Chapter 989 A Warning from Great Yan

Be it a small business or a struggle for the throne, sometimes, too much family involvement and so-called relatives can be more of a hindrance than a help.

The difference lies in,

Commoners see each other frequently, and they're bound to meet at weddings and funerals. If they truly fall out, the stakes are small, but the cost is relatively high.

The latter, on the other hand, can afford to be more detached.

Therefore, throughout history, for that chair, for that so-called "world," the dramas of fathers and sons turning against each other and siblings killing each other have been staged countless times.

The Regent of Great Yan has always been indifferent in matters of human affection.

And the Emperor of Great Chu had long detached himself from the realm of humanity, both physically and mentally.

The great fire in Yingdu burned most of his brothers to death; he could even send Que Dan (雀丹) to his own sister's hands.

Therefore,

The two women's earlier talk of "one family" wasn't really to create a bridge for these two men; in fact, both women were clear about the "virtues" in these men's bones.

They were creating a bridge between two forces.

Jindong is nominally Jindong of Great Yan, but in reality, it's Jindong of the Prince's Mansion. After a great victory, they conquered a large piece of territory that originally belonged to Chu; and the soldiers and civilians of Jindong have always only recognized the Prince and not the Emperor.

True power holders don't need too much "tenderness," but they must take care of the emotions of those below them.

Often, you can endure humiliation for the sake of the bigger picture and interests, but those below...always clamor for a bit of face.

The marriage relationship between the two families is there.

After all, family is family; even after a fierce fight, they're still family.

Moreover, the Chu court had long been planning for this, from officially acknowledging Zheng Fan's status as the驸马 (fuma, imperial son-in-law) of Great Chu, to Chu's Ministry of Rites officials bringing gifts to Jindong for courtesy visits during festivals, and Jindong didn't skimp on etiquette either, with back-and-forth exchanges.

At the same time, the fact that the little princess of Jindong Prince's Mansion is a Fire Phoenix Spirit Child isn't much of a secret in Great Chu.

The Fire Phoenix is the totem of the Chu people, and this symbolism, to a certain extent, has transcended the scope of court law.

The Regent once joked that the orthodoxy of Great Chu lies in his house.

This isn't really a joke.

So-called orthodoxy is sometimes useless, but sometimes it's extremely useful. It's difficult to make people surrender, but it can make people give up subsequent resistance to the greatest extent after losing, and create acceptance of your rule.

Currently, the Jindong Prince's Mansion still needs Princess Xiong Liqing of Great Chu to come forward, as well as Chu traitors like Qu Peiluo and Nian Yao to make connections.

But when Zheng Lanxin grows up,

The personally taught disciple of the Sword Saint, the female sword immortal with the Fire Phoenix bloodline, will directly occupy the authority of faith and inheritance.

If the Regent is shameless enough, he can change his daughter's surname, change Zheng Lanxin to Xiong Lanxin, or even more shamelessly, add a prefix or suffix: Zheng·Xiong Lanxin or Xiong Lanxin·Zheng...

Brandishing the bloodline of the Xiong imperial family on her body, this is also taking the legal right of the ruling class.

The most important point is that behind Da Niu (大妞, Big Girl, nickname for Zheng Lanxin) there is also the Jindong Iron Cavalry, which can cheer and support her, showing absolute support; this is the iron fist.

Right now,

It's almost this situation.

The crushing defeat in the recent round of Yan-Chu national war led to a fundamental imbalance in the situation, and on this basis, everything can be discussed.

However,

For the sake of his own wife and his mother-in-law sitting here, the Prince still gave enough face to the Chu Emperor, using honorifics in his speech.

Then you should lower your head first;

The meaning of this is equivalent to:

You've suffered, so kowtow to me.

Getting to the point,

The Empress Dowager said, "This old woman is a little tired."

"Mother, your son will help you to rest."

Xiong Liqing helped her mother up and left the living room.

The Blind Man took out an orange again and waved it in his hand.

Xie Yu'an smiled slightly and walked out of the living room with the Blind Man.

"Wait."

Zheng Fan stopped them, then turned to look at his brother-in-law and said:

"I'll call Yu Huaping over; can you suffer a little loss?"

The Chu Emperor nodded.

The Blind Man and Xie Yu'an still left, and then, a figure in white robes entered the hall.

On this point,

The Regent was suppressed by the Chu Emperor, at least in terms of bearing and aura; he lost.

But the Regent didn't care about these small matters of face; he already had the big picture in his hands, and he really couldn't be bothered to care about the rest.

The Sword Saint said, "Dugu is here too."

The Prince immediately said, "Let him wait outside."

The Chu Emperor didn't react, but not reacting meant that the Sword Maker couldn't come in, acquiescing that within the confines of this living room, he had fallen into a disadvantageous situation.

