ng Su stared at Cheng Yanzhao in silence for a long ti before he could confirm that he hadn’t misheard. He had always thought Cheng Yanzhao ca to Yuezhou to borrow troops.
ng Su asked, "Why is this?"
Cheng Yanzhao said, "The power shifts are in chaos. Today, the Emperor gives an order, tomorrow it could be Prince Qi and the Xu Family, and the battles will change with it."
"If we follow the court’s orders, we might be sent to attack Prince Qi at one mont, and then led by Prince Qi to confront the Xu Family at another. The situation would lead to loss of troops and endless calamities for the people."
"The court’s attacks on Prince Lu and Prince Qi have mobilized too many forces. Now, there are not many troops left to guard various places. Rather than being consud in this way, it’s better to guard our own ground, at least protecting the city’s people."
ng Su was still hesitant: "But... without this, Song Jiedu’s support would be less."
Cheng Yanzhao said, "Song Xian ntioned that your troops are very important to us. However, after careful consideration, he thinks it’s better if the South doesn’t get involved in the conflict."
ng Su pondered over these words, suddenly understanding Song Xian’s intelligence—it was for the people’s sake and a clear view of the situation.
Now, not to ntion the common people, many officials can’t understand the current situation. Just like Cheng Yanzhao said, Prince Qi has his reasons, and the Xu Family has its thods.
Whether the Emperor is still alive is unknown, and even the court’s docunts might be fake.
If one is not careful, they could be manipulated.
It’s better not to believe anyone’s words and just guard one’s own place. This would at least prevent the defended area from getting involved in the chaos.
With fewer troops joining, it would be much easier for Song Xian to sort things out.
Of course, what Song Xian wants ng Su to do is not just to guard Yuezhou. ng Su has worked in Yuezhou for years, has so connections in the officialdom, and recently helped the court purge coastal officials, which brings him so prestige in the South.
By doing this, ng Su can lead many people to do the sa.
How many people can he persuade to conspire with Song Xian? But he can persuade everyone not to believe any news until the war is over, including the court’s docunts, and just mobilize troops to guard the city gates, many people could follow this example.
Because this is the safest approach, it’s not considered rebellion, and even if pursued, it’s just a temporary asure. Once he starts, others will follow without him having to persuade.
With the southern states and counties doing this, they can also influence places like Fuzhou, regardless of the outco, at least the people will be protected.
Though it sounds simple, Song Xian is also giving up their reinforcents. This ans Song Xian is confident that relying on the northern troops alone, he can defeat Prince Lu and Prince Qi and suppress the Xu Family.
ng Su nodded: "Alright, I will follow Song Jiedu’s arrangent."
Cheng Yanzhao smiled: "Then let’s hope everything goes smoothly."
After speaking, Cheng Yanzhao stood up: "I still need to return to the North imdiately, so I won’t stay long."
ng Changshu, who was also happy to hear this, watched as Cheng Yanzhao was about to leave and said, "I’ll have soone prepare so food for Mr. Cheng to take along."
Is this to prevent him from going hungry on the road?
After Cheng Yanzhao received the food from ng Changshu, he recalled how much he had eaten.
Compared to those several bowls of noodles, this large bundle in front of him seed trivial.
Cheng Yanzhao’s face started to burn again, and he couldn’t help but touch his eyebrows.
ng Changshu’s voice sounded: "Your eyebrows are growing well."
Cheng Yanzhao’s hand stiffened.
ng Changshu explained: "I an, after burning, they’ve recovered quite well... I almost forgot how you looked without eyebrows back then."
Forget? Hardly. If truly forgotten, it wouldn’t be ntioned at all.
ng Changshu was evidently in a good mood and spoke more with Cheng Yanzhao: "What you said earlier made a lot of sense, thank you!"
Cheng Yanzhao didn’t understand what ng Changshu’s "thank you" referred to?
Thanking him for making this trip? Or for clearly explaining the causes and effects to ng Su? Or for finishing all the food?
Cheng Yanzhao remained silent for a while, and when he wanted to say sothing, Miss ng had already left.
He certainly couldn’t have a conversation with the wind, could he?
Cheng Yanzhao sighed, turned around, mounted his horse, and rode back north. Luckily, he had things to do now and didn’t have ti to overthink.
ng Su couldn’t afford to be distracted, entered his study, and wrote more than twenty letters, which he entrusted to his confidants to deliver to various places. The next day, ng Su ordered the soldiers to guard the city gates, allowing no troops into Yuezhou.
Fortunately, it was after the autumn harvest, and the city had plenty of food, making it easier to stay defended.
As Yuezhou did this, nearby states and counties indeed followed suit.
In just three days, almost all the states and counties in Liangzhe Road and Jiangnan Road took similar actions.
Then it spread to several states in Jiangnan West Road, Fujian Road, and Huainan West Road.
The news spread rapidly, and almost everyone guessed that besides the external battle, there was also trouble within the court. The orders from the palace might not reflect the Emperor’s intentions.
After all, the current Secretariat Chief was the Imperial Uncle.
And beside Empress Xu was the Heir of Prince Qi.
In this coup, rather than rushing to choose a side, it’s better to do nothing and watch how things unfold. At least, it would gain a good reputation for protecting the city’s people.
No matter who ascends to the throne, even if they want to deal with them, they will likely take into account their contribution of steadfastly guarding their territory and show leniency, at least not implicating their families.
Song Xian’s prediction was correct. After several defeats against the court’s forces, Prince Qi wrote a letter requesting assistance, indicating that the Emperor was in danger and might have been taken hostage by traitors, hence needing to mobilize garrison soldiers from various regions to the Capital City to save him.
However, Prince Qi quickly discovered that he couldn’t mobilize the troops anymore. Many states and counties were prepared, and neither his soldiers nor his letter could enter the cities.
With his request for assistance blocked, Prince Qi lost another battle. Perhaps with anger in his heart, Prince Qi suddenly rallied, reorganizing his troops and advancing again to the Capital City. He unexpectedly recaptured so of his previous losses in one breath. However, he lost a significant number of troops, exposing his weakness.
Upon receiving the news in the palace, Empress Xu couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. It was fortunate that the states and counties’ officials were not persuaded by Prince Qi; otherwise, who knows how long this battle would have continued.
"How is the Emperor?" Empress Xu asked the female official.
The female official replied softly, "Not well, he only had so rice soup today."
Empress Xu said, "Tell Imperial Doctor Li to think of sothing." They must keep the Emperor alive until Prince Qi is dead, so that the Emperor can then pass away.
She would then be able to support the sole descendant of the Yang Family to ascend to the throne.
The female official responded, "Rest assured." Even if the Emperor truly couldn’t hold on, news of his death would never leave the Capital City.
Just as the female official was about to leave, a eunuch entered to report: "Your Majesty, Mr. Li You requests to see the Emperor."
With the Emperor in such a state, Li You might be suspicious.
But Empress Xu couldn’t allow Li You to see the Emperor with his own eyes: "Tell Mr. Li that the Emperor is too weak, unsuitable..."
Before Empress Xu could finish, another eunuch ca in to report: "Mr. Li, with his n, is trying to force his way into the Emperor’s chambers."
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