Chapter 849 Consort of the Fu Prince

"Light the incense!"

"Kneel and bow!"

Zhao Yuanian, dressed in a python robe, stood at the forefront, followed by the clan relatives and a group of officials from Chuzhou City.

In the Qian Kingdom, there was one day each year dedicated to ancestral rituals.

On this day, whether it was the Emperor in the capital or the vassal lords in various regions, all had to be solemn and reverent, engaging in earnest worship.

Because this day was the state sacrifice of the Qian Kingdom.

The Qian Kingdom's founding Emperor and the Taizong Emperor were brothers. The state sacrifice day was the anniversary of their father's death.

The founding Emperor had seized the throne, so logically, tracing back three generations, his father should also be granted an imperial title.

After the Taizong Emperor succeeded to the throne as the Emperor's younger brother, he embedded his father’s death anniversary into the grand ceremony, establishing it as a national public sacrifice, both to silence the world's criticism and to highlight his own legitimacy.

This meant elevating the Qian Kingdom's legitimacy to his father's generation.

In short, it was to dilute the "awkwardness" of seizing the throne from his elder brother. By venerating their "father" as the founder, he and his brother became equals. The legitimacy was inherited from their father, and transferred from his brother to him, making it more justified in terms of etiquette.

The current Emperor's grandfather, Emperor Renzong, reduced the extravagance of this national sacrifice and turned it into a clan sacrifice.

This Emperor Renzong left a very "remarkable" mark in the history books of the Qian Kingdom. He reigned for a long time and was known for his frugality, employing virtuous ministers, and having a tolerant demeanor, creating an era of upright officials praised by the scholar-officials.

However, it was during his reign that,

the horse administration policy established after the Taizong Emperor's failed northern expedition began to gradually decline. The number of Qian Kingdom cavalry, which had once been somewhat prosperous, began to decline in both actual numbers and combat strength.

At the same time, the rebellions of the southwestern Tusi (local chieftains) emerged, festering for decades;

The Northern Qiang began to rebel, causing trouble and even declaring independence;

Coastal pirates became rampant, with the Wu family and other large maritime merchants becoming virtually uncrowned kings of the South China Sea;

The Qian Kingdom experienced the largest peasant uprising since its founding, instigated by local religious sects.

It is said that,

the Third Prince of the Yan Kingdom once submitted a memorial to his father, Ji Runhao, hoping to use the Qian Kingdom's "Renzong" as a model to establish new regulations for the Great Yan;

At that time, the Yan Kingdom was full of powerful clans, and the imperial power was under pressure. Officials loyal to the court were trying to break this situation, and the Third Prince simply submitted his memorial.

Emperor Ji Runhao of Yan received the memorial and quickly issued rewards to the Third Prince.

But Wei Gonggong (Eunuch Wei) remembered that the Emperor, after reading the Third Prince's memorial in the imperial study that night, simply shook his head and smiled:

"Renzong's benevolence lies in the scholars; Renzong's virtue lies in the officials.

Unfortunately, my Great Yan has few scholars."

Wei Gonggong remembered that the Emperor slowly broke the memorial, making a crisp sound.

In the future,

when Wei Gonggong came to the Prince's mansion and witnessed Zheng Fan, a mere garrison general, smashing the Third Prince's crotch with a saber scabbard...

*Crack!*

The scene from that night in the imperial study immediately flashed into Wei Gonggong's mind;

Perhaps,

some things were destined long ago.

…

Now,

the Fu Prince's status and position have not been diminished, and have even been elevated compared to when the previous Fu Prince was alive.

When the previous Fu Prince was in power, he deliberately indulged in extravagance and pleasure, raising himself like a pig. He indeed became a fat pig. In memorials to the court and the Emperor, they repeatedly advised the Fu Prince to cherish his health and not to overindulge in luxury.

But, was it really just concern for his health?

Zhao Yuanian remembered what his Fu Prince had once told him,

In this world, unless it's your family, when others say you're too fat and advise you to lose a little weight, you might think they're concerned about you, but in reality, they're laughing at you.

The Fu Prince died in battle, and the cause of death was somewhat mysterious because Mianzhou City was not breached that night, but the Fu Prince's head was still cut off.

