Chapter 105 "The plan is good, but who should we send as an envoy to the Donghu?"
After living in the Western Garden Palace for more than two months, before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Luo Fu and her family of three finally returned to the capital with the Emperor.
Neither Roland nor Li Huaiyun went to the imperial palace. Under the arrangement of these two prospective in-laws, Pei Yi and Ying'er's marriage was officially settled, with the wedding date set for next spring.
At the same time, Pei Xingshu also found a good man for his daughter, Pei Zhi. He was the son of one of his classmates from Yangzhou. His classmate had given up on the imperial examinations after failing to become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations). His son, Wu Xiang, had passed the imperial examinations in the capital last year and stayed in the capital. Pei Xingshu had observed him carefully for a year and believed that Wu Xiang was a diligent and steady official. The two families knew each other well, so his daughter would definitely not be mistreated if she married into the family.
Many officials in the capital had long coveted the Pei family's son and daughter, hoping to forge a marriage alliance with Pei Xingshu, a favorite of the emperor. When Pei Yi proposed marrying the daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyi, these officials could only accept it, as the Marquis of Zhongyi was now a truly noble family in the capital. However, when Pei Xingshu unexpectedly accepted the marriage proposal from Wu Xiang, a newly appointed scholar, the officials, after their initial surprise, finally realized that Pei Xingshu was indeed very shrewd.
Even as a high-ranking official, holding the rank of Vice Minister of War (a third-grade official), he remained extremely cautious, unwilling to be accused of forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices through his children's marriages.
Roland confided in his sister, "Our choice of Wu Xiang is the same as your second brother and sister-in-law's choice of Yi Ge'er. Besides avoiding suspicion, we also value the man's family background and character to ensure that our daughter won't be mistreated after marrying into the family."
Luo Lan took a liking to Wu Xiang the first time her husband brought him home for dinner. After they met more often during holidays, the two younger women also developed feelings for each other.
Luo Fu laughed and said, "Among our family of five, my sister's judgment has always been the best. You yourself have chosen my brother-in-law, a man of exceptional talent. Although Wu Xiang's family background is not as good as those of the officials' sons in the capital, he can definitely have a bright future like my brother-in-law, so that our Zhi'er can enjoy a good life with him."
Roland teased his sister: "I have good judgment, but yours is no worse. Just based on that North-South Canal, your brother-in-law's political achievements are among the best in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty. Your brother-in-law can't even come close. Including those times when your brother-in-law made those shocking remonstrances, which were dangerous at the time, they ultimately made him a virtuous minister. As his sister-in-law, I am proud of him."
Luo Fu thought to herself that when she decided to marry Xiao Yu, she was only attracted to his looks and family background, but she didn't understand his temperament at all.
However, although Xiao Yu is prone to causing trouble, he always puts the country and its people first. Her judgment in choosing such a loyal and upright person is indeed remarkable.
After spending the morning at her sister's house, chatting about the recent sights and sounds of the two sisters in the capital and the imperial palace, and discussing what gifts to give their parents for the Mid-Autumn Festival, Luo Fu returned to the Marquis's residence after lunch.
Hongge'er went to study at the Imperial Academy, while Chengjie'er was still a four-year-old girl. Thinking back to how her niece had once looked like a little child and was now about to get married, Luo Fu suddenly became clingy to Chengjie'er for a while. Not only did she let Chengjie'er stay in her room for an afternoon nap, but she also patiently told the little girl several stories before she fell asleep. Only after Chengjie'er woke up and wanted to take her to play in the garden did Luo Fu's clinginess subside, and she sent the wet nurses and maids to play with her daughter.
As dusk approached, Luo Fu arrived at Wanhetang, intending to chat with her mother-in-law and wait for Hong Ge'er, who was returning from school, and Cheng Jie'er, who loved to greet her older brother, to go back to Shensitang together.
As the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were chatting, a maid from the front yard suddenly ran over and said that the Marquis of Pingnan had arrived, and that the Marquis had just gone to the second courtyard to entertain guests.
Marquis of Pingnan, Liang Bizheng?
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked at each other in bewilderment. Having been married into the Marquis's mansion for so many years, Luo Fu knew all about her father-in-law's drinking buddies and noble friends. The Marquis of Pingnan, who had made great military achievements, was a top noble who disdained associating with her father-in-law. Even the Duke of Dingguo, Li Wei, although related to her father-in-law by marriage, would only drink a couple of bowls of wine with him at banquets and had virtually no private relationship with him otherwise.
"Let's go take a look."
The sixty-one-year-old Deng grabbed her daughter-in-law and led her to the second courtyard. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law only needed to stand behind the hall and listen clearly to the conversation inside through a small ventilation window, mainly thanks to the fact that neither of the marquises was speaking in a low voice.
