Before the end of the first month of the year, the imperial court sent Yang Yue, the left vice minister of the Ministry of Rites, as an envoy to Shu to pacify the rebels.

Yan Sikong and Yang Yue met at the Imperial Lecture and had a slight friendship. Yan Sikong knew that Yang Yue was weak and afraid of things. He only cared about making money and could not be used for important tasks. Recruiting Yang Yue was a tough job. If you were not careful, you would lose your life. You also had to mediate the hatred between the court and the rebels. Without extraordinary wisdom, you would be trapped in a trap and would not be able to please both sides. Whoever got involved would suffer.

Faced with the imperial court's offer of amnesty, most rebels would be appeased at first, and would take the opportunity to make huge demands. If the imperial court had the spare capacity to satisfy their greed, it would have used the money for disaster relief. Even if the imperial court really gave them money, there are so many mouths to feed, and after they have eaten all the food and tasted the sweetness, they would rebel again. Therefore, it is normal to appease and then suppress, and then appease.

The day before Yang Yue left, those who had personal connections with him went to his house to pay their respects to him. He looked very sad, saying that today might be the last time they would see each other, and it was obvious that he was still clear-headed.

Yan Sikong looked at Yang Yue indifferently, thinking that this was indeed the last time they would meet. From the moment he received the order, the outcome was already determined.

Just as Yan Sikong had expected, the rebel leader Bao Yunyong brazenly proposed that the emperor make him a king on the spot, allowing him to enjoy the hereditary salary and fiefdom of a vassal king, and he also demanded 200,000 taels of silver to comfort his subordinates.

When Yang Yue's memorial arrived in Beijing, Emperor Zhaowu was so angry that he cursed Yang Yue at the morning court, calling him a good-for-nothing. He said that Yang Yue had the nerve to ask him to dictate such negotiation conditions, which was a disgrace to the royal majesty, so he was determined to punish Yang Yue.

Yang Yue had good relationships with people, and many people spoke for him. In addition, the situation was urgent, so after dealing with Yang Yue, it would take a long time to send someone else. Finally, Emperor Zhaowu ordered Yang Yue to make up for his crime and take out 80,000 taels of silver from his own treasury. The meaning was very clear: the 80,000 taels could be used to appease the rebels if possible, and to suppress them if not. At the same time, the court had ordered Luoyang to mobilize 20,000 troops to go to war at any time.

Yang Yue lived up to the emperor's expectations and actually used the emperor's private treasury to recruit nearly 30,000 rebels.

Emperor Zhaowu was very happy, but Yan Zilian bluntly advised him that the silver was only a delaying tactic and that the rebels would surely rebel again, so he must order the Luoyang rebel suppression troops to march out as soon as possible.

This incident triggered a long-lasting war of words in the imperial court. Yan Zilian and his group believed that the characteristic of the rebel army was that they had many families with them in the early stages. Thirty thousand soldiers and their families meant at least a hundred thousand mouths to feed. Eighty thousand taels of silver would be spent in two months at most, and they would definitely rebel again by then.

Xie Zhongren and his group believed that this was just Yan Zilian's speculation. In two months, when spring comes and the earth recovers, the people will not be able to leave their fields and will definitely return to farming, and most of them will not rebel. Twenty thousand soldiers, carriages, weapons, and food and fodder all need to be considered, and it costs thousands of silver coins a day to raise an army. If the rebels are obedient, wouldn't this money be wasted?

Both factions had their own reasons, and it was difficult for them to overwhelm the other side at once, so Emperor Zhaowu was hesitant.

Yan Sikong had already made plans in his mind. He expected that the rebels would rebel again. This snowstorm froze all the crops to death, and most of the oxen were also frozen to death. Even if they could resume farming, it would take several months to get a harvest. Would they have to starve for the next few months?

If by some chance the rebels did not rebel within two months, he would send assassins to kill Yang Yue and put the blame on the rebels.

Emperor Zhaowu did not order the Luoyang Rebellion Suppression Army to go to war. In fact, Xie Zhongren's intention may not be exactly what Xie Zhongren meant. The imperial power and the eunuch power have always complemented each other. The birth of the eunuch power was originally used to strengthen the imperial power to check and balance the power of the prime minister. However, when the eunuch power was too bloated, the imperial power had to show its weakness. Therefore, regardless of whether this matter was Xie Zhongren's intention, it was the intention of Emperor Zhaowu.

Yan Zilian became so angry that he fell ill. He was nearly 70 years old, and this illness really took a heavy toll on his health.

Yan Sikong went to Yan's house every day and personally served Yan Zilian by his bedside, treating him more filially than his own son. Naturally, other disciples also came to visit him, but they were not as thick-skinned as Yan Sikong and did not stay by his bedside.

During his illness, Yan Zilian was in low spirits. He said that the eunuchs' party was blocking his way and the government was unsuccessful. He felt disheartened and had the idea of ​​retiring and returning home.

Yan Sikong patiently comforted him and explained the great principles. He knew that Yan Zilian was sad because of his illness, so he only complained a few words. How many people in ancient times could retire bravely and retire when they were in a high position? To die a good death is the best of all. Power is like a poisonous snake. Even though you know that the poison is so strong that it will attack your heart, you can still hold it and cannot let it go.

Besides, even if Yan Zilian really had the heart of a saint, he would not dare to retire. He had been fighting with Xie Zhongren for decades. Once he gave up power, Xie Zhongren would surely take the opportunity to settle accounts. The end of these two people was only one death.

