Chen Yun, the commander of the Shence Army, had mobilized 50,000 soldiers and horses to rush to Zaohe River. According to the latest battle report, due to the heavy snowfall of the past several days, the surface of the Zaohe River had frozen over with thick layers of snow, allowing the rebels to cross the river. The rebel leader, Yin Xiaozhi, was overall in charge of the rebel forces, while Yin Chengwu led a small team to cross the river and clashed twice with Chen Yun's troops.
Chen Yun led the Shence Army to fight, but was defeated.
As a result, more and more people visited the Yong'an Prince's palace.
"Who has come today?" Li Fengqi asked lazily, feeding his falcon.
"It's Minister Qiao, Lord Chamberlain," the steward replied, bowing. "Would you like me to turn him away?"
"No need." Li Fengqi paused, thinking for a moment before saying, "Send him in."
Ye Yunting was combing the wolf king's fur when he heard this and he looked up in surprise. "Didn't Wangye say not to receive visitors these days?"
Over these past few days, officials had come wave after wave. Some came to seek approval, while others came as emissaries for Li Zong, hoping to sway his decision, and still others were purely concerned about the war situation, hoping Li Fengqi would intervene to quell the rebellion.
But regardless of their motivations, Li Fengqi refused to see anyone. He maintained the appearance of a recuperating patient and turned a deaf ear to all disputes raging outside his door.
"Minister Qiao's intentions are different from those of others," Li Fengqi said quietly at last.
Official Qiao Hairen, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was sixty-four years old this year. Despite being a first-ranked official in the imperial court, he remained unmarried throughout his life, living in abject poverty. All of his income went toward charity, building benevolence halls and schools, which earned him a high reputation among the people.
Born of humble origins, he dedicated himself to bringing welfare to the commoners. During Emperor Xianzong's reign, he repeatedly criticized the emperor's extravagant indulgences and wasteful spending, which caused him several demotions. Later, after Emperor Xianzong passed, Li Zong ascended with Li Fengqi assisting him, upon which Official Qiao was reinstated to his original position.
This was a straight-talking official who lived simply and with integrity. He never involved himself in political struggles within the court, but only diligently performed his duties.
Though Li Fengqi interacted with him infrequently, he held the man in high esteem.
As they spoke, Qiao Hairen entered the room. He was fully attired in official robes, his hair and beard peppered with white, face wrinkled like orange peel, but his eyes were exceptionally bright and sharp.
He stepped forward and bowed to them both. "Wangye, Wangfei." Then, concerned, he looked at Li Fengqi's leg and asked, "Has Wangye's legs recovered?"
Li Fengqi invited him to sit down, ordered his attendants to bring tea, and smiled. "Since when does Official Qiao know how to speak such formal greetings?"
His difficulties with his legs were an excuse, and everyone in the court knew it.
"I mean it sincerely," Qiao Hairen shook his head, expression solemn. "Until Wangye's legs are healed, the northern border will lack a valiant general."
"Even if I am unable to walk, I can still protect the northern border." Li Fengqi raised an eyebrow, then personally poured a cup of hot tea for his guest from the teapot on the table.
"Then why won't Wangye protect Shangjing?" Qiao Hairen lifted the teacup, watching the tea leaves rise and fall, before letting out a long sigh and setting the cup back down again, his voice full of earnest sincerity. "If we truly allow the Yin family to cross the Zaohe River, those who suffer most will be the common people."
Zhongzhou and Jizhou were not far from the capital, and the rebel army rushed straight here with little baggage. They would undoubtedly lack sufficient supplies to sustain their advance. On top of that, the freezing weather made protracted battles difficult. Once they crossed the Zaohe River, they would inevitably loot local villages and towns to replenish their supplies.
The first to suffer would be the surrounding cities, villages, and their civilians.
He had served as an official for many years, experiencing numerous ups and downs within court. He was by no means ignorant to the political struggles between officials, nor did he fail to notice the open conflict between Prince Yong'an and the emperor these days. Even after learning about the poisoning incident and all that transpired afterward at Prince Yong'an's estate, he could understand the prince's actions.
However, in his heart, the common people always came first. Thus, he could only muster up the courage to be thick-skinned and take this trip in person.
