The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 450 Gentle Breeze and Rain (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader 'Su Anran')
Bozhou, Hebei Province.

The wheels rolled rhythmically over the thawing, muddy road.

The carriage Xiao Yan was riding in was spacious and stable, and the interior was very warm, dispelling the chill of early spring.

The carriage curtain fluttered slightly, and Bago silently slipped in. He then knelt on one knee in front of Xiao Yan, who was resting with his eyes closed, and presented him with an urgent secret letter sealed with sealing wax.

"Your Majesty, a second urgent report from the northern desert."

Xiao Yan opened his eyes, took the letter, peeled off the sealing wax, and quickly scanned the dense handwriting on the paper.

"This humble general, Yuan Xingqin, bows respectfully:"

The situation in the northern deserts has changed drastically. Shi Jingtang, a man who had surrendered to the Jin dynasty, secretly visited the royal court this morning to meet with Empress Dowager Shuli. He reported that the Jin state might have secretly sent trusted confidants to incite Yelü Lage to launch a premature attack, and was also plotting to lure the rebel tribes of Lü, Niepan, and Chute under the royal court's command with great rewards, and to lure the royal court's main force into a dangerous area, intending to cripple the royal court. Shi Jingtang asserted that the recent unusual actions of Bali Shensu of the Chute tribe were likely a key part of the Jin state's insidious plan, intended to use Bali Shensu to ignite a widespread war on the grasslands.

Upon hearing the news, Empress Dowager Shuli not only failed to immediately mobilize a large army to set up defenses, but instead made a grand show of force, dispatching her trusted general Zhao Siwen to lead the elite troops of the royal court, along with the strong forces of his maternal clan, on a massive march straight towards the Chute tribe, ostensibly to 'suppress evil spirits and subdue villains.' This move was so impressive that the royal court suddenly appeared vulnerable.

In my humble opinion, Empress Dowager Shuli is taking a risky move, intending to lure the enemy into a trap. If she had set up an ambush near the royal court, waiting for the Jin people and Yelü Lage to become restless upon hearing of the emptiness, and then launched a risky attack on the royal court or intercepted Zhao Siwen's return route, then the ambush troops could have emerged and achieved the miraculous effect of encirclement and annihilation.

To ensure the success of the campaign, Empress Dowager Shuli ordered her subordinate general to accompany the army and provide necessary support to ensure the royal army's success in suppressing the rebellion.

However, this plan is dangerous. I have considered it: First, if we follow the order, our troops will officially intervene in the internal conflict in the northern desert. Although it is a "supporting" action, once the fighting starts, we may not be able to escape.

Secondly, with Zhao Siwen's main force having left their stronghold, the western front to Yinshan is indeed vulnerable. If the Jin state or Yelü Lage launch surprise attacks or if various tribes on the grasslands make their own moves, our troops will be isolated and unable to effectively respond.

Thirdly, Empress Dowager Shuli's "empty city" tactic to lure the enemy also placed her in a dangerous position. If the enemy discovered the ambush, or if the rebel army became too powerful to control, she would lose everything.

This humble general dares not act on his own authority, and humbly begs Your Highness to make a wise decision: Should we respond to Empress Dowager Shuli's request and send troops to provide support and lure her into our territory? If so, what should be the extent of this action? Should we make a show of force to intimidate, or should we launch a full-scale attack on the various tribes?

"Awaiting Your Highness's decree, this humble general Yuan Xingqin bows and kowtows again."

Xiao Yan's gaze lingered on the letter for a moment, then he couldn't help but chuckle. He then lightly tapped the edge of the letter with his fingertip: "Shuliduo is a clever woman; no wonder she was able to recruit someone like Shi Jingtang..."

