Chapter 1 Some Hidden Matters

"That old man was being secretive with his words."

The Blind Man said while peeling an orange.

Zheng Fan took the wet towel from Yue Xin and wiped his hands, saying:

"Don't they all have to be secretive?"

They're all old foxes, who are you trying to tell *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* to?

"However, my lord, it wasn't entirely without inspiration. For example, what the old man said about the Crown Prince's arrangement, I think it makes some sense."

"This, it still depends on fate, but I still find it a little unreal. The Sixth Prince's wings have been clipped almost completely. Maybe we can be considered the thickest and darkest hair on Sixthie.

If there really is such a possibility in the future, can he convince the public if he sits on that position?"

The Blind Man put a piece of orange into his mouth, chewing as he spoke:

"My lord, it's the same as with Gao Yi. Anyone with eyes can see that the Great Yan is divided into three giants: the Zhenbei (Pacifying the North) Marquis, the Jingnan (Pacifying the South) Marquis, and Yanjing.

In fact, in terms of true strength, the one in Yanjing is the strongest, especially after trampling the aristocratic families and winning a great victory in the national war, the people's hearts are returning, and their hearts are with the orthodoxy. This is a natural thing.

For example, Xu Wenzu was willing to open Tiger Head City and surrender for the sake of the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion. Where is he now? He's doing well in Nanwang City, and he personally went to the front line to supervise the battle, ordering the military leaders under his command and the Xishan Camp cavalry of the Western Army to fight without retreating.

Perhaps Xu Wenzu still considers himself a member of the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, but if you ask Xu Wenzu to rebel for the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion like he did back then, I guess it's difficult.

Xu Wenzu is just a microcosm, including General Li Bao of Quhe City, not far from us, who came from the Zhenbei Army and is one of the seven chief military officers. But he is now guarding the newly acquired territory and has been divided into a small local warlord;

Even if Li Bao is willing to continue to be a loyal and unswerving adopted son of the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, what about the soldiers under his command? Are they willing to continue to follow him back to Beifeng Commandery to eat sand or wield weapons and fight against Yanjing?

Orthodoxy, in many cases, is worthless, but in some cases, it is extremely important.

To put it bluntly, the winner takes all. If it falls apart, the Ji family will die and the clan will be exterminated, and the legitimacy of the throne will be worthless. If it succeeds, it means that the Mandate of Heaven is with the Ji family, and the benefits can continue to be enjoyed by the next generation.

Moreover, the Central Authority is an organization, a very large group, with civil and military officials, with hundreds of officials, with a system. It is a behemoth with tentacles all over the country;

Even if Sixthie is a chicken that has been plucked and scalded with boiling water before ascending the throne, as long as he puts on the dragon robe and sits in that position, he will instantly have extremely powerful authority.

Throughout history, there are quite a few examples of this kind of thing. Weren't Emperor Xuan of Han and Emperor Hongzhi of Ming even more miserable in their origins than Sixthie?

As long as he sits in that position, he will automatically gain the loyalty of a large number of people."

"I see."

"My lord, to put it bluntly, the Ji family in the past, although it was the royal family of Yan, was actually just the leader of a family alliance. Now, it really has the aura of the master of a dynasty.

But what Yao Zizhan said, if the Yan Emperor's body really has problems, he may immediately restart the war against Qian. This may really be true.

Our Yan Emperor, who is said to be ambitious and talented, is really not an exaggeration at all, but the emperor is also a human being after all. In fact, even immortals, how many can face it calmly when they know that their lifespan is about to end?

This is a chessboard that he has painstakingly laid out. How can he tolerate dying before the endgame?"

Zheng Fan crossed his hands and listened silently to the Blind Man's analysis.

"So, at that time, even if he knows that it is the right thing to continue recuperating and consolidating national strength, there is a high probability that Ji Runhao will still not be able to resist.

There are really not a few wise rulers who become昏聩 (confused and senile) in their later years and even ruin their lifelong reputations for this reason."

"These are all things for the future. After all, although Tian Wujing hinted at me, he has never admitted it himself. I even suspect that this problem with the Yan Emperor's body, since even an old man like Yao Zizhan can analyze it, could it be another smoke screen?

