The Peace Negotiations’ Close

【ONE: Forcing Yongxing to abdicate is very easy, but how to maintain stability afterwards is not an easy matter.】

Huaiqing shared her views via private message.

You locals just can’t get my jokes. At this time, you’re supposed to reply, “All that’s left is the east wind”… Xu Qi’an habitually lampooned in his heart, then wrote in the book:

【THREE: Your Highness is absolutely right. With your experience, do you have any suggestions?】

Forcing Yongxing to abdicate was very easy. He had even dared to kill an emperor, let alone force Yongxing to step down.

What was hard was how to keep the bigger picture stable, persuade the court officials to accept the matter, and ensure that the court continued to function, that they would support him, Xu Qi’an.

【ONE: First, we must stabilise the officials. I’ve already contacted the team left behind by Duke Wei privately, ensuring all is watertight.】

After reading this message, Xu Qi’an recalled the negotiation process Huaiqing had just recounted, and he suddenly realised:

No wonder the Wei Clique had been unusually silent, watching the negotiations coldly. Turns out they were already in on it, plotting rebellion in secret.

Liu Hong, Zhang Xingying, and those old foxes in the Ministry of War… that Huaiqing is able to keep them in line and make them serve her, her skills at managing people are indeed formidable. Xu Qi’an wrote in the book:

【With just Duke Wei’s followers, the court can’t be stabilised.】

【ONE: Quite right. That’s why I hope you can persuade Prime Minister Wang and unite the Wang Clique with the Wei Clique. That should be enough to keep the court steady. The remaining cliques will choose according to the situation.

Xu Ningyan, have you approached Prime Minister Wang?】

【THREE: Um, well, I’ve been focusing on cultivation recently and forgot about it.】

Cultivation by dual cultivation counts too… he muttered, one hand holding the Earth Book fragment, the other supporting Mu Nanzhi’s soft bottom, bouncing her up a bit so she wouldn’t slide off.

Nearing forty, the curvaceous and alluring Flower God let out a gentle whimper, leaning groggily against his shoulder, half-asleep.

There was a stream of Qi running through her meridians, warm and drowsy, making one feel lethargic.

That was why Xu Qi’an was soaking in a cold bath in the deep winter, to cool them both down.

Cultivation? You’ve already reached a bottleneck, and without removing the final Demon-sealing Nail, how could you cultivate… Huaiqing frowned, feeling Xu Qi’an was lying to her.

【THREE: I will handle this.】

Based on what he knew of Wang Zhenwen and the current situation, Wang Zhenwen would definitely choose to cooperate with him.

First, Wang Zhenwen was a scholar who might lack minor virtues but never failed in great matters. If there was a solution that could save the nation, especially a promising one, he would definitely take the risk to try.

Secondly, Miss Wang was engaged to Erlang, and family alliances were much more reliable than purely political ones.

After receiving Xu Qi’an’s firm answer, Huaiqing breathed a sigh of relief and did not ask further, just as Xu Qi’an didn’t ask how she managed to get the old foxes of the Wei Clique to support her rebellion.

It was trust in each other’s abilities.

【ONE: Then, there is the issue of soldiers. After acting, I will seize the palace gates as fast as possible and force Yongxing to abdicate. When the dust settles, you will not need to worry about the Imperial Guards.】

The five battalions of the Imperial Guards only answered to the emperor and took orders from the emperor alone.

Even if she, Huaiqing, was unbelievably resourceful, it would be impossible for her to turn all of the commanders of the Guards. That she could sway even a small part was already extremely impressive.

However, while it was difficult to win over the Imperial Guards, recruiting the twelve garrisons of the capital was much easier.

As long as she had Xu Qi’an, that stabilising pillar, Huaiqing was confident of taking over the palace city in a short time.

【THREE: What about the attitude of the imperial clan?】

【ONE: Right now, the royal family would love nothing more than to drag Yongxing off the throne. For them to recognise the Yunzhou line as legitimate would be more intolerable than being killed.】

After settling the details, Huaiqing said a little worriedly:

【Even if we stabilise the court, once the Yunzhou rebels are rested and reorganised, Yongzhou will still be indefensible. Ningyan, do you have any solutions?】

Huaiqing prided herself on intelligence and strategy, but when it came to catching up with beyond-mortal experts, she’d racked her brains, including considering possible allies like the shaman clans or the southern Yao, but either they were tied up elsewhere or unavailable.

It was difficult to help the Great Feng.

【THREE: To tell the truth, Your Highness, I have already removed the last Demon-sealing Nail and advanced to second rank.】

There was a long silence from the other end before Huaiqing sent:

【How did you manage it?】

She couldn’t describe her emotions at that moment, sheer joy and confusion blended together. Her feelings were immensely complicated, but one thing was certain: a sense of sudden brightness, like a traveller finally finding the way out of heavy fog.

