Zhao Zhan explained, "If the Southern Zhou court does not support him, and if the gray-robed man cannot come up with a way to fight back, then there is only one path waiting for Yang Qingzhi."
"Return to the court to confess your crimes!"
"In this battle of Yun Jing, neither my elder brother nor Yang Qingzhi suffered many casualties. Yang Qingzhi still has more than 200,000 troops under his command. Will he be willing to go back?"
"Knowing that his fate would be uncertain upon returning, it would be one thing if he had no troops at his disposal, but if he did, he would most likely have to fight desperately!"
"If he is defeated by my elder brother, he will at worst die, but if he is lucky enough to win, Yang Qingzhi will become a hero of Southern Zhou, and no one will doubt the prestige of the young governor!"
Zhao Huan then drank the wine with satisfaction and said, "Therefore, the probability of Yang Qingzhi withdrawing his troops on his own initiative is still very small, and the decisive battle between Yun and Jing will still come."
Zhao Zhan nodded and said, "Son understands."
Zhao Huan said, "I have already notified Yan Zheng to come to the mansion. He is the chief logistics officer. You and he should make arrangements to ensure that your elder brother receives sufficient supplies so that he can focus on the decisive battle against Yun Jing."
Zhao Zhan sighed, "I never imagined that even though Father is at home, he would still be concerned about my elder brother's war."
"This battle is of utmost importance."
Zhao Huan said solemnly, "If the boss wins, the Southern Zhou will no longer have the Yang family army. Without the Yang family army, the Southern Zhou will be nothing but fish in my eyes. At that time, we Jing people will no longer be passively defending; our soldiers will be able to cross the southern front and march to Kangye!"
Zhao Zhan clasped his hands and said, "Father's ambition remains as strong as ever!"
Seeing that Zhao Huan stroked his beard without rebuttal, Zhao Zhan seized the opportunity to say, "Father, Wen Hu killed Yuan Li and supported the young emperor Yuan Zhengzong to become emperor, which has completely chilled the hearts of the Yuan clan and the pro-Yuan faction."
"So what?" Zhao Huan probably didn't want to eat or drink anymore, so he lay down on the spot, propping his head up with one hand and lying on his side.
Zhao Zhan leaned closer to Zhao Huan and said, "If Yuan Xiu is killed, there's Yuan Li; if Yuan Li is killed, there's Yuan Zhengzong. But if Yuan Zhengzong is killed by Wen Hu, then there'll be no one left..."
Zhao Huan said with his eyes closed, "You mean, if Yuan Zhengzong is killed again, the person sitting in that chair will no longer be surnamed Yuan?"
"His surname might be Wen, the Wen of Wentai."
"His surname might be Wen, like the Wen of Wenhu!"
"Yeah?"
Zhao Zhan replied, "Yes."
"What does that have to do with us?" Zhao Huan asked lazily.
"Father..." Zhao Zhan advised, "We need to prepare as soon as possible!"
Zhao Huan asked, "Prepare for what? Are you preparing to usurp the throne?"
Zhao Zhan said, “The ruler of the world and the monarch of a country should be one who has merit and virtue. Yuan Li of Xijing is licentious and immoral, has humiliated his brother and sister-in-law, and has caused chaos in the harem. It is only natural that the Wen family should take his place. The emperor of Dongjing is young and has no merit. If the Wen family changes the dynasty, they will surely launch a major attack on Dongjing. Can the young emperor control it then? My Zhao family is acting in accordance with the will of Heaven and has no other choice. All of this is inevitable!”
"Have you been thinking about this for a long time?"
Zhao Huan suddenly opened his eyes and roared at Zhao Zhan, "How many times have I told you? I, Zhao Huan, will forever be a loyal subject of Jingchen!!"
Zhao Zhan was speechless.
"I'm full, let's go now, I'm going to sleep." Zhao Huan closed her eyes again.
"Son takes his leave."
Zhao Zhan bowed and withdrew, sighed at the door, and turned to leave.
