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

Chapter 525 Standing atop the First Peak of Wu Mountain (Part Six)
On the fifth day of the second lunar month, as dawn broke, several people had already gathered inside the Chuigong Hall of the Bianjing Imperial City.

In contrast to the public discussions at court, the private discussions held by the emperor and his ministers in small groups in their rooms were called internal discussions.

At that moment, Xiao Yan was sitting behind his desk, listening to the reports from Han Yanhui, Jing Xiang, Feng Dao, Guo Chongtao, and Wen Tao.

Guo Chongtao, the Vice Minister of War, slowly unfolded a map of the Jianghuai region on a large rosewood table, then, holding a thin handle, faced Xiao Yan and said:

"Your Majesty, Wang Yanzhang's western army has secured control of Parrot Island, Hanyang City, and the strategic location of Lushan. Shi Hongzhao's main naval force has also advanced upriver in the west, clearing out the remaining enemy forces and advancing towards Yuezhou to control the mouth of the Jingjiang River and blockade Dongting Lake. Privy Councilor Wang reported that in this battle, they captured over a hundred warships of various sizes from Wu and Chu, and took many prisoners, who are currently being sorted and reorganized. In addition, General Yu Zhong has also built a fortified camp at Lushan, forming an encirclement of Ezhou."

He paused briefly, and seeing Xiao Yan nod slightly to indicate that he should continue, he moved the thin pole to the Huaixi area:
"Wang Zongkan's central army is also making rapid progress. Recently, after a batch of artillery urgently transported by the Ministry of Works was deployed, General Wang took advantage of the unpreparedness of the defenders of Guangzhou and concentrated his firepower to bombard the city gate, achieving a decisive victory. The defending general was killed on the spot, and the remaining troops surrendered as soon as the city fell. With the fall of Guangzhou, our army can smoothly advance south along the Ru River and head straight for Huangzhou."

"As for the Eastern Route Army,"

Guo Chongtao's thin pole landed on Shouzhou. "General He is still following the established strategy, maintaining a high-pressure siege on Shouzhou. The relentless offensive day and night has firmly pinned the main force of the Wu army in Huainan to the city, making it difficult for them to attend to other matters. In addition, military reports have also come from Chi Li, the Duke of Qian, of the Southern Route Army. His troops have advanced north along the Gui River and are at the gates of Guizhou. The southwestern gateway of Chu is wide open, and it will be captured in no time."

Having finished speaking, he finally drew an arc on the map with the thin rod, connecting Yuezhou, Yongzhou, and Huangzhou to form a large circle:
"Your Majesty, if the three armies advance at this pace, by April at the latest, we will be able to form a large-scale strategic encirclement of Changsha, the so-called capital of the pseudo-Chu, from Yuezhou, Yongzhou, and Huangzhou. At that time, we can follow Your Majesty's previous strategy to first pacify the Chu region and then sweep across Jiangdong."

Xiao Yan's gaze followed Guo Chongtao's thin staff as it moved across the map, remaining silent until he finished listening. Then, he leaned forward slightly, lightly touching Guang Prefecture and Hanyang on the map, and asked:

"Now that Guang Prefecture and Hanyang have fallen, how have the surrendered soldiers been settled? How many of the captured warships are still usable? As Wang Zongkan's troops march south to Huang Prefecture, how will his flanks be protected, especially the detachment from Shou Prefecture and the Wu army from the direction of Lu Prefecture? Will they threaten his advance route and supply lines?"

Guo Chongtao was clearly prepared for this and responded calmly:

"Your Majesty's considerations are comprehensive. The surrendered soldiers from Guang Prefecture, Hanyang, and other places total about 13,000. Those who wish to retire and return to their hometowns have been transferred in batches to the military garrisons set up in Huaibei and Henan. The local governments have provided them with farming tools and seeds, and they have been registered as households to cultivate wasteland. This will not only prevent them from being scattered, but also increase the amount of wasteland. Those who wish to stay in the army to serve will be dispersed and assigned to the auxiliary military camps of various armies, where they will be responsible for transportation, fortification, and other tasks. They will be strictly supervised by veteran soldiers and will not be given armor or weapons without a rigorous examination."

"As for the captured warships... After a personal inspection by the naval commander Wang Xiancheng, it was found that the large warships were severely damaged, with less than 30% still usable; about half of the medium and small warships could be repaired and used. They have all been assigned to General Shi Hongzhao for secondary tasks such as daily river patrols and escort missions, and will not be incorporated into the main fleet for the time being, so as not to affect the overall combat strength."

