A starved camel is still larger than a horse, and both kingdoms were naturally abundant in resources. After Yan Kingdom swallowed them, the nobles quickly divided the spoils, soon obtaining what they wanted, with their desires temporarily satisfied.
Even for the Yan Kingdom, consuming two major countries within six years meant needing a good long time to digest them properly.
Yet at this moment, the Yan King impatiently launched another war.
It was like someone who had just finished a feast immediately participating in a hundred-meter sprint—the stomach would certainly be uncomfortable.
Although this principle was simple and easy to understand, extracting it from the countless complex appearances within the Yan Kingdom was not easy.
Feng Miaojun was too lazy to do this kind of homework. The one who truly formulated it into a written discourse was Xu Linghai, who had infiltrated the Yan court. Having observed Yan Kingdom for many years, he regularly wrote his insights to the Queen.
Each time Feng Miaojun read carefully, she felt a sudden clarity, which she then shared with her senior ministers.
Fu Lingchuan had already finished speaking and stepped back. Feng Miaojun sighed: “I also don’t wish for New Summer to intervene in the Yan-Wei war. It would be best if Yan Kingdom recognized the difficulty and retreated, with both sides maintaining a balance of power. Unfortunately, the future won’t be as one wishes, and we must be prepared. If New Summer does not participate in the war, in your opinion, who will emerge victorious?”
Though she said “your opinions,” her gaze was intentionally directed toward Fu Lingchuan, Wang Yuan, and Yu Haizhen.
Wang Yuan stepped forward: “The Yan Kingdom is implicitly the world’s strongest nation, almost dominating the Southern Continent, with a territory larger than the Wei Kingdom, more fertile fields, mines, population, and a greater number of cultivators. However, the strength disparity between the two sides isn’t as great as when Yan invaded Xi, and the battle is taking place in Wei territory. Strong Wei, having annexed Western Yao, also dominates the Northern Continent and is a formidable opponent. The Yan army now shows early signs of fatigue, and in the end, they may return defeated.”
Feng Miaojun said softly: “Though New Summer has flourished these years, Wei Kingdom hasn’t been idle. After swallowing Western Yao, their national power surged.” Wei Kingdom’s approach differed from New Summer’s—they directly plundered wealth from Western Yao to supplement themselves, thereby expanding production and stimulating the economy, similar to their methods after conquering An Summer years ago. This was also the common practice of contemporary nations, including the Yan Kingdom.
It wasn’t that the Wei Kingdom didn’t want to proceed gradually, but the Yan Kingdom and the impending war left them too little time. They needed to seize every opportunity to heal war wounds, digest wealth, and strengthen themselves again.
To contend with Yan for hegemony, Xiao Yan would certainly spare no effort.
Faced with Wang Yuan’s reasoned analysis, Fu Lingchuan only said: “Without variables, Yan will win,” and then fell silent.
With the two trusted ministers holding different views, Feng Miaojun looked toward Yu Haizhen. This State Preceptor smiled: “Is My Queen asking about Yan invading Wei, or Wei invading Yan?”
Feng Miaojun felt great interest: “You mention Wei invading Yan. Do you mean Wei could not only defeat Yan but also counterattack southward?”
Yu Haizhen shrugged: “If Wei repels Yan’s attack, is that considered a victory or defeat?”
“Naturally a victory.”
Yu Haizhen asked again: “If Wei takes advantage of the victory to launch a major invasion southward, but returns defeated, is that considered a victory or a defeat?”
The ministers exchanged glances, and Feng Miaojun remained silent in contemplation.
After the court session ended, Feng Miaojun walked out of the hall and immediately spotted Yu Haizhen.
The two women walked side by side along the small path in the garden, surrounded by birdsong and fragrant flowers. When Feng Miaojun first established the capital here, the country was poor, and the palace couldn’t afford to invest in spirit stone formations, with only two small gardens maintaining year-round greenery. In the blink of an eye, eight years had passed. New Summer’s treasury was substantial, and the Queen herself was as wealthy as a nation. The Wusel palace city was now eternally warm as spring, with peach blossoms and green willows.