He looked up at Bago and said, "Send word to Wen Tao to reply to Yuan Xingqin. Since Shuliduo has already made arrangements for the Northern Desert matter, she shall handle it entirely. As for the Southern Desert and Yinshan regions, Wang Yanzhang and the Youzhou scouts will handle them. However, you must remind Shuliduo—"

Xiao Yan's tone became more serious, "We must be doubly vigilant and closely monitor Shi Jingtang and any possible movements of the Jin people. We must be prepared to respond to any unusual activity and not be unaware of our own danger. As for supporting Zhao Siwen... if there are indeed rebels on the grasslands, they should first display our banners to show their presence. If war still breaks out, then we should kill them without hesitation. When a general is in the field, he may not obey all orders. The appropriate course of action will be decided by Yuan Xingqin on the spot, without needing to consult him."

"Yes, sir," Bago replied in a deep voice, repeating the order word for word before turning to relay it.

Seeing that the person had left, Xiao Yan lifted the carriage curtain and looked out the window.

The snow on both sides of the official road had begun to melt, revealing the dark soil beneath, a sign that spring plowing was about to begin. However, this scene of budding life caused him to furrow his brow almost imperceptibly.

In early spring... Yelü Zhiwu should have been sent back.

This high shaman from the northern desert, secretly housed in a separate courtyard, was truly like a delicate pawn. Taking her in was originally a move to quell the turmoil in Yinshan and to accept Shuliduo's overtures. But now, all parties on the grasslands were making their own plans, and Shuliduo intended to lure the snake out of its hole to completely resolve the matter of Yelü Lage.

Is it too sensitive to send Aogu back to the royal court at this time?

How will Shuliduo interpret this? Will she see it as a gesture of goodwill or as a form of pressure? Will it disrupt her carefully laid trap, causing him to hesitate or even have other ideas?
However, if they linger without seeing them off... keeping this matter hidden from the Empress and Ji Ruxue is not a long-term solution. No matter how prudent Qianwu is, not to mention Xue'er, his first wife, with her intelligence, will find out sooner or later. Explaining and appeasing her then will be another exhausting and troublesome process.

More importantly, this matter is indeed somewhat difficult to talk about... He and Shuliduo's affair was not really concealed back then, so how can this be explained? Especially to Xue'er.

Xiao Yan's fingers tapped unconsciously on his knees. His trip to Hebei was so complicated that he had completely neglected this matter. Gongyang Zuo, who was originally the most suitable person to handle this matter, was currently in Hebei assisting Li Ting with the cleanup and filling vacancies among officials, and was unable to attend to it.

Send Wen Tao? Wen Tao is clever, but when it comes to these matters, Gongyang Zuo is more useful. As for sending Shangguan Yunque, given his nature, it seems more likely to cause unforeseen complications…

After thinking for a long time, Xiao Yan sighed deeply and decided to put aside his thoughts for the time being. He then had someone summon Bago and said, "Send a letter to Qianwu of the Prince's Mansion, telling him that everything will remain the same as before, and we will discuss it again when I return."

“Yes.” Although Bago didn’t understand, he had no other questions.

------

Bianliang, the inner garden of the Qin Prince's Palace.

Inside the warm pavilion where the Empress resided, wisps of smoke rose from the incense burner, carrying a calming, subtle herbal fragrance that warmed the room like spring, isolating it from the chilly early spring air outside.

The Empress leaned against a soft couch covered with thick brocade cushions, her belly slightly protruding. The weariness of pregnancy gave her a languid air, yet it did not diminish her innate dignified and majestic presence. She held a report in her hand, her gaze calmly sweeping over the words on it.

"...After the rectification of officials in various prefectures of Hebei was completed, the heads of 371 ringleaders were displayed for three days, and the rest were dismissed from their posts and exiled, their property confiscated and put to public use... The people's hearts were boiling with joy, and many praised the benevolence of the King of Qin and the strictness of the laws of the Tiance Mansion..."

Upon seeing the words "the people's hearts are boiling," the Empress couldn't help but smile faintly.

With swift and decisive measures, he deterred the villains and won over the hearts of the people. Although his journey has exceeded his expected return date, it has been worthwhile.

