Chapter 877 A Formal Reply to the Emperor

A bowl of pickled vegetables, two bowls of porridge, three steamed buns, four eunuchs.

Nian Yao, his hair a bit long and unkempt, silently picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. He ate quickly, yet carefully.

He finished the last two strands of pickled vegetables with the last mouthful of porridge, then used the last half of the bun to wipe clean the oil stains from the bottom of the porridge bowl and the pickled vegetable bowl.

As he swallowed the last bite, Nian Yao wiped his fingers and a look of satisfaction and happiness spread across his face.

"That appetite… it makes even朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) quite envious."

A dignified voice came from behind the screen in front.

The four eunuchs immediately knelt down.

Nian Yao also stood up and performed the Chu salute.

Ji Chengjue walked in, and Wei Zhonghe behind him placed a cushion for Ji Chengjue to sit on.

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Nian Yao stood up.

"It is said that a man's knees hold gold, and you Chu people have a tradition of wronged officials throwing themselves into the river to prove their innocence. Why is it that I don't see any of that in you?"

Since entering the palace, the Great General Nian,

Knelt readily when he should kneel;

Offered greetings enthusiastically when he should greet;

And ate more heartily than anyone when it was time to eat.

Even,

Every so often, he clamored for a bath and incense, saying that he had been newly castrated, and that Pingxi Wangye’s (Prince of the West) knife work, while quick, was not exactly refined, causing his…thing, to be frequent, urgent, incomplete, and even forked;

He didn't care about himself, but he was afraid of offending any noble.

Now,

Faced with the Yan Emperor's question,

Nian Yao replied with a smile,

"Does Your Majesty know that most of those who throw themselves into the river every year are not officials and nobles, but commoners and slaves?"

"Oh?"

"But the world only praises their purity and nobility, ignoring the countless white bones beneath their corpses, at the bottom of the river.

This slave is not of noble birth. Even though this slave once held the position of Great General in Chu, it was because this slave had the ability to share the monarch's burdens.

Since I can support myself, why make things difficult for myself in the end?"

"So, you mean, if 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) give you a meal, you will remain loyal to 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor)?"

Nian Yao smiled,

And said,

"This slave is willing to work for Your Majesty, as long as Your Majesty is willing."

"Heh." Ji Chengjue shook his head. "The Chu ruler raised you for half your life, and all he got in return was this one sentence?"

"Your Majesty, even the fiercest tiger will become docile after being locked in a cage. To survive, it can even perform actions like cats and dogs."

"Oh? Getting impatient?"

"It is this slave who fears delaying Your Majesty's important affairs. Your Majesty is burdened with countless tasks every day. How can you have so much time to tease a prisoner?"

"Alas, you don't understand. Do you know why Zheng Fan sent you into the palace?"

"Was it for a royal title?"

"Tch."

The Emperor shook his head dismissively, saying,

"To him, does it really matter that much whether he is the Marquis of the West or the Prince of the West?

He sent you here so that朕 (zhen, I, the emperor), when 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) am free, can play with you and relieve my boredom."

After hearing these words, Nian Yao nodded earnestly:

"I see."

"Have you read the military reports that 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) had sent to you recently?" Ji Chengjue asked.

"In reply to Your Majesty, this slave has read them all."

"Did you read them carefully?"

"This slave read them very carefully. This slave has been waiting for Your Majesty to ask. If I answer well, this slave still hopes to have more meat in the next meal. This slave was born a lowly slave, and in this life, I am truly addicted to meat."

"Then do you know why 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) specifically came to ask you?"

"Because of the Qian Emperor."

"The Qian Emperor?"

"Because Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) once pointed at that Emperor and said that he did not understand military affairs. Once this precedent is set, unless that Emperor can achieve something in military exploits, otherwise, this slave thinks that this anecdote will probably become a proverb in the future."

"Hehehe."

"Besides, although Your Majesty has a court full of civil and military officials, who is more… pure, than this prisoner of yours?"

