"General Xie Li Hu, how is your health?"
Empress Mu Rong Qing, the paragon of the Great Yan Kingdom, deigned to personally visit Xie Li Hu, the commander of the Yan Emperor's personal army, who had been claiming illness at home. Xie Li Hu, after some evasive maneuvers, welcomed her into his residence. Mu Rong Qing settled onto a soft chair and asked Xie Li Hu with concern, "General Xie Li Hu, how is your health?"
Xie Li Hu's face was beaming, and he appeared full of vigor. Apart from dark circles and puffy bags under his eyes, there was no other visible sign of illness.
The dark circles and puffy bags under his eyes were a result of excessive indulgence. Although Xie Li Hu and his ilk tried their best to conceal their dissolute affairs, Mu Rong Qing had already perceived it upon entering Xie Li Hu's official residence. She didn't need to think further; the scent alone told her.
Mu Rong Qing was well-informed about these arrogant and belligerent generals, thanks to Jin Ci A La.
This was also one of the reasons why Mu Rong Qing valued Zhou Fu Gui.
The Great Yan Kingdom had only been established for a few decades, yet from the top down, extravagance and dissipation had rotted it to the core. Zhou Fu Gui was one of the few relatively upright generals, a breath of fresh air for the Great Yan. If not for his Han identity, he would likely have been heavily promoted long ago.
However, despite her profound disdain for Xie Li Hu's character, Mu Rong Qing displayed an appearance of utmost concern. Coupled with her peerless beauty, it was incredibly heartwarming, like gazing at autumn waters or basking in a spring breeze. But Xie Li Hu, a man past fifty, felt something different: his face flushed, his heart pounded.
Mu Rong Qing was a renowned beauty throughout the Great Yan. Though nearing thirty, her appearance had not diminished, possessing an elegant and outstanding grace that made one hesitant to gaze directly.
Yet, Xie Li Hu could only harbor such thoughts, his heart fluttering, his throat dry, and dared not act presumptuously. The reason was self-evident: Mu Rong Qing was the Empress of the Great Yan Kingdom.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness the Empress," Xie Li Hu replied gratefully. "My aged and ailing body hardly warrants Your Highness's personal visit. You honor me too much! Your Highness the Empress, I am a soldier and do not appreciate circuitous talk. If there is anything you require of me, please speak frankly."
As the saying goes, one does not visit the temple without a purpose. Empress Mu Rong Qing's personal visit to Xie Li Hu clearly indicated that her intentions lay elsewhere. Xie Li Hu could also guess what she was after.
This was a matter that could cost him his head. Xie Li Hu needed to proceed with extreme caution, but it also depended on the conditions Mu Rong Qing could offer.
"General Xie Li Hu is a paternal uncle to the Great Yan. If my uncle is unwell, how can I not visit?" Mu Rong Qing said with a slight smile. "Uncle Xie Li Hu accompanied the Grand Ancestor from the beginning of the rebellion in Qiaoba, conquering Sheng Le, Ping Cheng, Yan Men, Chang Shan, and other regions. He was always by the Grand Ancestor's side during every campaign, fighting bravely and resolutely, achieving numerous great merits..."
Mu Rong Qing spoke eloquently, recounting many past events that moved Xie Li Hu deeply, bringing tears to his eyes.
Xie Li Hu was a meritorious general of Yan. He had joined the rebellion with Emperor Taizu of Yan in his teens, achieving many victories. He was once a loyal and valiant general for the Great Yan, dedicating his heart and soul, fighting bravely for the Great Yan's grand ambitions, and suffering several serious injuries.
Yet now he was reduced to this state. Xie Li Hu felt a sense of shame, even a touch of anger...
Was Mu Rong Qing here specifically to humiliate him? Xie Li Hu thought indignantly.
"Uncle Xie Li Hu..." Seeing the flush and pallor on Xie Li Hu's face, Mu Rong Qing smiled slightly again and continued, "You have rendered such great service to our Great Yan, yet you were only granted the title of San Bo. The court has been remiss in your treatment. I have come today precisely for men like you, meritorious generals. What you deserve, you should receive. Uncle Xie Li Hu, you are an old general. At this critical juncture for our Great Yan, if you can join me in overcoming hardships and conquering territories, recapturing past glories, becoming a general and enfeoffed lord will surely be within reach."
Mu Rong Qing knew Xie Li Hu craved power. This was a golden opportunity for him to display his talents, so she played to his desires and added a little fuel to the fire.
San Bo was a third-rank noble title in the Great Yan. For a subject with Xie Li Hu's accomplishments, it was indeed an underestimation. Zhou Fu Gui, a Han, had recently received a fifth-rank noble title. However, while Xie Li Hu had been a brave general on the battlefield before the Great Yan was established, he had been a mediocre commander after its founding, hence his stagnation in promotion. Of course, Xie Li Hu did not see it that way and had long harbored resentment.
Above San Bo were titles like San Gong, Kai Guo Xian Bo, Kai Guo Jun Gong, Hou, and Wang. Mu Rong Qing's words clearly indicated that Xie Li Hu was about to be promoted, potentially even enfeoffed as a King. This made Xie Li Hu's heart flutter like a fawn's, as life after becoming a King would undoubtedly be far more comfortable than remaining a San Bo.
However, the conditions offered by Empress Mu Rong Qing were still far from sufficient. After all, a noble title or official position was in no comparison to the lives of one's entire family, let alone the future and destiny of one's entire clan. Thus, Xie Li Hu displayed a look of profound emotion and gratitude, but not a single word escaped his lips.
