30. Military Power (Part 1)
"Summon the Crown Prince to the palace immediately."
That day, the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely, and Shen Suqin stayed with them until the last guest left.
Xu Youcai followed her closely, afraid that she might get drunk and stumble or bump into something.
To everyone's surprise, the person who was already swaying and unable to walk steadily stood up the moment the door closed, and there was no sign of drunkenness on their face.
Xu Youcai slowly opened his mouth wide.
"Madam, you...you're not drunk?"
Shen Suqin raised an eyebrow and laughed, "I can easily handle a few jars of wine."
She owns a restaurant, how could she not know how to drink?
“Tell me in detail about the recent conflict between the general and the marquis’s mansion,” she said.
"yes."
“Let’s talk in the study,” she paused, “but never mind, let’s go to the side hall.”
She shouldn't enter the study, a sensitive area; if she stumbled upon some terrible secret, it would be a real problem.
Xu Youcai followed her into the side hall and recounted in detail the incident a few days ago when Xiao Pingchuan deliberately provoked the Marquis of Anping's residence and the central army. He knew that there were some twists and turns to the matter when he discussed it in detail, and he could vaguely grasp the boundaries, but he just couldn't explain it clearly.
After listening, Shen Suqin pondered for a moment and then asked, "How many people did you bring with you on this trip south?"
"Not even thirty."
Shen Suqin shook her head. "That shouldn't be the case."
If he had only brought less than thirty, Xiao Pingchuan probably wouldn't have dared to be so forceful just now.
“Actually, it’s two hundred,” Chai Shun’s voice came from outside the hall. “Greetings, Madam.”
Shen Suqin nodded. "Where are those two hundred now?"
"Inside the city," Chai Shun replied vaguely.
Shen Suqin did not press the matter further, but changed the subject, "Given the general's ability to make enemies, if you lose military power later, will you and I be guaranteed anything?"
Chai Shun feigned ignorance: "Madam, rest assured, the general has arranged for guards. No strangers are allowed to approach within ten feet of the general's residence."
Shen Suqin did not delve into the matter and said, "That's good. Since the general is alright, I will go back to my room to rest first. You should all go to sleep early too."
Xu Youcai stared blankly as Shen Suqin left, his mouth agape.
After the man disappeared into the darkness, he nudged Chai Shun and asked, "What kind of riddles are you and Madam playing?"
Chai Shun shook his head, "I'm about to take the brothers out for a trip. You won't be sleeping tonight, just stay home and guard the house."
Xu Youcai was completely bewildered. "Why?"
"Don't ask so many whys. Just do as I say."
"Alright then."
Meanwhile, Shen Suqin returned to the bridal chamber in the dark.
The bridal chamber was located in the main house of the main courtyard. Red silk decorations lined the way, and double happiness characters were pasted on the windows, making it very festive. It can be seen that the General's Mansion attached great importance to this wedding.
However, the lanterns in the mansion were dim, and the path underfoot was not very clear, so it took her some time to get back to the main courtyard.
Pushing open the door, one is greeted by bright red wedding candles and red curtains. The candles are already half-burned, and the double happiness characters on the candles have their heads burned off, making them look anything but festive.
She sighed softly, took off her hairpin and earrings, walked to the table and poured herself a glass of wine. After thinking for a moment, she poured another glass, placed it opposite her, and said, "Although I don't know what you want to do, I'm ultimately tied to your boat, and I certainly won't let anything happen to you."
After saying that, she downed the wine in one gulp. After catching her breath, she got up and went to the inner room, where the things she had brought from the Shen residence were placed.
She bent down and pulled out the account book, examining it closely by candlelight.
Currently, Xingyuan restaurants in various locations are still generating income, and her share of the profits has been delivered to her on time.
Moreover, she still has some silver in her private treasury for emergencies, so dealing with Jinyunfang and Xiao Pingchuan shouldn't be a problem.
