Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

East of Shenjing City, Yuping Street, back alley.

Inside the main room, the middle-aged man's words were cold and stern, seemingly containing a hidden longing in his heart, and also a hint of icy chill.

This was the first time Liu Xuan had heard about the past of Gu Yankui, the Minister of War. However, the Minister of War was an unattainable figure for him.

So when his employer mentioned it, he just listened as if it were hearsay and didn't pay much attention to it.

Liu Xuan said, "My master asked me to find out about the peace talks between the imperial court and the remnants of the Mongols. The Ministry of War is the main government office in charge of the peace talks."

Although we had no connections in the Ministry of War, the peace negotiations between the two sides were all conducted at the Huitongguan. Before the peace documents were compiled into the Ministry of War, they were all translated and organized by the Honglu Temple of the Ministry of Rites.

So we learned through various channels that the peace talks between the two countries have recently encountered setbacks and the two sides are deadlocked.

Four days ago, the Mongol delegation suddenly raised an objection, demanding that the previously agreed-upon trade volume be increased by 40%.

The middle-aged man's gaze sharpened, and he looked somewhat surprised. He got up from his desk and strolled around the room.

When they reached the memorial tablet covered with white satin, they paused silently, seemingly lost in thought.

After a moment, he said, "In this world, everything, from small business matters to major national affairs, follows the same underlying principles."

When we merchants do business, it's common practice to ask for exorbitant prices and then negotiate down to the bottom – that's a typical tactic.

However, even if you ask for an exorbitant price, there must be limits. If it is too illogical or too absurd, it is not a price, but a joke.

We've also done business in the Nine Border Tea Horse Trade, so we have a good understanding of its ins and outs.

Anda Khan of the Tuman tribe was a powerful warlord on the grasslands. For many years, he had been preparing his army and had long harbored the ambition to invade the south.

In order to curb the southward expansion of Anda Khan's power, the imperial court not only had to strictly guard the nine borders, but also control the scale of the tea-horse trade, which was a more effective and permanent solution.

The imperial court will never let go of such a golden opportunity to cut off their lifeline, although I am not clear about the amount of trade that the court approves of.

However, this amount must be extremely low, merely a drop in the ocean for the three remaining Mongol tribes, only enough to keep them barely surviving.

Under such circumstances, the imperial court would never easily increase the trade volume, otherwise it would be shooting itself in the foot.

If the Mongol delegation tries to demand an exorbitant price and raises the amount by 20%, the court might agree to a 10% increase in order to delay the war.

This is how business should be conducted, not like this where they demand a 40% increase. Do they really think the Zhou emperor and his ministers are all fools?

Liu Xuan said, "Master, since this is an extremely unreasonable request, it will surely be in vain. How could the Mongols be so rash?"

The delegation of over a thousand people from the Mongol remnants entered Beijing to negotiate peace, making a very impressive entrance. It is likely that the leader of the delegation was no ordinary person.

Even we outsiders can see the truth, so why can't they see it too?

The middle-aged man smiled slightly and said, "You're right. How could the leader of the Mongol delegation, who can see the truth, not see it?"

As far as I know, the head of this Mongol delegation is Altan, a trusted minister under Anda Khan.

This man served under Anda Khan for over twenty years and was a renowned figure on the steppe.

He was highly regarded by Anda Khan, who said that he was skilled in both literature and martial arts, had a resolute and courageous character, and was quite intelligent and shrewd.

The rudimentary paths we can think of, Aletang could not possibly have failed to conceive of.

Since he clearly understands the implications, his arrogant demand is quite intriguing.

……

Liu Xuan asked, "Could it be that Altan has other plans? They sent thousands of people to the capital to negotiate peace, but they achieved nothing and returned defeated. Wouldn't that make them a laughing stock?"

The middle-aged man said, "The Mongol delegation has been in the capital for some time now. At the beginning of the peace talks between the two countries, they were at a disadvantage."

The government's suppression of trade quotas has always been maintained with difficulty, and despite reasoned arguments, no outrageous demands for a 40% increase have been made.

