Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 69: One act ends, another begins; a volatile and unpredictable situation!
"We don't need to pay attention to the Jia family. Jia Jing is not someone who changes his mind so easily."

"The fourth prince couldn't even hold onto his last hope. I don't believe he didn't have a thorn in his side."

"Now, the one I should pay attention to is my elder brother, the high and mighty Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty."

Prince Yizhong used his inner strength to shape the golden ball in his hand into a different form, like a soaring dragon.

"Your Majesty."

"After this incident, the whole world was shaken."

"Regardless of His Majesty's actions, this is already a great victory for Yongping."

"Now he is on par with the founding emperor and the retired emperor, and the people are devoted to him."

With a deep gaze, Zhen Yingyan spoke each word clearly.

The previous Emperor Yongping may not have had much of a presence, but the current one is different.

A new group of meritorious nobles is about to rise, and there is also the revived lineage of founding nobles. Many officials in the court and the country are beginning to favor the Qianqing Palace.

"Yes."

Prince Yizhong revealed a meaningful smile: "Therefore, I intend to give him a great gift."

'? ? ? '

Hearing this, Zhen Yingyan was somewhat confused.

"The gentry of Jiangnan were deeply troubled by Lin Ruhai's existence, for salt was equivalent to a continuous source of wealth."

"The eight salt merchants of Yangzhou were all wealthy, with millions in assets and were among the richest in the region."

"Over the years, how much benefit have they transferred to officials in Southern Zhili? The Donglin Party has declined in power, but it is not without strength."

"Let them work harder, not just Lin Ruhai, but also all the pieces that the fourth brother has laid out in Jiangnan, uproot them completely."

"Having lost this vital tax-generating territory, I want to see how he will seize power under the guise of a great victory. My father is still alive; he must be very disappointed."

Prince Yizhong said meaningfully.

"Yes."

Zhen Yingyan felt a chill run down her spine, realizing what was happening.

When the dynasty first established its capital in Nanjing, the Southern Zhili region was no less important to the Qianlong Emperor than the Ming dynasty. The Southern Zhili region also had a set of six ministries, and except for the absence of the Beijing Garrison, it was the same as the Northern Zhili region, essentially the uncrowned king of the Jiangnan region.

Jiangnan was precisely the territory that the Donglin Party had cultivated for hundreds of years. With the promotion of scholars from humble backgrounds during the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taishang, the Donglin Party members were no longer what they used to be. However, their influence extended to the Six Ministries in Nanjing, and they controlled the most important tax-paying region, Southern Zhili.

What are the eight major salt merchants of Yangzhou? They are nothing more than pawns supported by the Donglin Party to seek their own interests. The reason why the Nanjing Navy is paralyzed is because the Donglin Party is rampant in foreign trade. The prosperity of Ningbo Port is in no way inferior to that of Quanzhou Port and Guangzhou Port.

Letting them take action would undoubtedly challenge the foundation of Emperor Yongping's rule, and it would be tantamount to killing Lin Ruhai.

"Furthermore, Zheng Keshuang made a request, which I have granted."

"As long as he can cause chaos in the southwest, I, Wang Yunzheng, will grant the Zheng family a fiefdom in a mere Yunnan."

"I want to see if the prestige that the fourth brother has built up from the great victory in the north will be reduced to ashes in the great defeat in the southwest."

Prince Yizhong gave a cold laugh.

"Your Majesty."

"King Yongjiya of Qianxiang is ambitious."

"Won't this turn out to be a case of raising a tiger that will eventually cause trouble?"

Zhen Yingyan, who was in charge of the chess camp, had some understanding of the Qianxiang Kingdom, which was entrenched in the southwest.

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, King Thalong of the Toungoo Dynasty invaded Yunnan, and the border was engulfed in flames, with the people suffering greatly. It wasn't until Duke Jia Yan of Ningguo marched south and, with the support of the Mu family, his detachment decisively defeated the Toungoo Dynasty's army, restoring peace to Yunnan.

This defeat led to the fragmentation of the Toungoo Dynasty. The Mon, Shan, and Arakan peoples began to rebel against the rule of King Thalong and respectively controlled Upper Burma, Lower Burma, and the Arakan region, resulting in nearly forty years of fighting.

Until the reign of the Great Qian Emperor, the Burmese people rose to power, conquered the Mon, Shan, and Rakhine peoples, unified Myanmar, established the Konbaung Dynasty, and destroyed the Assamese people who occupied northeastern India, reaching the height of their power.

"It's just a small country, nothing to worry about." Prince Yizhong waved his hand, not taking Qianxiang Kingdom seriously at all.

"Yes."

Zhen Yingyan didn't know what to say, so he had no choice but to leave.

Prince Beijing's Mansion.

"Good job."

"After so many days, we haven't been able to find even the slightest clue."

“I’m becoming more and more interested in everything that’s happening behind Ping An State.”

A strange color appeared on Shui Rong's face, which was even more delicate than a woman's, giving people a chilling feeling.

"Your Majesty."

"Is the Jia family plotting this behind the scenes?"

A figure in black standing at the lower end spoke.

"Why the Jia family? Is it because the Jia family's reputation soared after this battle?"

"Stupid!"

Shui Rong narrowed her eyes and said indifferently, "You think that what you think of, others won't know?"

"Don't forget who the real beneficiaries of this great victory are; the Jia family was merely a vanguard for the king."

"Your Highness means..."

A glint of light flashed in the eyes of the figure in black.

"The Qin family has always been mean and ungrateful. Back then, our ancestor helped Qin Yu pacify the world, and Qin Yu promised that the four princes would each guard the border states."

"The military governors of the border prefectures are recommended by the four princely mansions, which is equivalent to our four families' private plots."

"But not long after, apart from the Xining Prince's Mansion, which of the four major princely mansions didn't find its territory easier to acquire?"

"Our Shui family was originally a noble family of the Ming Dynasty. We have worked hard to manage Ping'an Prefecture for decades, making Guihua City the most dazzling pearl in the north."

"In the end, he was summoned back to the capital by imperial decree and, like the Prince of Dongping's mansion, was left to wait for his death."

"That old dog Qin Yi sits in the Daming Palace every day, never hesitating for a moment when he strikes. Who else could it be but him?"

"He won't live for many more years, so naturally he should take this opportunity to eliminate all threats and pave a good empire for Qin Zhao."

"Only a fool like Qin Ren would think he still has a chance. The outcome is already decided; it was over from that night."

"The real hope lies in the next emperor, but given Qin Zhao's personality, he will never easily let people know his choice."

"My choice of Prince Bao, Qin Li, was merely a smokescreen to attract attention."

At this point, Shui Rong's eyes became even more profound, like a deep pool in an ancient well, making it impossible to fathom her inner thoughts.

"Your Majesty."

"What do we do now?"

The figure in black continued to inquire.

"The Battle of Datong exhausted so much of Daqian's efforts. If it happened again, could Daqian withstand it?"

"I have heard that the Later Jin are preparing for war and are always looking to reclaim Liaoxi and invade Shanhaiguan."

"Pass this message on to the Jurchens, and while you're at it, make some noise in Liaozhen, but don't keep it too quiet."

"Yes."

The figure in black left respectfully after hearing this.

PS: Sihanoukville = Konbaung Dynasty (Myanmar)
The Qin family of Jinling: Emperor Taizu Qin Yu, Emperor Taishang (Shunkang Emperor) Qin Yi, Emperor Yongping (Qin Zhao), Prince Yizhong: Qin Ren, Prince Zhongshun: Qin Zhe
(End of this chapter)