Next, she will slowly start selling the fabrics she previously bought from Jinyunfang back to her at high prices in order to drain Jinyunfang's cash flow. She just hopes that Shen Suqiu will not find out too soon that she is the one selling the fabrics.
At three-quarters past midnight, Ju Tao returned.
She's going to arrange the fabric today.
"Sister Qin, I've made contact with the three people that Boss Su introduced. They can contact Shen Suqiu and Jinyunfang at any time," Ju Tao said.
"Can those three people's backgrounds withstand scrutiny?" Shen Suqin asked.
“It’s reasonable. They were originally weavers from Jiaozhou and Yueze, and their ancestors were weavers for three generations. They had cooperated with the Su family before. Now that the Su family has temporarily cut off Jinyunfang’s supply, it’s reasonable for Jinyunfang to directly contact the Su family’s downstream suppliers.”
Shen Suqin nodded. "How much is the price?"
"All three companies raised prices by 30% to 40% as agreed."
"Sure. Have all other avenues been blocked?"
"Once the blockade is cleared, and if the head of the family, Su, issues a direct order, no expensive fabrics from the south are allowed to pass through the Su family's territory to travel north."
Shen Suqin was relieved.
The Su family had been operating in the south for hundreds of years, and it could be said that they were the ones who built up most of the fabric business. Later, they gradually monopolized the southern fabric market, practically becoming a one-man show.
"For the next few days, we just need to keep an eye on the fabric in the north."
The north was secretly suppressed using the crown prince's name, and that name worked quite well.
“Yes,” Ju Tao poured herself a cup of cold tea. “But Sister Qin, according to the news, Shen Suqiu has been visiting the Pei family very frequently these past few days. Pei Ruhai is an old fox with a deep pocket. If he interferes, something bad might happen.”
"It's alright in the short term, because he probably won't be able to take care of Jinyunfang these next few days."
"Why?"
"Black Flag Army military power."
Meanwhile, Xiao Pingchuan was escorted by Marquis Anping and his men to the Imperial Study.
When he was taken there, all the high-ranking officials and ministers in the imperial study were there, all staring at him with predatory eyes.
Emperor Jingkang sat at the head of the table with a blank expression, half of his face hidden in shadow, looking sinister.
"Your subject Xiao Pingchuan greets Your Majesty." Xiao Pingchuan bowed.
The imperial study was silent. Emperor Jingkang looked down at him, not telling him to get up for a long time.
"Do you know why I summoned you to the palace?" Emperor Jingkang asked.
"I understand."
Emperor Jingkang and the ministers present were surprised by his honesty and were speechless for a moment.
"Then tell me yourself, why?"
Xiao Pingchuan lowered his eyes and said calmly, "Because I hit the heir of Marquis Anping and also hit General Feng."
"Is that all?" Emperor Jingkang's face darkened.
He didn't care who Xiao Pingchuan fought with. Even if he killed someone, he would turn a blind eye because of the Black Flag Army.
But Xiao Pingchuan should never have entertained the idea of leading his troops south.
This is his Achilles' heel.
If Xiao Pingchuan doesn't bring it up himself, how can anyone else dare to bring it up for him? After all, once some things are out in the open, even falsehoods will be taken as truths; if they are not exposed, then it can be pretended that nothing happened.
Xiao Pingchuan looked up and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "That's all."
Emperor Jingkang's expression softened somewhat. As long as Xiao Pingchuan didn't clamor for a southward march, he could turn a blind eye.
Marquis Anping sneered, "General Xiao has probably gotten used to being arrogant in the northern border and doesn't respect anyone. I'd like to ask General Xiao, do you still have the Great Liang in your heart, and do you still have His Majesty?"
Xiao Pingchuan glanced at him coldly, "If I didn't have His Majesty in my heart, do you think the Crown Prince would have been able to return alive?"
Marquis Anping felt a chill run down his spine from the piercing gaze, but he forced himself to say, "How exactly has my son offended you that you want to kill him?"
"He covets the command of the Black Flag Army," Xiao Pingchuan said casually.
"You're talking nonsense!"