But a few days ago he suddenly changed course, which was completely unusual. Aletang is not a fool, and there must be a reason why he did this.

The reason for this is something I can't quite figure out right now. It seems that Altan doesn't want the peace talks to be settled too soon, as if he's trying to delay things..."

Liu Xuan looked puzzled and said, "Master, it is now deep winter outside the pass. The three major Mongol tribes are in dire need of winter supplies and are struggling to survive."

The Mongol delegation's delaying of peace negotiations is just asking for trouble.

The middle-aged man said, "Therefore, whether it is Anda Khan or Altan, they are both outstanding figures in the desert."

They would not make such a illogical decision without reason; there must be a reason we don't know about it.

In such circumstances, the inherent risks become increasingly perilous and unpredictable.

However, this is none of our business; let the emperor and the court officials worry about it.

In fact, regardless of the outcome of this peace agreement, war seems almost inevitable.

Liu Xuan looked surprised and asked, "What do you mean by that, Master? If this is really the outcome, why would Anda Khan need to send an envoy to the capital to seek peace?"

The middle-aged man said, "When two countries clash, peace talks are just a pretext for mutual buffering, whether it's to gain benefits or to probe each other's strengths and weaknesses."

The current emperor ascended the throne through extraordinary means, but he still harbors resentment and is determined to govern well and surpass his predecessors.

In recent years, he encountered a genius like Jia Cong, and took advantage of the situation to promote firearms, using the power of firearms to cleanse military power and eliminate the potential influence left by the former emperor and nobles.

He now has complete control over the Five Armies and is gradually bringing the Nine Border Garrisons under his control. Two years ago, he appointed Gu Yankui as the commander of the Nine Provinces to inspect and suppress the Nine Borders.

Last year, taking advantage of the Datong Salt and Iron Scandal, more than ten key officers, including the Datong Border Army Commander-in-Chief, were purged.

The neighboring town of Datong was also significantly affected, and the imperial court took the opportunity to relocate many generals.

Many of the key generals who now control the border troops in Datong are either personally appointed by the emperor or transferred from the Liaodong army.

Among the nine important border towns, Liaodong Town was the first to be controlled by the emperor since his ascension to the throne, and the Liaodong General, Liang Chengzong, was supported by him.

Now, the Earl of Weiyuan, Jia Cong, who is highly regarded by the emperor, also rose to prominence in the Liaodong army and shone brightly.

Everything in this can be traced back to a clue. The current emperor is no simple character; his desire for achievements has an odd obsession with them.

Having pacified the Jurchens and expanded the territory by thousands of miles, the emperor's appetite has grown. Anda Khan is a major threat to the court in the northern desert, and he cannot tolerate another snoring beside his bed.

In contrast, Anda Khan of the Tuman tribe, despite the decline of the Golden Family for nearly a century, was a rare and capable leader.

This man has always been ambitious. He united three major tribes with ten thousand households each and gathered more than two hundred thousand soldiers under his command, hoping to restore the glory of his ancestors.

Even if the court makes concessions in this peace negotiation and the Mongol remnants manage to secure 40% of the trade volume, would Anda Khan be satisfied with that?

Both rulers are ambitious men; with two tigers vying for supremacy, regardless of the outcome of the peace negotiations, a war between the Great Zhou and the remnants of the Mongols is inevitable!

……

Liu Xuan looked surprised and said, "Master, Anda Khan's army is strong and his Mongol cavalry is brave and skilled in battle. Once war breaks out, won't the Great Zhou suffer losses?"

The middle-aged man laughed and said, "Although Anda Khan is powerful, once the two sides start fighting, the Great Zhou may suffer some losses, and the war may become a stalemate."

But the Mongols were no longer the same as before, no longer the invincible force that swept across the north and south, and the Great Zhou was no longer as weak and helpless as the former Song.

After a century of migration south, the Han people were trapped in Jiangnan. Only after much painful reflection and perseverance could Li Tianling recover the Central Plains and pursue the fleeing enemy.

Afterwards, successive emperors ventured beyond the Great Wall several times, continuously weakening the remaining Mongol forces. The Mongols were severely weakened and were no longer what they once were.

