fanning the flames

After hearing this, Emperor Yun tapped his fingers on the table and looked at Li Yunyu, saying, "Yunyu, what are your thoughts?" Since it was a state banquet, Li Yunyu wouldn't dare speak unless Emperor Yun called him. Only after being called did he step forward and say, "Lord Dahexi, I have a suggestion. What do you think?" Dahexi bowed slightly to Li Yunyu, who continued, "As an envoy, you are willing to seek more benefits for the Qiang and Hu people. I am a prince of Yanyun, and naturally, I cannot let Yanyun suffer losses. If everyone wants more for themselves, then we can each collect our share, drawing clear lines so we don't interfere with each other. The Qiang and Hu people can collect any silver earned from their exports, while the silver earned from the export of goods transported from Yanyun can be collected by Yanyun. This way, not only can Yanyun export, but you can also profit." Exports, expanded production, and this back-and-forth exchange will promote greater development. Furthermore, Yan Yun will provide the Qiang and Hu with an additional 10% port fee. Conversely, for commercial vessels provided by Yan Yun, the Qiang and Hu will also receive 10% of the cost of using them. This way, there's no need for further profit sharing.” Upon hearing this, Emperor Yun guessed that Tang Feng had taught Li Yunyu these words, as Li Yunyu might not be able to articulate such a perfect balance of pros and cons. Emperor Yun looked at Dahexi, who lowered his eyes in deep thought, then looked up at him and bowed respectfully. “Our Qiang and Hu benefited greatly from the Ayi Port matter back then, and we don't intend to ask for more now. We only hope to reach a peaceful settlement with your country. What Your Highness said is what I hope for. If possible, I hope Your Majesty will sign this contract.”

Dahexi's earnest words caused Li Yunye, who was sitting to the side, to suddenly lose his strength and slump down at the table, unable to recover for a long time. He had always thought that Li Yunyu, without Tang Feng, would amount to nothing, and he also believed that Tang Feng's favoritism meant he could control everything. Now, not only was Li Yunheng not mentioned, but Li Yunyu had also seized the initiative in the Qiang and Hu affairs, leaving him with an indescribable sense of frustration.

Tang Feng looked up at the extremely displeased expression on Li Yunye's face, then glanced at Emperor Yun. Seeing Emperor Yun ponder for a moment, he said slowly, "What Ninth Brother said is indeed reasonable. The Qiang and Hu peoples and Yan Yun have maintained diplomatic relations for so many years. It is reasonable for the treaty to be divided equally. Bring the contract here, and I will sign it."

At this moment, Dahexi looked at Tang Feng kneeling below, smiled slightly, then looked at Emperor Yun and said softly, "Your Majesty, I am grateful for your understanding. I have traveled a long way to come here, but it is only for a contract. A few days ago, I saw that the prince was aggressive and had no intention of negotiating. I thought that Yan Yun had abandoned my Qiang and Hu people, so I was sticking to the terms of the contract. Now it seems that I misunderstood." Emperor Yun then looked at Li Yunye, and with just one glance, Li Yunye trembled and lowered his head, not daring to make another move.

"Thank you for your trouble, Qiang and Hu delegation. Now that the port matter has been settled, please take a seat. I have ordered a song and dance performance to be prepared. I hope the envoy will not dwell on the previous matter."

The banquet lasted until late at night. Only after it ended did Tang Feng emerge from the Hall of Longevity. The dew dampened his sleeves, making him slightly uncomfortable, but he felt much more at ease. Just as he was about to leave, someone grabbed him and pulled him backward, causing him to stumble and almost fall to the ground. Tang Feng looked back and met Li Yunye's gloomy face. After regaining his balance, Tang Feng cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and asked softly, "Your Highness, is there something you need?" Li Yunye snorted coldly, pulling Tang Feng aside and demanding, "What's going on with Li Yunyu?" Tang Feng looked at Li Yunye in confusion and shook his head. "I'm not quite sure what you mean. You are...?"

