I am a soldier in the border army

Chapter 655 Dominating Six Provinces! The King of Jin and Yan? Invite him into the trap!
On the main hall of Weiyang Palace.

The hall was filled with noise, but Shangguan Ding remained calm throughout.

He's watching.

They were looking at the envoys of the Yan State who had already left the main hall, and also at Ji Yin, who sat high on the imperial throne behind them.

Without a doubt, the attempts by those Liaodong envoys to sow discord were blatant and rather clumsy.

In response, Ji Yin's plan to use anger as a cover to kill the envoys and thus incite conflict between him and Han Shao seems plausible.

Everything seemed so reasonable and natural.

Shangguan Ding glanced down at the three heads still lying below, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He was not surprised by Zhang Xian's death.

He witnessed the entire battle before the Lunar New Year.

Although Emperor Taikang died, Zhang Xian also suffered a severe blow.

The fact that he was able to survive until now is a testament to the good fortune of the eighteen states and his deep-rooted foundation.

Even so, Shangguan Ding couldn't help but feel a little alarmed.

This can be seen by tracing back the magical power remaining on the head.

Whether it was Zhang Xian or the remaining Zhang Ji and Zhang Zong, they were almost all killed on the spot without experiencing any intense fighting.

As for who this person is, it's obvious without even asking.

'I underestimated that kid after all...'

Shangguan Ding sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat regretful.

If I had known earlier that the kid had such terrifying potential, when we headed north, I would have risked turning against that Liaodong Tomb Tiger rather than giving him a chance to grow.

Now things have become a bit complicated.

Not to mention whether he and Ji Yin would put aside their past conflicts and secretly conspire against him.

That kid alone is enough to be considered a major threat.

Thinking of this, Shangguan Ding pinched his brow, feeling a bit of a headache, and muttered to himself.

"The world is full of troubles, one wave subsides only for another to rise..."

For a fleeting moment, he suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia for his old adversary, the late Emperor Taikang, who had troubled him for many years.

After all, in the past, he only needed to deal with Emperor Taikang.

But now that Emperor Taikang has died as he wished, Shangguan Ding has a vague feeling that he is an enemy of the whole world.

"Prime Minister, what did you just say?"

Hearing Ji Yin's question behind him, Shangguan Ding turned around and looked over.

On the throne so close to him, the new emperor, whom he had personally placed on the throne, was as obedient as ever, looking at him with fear and caution in his eyes.

Shangguan Ding stared at him for a while, and when he saw that the man subconsciously avoided his gaze, he couldn't help but snort coldly.

"Is Your Majesty afraid of me?"

As soon as he uttered those words, the noisy hall fell silent.

All eyes turned to the pair of ruler and minister standing near the throne.

Under the watchful eyes of many, Ji Yin's fair and delicate face flushed red, and he stammered.

"Prime Minister...Prime Minister, what are you saying? I...I only have respect for you, Prime Minister, how could I be afraid of you?"

Shangguan Ding's gaze remained fixed on Ji Yin.

For some reason, I subconsciously started comparing Ji Yin to that kid from Liaodong.

Recalling that day when the boy, whose cultivation and status were insignificant, was neither humble nor arrogant in front of him, and then looking at the timid new emperor sitting high on the throne, the difference between the two seemed obvious.

'It's a pity for Yun'er, while Zhi Niang is quite lucky...'

Shangguan Ding thought with a hint of regret.

It wasn't until this moment that he vaguely realized that Han Shao could actually be considered his son-in-law.

Unfortunately, Zhi Niang was ultimately an illegitimate daughter, and was casually thrown to him as a concubine, so she could hardly play a significant role.

'If I had married Yun'er off to that boy back then, perhaps things would be different now...'

……

No one knows how many thoughts went through Shangguan Ding's mind in that short moment.

After Shangguan Ding regained his composure, he finally spoke.

"Duke Yan's killing of the traitor Zhang Xian is an act of revenge for the late emperor, a great achievement for the nation."

