Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Marriage Alliance Between Two Countries
anwhile, a quarrel had erupted in the court of Beiyuan.
It turned out that Donggao had sent a letter of state to the Emperor of Beiyuan.
In the letter, the Emperor of Donggao greeted the Emperor of Beiyuan with unparalleled politeness, expressing his admiration for the forr Great General Qi Yunzhang and requested that their children be wed, specifically seeking the hand of his daughter Qi Yue.
It also stated that Qi Yue had already been a guest in Yanjing for a long ti and was quite willing to stay in Donggao, hoping that the Emperor of Beiyuan would grant his consent.
In conclusion, the letter stated that if the marriage between the two nations were successful, they were willing to form a friendly alliance and cease raising arms against each other.
At the sa ti, the Emperor of Donggao also expressed that Qi Yue had already fallen in love with the Princely Heir of Qi Yun, hoping Beiyuan would not separate the lovers.
All the ministers were stunned by such an extraordinary letter of state.
After all, discussing a marriage proposal in a letter of state was already against proper protocol, and the subject was none other than the daughter of a late Great General.
After the initial shock, so insightful ministers pointed out the problems with this proposal.
“Your Majesty, I’m afraid we cannot agree to this marriage! I implore Your Majesty to allow us to decline!”
The Emperor of Beiyuan, however, did not take the matter seriously.
He was still savoring the polite greeting from the Emperor of Donggao in the letter, seeing it as a sign of weakness from the mighty people of Donggao.
Besides, the proposed bride was not his Princess—what did he have to worry about?
“Why decline it? A marriage alliance between two countries is a good thing!”
Several ministers looked at each other, none daring to speak up.
In the end, it was the highly respected Pri Minister Fang She who stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Your Majesty had already promised Miss Qi Yue to Young Marquis Zhao. Although they have separated, neither has sought marriage to another for so long, clearly there is sothing unresolved. Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”
As he said this, the Grand Tutor Lin slowly countered.
“Could it be that Pri Minister Fang’s vision has dimd with age? The letter clearly states that Miss Qi went to Donggao on her own accord and has fallen in love with the Princely Heir of Qi Yun. Are you suggesting that His Majesty should play the role of a spoiler to their love?”
Grand Tutor Lin, who had the knack of pleasing the Emperor, was domineering and held no one in regard.
Now on the court of Beiyuan, only the elderly Pri Minister Fang dared to speak bold words, and he was almost fainting with rage at Lin’s retort.
Seeing his half-ntor Pri Minister Fang being unable to bear it, the Vice Minister Zhang Rang stepped forward, offered a bow, and added.
“Your Majesty, the Pri Minister is only worried about what Young Marquis Zhao might say, as he is not one to be trifled with. If he still harbors old feelings for Miss Qi Yue, I fear… I fear…”
Zhang Rang hesitated, finding it difficult to continue.
What could he say? If he went on, he would have to ntion the incident of Princess No. 8 drugging Zhao Xiyan, and the impostor who was hired.
At that ti, Zhao Xiyan had stord into the palace with his Long Halberd. With one thrust, he maid the imitator, peeling off half of his face, and with a few more thrusts, the man was left crippled.
If it weren’t for the concern that the man might have wronged the Princess during a night of passion, leading to unwanted claims, a massacre would have ensued on the spot.
But such matters were closely guarded palace secrets, taboo to speak of, and could lead to an instant beheading if ntioned.
“Fear what?” The Emperor of Beiyuan’s face grew increasingly dark.
Startled, Zhang Rang knelt down with a thud, trembling, “Your Majesty, I’m only worried that if Young Marquis Zhao gets angry, and if war breaks out at the borders in the future, we might have trouble enlisting his help…”
Hearing this, the Emperor’s expression softened from anger to concern, clearly sharing the worry.
Seeing this, Grand Tutor Lin imdiately chastised him.
“What nonsense! How dare Vice Minister Zhang alarm His Majesty with such talk! The letter makes it clear, if the alliance succeeds, there will be no more wars between our countries. Why would we need him then?”
The Emperor of Beiyuan nodded, “Grand Tutor speaks sense. The Pri Minister is getting on in years, and his courage seems to be waning.”
