40 Strategies
"Feiwu is in a dilemma?" Ruoyao walked in and sat opposite me. He looked at me calmly, but his gaze was absolutely sharp. "If it were me, I would be in a dilemma too. Sigh~" He turned his head and sighed deeply. "Being too heartless or too sentimental is not a good thing. Back then, I wholeheartedly longed for someone, but there was no reciprocation. Now, there are so many devoted people around Feiwu, and Feiwu cannot choose. Feiwu is not heartless, but simply unwilling to make a decision."
"How do I decide? If I truly had feelings, I would follow my heart, but I don't. I'm selfish. Thinking about it carefully, I seem to have vague feelings for those who have been so kind to me. Back then, Yelü Hong doted on me, and I didn't even care whether he was a Khitan or not, nor did I forget the coercion he used to blackmail me with pity. Now Bing Zi is willing to give her life for me, and I can't refuse. But what about Bei Ming? As the master of the Underworld Palace, he didn't need to make enemies with so many people, nor did he need to ally with the Central Plains people he always looked down upon. He did all of that for me. How can I say that Bei Ming is heartless towards me? Perhaps, the most heartless one is me. I never make promises to anyone because I know that if someone is good to me, I will unconsciously accept them completely. If that person is no longer good to me, I will also abandon them without hesitation." I looked at Ruo Yao. "I wonder if it's because I lacked family care during my youth that I'm so indecisive today."
“No, Fei Wu is just confused for a moment. When you really think it over, with your intelligence, you will definitely understand who the true Son of Heaven is.” Ruo Yao smiled. “Now, what you need to consider first is how to deal with Yelü Hong? Fei Wu plans to kill him?”
I shook my head. I couldn't do it. "Killing Yelü Hong means that even if the Khitans don't defeat me in one fell swoop, they will still march into the Central Plains, because the Khitans value loyalty. They won't just stand by and watch their revered prince be killed. So, death is not a wise move."
“That makes a lot of sense, but Yelü Hong is young and impetuous. If we don’t curb his arrogance, he’ll probably continue to take shortcuts, frequently coming to the Central Plains to win people’s hearts and build up his strength. He will definitely not give up easily.” Ruoyao looked at me.
“I know, so I’ll gesture a number.”
Ruo Yaohui smiled knowingly. "It seems the Nineteenth Prince is about to make his appearance again."
"Feiwu, it feels like ages since we last met." Juexin smiled at me, but I could see the shrewdness in his eyes. I had inexplicably knocked him out last time, so he was probably on guard. But if the Nineteenth Prince were to give up his prey so easily, he wouldn't deserve to be a prince.
"Yes. These have been turbulent times lately." I nodded in a mocking manner, then deliberately avoided looking him in the eye, sipping my fine tea. Juexin is truly wealthy and powerful; even the tea in his mansion is so delicious.
"I wouldn't come to your temple without a reason. Let me make this clear: don't you understand how I feel about you? We're practically family now. Your problems are my problems, and I'll definitely help you."
“Actually, it’s all about Yelü Hong.” I shook my head regretfully, looking down at the tea leaves in my cup. “Although Yelü Hong has cut ties with me, he still harasses me quite a bit. I think it would be a good thing if I could completely sever Yelü Hong’s feelings for me. Juexin thinks so too, right?” I looked up and smiled.
What do you want to do?
"The most favored prince of the current emperor is the nineteenth prince, and the most beloved princess of the current emperor is the thirteenth princess. Juexin Jue doesn't think the thirteenth princess and Yelü Hong are a good match. One is a chosen one of heaven, and the other is a chosen one of heaven. One is the apple of the eye of the Tang Dynasty, and the other is a prince that everyone in the Khitan loves to take care of. If they were to form a marriage alliance, the Khitan and the Tang Dynasty would maintain good relations for a hundred years." I said sincerely.
"Hahaha, Feiwu, you're quite an interesting person. Alright, I'll help you. I wonder what kind of expression Yelü Hong would have if he knew that his life was ruined by you?"