Later,

it was said that a garrison general took the Fu Prince's head and went to Jingnan Prince to claim credit;

Later, that garrison general rose all the way up the ranks and eventually became a meritorious Duke of the Great Yan.

Ironically, because the Fu Prince died at his hands, the value of the Fu Prince's death also increased with that person's rise.

There was even a rumor that the Fu Prince could have survived, but after seeing that garrison general, he sensed that he would become a major threat to the Qian Kingdom in the future, so he risked trying to eliminate him, but failed.

The passing of the previous Fu Prince left the Fu Prince's mansion a political legacy. After all, the previous Fu Prince had been ordered to be stationed in Mianzhou City, and the Emperor and the court felt somewhat guilty, unwilling to bear the responsibility of being harsh to the imperial family and relatives.

Unlike the previous and current Emperors of Great Yan, whose harshness towards the imperial family was almost shameless.

And the current Fu Prince, after the Yan army broke through Chuzhou City, adhered to the "rites."

The Wen family betrayed the country and moved their entire family to the Yan Kingdom with the Yan army. With this comparison, the Fu Prince's mansion was able to withstand the temptation and adhere to the bottom line.

After that,

Zhao Yuanian, who was granted the title of heir, began to actively request the court to reduce his salary and treatment in order to alleviate the pressure on the court to train troops and strengthen the country.

With him taking the lead, other vassal lords were embarrassed not to submit similar memorials.

Next, there was a series of other things that Zhao Yuanian did in the name of the imperial family, sacrificing the interests of his own class in exchange for goodwill from the court and the Emperor.

Not only was the position of the Fu Prince as stable as Mount Tai, but even his power was constantly being elevated.

The court needed him, this sensible vassal lord, to cut into the imperial family, and for this, it would inevitably be willing to give some rewards.

Now,

the Fu Prince's mansion in Chuzhou City has increased its subordinate guard force to five thousand.

There were originally two large camps outside Chuzhou City. When the Yan army invaded, one camp was transferred to the three border regions, and the remaining camp was directly crushed by the Yan army.

Now, there are three camps in Chuzhou City, and there is also the guard force of the Fu Prince's mansion outside the city.

The Yan people's southward advance shattered the Qian Kingdom's facade. Therefore, the Qian Kingdom did expand its military after the war and eliminated a lot of superficiality as much as possible.

Especially in the north of the Qian Kingdom, realizing that relying solely on the three border regions could not truly stop the Yan cavalry from advancing south, it expanded its army between various important prefectures and towns.

The purpose was to intercept the Yan people here if they were to advance south again in the future, and not allow them to advance smoothly again.

The sacrificial ceremony ended;

Zhao Yuanian turned around and thanked the clan members and officials present, and they returned the courtesy.

It could be seen that everyone's expression was somewhat solemn;

This was not the expression that was deliberately shown at such sacrificial occasions, but because bad news was constantly coming from the north, especially from the northeast.

These days, rumors had also begun to circulate in the city, saying that the Yan army would once again attack Chuzhou City.

There was no way around it. They had come once before, so now, when they heard that the Yan army seemed to be attacking again, they would naturally think that the Yan army was coming towards them again.

The common people were like this,

The gentlemen in Chuzhou City were naturally even more uneasy.

"I am tired. Please wait a moment. This Prince will go to the inner residence to see my mother and then come back to meet with you all."

"As Your Highness pleases."

"As Your Highness pleases."

Zhao Yuanian bowed slightly and entered the inner residence.

He had grown up and matured. He had grown a beard, and the python robe swayed slightly with his steps, giving him the air of an imperial clan lord.

After experiencing the events of that year, he seemed to have become a different person.

Reaching the back, he stopped and sighed.

Then, he readjusted his emotions and walked into the inner residence where his mother was.

At Zhao Yuanian's wave, the eunuchs and maids outside tiptoed away.

Zhao Yuanian stepped over the threshold and came in, seeing his princess and two side consorts kneeling on prayer mats with his mother.

They were also part of the imperial family. While the men were worshiping outside, the women were doing the same in the inner room.

Zhao Yuanian looked at his mother, time did not seem to leave any marks on her. She was still so charming and gentle.

"You may all leave first. I have something to say with my mother."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The two side consorts helped the princess to leave together.

In the hall with the sacrificial objects, only the mother and son were left.