At that mont, a now calr Pri Minister Fang, shaky and tremulous, knelt and called out loudly, “Your Majesty, please heed my words. The people of Donggao have always been brutish and unreasonable. I fear they might not keep their promise. Please, Your Majesty, think it over!”
Before the Emperor could react, Grand Tutor Lin had already co forward to offer his advice.
“Your Majesty, in my opinion, the Emperor of Donggao included the marriage proposal in the letter to express his sincerity. Since it is in the letter, there is no reason to expect its terms to change!”
The Emperor of Beiyuan nodded again and again.
“Grand Tutor makes a good point. The Pri Minister has grown old and timid.”
Being publicly reprimanded by the Emperor for being faint-hearted was indeed a great disgrace.
Pri Minister Fang She, who was nearly eighty years old, couldn’t bear it any longer and fainted once again.
But he was indeed loyal; even as he passed out, he struggled to warn the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, the people of Donggao are barbaric and skilled in deception, please think thrice!”
The Emperor of Beiyuan had long found this old Pri Minister displeasing.
However, as the Minister to whom the forr Emperor had entrusted his child, and having sworn an oath when he ascended the throne as Crown Prince that as long as he was Emperor, Fang She would always be Pri Minister of Beiyuan Kingdom,
there were also his nurous students across the land to consider, so dealing with him was not such an easy matter.
For this and other reasons, despite ruling for decades, he still had to listen to an old man.
In his heart, he had been unhappy for a long ti.
Fortunately, Grand Tutor Lin often showed understanding for his difficulties, occasionally giving Fang She a aningful look.
Seeing him faint twice in short succession, he seized the opportunity and bestowed a grace.
“Pri Minister Fang is too overworked, rush back ho and rest, there’s no need to attend court for the ti being.”
These words might seem kind but were essentially the sa as sidelining.
The officials dared not speak further, and Zhang Rang too closed his mouth, sighing.
The court of Beiyuan from then on would completely bear the Lin na.
Grand Tutor Lin, who had been observing coldly from the side, was overjoyed.
He had finally kicked the old thing out; next would be Zhao Xiyan.
Though not present at the court, this fellow’s capabilities were too strong; a single battle could enable him to call the shots in Beiyuan’s court.
He must cut off this opportunity no matter what! To prevent him from having any chance to lead troops into battle!
To the south of Beiyuan was Nanyue, with Hu Chengxuan stationed there, and to the west was Western Chu, with the Ninth Prince stationed there.
Both had close relations with him.
The eastern front, however, was the most challenging.
Lacking natural barriers, the frontline between Beiyuan and Donggao stretched long, consuming a great deal of military strength every year.
Most importantly, within the vast Beiyuan, there were hardly any capable Generals to station!
Therefore, during the recent few years of crisis, it was Zhao Xiyan who led the troops to et the enemy.
Previously, in order to control Zhao Xiyan, the Emperor had first married off a Princess to him and then appointed him as the Great General King, almost driving him to desperation.
Luckily, Zhao Xiyan did not accept, which gave him a brief respite.
Now with this opportunity to completely exclude Zhao Xiyan from Beiyuan’s court, how could he not seize it?
Thinking this, Grand Tutor Lin stepped forward and comnded, “Your Majesty’s consideration for the old ministers is truly a blessing for all. Now, with Donggao actively seeking an alliance through marriage, it is a fortunate occasion for Beiyuan. I urge Your Majesty to grant the request of the Emperor of Donggao and facilitate the marriage alliance between the two nations!”
With this, the Emperor of Beiyuan broke into a broad smile.
“Good, granted!”
At this, the officials fell silent like cicadas in winter; even if so felt this was not right, none dared say another word.
With the imperial decree issued, Beiyuan began to prepare a response to the diplomatic letter, and additionally started selecting envoys to go to Donggao to discuss signing the alliance.
Due to Fang She’s illness, Grand Tutor Lin was ordered to temporarily assu the duties of the Pri Minister, leading the officials in all matters.
The news spread, causing the entire capital to be shaken.
The Zhao Residence was also shaken.
Zhao Yongzhe knew trouble was brewing and imdiately ordered a ssage be sent to Zhao Xiyan using the fastest couriers available.
“No matter where he is, the ssage must be delivered before the envoys set off!”
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