Chapter 1211: One Year Can Decide the Fate [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Cui Hui was only able to get out of bed on the third day after he regained consciousness.
Cui Zhi remains elusive, appearing and disappearing without a trace.
Cui Hui only vaguely sensed the other person's brief appearance when she was half-asleep. Each time she woke up, he was gone, and she could only smell the lingering fragrance on his body. It didn't matter that the man wasn't there; she still had her filial son to serve her, bringing her tea and water, and busying himself with other matters.
However, even a good son doesn't always have everything he wants.
Cui Xiong appears to be extremely attentive and considerate, but when Cui Hui is not paying attention, he will reveal a hesitant expression as if he wants to say something but cannot.
They thought they were well hidden, but in reality, they were nothing at all.
She managed to see through Cui Hui's illusion of having a stomachache and said impatiently, "I know you're the kind of person who can't keep things to yourself. If you have something to say, just say it. If you don't want to say anything, then stop making that face!"
Cui Xiong hesitated for a moment: "Baojun has already come."
Where is she?
"Son, son decided to let her go back first. Mother's health isn't good, and what she needs most right now is rest and recuperation..."
Cui Xiong's voice gradually lowered.
Cui Hui sneered: "Speak up, why did you stop? What did Baojun do to offend you that you chased her away?"
The "Bao Jun" that Cui Xiong mentioned was actually You Bao, a pseudonym used by Miao Ne. Since the king bestowed the marriage upon them, the two were legally engaged. To foster their relationship and prevent them from becoming bitter enemies due to an arranged marriage, both the king and the Cui family were happy to see Cui Xiong interacting with "Bao Jun." The two did not disappoint their elders.
How can two people in the throes of new love suddenly start arguing?
When Cui Hui questioned him, Cui Xiong could only confess: "She...did not offend my son, but she came to see you not as 'Baojun,' but on the orders of the king...My son is not angry at Baojun, but at the person above her."
The eldest son's resentment was even greater than Cui Hui had anticipated.
He even dared to utter arrogant words: "So what if he's the ruler of a country? He used to treat aristocratic families like thorns in his side, repeatedly making things difficult for our family with his confidant Mei Jinghe, and even extended his reach to Mother, almost causing you to die in the dungeon. Now that he's broken ties with Mei Jinghe, he wants to come back to our family, trying to use some gifts to cover up the dungeon incident and compensate Mother for the suffering she endured. Tell me, is there such a cheap thing in the world? Sending Baojun back is only to avoid arguing and needlessly hurting our feelings; it's better not to meet at all."
In addition, there are other considerations.
The entire Qi Kingdom knows that Cui's former mistress was imprisoned by Mei Jinghe and subjected to the punishment of "Word of Power," destined to have a short lifespan. What's the difference between this and murder? The king gives some rewards and then it's over. In the future, will the royal family arrest whoever they want from the Cui family?
Even if it takes half a life to be taken, they're not afraid; a little reward is all it takes to send them on their way. The lives of women in the Cui family are worthless. Cui Xiong didn't know what his father, Cui Zhi, was thinking, but he wouldn't allow this situation to happen.
Cui Hui: "..."
To be honest, Cui Xiong was indeed Cui Zhi's son.
The father and son are indeed very similar in some ways.
She asked her son, "Da Xiong, tell your mother—have you privately informed Bao Jun of these considerations? You feel you have your reasons and are wronged, but isn't Bao Jun, who was turned away and treated coldly by you, even more wronged? As long as your marriage is still valid, you should consider her feelings more. She is not only the king's right-hand woman but also your fiancée."
She knew her fiancé was a fake, but her son didn't.
Regardless of who his future daughter-in-law was, Cui Hui couldn't stand the way the Cui father and son thought they had handled things so well; it made him want to have a heart attack.
Cui Xiong looked over in surprise: "But it's Bao Jun..."
"Are you worried that Baojun will become more biased towards the king and betray you?"
Cui Xiong: "..."
His silence was a form of acquiescence.
Cui Hui sneered: "Have you lost your tongue?"
"...I know that I have always liked Baojun and I believe that she is not that kind of person. I feel uncomfortable hearing this, but I think that no matter who it is, it is incredibly foolish and stupid to give up one's future for a relationship that may change at any time! Baojun is smart. If she finds out and tells the king, it would be perfectly normal! That's what I think, so I'd better not say anything."
To reveal a secret to someone while simultaneously expecting them to choose you over your future is like a wealthy person flaunting gold in front of a thief, yet demanding that the thief maintain impeccable morals and refrain from stealing or robbing. This behavior is utterly insane!
It would have been better to keep quiet from the start.
Cui Hui: "..."
Okay, both sides have their own reasons.
She didn't argue with her son about these trivial matters. In any case, it was imperative for the King of Qi to repair relations with her and win over "Shen Zhongli" through her; it wouldn't give up just because of one or two rejections. Cui Hui relaxed and focused on recovering from her injuries.
