“Brother, sit down and talk.”
Yuan Li did not return to the main seat, but instead sat down next to Wen Hu, holding his wrist.
The servants quickly brought over the wine and dishes, and also brought over the wine and dishes for Yuan Li, who was in the main seat. The two clinked glasses.
Wen Hu asked, "What is Your Highness's opinion on His Majesty's plan to rescue the Princess?"
Yuan Li smiled and said, "You've already made it clear that my elder sister is determined to follow the Zhao family, no matter what. How can we talk about rescuing her? And why would she want to come back?"
"That's only one aspect."
Wen Hu poured wine for Yuan Li and continued, "The Zhao family's strength used to lie in Zhao Huan, and later in Zhao Huan and Zhao Cheng. Now that Zhao Huan and his son are dead, and He Zhi's three hundred soldiers are few in number, they can no longer cause any trouble. I know there are still some people in the army who are loyal to Zhao Huan, but they are just pawns. Without Zhao Huan, they are dead pieces. In short, without Zhao Huan and Zhao Cheng, the Zhao family no longer poses a threat to Da Jing. Let them go to Lingshan and fend for themselves."
Yuan Li asked, "How do we persuade His Majesty?"
Wen Hu said, "Doesn't Your Highness know His Majesty's personality? His Majesty cannot be persuaded, but he is currently living in the deep palace. We can delay or keep it from him."
"How to delay, how to conceal?"
“Send a team to the foot of Lingshan Mountain to make a show of it. Tell the palace that we can’t take it up and can only hold out. It’s also meaningful for this team to be stationed at the foot of Lingshan Mountain. I don’t believe that so many people living at the foot of the mountain won’t come down to buy supplies from time to time. We can capture them one by one, gradually absorbing them and also giving the palace an explanation.”
Wen Hu changed the subject and clasped his hands in a fist and said to Yuan Li, "Of course, this is just my idea. If Your Highness does not agree, then pretend I didn't say anything. We will follow His Majesty's orders and discuss the use of force against Lingshan."
Yuan Li was very satisfied with Wen Huxian's attitude in seeking his instructions, and said with a smile, "Brother, you are very thoughtful. I approve of your plan just now."
Wen Hu raised his wine cup to Yuan Li and said, "I don't want the court to waste resources and manpower on the Lingshan trip because we have more important things to do."
Yuan Li asked in confusion, "What is it?"
Wen Hu glanced at the door and remained silent for a while before saying, "Even Miss Gong Xue has gone far away. I am very grateful for the Prince's trust in me."
Yuan Li smiled and said, "Since you say it's an important matter, then naturally no one is allowed to listen in."
Wen Hu's expression turned serious, as if what he had said before was just an appetizer and now he was getting to the main point.
"Champion Wang has guarded the southern border of Dajing for many years and made great contributions to Dajing. Now that he is old, it is time for him to enjoy his retirement."
Yuan Li frowned sharply, but did not immediately respond to Wen Hu.
After eliminating the Zhao family, are they going to target Yuan Zhang next?
Yuan Li pondered to himself, unsure whether it was Wen Hu's idea or Yuan Xiu's instruction.
Wen Hu observed Yuan Li's expression and said, "Now that Da Jing has made peace with Nan Zhou, the Eastern Chamber of Commerce has also started trading with them. As far as I know, Yang Zhanbei, the Grand Commander of Nan Zhou, intends to retire, and the Yang family army will be handed over to Yang Qingzhi. The situation on the southern border is about to change. The Champion King and the Yang family army have too deep a grudge. Letting him step down will be beneficial to the relations between the two countries."
"As for who will succeed the champion, that will naturally be decided by Your Highness."
Yuan Li was startled and looked at Wen Hu in surprise.
Wen Hu gave him a knowing look and said, "Your Highness, forgive my bluntness, but although the Central Secretariat is now in your hands, your influence in the military is too weak. This is a golden opportunity. If we wait until Southern Zhou and Great Jing start fighting again, and the court needs the Champion King, then this opportunity will be gone."
Yuan Li slowly raised his wine glass and began to drink alone.
He was rapidly weighing the options in his mind.
When she returned home, Yuan Li still felt uneasy, vaguely feeling that she was not the biggest beneficiary.
But if, as Wen Hu said, he could arrange for Yuan Zhang to be replaced, then that would be the biggest piece of the pie.
It looks very tempting!
After a long silence, Yuan Li said, "Brother, you are mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace and have a long-term vision. I agree with your suggestion. However... I'm afraid the Imperial Uncle will not agree."
Wen Hu continued pouring wine for Yuan Li, and slowly said, "Getting the Champion King to agree is naturally not so simple. We can negotiate with him and persuade him with the power of righteousness. After His Majesty assumed power, the Champion King took the initiative to go south to consolidate imperial authority, which shows that he is a man of great integrity. The Champion King's son, Yuan Qi, is one of the Four Supreme Generals personally appointed by His Majesty, and he also demonstrated his bravery in the Battle of Muqiaokou. If we arrange for someone to replace the Champion King, we can also promote Yuan Qi and support him to become the number two figure in the Zhennan Border Army. In this way, the Champion King will have no reason to refuse, both publicly and privately."
Yuan Li nodded and asked, "Who do you decide to send to talk to the Imperial Uncle?"
Wen Hu said, "This is a matter of utmost importance. Sending anyone else won't work. Only Your Highness can discuss this with the Champion King."
Yuan Li was taken aback for a moment, then said, "You want me to go south?"
"Of course not."
Wen Hu shook his head and said, "What I mean is, let Champion King and his son come to Changsui."
Yuan Li waved his hand with a smile and said, "This is even more difficult. When the Imperial Uncle went south, he swore an oath that he would die in Yun Jing if the Southern Zhou was not destroyed. He has never returned to Chang Sui in all these years."
"Times have changed; now we have the best opportunity yet."
Wen Hu said confidently, "The eldest prince was born, and His Majesty invited the father and son back. How could the Champion King, as his great-uncle, not come back to visit?"
Yuan Li's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "Brilliant!"
Wen Hu continued, “Everyone longs for home. How many years has the Champion King been away? When he first came out, he was full of passion and high spirits, but after being locked in a stalemate with the Southern Zhou for so many years, the Champion King himself knows that he will never be able to destroy the Southern Zhou in his lifetime. As heroes grow old, their confidence will only decrease, and as their confidence decreases, they will miss home even more. At this time, summoning him back in His Majesty's name is a timely way to give him a way out.”
"In His Majesty's name..." Yuan Li asked doubtfully, "You mean His Majesty shouldn't know about this?"
Wen Hu said, "This matter is too complicated. If His Majesty wants to enjoy his retirement, he shouldn't bother him. Besides, His Majesty's perspective is different from ours. If we stir up trouble and cause the Champion King to misunderstand, it would be a loss."
Yuan Li raised his cup and clinked it with Wen Hu's, praising, "Brother, your thoughts and strategies are becoming more and more impressive."
Wen Hu shook his head and said, "It's all thanks to Mr. Yu's excellent teaching."
Yuan Li said, "There's no need to be modest. Some things are Mr. Yu's idea, but Mr. Yu can't possibly be thorough in every detail. You, Marquis of Sha County, are the one who is both wise and brave."
Wen Hu finished his wine and asked, "Does Your Highness have a choice in mind for who will replace the Champion King?"
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