Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 852 Seaweed and Egg Drop Soup: No vegetables, no flowers, and no soup.
Not long after Xia Lin arrived at the Anxi Protectorate, various speculations and limited information about his meeting with the Empress spread rapidly back to Chang'an as if they had grown wings.

The imperial court was naturally in an uproar.

Led by Changsun Wuji, a group of experienced and prudent officials vehemently opposed cooperating with Xia Lin. In their study, they beat their chests and stamped their feet in frustration before several trusted ministers who had been urgently recalled.

"Cooperate with Xia Lin? That's like asking a tiger for its skin!" Changsun Wuji's hair and beard bristled, his emotions running high: "This wolf's ambition is as clear as day! He promises us business today, and tomorrow he'll march east. His Majesty must have been misled by him! We have received great favors from the country, and we absolutely cannot sit idly by and watch the foundation of the Tang Dynasty be destroyed!"

He looked at Fang Xuanling, who remained silent to the side: "Xuanling, you have always been resourceful and wise. Tell me, how should we deal with this matter?"

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard, his brows furrowed, and after a long while slowly said, "Xia Lin's power is indeed difficult to control. The superiority of their firearms and the strength of their army are beyond the current ability of our imperial army to confront head-on. A hardline confrontation is probably not a good strategy. However, if we fully agree to their conditions, what will become of our Great Tang's sovereignty? What will become of our dignity? In the long run, we will inevitably be controlled by them and become a vassal."

After a while, he continued, "The best course of action now is to stall for time. On the surface, we can engage in negotiations and agree to talk, but we can discuss the specific terms in detail and delay the process. At the same time, we can speed up the production of their firearms, train new troops, and contact all available forces, such as Tibet, Tuyuhun, and even... we can secretly resume contact with the Northern Han to jointly devise a strategy to contain Xia Lin."

“Although this plan is slow, it is more prudent.” Another minister nodded in agreement: “His Majesty must understand that compromise and concession cannot bring peace. Only by becoming strong can we remain invincible.”

However, this was not the only voice in the court. Some younger officials, or those from powerful families with vested interests in the Western Regions, saw the possibility of cooperation.

"Although Xia Lin is powerful, the trade routes and technology he promised are indeed tangible benefits." A senior official from the Ministry of Revenue said in private, "Now the Wei merchants are the richest in the world, and their goods are exquisite and inexpensive. If we can smooth things over, our Tang merchants can also get a share of the profits. The national treasury has long been depleted due to the construction of the new Xianyang, the production of imitation weapons, and the formation of a new army. If we can replenish it, it will benefit both the country and the people."

“Yes, I heard that the Western Regions Construction Corps is reclaiming wasteland and cultivating land, and the expected yield per mu is astonishing. If we can learn their methods, our Guanzhong region will be able to…” Another official from the Ministry of Works chimed in, his eyes gleaming.

“More importantly!” an official who had been sent to the Western Regions and witnessed the changes in Shanshan firsthand said in a low voice, “Under Xia Lin’s rule, order is well maintained and the people live in peace. Although his methods are ruthless, they are effective. If cooperation can avoid war and spare the border people from the suffering of war, it may not be a bad thing.”

Two opposing viewpoints clashed fiercely in the imperial court and among the common people of Chang'an, creating a turbulent undercurrent. Supporters and opponents attacked each other, and for a time, the atmosphere in Chang'an became unusually delicate and tense.

The news naturally reached the inner palace as well.

Li Jiancheng, the Prince of Qin who had begun overseeing the country, sat in his study in the Eastern Palace, listening to his confidants report on the court's controversies, his face expressionless.

"There are many conflicting opinions, and no consensus can be reached." He tapped the table lightly: "His Majesty is far away in the Western Regions, facing the pressure from Xia Lin alone... Changsun Wuji and others only know how to talk about loyalty and righteousness, but they do not know the difficulties on the front line."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sky outside the palace walls: "Tell our people in the Western Regions to obey His Majesty's decisions. Whatever choice His Majesty makes, I will support him."

His statement, to some extent, calmed some of the wavering court officials. But everyone understood that the final decision rested with the Empress far away in the Western Regions. And her decision would directly affect the future fate of the Tang Dynasty.