Yan Zilian was either sick or resentful and didn't want to go to court, so he stayed at home for a month. However, he did not miss any of the affairs in the court. Since Wang Shengsheng was demoted, he has completely controlled the cabinet.

But without the Prime Minister, the court was in chaos. Due to the low efficiency of the cabinet, many matters had to be piled up in front of the emperor. Emperor Zhaowu had been lazy for decades and would not be diligent unless there was a major event like rebellion that endangered the country. He could not bear such work, so he issued two imperial edicts, sending an imperial physician and elixir. Seeing that Yan Zilian still refused to come out, he actually went to Yan's house to visit him.

It was such a supreme honor to have the emperor visit him in person. Looking back at all the previous chief ministers in the imperial cabinet, none of them had such an honor. It was probably the most glorious moment in Yan Zilian's life. Xie Zhongren, who accompanied the emperor, also had to act as if he was very concerned.

Having saved face in this way, Yan Zilian recovered from his illness and returned to the court. However, Emperor Zhaowu still did not give in on the issue of suppressing the rebel army. It was obvious that the 80,000 taels of private silver made him very painful.

——

Only after Yan Zilian recovered from his illness did Yan Sikong have time to visit Feng Ye.

In order to see him, Feng Ye returned to the city from Jingshan Camp whenever he had time, but he had failed twice before. When they met this time, all the dissatisfaction in his words turned into passionate lovemaking on the bed.

The two of them hadn't seen each other for just over a month, but it seemed like years. Their hearts and eyes were filled with feelings that could not be concealed. Yan Sikong knew that he shouldn't do this, and he warned himself again and again, but he still fell uncontrollably.

After the heat wave, the two of them hugged each other tenderly and chatted about the affairs of the court.

"I heard that Mr. Yan was pretending to be sick, so the emperor went to visit him in person?" Feng Ye stroked Yan Sikong's smooth back with his slender fingers. The thin layer of sweat made his skin shine.

Yan Sikong was like a lazy cat, lingering in Feng Ye's arms, and whispered: "I'm not pretending to be sick, I'm really sick." He chuckled again, "But the teacher is still in good health, he will be well in half a month."

Feng Ye chuckled twice: "The elder has some tricks up his sleeve... It's a pity that the emperor has never been willing to send troops to quell the rebellion. This is simply nurturing trouble."

"You also think the rebels will rebel?"

"They will definitely rebel. After taking this step, who wants to turn back? They can't go back." Feng Ye said in a muffled voice, "If I were to lead the army, I wouldn't need 20,000. Just give me 2,000 and I would be able to put down the rebellion. This group of people will be crushed at the first blow."

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "I believe you, but unfortunately His Majesty will not let you lead the troops."

There was a look of loss in Feng Ye's eyes.

Yan Sikong comforted him, "Feng Ye, you are only nineteen years old, so you don't have to feel frustrated. You are a man of strategy and martial arts, and I, Da Sheng, will certainly make use of you in the future. Believe me."

Feng Ye smiled bitterly and said, "Of course I think so too, but I don't know how long I have to wait."

"Waiting is also a form of practice."

Feng Ye kissed him: "Kong'er knows me."

"By the way, is there any movement in Wala?"

"It's almost spring. My father said that when the glaciers melt, the fields are covered with spring grass, and the cattle and sheep are full, the Wala will send troops."

"Then... has your majesty decided to take it?"

Feng Ye shook his head: "This matter is too confidential, my father will not mention it in the letter, but I guess..."

"you guess?"

Feng Ye sighed, and stretched out his arms to hug Yan Sikong tightly: "My father has been fighting for years, and he has been suffering from new and old injuries. As he gets older, his health is getting worse. His lifelong ambition is to destroy the Wala and restore peace to the border. He is most afraid of dying before he can achieve his ambition. He has waited for this opportunity for thirty years. From what I know about him, he will definitely go to the battle."

Yan Sikong frowned deeply and said sternly: "If that's the case, I hope you can advise His Highness not to go into battle rashly. If a general has the mentality of risking everything before going out, it will violate the taboo of military strategists."

Feng Ye nodded: "I understand. My father also understands. He has been a soldier all his life and is extremely cautious in his actions. He rarely fails. I believe him."

Yan Sikong nodded, feeling a little relieved. After all, when it comes to leading troops to fight, who among the heroes of the time dares to show off in front of Feng Jianping? If he can really wipe out Wala in one fell swoop, Feng Jianping will surely be remembered for generations.

Feng Ye's eyes lit up: "I believe my father will be able to wipe out the Wala. His life's hard work will not be in vain."

"The Wala must be eliminated!"

Feng Ye traced Yan Sikong's cheek with his fingertips, his eyes full of smiles: "Kong'er, do you know? I have a bad temper and always have trouble getting along with others, but when I'm with you, I feel comfortable and happy. You understand everything I say, and I love to listen to everything you say. In my life, there are only two people I can talk to without hesitation, one is you, and the other is my eldest brother..." At the end, his expression was gloomy.

Yan Sikong stroked his temples: "You can also treat me as your brother." He was born with insight and could see people's desires, so he was very good at winning people's hearts. As long as he wanted, he could say what people wanted to hear without being flattering. This habit was always his way of being a person, but at this moment, facing Feng Ye's innocence and sincerity, he felt... ashamed.

Feng Ye pinched his waist and said, "Nonsense, who wants to treat you as a brother? I treat you as my wife."

Yan Sikong laughed: "Stop talking nonsense, am I better than you?"

Feng Ye turned over and pressed him under him, with a wicked smile on his face: "I won't say it, I will do it."

"Feng Ye! You... um..."

The night is long.