Having stated the above points, Guo Chongtao then moved the thin rod to the area between Shouzhou and Luzhou on the map:

"Wang Zongkan's troops marched south from Guang Prefecture to Huang Prefecture, and their left flank certainly needs to be wary of the Shou Prefecture direction. However, Commander He's siege is very tight, and the defending troops are already struggling to protect themselves, so they will hardly have the strength to look west in the short term. Even if they can send a small flanking force to harass, the scale will be limited, and the reserve forces that Wang Zongkan's troops have reserved are sufficient to deal with it. As for their right flank, towards Lu Prefecture..."

After a moment's hesitation, Xiao Yan turned directly to the side and asked, "Wen Tao, do the Embroidered Uniform Guards have any updates on the movements of the Wu army in Luzhou?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Tao immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I was just about to report. A secret report from Yangzhou indicates that, under the pressure of our royal army, Xu Wen and the false emperor have been forced to reach a temporary compromise and are now working together to reorganize the Yangzhou troops. After the internal strife in Yangzhou was quelled, Xu Wen took the opportunity to order his eldest son, Xu Zhixun, to send over ten thousand elite Yellow-Headed Army soldiers, urgently transferred from Jinling, along with the Black Cloud Army who had defected to the false emperor, all towards Shouzhou, presumably to alleviate the pressure on Shouzhou..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle: "Xu Wen has certainly played his cards right. He not only used the situation to send Hei Yundu away, but also used it to stabilize the Huainan front, allowing him to calmly manage the situation in Yangzhou... Chong Tao, it seems that the right wing of Wang Zongkan's forces has become more unpredictable."

Guo Chongtao then immediately replied:

"Your Majesty is wise. The Wu army in Luzhou already possesses considerable strength, and the addition of this fresh force of the Yellow-Headed Army could indeed pose a threat to our southward-bound central army. However, I and the Privy Council have already considered this possibility during our previous simulations. When Wang Zongkan's troops march south, they will rely on the Ru River and the fortified cities along the way to advance step by step, steadily and surely. Even if the enemy in Luzhou attacks, they can use the terrain to resist step by step. At the same time, I have secretly ordered Yu Zhong's western army to move eastward after stabilizing the situation in Ezhou, to assist the central army in advancing on Huangzhou, allowing the central army to concentrate on dealing with the flanks and forcing the enemy in Luzhou to not dare to advance westward with full force. With the eastern and western routes supporting each other, there should be no major problems."

Finally, he became increasingly certain:
"As for the safety of the grain supply route, Your Majesty can rest assured. With the fall of Guang Prefecture, it has become the hub of our army in Huaixi. The grain transported from the Bian River into the Cai River, then through the Langdang Canal, and then south via the Ru River, can directly reach the large granary in Guang Prefecture. From there, it can be transported by land to the front line in Huang Prefecture, shortening the journey by nearly half. Moreover, the post roads along the way have been repaired by engineers, and many escort stations have been set up. I have repeatedly calculated with Chancellor Han and Minister Zhang (Minister of Revenue Zhang Wenwei) that the grain supply route is unobstructed and there is absolutely no concern about shortages."

"Good." Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction. "Then issue an edict to all armies, urging them to guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and to advance steadily. The surrendered soldiers must be properly settled to demonstrate the benevolence of the royal army. Captured Wu and Chu generals and officials who sincerely surrender may be employed according to their abilities to appease the hearts of the people of Jiangnan."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Guo Chongtao bowed and accepted the order.

Xiao Yan then said to Wen Tao, "The Yangzhou puppet regime is nothing more than a group of people with vested interests, sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams. The Jinyiwei in Jiangnan should prioritize infiltration and reconnaissance, keeping track of the movements of Xu Wen and that 'Li Xingyun.' The transmission of specific military intelligence needs to be more timely. At the same time, we can spread the message among the people and the army that the royal army is here to comfort the people and punish the guilty, and to stop the fighting, thus shaking their foundations."

"Yes," Wen Tao replied solemnly, cupping his hands in greeting.

The subsequent internal discussion lasted for nearly half an hour, covering a wide range of government affairs, including the scheduling of spring plowing in Hebei and Hedong, the dredging of the Grand Canal, and the backlog of criminal cases. Xiao Yan listened attentively or interrupted to ask follow-up questions, always getting to the heart of the matter, which made his subordinates tremble with fear and dare not be perfunctory in the slightest.