【THREE: I can reveal a little to Your Highness, but you must promise confidentiality.】

Huaiqing’s spirits lifted as she replied:

【Please speak.】

【THREE: The one who helped me remove the Demon-sealing Nail was Number Eight. He is al-Asura.】

Huaiqing stared blankly at the message, nearly dropping her little jade mirror.

Number Eight is al-Asura? So, Number Eight had been in seclusion, and al-Asura had only returned recently. After al-Asura returned, Daoist Jinlian came out of seclusion, and soon after, Number Eight came out as well. The timing matches… Huaiqing was both delighted and annoyed at herself.

She had been careless, failing to make the connection between Number Eight and al-Asura.

If Number Eight is al-Asura, not only did he help Xu Qi’an advance to second rank, but as a member of the Heaven and Earth Society, he was an ally to begin with. This means the Great Feng immediately has two renowned warriors, and Daoist Jinlian’s hidden move has brought the entire game to life. How brilliant…

As a strategist, she considered Daoist Jinlian to be inconspicuous but absolutely one of the best chess players of their day.

A true chess player’s most subtle moves were not short-term flashes of brilliance but quiet, far-reaching pieces laid well in advance.

On this point, Huaiqing kept her own list. At the top, without doubt, was the Jianzheng, followed by Wei Yuan and Xu Pingfeng.

Now, two more must be added: firstly, the first generation who had caused the Jianzheng a major loss five hundred years after his death, ranked with the Jianzheng himself. Daoist Jinlian, meanwhile, was tied with Xu Pingfeng.

After that, Xu Qi’an explained al-Asura’s cultivation method of “Three Purities from One Qi”, using the avatar he split off as “coordinate” to counter the Buddhist “All desires are empty” technique.

There was only one question left in Huaiqing’s mind:

【Why does Ningyan tell only me about this?】

But kept it hidden from the other members of the Heaven and Earth Society.

Because only you haven’t faced a social death, so whether I tell you or not, it doesn’t matter… Xu Qi’an explained:

【This was something that required al-Asura’s own consent. I cannot casually reveal another’s secret. But for Your Highness, your humble servant has always been frank and honest, holding nothing back.】

At the Huaiqing residence, in the study one afternoon, Huaiqing sat at her desk and pretended to write, using her finger as a pen: 【I almost believed you…】

She didn’t send this line, wiping it off and retyping:

【It must be because they all mocked al-Asura so mercilessly in the group chat…】

After pondering, she wiped it again.

At last, she transmitted solemnly:

【We understand.】

【THREE: Your Highness, one last question…】

…

Sitianjian.

Xu Qi’an stood up from the bathtub, his hands supporting Mu Nanzhi’s hips. Instinctively, her legs tightened around his strong waist, her lotus-like arms wrapped around his neck, and she tilted her head to rest it on Xu Qi’an’s shoulder.

Their skin tones, one fair and lustrous, the other a healthy bronze, formed a striking contrast.

He gently laid Mu Nanzhi on the bed, withdrawing the handle he had granted her.

The slumbering Flower Goddess murmured, her delicate and beautiful brows slightly furrowing.

This woman is more intoxicating than any aphrodisiac… Xu Qi’an, somewhat reluctant, covered her with a quilt and picked up the prayer beads that had fallen to the floor, putting them back on her snow-white wrist.

In this way, the Flower Goddess turned from the world’s strongest aphrodisiac into an aunt who calmed the heart.

Then, Xu Qi’an took out the Taiping Sabre, placed it on the table, and instructed:

“Watch over your mistress. No one is to come in, understood?”

The Taiping Sabre vibrated with a ‘buzz’, conveying a sense of understanding.

The Taiping Sabre had already grown formidable; even most fourth-rank experts would be like lambs to the slaughter before it.

Xu Qi’an left the room, lightly tracing his fingertip across the door, applying a powerful paralysing and anaesthetising poison.

…

Wang Manor.

Wang Zhenwen had just sent someone to see Qian Qingshu off, when his steward quietly entered and reported in the outer chamber:

“Master, Silver Gong Xu has arrived.”

Previously weary, Wang Zhenwen perked up and said quickly:

“Invite him in at once.”

The steward retreated to carry out the order. Shortly afterwards, the bedroom door was pushed open and Wang Zhenwen saw a young man in azure robes, tall and handsome, enter.

Seeing the azure robe outside, Wang Zhenwen’s vision blurred for a moment. When he saw Xu Qi’an’s face clearly, he exhaled, unclear whether he felt relieved or regretful.

“For a moment just now, I almost thought Wei Yuan had returned,” Wang Zhenwen said with a smile as he looked at the young man entering.

“What is the matter with Prime Minister’s illness?”

Xu Qi’an walked to the bedside, took Wang Zhenwen’s wrist, checked his pulse, and listened intently.

This… He frowned deeply. Wang Zhenwen’s body was like a machine that had reached retirement age: every part gravely worn out.

“Even deva have five inevitable declines. How much more an ordinary mortal like me?” Wang Zhenwen smiled indifferently.