Anyway, the Yan Emperor knows how to fish and is good at fishing."

"Well, what my lord said is very true."

"So, let's take it one step at a time."

"By the way, my lord, I heard from the merchant team from Litian City that the Jingnan Marquis's wife seems to be pregnant."

"Is that so? Du Juan?"

"It should be her."

"Let Si Niang prepare a gift to send to Litian City. The gift doesn't have to be heavy, no need to prepare gold, silver, or jewelry. Send some really practical and thoughtful items over."

"I understand."

At this moment, Xiao Yibo walked over and reported:

"Master, a messenger from Litian City has brought a military order."

"Bring it here."

Zheng Fan reached out and took it.

A military order is not an imperial decree, so there is no need to kneel three times and kowtow nine times, set up a table, burn incense, or anything like that. Besides, even if it were an imperial decree, the Yan people in the army don't like any complicated etiquette.

However, it is said that after declining the post at the Imperial College, the Yan Emperor ordered Wen Sutong to enter the Ministry of Rites, and unprecedentedly opened the position of co-Minister of Rites, allowing him to revise the Yan Kingdom's laws.

In fact, he wanted to set these rules and create a set of formalized things to restrain the overly lax atmosphere in the Yan Kingdom.

After all, when it comes to complicated rules, the Qian people are the best at it.

Zheng Fan opened the military order, glanced at it, and then placed it on the desk.

The Blind Man also "glanced" at it,

And couldn't help but ask in confusion:

"My lord, the Jingnan Marquis wants us to open up a route through the Tianduan (Heaven Severing) Mountains between Shengle City and the Snow Plains?"

"Yes."

The northern border of the Jin State is basically bounded by the Tianduan Mountains, and to the north of the Tianduan Mountains is the vast Snow Plains.

"My lord, what does this mean?"

"You're asking me, who am I supposed to ask?" Zheng Fan smiled and said, "It means, let me clear a path. It can't be for trade."

"If it's not for trade, then it's for... military purposes?"

If you use the process of elimination, that's the only thing left.

"Help me write a reply to Litian City, just say I obey the order."

"As you command."

"We still have to wait for A Cheng to come back for this matter, but let's prepare for the worst. There should be a lot of wealth accumulated in the treasury. Let's focus on purchasing horses and armor during this period."

Zheng Fan's original direct line of troops are very well equipped, but the Jin State remnants who were later recruited, as well as the family soldiers of the surrounding families led by the Tufa clan, are far behind in terms of equipment.

"I understand, my lord. If we really have to fight, who are we fighting? Cheng State?"

"The main force of the Cheng State's troops are in the northeast direction, and Yan is already stronger than Cheng. There's no need for any tactical maneuvering to fight them."

"Then that means……"

Zheng Fan nodded,

And guessed:

"I'm also suspecting this, wouldn't we really run to help Cheng State fight the wildlings?"

………

Yanjing,

The Imperial Palace,

The Imperial Study.

In the morning, after the end of the imperial court meeting, some important officials were left alone in the imperial study to discuss matters. After the discussion, the Yan Emperor left Zhao Jiulang to have lunch together.

The person closest to this emperor in the entire Great Yan is not a prince, but the Yan Kingdom's Chancellor. This is a well-known fact in the court and the public.

Lunch was simple,

Three dishes and one soup,

Only Wei Zhonghe was serving beside him.

The Yan Emperor ate half a bowl of rice and barely touched the dishes. He pushed the rice bowl forward and said:

"卿 (Qing, a term of endearment for a subject), help me finish it."

"臣 (Chen, I, your subject) thanks you for your grace."

Wei Zhonghe brought the remaining food in front of the Yan Emperor to Zhao Jiulang's table, and Zhao Jiulang continued to gobble it down.

"Sorry to trouble you."

Zhao Jiulang smiled, but he was afraid of spitting out the rice, so he could only cover his mouth and nod, continuing to eat.

Your Majesty's appetite is not as good as before.

But Your Majesty's meals cannot be reduced, and because of the good habits developed in the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, the Yan Emperor has always forbidden extravagance and waste when it comes to eating.