Xiao Yan was always quick and organized in handling government affairs. His thorough understanding of matters concerning the nation's finances, criminal law, military settlements, and other affairs impressed even seasoned ministers like Han Yanhui.

When discussing the taxes of the newly annexed prefectures of Huainan, Xiao Yan issued a special edict exempting them from this year's summer taxes. He also ordered the Censorate and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to conduct a thorough investigation into the abuses of local powerful families who took advantage of the war to hoard goods and seize farmland.

Finally, when a minister brought up the matter of rewarding the soldiers who had fought in the southern campaign, Xiao Yan waved his hand to stop him before he could finish speaking:

"Our soldiers are currently fighting a bloody battle on the riverbank, suffering casualties every moment. How can I, sitting comfortably in Bianliang, preemptively reward them? When Jiangnan is completely pacified and the world is united, public opinion will prevail before the Sun and Moon Tower. The most urgent task at present is to ensure the uninterrupted supply of food, provisions, and weapons to the front lines, to stabilize the hearts of the people in the newly annexed territories, and to ensure that our soldiers have no worries about the rear."

All the ministers were sincerely convinced and praised His Majesty's wisdom.

The internal discussion ended at the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

The officials filed out of the Chuigong Hall, but Xiao Yan did not rise. He buried himself again in the memorials on his desk. He sketched with his vermilion brush, sometimes pausing to ponder, sometimes writing several lines quickly. It wasn't until early noon, when the sunlight outside the hall grew stronger and beams of light shone through the carved window lattices, illuminating the swirling dust, that he finally put down his brush, leaned back in his chair, and raised his hand to rub his aching brow.

Seeing this, Zhong Xiao Kui, who had been waiting quietly to the side, stepped forward discreetly and whispered, "Everyone, the carriages are ready as instructed. However, it's getting late, almost noon. Should we have lunch first before setting off? I'll have the Imperial Kitchen prepare some simple snacks..."

“There’s no need to make a big fuss,” Xiao Yan waved his hand. “Just keep some dry food and water in the carriage. I’ve been wanting to see for a while now how the people in the fields eat lunch during this busy spring planting season, and experience the true atmosphere of everyday life.”

"Yes." Zhong Xiaokui said no more, bowed and withdrew to make the arrangements.

After changing his clothes, Xiao Yan put on a slightly worn blue-gray fine cloth robe, with an ordinary cloth belt around his waist, and only wore a Fanyang hat to shield his head. If it weren't for the air of superiority between his brows that was hard to completely conceal, he would look like an ordinary scholar.

He took only Zhong Xiaokui and a few plain-clothed Imperial Guards with him, and rode in an ordinary carriage straight out of the capital city, heading directly to the eastern suburbs of Bianjing.

As the carriage left the bustling city streets, the scenery outside the window gradually opened up and became more expansive. The fields were crisscrossed with furrows and ridges, and the soil, damp and dark brown from last year's snow had melted away. Many farmers were taking advantage of the fine weather to work in the fields, driving oxen and plowing the land in preparation for spring planting.

The air was filled with the pungent smell of freshly turned soil and the fresh scent of newly sprouting vegetation, with the occasional distant sound of farmers calling out to their oxen.

After traveling more than ten miles, they saw many people in the fields ahead, with many farmers gathering under the trees at the edge of the fields to rest and have lunch. Xiao Yan then ordered the car to stop.

He strolled down the ridge of the field, his gaze sweeping over the farmers who were enjoying a short rest after a long day's work. He saw them gathered in twos and threes under the shade of trees and by the ditches, some squatting and some sitting, holding large earthenware bowls, eating steamed buns and millet porridge with their own pickled vegetables and dried radishes, and drinking coarse tea from earthenware pots. Although their diet was simple, they ate with relish, and bursts of simple laughter occasionally broke out. It was a peaceful and tranquil scene after a hard day's work.

Xiao Yan paused to watch for a moment, without disturbing the viewer, and simply turned around to give a nod.

Zhong Xiaokui understood and quietly withdrew for a moment. Soon after, she led two Kaifeng officials dressed in light blue official robes, who were in charge of promoting agriculture and sericulture, to hurry over. The two men saw Xiao Yan's back from afar. Although they did not see his face, they saw the palace token flashing in Zhong Xiaokui's hand. Their faces turned pale and their legs went weak. They rushed forward to kowtow.