In the living room,

Two people were sitting, and one was standing; the situation was set.

The Chu Emperor said, "What is my brother-in-law thinking?"

The Prince replied, "I'm wondering if Old Yu is confident enough to send my brother-in-law to heaven within three breaths."

With the women gone, the conversation between the men immediately became unbridled.

"Hahaha."

The Chu Emperor laughed and turned to look at the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint said, "Difficult."

Zheng Fan shook his head and said, "What a pity, still not confident."

There was no doubt that Zheng Fan believed that with the Sword Saint's current strength, it was no problem to overwhelm his brother-in-law, but to kill him in a short time was almost impossible.

Defeating and killing have never been the same concept, and the Fire Phoenix spirit within his brother-in-law is itself better at defense.

"What difference does it make to you whether Chu exists or not?" the Chu Emperor asked. "It's nothing more than choosing another one from my princes to continue eking out an existence.

On the contrary, if you let me kill..."

The situation in Chu is already very bad; it can't get much worse.

But if something happened to Zheng Fan, first of all, the link between Jindong and the Yan court would be directly severed, and Great Yan's pace of unifying Zhuxia would have to stop, and instead begin its own internal war.

Because Jindong's military and political model has been firmly on the road to rebellion, it's no exaggeration to say that it's all thanks to Zheng Fan forcibly shifting internal conflicts outward.

Zheng Fan touched his neck and said self-deprecatingly:

"I didn't expect my life to be so important, even more important than yours."

"There's always been a saying circulating in Chu, that when we were in the same carriage back then, I should have strangled you to death."

"That official of Qian...oh no, the Supreme Emperor...hiss, no, anyway, that former official of Qian, also thought the same way; Bai Li Xianglan's sword was almost already on my neck."

The Chu Emperor shook his head and said, "Couldn't bear to."

Zheng Fan smiled and said, "Let's talk business."

"Alright."

"Brother-in-law, lower your national status and become a vassal of my Prince's Mansion."

"Lower national status, and I'm still the ruler; a ruler, becoming a vassal of a prince?"

The Chu Emperor paused, and continued:

"It doesn't seem reasonable."

"This isn't a big deal in Yan; back when I was a marquis, I could kick a prince to the ground."

"If you establish yourself now, I am willing to lead Chu to become your vassal."

The Chu Emperor gave his condition;

If you, Zheng Fan, establish a country now, then Chu will immediately submit a memorial to become your vassal state.

"Now isn't the time yet," Zheng Fan said.

"When will the time be right?"

"It depends on the wind direction; when the wind is strong enough, the fire can burn brightly, so brother-in-law might as well add some fuel to the fire and let it burn."

"What if you really want to be a loyal subject of Great Yan; what should I do?"

"Hehehe..."

Zheng Fan laughed,

Laughing somewhat exaggeratedly, not restrained, even having to cover his mouth;

After laughing for a long time,

Zheng Fan finally stopped,

And said:

"What should you do?

No,

Brother-in-law,

What,

Can you do?"

The Chu Emperor's gaze darkened.

"My plans and subordinates have long met and discussed with your people, brother-in-law.

I didn't let Chu submit to Yan now out of consideration for family, to give you, to give Chu, to give the Chu people, a bit of face.

I want to strike while the iron is hot and turn around to attack Qian directly;

So,

I need Chu to make way for me now,

No,

Not just making way,

I also need Chu to assist me, help me maintain logistics, help me clear the way, and even send some troops to help me fight.

I want to let Nian Yao lead the way for me like he did when he advanced into Qian!"

"You still want me to actively help you attack Qian? Do you think I don't understand the principle of lips being gone, teeth being cold?" the Chu Emperor retorted.

"But the lips are already gone, what's the point of caring about the teeth?"

Zheng Fan stretched lazily,

And said:

"The momentum is on my side, the advantage is on my side, destiny, hehehe, whether it exists or not doesn't matter, anyway, what can it do to me?

Brother-in-law,

There's a principle that we need to figure out clearly.

It's not that I'm here begging you now,

It's that

I'm giving you a chance.

If you don't agree, that's fine, no problem."

Zheng Fan reached out and tapped the armrest of the chair,

And said:

"Then I won't leave; I'll withdraw some of the army back, and leave some to garrison the newly conquered territory.

As for me,

I'll go home, back to my Fengxin City Prince's Mansion;

Spend time with my children, grow flowers, practice my saber, and take baths.

After resting for two years, what needs to be digested will be digested, and what needs to be stored will be stored;

My body should move again.

Alright,

Then let's have another Yan-Chu national war.

I'll attack,

And you, brother-in-law, can continue to defend.

I'll come once every two years, and even if I only conquer a few small cities each time, that's fine too.

In five years, ten years,

Brother-in-law can take another look at how much territory and how many people you have left under your command.