The mother and daughter-in-law arrived quickly and just in time. Liang Bizheng had only exchanged a few polite words with Xiao Rong when he lost his patience and said bluntly, "Xiao Yu is indeed talented and a good official who is loyal to the emperor and the people. I admire him for that. But now the Great Zhou is peaceful and prosperous, the treasury is full, there is a wise emperor with lofty ambitions above and elite soldiers and generals who are wholeheartedly devoted to serving the country below. We are just waiting for the North-South Canal to be completed, which will be the perfect opportunity for a northern expedition. But Xiao Yu insists on advising the emperor to wait until the Yin Emperor dies. When will that be? I give him face in front of the emperor, but what he said was too unpleasant to hear. We generals don't like to hear it, and the emperor was probably also discouraged by Xiao Yu. As his father, you should talk to him properly later, so that he doesn't write any articles to satirize the emperor in the future."
If Xiao Yu's words didn't carry much weight with the Emperor, Liang Bizheng wouldn't have made this trip. The problem is that the late Emperor had been persuaded by Xiao Yu, and the current Emperor values Xiao Yu even more than the late Emperor. Liang Bizheng is very afraid that the Emperor will really listen to Xiao Yu and wait until Emperor Yin dies before launching the Northern Expedition, leaving Liang Bizheng with no opportunity to use his talents.
After carefully inquiring about the whole story, Xiao Rong gave his son a good scolding: "What does a scholar who has never been on the battlefield know? Don't worry, Lord Marquis, I'll take care of this!"
Liang Bizheng was very satisfied. He drank a few sips of tea with Xiao Rong and then took his leave.
Xiao Rong personally escorted the man from the Marquis's residence. On his return, he bumped into the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who had been waiting for a long time. Luo Fu deliberately stood behind them, knowing that her mother-in-law was enough to deal with her father-in-law.
“The third son has never been to the battlefield, but he knows how to dig canals to solve the problem of transporting grain for the Northern Expedition. Do you two marquises who have been to the battlefield understand this?” Deng said, glaring at him.
Xiao Rong glanced at his seemingly docile daughter-in-law, who stood quietly with her eyes downcast, and forced a show of authority, saying, "Guests are guests, and I was just saying it casually to appease her. I can't be so disrespectful to Marquis Liang as you are."
Deng: "So, you don't plan to take care of the third son?"
Xiao Rong sneered: "Do I dare to interfere? What good would it do? As for the third son's wife, stop watching the show. It's better for the whole Xiao family and your little family if the third son doesn't cause trouble. The third son listens to you the most, so you should try to persuade him more."
Just then, Cheng'er ran over. Seeing her grandparents and mother there, Cheng'er asked curiously, "Mother, did you come to pick up my brother too?"
Ms. Deng: No, your grandfather is going to come with you to pick him up, we'll bring him over.
After saying that, Deng took her youngest daughter-in-law and left.
Xiao Rong: "..."
Luo Fu wouldn't expose Xiao Yu in front of her father-in-law. It wasn't until the couple lay side by side in bed that night that Luo Fu brought up the matter with Xiao Yu: "If the Emperor really wants to launch a northern expedition in the next two years, would you try to dissuade him?"
Xiao Yu held his wife's hand and said to the top of the tent, "I will definitely try to persuade him, but if the emperor insists on not listening to me, I will keep quiet and will not submit a memorial or offer any direct criticism."
The best time for the Northern Expedition would be after the death of Emperor Yin. With the new emperor of Yin, the people's hearts would be unstable, and the resistance faced by the soldiers of Da Zhou would be reduced, making it possible to achieve twice the result with half the effort. However, after more than ten years of recuperation, the people of Da Zhou are at peace. The Northern Expedition will have both soldiers and military pay. In addition, grain can be transported through the North-South Canal. Therefore, the emperor has a better chance of winning the Northern Expedition than he did under the previous emperor.
It's like there are three roads from the capital to Liaozhou. One road is simple and easy to travel, but it is extremely long and you don't know how long it will take. Another road has thorns in the way, but it is short and you can get there in one go. The third road is full of thorns and obstacles, and there is also a great danger of collapse in the hometown behind.
Back then, the late emperor wanted to take the third path, which would harm the people and endanger the country. Therefore, Xiao Yu was willing to die to dissuade the late emperor. Now, the emperor is only considering taking the second path. If it succeeds, it will be a good thing. If it fails, we can turn back and make other plans. Why should Xiao Yu desperately try to stop him?
Ministers have a duty to advise the emperor. If the emperor makes a minor mistake in his words or actions, the minister can offer light advice. Only if the emperor insists on going his own way and endangers himself and the country should the minister offer serious advice. If a minister threatens the emperor with his life to change his mind in every situation, that is foolish courage, and doing it too often will make him lose his sense of propriety.
