novelraw Chapter 818 180: What Does It Have to Do with Me? (2)
Chapter 818 180: What Does It Have to Do with Me? (2)
"It is precisely because my younger brother understands these commercial matters a little that our father can remember him again."
"When you have the opportunity to do something, do it well."
"Yes, younger brother understands."
The carriage continued to sway.
After a long time,
the Eldest Prince spoke:
"Your sister-in-law's dowry includes ten thousand barbarian cavalry. The Barbarian King is old and needs to pave the way for his heir;
We in Yan need to face the Chu State and Qian State;
So, in the coming years, no one wants to start a war in the desert. We definitely want these ten thousand cavalry as dowry, but I can't possibly take them."
Ji Chengjue smiled knowingly, having guessed what he meant, and said:
"Zheng Fan stands to benefit again?"
"Zheng Fan told me four words: 'using barbarians to control barbarians.'
"Indeed, these four words, even if thrown in the court, would only make those ministers nod in admiration, scratching an itch in their hearts."
"Do you say give or not give?"
"The decision is actually no longer ours. Whether you give or not doesn't affect whether Zheng Fan can get them or not.
First make him a king, then strip the title,
For our uncle,
what difference does it make whether he is Prince Jingnan or Lord Jingnan?
The Jingnan army still listens to him, and now the entire Eastern Conquest Army also follows his orders.
Our father is playing a two-man act with Lord Jingnan.
And my foolish Second Prince brother works tirelessly on this alliance stuff, but in reality, nobody cares about that damn alliance."
The Eldest Prince, upon hearing this, couldn't help but nod slightly.
"These ten thousand barbarian cavalry will definitely be transferred to the Jin land. Leaving them in the Yan region is not safe, and once moved to the Jin land, considering Lord Jingnan's care for Zheng Fan, who else would he give them to if not Zheng Fan?
So, big brother, just focus on getting married, the dowry issue was decided long ago."
The Eldest Prince showed a bitter smile.
"But we two brothers are not completely idle."
"You can help father with financial matters, what else can I do?"
"There is indeed something to do. Previously, the Northern Army trampled the clans too quickly, and there are still many matters left unfinished. As long as you are not afraid of offending people, I will talk to father for you."
"As long as I am not confined in the Royal Mansion, I am not afraid of offending people."
"Hey, younger brother was waiting for these words from you. Rest assured, big brother, our two brothers will not waste our time in the future."
"Sitting on the same boat with you, I might very well drown."
"And yet you chose to be on my boat?"
"But if I sit on the Second Prince's boat, it will never move again."
"Indeed, that's the reasoning."
The carriage continued forward.
The Eldest Prince lifted the curtain, but the bleak darkness outside obscured any view of the Yanjing outskirts.
After a while,
the Eldest Prince spoke again:
"Zheng Fan is quite ambitious."
After thinking it over, the Eldest Prince decided to voice his thoughts.
Even though he was now on his Sixth Brother's side, as a member of the Ji Family, he felt compelled to speak his mind.
"Who doesn't have ambitions?"
Ji Chengjue responded.
"Indeed." The Eldest Prince nodded.
"Someone without ambition wouldn't join our boat; following the Second Prince would be better, wouldn't it?"
"Indeed."
"Big brother, you have led soldiers, so you know better than I the importance of military power.
How did our father break the deadlock?
It wasn't about divide and conquer,
nor about diplomatic maneuvering,
or slow plotting.
Ultimately,
it was that day when the Earl of North Border and Lord Jingnan led their cavalry into the palace following our father,
using steel blades to forcefully break the deadlock!
That breakthrough was so swift, like the autumn wind sweeping away the fallen leaves.
So, we need a trusted person to lead troops. The Ministry of Revenue's new allocation for the Three Jin lands is directly inclined towards Snow Sea Pass on my end, haha."
"Just as long as you understand, though it doesn't matter. Our Yan already has the Earl of North Border and Lord Jingnan; one more Zheng Fan position won't make much difference."
"Isn't big brother still here? Ultimately, our Ji Family needs to find a way to keep military power in our own hands for safety. For now, it's just the only feasible way.
Isn't our father thinking and acting the same way?"
The Eldest Prince pursed his lips in slight sadness, saying:
"It's a pity I messed up this Eastern Conquest assignment."
This was originally a good opportunity arranged by the Yan Emperor for a Ji Family member to seize military power.
That's why Lord Jingnan wasn't made commander initially.
"No rush, no rush. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future; if I help the younger brother Zheng Fan, how could I not help my own big brother?"
"Sixth Brother, do you trust me so much?"
"Big brother, you're making a joke. Every prince is born nobly and has thought about that seat, right?
Even if in the end you sit on that seat,
at least it will still be a Ji emperor in the future."
"You know it's not possible for me."
His legitimate heir is destined to have half barbarian blood.
"Take it one step at a time."
After saying this, Ji Chengjue suddenly fell silent,
after a while,
he spoke again:
"Sometimes, I actually hope our father can live a long and healthy life. Father hopes to accomplish everything in his generation, and indeed, many things only he can do.