“The arcanists of Sitianjian have already told me: rest and recuperate, and perhaps a withered tree will see spring again. Other than this, there is no cure.”

Xu Qi’an gave a soft reply and quietly passed a few wisps of Qi to help invigorate his blood and Qi.

The Sitianjian did indeed have many marvellous medicines, with no shortage that ‘could raise the dead and grow flesh on white bones’. The Human Sect also had their own supreme pills.

But the higher the grade of the elixir, the more potent the medicinal power, and ordinary mortals without cultivation could not bear it.

Take the Blood Pill, for example: it contained thriving vitality, but its rank was so high that even a fourth-rank expert who swallowed it would be doomed.

So, reviving a high-rank expert might not be too hard, but reviving a mortal with no foundation… Well, ever since Song Qing created the Human Refinement Technique, even that wasn’t so difficult anymore.

So long as one had the nine-coloured lotus seed that could enlighten all things, even an ordinary mortal could come back in a new body.

“As for the peace talks, I suppose you’ve heard,” Wang Zhenwen cut straight to the point, gazing at Xu Qi’an who sat at the bedside.

“Be honest with me: what are you planning?”

His gaze burned, as if a man at the end of his rope was waiting for a last glimmer of hope.

If I tell him I have no way, the old Prime Minister’s final breath might not last… At this moment, Xu Qi’an secretly rejoiced that he had come later. Had he come to visit immediately after discussing matters with Huaiqing that day, a single ‘I am powerless’ may have caused the elderly man who had been holding on so bitterly to pass away in despair.

Xu Qi’an’s expression grew solemn and he stated, aloud and clearly:

“I’ve reached second rank.”

Wang Zhenwen gripped his bedsheet tightly, the veins on the back of his hand standing out one by one. He looked deeply at Xu Qi’an, then suddenly burst out laughing.

His laughter was bold and delighted, sweeping away the gloom.

From Xu Qi’an, he felt a fierce confidence.

He felt at peace.

Xu Qi’an sat quietly, waiting for the old Prime Minister to exhaust his pent-up woes.

“What’s your plan?” Wang Zhenwen gradually subdued his emotions, regaining his calm, seasoned manner.

Xu Qi’an answered bluntly:

“I’m going to change the Emperor!”

To his surprise, Wang Zhenwen’s face remained calm, showing no shock.

The old Prime Minister sighed and said:

“Emperor Yongxing is a ruler who only keeps the status quo, he cannot shoulder a nation on the brink. Even if this peace is achieved smoothly, should there be a second or third disaster, he will still shrink back.

“Sometimes, trouble from the rear is most deadly. If the court wishes to gamble its fortune against Yunzhou, it must have a stable rear.”

He paused, looked at Xu Qi’an, and asked:

“Whom do you wish to enthrone?”

Xu Qi’an replied without hesitation:

“King Yan.”

Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister sighed in relief:

“Good, that’s good. King Yan is the Empress Dowager’s son; as the legitimate heir, his ascension will be proper.”

After the two finished discussing, the old Prime Minister picked up the bell at his bedside and shook it.

The steward entered after pushing open the door.

Wang Zhenwen instructed:

“Go and invite Prime Minister Qian, Minister Sun, Attendant Zhao… summon them.”

He listed six or seven names, all stalwarts of the Wang Clique.

Xu Qi’an took his cue to leave:

“I’ll take my leave for now.”

…

King Li Manor.

“Emperor Yongxing is foolish!” The elderly King Li, upon hearing the news, rose trembling on his cane and banged the table.

The hall was filled with several royal and commandery princes.

“Rebels being recognised as a legitimate dynasty, what does that make us? What does it make our ancestors?” King Yu said gravely.

“His Majesty is too cowardly. Yunzhou wants money and land, even if we refuse to give an inch, I don’t believe Ji Yuan would truly dare leave the capital.”

“Who let him be Emperor.”

A quiet voice interrupted them.

The princes and kings all turned their heads to see that it was King Yan who had spoken.

King Li gave him a glance and said mildy:

“That’s enough. Yunzhou is using force; what option does His Majesty have?”

He swept his gaze over the frustrated nobles and continued in a stern voice:

“What we must do now is play for time through stalling, until spring arrives. As long as the court weathers this storm, all can be discussed. So long as those of our line remain on the throne, if we say he is black, then he is black; if we say he is white, then he is white.”

Although he was deeply angry with Emperor Yongxing, King Li prioritised the bigger picture, aiming to stabilise the mood among the royals.

State matters fall under the Emperor’s domain, but matters of lineage are not for the Emperor alone.

Emperor Yongxing’s decisions had made traitors of all their ancestors.

…

Three days later, negotiations between Yunzhou and the court were complete, with the peace accord entering its final stage.

It didn’t matter what the junior officials thought, nor the capital’s civilians, nor its scholars.

To everybody, this peace agreement was now a foregone conclusion.

The Peace Negotiations’ Close

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