The Case of Worry-Free (Side Story)

In the fourth year of Zhao Han Jisheng's reign, the country was peaceful and prosperous, and the people were content. Emperor Zhao Changli was already a twenty-one-year-old adult monarch, and the empire built by his grandfather and father was continuing well under his rule.

But I don't think he's happy.

As I stood guard outside the door, I heard the Empress Dowager reprimanding the Emperor. I was so frightened that I dared not even breathe, yet I dared not move my feet, for fear that the Empress Dowager would think I was eavesdropping, even though she certainly knew that I and the attendants standing outside could hear it.

"Yuan Gang, come in!"

The Empress Dowager summoned me, and I hurried in to pay my respects.

"Tell me, the Great Yue Kingdom is making trouble. Should we send troops to deter them?" the Empress Dowager asked me as soon as she saw me.

I was startled; I never expected that the issue that the court officials and the emperor had been arguing about for so many days would fall on my shoulders.

After the death of the supreme emperor of the Western Regions last year, the new emperor strengthened the defenses of the eastern border and repeatedly increased the number of troops, showing that he was ready to send troops to Zhao Han at any time.

The ministers advised that if Ximen Fusu were still alive, given his character and integrity, he would certainly maintain his relationship with Zhao Han. However, the new emperor of the Western Regions was clearly an ambitious schemer like Wen Hu. Rather than waiting for them to be fully prepared to attack, it would be better to attack first and teach them a lesson.

In particular, as the situation in the Great Yue Kingdom changed, the long-vanished pirates reappeared and began tentatively harassing the Zhao-Han coastline. New developments also emerged in the northern deserts: the remnants of the Yedan tribe were discovered establishing tribes and showing signs of migrating south.

All of this made the court officials even more eager for the emperor to raise an army.

Unconditional tolerance will only embolden the enemy and make them think that Zhao Han is easy to bully.

However, Zhao Changli was a benevolent ruler. After ascending the throne, he valued civil affairs over military affairs, focused on people's livelihood and development, disliked solving problems with violence, and opposed war.

This is the continuation of the conflicts between the emperor and his ministers during the prosperous years, especially the conflicts between the emperor and his military generals.

In truth, I knew perfectly well that most of the ministers' suggestions were actually the suggestions of the Protector-King. This Protector-King was the Emperor Emeritus's younger brother, a legitimate and upright fourth uncle. Before the Emperor Emeritus went on his travels, he had appointed the Protector-King to assist in governing the country. Now that the Emperor had come of age, the Protector-King had no intention of relinquishing power whatsoever.

To put it simply, the core conflict lies between Zhao Zhan and his nephew Zhao Changli.

The Empress Dowager was naturally on the Emperor's side, but what did she mean by asking that question? I was unsure of what to do, so I secretly winked at Zhao Changli.

Zhao Changli kept his eyes down, not looking at me, but he moved his finger slightly, indicating that I should say whatever I thought.

He knows what I'm thinking.

I am the son of Yuan Xiu's seventh brother. After the Great Jing Dynasty split, I lived under the protection of my aunt, who is now the Empress Dowager. Zhao Changli is only a year younger than me, and I played with him since I was little. Later, the brothers Yuan Wushang and Yuan Wuyou also came, and we lived together. However, Yuan Wushang was a very gloomy fellow, not like a child. He was several years older than us and not close to us.

Therefore, only Zhao Changli, Yuan Wuyou, and I were the closest to each other, with Yuan Wuyou being the oldest, Zhao Changli the youngest, and me in the middle.

But not many people knew me; I was like a nobody in the palace.

As we grew up, Zhao Changli became the emperor, Yuan Wuyou became the Marquis of Lingshan, but I remained without any official rank or title.

It wasn't until half a year ago that the Empress Dowager talked to me about state affairs, introduced me to the Minister of Revenue, and instructed me to learn more from him.

Xu An, the Minister of Revenue, is a man who loves money but is very generous, and he is also very lustful but pretends to be indifferent to women. He is a hypocrite. However, he listens to the Empress Dowager and takes good care of me. He also said some things to me after drinking.

“Yuan Gang, the Empress Dowager only remembered you now, not because you are incompetent, but because you need more protection than the Marquis of Lingshan. The Marquis of Lingshan’s father and grandfather were people who protected the people of the North for their entire lives. Anyone who wants to harm them should think twice.”

Xu An's words seemed like drunken ramblings, but I knew he was saying them on purpose for me to hear, genuinely trying to remind me for my own good.

His meaning was simple: my talent and Yuan Wuyou's are not comparable for the time being, but if both of us brothers were involved in the struggle, and the enemy wanted to choose someone from among the imperial relatives, they would definitely choose me first.

Therefore, the Empress Dowager dared not let me stand out too much.

But now... they're even asking me about this kind of thing. Does that mean they're starting to promote me?

I mustered my courage and replied, "I think that's inappropriate!"

"Oh?" The Empress Dowager looked at me with interest. "Why?"

"Your Majesty, if I may be so blunt, Your Majesty is not as prestigious in the army as the Protector of the Nation. Moreover, the Pillar General is also a proponent of war, and he has long harbored resentment because Your Majesty has not fought. Most of the military officers in the court are influenced by the Protector of the Nation and the General, and they have made many criticisms of Your Majesty. There are even rumors that Your Majesty is cowardly and weak... If Your Majesty agrees to their demands, they will think that Your Majesty is afraid of them, which will embolden them."

"presumptuous!"

The Empress Dowager glared at me and scolded, "You unfilial son! How dare you abandon state affairs for His Majesty's personal gain?!"

Since things have come to this point, I don't care anymore. I raised my voice and said, "Your Majesty's private affairs are also matters of state! If Your Majesty loses your authority and your ministers become too powerful, it will only lead to discord between the ruler and his subjects!"

The Empress Dowager suddenly chuckled twice and said coldly, "Yuan Gang, do you want to be a treacherous minister?"

"Just like Wuyou, I will do whatever the Empress Dowager asks me to do, as long as it benefits His Majesty!"

I glanced at Zhao Changli, then looked at the Empress Dowager and said, "Actually, it's not impossible to send troops... but Your Majesty needs to personally lead the expedition. This will not only silence the generals and prove that Your Majesty is not a coward, but also establish your prestige in the army."

Seeing the Empress Dowager's face darken, I knew that this suggestion had offended her.

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