After a long pause, Xie Li Hu finally spoke, "I beg Your Highness the Empress to forgive me. This old minister is old and gravely ill and is truly not fit to be too involved in courtly struggles. Moreover, this old minister has been worn down by years of hard work and is injured. Thus, I fear I will be unable to fulfill my duty and will fail Your Majesty's grace. I beg Your Highness the Empress to forgive me."
Xie Li Hu directly refused, adopting a strategy of strategic retreat to advance, waiting to see Mu Rong Qing's next move or to elicit higher offers.
"Hmph, insatiable!" Mu Rong Qing snorted inwardly upon seeing this, then continued, "Uncle Xie Li Hu, if you do not think for yourself, will you not think for your children?"
"What does Your Highness the Empress mean by that?" Xie Li Hu asked upon hearing this.
"I have heard that Uncle Xie Li Hu has a daughter who is already twelve years old..." Mu Rong Qing thought for a moment and continued, "She is as beautiful as a flower and can be married. Uncle Xie Li Hu, Yi Er is also of marriageable age. I am willing to put aside my pride today and propose this marriage. Uncle Xie Li Hu, surely you will not refuse to give me this face?"
"What?" Mu Rong Qing's words left Xie Li Hu speechless. His old heart began to pound wildly again...
The condition offered by Mu Rong Qing was undoubtedly generous and sincere.
Mu Rong Qing's son, Mu Rong Yi, was currently the Prince of Gan Quan in the Great Yan. If Xie Li Hu's daughter married him, she would become a princess. And to go further, it would be necessary for Mu Rong Yi to inherit the throne. Once Mu Rong Yi became Emperor, Xie Li Hu's daughter would, of course, become Empress. And as the Empress's maternal family, the Xie Li Hu clan would certainly prosper in the future.
Mu Rong Qing's scheme was also quite cunning. Once Xie Li Hu agreed to this marriage, his clan and influence would be tied to her chariot.
It was difficult for Xie Li Hu to refuse such a generous offer.
Xie Li Hu did have a daughter, and she was indeed just twelve years old, old enough to be married. However, she was not as beautiful as a flower, as Mu Rong Qing claimed. Her appearance was passable, but her figure was like a fat pig. At twelve years old, she weighed over a hundred jin.
However, even if Xie Li Hu's daughter were a pig, Mu Rong Qing would still marry her.
"The memorial from Commander Gu Yin Qi Dan has been presented." Xie Li Hu still appeared hesitant, which displeased Mu Rong Qing inwardly, but her expression remained as calm as still water. She produced a memorial, placed it lightly on the wooden table, and gently pushed it towards Xie Li Hu, saying indifferently, "Uncle, you might as well take a look first."
Xie Li Hu opened the memorial in surprise. A moment later, his face turned a beet red. He slammed the memorial onto the table and roared, "Gu Yin Qi Dan, that wild donkey, how dare he treat me like this?"
"That is his duty," Mu Rong Qing said, picking up the memorial again and leisurely tearing it to shreds with utmost elegance. As she tore it, she said indifferently, "Uncle Xie Li Hu may be oblivious to the outside world, but the servants in your household are lawless."
The memorial from Gu Yin Qi Dan listed Xie Li Hu's landholdings, shops, opulent residences, and also details of his bullying, extortion, and illegal trading. It even included many scandalous matters and even acts of rebellion. With this memorial alone, Mu Rong Qing could have Xie Li Hu arrested and executed ten times over.
Xie Li Hu could, of course, seek help from Emperor Yan, Mu Rong Xi, but at this moment, he couldn't even get an audience with Mu Rong Xi.
"Those who obey me prosper; those who oppose me perish!" Mu Rong Qing's combination of carrots and sticks forced the cunning and wily Xie Li Hu, a meritorious general of Great Yan, to submit and tie himself to her chariot. By controlling Xie Li Hu, Mu Rong Qing could then fully control the most elite troops of the Great Yan, the Emperor's personal army, the more than fifty thousand loyal troops.
However, elite did not necessarily mean capable. The more than fifty thousand loyal troops, having lived in comfort for too long, whether they could fight on the battlefield remained to be seen!
Xie Li Hu, torn between fear and shock, his lips trembling, could not utter a word.
*Your Right Xian King's mansion is not a good thing either. A few days ago, your household slaves broke into the homes of ordinary people in You Province, killing and setting fires,* Xie Li Hu thought furiously.
But at this moment, how could Xie Li Hu dare to voice these words?
"Your Highness the Empress..." The usually cunning Xie Li Hu, now overcome with rage, foolishly tried to regain control and said to Mu Rong Qing, "My old man's cold leg has flared up again. Could I trouble Your Highness's two maids... to be awarded to me to massage my legs?"
To indulge himself with Mu Rong Qing's two personal maids was almost equivalent to subjugating Mu Rong Qing herself... But Xie Li Hu dared to try and get back at Mu Rong Qing, so his fate was predictable.
"Uncle Xie Li Hu..." Mu Rong Qing smiled slightly, placing her jade-like hand over Xie Li Hu's gnarled old one, and said, "Such minor matters, you need not ask me. From now on, any woman from the palace, you may have."
Mu Rong Qing knew full well what Xie Li Hu intended. However, the humiliation he suffered today would surely be repaid tenfold in the future.