While Chang'an was arguing endlessly about the cooperation, inside the Anxi Protectorate, after repeated discussions with senior officials and intense inner struggles, San Niang finally made a preliminary decision on the idea of ​​"talking and observing, delaying and waiting for changes."

That day, she hosted a banquet and invited Xia Lin again.

The banquet was held in a waterside pavilion, with light gauze curtains hanging around it. A gentle evening breeze brought a touch of coolness and moisture, dispelling much of the sweltering heat. The dishes were exquisite, mostly in the style of Chang'an, and the wine was imperial brew aged for many years. Apart from San Niang and Xia Lin, there were only a few palace servants present, making the atmosphere much more relaxed than the last time at Xuanzheng Hall.

Third Sister changed into a more formal palace dress, her makeup was exquisite, and she looked elegant and noble in the candlelight, but she could not hide a trace of weariness between her brows. Every time their eyes met, she couldn't help but glare at Xia Lin.

"I apologize if my previous words were offensive, General Xia." Third Sister raised her cup, breaking the slightly somber atmosphere. "I have already ordered someone to draft the cooperation agreement, and we will be able to discuss it in detail with General Xia soon. However, there are many details involved, which are fundamental to both countries, so we must be cautious."

Xia Lin raised his glass in response, his smile gentle: "Your Majesty is too kind. This matter is of great importance, so caution is necessary. As for offense, I have also offended Your Majesty for many days, please forgive me."

The two exchanged toasts and chatted about the customs of the Western Regions and the old stories of Chang'an. The atmosphere gradually became harmonious, as if they had returned to the scene when they first met in Jiangnan. However, beneath that veil of warmth, there was still the cold national interest and political calculation.

There was really no other way. Once she put on the dragon robe and crown, San Niang was destined to never enjoy the romantic moments of ordinary people. Behind her were the livelihoods of 72 million people in the Li Tang dynasty and the food rations of 18 million households.

After several rounds of drinks, the moon rose high in the sky.

Third Sister seemed slightly drunk. She dismissed the servants, leaving only the two of them in the pavilion. She rested her forehead on her hand, gazing at the shimmering water outside the window, and suddenly asked softly, "Xia Lin, if back then… I hadn't chosen this path, would things be different between us today?"

Xia Lin paused slightly, holding his wine glass, and looked up at her. The moonlight outlined the contours of her profile, giving her a fragile beauty. He was silent for a moment, then smiled, a smile containing something complex and unfathomable: "There are no 'what ifs' in this world. Your Majesty is a monarch of great talent and ambition, destined to walk a lonely path. And I, too, am a restless soul, destined not to be a dutiful subject."

Third Sister turned her head and looked at him with a dreamy gaze: "Sometimes I really envy you. You can do whatever you want, you can be lawless."

"Your Majesty is joking." Xia Lin shook his head: "Every step I take is like walking on thin ice. It's just that I'm used to breaking the ice and forging a path through it."

Just then, Xia Lin's ear twitched almost imperceptibly, and his spider-sense activated instantly. He keenly detected a very faint "creak" sound of a taut bowstring coming from a great distance outside the window.

Almost instinctively, he leaned forward, grabbed San Niang's shoulder, and pulled her to the side!
"careful!"

Just as the two fell to the ground, a crossbow bolt, gleaming with a cold, eerie blue light, pierced through the light veil and, with a sharp whooshing sound, precisely struck the spot where Third Sister had just been sitting! The arrow's fletching still trembled on its own!
The arrowheads glowed with a blue light, clearly indicating they were coated with potent poison!
The sudden turn of events startled San Niang so much that she turned pale and buried herself in Xia Lin's arms, momentarily forgetting to react.

Xia Lin's eyes instantly turned icy cold. Protecting San Niang, he scanned the direction from which the crossbow bolts had come and shouted, "Assassins! Protect the Emperor!"

The sound of hurried footsteps and shouts from the guards immediately came from outside, and the entire palace was instantly thrown into chaos.

Xia Lin helped the still-shaken Third Sister to her feet, casually picked up the poisoned arrow, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"It seems someone doesn't want us to cooperate, Your Majesty." This arrow completely shattered the tranquility of the night. If Xia Lin hadn't just tackled San Niang, he wouldn't know how to explain it to his son when he got back.

