novelraw Chapter 827 - 805: Divergence
Chapter 827 - 805: Divergence
Xie Xun was still entangled with the Beiman High Priest over the secret medicine, and the news that the Sannan Royal Family had acknowledged Xie Jue was spreading everywhere, expedited to the Capital City. Such significant news was something Lin Xiao dared not conceal, and it was relayed to Xie Xun at the fastest pace.
Xie Xun was furious, "These cunning Sannan people dared to publicly reveal Second Brother’s identity. Are they treating me as if I’m dead?"
Another day of contemplating war with Sannan!
Dugu Jing listened to him curse the Sannan people for being cunning, feeling secretly pleased. Finally, Xie Xun could feel what the Beiman felt when Xie Jue caused chaos in Fox City of Beiman years ago. Who wasn’t infuriated then? Even the kindest of brothers wanted to draw their swords and head to the battlefield, just to kill Xie Jue.
"How did the Empress’s talks with the High Priest go? Can she obtain the secret medicine?"
"She thinks it’s unlikely, nearly impossible. Your High Priest won’t budge, insisting that the secret medicine is lost. What can I do?" Xie Xun said irritably. He feared Sannan might use underhanded tricks to harm his Second Brother, hence he wanted the Beiman’s antidote elixir. Now, the King of Sannan had announced Second Brother’s identity to the world. Alongside this announcement, he subtly insinuated that the King of Sannan intended to abdicate in favor of his heir. The Sannan High Priest only acknowledged direct bloodlines. Since Xie Jue was alive, the King of Sannan should rightfully be Xie Jue.
Dugu Jing gleefully said, "You’re being paranoid, worrying over nothing. The King of Sannan is too magnanimous to give the throne to Prince Yan."
"Stop flaunting your literacy there. You’ve barely read a few books and are eager to show off. My father always said the King of Sannan was an old fox who spoke little. He wouldn’t willingly hand over the throne to my Second Brother. Besides, after giving up the throne, he’s certain I can’t conquer Sannan without sending troops to attack. I could hear the sound of his calculations from thousands of miles away." Xie Xun, furious moments ago, had calmed down. A few days ago, Lin Helin had already mentioned to him that the King of Sannan might act first, announcing Prince Yan’s lineage mainly to see Beining’s reaction. Within a few days, all news would be transmitted to the Capital City. How would the court respond, how would the clans respond, and what would the people’s reactions be? Most importantly, what reaction would the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry have?
Dugu Jing, unaffected by Xie Xun’s bad temper, didn’t care much since he had no good temper in front of Xie Xun, and Xie Xun had a fairly high tolerance. Dugu Jing said, "So do you think Prince Yan will ascend the throne?"
"Ascend what throne? You should read a few more days of books. Sannan is just a vassal state of Beining, dreaming of enthroning itself? It’s merely a Vassal King at best. Do you think my Second Brother is interested? Being the King of Sannan is not even as good as being a Prince of Beining. Sannan says he’s the sole heir, but don’t forget, in all of Sannan, he’s the only outsider. It’s akin to a mountain where the Tiger King has reigned supreme for years. Suddenly one day, the tiger pack receives news that this mountain belongs to a snow leopard. Behind the snow leopard stands a tiger-hunting expert. The Tiger King, assessing the situation, hands over the mountain to the leopard. Do you think this leopard can survive long in the mountains? Second Brother isn’t foolish enough to fall for that."
"Though the Prince of Beining is noble, he’s still second to none, subject to others’ whims. Your culture is that when the ruler demands it, the subjects have no choice but to die. If one day he commits an unforgivable crime, executing him is merely a word away. It’s different in Sannan; one’s life and fortune are in his own hands. With Prince Yan’s strategizing, he could eventually tame all the Tiger Kings on this mountain. It’s not hard to achieve." Dugu Jing continued, his tone still somewhat provocative, "After all, it’s a decision made for a distant Prince Yan."
"You’re sowing discord?" Xie Xun exposed him, "Your intentions are written all over your face."
"What discord sowing? I’m stating facts."
Xie Xun scoffed, who would believe he is stating facts? Xie Xun said, "No matter what unforgivable crime my Second Brother commits, in my view, it is not a crime. Besides, what could he do? We’ve been brothers for decades, so it’s not something outsiders’ words can undermine, unlike those dozen or so Princes of Sannan who are all a disorganized mess."
"Your words have implications." After all, the Beiman Princes were also a disorganized mess.
"If you want to sit in the hot seat, I can’t help it." Xie Xun shrugged, only concerned with killing, not with burial.
Dugu Jing didn’t argue with him, just reminded him, "It’s better you think about how to handle this matter. The King of Sannan is waiting to see your reaction."
"What reaction can I have? Am I supposed to beat drums and congratulate Second Brother?"
"Prince Yan becoming the King of Sannan, shouldn’t you be happy?"
"Happy for what? I would hardly see a brother who turns into the King of Sannan. What’s there to be happy about? I’m going to be furious!" Xie Xun spoke recklessly, "If he dares ascend the throne, I’ll send troops to fight him!"
"Really?" Dugu Jing said, "I don’t believe it!"
"Then open your eyes and watch. If he ascends the throne, I’ll teach him a lesson for my father for being such a rebellious child!"
Dugu Jing pondered silently, such bold words!
Although Xie Xun was speaking out of anger, his actions weren’t reckless. Such news that reached his ears naturally also reached the cabinet side. Xie Xun proactively summoned Lin Helin and the others for discussions.
The cabinet side had long anticipated Prince Yan’s lineage, thus they weren’t too surprised. This time, the King of Sannan publicly announced Xie Jue’s identity. Many in the cabinet felt it was exceedingly good news.
"Even if Prince Yan’s birth mother is a Princess of Sannan, he was born in Beining, raised in Beining, his roots are in Beining. If the King of Sannan really risks giving the throne to Prince Yan, once Prince Yan settles into the throne, he could surrender to Beining, achieving both ends, and peacefully resolve Sannan’s surrender without using a single soldier, which is a good thing!"
Lin Hongyuan and Lin Helin had also discussed this matter at home, holding opposing views. Lin Helin said, "I think it’s inappropriate. Sannan’s surrender should be legitimate. If Prince Yan takes the throne and then surrenders to Beining, it’s illogical and disordered. Not only would Prince Yan be condemned by the people of Sannan, the Emperor would also be in disgrace. The Beiman tribe surrendered; the north hasn’t been fully stabilized, and hearts haven’t united. In such crucial times, if the people of Sannan rise against it causing chaos, it would inevitably lead to war sooner or later."
"Just a bit of a bad reputation; a few years later, everyone forgets. Those who accomplish great things do not bother with trivialities, no need to worry!"
"After Prince Yan inherits the throne and surrenders, it is the best choice for Beining. I think the Emperor should write a secret letter to Prince Yan, working from within and outside."
The more Xie Xun listened, the darker his face became. He asked with a half-smile, "Don’t any of you fear that after Prince Yan takes the throne, he won’t surrender to Beining?"
Everyone was speechless.
"Why should he surrender? He can rally support in Sannan; he is legitimate, with no one to suppress him. Why would he still want to surrender to Beining? Two tigers cannot share one mountain, and that is one principle that even brothers follow. How can you assume Prince Yan taking over the throne would automatically lead to surrender? Even I don’t dare hold such confidence!"