Zhao Yuanian went over and helped his mother up.

The Consort of the Fu Prince got up and sat down.

Zhao Yuanian offered tea, and the Consort of the Fu Prince accepted it.

The Consort of the Fu Prince said, "I heard that there were more officials here today than usual."

Zhao Yuanian nodded and said, "Many messages have come from the northeast. One moment they say that the main force of the Yan army has attacked, another moment they say that a detached force of the Yan army has left the battlefield, and then they say that the Yan army is flying the banner of the Prince of Western Peace, saying all sorts of things.

A few days ago, they said that Lanyang City had been captured by the Yan people, but the latest news is that Lanyang City has been recovered by the imperial army, and the Yan army has been repelled."

The Consort of the Fu Prince looked at her son and said, "What does my son think?"

Zhao Yuanian shook his head and said, "It's hard to say. Grand Marshal Zu is in the three border regions, and Marshal Meng leads the army in Liang Province. The three border regions are also uneasy, and several troops have been transferred to Liang Province. Marshal Meng cannot return in time, and the Yan people may feint to the east and attack in the west. Marshal Meng will definitely consider this."

The relationship between the Fu Prince's mansion and Meng Gong was extremely good.

Meng Gong was implicated because of his father's affairs, and he was frustrated in middle age.

It was the old Fu Prince who appreciated him and recommended him. Eventually, Meng Gong caught the eye of the old Chancellor Zhong and was able to rise in the army.

In the past, when the Chu army invaded under the leadership of General Nian, it was Meng Gong who organized the army to intercept General Nian, and that battle established Meng Gong's position in the army.

During festivals, Meng Gong and the Fu Prince's mansion also exchanged gifts and favors.

"What your mother means is, do you think, he has come?"

Zhao Yuanian understood,

said: "He is a Prince now, mother, the Prince of the Yan Kingdom is different from the Prince of our Qian Kingdom, no, I am a vassal lord, hiss... no, he is also a vassal lord, that..."

The current Fu Prince, who had been dignified at the sacrificial ceremony outside, suddenly stammered and his thoughts became jumbled.

Because his mother mentioned that person in front of him.

When that person's image changed from the so-called "Prince of Western Peace of the Yan Kingdom" to a specific person, the memories that had been sealed for many years seemed to surge up all at once.

"Alas."

Zhao Yuanian sighed,

said:

"In the Yan Kingdom, he is now second only to one person and above ten thousand people. Even the Emperor of the Yan Kingdom has to coax him and yield to him. The Crown Prince of the Yan Kingdom was sent to his side to be raised.

Since ancient times, only vassal states have sent hostages to the capital, but with him, it has been reversed.

Your son thinks, he doesn't need to work so hard."

"No, he is different."

The Consort of the Fu Prince said.

Zhao Yuanian was stunned.

"Will my son be angry if your mother speaks of him like this?"

"Your son will not. Your son understands his mother's sacrifice. If it weren't for his mother back then, not to mention whether your son could inherit the title of Fu Prince, it would be difficult to say whether the Fu Prince's mansion would still exist."

In Zhao Yuanian's understanding,

his mother had personally served that Prince of Western Peace for a night.

However, he did not feel that his mother was licentious because, at that time, the fierce Yan army poured into Chuzhou City, destroying countless families. The Fu Prince's mansion was preserved because of his mother.

If he were to hate, he should hate that man because that man had taken his father's head to claim credit, and that man had made his mother serve him;

On this point, Zhao Yuanian's understanding was very correct.

At least, he was much more of a man than those men who, because of their inability to protect their women, resulted in them being humiliated, and then scolded and hated the women themselves for not being self-respecting.

However,

Zhao Yuanian did not know that the Prince of Western Peace did not really have anything happen with his mother.

His mother had been prepared to "sacrifice" herself at the time, but unfortunately, the other party did not take the bait.

Whenever the Consort of the Fu Prince thought of this,

in the early years, she secretly cursed the man for not knowing what was good for him, she had already done so much, but he still refused and pretended to be noble.

Women's minds, no, more accurately, people's minds are like this. After stripping away the major issues of right and wrong, in the absolutely safe place in their hearts, there is often an unusual idea.

