Chapter 80 My Will is Decided
Now there are two pieces of news in front of Yan Xuanyu, one good news and one bad news.
The bad news is that the people who traveled west returned, but were attacked by the Zhishi tribe of the Southern Turks.
The good news was that the Turks stole foreign gems, gold and silver utensils, and glassware. Fortunately, the place of the attack was very close to the Great Zhou, and the reinforcements arrived in time, so the seeds brought back from the west survived, but... a lot of people died.
Moreover, that group of people had clearly survived all the unknown dangers on their way west, but died in an accident when they were about to return to the Great Zhou.
Yan Xuanyu closed his eyes and ordered a grand burial.
Exploring the unknown was inherently fraught with the risk of death, and everyone had already made preparations before setting out. However, what Yan Xuanyu could not accept was that they had almost returned to the Great Zhou, only to die in an attack by the Turks.
If possible, Yan Xuanyu would even like to defeat the Turks and Rongdi right now, so that the development of the Great Zhou would never have to worry about.
Just not.
He wanted to try his best to ensure the survival of more people, and this could only be achieved if their weapons were more advanced, their tactics were more sophisticated, their soldiers were stronger, and their cooperation with their generals was more tacit.
They can't do these things now.
The soldiers of the Great Zhou Dynasty have become much stronger than before, but it still takes time for them to gain the upper hand in the battle with the Turkic soldiers. What they lack is not perseverance, but time.
Therefore, the Great Zhou must not act rashly now, and once it does, it must uproot the Turks, because the Turks are good at nomadism, and their speed of retreat and ability to grow in a new place are very strong. As long as they are given a place, they can quickly recover. Moreover, judging from history, they will always have ambitions, will never truly surrender, and will always be wild and unwilling.
But history has proven that they are not suitable to be the masters of the world.
...
Turkic, royal tent.
"Oh? You finally can't sit still anymore?" The man leaned against the jewel-encrusted throne, looking at the document with the seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty with amusement.
"Ah, peace talks?" The man held his chin with one hand, as if he was really thinking about it.
"Your Majesty, what should we do with the envoys from the Great Zhou?" a bearded man with his upper body half naked asked in a rough voice.
Ziluo raised his eyes to look at the man who spoke: "Throw him to the wolf's den."
The bearded man was stunned, but Ziluo laughed again, "I'm talking about you."
He casually raised his hand, and several guards around him immediately pressed the bearded man to the ground.
"Wang..." the man begged for mercy eagerly.
Ziluo slowly stood up and kicked the bearded man hard on the face several times.
After the bearded man's plea for mercy faded away, Ziluo returned to the throne. "Negotiation? Sure, let Yan Xuanyu come and talk to me personally."
He smiled and looked down: "What do you think?"
There was silence in the king's tent.
The Turkic royal family either surrendered to Ziro and was controlled by him, or had already been buried in a pile of dirt. How could they have any objections?
When Ziluo first ascended the throne, the arrogant royal nobles or Turkic generals did not know how powerful he was. They underestimated the scheming second prince, and their fate was obvious.
When these rough and brave Turkic men talk about Zirorang, their hair stands on end. If they were to use anything to describe him, the first thing they would think of is the wandering ghost that would eat people and appear at night on the grassland, as everyone's grandmother had told them when they were little.
He clearly told Yan Xuanyu that he was willing to come in person to negotiate peace, but he also hoped that Yan Xuanyu would come in person. He had already taken a step back and agreed to the peace talks. Wasn't Yan Xuanyu willing to show the slightest sincerity? Of course, if Yan Xuanyu didn't want to come in person, then there was nothing he could do.
...
"He's dreaming!" In the court, officials cursed the Turkic king.
"Is he, a Turkic king, worthy of being called a monarch?!"
Yan Xuanyu also had a serious expression.
Ashina Ziro was completely different from his brother and father, as well as Prime Minister Jiang who had once tried to restore the previous dynasty. If Yan Xuanyu still had the energy to deal with those people, he would have to be extremely careful when facing Ashina Ziro.
Whether from the original owner's memory or this life, he knew that Ashina Ziro was a scheming person.
He was just publicly announcing that he was willing to negotiate peace with the Central Plains and exchange what he had, but the prerequisite was that the Central Plains would show sincerity. He was now the leader of the Turks and was willing to come in person to negotiate. If the Central Plains did not show sincerity, did it mean that they did not want to negotiate at all, or...