"Shh—" Xiao Yan didn't turn around, but simply waved his hand, his voice calm, "Today I am just an ordinary scholar who came here to observe the farming. There's no need to make a fuss and disturb the people."

Despite saying this, the two officials immediately broke out in a cold sweat, their throats tightened, and they seemed unable to speak properly.

Xiao Yan seemed oblivious, only asking whether the seeds, oxen, and farm tools for this spring had been prepared, how the promotion of the new curved plow improved by the Ministry of Works was progressing, and whether any difficulties had been encountered, etc.

The two officials forced themselves to remain calm and answered each other cautiously. When the curved plow was mentioned, one of them subconsciously glanced at an old farmer who had finished his meal and was operating a new type of curved plow not far away.

The new agricultural implements have slightly improved plowshares, plowshares, and plow pans. Although they do not look very different, they are significantly easier for experienced farmers to operate.

Xiao Yan also noticed this scene. Intrigued, he rolled up his sleeves, stepped forward, and said gently to the old farmer, "Old man, is this new plow easy to use? I am a scholar and am curious about this novel thing. May I try it out?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's extraordinary bearing, and noting that although he was simply dressed, the two men following him were important figures from Kaifeng Prefecture who treated him with great respect, the old farmer felt apprehensive and quickly gave up his seat, stammering, "Sir...sir, please. This plow is very good; it saves a lot of effort..."

Xiao Yan took the plow handle; it felt solid in his hand. Undeterred by the muddy field, he shouldered his weight, put his grip on the plowshare, and with a "hey," drove the ox steadily through the field.

Although his movements weren't as skillful and fluid as those of an old farmer honed over years, they were steady and powerful. Each step he took was extremely firm, the plowshare went into the soil at a uniform depth, and the furrows he dug were straight and deep. The surrounding farmers all stopped what they were doing and watched from a distance, whispering among themselves, their faces filled with curiosity.

Just then, several horse-drawn carriages with blue cloth canopies slowly drove along the dirt road through the fields and stopped under a willow tree not far away. The curtains were slightly lifted, and several women dressed in coarse cloth dresses quietly got out and walked slowly along the ridges of the fields.

Zhong Xiao Kui turned around and was immediately shocked. Just as she was about to step forward, she saw the woman in the lead gently wave her hand and smile, indicating that she didn't need to make a fuss.

And so, these women stood silently on the ridge of the field in the spring, their gentle gazes following the figure tilling the soil.

"What a fine plow! It saves effort during deep plowing and is much better than the old-fashioned ones."

Xiao Yan tried it for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and his face was still not red or out of breath. He was quite satisfied. He smiled and returned the plow to the old farmer. He then asked the old farmer in detail about his experience using it and where it could be improved, such as whether it was easy to turn and how well it worked in different soil conditions. He combined his own experience with these points and made a mental note of them.

Then, he said to the agricultural advisor beside him, “To do a good job, one must first have the right tools. This plow is already a good tool. After improvement, combined with the ‘two oxen pulling the plow’ method, it can greatly increase production. It should be promoted to all prefectures and counties as soon as possible. However, remember that the soil is fertile in different places, the strength of the people varies, and their farming habits are also different. We cannot force a uniform approach and apply a one-size-fits-all method. We need to send skilled craftsmen down to provide on-site guidance, adapt to local conditions, listen to the feedback from farmers, and proceed gradually. This is the way to ensure long-term success and avoid disturbing the people.” Upon hearing this, the agricultural advisor bowed repeatedly in agreement, keeping every word firmly in mind.

Xiao Yan nodded, turned and walked towards the ridge of the field. Just as he was about to bend down and brush the mud off his boots, his gaze inadvertently lifted up, and he suddenly froze.

He saw the Empress, along with Ji Ruxue, Jiang Chen, Chi Meng, Shuliduo, and a group of other concubines, standing on the edge of the field, looking at him with pretty faces and smiles.

They were all dressed in simple clothes and plain skirts, without any makeup, looking like ordinary country ladies enjoying a spring outing, blending seamlessly into the rural scenery. Female officials Miaochengtian and Guangmutian stood quietly behind them, carrying multi-tiered food boxes. It was unclear how long they had been observing them.

