Chapter 975 Tiger's Roar and Dragon's Cry

Yanjing City,

Today,

is the Shangxiao Festival (Lantern Festival).

It is a Yanjin tradition to release lotus lanterns by the river on this day, symbolizing that the light of the lamp carries the sorrow of the living and brings peace to the departed souls.

There are many festivals after winter, and many important ones. In fact, the Shangxiao Festival is not a very important festival in Dayan.

The origin of this festival lies in the fact that the Yan people faced the threat of barbarians in the past. In the most difficult times, they almost fought wars every year to commemorate the Yan soldiers who died in battle for their country.

For hundreds of years, with the Zhenbei (Pacifying the North) Marquis's Mansion guarding the wilderness and the barbarians being suppressed, this festival has only remained at the level of knowing what day it is.

However, since the Dayan began to frequently use troops against foreign countries more than ten years ago, the Shangxiao Festival has gradually begun to highlight its role again.

This year's Shangxiao Festival was ordered by His Majesty to be organized by the Ministry of Rites, which can be said to have pushed this festival, which had been silent for a hundred years, to the forefront again.

Even today, government officials can get extra holidays.

The Liujin (flowing gold) Riverbank, where lotus lanterns are released, is full of people. The river is full of lights, like stars.

In the large workshops in the capital, high platforms are set up, and courtesans dedicate dances, but the courtesans no longer compete for beauty, but all wear plain clothes.

Talented scholars gather in groups of three or five, gathering to sing military poems, with ups and downs, powerful and forceful.

The literati of Dayan have always been looked down upon by other countries, as if cultural and educational affairs are inherently unsuited to Dayan;

However, with the operation of the imperial examination system year after year, the literary style of Dayan is growing at a rate visible to the naked eye.

However, the literati of Dayan still prefer to wear knives instead of fans, and prefer to ride fierce horses instead of palanquins.

Because the Regent Prince of Dayan not only wrote military books, enlightening scholars all over the world on military affairs, but also had outstanding talent in the literary arts, making the literary saint of Qian State scold him for turning elegant things into flowing lyrics.

The Regent Prince of Dayan does not like to write "poems" very much, because he thinks it is very tacky;

This is actually the truth, but after it was spread, it was interpreted by outsiders as deliberately targeting and打击the Qian State, sarcastically saying: "Scholars are useless."

Furthermore,

In recent years, letters between His Majesty and the Regent Prince have been constantly flowing out from the imperial study room in the palace.

The format of the letter is very formal and can be directly printed on historical books. His Majesty and the Prince work together in the letter to worry about the present and future of Dayan and discuss the direction together.

However, what really attracts the attention of the people is the Regent Prince's masterpieces that occasionally flow out of the letter.

The masterpieces are real masterpieces, each of which is a masterpiece of the ages; coupled with the unparalleled popularity of the Regent Prince's story in teahouses and taverns, his poems and lyrics can spread quickly every time.

Therefore, now the Regent Prince is not only the first mountain in the Dayan army, but also the...role model for the literati of Dayan.

On the Wangchun (spring gazing) Tower on the Liujin Riverbank,

Ji Chengjue, dressed in casual clothes, gently tapped the railing,

Holding a glass of grape wine in his hand,

He smiled at Prime Minister Mao Mingcai, who was standing beside him:

"I hope that the literati of my Dayan can write poems, write articles, understand morality, and at the same time be able to ride horses and hold knives to stabilize the world. This is what a real scholar should be like;

Instead of the sour Confucian scholars in Qian State, who only know how to compare how old they are and how a pear blossom presses a begonia flower."

"Your Majesty is wise. In fact, this is what scholars should be like."

"It's a pity that the Zheng family is unwilling to come and be an official in the court, otherwise..."

"If the Regent Prince wants to enter the court, then this minister can only obediently hand over his position as Prime Minister to him."

"Hahahaha, don't mention this, don't mention this."

The emperor turned around and walked into the box. Mao Mingcai followed closely behind.

There were not many people in the box. Eunuch Wei and Eunuch Nian were setting up the bowls and chopsticks.

The emperor sat down, and Mao Mingcai also sat down.

Eunuch Nian and Eunuch Wei stood beside them.

"Nian Yao."

"This servant is here."

"Sit."