In order to ensure the safety of both parties, Ashina Ziluo proposed to set the peace talks outside Huangsha City.
"Haha, what is he afraid of if Ashina Ziluo doesn't come to the capital?"
"Your Majesty, you must not agree to this. A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. I wonder what the Turkic king is planning."
Yan Xuanyu pressed his solar plexus, "That's what he wants you to think."
"His Majesty...."
Can't go.
Reason told Yan Xuanyu, but another voice said that perhaps this was the only way to break the deadlock.
Yan Xuanyu didn't want to send troops to fight the Turks right away, but he also didn't want to see the people of the Great Zhou die because of the Turks. If he didn't face this problem head-on, it would never be solved.
Perhaps Ashina Ziluo was not sincere in negotiating peace, but had other plans.
Is it okay for him to go to the mountain where there is a tiger even though he knows there is a tiger there?
...
When the next document arrived from the border, in addition to the usual report on the situation on the border of the Great Zhou, there was also a letter to Yan Xuanyu, which was stamped with Yuan Kang's private seal.
A few months ago, when Yan Xuanyu talked about weapons, Yuan Kang thought of something. He said that more than ten years ago, the world-famous swordsmith Wu Shuang retired and disappeared from the world.
Wu Shuang forged a sword that could cut hair into short pieces and slice iron like mud.
If Wu Shuang could be found, and if he was willing to forge weapons for the soldiers of the Great Zhou, the day when the sword would be pointed at the Turks would be shortened a lot.
But he said that Wu Shuang had already retired and disappeared, so where could he find him in such a big world?
Now the issue of weapons has been put aside by Yan Xuanyu. What makes him a little anxious is the documents brought by the envoy sent by Ashina Ziro to the Great Zhou.
So Yan Xuanyu sent a letter to ask Yuan Kang for his opinion.
The mountains are high and the road is long. Yuan Kang's reply was only a short sentence:
"But at your Majesty's command, Kangding will go through fire and water and will not refuse even if death is the cost."
What I mean is, if Yan Xuanyu decides to go for peace talks, will Yuan Kang protect him even at the risk of his life?
Yan Xuanyu was stunned.
The court officials unanimously agreed that Your Majesty should stay in the capital and not believe the lies of the Turkic king.
This seemed to be the consensus of everyone. In other court affairs, officials would argue fiercely due to the clash of various ideas, but when it came to peace talks, no one had a second opinion.
Even Yan Xuanyu knew that asking him to go to the border to meet Ashina Ziluo was simply a fantasy in the eyes of the capital and even the world.
But Yuan Kang just said that he would go through fire and water and would not refuse even if it meant death.
This was originally an exaggerated expression of loyalty, but when it came out of Yuan Kang's mouth, Yan Xuanyu knew that if Yuan Kang said it, he would definitely do it.
He saw Yan Xuanyu's hesitation and knew that even though everyone in the court was opposed to it, deep down in his heart... Yan Xuanyu wanted to go.
Desperate, childish and dangerous idea.
...
"Your Majesty, I still say the same thing: a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall! What's more, you are the emperor!" The official promoted by Yan Xuanyu "disobeyed" him for the first time while standing in the court.
"Your Majesty, I second the motion!"
"I second the motion."
There was a chorus of agreement in the court. Yan Xuanyu looked over and saw that no matter who had been at odds with each other in the past or who had disliked each other, they were now all in agreement.
If it were before, Yan Xuanyu would be relieved that they finally learned to "cooperate".
Only now...
"I have made up my mind." Yan Xuanyu said.
In the court, all sounds disappeared.
"If Your Majesty insists on going, I will follow you." At this moment, Han Yuan, who was originally sitting, stood up and knelt down with a tablet in his hand.
Even though he is already gray-haired and has shown signs of aging at an early age, he looks younger than before, perhaps because he has relaxed physically and mentally in recent years or because he can eat better because of the diverse meals in the mall.
At this moment, Yan Xuanyu seemed to have become the monarch he once was.
And the Korean won has become the veteran of three dynasties.
[Ding—Host completes the Tyrant Emperor mission, becoming tyrannical and domineering. Earn points...]
...
Yan Xuanyu sat in Chengtian Hall and had a headache.
He went because he had a trump card——
That's the system.
Yes, even if there is danger, the system can save his life without violating the cognition of this era.
He and the system exist in a symbiotic relationship. If he dies, the system will not "die", but it will lose all the points that Yan Xuanyu has earned for him.
