Chapter 304 I Can't Understand Him
"Your Majesty seems to be in high spirits lately. I suppose there must be a new person in the harem who pleases Your Majesty."
Li Yuanzhao looked up from the memorial and glanced at Su Qingci, who was teasing her.
"Indeed, you are quite lovely." She said with a half-smile, "But I see that your complexion is rosy and your eyes are full of spring water. I suppose your little guard must have been working quite hard lately."
Liu Jinzhang, who was sitting to the side, had just taken a sip of tea when he heard this and almost choked.
Su Qingci blushed.
She had intended to lighten the somber atmosphere in the Imperial Study, but instead, Her Majesty outmaneuvered her.
She glanced at Liu Jinzhang, who looked suspicious beside her, and a hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes.
What does this have to do with him? Why is he reacting so strongly?
But with important matters at hand, she cleared her throat and said seriously, "General Ru has already launched a surprise attack on Nanzhao according to the established strategy, cutting off their iron bridge and supply lines, and inflicting a great defeat on their army at Shenchuan. Nanzhao suffered tens of thousands of casualties. This battle severely damaged the enemy's main force, and captured countless grains and weapons, achieving great results."
Li Yuanzhao nodded. "How's the situation on the Tibetan side?"
Su Qingci reported: "Several powerful nobles within Tibet have agreed to form an alliance with our Great Qi to jointly send troops against Yangjin. However..."
She paused, observing Li Yuanzhao's expression, "They made a condition."
"What are the conditions?"
"They want His Majesty to release Consort Chen back to Tibet after the matter is settled, so that she can inherit the throne. They also promise to be forever subservient to the Great Qi, to pay tribute every year, and to be a vassal state forever."
The Imperial Study fell silent for a moment.
After hearing this, Li Yuanzhao did not immediately react. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingertips lightly on the armrest.
After a moment, she spoke, “I have expended so much of the nation’s resources and energy just to exchange for a vassal state that submits to me? What I want is for the mountains, cities, and people of Tibet to all belong to the Great Qi territory and become my domain.”
"There is no room for negotiation on this matter." Her eyes were icy. "Tell them that since Yundan has married me, he is my person. What is his is naturally my property. If they are sensible, they will respectfully present Tibet as Yundan's dowry to the Great Qi. If they are dissatisfied, they can wait to die with Yangjin."
Su Qingci immediately bowed and replied, “Your Majesty is wise and far-sighted. The land of Tubo should indeed be returned to the Great Qi in order to ensure long-term peace and stability and eliminate future troubles. I will immediately draft a document to sternly reject their unreasonable request and explain Your Majesty’s intention.”
Li Yuanzhao hummed in agreement and said nothing more.
Su Qingci then asked, "Your Majesty, General Shen captured Shibao City at the heavy cost of tens of thousands of casualties. Should our army now take advantage of the situation to advance deeper and strike at the heart of the enemy, or should we rely on the natural defenses of Shibao to hold our ground and wait for General Ru to pacify Nanzhao before encircling Tubo from the southwest?"
Li Yuanzhao asked, "Prime Minister Liu, what do you think?"
No one answered.
Li Yuanzhao turned his head and saw Liu Jinzhang sitting upright in the chair, his gaze fixed blankly on a certain point in the void, his thoughts having already drifted off to who knows where.
"Prime Minister Liu?" Su Qingci quickly raised her voice to remind him upon seeing this.
She was somewhat surprised.
Liu Jinzhang was known for his caution and prudence, and he had never been disrespectful in front of the emperor. It was rare for him to be so absent-minded today.
Recalling what had just happened, Su Qingci's eyes showed an even stronger look of inquiry.
Liu Jinzhang only came to his senses after being called by Su Qingci.
He stood up and apologized.
Li Yuanzhao noticed his unusual behavior but remained calm, saying only, "It's alright. I'm asking whether our army should advance or defend after Shibao City. What are your thoughts, Minister Liu?"
Liu Jinzhang pondered and said, “Your Majesty, I believe that although Shibao City is indeed a strategic pass for entering Tibet, our army has just captured it and suffered heavy casualties. We urgently need to rest and replenish our supplies. Moreover, Tibet is located at a very high altitude and has a treacherous climate. If we pursue them deep into the territory, the supply lines will be long and we will be vulnerable to ambushes. If Yangjin’s remaining troops hold their ground and prolong the campaign, it will be disadvantageous for us.”