After a century of trials and tribulations during their southward migration, the Han people's deep-seated desire to protect their homeland and their hatred of other ethnic groups are deeply ingrained and difficult to eradicate.

What use is Anda Khan's strong army if he can exterminate all the Han people?

Otherwise, his desire to emulate his ancestors and once again conquer the Central Plains would be nothing but a pipe dream.

The Mongols had become like frogs in a well, still relying on their curved swords and swift horses to dominate, unaware that the world had changed drastically, and thus they looked down on the heroes of the world.

Back then, the three Jurchen guards of Liaodong were fierce and daring in battle, not much inferior to the elite Mongol troops.

However, with more than ten new cannons and meticulous planning, Jia Cong was able to achieve a great victory at Yafu Pass and utterly defeat the Jurchen Three Guards.

With just over a thousand musketeers, Qingyuanji was able to surround and annihilate the remaining leaders of the Three Guards, wiping out their bloodline.

A gathering of heroes, a new generation of figures, the world is no longer the same as it used to be…

Liu Xuan breathed a slight sigh of relief and said, "What the boss said is absolutely right. Although Anda Khan claims to have 200,000 mercenaries, only more than half of them are his Tuman tribe's direct descendants."

The remaining nearly 100,000 elite troops came from the two major tribes of Ordos and Yongxielun.

Although the strong are respected on the grasslands, Anda Khan, as a direct descendant of the Golden Family, commands the obedience of both of these large tribes.

However, Anda Khan wanted to use it as easily as he would his own troops, which was somewhat less smooth and natural.

In contrast, the Great Zhou Dynasty had been established for nearly a century, with the north and south of the country unified and the Han people as numerous as ants, numbering in the millions.

If foreign invaders act tyrannically, we must not forget the lessons of the past and must unite as one. A single spark can ignite a prairie fire, and in an instant, it can become a force that burns the heavens.

"But once war breaks out, swords have no eyes, and the people of the north will suffer greatly." The middle-aged man said solemnly, "This kind of situation is beyond the control of ordinary people, much less something that you or I can influence."

We can simply observe the changing landscape, but in such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we cannot remain idle. We must strategize and plan, and do something appropriate.

Merchants can use silver and goods to accumulate wealth and influence the course of events, and can also forge talents to shape the nation's destiny.

Since these things are bound to happen eventually, we shouldn't let them slip by. We should make good use of them so as not to fail the general trend of the world.

A major cheating scandal in the imperial examinations spurred change and created a karmic cycle, which in turn brought us many benefits.

Two powerful forces clash, swords clashing across vast distances. Who will emerge victorious, and who will be the defeated? Who will ultimately triumph? Isn't that what makes it all the more anticipated?

As soon as the middle-aged man finished speaking, a strong gust of wind suddenly swept in through the half-open window beside the desk. It was cold and biting, making one feel chilled all over.

A cold wind swirled inside, causing the map spread out on the desk to flutter, and the snow-white silk covering the memorial tablet on the incense table to sway silently in the wind...

……

Liu Xuan composed himself slightly and said, "When the master mentioned Jia Cong, I was reminded of something."

News came from the Hall of Reunification that officials from the Court of State Ceremonial informed the leader of the Mongol delegation that the Emperor had appointed Jia Cong as the chief secretary of the peace negotiations between the Great Zhou and to participate in all matters related to the joint negotiations between the two states.

The middle-aged man was slightly taken aback and said, "There was no warning beforehand. Why was he suddenly appointed as the peace negotiation clerk?"

It would be a waste of Jia Cong's talents to be a fifth-rank Hanlin scholar to be the scribe in the peace negotiations between the two countries.

The current emperor is a shrewd man; he never acts without a reason. I suspect there's something fishy going on here.

Liu Xuan continued, "Jia Cong is unaware of this matter. Yesterday, a large number of Ministry of Revenue carriages were seen traveling through the city streets and alleys."

The carts were loaded with rice, grain, fish, meat, cloth, and other goods. These carts and horses left the city through Hongde Gate and headed towards the eastern suburbs.

