novelraw Chapter 1080: Secret Letter
Chapter 1080: Secret Letter
The days continued to pass as usual.On this day, Zhao Junyao had just left the court and was preparing to return to the Imperial Study Room.
Then he saw Xia Tingfeng approach him, furrowing his brows and looking resolute.
Kneeling on one knee, he clasped his fist.
"Emperor!"
Zhao Junyao was taken aback.
"What is it?"
Xia Tingfeng glanced around, with a look of hesitation and reluctance.
Zhao Junyao understood his intent.
Without saying a word, he strode back to the Imperial Study Room.
After dismissing the servants, Zhao Junyao chuckled lightly.
"What’s the matter? So secretive!"
Xia Tingfeng suddenly knelt on one knee and took out a letter from his bosom.
"Emperor, this is a secret letter I received this morning!"
"It’s... from Western Xia!"
Zhao Junyao’s expression momentarily froze.
"Western Xia?"
He instinctively took the letter.
The letter was sealed with fire lacquer, and inscribed with small characters: ’For Zhao Junyao, Emperor of Great Chu, personally opened!’
The signature at the bottom right was: Princess Haitang of Western Xia.
Is it Princess Haitang, the Legitimate Princess of Western Xia?!
Why did she send a letter? What’s so secretive about it?!
Zhao Junyao’s expression turned grim as he decisively opened the envelope.
Inside was only a thin sheet of paper.
Taking out the paper, Zhao Junyao quickly skimmed through it.
Then... his expression grew increasingly complex.
Xia Tingfeng felt quite worried.
"Emperor, what happened, is it..."
Is it that Haitang encountered some difficulty and needs the help of Great Chu?
Zhao Junyao didn’t hide it from him, directly handing that piece of paper to him.
"Take a look!"
Xia Tingfeng hesitated for a moment, but took it anyway.
A moment later.
He suddenly raised his head.
"Western Xia, King Jin will visit Great Chu next month to see Princess Hai Feng, and Haitang reminds us to be cautious?"
Zhao Junyao’s expression grew somewhat serious.
"The marriage between the two countries, it is reasonable for King Jin to want to visit his daughter!"
"No matter what, we cannot stop him, but..."
"What should we be cautious of, according to Haitang?"
Xia Tingfeng also didn’t understand.
After examining the paper several times without finding a clue, he could only speculate.
"Could it be..."
"Does King Jin harbor any ill intentions towards our Chu Dynasty?"
Zhao Junyao was somewhat shocked.
"Is that possible?"
"What could he plot?"
Military power? Cities or territories?
Let’s not consider that King Jin is already advanced in age, his energy, strength, and intellect cannot compare with his.
Not to mention status and power.
King Jin in Western Xia is merely a prince.
He isn’t an emperor himself! How many people could be under his command?!
Additionally.
The Emperor of Western Xia, Hai Zhentian, is among the rare ones from foreign nations who values loyalty and righteousness.
The court is clear, he loves his people as his children, his reputation is widespread.
Such as wars where tens of thousands of lives are gambled.
He would never initiate it voluntarily.
Therefore...
Him bypassing the Western Xia Emperor, traveling thousands of miles to plot against Great Chu.
That is nothing more than a fool’s dream.
Whether or not the Western Xia Emperor agrees is one thing.
Is Zhao Junyao not up to the task?!
He has been on the throne for just over ten years.
And has created a flourishing era of ’great national power, strong military, prosperous citizens, living in peace and joy.’
How could he suffer even the slightest loss in diplomatic affairs!
Therefore...
Zhao Junyao truly could not understand what to guard against.
Xia Tingfeng thought for a moment and added.
"In my opinion, if it weren’t necessary, Haitang would never go through such trouble to send a secret letter!"
"She must have discovered something amiss but couldn’t find evidence! Hence she sent a letter to warn us!"
Zhao Junyao nodded.
"You’re right!"
He turned around, standing with his hands behind his back by the window.
Squinting at the sky, he thought for a long while before suddenly opening his eyes.
"It seems... the bandits in the west have been quite rampant this year!"
Xia Tingfeng immediately stood as well.
The iron armor he wore issued a metallic clashing sound.
He bowed his head in contemplation for a moment, then suddenly raised his head.
"This matter... is indeed very strange!"
"Those bandits cannot be ordinary people!"
Real civilians wouldn’t ignite wars under conditions of ample food and clothing.
Xia Tingfeng remorsefully knelt on one knee.
"Emperor, I am incompetent, this matter has remained unsolved throughout!"
The final outcome was:
The bandits were suppressed, the people were well appeased, and peaceful days continued to unfold!
Zhao Junyao narrowed his eyes.
"This is not your fault!"
If no internal clues are found, then there’s a high chance it’s the work of foreigners.
Zhao Junyao picked up his robe and turned to sit down, penning a decree.
Ordering commanders at the border to enhance defenses, train properly, and reinforce the borders.
And decreeing: for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of War, and Ministry of Revenue to prepare thoroughly for the reception.
Finally, instructing personnel everywhere to keep a watchful eye; any sign of trouble should be reported promptly, ensuring the opposition has no chance to exploit any opportunity.
Zhao Junyao sighed somewhat.
"Given the current conditions, that’s all that can be done!"
Xia Tingfeng knelt and bowed solemnly.
"The Emperor is wise!"
"Such comprehensive preventive measures are likely to avert any problems!"
Zhao Junyao chuckled and waved his hand.
"Alright!"
"There are no outsiders here, rise!"
With these words, he also stood up, walked around the imperial table, and patted Xia Tingfeng’s shoulder.
"There’s no need to be overly concerned about events that haven’t happened yet!"
"You’ll handle things as needed!"
There’s nothing to fear!
If a real conflict arises, with Great Chu’s current robust national power, how could we suffer defeat?!
Xia Tingfeng also laughed heartily.
"Yes!"
...
Half a month after receiving Haitang’s letter.
Zhao Junyao received a formal visit document from Western Xia.
Exactly as Haitang had described in her letter.
Hai Xiangjin, under the guise of visiting his daughter, intends to visit Chu Dynasty.
Zhao Junyao stared at the document for a long time before picking up his imperial pen to write several passages.
The general meaning was ’Welcome you to visit,’ ’You must stay for several days,’ and other courteous remarks.
Zhao Junyao instructed to send out the invitation.
Then promptly dispatched messengers to inform the Fifth Princess Consort, Hai Feng.
Actually, Hai Feng had already received word of her father’s visit.
However, she still feigned surprise, expressing endless gratitude.
"Many thanks to the Emperor!"
The expression was close to heartfelt gratitude.
After thanking, she graciously handed a large purse to the little eunuch.
Then ordered her people to courteously send him out the door.
That respectful and polite demeanor starkly contrasted her formerly arrogant nature.
The little eunuch was somewhat puzzled.
Unable to shake the feeling that something didn’t seem right, the change was too abrupt!
Why does it feel... somewhat unreal?
After a moment of pondering without an answer, he shook his head.
"Forget it, no matter, better return to report!"
With this thought, he briskly departed.
The feeling the little eunuch couldn’t articulate.
Was called ’the cover-up only makes it more obvious,’ ’there’s no silver here,’ and ’abnormality indicates sinister intent.’
...
Ever since receiving the Emperor’s decree.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of War, and Ministry of Revenue became busily engaged.
Border commanders and key inland defense checkpoints began intensifying military drills, reinforcing defenses.
Further, Zhao Junyao secretly deployed a network of Hidden Guards along the journey to the capital, within the capital, and throughout Prince Zhe Mansion.
Ensuring that any movement would not escape his notice.