I observed Juexin discreetly, a slight smile playing on my lips. Actually, Yelü Hong's expression would be quite interesting, but Juexin, your expression would be even more so.
"Father has always admired you, especially the elixir you gave me last time."
It's a top-grade aphrodisiac, good for replenishing blood and strengthening bones; even the old emperor was a lecher.
"After I presented it to my father, he was very pleased. Feiwu, have you ever thought about entering the palace? I'll put in a good word for you with my father, and you'll surely rise to prominence." Juexin looked at me, his intention to win me over obvious.
“Is that so? I would also like to thank His Majesty for his kindness in person, but Fei Wu has never wanted to be an official. Fei Wu prefers to travel the world.” I smiled. “However, it’s good that His Majesty likes Fei Wu’s medicine. Fei Wu can collect more.”
"Then it's settled. I'll ask my father after the morning court session tomorrow. He'll be very pleased."
He may be happy, but you might not be. I silently calculated in my heart. Simply restraining Yelü Hong is not enough; you, the nineteenth prince, are not to be underestimated, especially since you are eyeing me covetously. Even if you don't send troops now because you fear my poison, you will definitely not give up easily.
I've made up my mind. Since we're going to have a marriage alliance, let's go all the way. Juexin, you're the nineteenth prince, a perfect match for Yelü Hong's cousin, the ninth princess. I'll petition the emperor, appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him. I'll even offer a few more elixirs of immortality. Then, that terminally ill emperor will lose his mind and issue a decree for the marriage. You won't be able to back out then.
I've never believed you were truly sincere towards me; at best, you just wanted to use me to gain more benefits for yourself in court. That Ninth Princess is a Khitan woman, naturally forthright, and certainly won't compromise herself, thus keeping you in check. The Nineteenth Princess, on the other hand, was born into a family of pampered children, so her temperament is naturally unpredictable; Yelü Hong will likely have to handle her cautiously, unable to extricate himself. The Khitan king isn't stupid; such a marriage alliance is more beneficial than harmful to him at this crucial time, and he will agree. Furthermore, Prince Juexin and Yelü Hong becoming relatives, mutually restraining each other, is even more advantageous to me. Thinking about this, I felt much more at ease. Of course, to prevent any unforeseen problems, I will visit those two great princesses when I have time, offering them some miraculous elixirs to restrain their husbands, as well as beauty and health-enhancing medicines. By cultivating good relationships with the princesses, I can ensure they keep a close eye on Yelü Hong and Juexin. Then I'll feel completely relieved.
Of course, I, Fei Wu, am not so kind. Although I willingly let Yelü Hong strike me, I will still seek revenge. However, I will take it slowly. So, I'll just add one more medicinal herb to the Nineteenth Princess's rouge.
Paying homage to the Emperor is indeed troublesome. Luckily, I'm not an official; it truly involves three kneelings and nine kowtows. That old emperor, shrewd throughout his life, is now on his deathbed and desperately wants to live forever. The Heavenly Snow Lotus, the Nine-Turn Divine Elixir, and the Jade Face of the Four Seas that I presented made him ecstatic. If I hadn't promised to regularly replenish the palace with fine medicines, he probably wouldn't have wanted to let me leave the palace; he would have insisted on appointing me as an imperial physician.
The nineteenth princess, being just a young girl, was overjoyed to see the rouge, the finest spices, and beauty products, completely oblivious to the hardships of life beyond the Great Wall. However, I assured her that I would regularly send her the best elixirs of eternal youth. And, with veiled implications, I told her how to subdue that tall and powerful Yelü Hong.
The cinnabar in that spice is an aphrodisiac, I explained with a smile.
What I didn't tell her was that the 'money-eye' herbal extract would slowly seep into Yelü Hong's legs, restricting him to only a few hours of vigorous activity each day. The rest of the time, he would have to stay in a warm place and wouldn't be able to run around. After a few years, Yelü Hong wouldn't even be able to participate in activities like hunting; although he could still walk, he would limp. I wouldn't let the effects be so obvious. Even if it meant giving the Nineteenth Princess a few years of benefits, then having her wait for a cripple for the rest of her life, that would be fine.
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