"If we don't reward him, wouldn't His Majesty appear cruel and heartless?"

"In my opinion, should this person be rewarded, or should they be rewarded?"

As he spoke, Shangguan Ding looked at Ji Yin.

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Ji Yin, who had a personal grudge against Han Shao, was naturally unwilling, but when he met Shangguan Ding's gaze, he finally nodded helplessly.

"I will do as the Prime Minister says."

He has said this countless times since he ascended the throne, and many courtiers smiled knowingly at it.

Shangguan Ding nodded slightly in satisfaction.

"How about this."

"The Zhenliao Army has made great contributions in suppressing the Huangtian Rebellion. Your Majesty may first reward the generals of Zhenliao to demonstrate Your Majesty's virtue."

"Furthermore, considering that the Zhenliao Army has been fighting hard for years and the soldiers are exhausted, let them rest for the time being."

"The remaining areas are in chaos due to banditry, so there's no need for them to continue fighting bitterly. I will personally send the Imperial Guards of the Capital to take care of it."

"In this way, they can also feel His Majesty's compassion."

With the fall of Guangzong, Jizhou also fell into the hands of the Zhenliao army.

In this way, Han Shao had already occupied the six provinces of You, Bing, Zhuo, Qing, Ji, and Yan.

Not only does it dominate the Northeast, but it has even squeezed most of its territory into the heart of the Central Plains.

If we let him continue fighting like this, are we really going to let him one day besiege the capital?
Therefore, no matter what, the Zhenliao Army must be stopped.

Otherwise, the situation will inevitably become increasingly difficult to manage in the future.

At this moment, although the many court officials on the Weiyang Golden Palace were prone to making foolish mistakes due to their selfish calculations and complicated thoughts, they were ultimately not foolish enough to do so.

As soon as Shangguan Ding said this, they understood the meaning behind his words.

So they hurriedly bowed in unison.

"The Prime Minister is wise!"

But then someone hesitated and raised a question.

"Prime Minister, regarding this matter... will the Zhenliao Army obey the imperial edict?"

The plan was good, and it was indeed imperative, but that was only from their perspective.

For the Zhenliao Army, however, it seemed somewhat ridiculous.

What a joke!
Laozi finally conquered Guangzong and killed the three major bandit leaders Zhang Xian, Zhang Ji, and Zhang Zong. The remaining Huangtiandao, scattered across various prefectures, is now leaderless and in disarray.

Now is the time to reap the rewards, and you're making me stop so that your Imperial Guards can pick the fruits of your labor?

Isn't this forcing his Zhenliao Army to rebel?
Faced with these questions, Shangguan Ding was not angry at all; instead, he showed some relief and approval.

However, he did not directly answer the courtier's question, but continued on his own.

"As for Duke Yan..."

"I remember that when the late Emperor was alive, he had a great deal of trust with the Duke of Yan, and had long harbored the idea of ​​bestowing upon him the title of King..."

"It was only because I initially considered the ancestral system of Dayong that I had no choice but to make a rebuttal."

"But now that Duke Yan has killed Zhang Xian and broken Huang Tian, ​​such a tremendous achievement is beyond the reach of ordinary rewards."

"Therefore, I intend to appoint the Duke of Jinyan as the King of Yan, which would fulfill the late Emperor's last wish. What do you all think?"

These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.

According to the ancestral decree of the Great Yong Dynasty, anyone who is not of the Ji clan and becomes king shall be attacked by all under heaven!
Under this ancestral system, the Great Yong Dynasty lasted for more than two thousand years and went through ten emperors. There was never a king who was not of the same surname!
But now Shangguan Ding is going to break this rule himself.

For a moment, all the court officials in their purple robes looked toward the imperial throne with shocked and surprised eyes.

They understood Shangguan Ding's meaning and purpose.

A slap followed by a sweet treat.