She put down the report and turned to look at Ji Ruxue sitting to the side. Ji Ruxue was sitting on a low table, holding a small, unfinished baby garment in her hand. Silver needles were moving between the fine stitches, but her movements seemed somewhat absent-minded. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and a trace of worry lingered in her eyes.

The Empress understood. She braced herself against the edge of the soft couch, her movements showing the carefulness unique to pregnancy, and slowly sat up straight.

"Xue'er," the Empress's clear and gentle voice broke the silence in the room, "there is no need to worry too much. Your husband always plans carefully before acting. Those people have irrefutable evidence of their crimes, exploiting the people, defying the central government, and even arbitrarily establishing 'Hebei rules.' They deserve to die. The sooner these parasites are eliminated, the sooner the festive atmosphere of New Year's Eve can return to every household."

Upon hearing this, Ji Ruxue stopped her needlework. She raised her head, her clear eyes looking at the Empress. After thinking carefully for a moment, she spoke softly, but her words clearly carried a hint of hesitation.

"Your Highness is right. I'm just worried that many of those killed were, after all, his old subordinates from his time in Youji, who rose from humble beginnings with him... While this purge of officials is gratifying, I worry... might it cause resentment among some of his former followers still in Hebei, or even in the court, and lead them to plot against him? The chaos has only just begun to subside, and external affairs are still unresolved. If this causes further turmoil, it could incite even more people... to rebel against him..." The Empress listened quietly, her phoenix eyes revealing a restrained brilliance and a hint of relief. She gently reached out, her warm palm covering Ji Ruxue's slightly cool hand.

"Xue'er is overthinking it," the Empress chuckled. "My husband's actions may seem harsh, but they are a necessary measure in chaotic times. A serious illness requires strong medicine. Those so-called loyalists, relying on their meager past merits, are actually exploiting the people, defying the central government's orders, disregarding the king's commands, and even presumptuously establishing so-called 'Hebei Rules,' treating the people under their rule like weeds, seizing farmland, and arbitrarily conscripting laborers. If this trend is not stopped, how can my husband's benevolent rule benefit the prefectures and counties? How can the law deter the regional warlords? If we don't kill them today, more parasites will follow suit tomorrow, thinking that merit can put them above the law. In the end, what will shake is the very foundation of my husband's nation."

She paused, then said, “As for feeling disheartened? If they feel disheartened because of eliminating such treacherous and harmful elements, then their hearts are not with the world that my husband is trying to create. What they are loyal to is not my husband’s ambition, but their own petty privileges and selfish interests. This is only human nature, but would my husband treat them harshly? Today’s thunder is not for killing, but to establish trust. To establish my husband’s trust in loving the people like his own children and in upholding the strictness of the law. To establish the authority of the Tian Ce Mansion’s decrees as unimpeded! My husband has already made arrangements in his letter; the vacant positions will be filled by those with both virtue and talent. This is a good opportunity to cleanse the old evils and promote true talent. We, who are in charge of the central government, should stabilize the rear for my husband and put his mind at ease.”

In truth, the Empress knew perfectly well that Ji Ruxue simply didn't want to see the hard-won stability fall into another dangerous situation, requiring Xiao Yan to personally run around and risk his life, just like the Hanzhong incident. Therefore, her words were naturally a bit harsher.

Ji Ruxue nodded in agreement: "Your Highness is right. I was too shallow in my thinking."

Just then, the beaded curtain of the warm pavilion was silently lifted. Guang Mutian lowered her head and walked in lightly, holding a sealed document in her hands. She walked a few steps to the soft couch, bowed, and presented the document: "Your Highness, Duan Chengtian and Yu Youshu have secretly reported this."

The Empress remained calm and composed as she accepted the secret report and broke the sealing wax. Her gaze quickly swept over the contents of the paper.