"Speak."

"This subject obeys."

Nian Yao opened his mouth, but then carefully looked at Ji Chengjue and asked:

"May Your Majesty allow this subject to explain slowly?"

Ji Chengjue nodded slightly.

Nian Yao began, "The origin of this war stems from the fact that in recent years, the two countries of Qian and Chu have been greatly oppressed by Great Yan, and can no longer bear the burden.

The morale of the army and the people, from top to bottom, once they become accustomed to it, Great Yan will become strong, and Qian and Chu will become weak. In time, it will be no dream to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Therefore, this subject took the risk in Fancheng, but this subject failed.

And when this subject fails, the situation in Qian and Chu will become even more tense, and the alliance between Qian and Chu will become even more solid. Even if they cannot defeat Yan in the overall situation, they should defeat Yan in one corner.

Therefore, there was the ambush of the elite forces of the Qian-Chu allied army in Liang."

Ji Chengjue listened with his eyes closed, his knuckles gently tapping on his knees.

Nian Yao continued:

"It was Your Majesty who gave Qian and Chu this opportunity."

After saying this, Nian Yao carefully watched Ji Chengjue's expression.

He saw that after hearing this, the Emperor revealed a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, making it impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry;

"When the late Emperor of Great Yan was alive, he had the eldest prince lead the army, but he was defeated;

Your Majesty wanted to seize military power, but in reality, it was to divide the power of Jin with Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West). However, Your Majesty used the wrong person, causing the chaos in the Sushan camp, which led to the mobilization of the Marquis of Huwei and the subsequent annihilation of the entire army in Liang.

This subject can understand what Your Majesty wants to do, but… Your Majesty, dividing military power and gaining military hearts is not as simple as an imperial decree or the joint action of local governments.

Because Your Majesty cannot personally leave this Yanjing City and put on armor."

"朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) thought about this matter later. 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) was indeed too hasty, and the method was also wrong. As you said, 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) should not have sent someone to cut it, because朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) cannot appoint myself as some kind of Grand General.

朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) should have been like doing business, promoting and placing a few more managers."

"Your Majesty is wise. What Your Majesty can command and subdue are those generals and military families. Even if military power is returned to the court, it still has to go through the hands of others.

It is easy to win the heart of one person, but difficult to win the hearts of ten thousand."

"Let's put this aside for now. 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) came this time mainly to hear your opinion on the next battle."

"Your Majesty, Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) led his troops on an expedition, and the scene was certainly grand, but Great Yan should no longer have the ability to supply logistics. Therefore, Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) taking food from the enemy is a last resort, but this, on the contrary, makes it impossible for the Yan army, which should have occupied the frontal advantage on the battlefield, to patiently seek out flaws.

When experts clash, the strong should have the advantage of responding to every move, but the Yan army does not."

"The national strength is weak, there's no way around it." Ji Chengjue shook his finger and continued, "Then what? What do you think of Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) leading his troops into Qian?"

Nian Yao swallowed his saliva,

And said;

"It is a…stinking move!"

Ji Chengjue opened his eyes and looked at Nian Yao.

"Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) clearly could not open up the situation in Liang, and was burdened by his great reputation. He was unwilling to collude with the Qian-Chu allied forces, with him retreating as they advanced. He didn't want to make a big show and only get a superficial victory.

Therefore, Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) led his troops into Qian.

He is gambling, he is being willful, simply because he does not want to lose his reputation of being victorious in every battle!"

"In the court, there are many ministers who agree with you." Ji Chengjue said, "They say that Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) does not put the country and the people first, but cares about his own false reputation, and takes risks, which is dereliction of duty to the Great Yan and its people."

"Your Majesty, they are right." Nian Yao affirmed.

"But 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) do not want to hear these. 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) have already ordered the civilians and supplies of Yan to support Nanwang City as much as possible, and let my eldest brother come forward to restrain the Qian's three sides."