"This servant obeys."

Nian Yao sat down.

"Now, my Dayan is fighting the second national war with your Chu State. What do you think?"

Nian Yao replied:

"Returning to Your Majesty, during the national war, officials in the capital can take a rest, and the people can release lanterns. Dayan under Your Majesty's rule is much more calm than it was in the past, and than it was during the time of the late Emperor."

"I believe this is what you really think."

"Yes, in terms of national strength, Dayan is already above the Chu State. What's more, the battlefield is now in the Chu State.

The reports that Your Majesty showed this servant show that the stalemate point is in the land of the Three Counties. The wealthy land of the Chu State is in the north, which is the opposite of the Qian State.

Moreover, this time the Dayan army entered as a mighty division, not like in the past, when they would retreat after being attacked. The damage to the national strength of the Chu State will be extremely huge."

"Continue, talk while eating."

Ji Chengjue picked up a shrimp with his chopsticks. Eunuch Wei next to him prepared to come forward to help peel it, but Ji Chengjue moved it away;

The emperor peeled the shrimp himself, twisted off the head, dipped it in vinegar, sucked it into his mouth and then threw it away;

Then, he slowly peeled the shrimp body, pulled out the shrimp thread, dipped it in vinegar again, and finally sent it into his mouth to chew.

"In fact, the method used by the Chu State now is the battle method that this servant used when he was a general in the Chu State when facing the Dayan army, to delay as much as possible and to persevere as much as possible."

"Do you think they can persevere?" The emperor picked up another shrimp and continued to peel it.

"This servant thinks they can persevere. Although it will cause great damage to the national strength of the Chu State, the cost of taking the initiative to attack is too great, and the chances of winning are really too low."

"Hehe."

The emperor dipped the newly peeled shrimp in vinegar and put it into Mao Mingcai's bowl next to him,

Then he took a wet towel from Wei Zhonghe and wiped his hands,

Said;

"Why didn't you hold on?"

"This servant was greedy."

"Then how can you guarantee that your successor won't be greedy?"

"This servant... really can't guarantee it."

"Actually, I don't understand the matter of fighting wars, and I don't bother to learn it, because I am the emperor. When I was a prince, I didn't have that opportunity. After becoming an emperor, I really can't learn things randomly. I'm most afraid of learning a smattering of knowledge and only knowing half of it, which will harm the country instead.

Hehe, just like the Supreme Taoist Emperor of the Qian State."

The two most classic and widely spread examples of the Qian State official were:

One was that the Regent Prince, who was only a garrison commander at the time, entered the capital to meet the Qian State official and ridiculed him face to face for not knowing how to fight;

Then the Qian State official "sneered," thinking he had everything under control, and ordered the troops on the three borders not to return to aid, allowing less than 70,000 Yan troops to swagger into the northern territory of the Qian State, attack and retreat. At the same time, he allowed the Zhenbei Army and Jingnan Army to pass through Jin.

The second example was that the Qian State official personally led troops, attempting to encircle and annihilate the Regent Prince, who was then the Prince of Pingxi. In the end, the Regent Prince successfully broke through the encirclement and at the same time divided his troops to seize the capital of the Qian people;

When the Qian State official returned to the ruined Shangjing City, he was shocked to find that the Crown Prince, who had escaped during the war, had already ascended the throne and given him a posthumous title...

And it wasn't a good posthumous title, there was actually a "厉" (Li, meaning cruel) character in it.

These two things,

The person involved was the Regent Prince, and there was no way to hide it. The Qian people wanted to hide it, but the Yan people wouldn't allow it, and would eagerly help him promote it. In addition, the Qian people's pretentious appearance had long been collectively disliked by the people of the Xia and other lands, so everyone would join forces to create fables about the Qian people.

However, in these two matters alone, the Qian State official did make mistakes;

But to be honest, there was a good reason for it.

The first time, the Qian State official lost to Jingnan King Tian Wujing, who completely saw through his tricks, calmly passed through, and even helped him with a strategy;

The second time, the Qian State official was facing Pingxi King Zheng Fan, who he thought was not very good at fighting and was still on the edge of "knowing a little" and was quite unconfident.