He paused, then continued, "On the other hand, General Ru's great victory in Nanzhao has opened the gateway to northwestern Yunnan. If our army temporarily suspends its frontal assault, relies on the stone fortress for defense, and holds back Yangjin's main force, while simultaneously ordering General Ru's troops to advance rapidly from the southwest to form a pincer movement with General Shen... then Yangjin will be attacked from both sides and unable to defend both ends, and will surely be defeated. This is a strategy of waiting in comfort for the enemy to tire themselves out and seeking victory through stability."
Su Qingci nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with Liu Jinzhang's analysis.
Li Yuanzhao finally said, "Let's go with this plan. Order Shen Churong to hold the stone fortress, prepare troops and provisions, and send out scouts widely. Do not advance rashly. Send an order to Rumo to clear out the remaining enemies of Nanzhao, and then immediately advance westward to encircle them when the opportunity arises."
"Your Majesty, we obey!" Su Qingci and Liu Jinzhang replied in unison.
The two men rose to take their leave, but Li Yuanzhao suddenly called out to Liu Jinzhang, "Minister Liu, please wait."
Liu Jinzhang paused, a moment of panic crossing his mind.
He was distracted by His Majesty's mention of the harem; could it be that His Majesty noticed something?
Although I know that she has three thousand concubines and it is normal for her to favor them all, I still feel a strange and inexplicable bitterness when I occasionally glimpse her love affairs.
"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?" He turned around, lowering his eyes to conceal his emotions.
Li Yuanzhao only asked, "Is Liu Qing feeling unwell? Or... is something else on your mind? Why do you seem so absent-minded today?"
Liu Jinzhang's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "Your Majesty, I was just... unable to sleep well last night and am slightly tired, but there is nothing serious. I am grateful for Your Majesty's concern."
Li Yuanzhao looked at him quietly for a moment, then suddenly called out, "Grand Tutor."
This sound made Liu Jinzhang's eyelashes tremble.
She had never addressed Li Yuanzhao in that way since he ascended the throne.
This call instantly pulled him back to the days when she was still the boy he needed to carefully guide, and who would occasionally show him dependence and trust.
Li Yuanzhao continued, "You're already thirty-three this year, why aren't you married yet?"
She paused, her gaze sincere, "Is there someone you admire? If so, I will bestow a marriage upon you and make sure you have a grand and glorious ceremony."
These words are a great blessing.
But Liu Jinzhang felt as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer, and his throat tightened.
Looking into Li Yuanzhao's eyes with genuine concern, he felt a long-buried secret almost burst from his chest, but reason ultimately prevailed over emotion.
He suddenly lifted the hem of his robe and knelt down straight.
"Your Majesty's grace is deeply appreciated by your humble servant. However, a wise man once divined that my fate is solitary and I should not marry, lest it bring misfortune to my wife's family. I have already pledged myself to the court and am willing to do my utmost to assist Your Majesty and serve the Great Qi."
He sealed all his surging emotions and desires within the most worldly and irrefutable concept of "fate."
Li Yuanzhao looked at Liu Jinzhang, who was kneeling on the ground but with his back straight.
He refused so readily, with reasons that were both plausible and irrefutable.
Li Yuanzhao knew he couldn't say anything more.
"Since you have made up your mind, I will not force you. However, Grand Tutor, you must take care of your health and not overwork yourself. I still need you in the court."
His health seems to be deteriorating lately. She's not worried about him, but he's collapsed, and she can't find a suitable replacement right away.
A faint warmth stirred in Liu Jinzhang's heart at her words, "I can't leave you."
Even though she knew these words might not have any personal feelings involved, but rather reflected the emperor's reliance on his important ministers, they still came from her mouth.
He kowtowed deeply: "Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered. Thank you for your compassion."
After Liu Jinzhang left, Li Yuanzhao was momentarily lost in thought.
How long has Liu Jinzhang been with her? Nearly ten years.
From a princess who needed to learn the ways of the emperor and struggled to survive amidst various forces, to an emperor who now holds the reins of power and rules the world.
He was her teacher, her subject, and the most trusted and relied-upon person in her life.
There was an unspoken understanding between them.
But now, she suddenly couldn't understand him anymore.
His somewhat lost look, the slight tremor he couldn't help when she called him "Grand Tutor," and his recent occasional absent-mindedness made a vague sense of doubt rise in her mind for the first time.
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