It was no secret that the Marquis of Anping wanted to seize control of the Black Flag Army. They knew that the Wei family wanted to use Governor Lei Sheng to expand their power in the army after the governor of Liangzhou issued an edict requesting the merger of the Black Flag Army.
Xiao Pingchuan bowed to Emperor Jingkang and said, "Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly."
Emperor Jingkang knew this better than anyone else.
He was now hesitating about how to persuade Xiao Pingchuan to hand over his military power.
It can be handed over to anyone, whether it's Liangzhou Governor Lei Sheng or General Feng Sanhe, as long as it's not in their hands.
Thinking of this, he glanced discreetly at Yang Kan, the finance commissioner.
Yang Kan understood and immediately stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, the Black Flag Army has been without food for a long time. The governor of Liangzhou has revealed that he is willing to supply the Black Flag Army with food. I believe that since the war with the Shatuo has ended, it is meaningless for the Black Flag Army to station troops at the Shule River again. It would be better to issue an edict to allow the two sides to merge as soon as possible."
"What do you think, Minister Xiao?" Emperor Jingkang asked, nodding.
With the old issue brought up again, Emperor Jingkang finally made up his mind to take military power away from Xiao Pingchuan no matter what.
No sooner had he finished speaking than the sound of clashing armor and orderly footsteps came from outside the hall, as if Xiao Pingchuan would be captured and killed if he dared to utter a single word of dissent.
Xiao Pingchuan lowered his head, a sarcastic smile on his lips, and slowly said, "I have indeed been quite tired these past two years. In addition, I have just gotten married, so it is time to have a son or daughter to continue the Xiao family line."
As soon as he said that, everyone around him held their breath.
“But it is absolutely impossible to hand over military power to Lei Sheng,” he continued. “I have had many conflicts with Lei Sheng. If I hand over military power to him, he may not treat my brothers well. I do not want my brothers to risk their lives for me only to be left without proper care.”
"So what do you plan to do?"
Xiao Pingchuan looked around, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone present.
His eyes were calm and expressionless, but everyone felt as if a layer of flesh had been scraped away by a bone-scraping knife, and their whole bodies ached.
They knew that Xiao Pingchuan was looking for someone to whom he could entrust military power.
Those who harbored ambitions for military power straightened their backs and stared back at him intently.
After a long pause, Xiao Pingchuan said dejectedly, "I cannot find that person."
"Take a closer look," Emperor Jingkang said, almost standing up.
Xiao Pingchuan shook his head.
"You! You're playing me for a fool!"
"Your Majesty, I dare say that the Black Flag Army can easily take on a hundred men. Do you think they pose no threat to anyone in their hands?"
After careful consideration, Emperor Jingkang realized that this was indeed the case.
Lei Sheng, Feng Sanhe, and even the Pei family are all outsiders. If they ever have other ideas, the Black Flag Army will still be a knife to his throat.
"Issue an imperial decree that the Crown Prince must enter the palace immediately," Emperor Jingkang said.
Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, wondering how things had come to this. Pei Ruhai, in particular, felt a sudden unease that the situation was about to spiral out of control.
The messenger went down.
The imperial study fell silent again, the bright yellow candlelight flickering, blurring the various expressions on everyone's faces.
Eunuch Yan, who was serving Emperor Jingkang, asked him in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the dew is heavy at night. This old servant will add some clothes for you."
Emperor Kang nodded.
Eunuch Yan hurried down and soon returned with a cloak that was completely free of any stray hairs.
Xiao Pingchuan glanced at it; it was something he had brought for His Majesty last year.
Emperor Jingkang seemed to have noticed it as well. He glanced at Eunuch Yan, waved his hand, and finally his gaze toward Xiao Pingchuan warmed up a bit.
The most crucial moment has arrived, Xiao Pingchuan thought to himself.
If all goes well, the crown prince will be released from house arrest and return to the government. According to their agreement, once he has secured his position, he will support him in crossing the Shule River and attacking the Shatuo homeland until the Shatuo are destroyed.
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