Third Sister was also terrified. She gripped Xia Lin's sleeve tightly, her eyes filled with murderous intent. It was truly laughable that such a thing could happen to her.

If Xia Lin hadn't been here today, anyone else would have been finished. But here's the question: who could possibly break through these layers of defenses and get this close enough to carry out an assassination? This is beyond what can be described as having extraordinary connections.

If either of them is shot dead today, then it will become a fight to the death.

Just thinking about it is terrifying. Not only was Her Majesty the Empress covered in sweat, but Xia Lin's clothes were also soaked with sweat.

"No. Old woman, is your security adequate? If not, I'll get someone over here."

"okay……"

As the two were talking, the imperial guards outside brought the assassin over. Unfortunately, the assassin was already dead when he was brought over and was thrown limply on the ground.

"Your subordinate is incompetent, please punish me, Your Majesty."

"Apologize? You're coming here to apologize now?" Xia Lin pointed at these people and cursed, "You're all fucking disgusting! The assassins are practically shooting arrows through your emperor's neck!"

The guards dared not utter a sound when they were scolded. Logically speaking, given the distance the assassin was at today, it wouldn't be unreasonable for them to be executed along with their entire families. If being scolded a couple of times was enough to end their lives, they would be grateful to go back home.

"Alright, you guys stop being the damn guards here." Xia Lin waved his hand. "Go down. Sun Jiuzhen, come here!"

After Xia Lin finished speaking, the guards still refused to leave. At this moment, Third Sister had also recovered and frowned, scolding sharply, "Why aren't you leaving?! It's already an extraordinary act of mercy that I haven't punished you. Does the King of Jinling's words have no effect?"

The guards knew the subtext of those words was that they were spared the death penalty, but they were unlikely to have a good life ahead of them. The investigation could uncover their ancestors for eight generations, but at the moment they really had no better options and could only silently retreat.

At that moment, Sun Jiuzhen rushed over: "General, you called me?"

"Go, arrange the highest level of security for His Majesty the Emperor of Li Tang! Now!"

"Order!"

It seems absurd and laughable that the emperor of one country would ask someone from another country to provide security, but upon closer examination, it is actually the safest course of action. This is because he is Xia Lin, and he wouldn't need to go to such lengths to kill the Emperor of Li Tang. Besides, rumors of their illicit affair have circulated for years...

"Don't think too much today, come and rest at my place." Xia Lin patted San Niang's bottom: "The security at my place is more reliable."

"If this gets out..."

"What are you spreading rumors about? There are enough rumors about the two of us to fill eight erotic novels."

Third Sister was both amused and exasperated, and whispered, "It's not just a rumor..."

The entire Anxi Protectorate was placed under martial law that very night. Li Tang's intelligence agencies, Xia Lin's intelligence agencies, and soldiers and defense personnel at all levels were mobilized to conduct inspections. Local officials in charge of security were all dismissed overnight, and San Niang's guards were all taken out for isolation and investigation. San Niang even handed over all the investigations to the King of Jinling's men for cross-examination.

The entire Anxi Prefecture is destined to have a sleepless night.

"You must have been terrified at the time." Back at his lodgings, Xia Lin placed a glass of water in front of San Niang: "This assassination attempt was truly sudden and bizarre. For the next ten days, you must not appear in the public eye. This matter must be thoroughly investigated."

"You shouldn't have saved me. If I had died, the Tang Dynasty would have been thrown into chaos, and you could have unified the world."

"How am I supposed to explain this to my son?" Xia Lin stepped forward and sat down next to Third Aunt, putting his arm around her shoulder. "I'm different from you. I don't have that much of a thirst for power, and I can't bring myself to watch my loved ones die in front of me. Besides, we have a son!"

"Um……"

"Alright, go to bed early tonight." Xia Lin took off her shoes as she did so: "I was scared too."

"Go wash!" Third Sister pushed him. "You smell bad."

"Okay, I'll go wash up."

Xia Lin got up and was about to leave when Third Sister suddenly called out, "Wait a minute..."

"Ok?"

“I’ll go with you. I don’t want to be alone in the house.”

(End of this chapter)