However, the Zhao Yi Army made no statent about this, which made Qin Huizhi expend quite a bit of effort to finally stabilize the court situation.
This displeased Qin Huizhi sowhat.
ng Lin shook his head slightly, "Could it be that Pri Minister Qin is being shortsighted? This is not the ti for General Han to speak up!"
He lowered his voice, "If he were to speak now, what would General Han have to say once Pri Minister Qin ascends to the throne in the future?"
Qin Huizhi was taken aback, then realized what ng Lin ant, and a smile spread across his face, "Right, right! It is I who am confused!"
Why doesn’t General Han Fuyue speak out?
According to ng Lin’s explanation, General Han Fuyue certainly could speak out now, but there’s no need.
If General Han Fuyue were to voice his support for Emperor Yingzong of Qi now, what could he say later on when Qin Huizhi attempts to usurp Emperor Yingzong?
It surely wouldn’t do to play both sides and be the laughing stock of all under heaven, right?
Thus, ng Lin’s aning was clear: General Han Fuyue must not speak now. Wait until Qin Huizhi plots to usurp Emperor Yingzong, then General Han Fuyue can condemn Emperor Yingzong for instigating the Jingping change, being a great fool of an emperor, and even for plotting against his own brother, Emperor Gaozong of Qi...
In short, paint Emperor Yingzong in the worst possible light.
At that ti, wouldn’t Qin Huizhi’s usurpation seem perfectly justified?
Now that Emperor Yingzong has been restored, although many officials in the court are dissatisfied, Emperor Yingzong has the legal mandate, and they dare not act out, only to endure.
But how many of those officials would support him when Qin Huizhi usurps the throne? That’s hard to say.
Thus, the support of General Han Fuyue is like a decisive weapon for Qin Huizhi. To use it now would indeed be premature.
The misunderstanding is cleared up.
Delight crept over Qin Huizhi’s face, and after drinking two cups, he asked, "Then, in General Han’s opinion, when might I undertake this great endeavor?"
ng Lin pondered for a mont, "It must not be too hasty, but it also must not be too delayed!"
Qin Huizhi was puzzled, "What do you an by that?"
ng Lin explained, "Emperor Yuansheng has just been reinstated, and the court is in turmoil. If he is deposed in haste, it might trigger a fierce backlash.
"So, it cannot be rushed.
"However, it absolutely cannot be delayed. The current emperor truly doesn’t have many loyal ministers now, and is easy to control. But he won’t stay this way forever.
"After all, he is the emperor; he has to attend court and et with the officials. Can Pri Minister Qin really keep him under house arrest forever? Sooner or later, the emperor will gradually reclaim power.
"By that ti, it won’t just be about ascending to the throne; Pri Minister Qin might even be held accountable and charged with regicide!
"Therefore, in the view of this humble officer, one year is optimal!
"After one year, Pri Minister Qin can first claim the emperor is ill and confine him to the palace, cancel court assemblies, and have all major and minor affairs decided solely by Pri Minister Qin. After several months of such governance, with the political scene stabilized, proceed with the enthronent and dethronent, and then the fate of all will be set!
"The Zhao Yi Army, then, will rise and list the current emperor’s ten grave sins, burdening him with the ignominy of losing the army’s respect and committing fratricide and patricide.
"If any of Qi’s warriors dare to revolt, Pri Minister Qin can first eliminate them under the pretense of wrongful imprisonnt. If that doesn’t work, General Han can personally lead the troops to quell the rebellion for Pri Minister Qin!"
Qin Huizhi listened to ng Lin’s description of the splendid future, and his eyes shone.
Did he dream of becoming emperor?
He did, endlessly!
And now, the opportunity was truly laid out before him, how could his heart not stir?
Yet in the midst of his excitent, Qin Huizhi also gradually cald down and lowered his voice to ask, "Then, what is General Han’s aim?"
Clearly, General Han Fuyue would not help him for no reason.
General Han Fuyue had previously been known as a loyal and patriotic figure, though he might have turned darker due to Emperor Gaozong of Qi’s ingratitude, opting to hold military power and govern his own territory independently, but he definitely wouldn’t have a good impression of Qin Huizhi.