But if this sweet date isn't sweet enough, why would Han Shao and his Zhenliao Army willingly swallow that slap?

But if one truly wants to impress Han Shao and thus keep this fierce tiger of Liaodong in check, are there any other ways besides bestowing a title upon him?
To hold the position of one of the Three Dukes and be ranked in the imperial court?

Don't be ridiculous. They finally managed to drive Gongsun Ying out of the capital. Who would want to 'invite' an even more ferocious and younger beast to their side?

Not only will they be unable to eat or sleep, but they will also have their power diminished.

For Shangguan Ding, this will bring unpredictable changes to his future plans.

Therefore, it seems that the only option left is to be made a king.

After all, for the time being, at least nominally, the world still belonged to the Ji family. Thinking of this, all the court officials turned their gazes to Ji Yin, who sat on the throne.

"Your Majesty! We believe that what the Prime Minister has said... is feasible!"

Once someone started, the rest immediately echoed in agreement.

"Indeed! Duke Yan's merit is immense; no reward other than bestowing upon him the title of King! We humbly request Your Majesty's permission!"

"Please grant my request, Your Majesty!"

"Please grant my request, Your Majesty!"

The uniform chants of "requests for imperial decree" echoed throughout the main hall.

Ji Yin, sitting on the throne, seemed to freeze in place.

This is a coup attempt!

Ji Yin glared angrily.

At that moment, his eyes seemed to be spitting fire, and anyone could tell that this surging anger was not feigned.

He was really angry.

Confer upon him the title of King! Confer upon him the title of King! Confer upon him the title of King!

Does he, a lowly soldier of humble origins, even deserve to be called a commoner?

You stole my wife! You killed the one who distracted me!
They even stole the last memento my mother left me!

It even forced me to kill all the maternal relatives in the household, and I even personally beheaded my own maternal uncle!
Later, I even went so far as to travel to the South China Sea for ten years!
ten years!

Do you know how I've spent these past ten years?
With such deep-seated hatred, you still want me to personally bestow the title of king upon him?

joke!

'I only want him dead! I want him dead!'

Ji Yin was filled with rage and hatred, but just then, he met the gaze of Shangguan Ding.

Although the position of the prime minister, who assists in governing, is below the emperor's throne, he is in a superior position.

Ji Yin, who calmed down in an instant, managed to force a smile.

"Prime Minister, could we discuss this matter further and consider it at a more thorough level?"

Shangguan Ding said calmly.

"What? Does Your Majesty have a problem with what I said?"

After exchanging glances, Ji Yin finally lowered his eyes and said helplessly.

"Then... let's do as the Prime Minister says."

Having said that, Ji Yin rose from the imperial throne, looking somewhat dejected.

"I may have encountered some problems with my cultivation recently, and I'm feeling a bit tired."

"I'm leaving now."

Shangguan Ding nodded in agreement.

"Go."

"Your Majesty is young and frail; it is of utmost importance to take care of your health."

"With the affairs of state in turmoil, Your Majesty need not worry too much, but simply take good care of your health."

This is the moment on the Golden Palace of Weiyang.

The pair of ruler and minister near the throne can be said to have taken the roles of powerful minister and puppet emperor to the extreme.

As Ji Yin left, Shangguan Ding's tense expression finally relaxed a little.

This test, which wasn't exactly a probe, completely convinced him that Ji Yin and Han Shao were indeed sworn enemies.

There is no possibility of reconciliation.

Shangguan Ding was immediately relieved.

In this way, even if Ji Yin has all the patience and scheming in this prison of the capital, he alone cannot escape his grasp!
……

Once the strategy is decided upon on the throne, there's nothing more to say.

However, the matter of bestowing a title upon a king is no small matter, and even if it is simply to appease the Duke of Yan, it cannot be done hastily.

Imperial edicts, imperial decrees, golden books and jade scrolls, all the necessary ceremonial guards and rituals... all had to be prepared before the envoys could finally be dispatched.

