xuan could kill him himself.”
“Let’s turn him into a blood pellet to strengthen Young Lord Ji Xuan’s cultivation!”
Some of the generals swore, some burst out laughing.
Ji Xuan was silent for a moment, then spoke each word clearly:
“I really want to see how Xu Qi’an conducts himself now. With just third rank as a martial artist, how does he expect to turn things around?”
He was dying to fly to the capital immediately and see the look of unwillingness and helplessness on Xu Qi’an’s face.
Ge Wenxuan laughed:
“He will have no way to turn the tables. Even if he advances to second rank immediately, he is no match for Teacher or Agaruka Bodhisattva, especially as he’s still sealed.”
Ji Xuan gave a cold laugh at once.
Qi Guangbo spoke again:
“After the victory feast, immediately put this plan into action and spread the word as far and wide as possible, the more exaggerated the better. Whether the National Teacher can seize the fortunes of several provinces depends on this move. As for the precise details of the peace terms, Wenxuan, go visit the National Teacher later and request his opinion.”
With Yunzhou’s present strength, taking too much territory would be a burden; and besides, it depended on the National Teacher’s current state and whether he could digest so much land.
Ge Wenxuan smiled and said, “Yes!”
…
Qingyun Mountain.
Zhao Shou, who was meditating in the bamboo pavilion, suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the shadow beneath the table.
A shadow slipped out, expanded, and then took human form. It was Xu Qi’an.
“You have finally returned.”
Zhao Shou nodded.
“I just went to the Sitianjian, but did not see the Jianzheng, so I came here.”
Xu Qi’an nodded in acknowledgement and said,
“Is the Jianzheng dead or alive?”
Zhao Shou replied, “As long as the Great Feng endures, the Jianzheng will not perish. He should have been sealed.”
The Confucians understood the arcanist system quite thoroughly and were aware of certain secrets unknown to outsiders.
Although he had never truly believed that the Jianzheng would die, Xu Qi’an only felt truly relieved after hearing this answer. He asked,
“Did the Jianzheng plan this deliberately? Did he leave any contingencies?”
Zhao Shou pondered for a moment and said,
“I don’t think so. If it were deliberate, I can’t fathom what could possibly be worth sacrificing himself and pushing the Great Feng into the abyss of defeat.
“If he had foreseen this, he would not have become involved.”
Zhao Shou did not know about the first Jianzheng’s contingency plan, but, judging from his own knowledge, gave his analysis.
This time, the Jianzheng really has fallen… Xu Qi’an sighed.
When he learned that the first Jianzheng was the master of the great tomb guarded by the Chai family, Xu Qi’an had already mentally prepared himself.
Even if the Jianzheng could glimpse the future, what if the first Jianzheng had a way to counter him?
Every system had its weakness, just as the snake has its weak spot.
The Jianzheng was not a god, after all.
Xu Qi’an told Zhao Shou about the Chai family’s affairs.
So that’s how it is… Zhao Shou was enlightened. After thinking for a moment, he said,
“I think that even if the Jianzheng was caught off guard and taken captive, he should have considered such a possibility. Even ordinary people take precautions, let alone someone like him.
“However, now that the Jianzheng is gone, the Great Feng is in imminent danger.
“Xu Qi’an, what will you do?”
Bearing the nation’s fortune, his fate was intertwined with the court itself. If the state fell and the Jianzheng died, Xu Qi’an would also perish.
Xu Qi’an said,
“That is precisely why I have come to see you.”
Throughout the court, only this leader of the Confucian system, this peak third-rank great Confucian, could discuss matters with him.
Zhao Shou pondered for a moment, then said,
“First, you must understand who your enemies are.”
Xu Qi’an replied,
“Xu Pingfeng, Heilian, Agaruka, and Baidi.”
It was only after visiting the Sitianjian that he learned when the sound transmission ended that day, Sun Xuanji had risked his life to investigate and discovered Baidi’s presence.
Zhao Shou asked immediately,
“Why would Baidi wish to deal with the Jianzheng?”
Xu Qi’an thought for a while:
“I suspect the Jianzheng is the Gatekeeper…”
He then told Zhao Shou the secrets of the Gatekeeper, and that Baidi was a Desolation.
Zhao Shou was silent for a moment before pinching his brow and sighing:
“It seems this is a conflict that will not end until one side is annihilated. Xu Qi’an, are you truly a carrier of fortune?”
Looks to me like it’s all bad luck.
After his quip, Zhao Shou returned to the topic and said,
“There is something I must tell you, before going into battle, the Jianzheng borrowed the Sage’s carving knife and the Lesser Sage’s cap from me. He was likely planning to emulate Wei Yuan and summon the Sage’s heroic soul.”