Oh,

You don't think that after a few more national wars, I still won't be able to conquer the current Yingdu, do you?

At that time,

You'll probably be in some mountain stronghold in Southern Chu, surrounded by the Shan Yue people who are loyal to you.

Are you the Emperor of Great Chu, or the King of the Shan Yue?"

The Chu Emperor was silent.

Zheng Fan's words weren't pleasant to hear, but they were the truth.

In the Battle of the Witch God, Chu was defeated too thoroughly; next, the Yan people wouldn't need to take any more risks; they could slowly exhaust Chu with their national strength alone.

If Zheng Fan didn't go to attack Qian, then he would continue to be stationed in Jindong, and his forces would inevitably continue to gnaw at Chu.

And becoming a vassal of the Prince's Mansion, the most obvious benefit is the almost blatant alienation;

The hidden benefit is that both sides can enter a period of peace, and he can take the time to continue sorting out Southern Chu, accumulating strength, and waiting for an opportunity; that opportunity is the day when Zheng Fan and the Yan Emperor turn against each other.

Even if Zheng Fan and the Yan Emperor don't turn against each other,

He can still look forward to the next generation...

The Chu Emperor knew that Zheng Fan's son, the Prince's heir, had a temper...that had never been good.

Even if Zheng Fan was determined to be a loyal subject of Great Yan, what about the next generation?

What the Chu Emperor was best at was probably...living a long life.

"Specifics," the Chu Emperor said.

"Submitting a memorial of vassalage, and dividing territory between the two sides."

"Will you retreat some?" the Chu Emperor asked.

Zheng Fan shook his head:

"I ride a Pixiu (mythical wild beast), only taking in and not giving out; once I've eaten something, don't expect me to spit it out again; even some vague areas, I'll scrape off some more; the Chu garrison will have to retreat further."

This condition was very humiliating and detrimental to national sovereignty.

However, the Chu Emperor wasn't angry; instead, he said:

"What are the sweet dates?"

Zheng Fan leaned forward,

Looking at his brother-in-law,

And said:

"The Jiangnan region of Qian is wealthy; what Yan wants is the three border regions of Qian; I and you, brother-in-law, will share the profits equally, and you can also recover some blood."

"Good."

"Good."

Zheng Fan stood up, and the Chu Emperor also stood up.

"There's one more thing."

"Please speak."

"Lanxin can marry my Crown Prince."

In this era, there was no taboo against close relatives marrying, and even many love stories featured cousins and cousins.

Zheng Fan didn't speak.

The Chu Emperor continued:

"After Da Niu becomes the Crown Princess, I can abdicate in advance and become the Supreme Emperor."

Zheng Fan still didn't speak.

"Then, the new ruler can die young."

Zheng Fan still didn't speak.

"Da Niu can rule as a hen; that is to say, I'm willing to give the throne of Chu to your daughter."

Zheng Fan looked at the Chu Emperor,

And said, word by word:

"If she really wants it, I, as her father, can personally conquer it and give it to her; why would I need you, her uncle, to go to the expense?

What her uncle can afford,

Her own father can give her even more.

Also,

Even Ji Chengjue doesn't dare to mention marriage alliances with me, for fear that I'll directly turn hostile;

You,

Should take a rest,

And,

No more examples."

The Chu Emperor was actually somewhat surprised, surprised at how the man in front of him could instantly switch between rational and emotional states.

Earlier, he was still a seasoned politician, but in an instant, he had turned into a father who would do anything to protect his daughter.

"Liqing has a good husband, and Da Niu has a good father.

Alright, I'll take a step back; I'll choose a prince to send to your Prince's Mansion as a hostage."

"Why not the Crown Prince?" Zheng Fan asked.

"The Crown Prince is older; he can't play with Da Niu and the others."

"That's fine; any prince who comes to me, as long as he's well-behaved, will be the Crown Prince in the future."

"You're not allowed to do what I'm doing, but you do it so smoothly."

Zheng Fan clapped his hands,

And said:

"Alright, let's consider our discussion settled; next, let's leave it to the people below to draft the regulations."

"There's one more thing I want to ask you."

"Please speak."

"You want to borrow a path from me to attack Qian; aren't you afraid that I'll turn against you halfway and attack you in conjunction with Qian?"

Zheng Fan smiled nonchalantly,

And said:

"I'm only bringing 50,000 Jindong Iron Cavalry; to put it bluntly, without these 50,000 Jindong Iron Cavalry, it would be a loss for Jindong, and a loss for Great Yan as well;

But the loss of these 50,000 Iron Cavalry, at worst, would just be another Li Fusheng-style defeat.

As for me, if I can't escape and am suffocated to death by you, brother-in-law.

But don't worry; those arrogant and fierce soldiers I leave behind, including my son, what they'll do next is, at all costs, fight Chu to the death.