So of course the system will save his life.
This is also the reason why Yan Xuanyu wanted to take a gamble - he was cheating in this game.
He is not a fool. Ashina Ziluo is full of plans. How can he go there without any confidence?
But what gave him a headache was that a Cheng Yaojin suddenly appeared. Han Yuan said in the court today that as long as Yan Xuanyu went, he would go too.
Not to mention the dangers at the border, Han Yuan is an old man and he will have a hard time on the road.
"Your Majesty, please eat something." Li Zhongxian stood aside with a worried look on his face.
Yan Xuanyu sighed.
Li Zhongxian gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, if Mr. Han wants to go, why not take him with you? I will personally lead the team to look after him. I will use the best supplies and make sure that Mr. and Younger Han don't suffer. Then I will send some guards to accompany him."
Yan Xuanyu looked at him and asked, "Aren't you the same as them in opposing my going to Huangsha City?"
"Your Majesty, I have been with you the longest. I only know that everything you do is accomplished," said Li Zhongxian.
Yan Xuanyu looked at him intently. Indeed, the person he saw when he first opened his eyes was Li Zhongxian. In the past, Li Zhongxian was clever but kind-hearted, so Yan Xuanyu kept him. Later, it was proved that Yan Xuanyu was right in his judgment of him. Li Zhongxian, the general manager, managed the affairs of the palace in an orderly manner.
Yan Xuanyu also discovered that this fat man was really kind-hearted. In the past few years, his body had gained weight at a speed visible to his naked eyes.
But Li Zhongxian is also the person who sees things most clearly.
Although Li Zhongxian always called himself a servant, this was the rule here. Yan Xuanyu never treated anyone around him as a servant. They were all people who accompanied him.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Li Zhongxian couldn't help but speak when he saw him in a daze.
After saying this, he was still a little nervous and said, "But what did I say wrong?"
Yan Xuanyu smiled and said, "You are right. I will accomplish whatever I want to do."
...
In April, the emperor announced to the world that he would go to Huangsha City to negotiate with the Turkic king.
The whole world was shocked and begged the emperor to revoke his order.
Countless scholars have written poems or articles of admonition in the capital's daily newspapers, hoping that Your Majesty will see them.
Can Yan Xuanyu see it?
Of course he can see it, because he reviewed the article!
"Go ahead and follow the rules. No need to ask me." Yan Xuanyu sighed.
The owner of the Beijing Daily stood aside: "...Yes."
He asked His Majesty if he could publish articles that advised His Majesty not to go to Huangsha City. This was his first experience!
"However, the literary talent of this group of people is many times better than before." Yan Xuanyu took a manuscript in his hand and read it carefully twice.
Ding Yan, the owner of the Beijing Daily, agreed with this and said with a chuckle, "I've noticed this myself. This is all due to the changes brought about by Your Majesty's decision to introduce the imperial examination system. Previously, scholars often pursued flowery rhetoric, which was often superficial and superficial. Since you introduced the imperial examination system throughout the country, scholars have been writing according to it."
Yan Xuanyu said, "It still depends on them. The imperial examination booklet only guides them on how to do it. The specific content still needs to be written by them themselves."
...
There are two places that are out of tune with the current trend in the capital.
One is the Imperial Palace and various workshops that prepare for the trip, and the other is... the Duke's Mansion.
"Dad, what are you going to do?" Han Shidong was so anxious that he was running around in circles.
Ever since Han Shidong went to the Capital Military Academy, he is no longer the eldest son who seemed cowardly and not valued by his father. The Capital Military Academy is a place to train talents for His Majesty. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that Han Shidong's status is comparable to that of high-ranking officials in the court.
He finally understood a little about what his father was thinking, so his relationship with his father gradually improved in recent years, and the relationship between father and son was no longer as stiff as before.
"If the emperor goes, I'll go too." Han Yuan sat on the armchair and drank tea slowly. "Don't turn around. It makes me upset."
Han Shidong paused and sighed, "Your Majesty won't go if you're like this?"
After all, he knew the emperor's temperament. Once he wanted to do something, it would be strange if he changed his mind because of a few words from others.
Han Yuan was calm and collected: "Why not go?"
"Then..." Han Shidong was interrupted by Han Yuan before he could finish his words.
"It is because Your Majesty wants to go that I will follow."
Han Shidong calmed down, "Dad, what do you mean?"
Han Yuan put down the teacup and said with a faint smile: "Why, in your eyes, have I already reached the stage of being senile and confused?"