Apart from showing resistance on that day at the Weiyang Golden Palace, Ji Yin was extremely cooperative in everything that followed.

Even when the few remaining members of the Ji clan held their ancestral tablets and wept outside Weiyang Palace, saying that "the laws of our ancestors cannot be changed," Ji Yin personally silenced these dissenting voices.

This sensible behavior made Shangguan Ding feel much better.

What made Shangguan Ding even happier was not outside the palace, but inside it.

Good news has been coming from the womb these days.

His eldest daughter, now the Empress Dowager of the Great Yong Dynasty, is pregnant!
Shangguan Ding was overjoyed.

Because if this child is born successfully, it will undoubtedly add another trump card to his future plans.

Just as Shangguan Ding was overjoyed and even felt that everything was going smoothly lately, a piece of bad news suddenly came from the palace.

July of the first year of Xingping reign of the Dayong era.

The emperor and empress suddenly fell ill without any warning.

Faced with this sudden news, Shangguan Ding was both shocked and furious.

The eldest daughter of the Shangguan family, who later became an empress, also possessed considerable cultivation.

How could he fall ill like an ordinary person?
More importantly, there is the imperial prince in her womb, which is related to his century-long plan and must not be lost!
How could Shangguan Ding not be anxious!
Without any hesitation, Shangguan Ding entered the palace under the cover of night.

……

The night was very dark.

Under the cover of night, the layers of imperial palace walls cast vast stretches of shadow.

It was unusually quiet.

From a mortal perspective, it resembles a colossal, prehistoric beast that devours everything, lying between heaven and earth, lacking some of its grandeur and majesty, but possessing more of a sinister and terrifying aura.

But Shangguan Ding, who rushed into the palace, paid no attention to these things and scolded them.

"Why aren't the lamps lit? When have I ever neglected the palace's flower supply?"

Having said that, without waiting for the prostrate eunuchs to respond, he stepped into the imperial palace's inner chambers.

He shouted angrily before the person even arrived.

"Ji Yin! I entrusted my eldest daughter to you, and this is how you take care of her?"

"waste!"

To speak frankly of the emperor's name.

They open their mouths and curse, treating people like children, or even servants and lackeys!
To be a powerful minister to the extent that Shangguan Ding did is a rarity throughout history.

However, after Shangguan Ding's shout, the palace became eerily quiet today.

Shangguan Ding sensed something was amiss, and in the next instant, the terrifying divine sense of a ninth-realm Taiyi descended upon him.

But the rows of palaces in the dark night seemed to devour everything, and my divine sense was completely overwhelmed by nothingness.

Shangguan Ding's expression changed.

Just then, a familiar soft laugh rang out.

Ji Yin!

Knowing that something was amiss today, Shangguan Ding's face turned grim.

"Ji Yin, do you wish to die?"

"Don't forget, who gave you this throne!"

"Since I can give you my true form, I can naturally take it back—"

As he spoke, Shangguan Ding, who was where Ji Yin was, finally caught sight of him taking a step forward.

But the moment he stepped into that bedchamber, Shangguan Ding's pupils suddenly contracted violently, and a surge of anger instantly filled his usually dignified and composed face.

"Ji! Yin! Have you gone mad!?"

The terrifying aura of the Ninth Realm Taiyi was unleashed, sweeping away everything.

But Ji Yin in the bedchamber remained unmoved. His face, which was usually cautious and timid in front of Shangguan Ding, was now calm but mixed with a hint of amusement, mockery and... madness!
"What? Prime Minister, you don't like this gift from me?"

The faint candlelight flickered in the bedroom.

In sight, Ji Yin held a long sword dripping with blood, leaning against the soft couch behind him.

At his feet lay the elegant corpse of a woman wearing a phoenix crown, lying quietly.

Blood was everywhere, spreading out in large patches of red.

Combined with her fiery red phoenix robe, she possessed an extreme, poignant beauty.

……

(End of this chapter)