Great Yan may not be able to unify Zhuxia,

But Chu,

Must perish!

The Xiong clan,

Must be destroyed!"

Zheng Fan turned his head and looked at the Chu Emperor.

This was a threat,

A clear threat,

A statement of fact based on strength.

"Remember back then, when you were sitting in the carriage, you pretended to be that Mr. Su and recited that "Man Jiang Hong," and you even wrote "Yan barbarians" for self-preservation.

Now...

Zheng Fan, why weren't you born in my Chu but instead in Yan?"

The Prince sighed,

And said:

"I thought Heaven would know."

"Thought?"

"As a result, I now discover that,

Heaven,

Is also confused."

...

Yanjing City;

Imperial Palace;

Imperial Study;

Eunuch Huang was kneeling on the ground, and sitting next to him were several Grand Secretaries;

The Emperor,

Was sitting on the Dragon Throne, looking at the letter that Eunuch Huang had brought.

After reading it,

The Emperor noticed that Eunuch Huang was still kneeling there.

He couldn't help but scold:

"Wei Zhonghe, where's your tact?"

"This servant deserves to die, this servant deserves to die."

Eunuch Wei immediately brought a chair and placed it next to Eunuch Huang.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Huang scrambled up and sat down;

The Emperor asked:

"Does the Regent have anything else to tell me?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, when the Regent gave this servant the letter, he also told this servant, told him..."

"Told him what?" the Emperor urged.

"Told him that Eunuch Wei's saying that he had a nice voice showed that he truly had tact."

"..." Wei Zhonghe.

The Emperor looked at Eunuch Huang; Eunuch Huang was overjoyed in his heart, but his expression was extremely awkward as he said:

"Your Majesty, this servant dares not deceive you; the Regent, at the time, really said that, and even asked this servant to help him get revenge on Eunuch Wei."

"..." Wei Zhonghe.

Wei Zhonghe felt ten thousand "cornered sirs" galloping through his heart,

How could this Zheng be so petty,

Remembering a grudge from ten years ago!

But there was no way;

Wei Zhonghe could only kneel down and slap himself left and right,

And said:

"Your Majesty, this servant is guilty."

"Hehehe."

The Emperor laughed and said, "Alright, our Regent has won a great victory, and only asks to take revenge on Eunuch Wei; Wei Zhonghe, you can sacrifice yourself for the country.

Go to the laundry bureau to work for a month; your position will be temporarily taken over by Zhang."

"This servant obeys the decree!"

The Emperor put down the letter in his hand,

And said to the Grand Secretaries in front of him:

"Chu is about to bow its head."

All the Grand Secretaries, including Eunuch Huang and Eunuch Wei, all knelt down:

"Your servants (slaves) congratulate Your Majesty, and congratulate Great Yan!"

Ji Chengjue nodded,

And said:

"Mao Mingcai."

"Your servant is here."

"Draft an imperial decree for me:

The Qian are treacherous, rebellious, imprisoning and killing the Emperor, the natural order is reversed, and both humans and gods are angered!

Oh, right, what was the previous reign title of Qian?"

Mao Mingcai immediately said, "Zhengxi."

"Oh."

The Emperor nodded,

And instructed:

"The beginning, you write yourself."

"Your servant understands."

The Emperor gave a general direction, and Mao Mingcai was responsible for writing it out, while at the same time showing that the Emperor was very cultured.

"But in the end, remember to add a sentence for me."

Mao Mingcai held his pen, looking at the Emperor;

The other Grand Secretaries all looked at the Emperor;

Qian had changed emperors twice in a short period of time; according to the old customs, it should be sent to the other countries to gain recognition, but Yan hadn't replied yet.

"Yan and Qian have been friends for generations, both being countries of Zhuxia; between the two countries, the rulers and subjects, and the people, are like siblings, living in harmony and friendship..."

Mao Mingcai nodded slightly as he recorded,

The Grand Secretaries also nodded seriously,

Obviously,

They deeply agreed with the Emperor's definition of the relationship between Yan and Qian;

The Emperor changed his tone,

And continued:

"When I was a prince, the late Emperor regarded the Zhengxi Emperor of Qian as my role model, instructing me to learn from him, and remotely addressed him as my uncle."

Inside the Imperial Study,

All the ministers nodded one after another, indicating that this was indeed the case, as if they had been the tables and chairs present when the late Emperor said these words to His Majesty back then.

"The Qian rebels have committed unjust acts; if they do not correct themselves, then..."

The Emperor stood up,

Slammed his hand on the imperial desk,

And said in a deep voice:

"Then I,

Will lead my Great Yan Iron Cavalry to avenge my uncle, the Zhengxi Emperor!"

———

There will be another chapter tonight, around two o'clock; I'll try to be faster; hold on tight everyone!