Yu Haizhen asked her: “If My Queen intends to send troops to aid Wei, I should make preparations in advance.” As State Preceptor, she would certainly need to allocate elemental power before the army marched.
Feng Miaojun brushed a fallen leaf from her head: “No need, let’s hold our troops for now.”
Yu Haizhen tilted her head, looking at her: “I thought Your Majesty was anxious.”
“The Wei army shows no signs of defeat. Why should I be anxious?” In private conversation, Feng Miaojun didn’t refer to herself as “the solitary one.”
Yu Haizhen smiled, revealing teeth as white as ivory: “With war raging in the west, State Preceptor Yun must be laboring day and night. Doesn’t Your Majesty worry for him?”
With Yan and Wei fighting intensely, Yun Ya, as Wei’s State Preceptor, would naturally be fighting on the front lines.
Feng Miaojun hadn’t seen him for nearly half a year and was of course concerned. She knew that Yun Ya’s heart condition had never fully healed, and even occasionally flared up these two years. He appeared strong outwardly but was fragile within, and indeed shouldn’t overexert himself. But between state affairs and personal matters, she had always maintained clear boundaries. She snorted lightly: “What is there to worry about? He’s getting what he wants, too excited to care.”
The Wei-Yan war was a contest between Yun Ya and the Yan King, with the altar fragments as the prize. Both had been planning for so many years, finally about to determine a winner—how could they not be excited?
Feng Miaojun’s eyes rolled: “Besides if I send troops to assist Wei, I would likely ask you to go along. Would you be willing to leave Wusel?”
Yu Haizhen asked curiously: “Why wouldn’t I be willing? Over these years, I’ve often traveled far and wide.” Of course, Wusel was truly a good place, with customs and people to her taste, certainly a place one wouldn’t want to leave once settled.
Feng Miaojun pursed her lips, too lazy to say more, and yawned: “I’m tired and need to rest.”
How could the Queen not do as she pleased in her domain, especially for just an afternoon nap? Yu Haizhen smiled and made a salute, about to withdraw, when she heard Feng Miaojun add: “I almost forgot, I received news this morning that the Xi King is dead.”
Yu Haizhen’s smile froze slightly at the corners of her mouth: “How did he die?”
“He was killed,” Feng Miaojun shrugged. “Reportedly pierced through the heart with a sword while embracing several beautiful concubines.”
Years ago, Yu Haizhen fell from the cliff, and the Xi King surrendered his country. The Yan King kept his promise and didn’t kill the Xi King, merely giving him a considerable fortune before letting him leave. However, this man’s nature remained unchanged. Even without being a sovereign, he continued to indulge in food, drink, and pleasure, living extravagantly.
Yu Haizhen’s breath halted, and after a long while, she said: “Good, he deserved to die.”
All these years, she had treated this man as if he were dead, yet knowing of his death still surprised her.
Feng Miaojun, aware of her past, patted her shoulder, then said: “By the way, Da Chang also returned today, seemingly bringing some gifts for you.”
Having spoken, she walked away gracefully.
Yu Haizhen stood in place for a long time, until a loquat dropped from the tree with a plop, before finally stepping out of the garden.
After two rounds of expansion, the New Summer royal palace was large and imposing, not a place one could quickly exit. She turned several corners and happened to meet Assistant Minister for State Affairs Liang Yu. Upon seeing her, his eyes brightened, and he approached, saying: “State Preceptor, this junior official has a matter to consult about.”
Yu Haizhen had already composed herself and now nodded slightly: “Please speak.”
What Liang Yu wanted to consult about was precisely Yu Haizhen’s view on the Wei-Yan war, as well as inquiring about the Queen’s attitude.
The two walked and talked, soon reaching outside the palace gate.
Liang Yu, still eager for more, saw that the carriage to attend Yu Haizhen hadn’t arrived yet and immediately said: “Let me escort the State Preceptor for a while.”