"That is precisely why this subject believes that Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) is going crazy. He clearly knows that Great Yan today can hardly launch a national war again. Even if there is the Yan cavalry, without auxiliary soldiers and civilians, forcibly launching a war is simply carrying out one adventure after another.

And if Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) fails, or even if he himself is like the Marquis of Huwei, then Great Yan will immediately..."

At this point, Nian Yao took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

"Finished?"

"Not yet."

"Then hurry up, 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) have to go."

"What this subject is helpless about is that even if this subject firmly believes, even if this subject is certain, that Pingxi Wangye's (Prince of the West) entry into Qian is really just a hasty and impulsive move that disregards the overall situation…

But,

This subject thinks that Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) may very well succeed."

"Oh?" Ji Chengjue was a little surprised. "What's the reason for that?"

"Because this subject lost to him."

"You mean, he has good luck?"

"No, this subject will not naively think that this subject's failure is simply because of bad luck. It is because Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) himself is best at this kind of long-distance raid that disregards the overall situation and takes risks for profit.

When the situation cannot be opened up, choose the path you are best at, and maybe you can pry open this crack.

This subject used to think that Jingnan Wangye (Prince of Jingnan) was the kind of person who could do what others could not do. In fact, Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) is also."

"When 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) saw the reports from the front, the first thing 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) thought of was that the Zheng fellow had run to the city of Shangjing again to show off his power to the Qian Emperor.

When he comes back, he might even personally submit a memorial to 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor), saying that he was saying hello to that Emperor on behalf of朕 (zhen, I, the emperor)…"

Ji Chengjue leaned forward slightly,

And continued;

"But 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) can guarantee that he definitely didn't mention 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) at all, only caring about himself showing off to his heart's content."

Obviously,

When Nian Yao said "auspicious words," the mood of the Great Yan Emperor improved a lot.

The Great General Nian echoed with a smile:

"Perhaps Pingxi Wangye (Prince of the West) will simply go all the way and break through the city of Shangjing for Your Majesty."

"Nian Yao, are you mocking 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor)?"

"This subject dares not."

"Alright, let's take your auspicious words. If that Zheng fellow can really break through the city of Shangjing for 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor), 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) will let you choose one of the nine directorates in the palace to be the chief eunuch, hahaha."

"This slave respectfully sees Your Majesty off!"

After saying that,

The Emperor stood up and walked out of the side hall.

Nian Yao looked at his palm with some melancholy, wanting to lightly slap himself a few times, but hesitated, and then put it down. The Yan Emperor's spirit and courage were really no less than his master's. Unfortunately, he was still a little frivolous. In the end, he didn't even get any meat for dinner. What a loss.

"Sleep."

Nian Yao began to take a nap. Since entering the Yan palace, he was actually just a prisoner living in the palace. He ate and slept every day. Only after the war started was he sent here to see the front-line situation.

He had a good nap.

After waking up,

The Great General Nian walked inside, placed the spittoon properly, loosened his waist rope, took off his coat, and then straddled his legs, squatted down to relieve himself.

His work was not exquisite. If he didn't want to be suffocated by the smell of his own urine, he had to be extra careful when relieving himself.

After finishing, he skipped the shaking part;

Instead, he carefully wiped both sides of his thighs with grass paper, and then stood up leisurely.

He reached out to touch,

Huh,

Where are my clothes?

Just as the Great General Nian was about to call someone, a group of small eunuchs suddenly rushed in, holding the red-robed chief eunuch's uniform in their hands.

"This slave greets Grand Eunuch!"

"This slave greets Grand Eunuch!"

The Great General Nian was a little confused,

And then suddenly slapped his forehead,

"Ah! Ah!"

First, he roared loudly twice,

Then,

He kicked over the spittoon,

Not caring about the dirt,

He sat down on the ground,

And slammed his hands hard on the floor tiles,

He cried.

————

I was not in a good state today, so I wrote late. Don't wait for the next chapter, read it when you wake up tomorrow morning. I will try to write a little more, so I won't ask for monthly tickets for now, hold on tight everyone!