"I ask you! How could Li Yunyu utter such a meticulously crafted treaty, weighing the pros and cons? What connection do you have with him?!" Tang Feng's expression turned cold upon hearing this. "Your Highness has seen the injuries I sustained during the spring hunt. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager, I would certainly be dead. You can say I instructed the Ninth Prince to secretly injure me, to play along with you, but how do you explain the Empress Dowager's rescue? If she hadn't come, would I still be standing here today? Besides, I've long since lost my reason for vying for the throne. I've already investigated the matter of Liu Liu thoroughly; I can completely wash my hands of it. If you don't trust me, then don't bother me anymore." Seeing Tang Feng's anger, Li Yunye realized he had gone too far. He had few capable people around him to begin with, and Tang Feng was someone he had painstakingly recruited. If he offended him today, he feared his future would be even worse. But by the time Li Yunye came to his senses, Tang Feng was already far away. He barely caught up with him at the palace gate, grabbed Tang Feng's arm, and hurriedly explained, "Tang Feng, I was just so angry that I fainted..." Before Li Yunye could finish speaking, a sharp pain shot through his wrist. At this moment, Zhou Ziliang, holding Li Yunye's hand, stood in front of Tang Feng and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, Xiao Feng is weak. He can't withstand being dragged around like that. Besides, we can discuss this tomorrow. It's late, and the dew is heavy. If we don't go back to rest early, Xiao Feng will fall ill again, and our Marquis's Mansion will be in great trouble."

Li Yunye was somewhat troubled, but afraid of offending both Zhou Ziliang and Tang Feng, he could only watch them leave. Tang Feng sat in Zhou Ziliang's lap, coughing for a while before recovering. "Luckily you came," Zhou Ziliang said, raising his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of Tang Feng's mouth. He frowned and asked, "Not very smoothly?" Tang Feng leaned on Zhou Ziliang's shoulder, holding his hand. "It went very smoothly. It's just that Li Yunye is too suspicious of me and was a little anxious just now. Don't worry, coughing up the blood makes you feel much better."

Why did Li Yunye suddenly become suspicious?

"It probably wasn't just a sudden thing, it's been going on all along, but today I was just too emotional," Tang Feng nestled in Zhou Ziliang's arms, clearly sleepy, but still murmuring softly, "I'm going to see Shen Qinghang tomorrow. He should know about these things."

Tang Feng had originally planned to see Shen Qinghang, but when he woke up the next day, he had a low-grade fever. Opening his eyes, he saw Zhou Ziliang sitting by the bed, placing a cool, damp cloth on his forehead. Seeing that Tang Feng was awake, Zhou Ziliang said, "Don't get up yet. You fell asleep in the carriage yesterday and developed a fever when you got back. I had the servants cook some porridge for you; it will be brought over in a little while." Tang Feng coughed twice before saying in a hoarse voice, "But I'm going to see Shen Qinghang today."

Zhou Ziliang frowned upon hearing this and said sternly, "How can you go out when you're sick? Don't you ever think about yourself?" Tang Feng shrank further under the covers, startled by Zhou Ziliang's words. "Why are you so harsh... I'm sick." Zhou Ziliang sighed helplessly, pulled Tang Feng's blanket down a bit, and then gently touched Tang Feng's slightly flushed cheek. "I'm not being harsh, it's just that you're not resting properly. Everyone's worried when you're sick. Just stay home and rest for a few days. I'll call Shen Qinghang over for you, okay?"

Tang Feng sat up and smiled at Zhou Ziliang, "Alright, then I'll trouble you, Ziliang."

"You're only being nice to me now when you're begging me. Where did your arrogant attitude from the other day go?" Zhou Ziliang chuckled, pinching Tang Feng's cheek and touching his forehead. "You're still a bit hot. You're not allowed to get out of bed later. Even in the sweltering summer, you can't be careless. I'll go find Shen Qinghang for you now."

Since the Qiang and Hu delegation entered Xiling, Shen Qinghang had been keeping a close eye on things, though he hadn't informed Tang Feng. If Zhou Ziliang came looking for him, Shen Qinghang would naturally go. He already had a plan for dealing with Li Yunye, but he needed to discuss it with Tang Feng. "Is he sick again?" Seeing that Tang Feng hadn't come, Shen Qinghang guessed pretty much what was going on.

Zhou Ziliang walked ahead and nodded. "Xiao Feng's illness has never improved, but he's always worried about His Highness the Ninth Prince and isn't getting proper rest."

Shen Qinghang pondered for a moment, then said, "Once this is over, let him rest and recuperate. Health is the most important thing; there's no benefit in him dragging this out."

Zhou Ziliang stopped but didn't turn around. With his back to Shen Qinghang, he said, "Xiao Feng is very sensitive. There are many things he can't accept. Once he knows something, he'll overthink it. You've entrusted him with too much. Even if things end in the future, he won't be able to move on. He can only let his body suffer like this." Shen Qinghang smiled bitterly, "But he insisted on interfering. The struggle for the throne is inherently brutal. Hasn't he heard enough about the survival of the fittest? Since he's standing here, he should have already foreseen his future. Is it strange that a few people will die by his hand?" With that, Shen Qinghang strode into the Marquis's mansion.

