Chapter 259
After seeing General Shi off, Han Jing told King Xuan what General Shi had said.
King Xuan said nothing, but carefully arranged the longevity lock and said, "Be careful on your way back."
Han Jing agreed and said, "I just think General Shi is a bit strange. Father, you should be careful."
King Xuan said, "I know. I have no intention of interfering in the affairs of the southwest. I will leave once General Shi returns from his campaign."
Han Jing thought for a moment and said, "I think General Shi doesn't trust Father."
King Xuan was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, and then said, "I have known General Shi for many years, so don't worry."
Han Jing didn't dare to try to persuade him any further.
King Xuan had already chosen many names, which he carefully put in the letter: "Tell Baojie that I will visit her and the child in a while."
Han Jing wrote it down, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I'll stay..."
“Sun Qiao is coming,” King Xuan said without hesitation. “You won’t be of much use if you stay.”
Han Jing thought about it and agreed. He also wanted to go back to be with his wife. He had heard that childbirth was very dangerous for women. Even though there were imperial physicians, midwives, and even palace maids to take care of them, Han Jing still felt terrified.
King Xuan smiled and was about to give a few more instructions when a guard rushed over. Upon seeing this, King Xuan's expression changed: "What happened?"
After bowing, the guard said, "Your Highness, we have just received news that there is unrest in the south."
Han Jing's expression was grim. The Southwest and Nanzhong were adjacent, and he didn't know if the chaos in Nanzhong would affect the situation in the Southwest.
King Xuan asked in a deep voice, "When did the 'chaos' begin, and what was the cause?"
The guard said, "A month ago, news came from over there that the local officials had abandoned the chieftain's daughter after starting a affair with her."
"A month ago?" King Xuan frowned. Nanzhong was so close to the southwest, yet he only received the news now. He didn't believe there hadn't been any rumors. Moreover, judging from the timeline, this happened after General Shi arrived. Did General Shi know about this news, and why did he keep it from him?
Han Jing also sensed something was wrong and asked, "Is there any news from the capital? Who will be sent to quell the rebellion?"
The guard replied respectfully, "There is no news."
King Xuan silently reviewed the available personnel in the court. Even if someone could be sent to the south, did the court still have any troops available?
The environment in the south and the barbarity of the mountain people... it's very difficult to fight there, otherwise the previous dynasty wouldn't have been able to truly subdue them to this day. When a battle breaks out, the mountain people hide in the mountains. Because they are not familiar with the terrain, the soldiers here suffer a great loss. In addition, there are all kinds of poisonous insects and snakes, plus the climate of that place. The previous dynasty returned empty-handed several times.
Before Emperor Yan ascended the throne, the two brothers discussed the problem of Nanzhong. They concluded that unless they launched a full-scale attack regardless of the cost, it would be difficult to take Nanzhong.
In fact, when Emperor Yan placed his daughter's fief in Fuzhou instead of Nanzhong, Prince Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. In Fuzhou, he could study various ways to eat seafood. If he went to Nanzhong, would he be discussing how to eat various poisonous insects?
However, the court's current response made Prince Xuan somewhat uneasy. Could it be that they were preparing to send him to the south to quell the rebellion? If so, that would be acceptable. However, he didn't know who Emperor Yan would entrust with the matter of Cha Yintian.
King Xuan said, "I understand."
The guards then withdrew.
King Xuan looked at Han Jing and said, "Be careful on the road. I won't see you off tomorrow."
Han Jing said, "Yes, but Father, please take good care of yourself. Sun Qiao will arrive the day after tomorrow at the latest. Please give Sun the instructions if there are any issues."
King Xuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, while I was fighting, you were still playing in the mud."
Han Jing did not refute anything further.
Meanwhile, in the capital, Emperor Yan and the Prime Minister were carefully discussing various matters when he suddenly said, "Is Yongfu about to give birth?"
The prime minister paused for a moment without replying.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhong replied, "Yes, according to the princess's letter, it should be within the next few days."
Emperor Yan nodded and looked at the Prime Minister, saying, "I will leave the matters of Hidden Fields and the Reform to the Prime Minister, and let Prince Xuan assist him from the side."
The Prime Minister replied, "Yes."
Emperor Yan said in a deep voice, "If there is any obstruction, the Prime Minister may act first and report later. Otherwise, the Prime Minister may act as he sees fit."
The Prime Minister said solemnly, "Yes, Your Majesty need not worry. The people are ignorant and cannot understand now, but they will be grateful for Your Majesty's good intentions in the future."
Emperor Yan sighed slowly, but said nothing. He had already sacrificed too much for this country and its people.
The Prime Minister said, “It’s not that no one understands. Many scholars know His Majesty’s good intentions and have spontaneously gone to persuade those who do not understand, and have carefully explained to them. The commoner students in Tibet are also discussing these reforms. There are debates and rebuttals, but more are in agreement. This is all thanks to His Majesty.”
Emperor Yan looked at the Prime Minister and said nothing more about the matter, but instead instructed: "Have the Ministry of Revenue arrange for people to plant the superior seeds cultivated in the palace on a trial basis to see next year's harvest. If there are no problems, then plant them on a large scale. In addition to that, there are also..."
The Prime Minister wrote everything down and discussed it with Emperor Yan from time to time.
After the political discussions concluded, Emperor Yan sent Zhao Zhong to see off the Prime Minister.
The prime minister rose and solemnly bowed to Emperor Yan, but said nothing before turning and leaving.
Zhao Zhong followed behind the Prime Minister, remaining silent.
The prime minister looked up at the sky and suddenly said, "Princess..."
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