As expected, the King of Qi showed utmost enthusiasm and sincerity, going to great lengths to appease and compensate Cui Hui. In addition to providing a steady stream of material compensation, he also spread rumors that he would host a banquet to find suitable young men for Cui Hui's daughter, hoping to arrange another marriage alliance.
While it appeared to be a great favor, it was not without the intention of threatening Cui Hui.
It all depends on how the parties involved view this matter.
The King of Qi didn't put all his eggs in one basket. Besides the aforementioned methods, he also issued an edict praising Shen Tang's alias in Qi, commending her outstanding achievements over the past two years. Last year's rainy season saw frequent eight-wind storms, affecting millions of commoners within months. Furthermore, two dikes collapsed, causing downstream flooding and leaving displaced people with nowhere to go. Under such circumstances, her territory was one of the few areas within the disaster zone that suffered minimal damage.
Before the winds from all directions even arrived, the city's defenses had already been opened.
After the storm subsided, reports on the damage were submitted in order, awaiting funding for disaster relief. Shen Tang's report only stated that over thirty houses had collapsed, adding that these old houses were originally slated for demolition anyway, and nature's assistance saved on labor costs. There were eleven injured people; three of them ignored warnings and went outside, resulting in injuries from falling debris, while the remaining eight were elderly and had contracted typhoid fever, but fortunately, timely medication prevented any fatalities.
At that time, Shen Tang was severely criticized by the Qi State Censorate.
Many officials and military officers believed that she was concealing the truth in order to gain credit! Cui Zhi's political enemies even used this incident to make sarcastic remarks, believing that this absurd memorial was at Cui's behest, which was utterly foolish! They only thought about gaining credit and flattering others, but disregarded the vast number of disaster victims!
Cui Zhi was attacked quite badly.
The truth is not important; what matters is striking at political enemies.
The king remained a bystander, intervening before the conflict escalated, casually stating that he would send someone to investigate the truth and clear the innocent's name. The matter was dropped, and the investigation results were never released. The political landscape shifted daily, and as time passed, no one paid any more attention to this issue. Unexpectedly, the king of Qi brought it up himself, using it as a pretext to promote someone from the Cui clan and appoint Shen Tang's underling to govern a prefecture.
The location here is somewhat delicate.
It not only encompasses the regions initially governed by Shen Tang's vassal, but also includes areas reserved for the king's confidants. Nominally a prefecture, it is actually much larger than a "prefecture," signifying the immense potential of this newly favored ruler.
Those who are interested will inevitably think more deeply.
The king and Lady Cui are so close they're even wearing the same pair of shorts?
Not only do outsiders think this way, but there are also many voices within the Cui clan. Faced with numerous rumors, Cui Zhi, the patriarch of the Cui clan, has never responded directly and rarely appears in public. Most of the Cui clan's affairs are decided by his eldest son, Cui Xiong, whose attitude remains ambiguous.
While undercurrents were swirling in the capital, it didn't affect Shen Tang's promotions and wealth accumulation at all. Recently, things had been going smoothly for her; she now had a legitimate excuse to expand her private retinue, gradually bringing her previously concealed power into the open. Regarding the Qi Kingdom ruler's overtures, she neither acknowledged nor rejected them, nor made any promises. She remained true to herself, accepting the scumbag's behavior as it was, leaving the rest to the Qi Kingdom ruler's imagination.
First gain their trust, then turn around and send Qi State away with a single blow.
Shen Tang did not intend to prolong this battle.
"One year can determine the fate of the world!"
Shen Tang had been operating in the southwest for over two years using aliases. Due to limited territory and the close surveillance of the Cui family, she didn't engage in aggressive recruitment; preserving her resources was paramount. She devoted most of her energy to expanding her network, stockpiling supplies and provisions using high-quality rice seeds, and exploiting others in various ways. She acted as an intermediary between the small southwestern states and Kang State—Qi State had been gradually annexing other countries in recent years, albeit infrequently, which had left nearby smaller states in a state of constant anxiety.
Small countries feel safer when they have dealings with Kang.
The pieces are in place; all that's left is for the game to begin.
Liao Jia pondered for a moment, fiddling with a chess piece, then looked down at the intricate endgame and said, "A year? Isn't that too rushed?"
The battlefield situation is constantly changing. Even with thorough preparation, it would be no easy task to defeat the alliances of several southwestern continents led by Qi State within a year. Liao Jia, however confident he was in this situation, did not believe that being hasty and impatient for quick results was a good thing, as it could easily lead to disaster.
Shen Tang: "One year is enough to take over the Southwest Continent."
Not just a part of the southwest.
She sighed, "We need to be quick."
If she moves too slowly and the central continent reacts and intervenes, the trouble will be much greater, and the situation will be several times more difficult than when she was attacked from both sides by the Northern Desert and the Gao Kingdom. Over the years, she has been making moves everywhere, including but not limited to giving a few small countries in the central region a taste of success.