"You..." Xiao Yan was first taken aback, then his eyes quickly filled with surprise, but the words that came out were, "When did you arrive? How come you didn't make a sound? It's not a short distance from the city, why go through all this trouble?"

He instinctively wanted to step over, but when he saw his feet were covered in mud, he couldn't help but laugh.

Seeing that he had noticed their group, the Empress led them closer slowly, a sly glint in her phoenix eyes, and smiled gently:
"I've been here for a while now, and seeing how focused you are on your work, I didn't want to disturb you. But since you're so attentive, even eating your lunch with the soil, how can we sit idly at home? So I thought I'd prepare some food and bring it over myself. I can't let you and your officials work on state affairs on an empty stomach, can I?"

She naturally reached out her hand, and Xiao Yan, not caring that his hands were covered in dirt, smiled and took his hand, letting her gently lead him onto the ridge of the field.

Ji Ruxue had already walked to Xiao Yan's side, took out a silk handkerchief, and carefully wiped away the few beads of sweat that had seeped from his forehead and neck after working hard. She scolded him, "No matter how busy you are, you have to take care of your health. Your stomach isn't made of iron. Besides, what you said makes sense. How can we enjoy wealth and luxury at home while our husbands are working hard outside?"

The surrendered official leaned against a newly sprouted willow tree, his eyes sparkling, and glanced at Xiao Yan with a half-smile: "Exactly, exactly. Young master is considerate of the people's plight and is willing to be with the soil. Shouldn't we also be considerate of young master? We can also come and soak up the vibrant energy of the countryside, so we don't get bored at home."

Chi Meng looked around curiously, her gaze finally settling on the plow. She exclaimed excitedly, "Little buddy, the way you plowed the field just now looked pretty good! Much better than me!"

Shuliduo simply stood there with a smile, her demeanor calm and gentle, her gaze sweeping across the vast fields with a hint of novelty and appreciation.

Xiao Yan could only laugh and wave his hands repeatedly at their caring and teasing remarks, but his heart was filled with warmth.

The Empress then directed Miao Chengtian and the others to spread out the food boxes under an old locust tree with gnarled branches and newly grown green shade beside the field.

The food boxes they brought this time were quite numerous, including steaming hot millet rice, freshly steamed flatbread, several kinds of refreshing seasonal vegetables, a pot of fragrant meat soup, and some pickles and cured meat. Although they were not delicacies, everything was exquisite, fragrant, and plentiful, clearly showing that they had taken into consideration everyone present.

"You've all had a long day, come and have a simple meal together."

The Empress greeted the officials and farmers who had been standing frozen in unease. Her tone was gentle and kind, without any airs. She personally served bowls and chopsticks to several elderly farmers with white hair and beards, and had Guangmu Tian distribute the candied fruits he had brought to the children playing in the fields, which finally livened up the atmosphere.

Seeing how thoughtful and considerate the Empress had made the arrangements, Xiao Yan felt a warm glow in his heart. He readily complied and sat down with the Empress, Ji Ruxue, and other concubines, as well as the agricultural officials and farmers who were initially very reserved but were now flattered, to sit on the ground under the old locust tree and have a meal together.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the new green leaves, casting dappled patterns of light. A gentle spring breeze carried the mixed aromas of earth and food, creating an atmosphere of ease and harmony that Xiao Yan had never experienced before.

While eating the vegetables and meat soup that Ji Ruxue kept putting into his bowl, Xiao Yan casually asked about his two sons.

The Empress spoke softly, recounting the amusing incidents that Li Mingzhao and Li Dai had experienced that morning. She then chatted naturally with an old woman not far away about mulberry and hemp cultivation, as well as the situation of her children and grandchildren. Her conversation revealed her considerable knowledge of agriculture and folk customs, which gradually put the old woman at ease, and she became more talkative.

Ji Ruxue carefully attended to Xiao Yan's meal, occasionally whispering a few words to Chi Meng beside her. Chi Meng's eyes crinkled with suppressed laughter as Xue'er amused her. Although the surrendered minister still maintained a lazy demeanor, taking small bites of his food, his gaze kept sweeping over Xiao Yan's mud-splattered clothes and sweaty profile, and the corners of his lips involuntarily curved into a smile.

The lunch, served by the field, came at the perfect time and was quite sumptuous. The initial restraint of the accompanying officials and farmers gradually dissipated, and smiles appeared on their faces that were even more cheerful than usual.