An official who likes to cultivate Taoism and health, and is proficient in the art of imperial checks and balances is already considered good, but he insisted on personally going down to compete with the two generations of military gods of Dayan. Losing... was also a matter of course.

Nian Yao nodded and said, "The two generations of holy monarchs of Dayan both understand how to recognize, employ, and trust people. This is the foundation for Dayan's growing strength."

The emperor actually didn't like to put himself and his old man together to praise,

In the court, there was no way, he had to pinch his nose and accept the political legacy and influence left by his father, but in private...

"If my father could really understand how to let go completely, there wouldn't have been the first defeat at Wangjiang."

How did the first defeat at Wangjiang happen? How could Ji Chengjue not know?

Wasn't it just that his old man wanted to support a Ji family general and arrange him for his elder brother? As a result, he almost ruined his elder brother as well.

"So, I have to learn a lesson here. If the Zheng family wants food, give them food. If they want corvée labor, give them corvée labor. If they want soldiers, give them soldiers. Give them whatever they want and let them do whatever they want.

It's hard to buy peace of mind with a thousand pieces of gold."

"Your Majesty has a broad mind. Among the emperors of all ages, few can match Your Majesty."

"Are you trying to say that you, Nian Yao, didn't have this kind of treatment in the Chu State back then?"

"This servant dare not..."

"My surname is Ji, not Xiong. What is there to be afraid of saying? Actually, this matter really can't be blamed on your emperor. Are you, Nian Yao, worthy of being compared with that Zheng family?"

"This servant is not worthy."

"It's not a matter of incompetence in talent. I've coaxed the Zheng family well, and I can hand over my heart to him, so I can feel at ease taking the Crown Prince to his house to sleep soundly.

You, Nian Yao, are a hungry wolf, the kind that can't be fed enough."

Nian Yao was silent.

"Nian Yao, there is something I have always wanted to ask you. In your heart, do you hate me more, or hate that Zheng family more?"

Nian Yao seemed to be thinking,

Then,

shook his head,

said:

"I can't hate anymore."

"Really?"

"Really."

"I don't believe it."

"Your Majesty, this servant is already like this, so where else would I have any other thoughts?"

"I still don't believe it. You, Nian Yao, are not numb to that point. This is also the most surprising thing to me.

Sigh,

Yes,

In the tide of all living beings, those who can lead the way in front of the waves, even if it's only for a while, will never be simple characters.

Nian Yao,

I feel sorry for you.

I once asked that Zheng family, asking him, are you afraid of losing?

The Zheng family's answer was: I'm scared to death.

Yes, the more you win, the more you can't afford to lose. God knows what situation you'll be reduced to if you lose a game."

"Your Majesty, this servant really has no other feelings."

The emperor leaned back on the chair,

said:

"But you still pulled out the shrimp thread when you were eating shrimp just now."

"..." Nian Yao.

"Okay, you still remember to pull out the shrimp thread when eating shrimp, which proves that you still pay attention to details. If you pay attention to details, it proves that you still have thoughts."

At this time, the waiter brought up a new dish, a roast duck.

Seeing the roast duck,

The emperor smiled, pointed at it and said:

"I used to roast ducks myself. The most famous Quande (All Virtue) Restaurant in the capital is my former property.

So, sometimes I really feel that being an emperor is actually no different from being a chef.

Good and precious ingredients, steamed and sprinkled with a little salt, are simple but exquisite, and you can also make excuses to say that this is to eat its original flavor.

But if you encounter very bad ingredients, you have to add heavy oil and heavy ingredients to suppress its fishy or smelly smell. Even so, it is easy to make people sick.

My grandfather cultivated a relationship with the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion in order to pave the way for my father without delaying his efforts, and to avoid giving my father a bad name, so he took elixirs himself and killed himself by eating them.

My father was an old beast..."

Mao Mingcai, who was eating, trembled his chopsticks, but pretended not to hear anything.

"But this old beast, although he tossed Dayan badly, he still remembered to help me destroy the barbarian royal court before he died.

Hehe,

When I ascended the throne,

Although there were worries internally, there were no major problems externally.

Even if the Qian and Chu joined forces and wanted to create some momentum, I had that Zheng family as a helper to push them back.

I was very tired and exhausted when I was a prince, but I also got married and had children. After becoming an emperor, I became more at ease.