Tang Feng leaned against the bed, lost in thought, until he heard footsteps and turned to look at the door. "Haven't seen you for days, what happened to you?" Shen Qinghang went in, pulled up a stool for himself, and sat down next to Tang Feng.

"You come in and immediately start mocking me. Have some shame! I've been working tirelessly these past few days to put a strain on Li Yunye, and what have you been doing?" Every time Shen Qinghang spoke, Tang Feng felt unhappy, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why, so he could only grumble at him. Shen Qinghang never cared about that. He stood up, poured himself some tea, took a sip, and then said, "I went to deliver something to Li Yunye."

"What is that?"

"Hmm... military power."

Tang Feng's eyes widened suddenly. He struggled to sit up, gripping the bed for support, and looked at Shen Qinghang. "What are you doing!" Shen Qinghang grabbed Tang Feng, frowning. "Why are you so agitated? I merely used your influence to fan the flames for Li Yunye, and also lent him military power a while ago."

"You want to incite him to rebel?" Seeing that Shen Qinghang didn't speak, Tang Feng grabbed Shen Qinghang's sleeve. "But do you know that the Crown Prince was framed and accused of rebellion, which led to the extermination of his entire family?"

"Of course I know why the Crown Prince died. I know everything from beginning to end. That's why Li Yunye can't be allowed to live. The palace maid I sent to the Crown Prince's residence that day to expose Consort Xiao's affair with a minister was inextricably linked to Li Yunheng. As for Li Yunye," Shen Qinghang's eyes were full of coldness as he looked down at Tang Feng, "Do you really think there's nothing suspicious about the death of the Eldest Princess?"

Tang Feng suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. "You mean... the death of the Eldest Princess was orchestrated by Li Yunye, who took the opportunity to provoke His Majesty and execute the Crown Prince? He and the Eldest Princess were clearly so close..." Tang Feng's mind kept flashing back to the days at Lishan Academy, when Li Yunye often accompanied the Eldest Princess, admiring flowers and composing poems with her.

"Where can you find deep affection in the palace?" Shen Qinghang pulled Tang Feng's hand away. "Tang Feng, if you don't kill him, you're letting a tiger return to the mountain. He will definitely not let you off in the future. As for the struggle for the throne, there's no certainty until you ascend the throne. You don't still naively think that instigating Li Yunye to do something wrong, displeasing His Majesty, and imprisoning him in the Prince's Mansion for life is enough to get rid of him, do you? What I mean by getting rid of him is to exterminate his entire clan, leaving no one alive. You can't bring yourself to do that, can you?"

Tang Feng looked at Shen Qinghang, and finally closed his eyes and asked, "What do I need to do?"

Shen Qinghang and Tang Feng talked for a long time. When he came out, he saw Zhou Ziliang sitting in the corridor, walked up to him and said, "Brother Ziliang, I can't help but entrust Tang Feng with this. He has a lot to do, and you're right, he's really too naive and simple."

"What did you tell him?" Zhou Ziliang frowned at Shen Qinghang, his expression somewhat displeased. Shen Qinghang shrugged. "I just told him some of the truth. The rest is up to him to discover. It all depends on whether he dares to."

After Shen Qinghang left, Zhou Ziliang was unsure about Shen Qinghang's words. Lost in thought, he heard Tang Feng coughing inside the room. He rushed over to check and found Tang Feng slumped over the bed, vomiting blood before collapsing weakly onto the bed. Tang Feng, perhaps noticing Zhou Ziliang's arrival, gave a wry smile and said, "Ziliang... I'm sorry."

Why apologize?

"It's just... I wanted to say it, but suddenly I realized that from beginning to end, it's all my fault." Tang Feng raised his hand to cover his eyes and gave a bitter laugh. "Having come this far, I suddenly realize how selfish I've been. My own selfish desires have led you all to such a dangerous situation." Tang Feng knew the hardships of vying for the throne, but he had never considered how to eliminate the obstacles around him. Shen Qinghang's words were not without reason. He wanted to avoid the issue only because he didn't want to get his hands dirty with blood again. One Xu Fengyan was enough, but if he were to release the tiger back into the mountains and retaliate, what would happen to Zhou Ziliang, Zhang Mobai, and the people of the Tang family? "I... I hope you believe me... Everything I did afterward was out of necessity."

Zhou Ziliang felt a pang of sympathy for Tang Feng. He gently stroked Tang Feng's cheek and tidied his messy hair. "I know, if I don't believe you, who else will?"

Tang Feng sat up, his eyes slightly red. "I need to see Meng Lie. Zi Liang, let me see him."