He never lent aid when Prince Yong'an was in trouble, yet now he sought to force him to repay evil with kindness, which was truly shameless.
Li Fengqi understood his guilt, but he remained unperturbed. His voice calm, he said, "There is nothing Official Qiao should feel guilty over regarding what happened earlier. First, Li Zong kept the information under wraps, and second, I am unwilling to sacrifice so many lives without knowing the full situation."
Given his achievements and status, it was impossible that no one at court would have spoken up if Li Zong's scheme to poison him and lock him away in the palace had spread. First, Li Zong had purposefully concealed the truth, so those unaware assumed he was merely confined there for recovery. Second, Li Fengqi had prepared himself well ahead of time by secretly relaying messages through Wu Geng, reminding his trusted officials not to clash with Li Zong over his sake.
Back then, when he had been bedridden due to illness, if any ministers close to him had fought with Li Zong on his behalf, Li Zong may very well have used the opportunity to purge anyone loyal to him. Not only would such individuals have sacrificed their lives in vain, Li Fengqi's regaining control of the court after his recovery would also not have gone as smoothly as it did this time around.
Qiao Hairen was surprised, yet understood Li Fengqi's intentions soon enough. He cupped his hands respectfully. "Wangye is magnanimous."
Li Fengqi waved off his flattery and cut straight to the point. "Minister Qiao has traveled all this way, so I won't beat around the bush either. I will not intervene in the Battle of Zaohe River. But your concerns will not come true."
Still suspicious, Qiao Hairen pressed, "Where do Wangye's words stem from?" He spoke frankly, "Chen Yun lacks talent, and the Shence Army had enjoyed an idle life of luxury. No matter how you look at it, they cannot be compared to the Yin family."
The Yin family's power, after being entrenched in Yunrong for years, could not be underestimated—especially Yin Xiaozi, who though old, had once held considerable influence within the military prior to Li Fengqi's emergence. It was just that his age had rendered him less conspicuous than before.
Besides Li Fengqi, he could think of no one else who could face Yin Xiaozi on the battlefield with confidence.
Li Fengqi dipped his finger in the tea and drew several circles on the stone table as he spoke. "Yunrong's military district is divided into Zhongzhou, Jizhou, and Luzhou. Zhongzhou is under the command of Yin Chengwu, while Jizhou used to be under Yin Chengru until recently, when it became Yin Xiaozhi's command. Luzhou is commanded by Yin Xiaozhi's trusted general, Qi Dian. Altogether, these three prefectures have approximately 120,000 soldiers, but currently, Yin Xiaozi has only mobilized 80,000 troops, and there is no sign of movement from Luzhou."
He stopped at this point and looked at Qiao Hairen with a smile. "I trust Minister Qiao understands?"
Qiao Hairen pondered for a moment before understanding his meaning. He rose to his feet and said, "This old minister has indeed underestimated the prince." It wasn't that Li Fengqi didn't care, rather, that he had no need to intervene.
The three prefectures surrounding the capital were both allies and rivals, each watching over one another, supporting one another, and standing against one another. Now that the Yin family had rebelled, Zhongzhou and Jizhou had risen alongside them, yet there was no sign of movement from Luzhou—this was ample proof that Qi Dian and Yin Xiaozhi did not see eye-to-eye on this matter. As Yin Xiaozhi's deputy commander, Qi Dian had served him for many years and was intimately familiar with the situation in Zhongzhou and Jizhou. If he lent reinforcements to the imperial army, the rebel forces would surely find themselves cornered.
And if Yin Xiaozhi anticipated this, he must also have reservations about crossing the river, lest he find himself unable to retreat once he reached the other side.
This battle would not be so easily ignited.
"The Minister is only thinking of the people," Li Fengqi waved his hand and said.
With this answer, Qiao Hairen's expression relaxed significantly. After bowing to Li Fengqi, he finally took his leave.
Only after the man left did Ye Yunting speak up. "Wangye has told Minister Qiao about this, but aren't you worried that he'll turn around and tell Li Zong how to break the deadlock?"
In truth, although the situation seemed dire, it was actually quite simple to resolve.
The rebel army's greatest problem lay in their long-distance march; they lacked sufficient provisions, and with the weather being unfavorable, they couldn't afford to stall for too long. The capital might appear vulnerable, but if they employed a stalling tactic, they could exhaust the Yin family.
