Chapter 1858: Chapter 3: Human Nature, Generals, Emperors, and Torrents
"Nowadays, how can one be a match for Prince Qin?"
Jiang Gao looked left and right, speaking evasively, and did not respond to Yuwen Lie.
Yuwen Lie spoke directly.
In concise terms, he said, "If you have the heart, I can help you."
Jiang Gao replied, "How can one commit such a treasonous act?"
Yuwen Lie stared at Jiang Gao and said, "Does His Highness value the world, or his own reputation?"
Jiang Gao fell silent, sighed deeply, and said, "General Yuwen knows military texts; he mustn’t have read much history. In history, merely building palaces and avoiding interference in the country’s military affairs often makes for a mediocre, even fine emperor."
"The most feared are those obstinate ones in the palace, who insist on personally directing the battlefield and instructing distant soldiers on warfare tactics. Yuan’er’s actions, among the emperors recorded in history, are not particularly remarkable, besides..."
"If I ascend the throne, it might actually be detrimental to the Daying Kingdom."
Yuwen Lie said, "If you ascend the throne, would you summon back Grandmaster Jiang Su?"
Jiang Gao shook his head, replying, "If I ascend the throne, naturally I wouldn’t call back Grandmaster Jiang Su, that’s something I wouldn’t do."
"However, my thinking and philosophy do not primarily focus on conquest; I would certainly attempt to negotiate with Li Guanyi to avoid the suffering of endless wars, the devastation to lives. Whereas Grandmaster Jiang Su is decisively pro-war."
A hint of self-deprecation appeared on Jiang Gao’s face: "Do you know?"
"Yuwen, the real trouble is not a spendthrift, pleasure-seeking emperor in the court, but a new emperor in the regime, eager, prepared to truly do something."
"When differing voices arise within the court and the army."
"One advocates war, the other peace. What should the officials and soldiers do? In such perilous times, a nation can only have one voice; enjoyment like Yuan’er’s, concerning the country, is the least destructive."
Yuwen Lie watched Jiang Gao’s resolution, this former Crown Prince did understand the current situation but was more aware of his developed nature and the intense, irreconcilable conflict with Jiang Su.
Now, Jiang Yuan engaged in courtly construction, indulging in pleasures.
For a hegemon-level country in the Central Plains, such actions aren’t world-shaking, but constantly oscillating from war to peace becomes troublesome, Jiang Su and Li Guanyi battling at the front.
Li Guanyi discovered this old fellow had begun troop rotations.
Jiang Su mobilized the troops from the rear, replacing those who previously clashed with the Qilin Army, rotating every three months, allowing all Ying Country elites to experience combat against Emperor Qin and the Qilin Army.
Breaking Army said, "They’re training soldiers..."
"Jiang Su is making Ying Country’s army adapt to our Military Soul Battle Formation’s suppression."
"Even wanting Ying Country elites to get accustomed to fighting us..."
The violet-eyed strategist pondered, from the current actions, roughly surmising Jiang Su’s overall strategy. Li Guanyi, looking at the geographical map, said, "It seems the final battle won’t be far off..."
"Jiang Su is already preparing for the future showdown."
Breaking Army nodded, these young sovereign and minister both knowingly ensuring the aged Military God Jiang Su couldn’t compete for the future against the 24-year-old Emperor Qin now; he could only gamble everything on the present.
"We shall also begin training soldiers."
"Furthermore, rumors indicate Jiang Yuan has caused numerous incidents in Ying Country’s capital."
Breaking Army said, "Indeed, amidst Jiang Yuan’s indulgence, excessive spending of gold and silver, yet Jiang Wanxiang left such riches that, despite Jiang Yuan’s indulgence, one year’s expenses were not comparable to a major battle’s depletion."
"However, it’s heard he seemingly developed inappropriate intentions concerning General Qin Yulong’s wife, causing quite a stir."
Li Guanyi’s actions froze, a kind of shock upon him:
"During such monumental changes, laying hands on a great general’s family?!"
Breaking Army said, "Are these incidents scarce in history? Were Chen Dingye’s actions back then unique?" Li Guanyi remained silent for a long time and said, "Such treatment for General Qin Yulong is unjust, and send a letter to Zhenbei City."
"Let General Yue not force the battle lines, grant General Qin Yulong time to handle this matter."
Breaking Army observed Li Guanyi, saying, "My Lord, after all, he’s an enemy general."
Li Guanyi said, "What I shall defeat is Ying Country’s world; can I use this to coerce, rather letting loyal ministers and fine generals be humiliated to their families?"
Breaking Army saluted, thus Li Guanyi wrote to Yue Pengwu about this matter, Yue Pengwu, being equally forthright, hence did not seize the opportunity to suppress, and Yuwen Lie also informed General Qin Yulong of the affair.
Even though He Ruoqinhu and Wei Yiwen both hoped Yuwen Lie would suppress the matter, Yuwen Lie coldly regarded, merely claiming illness to avoid meeting, leaving the two rejected, after they lingered for hours, helplessly departing.
They heard Yuwen Lie playing the Breaking Formation Song softly.
He Ruoqinhu felt helpless, Wei Yiwen remarked upon hearing the tune, "What a melody."
He Ruoqinhu said, "His voice strong, a Nine Heavens martial general, even without commanding troops, is still an unparalleled martial arts expert, what illness can thwart him? He simply doesn’t wish to meet us."
Not only does he refuse to meet, he deliberately informs these two Divine Generals, the renowned Prime Minister he’d rather not see.
The arrogance of this man is quite evident.
If he deems a person worthy, even a beggar Yuwen Lie would drink with; yet if not, no matter a fellow past battled with renowned generals and a Prime Minister of supreme status, he considers them trash.