Later, news came from the Ministry of Revenue that the firearms workshop outside the city, which was in charge of Jia Cong, had recently successfully manufactured a new type of firearm.

The emperor was overjoyed and lavishly rewarded the workers in the firearms workshop.

However, the affairs of the Ministry of Works' Firearms Department have always been kept strictly confidential, making it extremely difficult for outsiders to glean any information.

My lord, Jia Cong has unfathomable abilities in developing firearms. Back then, it was by developing his own firearms that he was able to achieve his great feat of annihilation in Liaodong.

The so-called new firearms were unknown to outsiders, but the fact that the emperor valued them so highly suggests that they were extremely powerful.

Should we leverage our connections to find out the truth behind this? It might come in handy in the future.

The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "The current emperor values ​​the development of firearms highly, regarding it as a national treasure, and has never allowed others to interfere."

Ever since Jia Cong first advocated the use of firearms, anyone who coveted firearms has met a terrible end.

Last year, a major case of illegal firearms manufacturing was cracked in Nanjing. More than 60 craftsmen and guards captured from the illegal workshops were all beheaded and their heads displayed to the public.

The emperor's direct descendants were all exiled and sold into slavery, their fates were extremely tragic and horrific, clearly revealing his intention to make an example of them.

Zhen Shiwen, the eldest son of the Zhen family, was reckless and foolish. He was misled into getting involved in the illegal manufacture of firearms and was eventually silenced.

The fault lies with himself and has nothing to do with the Zhen family. After Zhen Shiwen's death, it was thought that the Zhen family could escape a great calamity.

Unexpectedly, the emperor only refrained from speaking out temporarily because Empress Dowager Zhen was still alive and out of respect for the reputation of filial piety towards the retired emperor.

When the Dowager Empress passed away, and the period of mourning was about to end, the Emperor couldn't wait to launch an attack on the Zhen family.

A century-old family, generations of accumulated wealth, were wiped out overnight; their home was ransacked and their property destroyed. From that day forward, the Zhen family ceased to exist in Nanjing.

Liu Xuan felt a chill run down his spine as he listened to his boss's menacing words...

……

The middle-aged man continued, "A prominent family from Jiangnan is not even in the emperor's eyes. Wasn't the Du family the same back then? Imperial power is immense, and its downfall is imminent."

The emperor was not vindictive and solely focused on eliminating the Zhen family; rather, he was issuing a warning to both the court and the public, revealing his true intentions.

Anyone who covets firearms, regardless of whether they are commoners or nobles, will be severely punished without mercy, their lives reduced to dust.

Our current situation doesn't require us to use firearms, so there's no need to act rashly and create unnecessary complications.

If the imperial court's henchmen sniff out their activities and reveal their whereabouts, things will become difficult, and they'll likely no longer be able to live peacefully in the capital.

Liu Xuan said, "Master, your considerations are thorough. I was too hasty in my thinking. Should we inquire further about Jia Cong's appointment as the peace negotiation clerk?"

The middle-aged man said, "Although Jia Cong is young, he is extremely shrewd and resourceful, and you have witnessed the events in Jinling."

If he discovers something while investigating this matter and decides to retaliate, things could easily go wrong.

Moreover, he was incredibly lucky, winning every time he came along, which made things rather difficult.

A person with skillful methods is difficult to deal with, but a person with skillful methods and exceptional luck is even more difficult to deal with.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, do not touch him lightly. Only by maintaining peace can we wait for future opportunities…

……

The Great Zhou Palace, Wenyuan Pavilion.

Located to the left of the Meridian Gate, near the Hall of Literary Glory, this place was where cabinet ministers conducted their official duties.

Since Jia Cong had been appointed as the peace negotiation secretary, he naturally had to pay a visit to his two superiors, Grand Secretary Wang Shilun and Minister of War Gu Yankui.

He was very familiar with Gu Yankui. Back then, he had served as an observer in the Ministry of War, and Gu Yankui was his superior, who took good care of him.

Later, Gu Yankui recommended him as the counselor of the nine provinces, and he followed the inspector to inspect the nine border regions. Gu Yankui was kind to him, a junior.