The confidential report detailed a private gathering yesterday at a restaurant of several mid- to low-ranking officials from Hebei province who had been marginalized or whose relatives had been implicated in the anti-corruption crackdown. During the gathering, as the wine flowed freely, some complained about the "inhumane" nature of the purge, the "mistreatment of meritorious officials," the "favoritism towards people from Henan," and how it had "chilled the hearts of their old comrades," their words brimming with resentment and injustice. The report also included a detailed record of the participants, the time and place of the gathering, and the main points of their remarks.

After reading it, the Empress remained calm and composed. She casually placed the secret report on the small table beside her, next to the letter from Hebei.

"Instruct Duan Chengtian and Yu Youshu to continue to keep an eye on things and record them. If there are no actual acts of collusion, incitement, or obstruction of the new policies, there is no need to alarm them."

She picked up the warm ginseng tea from the table, took a small sip, and the rising steam blurred her calm expression. When she put down the teacup, her tone turned slightly cold: "But if anyone dares to cross the line, or takes the opportunity to conspire and cause trouble, or obstructs Your Highness's new policies, they will be immediately arrested and handed over to the Kaifeng Prefecture for severe punishment, as a warning to others."

"Yes." Guangmutian bowed and accepted the order.

The warm pavilion fell silent for a moment, but then Duowentian walked in from the outer room. He glanced at Guangmutian first, and then said, "Your Highness, Han Yanhui requests an audience."

The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly, then pondered for a moment: "Lord Han requests an audience? What brings you here?"

"This servant does not know, but there is one thing. It is said that yesterday, a cousin of Lord Han complained in his mansion after drinking. Lord Han reprimanded him in public and ordered him to stay at home for three months to reflect on his mistakes. He came to see me today after his shift, probably because of this matter."

Ji Ruxue, who was standing to the side, immediately became serious.

The Empress did not react, but simply looked at Guangmu Tian.

Guangmutian immediately nodded in confirmation: "It is indeed true. Privy Councilor Han has dealt with the matter very severely; his cousin has been confined to his residence. Even his petition for forgiveness was sent to His Highness by the Privy Council this morning..."

The Empress smiled slightly and said, "Since Lord Han has requested an audience, it is not appropriate for me to refuse. Please make the necessary arrangements."

Guangmu Tian and Duowen Tian received the order and withdrew. A moment later, the Empress moved to a side hall. Several layers of gauze curtains in front of the main seat had been carefully lowered, leaving only the outermost thin screen, which vaguely outlined the scene outside.

Before long, steady footsteps came from outside and stopped at the threshold. Han Yanhui's voice came through the curtain, clear and respectful: "Your subject, Han Yanhui, Deputy Privy Councilor, pays respects to Your Highness the Princess."

After he finished speaking, there was the sound of his robes brushing the ground, and Han Yanhui actually performed a full kneeling ceremony.

"Rise, Minister Han." The Empress's voice was clear and gentle, revealing neither joy nor anger. "Take a seat."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Highness." Han Yanhui expressed his gratitude and stood up. There was a slight sound of chairs being moved outside. He sat down as instructed, his posture upright. Through the screen, only his blurry silhouette could be seen.

The side hall fell silent for a moment. Han Yanhui did not speak immediately, seemingly choosing his words carefully. After a brief silence, he rose again and bowed deeply: "I have presumptuously requested an audience today, and I am truly guilty beyond redemption. I have come to beg forgiveness from the Princess."

"Oh? What crime has Han Qing committed?" The Empress's voice remained calm.

"I have failed in my duty of discipline, which has led to my cousin Han Yanqing's indecent behavior while drunk at the residence. He has spoken recklessly and arrogantly, expressing much resentment towards the rectification of officials in Hebei, and even infringing upon Your Highness's authority." Han Yanhui's voice suddenly rose. "This scoundrel is unaware of the Emperor's boundless grace, does not understand Your Highness's profound intention to rectify officials and cleanse the corrupt, and is even less aware of the hardships the Princess Consort endures in governing the central government. His rebellious words are truly a misfortune for my family, and also the result of my own failure to restrain and educate him properly. I... am ashamed to have failed Your Highness's trust and the Princess Consort's expectations."