Therefore, since he wouldn't leave leftovers in the past, he still can't leave them now.

Because, no matter how careful and cautious you are, you still can't avoid so many eyes staring at you.

Therefore, Zhao Jiulang, the current Chancellor and the Emperor's closest confidant, doesn't eat supper or breakfast, and specifically empties his stomach to come and eat and drink heavily at noon.

Maybe no one would believe it if they said it, but the Prime Minister actually has to binge eat every day.

Finally, the food was eaten. Zhao Jiulang leaned back, clutching his stomach, and kept panting.

"How are the arrangements for the enthronement ceremony?" The Yan Emperor asked.

"Replying to Your Majesty, everything has been arranged properly." Zhao Jiulang replied.

The Yan Emperor looked at Wei Zhonghe again and asked:

"What about the East Palace?"

"Your Majesty, this servant has already had it tidied up, and it is still the same as when you, Master, were in the潛邸 (Qian Di, hidden residence). The Empress's dress and the Second Prince's dress have also been made."

"Mm."

The Yan Emperor closed his eyes and nodded.

At this time, Zhao Jiulang finally recovered, stood up, straightened his body slightly, and said:

"Your Majesty, the envoy of Cheng State is still waiting to see you."

"Everything has been discussed, what's the point of seeing him?"

"He said he wanted to express his gratitude."

"Dispense with it."

"臣遵旨 (Chen Zunzhi, I obey the order)."

"This time in using troops, in the imperial court, are there any criticisms?"

Zhao Jiulang smiled and said:

"There are quite a few criticisms."

"They are all a bunch of sparrows with low vision."

Zhao Jiulang smiled without saying a word.

"He, Situ Lei, dared to withdraw the troops from the western border and personally lead the expedition to the northeast. Whether he is pretending to be forthright and magnanimous in front of朕 (Zhen, I, used by the emperor), or he really has the legacy of the Great Xia, let him do as he pleases.

Since he has already done the first day of the lunar month, then朕 (Zhen, I, used by the emperor) will help him push it to the fifteenth.

朕 (Zhen, I, used by the emperor) want to make Situ Lei nominally a monarch, but actually a vassal of my Great Yan, so that for ten, twenty, thirty years, he will have no face to send troops to violate Yan's territory.

60,000 iron cavalry drive straight into the Qian State's capital, 200,000 iron cavalry trample and destroy the Helian and Wen families, this is霸道 (badao, the Way of the Hegemon);

朕 (Zhen, I, used by the emperor),

Want to promote 王道 (Wangdao, the Way of the King)."

Zhao Jiulang bowed and prostrated himself,

And said:

"The ministers' opinions, this minister can suppress them with all his strength and share Your Majesty's worries."

"Jiulang, it is really hard for you to be the Chancellor of my Great Yan."

Zhao Jiulang raised his head and smiled:

"To be able to accompany Your Majesty,蹭 (ceng, to freeload) a place in history, Jiulang has made a profit."

The Yan Emperor pointed to a yellow scroll on the imperial desk,

Wei Zhonghe understood, picked it up, put it in a box, and sent it to Zhao Jiulang below.

"The envoy of the Situ family does not need to come to pay his respects and express his gratitude. Send this calligraphy of朕 (Zhen, I, used by the emperor) to him, and let him hand it over to Situ Lei."

"臣遵旨 (Chen Zunzhi, I obey the order)."

………

Inside a palace courtyard under the jurisdiction of the Honglu Temple in Yanjing, Dong Bian, the chief envoy of the Cheng State mission who had just sent away the Vice Minister of the Honglu Temple, looked at the box in front of him.

After a long time,

He signaled a few accompanying colleagues around him to open the box,

It was a sacred decree written on yellow scroll paper, but it was not sealed, so it was sent as a diplomatic gift and not proclaimed.

Dong Bian walked forward a few steps, and several subordinates silently stepped back to make way.

He lowered his head,

And looked at the yellow scroll,

On the yellow scroll were eight powerful characters:

"山川异域，风月同天 (shān chuān yì yù, fēng yuè tóng tiān) - Separate mountains and rivers, same wind and moon."