On the surface, small countries pay protection money to large countries, and the large countries accept the tributes from the small countries and refrain from further military action. Their relationship is as friendly as a honeymoon. In reality, however, these countries are used as buffer zones to prevent the larger country in the central region from launching a northward offensive. Otherwise, given Shen Tang's restless nature, she would have already absorbed all the small countries around her over the years. Small countries are unimportant; as long as they can buy time, that's enough!
Liao Jia mentally simulated the scenarios again and again, imagining hundreds and thousands of unforeseen situations. He didn't urge Shen Tang to be overly cautious, but simply asked, "My lord, are preparations complete back home?"
Shen Tang: "You also know the personalities of other people."
Throughout Kangguo, regardless of whether they were radicals or conservatives, everyone had a penchant for military merit. The difference lay in the fact that the radicals preferred to seize military merit through the most brutal and direct means, while the conservatives believed that even the best military merit should be earned in a dignified manner. Shen Tang had also expended considerable effort to suppress them and allow them to develop peacefully: "If I don't let them out for a spin soon, I'm afraid they'll forget the pain once the wounds have healed..."
Wasn't Li Wan instigated by this group of people back then?
"I don't need it, they've already prepared it..."
At a single command, the beasts will be released from their enclosures.
Liao Jia smiled as he thought of his colleagues.
"Your Excellency is exaggerating."
While both civil and military officials may be warlike, the emperor is determined to suppress them and prevent further warfare. How could he not suppress them? Those who dare to stir up trouble do so only because they see that the emperor himself is also considering starting a war. The ruler and his subjects are always of one mind.
Liao Jia stroked the chess piece: "There is a year, but I'm worried that the central continent won't give us that opportunity..."
It's a bit risky.
Shen Tang smiled and said, "Did you know that a few days ago, an uninvited guest came to the palace? I won't keep you in suspense—the visitor was Wei Cheng, the 20th-rank Marquis who briefly rose to prominence during the Gao Kingdom war. He and his uncle are both staunch loyalists to the Wu Kingdom's ruler and would never switch sides, but they did soften their stance that day. It wouldn't be difficult to use them if necessary. Besides, my avatar 'Zi Xu' in the Central Continent has accumulated some power. If a powerful nation in the Central Continent really joins forces to attack us, it can come in handy!"
She gave an example: "For instance, it's not difficult to infiltrate their allies, burn their supplies, and sneak around causing them some trouble."
When her strength was weak, the "Way of the Warlords" couldn't provide her with powerful military force; she could only rely on stealthy development and making many allies to get through that period. However, once she had grown strong, this "Way of the Warlords" became a divine skill that gave her wings!
With the enemy's supplies burned, they couldn't even move, let alone fight.
In contrast, what about Shen Tang?
With ample food and fodder supplies, mobility was not constrained by grain lines.
Shen Tang said that secretly burning enemy supplies could indeed delay the interception and sniping attacks from the central region. She gave herself a year to pacify the southwestern continent; this year was not her limit, but her minimum guarantee!
Liao Jia coughed lightly and made a joke.
"This matter... fortunately, the Imperial Diarist is not here." If the Imperial Diarist had recorded what was said today and passed it down to future generations, the Emperor would never have been able to shake off the label of "a treacherous villain."
The mainstream still prefers a ruler who is upright, honest, and powerful.
Let the scheming villains be the ones to play the roles.
Qi Yuanliang is probably quite happy about it.
The blame was shifted onto him, and later scholars probably won't verify the truth of the matter, because it sounds like something he would do.
Shen Tang: "...Why bring up them? Why scare me?"
Liao Jia was amused by Shen Tang's genuine reaction; her smile was so subtle that even Shen Tang silently averted her gaze. The relaxed atmosphere ended as Liao Jia left in disguise, and Shen Tang got up to check her belongings.
After being promoted, the office location also needs to be changed.
She claimed there was still some finishing work to be done and postponed her appointment by ten days, with today being the final deadline. Although she didn't have many personal belongings, the total weight of the small box she packed was considerable, requiring two soldiers to lift it onto the carriage. Shen Tang meticulously instructed the person taking over the work, and after she finished, a soldier came over and said, "My lord, everything is ready."
Shen Tang nodded: "Okay, let's go."
He turned to the few people who were preparing to see him off and said, "Gentlemen, please don't see me off."
May you have great success in your military endeavors!
Shen Tang walked toward the carriage at the door in a very good mood.
The moment her left foot crossed the threshold, a sudden chill ran through her; the aura of death seemed to follow her like a shadow, and murderous intent surged forth. She dodged the sneak attack, but she hadn't expected the assassin to be so skilled. Not only did he relentlessly pursue her, but his moves were also cunning and vicious, his palms gathering countless blades of energy. Each strike landed squarely on her, akin to being slowly sliced to pieces!
Under the assassin's shocked gaze, Shen Tang neither dodged nor evaded, but instead pressed forward to meet him head-on. Barefoot, she shattered the incoming light blades, and with her next move, she curled her fingers into a claw, aiming for the assassin's vitals: "Who are you?"
|ω`)
In Xi'an today, I'm sweating buckets!
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