Chapter 481 Marriage Alliance
Huo Lin maintained the composure of an emperor, but the upward curve of his lips betrayed his good mood.
He glanced at the surrounding officials and saw that they all looked in agreement, and even a few senior officials were nodding slightly, so he knew that the matter was settled.
"The Empress's suggestion is very much to my liking," Huo Lin said, his voice steady and powerful, making a direct decision. "Then let's proceed with this plan."
He immediately issued a series of orders, speaking quickly and clearly: "Send a message to Xu Zhiyuan immediately via express courier, informing him in detail of the strategy we just agreed on. This strategy can be implemented flexibly according to the actual situation in the Northwest."
"Furthermore, two elite light cavalry units will be dispatched from the capital region camp to reinforce the northwest immediately. A secret edict will be drafted and sent to the Prince of Mobei, ordering Mobei to put pressure on the Western Rong on the western front."
"Your Majesty, we obey!" the officials replied in unison, bowing and accepting the order before filing out of the side hall to attend to their respective tasks.
Once the footsteps of the last minister had faded into the distance and the palace doors were closed, Huo Lin finally shed his dignified imperial demeanor, and his aura softened.
He reached out and pulled Jiang Huan to sit down beside him, then squeezed her fingers.
"Thanks to you today, otherwise those old ministers would have argued until dark and still not gotten to a conclusion."
Jiang Huan felt sweet inside from his praise, like she had drunk honey. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up, but she deliberately raised her chin.
"Of course, who can blame me for being so incredibly resourceful?"
Huo Lin chuckled at her smug expression, leaned closer, and lowered his voice, which was laced with amusement.
"I will issue an edict immediately, instructing my second brother to go ahead and do as he pleases. With your brilliant plan, elite troops, and the support of my uncle on the flank, I want to see how long those clowns from the Western Rong can remain so arrogant."
The decree was issued swiftly, and the war situation in the Northwest was immediately affected.
Upon receiving the secret order and strategy, Xu Zhiyuan immediately grasped the meaning and put the policy to its fullest potential.
Trade routes were opened to tribes such as Helan and Chigan, with favorable conditions.
For tribes such as the Tufa and Wuhe, a two-pronged approach of economic blockade and military strikes was adopted, which was precise and ruthless.
Coupled with the looming threat from the northern deserts on the western front, the pro-peace faction within the Western Rong gained momentum, while the pro-war faction became increasingly isolated. The tense situation in the northwest miraculously eased within a few months, and border trade gradually recovered, even becoming more prosperous than before.
On this day, another urgent letter arrived at the palace, this time written by the chieftain of the Western Rong.
The letter was sincere and earnest, praising the Emperor of Liang for his wisdom, the Empress for her virtue, and the General for his bravery. It also expressed deep remorse for being misled by the Southern Frontier and a desire for eternal peace.
To show his sincerity, he presented a generous gift and earnestly requested that his beloved daughter, Princess Ashina Yun, be married to General Xu Zhiyuan of Daliang, so as to establish a marriage alliance.
Inside the imperial study, Huo Lin finished reading the letter of state and then looked at the densely packed list of treasures on the gift list. He chuckled and handed the letter of state to Jiang Huan, who was standing to the side.
"The Western Rong have completely given in. They can't win, so they seek peace and even want to become in-laws with the Great Liang. They've got a pretty good plan."
Jiang Huan took a look and laughed: "You specifically named my second brother to marry? This chief of the Western Rong has good taste in men."
She blinked, a gossipy glint in her eyes, and leaned closer to Huo Lin: "Do you think Second Brother and Princess Ashina Yun have been having an affair these past few months in the Northwest? Otherwise, why would she insist on marrying him, and not someone else?"
Huo Lin found it extremely amusing to see her with bright, inquisitive eyes, so he deliberately teased her.
"What? Want to play matchmaker? So concerned about your second brother's love life."
[I think she's secretly wanting to find out about her brother's romantic escapades, but is too embarrassed to ask directly.]
"I'm just concerned about my second brother's lifelong happiness." Jiang Huan straightened her back, speaking with confidence, but her slightly reddened ears betrayed her true intentions.
“What if Second Brother is also interested in the princess? Wouldn’t this be a match made in heaven? It would kill two birds with one stone. If he’s not interested, we can’t force him. Marriage is a good thing, not an enemy.”
"Yes, that makes sense." Huo Lin nodded, his expression becoming more serious.
Marriage is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly, especially when it involves diplomatic relations between two countries; it requires even greater caution.
A forced relationship is never sweet; if there's no mutual affection, forcing a relationship will only breed resentment. But if there's genuine mutual affection, then it's the icing on the cake.
He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Wang Degui, summon Xu Zhiyuan to the palace immediately and tell him that I have important matters to ask him.”
"Your servant obeys the decree."
After the war in the Northwest stabilized, Xu Zhiyuan was summoned back to the capital by order of Huo Lin to report on his duties, and he is currently in the capital.
He received the summons and arrived quickly, dressed in casual clothes, walking briskly, his heroic spirit undiminished.
Upon entering the hall, he clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, his voice steady: "Your subject Xu Zhiyuan greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty."
Huo Lin raised his hand, gesturing for him to stand up, and without beating around the bush, handed him the letter from the Western Rong Kingdom.
"The chieftain of the Western Rong has sent a letter requesting a marriage alliance, hoping to marry his beloved daughter, Princess Ashina Yun, to you in order to strengthen the friendship between our two countries. This is the letter; please take a look."
Xu Zhiyuan took the letter of state, quickly glanced through it, his fingers gripping the silk tightened almost imperceptibly for a moment, then regained their composure and respectfully handed the letter back.
"I saw it."
Huo Lin observed his reaction and had some guesses in his mind, so he asked directly: "This matter concerns your life and the stability of the Northwest. I want to hear your own opinion. Are you willing to marry that Western Rong princess?"
The question was posed, and the Imperial Study immediately fell silent.
Jiang Huan also held her breath and stared intently at her second brother.
She saw Xu Zhiyuan lower his eyes, his thick eyelashes casting a faint shadow on his straight nose, and his tightly pursed lips revealing that he was not at peace.
Time passed slowly, with only the soft ticking of the water clock.
Huo Lin waited patiently, his fingertips lightly tapping on the smooth imperial desk, his mind racing with thoughts.
Judging from this reaction, it doesn't seem like it was entirely unintentional. Is he weighing the pros and cons, considering the relationship between the two countries, or is he simply too embarrassed to speak up?
Jiang Huan was getting impatient, feeling like a cat's claws were scratching at her heart. She couldn't help but tug at Huo Lin's sleeve and signal with her eyes: Why aren't you saying anything yet?
Just as Huo Lin was about to speak again and break the silence, Xu Zhiyuan raised his head.
A faint blush had crept onto his cheeks, spreading all the way to his ears, but his eyes, which had been hesitant before, now held a firm look.
He met Huo Lin's scrutinizing and authoritative gaze, and quickly glanced at his sister beside him, whose face was full of concern. Then, he clasped his hands in a deep voice and answered clearly, "Your subject is willing to marry her."
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