Xu Qi’an’s pupils contracted slightly, and he said in disbelief,
“If the Confucian Sage’s heroic soul intervened, how could he have lost?!”
Zhao Shou shook his head:
“The details are unclear, so you must be careful, there was definitely a Beyond-rank involved.”
A Beyond-rank was involved… Xu Qi’an repeated this silently in his mind, suddenly feeling somewhat desperate.
If Yunzhou had a Beyond-rank’s backing, how could they ever hope to win? Even if he followed Duke Wei and the Jianzheng’s example and let the Confucian Sage appear a third time, it would be no more than a last-ditch struggle, ultimately pointless.
Seeing Xu Qi’an fall silent and stiffen, Zhao Shou shook his head slightly.
Now, the one under the most pressure was not Yongxing on the imperial throne, nor the imperial family, nor Yang Gong defending the frontier, but the youth before him, whose name was famed throughout the land.
He was the only pillar left for the Great Feng.
“The old man will offer his thoughts, you may take them into consideration.”
Zhao Shou knocked on the table to bring the dazed Xu Qi’an back to his senses:
“One: You must make up for your disadvantage in beyond-mortal fighting power.
“That Baidi and Agaruka are both first rank, or at least have power comparable to first rank. Xu Pingfeng is a peak second-rank Arcanist; after refining Qingzhou’s fortune, his strength will soar. Beneath them is Heilian.”
“Two: Become a player in the game.
“Xu Qi’an, if you want to survive this catastrophe and let the Great Feng survive, strive to become a player. Generals are easy to come by, leaders are rare. Surely you do not wish to always be Xu Pingfeng and the Jianzheng’s pawn?”
“Three: Solve the issue of the Great Feng’s food supplies and stabilise your foundation to support you in contending with Xu Pingfeng.
“If the court collapses, no matter how hard you try or how fast your cultivation rises, it will be futile. Always remember, the Great Feng is your foundation.”
“Four: Revive Wei Yuan.
“Why did Xu Pingfeng wait until Wei Yuan died to rebel? When Wei Yuan was present at court, neither the Buddhist Sect, Yunzhou, nor the Church of the Warlock God dared to make a move. The Church of the Warlock God was forced to stake everything to help the Warlock God break free, but what happened? They failed utterly.
“What made Wei Yuan so fearsome was not his own martial strength, but that he was a once-in-a-millennium leader. In terms of wisdom and strategy, even Xu Pingfeng was not his equal. In leading troops, Xu Pingfeng could not even begin to match him.
“If he were to return, I cannot promise victory for the Great Feng, but at least it would not be so dire.”
“That’s easier said than done.” Xu Qi’an smiled bitterly.
Any one of these four would be as hard as reaching heaven.
First was beyond-mortal fighting power. At present, the only one with hope of reaching first rank was Luo Yuheng.
But one was not enough.
Just Baidi and Agaruka, two first ranks, could sweep aside all the Great Feng’s beyond-mortal power, and cultivation could not happen overnight, so it was impossible to catch up in the short term.
Besides, Baidi surely had greater plans, perhaps he was still hiding his strength.
Secondly, to become a player.
This was the most realistic of the options. Although Xu Pingfeng’s fatherly love was as great as a mountain, the most filial Xu Qi’an wasn’t afraid of him, is all. When it came to using his wits, Xu Qi’an had never feared anyone. Even if he had been manipulated by the Jianzheng and Xu Pingfeng like a pawn for over a year, that was because he had been too weak, everyone gets toyed with by big shots when they are weak.
Then, the issue of food supplies.
No solution!
If the Great Feng had money and food, it would not have fallen to this state; even the Jianzheng could do nothing, so what could he do? The world’s hardest problem, poverty!
Even immortals could do nothing about it.
Finally, reviving Duke Wei.
Duke Wei’s soul-summoning banner needs one last main material, the rest I’ve already got. I’d have to ask Song Qing how to find the last item when he returns… Xu Qi’an rose to take his leave.
“I will not disturb the dean further.”
He bowed and left the bamboo pavilion.
As soon as he stepped outside, he felt a familiar lurch in his heart.
In the Earth Book chat group, Li Miaozhen had sent a message:
【TWO: Recently, people everywhere have been spreading rumours that Qingzhou has fallen and the Jianzheng has been killed. Is the Yunzhou rebel army so desperate now, resorting to such cheap tricks?
【Still, such ploys are always effective; the common folk have always been easily misled.】
All sides in the capital had been in a panic for several days before Li Miaozhen got the message.
After all, she did not have an extensive intelligence network, and those who knew, Xu Qi’an and Huaiqing, truly had no mind for chatting these last few days.
Half of her message was to complain, half to ask for confirmation.
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