After the meal, the manor was quiet and peaceful, and the spring day was perfect. Seeing that the place was far from the city and the people were simple and honest, Xiao Yan smiled and said to the Empress, "We have finished most of our business today. Why don't we find a clean and spacious farmhouse nearby to rest and experience the pleasure of 'rising at dawn to tend the fields and returning home with a hoe under the moon'?"

The Empress smiled and nodded: "I will leave it to Jiulang to arrange."

Ji Ruxue and the others naturally had no objections, and their eyes all revealed a hint of anticipation for such an arrangement.

Zhong Xiaokui had already led the Imperial Guards to make arrangements. They found a farmer's house with a decent income and a clean courtyard, paid him enough money, and the homeowner and the village officials, while still in shock, hurriedly cleaned up the best rooms in the village.

As night falls, the simple farmhouse courtyard is illuminated by a single, dim lamp. The croaking of frogs outside the window, along with the faint barking of dogs in the distance, accentuates the tranquility of the countryside.

Xiao Yan stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, gazing up at the sparse stars that had just appeared. The evening breeze brushed against his cheeks, ruffling a few strands of his loose hair. Ji Ruxue stepped lightly out of the house, carrying an outer robe, which she draped over his shoulders.

Seeing that he was still gazing at the starry sky, Ji Ruxue followed his gaze. She saw that the Milky Way was pale and the stars were sparse, with nothing particularly unusual about it. However, she could feel an indescribable calm aura surrounding him.

After a moment of silence, she whispered, "Just now, Lady Yu received a secret report from Jiangnan. The Princess of Shangrao was frightened during her escape and gave birth to a daughter in the early hours of the day before yesterday. Fortunately, with the devoted protection of Commander Zhao's men and the skilled physician Master Xu's dedicated care, both mother and daughter are now safe for the time being. Miss Lu has also stayed by her side the whole time, never leaving her side."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan continued to gaze at the starry sky. After a moment of silence, he said calmly, "It's good that you're safe. In the midst of chaos, it's already a great fortune to have survived."

At this moment, the Empress also slowly approached. She had removed her hairpins and ornaments, and her black hair was loosely tied up, adding to her gentle and graceful appearance.

Hearing Ji Ruxue's words, she pondered, "The chaos in Yangzhou is perplexing. There are actually two 'Li Xingyuns' appearing at the same time, one in the open and one in the shadows. One killed Zhang Hao to seize power, while the other took on the role of a body double and willingly became a hostage. Why did my husband order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to suppress this matter for the time being and not make it public? What is Yuan Tiangang's intention in setting up this mystery? And what is the background of the person impersonating 'Li Xingyun'?"

Xiao Yan finally withdrew his gaze from the starry sky, turned around, and pulled the Empress and Ji Ruxue close to him on either side. The two women nestled obediently against him, feeling the heartbeat and warmth emanating from his chest.

"That fake Li Xingyun was a double that Yuan Tiangang had been cultivating for many years. His initial intention may have been to protect Li Xingyun in certain extreme situations, or to serve as a whetstone to temper his character. But after Li Xingyun was enthroned as emperor in Jiangnan, this person's existence was more likely to become a protective talisman prepared by Yuan Tiangang for Li Xingyun. When necessary, this double would bear the consequences of becoming emperor and the infamy of the world, so that the real Li Xingyun could escape unscathed and withdraw."

He glanced down at the two women in his arms and continued, “However, people’s hearts are fickle. Living year after year in the shadow of another, playing the role of someone else, watching everything the real person possesses… this person’s nature is probably no longer content to remain in the shadow forever. He and Xu Wen are outwardly united but inwardly estranged, each harboring their own ulterior motives. Xu Wen needs a ‘Li Tang’ banner to unite the people, while the fake Li needs Xu Wen’s power to solidify his position. However, with the northern army pressing in, such a treacherous alliance is nothing more than building a tower on sand. In a desperate situation, Li Xingyun himself and the Wu royal family are likely in an even more precarious predicament.”

The Empress frowned slightly: "There is already discussion in the court that members of the imperial family have committed the most heinous crime of usurping the throne. If Jiangnan is pacified, they should all be severely punished according to the law as a warning to others. Husband... how should we deal with this at that time?"

Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment, then felt Ji Ruxue gently squeeze his hand back. He turned to look at her and asked, "What do you think, Xue'er?"

