Chapter 1110: Chapter 1101: Poaching
The envoy from Nanliang was exceptionally cautious.
Right now, with the internal strife in Nanliang and the court losing the people’s support, Zhao Xu raising the flag of the Donglin Prince Mansion, backed by General Shi,
It seems that suppressing the rebels won’t be easy for a while.
If Daqi and the Northern Desert join forces now, with both internal and external troubles, Nanliang would indeed be in danger.
As those who receive the court’s stipend, how can they not share the Emperor’s worries?
The humble attitude of the envoy from Nanliang was something even Prince NanAn couldn’t bear to watch.
Marquis Dongxiang’s attitude remained unchanged; he had already extended Nanliang’s deadline by half a month. Any further delay, and the peace talks would be nullified.
The envoy from Nanliang repeatedly agreed.
Prince NanAn eagerly escorted the envoy out of the military camp.
The envoy knew Prince NanAn’s temper and was anxious when he offered to escort him, repeatedly saying it wasn’t necessary.
Prince NanAn frowned, and the envoy dared not speak further.
Even Chu Shun and the others couldn’t understand why Prince NanAn wanted to see the envoy off.
Was it to beat someone up?
The envoy’s attitude was quite good; they weren’t people who would beat someone up for no reason.
Leaving the tent, they could see Prince NanAn talking with the envoy from Nanliang, their shoulders almost touching.
From afar, they couldn’t hear what was being said.
After their conversation, Prince NanAn pointed to the military camp’s gate and then turned to leave.
Chu Shun and the others were left speechless.
Was that called escorting someone out of the camp?
When Prince NanAn walked back, Chu Shun couldn’t help but ask, "What did you say to the envoy from Nanliang?"
"Nothing much, just noticed the envoy was not bad and helped Brother Zhao dig a corner," Prince NanAn replied.
"...."
"Did it work?" asked the Heir of Marquis Beining with a smile.
"I don’t know, just gave it a couple of easy digs," Prince NanAn said.
"...."
Although the envoy from Nanliang was quite decent, it wasn’t worth Prince NanAn’s painstaking persuasion.
A civil servant, if not truly loyal to Zhao Xu, held little significance in winning over.
For the sake of the envoy being decent, Prince NanAn just pointed him to a clearer path. Whether to take it was for the envoy to decide.
Prince NanAn only said a few words, but the envoy from Nanliang felt heavy-hearted.
After leaving the camp, the envoy was still distracted, staring back at the Daqi Camp.
The rot within the court was something these officials knew better than anyone else.
After a decade of hard study, he entered the court as an official to seek justice for the people, to serve the court, and to bring glory to his ancestors.
But now, it is the court that is harming the people!
Loyalty to such a court was akin to supporting evil!
The envoy knew exactly what kind of people the Emperor and the Crown Prince were.
If Zhao Xu could not overthrow the court, then in the coming decades, the people of Nanliang would live in dire straits, paying a heavy price for the ambitions of the Emperor and the Crown Prince of Nanliang.
If he truly wanted to serve the people, he ought to contribute to overthrowing such a corrupt court.
Young Master Zhao had saved Princess Jing Shan of the Northern Desert, owing him a debt of gratitude, so the Northern Desert would not attack the new dynasty established by Young Master Zhao.
Helping Young Master Zhao was in essence helping those innocent and pitiable people.
The envoy from Nanliang suddenly saw the light.
Returning to the camp, the envoy made an excuse to return to the capital to hurriedly gather money and grains before leaving the camp.
The envoy left.
But instead of returning to the capital, he went to the Zhao Family.
The envoy claimed to have been sent by a good brother of Young Master Zhao.
Young Master Zhao was skeptical.
The other soldiers were even more cautious.
What if he was sent by the court to feign surrender?
One must be guarded.
"Since our good brother sent you, where is the letter of recommendation?" asked Dong Chenglang.
