Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 285, His Majesty's Rebellion

Another great meeting.

This time, it was mainly from the grasslands. Dore sent an envoy to discuss marriage with Fang Yong.

The messenger's name was Adil K, one of Dore's uncles.

Originally, Dore intended to select an envoy from his own Abukha tribe, but unfortunately, the uncles and elders of the Abukha tribe regarded him as a lackey of the Han people and a disgrace to the Abukha tribe, and were unwilling to submit to him.

Dore killed several people to no avail. His only supporter, Bazan, had fought against the Huaiyin army and the two sides had a grudge. Dore had no choice but to send his uncle from the Adil tribe as an envoy.

Fang Yong met with the envoy yesterday, and the marriage arrangements have been basically finalized. Today's meeting at court will mainly be to announce this matter and, at the same time, to demonstrate Fang Yong's strength.

Soon, Adil Ke went to the palace and told the Longqing Emperor about his Khan's intention to form a marriage alliance with the Prince of Wu, hoping that His Majesty would approve.

Upon hearing this, the Longqing Emperor's face showed a bitter expression.

Fang Ze's alliance with the grasslands through marriage has expanded his power once again, but he can only watch helplessly, unable to restrain him. In the long run, the country will surely cease to exist!
He wanted to refuse, but he had absolutely no right to do so...

Suddenly, a voice came from below.

"I object!"

Emperor Longqing looked down with delight, and the person who spoke was none other than Meng Shen.

Meng Shen stepped forward, gave Adil Ke a disdainful look, and said:
"Your Majesty! The teachings of the sages clearly distinguish between the Chinese and the barbarians; the marriage of a woman from a different race to the King of Wu will surely disrupt the ancestral temples and sacrificial rites of our Central Plains, confuse our bloodlines, and prevent the customs of barbarians from interfering with our traditions. This must not be allowed!"

Meng Shen's words elevated the marriage alliance to the level of ancestral temples!
Upon hearing this, the Longqing Emperor thought to himself:

"Meng Shen actually spoke up to stop Fang Yong's marriage at this time. Isn't this the loyal minister he has been searching for?"

Even Fang Yong was somewhat taken aback at this moment.

What does Meng Shen mean by this? Does he want to break ties with him ahead of time?
Doesn't make sense?

He hasn't even made a move against the Kong family yet.
What Fang Yong didn't know was that Meng Shen himself was extremely prejudiced against people of other races.

What he just said was a true reflection of his inner thoughts, and not for any personal gain.

Of course, more importantly, Meng Shen knew that what he said wouldn't have any real impact; he was just verbally opposing it.

Simply put, it's about disliking the people of the grasslands and just venting.

If he were truly forced to prove his innocence with his death, it would be impossible for Fang Yong to refuse and instead smash his head against a pillar to his death.

After Meng Shen finished speaking, the official from the Ministry of Rites who was in charge of the translation happened to be a person who discriminated against people from the grasslands. He translated Meng Shen's words to Adil Ke with great emotion, which made Adil Ke extremely angry.

It has to be said, there are a lot of people who discriminate against others.

Adil K suppressed his anger; though furious, he dared not show it.

Although Fang Yong was nominally allied with the grasslands, he actually controlled them completely. He didn't dare to lose his temper in front of Fang Yong and could only swallow his resentment, even showing a wronged expression on his face.

A burly man from the grasslands acted like a bullied child.

Fang Yong felt as if his eyes were being pricked with needles, and he simply couldn't look at them.

He quickly gave a wink to those below.

Immediately, someone stood up and refuted Meng Shen's words.

"Meng Gong's argument is utterly flawed; it is a rigid and unchanging view..."

After some debate, the marriage was eventually approved.

However, Emperor Longqing could not hide his excitement on his way back.

He believed that Meng Shen was a loyal minister who had been forced to submit to Fang Yong before, but had finally turned to the light and should be helped to regain the throne!
After being escorted back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Longqing couldn't wait to tell Emperor Kangning about what had happened that day!

Emperor Kangning frowned upon hearing this.

After hearing what the Longqing Emperor said, he was unable to make a judgment for a moment.

The main point is that if Meng Shen truly harbored rebellious intentions towards Fang Yong, he could have easily found other ways to resist Fang Yong's rule, instead of resorting to what he did today. Frankly speaking, Meng Shen's words today, aside from revealing his own stance, had virtually no effect on Fang Yong.

Emperor Kangning was very puzzled by this.

"Don't rush, let's wait and see!" Emperor Kangning and Emperor Longqing said.

However, the Longqing Emperor could not resist.

"Wait a little longer, what are we waiting for?"

Emperor Kangning said, "I believe that based on this statement alone, we cannot determine Meng Shen's stance."

Emperor Longqing retorted, "How can it not be certain? Are you trying to say that Meng Shen was arranged by Fang? Would Fang have any reason to do such a thing? We are imprisoned here, there is not a single loyal minister in the court, and our lives are entirely in Fang's hands. Why would Fang make such an arrangement?"

Emperor Kangning was speechless.

This was also the doubt in his mind.

However, his years of political experience still made him feel that there was something wrong with this matter.

So he advised again:
"We shouldn't act rashly; it's best to wait!"

Emperor Longqing, however, refused to heed Emperor Kangning's advice.

As the two sides argued, Dai Quan and Xia Shougong, standing to the side, both lowered their heads and shrank back, not daring to get involved.

Unbeknownst to them, a young eunuch happened to come by to deliver water and overheard the conversation inside.

Inside, Emperor Kangning was old and ailing. After arguing with Emperor Longqing for a while, he couldn't win the argument due to his physical condition.

Panting, Emperor Kangning, seeing that Emperor Longqing remained obstinate, went straight to the biggest question.

"Even if Meng Shen is truly the loyal subject you claim to be, how do you contact him?"

Upon hearing this, the Longqing Emperor froze on the spot.

What Emperor Kangning said was his biggest problem at the moment.

He, Emperor Kangning, Dai Quan, and Xia Shouzhong were all imprisoned in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, unable to leave even a step. They could only barely see others when attending court, but even then, they were under strict surveillance and had no chance to communicate at all.

Even if Meng Shen was truly a loyal subject, he had no way to contact him.

How can this be good?

Emperor Longqing was speechless for a moment.

Emperor Kangning did have some ideas he could try to establish contact with the outside world, but he did not support Emperor Longqing's rash attempt to find Meng Shen, so he deliberately did not reveal his plans.

Outside, Xiao Changzi heard this and realized that immense wealth was about to arrive.

He glanced at the basin of water in his hand, a fierce glint in his eyes. He didn't want to serve others for the rest of his life.

Xiao Changzi picked up the basin of water, stumbled, crashed through the door, and fell inside.

The basin of water splashed onto the ground with a loud thud.

Everyone was greatly surprised.

Xiao Changzi hurriedly stood up and said, "No, no, no, no, Your Majesty, I didn't hear anything! Please don't kill me!"

His self-incriminating manner naturally made it clear to everyone that he had heard everything.

"kill him!"

Emperor Kangning gave the order without hesitation.

Xia Shouzhong stepped forward and grabbed Xiao Changzi by the neck tightly.

Xiao Changzi struggled and said, "No, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have a way to get out..."

Emperor Longqing's expression changed, and he hurriedly said, "Quickly, let go!"

He hurriedly stepped forward and kicked Xia Shouzhong away.

Xiao Changzi breathed heavily:

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Don't worry, Your Majesty, I have a plan..."

(End of this chapter)