Ji Ruxue looked up at him, her eyes gleaming, and said softly, "The Princess of Shangrao is now a widow and orphan, and Miss Lu is also caught up in it, unable to help herself. They... are ultimately innocent. If we can protect them..."

Xiao Yan gently patted the back of her hand and shook his head: "I am not a bloodthirsty person. However, when the game reaches the middle stage, one must be careful when making a move. In the way of an emperor, neither law nor reason can be abandoned. When the dust settles, there will be public opinion and judgment, not a judgment based on momentary joy or anger."

He pondered for a moment, then stopped speaking and said, "Right now, let's see if Zhang Xuanling and his wife can safely deliver them to the Celestial Master's Mansion. The matter of receiving them in Jiangbei needs to be carefully planned and ensured to be foolproof. Now is not the right time."

As night deepened, the conversations inside the manor grew quiet, with only the flickering lamplight illuminating the three figures huddled together in the courtyard.

The following morning, after having breakfast in the village, Xiao Yan and the others set off on their journey back.

As we approached the outer city gate, dawn was breaking, and the guards had just opened the gate; there were still few pedestrians around.

Suddenly, several riders came galloping up from the side of the official road. The one in the lead was Sanqian Yuan, followed by Shangguan Yunque, and another young man dressed in coarse cloth clothes, with a tired and dusty face.

The men reined in their horses and stopped by the roadside. Sanqianyuan quickly stepped forward and whispered to the carriage window, "Your Majesty, this man is Qian Yuanguan, the eldest son of Qian Liu, the King of Wuyue. After many twists and turns, he secretly arrived in Bianjing by sea, claiming that he has a matter of utmost importance that he needs to present to Your Majesty in person."

Before being summoned, the young man in plain clothes staggered off his horse and knelt down in front of the carriage with a thud. Before he could speak, tears streamed down his face: "Your Majesty, I, your sinful subject, Qian Yuanguan, pay my respects! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" He kowtowed heavily, his shoulders shaking, clearly unable to control his emotions.

Xiao Yan gestured for the carriage to stop, lifted the curtain and looked out. He saw that Qian Yuanguan's hair was disheveled and the hem of his clothes was covered in mud, clearly indicating that he had traveled a long and arduous journey. He pondered for a moment, then said gently, "Don't panic. Now that you're here, please tell me what's wrong."

Qian Yuanguan raised his head, his face streaked with tears, his hands trembling as he held them high above his head, cradling a sealed letter and a scroll of illustrations:
"Your Majesty! Yangzhou is in chaos, and the Northern Army's might is overwhelming and unstoppable. My father, King Qian Liu of Wuyue, deeply grateful for the favor of the Tang Dynasty and the majesty's supreme virtue, dares not commit any further acts of rebellion. He has specially ordered this sinful subject to risk his life to travel north and present a letter of surrender, along with a map of the entire Wuyue territory's troop deployment! Our Qian family is willing to surrender as a whole clan, willing to become commoners, only asking that the royal army march south as soon as possible, pacify Jiangnan, and spare countless people from the suffering of war again!"

Upon hearing this, the surroundings fell silent instantly. Qian Yuanguan's cries were exceptionally clear in the morning air. Although the Empress and the other women remained expressionless, a glint of cunning flashed in their eyes.

Xiao Yan stared at Qian Yuanguan for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the surrender document and the map, but he did not immediately order someone to take them. He personally bent down from the carriage, reached out and helped the kneeling Qian Yuanguan to his feet, and said gently:

"The King of Wuyue is a man of great wisdom and righteousness, acting in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, thus sparing the southeast from the ravages of war. This is a great merit. Your father and son have the people at heart, which greatly pleases me. Now come with me into the city and I will explain the situation in detail."

Qian Yuanguan was flattered and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

Xiao Yan turned around and looked at the Empress, Ji Ruxue, and the others who were also getting out of their respective carriages. Seeing the surprise and contemplation in their eyes, he suddenly smiled and asked loudly:

"It seems my subjects in Jiangnan are eager to present springtime as a gift. March is the perfect time to travel south. My beloved concubines, would you be willing to accompany me to Yangzhou to enjoy the scenery of West Lake together?"

Upon hearing this, the women exchanged smiles, a spring breeze ruffling their clothes and hair. They then gracefully curtsied in unison.
"Your Majesty, we wish to accompany you to enjoy the spring scenery of Jiangnan."

(End of this chapter)