To put it bluntly, the Xiong family emperor of your family, or even the Taijun emperor of the Qian State, wouldn't necessarily do worse than me if they switched places with me.

The situation is different, and the trend is naturally different.

The Zheng family once said that when the trend arrives, even a pig can be blown into the sky to tell you the great principles.

I,

My Dayan,

is now on the trend.

Nian Yao,

This time,

I have decided to give you another chance,

I,

Let you go to Jindong and report to the Zheng family.

First, you are familiar with the Chu State; second, there are many of your old subordinates in the Chu State that you can contact.

The Zheng family didn't actually tell me his plans on how to fight the war, so I don't understand how he is going to fight this war.

But I just feel that he can win, and he will definitely win.

You also know that under the current situation and national power, what will it mean if the Chu State loses another game?

The Chu State can no longer afford to lose.

I am letting you go to give the Chu State's roof beam another push.

I asked that Zheng family in a letter, and he agreed.

So,

Are you willing to go?"

Nian Yao immediately left his seat, knelt down, and said sincerely:

"This minister is willing to share Your Majesty's worries and be loyal to Dayan!"

Six years ago, Nian Yao had said the same thing, and the news he received was that his wife and children had drowned in the river.

Six years later, Nian Yao said the same thing again.

The emperor stood up and walked to the railing outside again, looking at the scenery of the Liujin River below.

The people below were spontaneously shouting:

"Wishing the Prince a great victory! Wishing the Prince a great victory!"

"Dayan will win! Dayan will win!"

The Yan people, who were accustomed to the victory of war, no longer had the most primitive fear of war.

Ji Chengjue's father had proved to him that as long as they could win, the Yan people could endure hunger, and their endurance would be terrible.

In fact, it was not that the Yan State was terrible, but that the atmosphere of the old Yan people was the most terrible, because it was under this atmosphere that his father was born, as well as Jingnan King and Zhenbei King, and a group of good Yan children who were willing to open up territory for Dayan and fight bravely.

The emperor took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and was enjoying the atmosphere at this time.

At this time, Nian Yao slowly walked over, seeming hesitant, but finally opened his mouth and said:

"Your Majesty, can this minister really go?"

"Do you think I'm lying to you? A gentleman never goes back on his word.

There is a great general under the Zheng family who has been stationed in Fancheng all these years. It is the former Barbarian King.

The Zheng family killed Qu Peiluo's father and indirectly caused his family to be almost exterminated, but he still dared to use Qu Peiluo to establish the Chu Character Camp.

What kind of special onion are you, Nian Yao?

It's nothing more than the root below that he cut off.

Under the mighty trend, the sooner the Xia can be unified, the sooner the world can be peaceful. Compared to the unification of the entire world, anything will seem insignificant.

I am giving you this opportunity, and the Zheng family is also promising to give you an opportunity.

You,

only have this one opportunity."

"Your Majesty's magnanimity makes this minister admire you."

"How does it compare to your Chu emperor?"

"The old master is also a good emperor, and his heart is not bad. As Your Majesty said earlier, the ingredients are different, so the cooking skills are also different."

"Still honest."

"This minister has one more thing to ask. Although Your Majesty has already answered it, this minister still feels that Your Majesty suddenly trusts this minister so much, which makes this minister... a little flattered.

Your Majesty is really not afraid that this minister will..."

At this time, a child's crying came from the next box.

The emperor frowned,

said:

"Too noisy."

Wei Zhonghe gave a look, and two imperial guards standing at the door went out and entered the next box.

After a while, they came in holding a baby in swaddling clothes. The child was still crying.

"A disgusting little thing, so annoying." The emperor waved his hand and continued to say to Nian Yao, "I originally thought I would like children, but later I found out that I am actually very afraid of the trouble of children crying. Only the Crown Prince was well-behaved and sensible since he was a child, knowing how to share his father's worries. Those few boys below are annoying every time I see them."

The emperor reached out and grabbed the swaddling clothes. He grabbed it too casually. The emperor was not a martial artist, and the child fell directly.

Nian Yao subconsciously reached out to catch it,

He looked down at the child, and his expression suddenly became solemn;

This was a very inexplicable feeling, and when Nian Yao held the child, the child actually stopped crying.

