novelraw Chapter 828 - 806: Heirs
Chapter 828 - 806: Heirs
Everyone looked at each other in dismay, not understanding why Xie Xun would say such a thing. Could it be that there was a rift between the Xie brothers?
Lin Helin asked, "What does His Majesty intend?"
"I will order the Marshal to increase troops at the border, and at that time, I will send Dugu Jing with thirty thousand original Beiman soldiers to the border. Through my actions, I will show Second Brother and the King of Sannan that I do not want Second Brother to inherit the Sannan throne!" Xie Xun’s words stirred a thousand waves, one after another, nearly overwhelming everyone. Even Lin Helin was a bit surprised, yet he agreed.
Lin Helin said, "It’s enough for the Marshal to increase troops. The Beiman soldiers have not yet shown true loyalty. If Dugu Jing leads the army, I fear it will arouse dissatisfaction among the soldiers."
"After the Beiman soldiers surrendered, their hearts were restless. They were uneasy about whether they would receive equal treatment in the future, filled with uncertainty about life ahead. If there is an opportunity for an external campaign now, with a call to arms, it can deepen their sense of belonging and identity with Beining. Since the commander is Dugu Jing, he can command all the Beiman soldiers. I happen to lack an opportunity to make the Beiman feel Beining’s sincerity towards them. Since Sannan has presented itself, naturally, we must use it! This is a great opportunity to tame the Beiman, much better than sending them to the twelve states to cause unrest. Once the other Beiman soldiers see their comrades have the chance to campaign, they too will gradually settle down. Currently, the policy towards Beiman is stability, and this is a perfect opportunity."
In political affairs, Lin Helin has a remarkable vision, but in military matters, he is far from Xie Xun. Xie Xun, having been immersed in these matters from a young age, and having battled with the Beiman for several years in Ningzhou, understands both himself and his enemy and knows exactly how to conquer the Beiman.
The other members of the cabinet did not agree with Xie Xun’s approach, but Xie Xun firmly opposed their opinions and decided decisively.
Lin Helin could only choose to trust Xie Xun and Dugu Jing, contemplating whether Ting Feng had anticipated Xie Xun’s actions, allowing the news to reach the Capital City so quickly. He had always had intimate knowledge of Xie Xun, knowing what decisions he would make from miles away, avoiding any need for communication to prevent the King of Sannan from suspecting that the brothers had deliberately staged a situation.
They seemed to be plotting against Sannan, but in truth, their aim was the Beiman.
Dugu Jing received the imperial edict, ordering him to lead thirty thousand Beiman soldiers on a campaign, and he was stunned. He thought it would be at least three to four more years, until after he married and had a family, that Xie Xun would rely heavily on him and let him lead troops. Unexpectedly, only months after the Beiman’s surrender, Xie Xun, not holding past grievances, allowed him to lead troops to the Sannan Border to join forces with the Jiangnan garrison under the Marshal, and, moreover, to lead Beiman soldiers, with the choice of who would follow him left to his discretion. The only requirement was that Dugu Jing must be able to command the Beiman soldiers.
The Beiman soldiers had always admired and trusted Dugu Jing, even upon surrender. At Dugu Jing’s command, the soldiers followed him willingly to Beining. The chance to enter the battlefield now was a source of joy and excitement for them.
Gathering thirty thousand Beiman troops was an easy task. After accepting the command, Dugu Jing quickly began writing letters to his old subordinates to prepare. His only frustration was that upon reaching the border, he would have to follow Marshal Fang’s directives.
He couldn’t make autonomous decisions, but remembering that Marshal Fang might become his father-in-law in the future, any dissatisfaction in his heart dissipated.
When Fengyu learned of Xie Xun’s decision, she once more sought out the High Priest for a secret remedy. The High Priest still made excuses about the remedy being lost, and Fengyu gave a soft laugh as she looked at him, "I understand. I won’t come seeking it from the High Priest again. Since it’s lost, what a pity it is that we are not destined to see it."
The High Priest remained calm and unflustered.
Despite her youth, Fengyu held her ground against the wily High Priest. "The High Priest should have heard the news. Prince Yan is a bloodline of the Sannan Royal Family, and now he is also considering taking the Sannan throne. Originally, His Majesty and Prince Yan were on brotherly terms. He fears that His Highness Prince Yan might be poisoned or schemed against in Sannan. Nowadays, the King of Sannan shouldn’t harm Prince Yan, as Prince Yan is the only path to secure Sannan’s future. So this remedy is not needed. Moreover, Duke Wu’an is also about to lead troops to Sannan. May the world’s hearts align, and may the High Priest’s wishes be fulfilled!"
Fengyu pondered that since she had approached the High Priest so many times and he remained unwilling to trade, she might as well give up. There was still the risk of Second Brother being poisoned, but it was impossible for Beining to make a private deal with the High Priest.
The more she appeared eager, the more the High Priest held the remedy as a prized commodity. If she stopped asking, and the High Priest had any desires, there might still be hope. But if by the time Dugu Jing set out on his campaign he remained unmoved, Fengyu would be out of options.
Xie Xun had long been displeased with the High Priest. His Ayu had made three attempts to persuade him, yet he remained stubborn. "You shouldn’t seek him out anymore. If it’s lost, then it’s best it never resurfaces in this lifetime, or it would be deceit towards the Emperor. I have ways to deal with him."
"No need to resort to such barbarism. The remedy is his, and if he chooses to give it, that’s a favor. If not, we can’t take it by force!"
After dinner, Xie Xun lay with his head on Fengyu’s lap. She was gently massaging his temples. Ever since Xie Jue went to Sannan, Xie Xun had not had a peaceful night’s sleep, and the pressure was immense. His old headache had recently returned, and Fengyu knew he was suffering.
Ruyi would tease him, yet she hadn’t seen him smile much lately.
Xie Xun hummed, and Fengyu chuckled lightly, lowering her head to kiss his brow. Xie Xun turned her hand to clasp her, kissing her lips. After a day’s toil, only by returning to her side could he find a moment of relaxation.
They called for water several times during the night, and the palace maids outside blushed. Qiuxiang and Chunlu dismissed the night guards and stood at the ready themselves.
Lately, Xie Xun had been fatigued, sleeping more soundly than even Fengyu. After feigning sleep for a quarter-hour, Fengyu rose from the bed, draping a thin cloak over herself, and went to the outer hall. Qiuxiang quietly entered with a bowl in hand, "Your Highness, the medicine was just warmed up. Chunlu added a bit of honey; it shouldn’t taste as bitter."
Though it was less bitter, the taste was still strange. This was a fertility aid, and Fengyu, in her desire for children, besides maintaining her health, would drink this aid after each encounter. It was chosen by Doctor Zhou and Zhang Lingzheng.
"Did Doctor Zhang say honey can be added?"
"Rest assured, Your Highness, it’s safe to add and won’t affect its efficacy." Qiuxiang couldn’t help but murmur, "After drinking for so long, why hasn’t it worked yet? Could it be that His Majesty secretly had Doctor Zhang change the medicine?"
Fengyu felt a bit disheartened, and Qiuxiang realized her mistake, hastily pleading for forgiveness, "Your Highness, it was imprudent of this servant to speak."
"It’s alright. It was never meant to be an easy task." Fengyu, though disappointed, wasn’t forceful. Everything that should be done had been done. Whether it would work or not was up to fate.
Fate with children depended on the right circumstances, which were beyond control.
She gently caressed her abdomen, dreaming recently of having a child with Xie Xun. She wondered if it was because her thoughts during the day led to dreams at night.