Moreover, Jializhou lay behind them, and Luzhou stood ready to provide reinforcements at any moment. With wolves before and tigers behind, if Yin Xiaozhi were sufficiently wise, he would refrain from making rash moves.
In fact, Ye Yunting himself had yet to figure out why Yin Xiaozhi suddenly amassed troops along the Zaohe River. Assuming he hadn't lost his senses, now ought to be the time when he entrenched himself in Zhongzhou and Jizhou, gradually taking over neighboring Yuzhou and Fanzhou, expanding his military strength, then aiming for the southern Nanzhou territory. This way, he could stand as a rival to the capital city. Moreover, Yuzhou and Fanzhou were fertile regions rich in resources, and bordered Dongyi—regardless of whether he advanced or retreated, there were viable paths forward.
In such a cold and freezing season, a long-distance raid on Shangjing was really a bad idea.
"The Young Master has such a clever mind, yet even you cannot understand this?" Li Fengqi's lips curled slightly as he looked at him with mocking amusement.
"...It is my own stupidity." Ye Yunting was a little embarrassed; indeed, he didn't understand.
The solution to breaking through this impasse was far too simple. If Li Zong knew, all he needed to do was station troops along the Zaohe River and maintain his position without advancing—this would force the rebel army to retreat. If the emperor wished to be a bit more ruthless, they could wait until Yin Xiaozhi had no choice but to withdraw, then secretly dispatch Jializhou troops to set up an ambush in the border of Zhongzhou and Lizhou. Taking advantage of the enemy's low morale and exhausted horses, they could launch surprise attacks and wipe out the entire rebel army in one go.
He couldn't understand it—if Li Fengqi didn't intend to help Li Zong break through this impasse, why did he tell Minister Qiao? Wasn't this just another way of indirectly informing Li Zong?
Li Fengqi narrowed his eyes, admiring the blush on Ye Yunting's face. He twirled his fingers, suppressing the desire to touch, and leaned closer, smiling. "This question is actually quite simple. Eldest Young Master, if you're willing to call me 'Teacher,' I'll answer."
"?" Ye Yunting frowned slowly.
In any group of three, there was always someone to learn from. There was nothing wrong with calling Li Fengqi "Teacher" if he helped him solve problems and dispel doubts. But the tone of his voice seemed excessively suggestive, carrying some hint of ill intent.
Li Fengqi saw his hesitation and leaned back slightly, then said with feigned nonchalance, "It's fine if you don't call me that, but this question is indeed very simple, even Eldest Young Master himself should be able to answer."
"..."
The more Li Fengqi insisted, the more Ye Yunting's curiosity was piqued.
His lips trembled momentarily, unable to resist temptation, before he quietly whispered, "Teacher."
He was used to calling Chang Yu'an "teacher" countless times, yet now calling Li Fengqi the same felt intensely shameful, so much so that his cheeks burned hot.
Even his gaze dropped, afraid to meet Li Fengqi's eyes.
"Is Wangye willing to explain it to me now?"
Li Fengqi's expression lit up with delight as he savored these words for a moment before leisurely answering, "I am not afraid of Qiao Hairen telling Li Zong because even if he does, given Li Zong's paranoid nature, he would never believe him."
In the past, Li Fengqi had been the one who advocated for Qiao Hairen's reinstatement. Now, after refusing to see anyone else, he only met with Qiao Hairen. Furthermore, he shared with Qiao Hairen the solution to their current predicament.
With Li Zong's tendency to be suspicious, he would likely assume that Qiao Hairen was one of his men and grow suspicious.
Moreover, Han Chan was also involved in this affair; he had always felt that Yin Xiaozhi's strange behavior had something to do with him.
He leaned back against the chair, supporting his forehead with one hand as he smiled at Ye Yunting. "The Eldest Young Master fails to understand because he has too high an opinion of Li Zong." He continued warmly, "Li Zong is not nearly as perceptive or intelligent as the Eldest Young Master, who grasps things at first glance."
"..." Ye Yunting looked away slightly, embarrassed by these compliments.
=== Author's Notes ===
77: Actually, I can be a teacher in other aspects, too.
Tingting: ?
No comments:
Post a Comment