Shen Qinghang's meaning was roughly that, regarding the Qiang-Hu contract incident previously instigated by Tang Feng, he would seize the opportunity to add fuel to the fire for Li Yunye. As for Tang Feng, all he needed to do was seize military power, hand it over to Li Yunye, and then quickly feign illness to escape, begin the rebellion, and then have Tang Feng report to Emperor Yun.

Tang Feng leaned against the carriage window, somewhat lost in thought. He couldn't understand why Li Yunye had become like this. How could the carefree and unburdened Li Yunye of yesteryear have killed his elder sister and Li Yunrui because of the struggle for the throne? "Ziliang, I heard that Consort Xiao was imprisoned in the deep palace by Li Yunrui because a palace maid informed on her?"

Zhou Ziliang pulled Tang Feng into his arms. Tang Feng was sweating profusely, and Zhou Ziliang was afraid that the wind would worsen his condition. "Yes, I heard that..."

"He never saw his mother again?"

"No, I heard it was heavily guarded there, but the Crown Prince was still alive then, I don't know now."

"Then, what exactly did he do this for? Just for his mother?" Tang Feng buried his face in Zhou Ziliang's chest, snuggling against him. The low-grade fever made him weak all over, and his body felt hot, yet he was sweating profusely. "Ziliang, I'm so tired. I really don't want to continue."

Zhou Ziliang heard soft sobs, but didn't speak. He simply raised his arms and hugged Tang Feng. He knew that Tang Feng was just venting, and that after he finished, he would still do it without hesitation because he had no other choice.

Upon arriving at the military camp, Tang Feng was helped down from the carriage by Zhou Ziliang. He stood at the camp gate for a long while, stunned, before finally walking in as if he had made up his mind. Meng Lie hadn't expected Tang Feng to come looking for him today. Hearing the soldier's report, he hurried out, "Grand Tutor Tang! It's been so long!" Tang Feng's face was pale, but seeing Meng Lie's carefree demeanor, he couldn't help but smile. "I haven't disturbed your training, have I?"

"Look at what you're saying. What is there to train in our Imperial Guards? Right here in the heart of the capital, they're all lazy and good-for-nothing." Tang Feng glanced at the soldiers outside the camp after hearing this, and indeed, as Meng Lie said, they were extremely lazy.

"Meng Lie, let's go inside and talk."

Meng Lie entered the camp and brought out ice blocks, placing them next to Tang Feng. "Grand Tutor, why are you wearing a cloak in this sweltering heat? If you get heatstroke, we'll have to call the imperial physician again. It's not worth it." Zhou Ziliang was about to speak when Tang Feng stopped him and pushed the basin of ice blocks away. "Deputy General Meng, I came to you today to borrow some men."

That day, Shen Qinghang had told Tang Feng that he had taken advantage of the days the delegation was away to visit the emperor to travel to the south. The south bordered the Qiang and Hu tribes, and the garrison there was manned by the Marquis of Annan. The Marquis of Annan had been a loyal follower of Lin Cheng, always loyal to him. He had always disliked the Emperor's suspicion and actions against the Lin family, but due to his long service on the frontier and lack of powerful backing, he had remained silent. Now that Shen Qinghang had met with the Marquis of Annan and explained his purpose, the idea of ​​turning him against his allies arose spontaneously within him.

"You're going to ruin the Marquis of Annan by doing this," Tang Feng sighed after hearing Shen Qinghang's words. He didn't say anything more, but he didn't quite agree either. "The Marquis of Annan has never been very honest. Although he's a former subordinate of Lincheng, he's cowardly, irritable, incompetent, and difficult to control. After his death, the territory can't be left unguarded. You should recommend Lin Siwen then."

Tang Feng lowered his head and pondered for a moment before asking, "Where do you intend to raise an army?"

"We mustn't let them raise an army in Yaojiashan, Jinxi, in the south, otherwise it will be difficult to control them."

"Will he listen to you?"

“He will, because his troops don’t have a military commander, they’re all roughnecks.” “Have you thought about how to suppress them? Rely on the Imperial Guard? They’re just a bunch of brutes, how could they possibly defeat the border troops?” Tang Feng couldn’t help but worry. This was too risky; if they failed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Not only are there Imperial Guards, but also the Dingbei Army. Isn't Zhou Ziliang's troops stationed outside Xiling City?"

Tang Feng's eyes widened suddenly, and he gripped the blanket covering him tightly. "You dare to plot against the Dingbei Army! So you only made this move because the Dingbei Army was stationed in Xiling, right?"