The envoy shook his head, "No recommendation letter was given, only that I’m to convey a message that the Heir of Marquis Changning would understand."
"I would know?" The Heir of Marquis Changning looked surprised.
"What message?" he asked.
"Twenty-three thousand two hundred taels."
Dong Chenglang was speechless, "....!!!"
Young Master Zhao, "...."
Dong Chenglang was incensed.
Young Master Zhao raised his hand to rub his forehead.
Their starkly different expressions left others in the room exchanging puzzled glances.
"What does this mean?" asked Prime Minister Zhao.
Young Master Zhao looked at Dong Chenglang.
The foolish act done by Dong Chenglang, Young Master Zhao was too embarrassed to speak of.
After all, he was his brother-in-law.
Having such a foolish brother-in-law, being the brother-in-law himself was quite disgraceful.
Dong Chenglang quickly shook his head and said, "Nothing, nothing."
"It’s an acquaintance recommending him."
With such a precise figure, and coming from the border, who else but Prince NanAn?
Taking all the money was one thing; sending someone to rub it in was another.
Seething, Dong Chenglang gritted his teeth.
Young Master Zhao accepted the envoy’s allegiance, but the envoy didn’t stay with the Zhao family. He was off to convince his mentor to also side with Zhao Xu.
The envoy came and went.
General Shi and the others were discussing with Prime Minister Zhao the matter of intercepting the money and grains the court was delivering to Daqi.
Prime Minister Zhao shook his head, "This batch of money and grains cannot be intercepted."
"Why?" A general asked, puzzled.
Overthrowing the court was too difficult.
With the indemnity paid to Daqi, we could recruit troops, expand the army, and have a greater chance of overthrowing the court.
This batch of money and grains must not only be intercepted but done so flawlessly.
General Shi also looked to Prime Minister Zhao, who said, "Generals, you all must be tired, please return to rest. I need a few words with General Shi alone."
General Shi furrowed his brow.
The other generals didn’t linger; they trusted that Prime Minister Zhao had discretion. No one wanted to overthrow the court more than they did.
Prime Minister Zhao invited General Shi into the study to talk.
General Shi asked, "Is the Prime Minister considering Princess Hengyang?"
Some matters, Prime Minister Zhao really didn’t know how to explain to General Shi.
Not to mention, General Shi’s assistance to Zhao Xu, owing greatly to Prince Zhenbei of Daqi.
With the Northern Desert pressuring the court, his contribution is undeniable.
Half of the Nanliang territory could be attributed to Prince Zhenbei of Daqi’s help.
The Zhao family can’t betray and be ungrateful.
Unable to speak plainly, Prime Minister Zhao said tactfully, "You know the temperament of Daqi East Town’s Marquis better than I do, General."
"If the court doesn’t deliver the money and grains to Marquis Dongxiang on time, he will attack Nanliang."
"This might relieve our pressure, but the cities seized by Daqi will be impossible to reclaim in the future."
"With the Northern Desert’s assistance, it’s only a matter of time before the court is overthrown. I don’t wish for temporary pressures to leave future woes."
Though the Northern Desert also sent troops against Nanliang, the situation differs from Daqi.
Zhao Xu’s betrothal to Princess Jing Shan made the Northern Desert’s involvement more about aiding Zhao Xu.
In contrast, the cities taken by Daqi were seized from the court.
Xie Jingchen helped Zhao Xu so much.
Those cities originally belonging to Nanliang, now taken by Daqi, Zhao Xu could never ask for them back, let alone send forces to reclaim them.
Previously, the court was no match for Daqi, now with half of the border forces drawn to confront them.
Once war breaks out, no one knows how many cities will be lost.
The current state is already the best possible outcome. Further conflict and Daqi’s vast territory will make the Northern Desert uneasy, prompting further encroachment on Nanliang’s land.
Then, Daqi and the Northern Desert will inevitably become embroiled in a battle for Nanliang...
General Shi felt ashamed, "The Prime Minister is indeed wise and strategic."