He had only taken two steps outside when a voice came: "Young master, why are you sighing?"
Zhao Zhan glanced to the side and saw that the person speaking was Yan Zheng.
"Mr. Yan."
Zhao Zhan clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yan Zheng and said, "I almost forgot, it was my father who asked you to come and discuss the supply matter with me. Let's go to my courtyard and talk as we walk."
"Please, sir."
"Please, young master."
After the two walked a few steps, Yan Zheng said, "To be honest, when I arrived you were talking to the Prime Minister, so I didn't go in. I heard everything you said afterward."
Zhao Zhan waved his hand and said, "It's alright. Sir, you are the vice president of Yiwen Society and also my elder brother's advisor. We are on the same side."
Upon hearing this, Yan Zheng suddenly stopped and looked to his left and right.
The lake is bathed in warm sunlight and caressed by gentle summer breezes.
Yan Zheng bowed solemnly to Zhao Zhan.
Zhao Zhan asked in confusion, "What are you doing, sir?"
Yan Zheng said, "When I first met the General, I spoke frankly and was appreciated by him. Today, since you treat me as one of your own, I feel I must speak my mind. If you find this inappropriate, I am willing to accept punishment."
Zhao Zhan grasped Yan Zheng's hand and said, "What are you saying, sir? My elder brother and I are the same; you can speak freely in front of me."
Yan Zheng said solemnly, "The Prime Minister retired gracefully back then, seemingly forced to step down by the court's exclusion, but in reality, he was biding his time at home. What a glorious figure the Dragon Commander was back then, full of vigor and ambition, who wiped out the Night Wolf Cavalry in the blink of an eye. The Prime Minister was much more attention-seeking than your elder brother when he was young. So why did he endure for so many years?"
"What is the purpose of storing weapons and provisions for the 5,000 Dragon Spear Guards hidden in Lingshan?"
"Is it merely for self-preservation when the building is about to collapse?"
"No."
Yan Zheng clasped his hands in a fist salute towards Zhao Huan's residence and said, "The Prime Minister is concerned about the future of the Zhao family."
Zhao Zhan listened silently, his expression grave.
Yan Zheng brought his mouth close to Zhao Zhan's ear and whispered, "I heard it very clearly just now. What the Prime Minister said to you, young master, was that he, Zhao Huan, would forever remain a loyal subject."
“He only spoke of himself, but didn’t mention any of your sons by name.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhan's eyes widened suddenly.
Yan Zheng added, "Young Master, you are exceptionally talented and wise. It is precisely at times like these that you must remain calm and not jeopardize the plans of the Prime Minister and the General."
Zhao Zhan asked, "Does the gentleman mean that my elder brother knows about these things?"
Yan Zheng said, "I dare not say that, but I know that the General understands the Prime Minister best."
Zhao Zhan suddenly realized.
Yan Zheng bowed to Zhao Zhan and said, "Young Master, you may wish to help, but please be mindful of your actions. The weather is getting hotter, which makes people drowsy, but when the time comes, the Prime Minister will wake up on his own."
Zhao Zhan returned the greeting to Yan Zheng and said gratefully, "Zhao Zhan thanks you for your guidance, sir."
Yuxin Palace.
Since Yuan Xiu was abducted by Wen Hu and the court meeting resumed, this place has gradually become deserted, but people still clean it every day, waiting for Yuan Xiu to return and it will still be useful.
After Yuan Xiu was killed, the place was completely abandoned.
It will never be the same as when the Central Secretariat was in the Imperial New Hall.
Zhao Zhan left the armored soldiers outside the door and went into the imperial bedchamber alone.
The palace was still the same as before, filled with many toys, most of which were designed by Zhao Cheng.
As Zhao Zhan walked in, he saw a long-haired figure riding a wooden horse. As the horse swayed, her long hair rose and fell like waves.
When that figure turned around, it revealed a stunningly beautiful face, yet one that appeared slightly haggard.
A man's face.
Zhao Zhan smiled and said, "It's been a long time, Lord Wei You."
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