As a result, Jia Cong gained the appreciation of Liang Chengzong, the general of Liaodong.

When Gu Yankui went west to inspect the towns of Jizhou and Xuanfu, Emperor Chengzong of Liang, knowing that Jia Cong was familiar with firearms, asked Gu Yankui to keep him as a firearms advisor in Liaodong.

This gave Jia Cong the opportunity to lead an army into battle and achieve the great feat of pacifying the Jurchens and expanding the territory.

Remembering the source of the water, Gu Yankui was very kind to him. Without Gu Yankui's help back then, Jia Cong might not be where he is today.

However, Jia Cong was far less familiar with Wang Shilun than he was with Gu Yankui. Apart from meeting him once during the palace examination and visiting him at his residence after passing the examination, they had no other interaction.

However, in terms of official etiquette, Wang Shilun's relationship with him was even more profound than that with Gu Yankui.

Wang Shilun was the chief examiner of this year's imperial examination, and Jia Cong was the second-ranked candidate in the top tier of the imperial examination. He personally selected Jia Cong as the second-ranked candidate and Jia Cong was his mentor in the imperial examination.

This is an extremely close relationship in officialdom, no different from being a guide for one's career in the imperial examinations. The same applies to Chen Mo, the Minister of Personnel.

Therefore, even though Jia Cong had a deep friendship with Gu Yankui, he still had to pay a visit to Wang Shilun first due to the rules of officialdom and the civil service examinations. This order could not be disrupted.

To avoid rumors spreading that a dignified fifth-rank Hanlin scholar is ignorant of etiquette and disrespectful to his teachers, thus making himself a laughingstock.

He arrived outside the Wenyuan Pavilion and, after being informed by the officials of the Inner Cabinet, was led into Wang Shilun's official residence shortly afterward.

Jia Cong had very little interaction with this mentor, but he had heard many rumors about him, saying that he became famous at a young age, had an early career, and was extremely shrewd and unpredictable.

In short, he was not an easy person to approach, but after meeting him, Wang Shilun did not show any aloofness.

He was pleased with Jia Cong's arrival, his smile was gentle, and his expression was kind, which made Jia Cong feel close to him.

Logically speaking, Wang Shilun was ranked first among civil officials, and his official rank was far below that of Jia Cong.

When Jia Cong met with his superiors, he did not follow any of the rules of officialdom, nor did he use any official language or writing style.

Instead, they prepared tea for him in the official residence, showing great courtesy to this student, which surprised Jia Cong slightly.

He couldn't be sure if this was the legendary, cunning, and elusive Wang Shilun, and whether he was always so kind to his students.

Jia Cong explained his purpose to Wang Shilun, and frankly told him how he had petitioned the emperor and been appointed as the peace negotiation clerk.

Wang Shilun smiled and said, "Yu Zhang believes that although the three major Mongol tribes joined hands to seek peace in the capital, there are underlying differences that should be investigated further."

Jia Cong said, "I believe that the court is now deploying troops along the nine borders, on high alert, and has banned border trade, which has plunged the remaining Mongol tribes into a severe winter of scarcity."

Historically, when two states negotiate peace, they do not rely on reason but on force. Since the Great Zhou has already gained the upper hand, the peace negotiations are essentially a foregone conclusion.

The court was well aware that Anda Khan harbored treacherous intentions and had always hoped to invade the south. In order to contain the enemy's vitals, it would never back down even a step.

Once the border trade quotas are finalized, the extravagant hopes of the remnants of the Mongols will be dashed, and war along the nine borders will be imminent—this is not an exaggeration.

Upon hearing this, Wang Shilun's eyes lit up slightly. The two nations negotiated peace not through reason but through force, which was truly a brilliant observation.

He felt a surge of excitement. He was only in his early twenties, yet his talent for the imperial examinations was outstanding; he could be described as exceptionally gifted.

But at such a young age, his insight into governance and the changing times is sharp and clear. Could it be that Heaven has truly made amends for his shortcomings, bestowing upon him wisdom from a past life...? (End of Chapter)