Qin Huizhi was well aware that since General Han Fuyue couldn’t possibly like him, any assistance would have to be for a substantial benefit.
ng Lin paused briefly, then said, "General Han’s demands are not many.
"After Pri Minister Qin declares himself emperor, General Han will also proclaim himself emperor,"
"Once we succeed, the two states will divide the Yangtze River as a boundary, north and south, honoring each other as brother nations!"
Qin Huizhi couldn’t help but take a sharp breath.
Dividing the river to rule?
This ambition is not small at all!
At this ti, the Qi Dynasty’s territories are bordered by the Huai River and Dasan Pass, retaining the southern half of the lands beyond the river.
If they were to divide at the river, it would an that all regions such as Sichuan-Shaanxi, Jingzhou, the Two Huais, etc., would have to be ceded to the Zhao Yi Army.
It would not only an giving up nearly a quarter of the entire country’s territory but also several strategic locations!
Take, for instance, Jingzhou.
This place is crucial, as it has been of great significance for Qi to standoff against the Northern Barbarians for years.
Moreover, General Han Fuyue once said: To guard the river, one must guard the Huai.
Although the Yangtze River is a formidable natural barrier, it is ultimately too long, with too many places that can be breached. And once divided at the river, by the ti the enemy has built warships and crossed over, our side may well be unable to react in ti.
So, to guard the Yangtze River, one must first secure the Huai River. After repeatedly fortifying the defenses between the Huai and the Yangtze Rivers, we can ensure resistance when the enemy invades.
And now, General Han Fuyue intends to swallow this piece whole in one bite, truly a lion’s mouth indeed.
However, although Qin Huizhi’s first reaction was shock, he imdiately burst into hearty laughter.
"General Han truly has a great appetite! But, if this matter succeeds, it’s not unreasonable to consider."
This bold demand to so extent dispelled Qin Huizhi’s doubts.
If General Han Fuyue is doing this for such a huge benefit, then it makes sense.
If General Han Fuyue wants nothing in return, that would make Qin Huizhi suspect his motives.
If Qin Huizhi were the current Emperor, he definitely would not agree to sell off a quarter of the nation’s soil all at once.
But Qin Huizhi is not the Emperor, nor is he selling his own possessions, so why feel regret?
For Qin Huizhi, although he has reached the pinnacle of power among his peers, the throne still lies a great distance away.
And this step is like a chasm between heaven and earth.
Being a powerful pri minister, no matter how much control one has in life, everything will dissipate after death. Does he expect his son to inherit his position and maintain his authority? That’s absolutely impossible.
Furthermore, Emperor Yingzong of Qi may not always allow him to manipulate at will.
But what if he really succeeds in usurping the throne and becos Emperor?
Even if he can only keep the land south of the Yangtze River, it’s still an inheritance for his descendants!
Moreover, with the Zhao Yi Army blocking the north and the Jin incapable of crossing over, the future is unpredictable, but at least for the rest of Qin Huizhi’s life, he should be able to peacefully reign as Emperor over the prosperous south for a dozen years, enjoying all the splendor and riches.
No matter how you look at it, this is a very profitable deal.
As for whether General Han Fuyue would co attacking...
This was not sothing Qin Huizhi had completely overlooked, but he didn’t think it was a pressing issue.
For one thing, the Qi Dynasty still has a powerful navy that can use the natural barrier of the Yangtze River for defense; for another, the Jin are still eyeing the north ambitiously, and if the Zhao Yi Army commits all their forces to move south to attack, then the Jin would certainly launch a pincer attack.
Therefore, after General Han Fuyue consus the large region between the Huai River and the Yangtze River, he should be at peace with him, considering the threat of the Jin in the north first.
This situation is not rely advantageous, it is exceedingly so!
With this in mind, Qin Huizhi raised his wine cup, laughing heartily: "In that case, let’s join General Han and quietly await the good news!"
ng Lin also raised his wine cup, smiling slightly: "Quietly awaiting the good news!"
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