It was only later, when she heard that the man was fighting all the way in Jin Province, and that the man was in his prime in the Yan Kingdom;

The Consort of the Fu Prince could not help but think,

whether that man's "reserve" at the beginning,

was because he was certain in his heart that he would become successful in the future.

If we were to compare the status of both parties now, she was an old imperial clan Princess, and that one was a genuine military meritorious Prince of a different surname. Even if she blatantly recommended herself for a pillow, outsiders would probably think that she was trying to climb up?

Of course,

although that guy didn't really want her back then, he didn't eat less tofu, and advised her to eat more, so that she wouldn't be haggard and thin, as it wouldn't feel good to the touch.

This misunderstanding,

the mother would not explain to her son, she couldn't open her mouth and say to her son that that man didn't sleep with me;

And the son couldn't possibly ask, how did that man sleep with you back then.

The mother and son sat like this, each with their own thoughts and emotions.

The Consort of the Fu Prince raised her head and looked at her son, and said:

"These past few days, your mother has been dreaming a lot when sleeping, and I am very restless."

"Your son will go and invite a doctor. Mother does not need to worry about the outside matters. Mother must take good care of her body."

The Consort of the Fu Prince bit her lip and said:

"He is coming."

"Where did mother learn this from?"

The Consort of the Fu Prince reached out and pointed at her chest,

said:

"A feeling."

"..." Zhao Yuanian.

Seeing this, the Consort of the Fu Prince laughed self-deprecatingly and said, "Son, don't blame your mother for not being self-respecting."

Zhao Yuanian immediately knelt down,

said:

"Your son has absolutely no such intention, and your son will never think like that. Mother, when Father was here before, your son was somewhat absurd and did not do his job properly.

Later, when the Yan army attacked this Chuzhou City, your son was even more frightened and made a fool of himself.

It was all thanks to mother's efforts that the Prince's mansion was preserved.

Since then, in these past few years, your son has been reflecting and thinking about his mistakes. Your son has grown up and matured, and your son is not a scoundrel.

Since mother said this to your son,

it means that mother is really worried that your son will not have time to react, that mother is thinking of your son, and that she is willing to sacrifice her own reputation. Your son is grateful and thankful."

"My son..."

The Consort of the Fu Prince also knelt down and hugged her son's head.

"Okay, since mother said that he is coming, then it proves that among the messages from the front, the one about the Prince of Western Peace personally leading his army south to my Qian Kingdom is most likely true.

Even, it is very likely that, like the last time a few years ago, the Yan army will pass through my Chuzhou City again."

"Did my son really believe your mother's words?"

Zhao Yuanian said, "Practice makes perfect."

The Consort of the Fu Prince's face immediately showed a blush.

Zhao Yuanian continued: "Marching and fighting is an extremely dangerous matter, and every step must not give any loopholes. Since it was successful last time, why not continue to take the same path this time?"

The Consort of the Fu Prince then realized that she had misunderstood her son's meaning.

"What does my son want to do? Can the troops outside the city defend Chuzhou City?"

Zhao Yuanian shook his head and said; "Mother does not know, the Emperor has bestowed a favor, and my Prince's mansion's guard has been expanded to five thousand, and I have been entrusted with part of the defense of Chuzhou City;

However, in these years, your son dare not overstep the mark. The guard is nominally under my Prince's mansion, but other than going to reward them during festivals, I have not really arranged anyone.

In these years, the court has trained many new troops, and has also transferred many generals and veterans from other departments. The local troops seem to have expanded their ranks, but the number of soldiers, rations, and military equipment have not been able to keep up in time.

There are more troops outside Chuzhou City than there were back then, but in fact, they are still just a flashy facade. If there is a real fight... and it is that one leading the troops in person, his subordinates must be the real elite of the Yan army. Your son thinks..."

Zhao Yuanian shook his head at his mother.

The Consort of the Fu Prince immediately asked, "Then what should we do?"

"Easy."

The mother and son were both startled and raised their heads, only to find a dwarf hanging upside down from the roof beam.

Third Master "whooshed," doing a backflip followed by a three-and-a-half-week rotation, landing steadily.

"Our master sent me here in advance."

After being stunned, Zhao Yuanian immediately reacted,

said:

"Is Father well?"

————

Asking for monthly tickets, I will continue to write, hug everyone tight!