He sighed deeply: "Upon hearing of this heinous act, I was heartbroken. I publicly reprimanded him, slapped him twenty times, and ordered him to reflect on his actions within his own residence for three months, forbidding him from stepping outside the gates. I have personally written a memorial of apology, detailing this scoundrel's crimes and my own negligence, and attached his letter of repentance, which has been urgently sent to Your Highness by the Privy Council. I dare not presume to ask for leniency, but only beg Your Highness to punish me. Whether it be dismissal from office, investigation, or exile to the borderlands, I will have no complaints. I only ask that with this humble body I atone for my sins and serve as a warning to those who harbor侥幸心理 (a sense of侥幸, or a belief that one can get away with something).

His words were powerful and sincere, showing that as Xiao Yan's chief advisor, he had lowered his stance to such an extent.

A brief silence fell over the side hall once again. After a moment, the Empress's voice broke the silence, her words carrying just the right amount of gentleness.

"Han Qing, you are too kind. No one is perfect. It is only natural that there are many members in the clan, some good and some bad. Your cousin's drunken ramblings and rebellious behavior deserved severe punishment. Your ability to put righteousness above family ties, to make a swift and decisive decision to severely punish and imprison him, and to take the initiative to submit a memorial to plead guilty, demonstrates your understanding of righteousness, your consideration for the overall situation, and your fulfillment of the trust placed in you by His Highness and me."

She paused, then said, “I am already aware of this matter. You handled it properly; what crime have you committed? As for punishing you, that is utterly absurd. His Highness has clearly stated in his letter that the purpose of rectifying the administration in Hebei is to get to the root of the problem and promote the virtuous and capable, not to implicate others. As a veteran of Hebei, your most important task is to assist His Highness in stabilizing the region while you are in charge of the central government. The few dissenting voices within the family have already been quelled, so there is no need to mention them again, much less tie your hands or lose your composure because of them.”

The Empress's voice continued through the screen: "As for your letter of apology, I, on behalf of His Highness, approve it. I order your cousin to remain secluded for three months to reflect on his actions, and to copy the 'Tang Code Commentary' ten times, ensuring he deeply repents. If he makes any further reckless remarks or acts, he will be punished for both offenses without leniency. As for this matter, let it be considered closed. I hope you will take this as a lesson, restrain your clansmen, and be even more determined to work together with Lord Feng, Minister Jing, and others to advance His Highness's great cause. New officials are about to be appointed in Hebei, and it is precisely your discerning eye that is needed to recognize talent; do not disappoint His Highness and me."

"Your subject... Your subject..." Han Yanhui bowed deeply again, "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness. Your Highness is discerning and magnanimous, I am deeply grateful. Your Highness's teachings are like pearls, I will keep them in mind and do my best to select talented people to repay even a fraction of Your Highness and Your Highness's grace."

The Empress responded, "It's good that Han Qing understands. Go on, there are many matters to attend to. You are the pillar of the country, so don't linger here."

Han Yanhui kowtowed again, rose to take his leave, and his steps were noticeably more relaxed than before.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, only the warmth of the fireplace remained in the side hall. Ji Ruxue gazed at the Empress's serene profile behind the white gauze curtains, her eyes filled with admiration. Guangmu Tian and Duowen Tian stepped forward and silently rolled up the layers of curtains again.

The Empress picked up the ginseng tea and gently blew on it to cool it down.

“Law comes first, sentiment comes second.” She murmured to herself, as if speaking to Ji Ruxue, or perhaps to herself. “After thunder, spring rain is needed. The foundation of Hebei will ultimately depend on these people who understand the big picture and know when to advance and retreat, to stabilize and maintain it.”

(End of this chapter)