.
In mid-September, the North-South Grand Canal was completed half a month ahead of schedule. Emperor Xianping led a group of civil and military officials to Zhuojun to see the final section of the canal open to water.
Once the sluice gates were opened, the surging Hengzhang River, which had been fed into the main canal, rushed and roared along the deep and wide channel dug by more than 200,000 laborers towards Zhuojun and Jicheng further north.
In Emperor Xianping's eyes, the torrent of the canal resembled a winding, soaring dragon. This magnificent sight made Emperor Xianping feel as if he had transformed into a dragon himself. He led a group of ministers and imperial guards, galloping after the torrent until his horse could run no more. Only then did Emperor Xianping stop and address Xiao Yu, Xu Lian, the Minister of Works, and Chen Wenqi, the Director of Water Conservancy, among the ministers behind him: "Today, the canal is completed. The three of you deserve the greatest credit. I will erect monuments for you in Zhuojun, north of the canal, and Yangzhou, south of the canal, and bestow upon each of you a thousand taels of gold!"
The three men dismounted to express their gratitude. After standing up, Xu Lian spoke on behalf of the million laborers who had participated in the canal construction over the past five years: "Your Majesty, we only proposed the method of canal construction. It is Your Majesty, who issued the decree to construct the canal, and the million laborers from Yangzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou who have made the final decision that the canal is completed. If Your Majesty wishes to erect a monument, it should be for Your Majesty and the million laborers. We dare not claim credit for it."
Chen Wenqi and Xiao Yu both chimed in to agree.
Emperor Xianping smiled and entrusted the task of writing the inscription to Yan Zhuang, the interpreter who accompanied him.
After setting up camp for a night, the imperial entourage arrived at the northern end of the canal, Jicheng, at dusk the following day.
General Li Chong of Jizhou led local civil and military officials out of the city to welcome the emperor. That evening, the emperor and his ministers drank and made merry at a banquet. Yan Zhuang read aloud the inscription he had just written, which was another eulogy to Emperor Xianping. Of course, he also praised the hard work of the million laborers in the three prefectures, as well as the contributions of Xiao Yu, Xu Lian, and Chen Wenqi in advising on the construction.
Emperor Xianping was overjoyed and slept soundly through the night. He then led his accompanying ministers to inspect the Jicheng camp.
After staying in Jicheng for three days, just as Emperor Xianping was preparing to return to the capital, the sentries sent by Li Chong, the general of Jizhou, to track the entourage of Tuoba Lin, the right general of the Donghu, returned. They reported that although Tuoba Lin's 10,000 cavalrymen were heading west, they did not enter the territory of the Western Hu, but instead turned halfway and headed back towards the direction of the Eastern Hu royal court.
If Tuoba Lin truly could not tolerate the new Khan of the Donghu and thus led his people to flee, his escape was an even greater crime, and returning would only result in humiliation and death.
Tuoba Lin's return proved that his surrender to the Great Zhou was a ruse.
Aside from wasting several cartloads of grain, Emperor Xianping suffered no losses. However, the fact that the Donghu and Yin emperors attempted to trick him with such tactics was a great humiliation for Emperor Xianping. He publicly decided that he would send troops to attack Yin the following year. After returning to the capital, the Secretariat and the Six Ministries should also concentrate their efforts on preparing for this matter and should not delay.
"Your Majesty, I have a plan."
Chen Ruliang, a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat and the maternal uncle of Consort Li, who was also accompanying the emperor, stepped forward with confidence.
After Yang Sheng left the capital, Emperor Xianping did not give much importance to this uncle of his favorite concubine. At this moment, he looked at him a few more times and asked, "What's the plan?"
Chen Ruliang: "Emperor Yin devised a scheme to feign surrender, which only required a lot of verbal effort. It was the Donghu Khan and the Right General Tuoba Lin, whose efforts were in vain, who lost face. With their reputations damaged, the two will surely harbor resentment towards Emperor Yin. If the Emperor were to send an envoy to Donghu at this time, explaining that the Emperor had guessed that Emperor Yin was the mastermind behind it all and that he had no intention of taking advantage of the situation, he would not hold a grudge against Donghu. By sowing discord and then offering them benefits, it might be possible to persuade the Donghu Khan to appreciate the Emperor's magnanimity and no longer form an alliance with Emperor Yin."
After some discussion, the ministers all agreed that it was worth a try.
Emperor Xianping: "It's a good plan, but who should we send as an envoy to the Donghu?"
Chen Ruliang resolutely replied, "Your subject is willing to go!"
-----------------------
Author's note: Here I am! Although I updated early today, I'm not confident I can write a second update, so everyone should go to bed early and not wait in vain!
100 little red envelopes, see you tomorrow~
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com