"Your Majesty is still young and has many novel ideas and is quite intelligent, but he's still not up to the task of negotiating. Ashina Ziluo is a man of deep scheming, and I doubt Your Majesty will be able to handle him—of course, if the negotiations fail, that's another matter. Secondly, I haven't been to the borders of our great country in decades. It would be a shame if I were to leave in my old age."
Han Yuan seldom talked about these things with his eldest son before, but now he is willing to tell him everything in detail. After all, how many years does he have left?
"So that's how it is..." Han Shidong recalled his father's performance in the court, and then he suddenly realized.
But he still hesitated: "Dad, although you are in good health now, can you withstand the bumpy road?"
Han Yuan ignored him. Seeing that he was still standing there stupidly, he said impatiently, "Why don't you go pack your father's luggage? Go to the mall and buy some more long-lasting cakes."
"Oh." Han Shidong had no choice but to do as he was told.
He always had a hunch that the older his father got, the more he looked like his uncle whom he had met once before...
...
"No, these ministers think we are going on a spring outing. Why do they all want to go?" Yan Xuanyu had a headache again.
"Everyone, stay in the capital!" Yan Xuanyu said forcefully, "You are all my beloved ministers, and you must stay in the capital!"
After reviewing the memorials from court officials, Li Zhiwei happened to enter the palace for a small gathering with Wang Qinyao. Yan Xuanyu asked her to take a message to Lian'er, who was temporarily staying at the Lanxue Academy, asking her to pack up and follow him to Huangsha City, so that she could return to Ashina Ziro.
When Li Zhongxian went to Wang Qinyao's palace, Wang Qinyao saw that he had nothing in his hands and said jokingly, "I thought His Majesty was here to give us some gifts for our little gathering!"
Li Zhongxian said with a chuckle, "I just asked Your Majesty for a reward on behalf of the Empress, but Your Majesty said that the Empress is making a fortune these days, so how could you be interested in the meager gifts he's given?"
After that, he told Li Zhiwei what Yan Xuanyu had asked him to convey, and Li Zhiwei wrote it down one by one.
"Then I will take my leave first." Li Zhongxian bowed.
After Li Zhongxian left, the two of them continued to chat in the palace. Wang Qinyao inevitably asked about Lian'er, because she was quite surprised.
Surprised she's not dead yet.
Li Zhiwei said seriously, "Yes, sometimes I also feel that Your Majesty's ideas seem different from others. If we think that Lian'er is a spy, we should just kill her and be done with it. But Your Majesty actually thought that he had used her for some things in the past, so he not only spared her life but also sent her back."
Wang Qinyao ate a sweet and sour orange and gave a few to Li Zhiwei. "Yeah, that's really weird."
"Everyone has their own beliefs," Li Zhiwei continued after taking over. "Your Majesty doesn't seem to enjoy ordering people to be killed... Those who are killed are those who have to be killed. I don't know if this is good or bad for Your Majesty."
After Li Zhiwei finished speaking, she took a bite of her orange and thought, "There's a new place called Fruit Salad that recently opened in the mall. Now's the perfect time to eat there, but fruit is hard to come by during this season, and it's much more expensive than other food in the mall."
"We have plenty of money," Wang Qinyao said nonchalantly. "Could this fruit salad be another one of His Majesty's ideas? It's not even available in the palace yet."
Li Zhiwei said, "It's nothing special. It's just a variety of fruits cut into small pieces and topped with yogurt. You can ask the imperial kitchen to make it."
"I'll try it tomorrow. It just so happens that the imperial kitchen has been quite idle recently, and people from my palace have come to see me several times."
The two stopped talking about this and started talking about other things.
It was not until the next day that Wang Qinyao remembered to ask the palace maid to go to the imperial kitchen, and was told that the imperial kitchen no longer accepted private work except for special requests, as His Majesty was preparing to leave the palace.
The palace servant who went to the imperial kitchen returned and described it to the others: "I was really shocked. The imperial kitchen was filled with strips of meat and vegetables, all strung together with ropes... The outside of the imperial kitchen was also filled with hangings. When I went there, the chefs were sweating profusely as they stir-fried the ingredients. It smelled quite fragrant, but I wonder what it was."
Wang Qinyao just laughed when she heard this: "The Imperial Kitchen is under His Majesty's orders. When it's busy, it's extremely busy. When it's idle, it's extremely idle."
"The masters are very happy." said the palace servant again.
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