"You're afraid to let Zhou Ziliang take the risk?"

Tang Feng trembled with anger at Shen Qinghang, panting heavily, "I won't allow you to make a move on Ziliang. As long as I'm around, you won't get away with it."

"But vying for the throne means risking your life and fortune. And you've come this far, do you have any way out? If Zhou Ziliang knew your plan, how could he not help you? Tang Feng, do you think you have a choice now? You only feel sorry for Zhou Ziliang? You've wronged countless people, including me." Shen Qinghang stood up, about to leave, when he heard Tang Feng speak behind him, "I understand."

Tang Feng had ulterior motives in seeking out Meng Lie. He knew that if the Dingbei Army was present and something went wrong, Zhou Ziliang would naturally lead his troops to Yaojiashan. Although he understood that this was just a show, war was war. Shen Qinghang had chosen Yaojiashan to avoid harming the civilians, but Tang Feng had a deep bond with the Dingbei Army and was unwilling to let them lose a single soldier.

"Grand Tutor, we can help you move anything you need. Lending people is easy enough."

Tang Feng shook his head, somewhat hesitant, but still spoke up, "I'd like to... borrow men from you to fight in the war."

Meng Lie was taken aback at first, then looked at Zhou Ziliang. Clearly, Zhou Ziliang didn't know what Tang Feng was going to do either. Only after Tang Feng finished explaining Shen Qinghang's plan to instigate Li Yunye to rebel at Yaojiashan in Jinxi did Meng Lie sit down, his expression unusually serious. "Grand Tutor, isn't this a bit too risky? If the Imperial Guards go, they'll only be passively attacked."

"Yes... so the Dingbei Army will go with the Imperial Guards..." Tang Feng hesitated, unable to continue. He knew what he was doing; he was pushing his soldiers into a fire pit. Shen Qinghang was right. Looking back, he had wronged far more than just Zhou Ziliang; he had wronged countless others.

Meng Lie pondered for a moment before standing up. "Grand Tutor, this matter... I shouldn't have agreed. After all, I'm in charge of the lives of so many Imperial Guards. Although they're unambitious and live a life of luxury, we've spent so much time together. The young Marquis is your husband, and he's willing to go to great lengths for you, so I have no objection. But my brothers behind me have no combat experience; going out would be suicide. However, I'm only doing this for His Highness the Ninth Prince's sake, and I'm willing to risk my life for you."

Tang Feng stood up and bowed deeply to Meng Lie. "Vice General Meng, thank you very much. I owe you this."

As Tang Feng stepped out of the military camp, Zhou Ziliang grabbed him. "Why didn't you tell me about this?" Tang Feng lowered his head, avoiding Zhou Ziliang's eyes. He knew, of course, that Zhou Ziliang had seen through his use of Meng Lie's troops as a shield for the Dingbei Army. Seeing Tang Feng's silence, Zhou Ziliang spoke again, "You shouldn't have come to see Meng Lie. The Imperial Guards are Xiling's last line of defense. They've been pampered for so many years; sending them to the front lines is suicide. The Dingbei Army are elite troops who retreated from the border. Your actions will only lead to more deaths."

"I know, that's why I went to find him." Seeing Tang Feng's slightly red eyes, Zhou Ziliang finally understood why Tang Feng had apologized to him back then and why he wanted him to understand him. Zhou Ziliang stepped forward and hugged Tang Feng, softly asking, "Xiao Feng, are you scared? Scared that something might happen to the Dingbei Army?"

After a long silence, Tang Feng nodded and said in a low voice, "It's not just the Dingbei Army, but also you. Swords have no eyes, and I walk on thin ice every day in the court. What's more... you're going to the battlefield, Ziliang. I know I'm selfish, but..."

"So you want Meng Lie to come with me? In your eyes, am I so weak and frail?" Zhou Ziliang straightened Tang Feng's body, looked into his eyes and smiled. "I've been trained on the battlefield since I was a child with my father. The minor Marquis of An'nan is nothing to me. The 100,000 elite soldiers and generals of the Dingbei Army are not to be underestimated either. Don't worry, I will definitely bring you a victory. As for Meng Lie, he doesn't have many men to begin with, so let's not force him. However, he needs to be credited to His Highness the Ninth Prince. Otherwise, we won't even know who went to rescue him, and what will happen when it comes to rewards later?"

Tang Feng stared blankly at Zhou Ziliang, opened his mouth but couldn't say anything, then threw himself into Zhou Ziliang's arms, hugging him tightly, his voice hoarse and tinged with tears, "Idiot, are you stupid? That's a battlefield, what could you possibly promise me?"