"Yo, it's really like grandparents are closer than parents. My Crown Prince is the same, the old beast is very fond of him."

Nian Yao's body trembled, and he turned his head in shock, looking at the emperor:

"Your Majesty... what did you just say?"

The emperor leaned over and looked at the child in Nian Yao's arms,

said:

"His surname is Nian, and his name is Nian Fu. He is your biological grandson."

"I... he..." Nian Yao's eyes began to turn red, looking at the child in disbelief, and then looking at the emperor, "Your Majesty... this..."

Wei Zhonghe said at this time:

"Your wife had a disease last year. After the imperial physician's diagnosis, it is no longer a problem, but her eyes are not very good at seeing the light, and her hands and feet are still agile.

Your son has already married, and he married a poor woman, but she also looks decent. He has already had two sons. This is the youngest son who was just born, named Nian Fu; your eldest grandson is named Nian Li.

Your daughter has also married, and she recruited a son-in-law, and they have a son named Nian Kuan. Now your daughter is pregnant again.

Eunuch Nian, this old servant is really envious of you.

This old servant can only accept a bunch of adopted sons and adopted grandsons, but you, while being an eunuch, are receiving biological grandsons and biological grandsons. Tsk tsk."

Nian Yao opened his mouth, breathing in and out, and his eyes were filled with tears.

The emperor reached out and patted Nian Yao's shoulder,

and said to him;

"Did you just ask me why I let you go so easily?

Because I don't lose out,

If you, Nian Yao, leave and never return,

Okay,

One Eunuch Nian leaves the palace, and another batch of... little Eunuch Nians can enter.

I would have gained instead,

What do you say,

General Nian."

Nian Yao took a deep breath, handed the child to the guard, then took two steps back, knelt down on one knee, and pressed his fist against the floor:

"This general is willing to destroy Chu for Your Majesty!"

The emperor turned around and stopped looking at Nian Yao.

Wei Zhonghe leaned over and said, "General Nian, go down and pack up and prepare to go. His Majesty has already ordered this old servant to choose a house in the capital. All that's missing is a plaque for the Nian Mansion."

Nian Yao nodded, got up, took one last look at the baby, and walked out of the box under the guidance of another guard. From then on, until he entered Jindong and met the Regent Prince, there would be people from the Secret Spy Division escorting him all the way.

Mao Mingcai also requested to leave at this time. He had to go to the Cabinet to stand guard. Tonight was his shift. Officials were on holiday, but it was impossible for everyone to be on holiday.

All of a sudden,

Only the emperor and Eunuch Wei were left in the box.

"Wei Zhonghe."

"This servant is here."

"Let Lu Bing accompany Nian Yao to Jindong. After resting for a few years, it's time for him, Lu Bing, to come out and move around."

"This servant obeys."

The emperor stretched his back towards the Liujin River below and said:

"So, Nian Yao is far worse than that Zheng family."

"That's right, Nian Yao is, after all, a defeated general of the Regent Prince."

The emperor shook his head,

said:

"I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about this matter."

"Your Majesty?"

"What do you say, what if the one who was brought over earlier was not Nian Yao's grandson, but that Zheng family's child?"

"Hiss..."

Wei Zhonghe, who had served two generations of monarchs and had extraordinary composure and was himself a Qi Refiner, directly broke down after this assumption was thrown out, and gasped.

"Hahahaha."

The emperor laughed loudly when he saw this, laughing very happily.

Wei Zhonghe also laughed along: "Heh... hehe... hehehe..."

You must know that when Zheng Fan killed the previous generation Prime Minister Zhao Jiulang on Pingxi Street in the capital, he, Wei Zhonghe, had "witnessed" the entire process from afar.

The dignified Prime Minister of Dayan was killed by the Regent Prince at that time as easily as killing a chicken.

However, Wei Zhonghe knew that his Majesty would never do such a thing.

Was it affection?

No,

It was not just affection anymore. It had far surpassed affection, and because of this, the affection between his Majesty and the Regent Prince was firmly suppressed and would be extremely... unwavering;

The emperor raised his head,

towards the bright moon,

and sighed:

"Fortunately, there is only one Zheng Fan in this world."

Wei Zhonghe was just about to agree,

when the emperor sighed again:

"Fortunately, there is only one Zheng Fan in this world."