Qin Yining opened her eyes to see the low canopy of the carriage and a bean-sized dim yellow oil lamp. Pang Xiao’s handsome features were outlined in distinct light and shadow by the orange-red lamplight, his voice gentle right beside her ear.

“How did you sleep?”

“Well enough. How did I sleep for so long? What time is it now?”

Qin Yining’s belly prevented her from lying flat, so she was using Pang Xiao as a backrest, nestled in his embrace.

Pang Xiao smiled: “You slept all afternoon. When court adjourned, I brought you directly out of the palace. How do you feel physically?”

“I’m fine. I didn’t expect to sleep so long.”

Finding a comfortable angle against Pang Xiao’s shoulder, rubbing her cheek against his clothing, Qin Yining’s voice was languid and soft: “Why are we only heading back now? Did the court session continue until evening?”

“Yes, His Majesty restored father-in-law to office, and the court discussed the Tatar matter. We had originally settled on a decision, but then an unexpected incident occurred midway through – we received new information from the south…”

Pang Xiao said this while apologetically stroking her long hair with his large hand, saying helplessly: “Yining, I’m afraid I’m dragging you into trouble again. We won’t need to prepare a delivery room in our new home. I’m being appointed to the former Yan capital, and His Majesty has ordered you to accompany me. We depart within three days.”

Qin Yining’s eyes widened in shock as she supported herself against his arm to sit up: “What happened in the south? Is there a problem with Prince Yan? What occurred at court? Tell me everything in detail.”

Pang Xiao nodded, pulling Qin Yining back into his embrace with a smile: “Don’t worry, I was planning to tell you anyway.”

Two hours earlier.

Court session at Fengtian Hall.

Qin Huaiyuan, dressed in the first-rank civil official’s court robes with crane insignia, kowtowed before the hall: “Minister Qin Huaiyuan kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty’s great grace. Receiving Your Majesty’s trust, this minister will surely repay it with loyalty.”

“Minister Qin, please rise quickly.” Li Qitian smiled as he leaned forward slightly and raised his hand, displaying full ceremonial courtesy.

Qin Huaiyuan rose and naturally took his place at the head of the civil officials.

Li Qitian then proceeded to adjust various court officials’ positions as appropriate. Many high ministers had perished in the underground palace this time, leaving many vacant positions, so the court’s official structure underwent a major reorganization.

After the successive adjustments, Li Qitian said: “This upheaval has cost the court many capable ministers, which is truly heartbreaking. In the north, the Tatars have invaded as far as Tianmen Pass, where the Longxiang Army fights desperately to defend. Should they be defeated, the Tatar cavalry could reach the capital in mere days.

“The south is also unstable now. Since Yuchi Yan fled south, Yongning Prefecture, Hengzhou Prefecture, and Jianyang Prefecture have declared independence, echoing South Yan’s Yuchi Xuji in supporting Yuchi Yan’s restoration to the throne.

“But I have also received reliable intelligence that the independence of Yongning and Hengzhou Prefectures did not succeed immediately – both were suppressed by local garrison troops. However, the people of South Yan rose in revolt, stormed government offices, and brutally killed the local officials I had appointed there, thus bringing those three prefectures under South Yan control.”

Speaking of this, Li Qitian sighed deeply with evident helplessness, continuing: “Now the northern war situation is urgent, and the south is in such a state. Our dynasty faces crises on all sides. Whatever thoughts and strategies you ministers have, you may speak them now. Let us pool our wisdom and weather this difficult time together.”

Li Qitian spoke with utmost sincerity, showing no imperial airs whatsoever as he looked expectantly at those below the imperial steps.

Some ministers frowned in contemplation while others discussed in low voices. In just a moment, someone stepped forward.

“Report to Your Majesty, though the southern situation appears lukewarm and Yuchi Yan’s capabilities are not as formidable as Khan Wute’s, making the south seemingly less urgent than the northern Tatar situation at first glance, it is precisely this lukewarm erosion that is most terrifying.”

“Minister Wang speaks truly. South Yan now advances steadily, gradually inciting the people, which may lead to unpredictable consequences. After all, our Great Zhou only recently conquered the Yan Dynasty, so the local people don’t yet have particularly strong allegiance to our Great Zhou.”

The south had originally been Yan Dynasty territory, and the people there still considered themselves Yan subjects. It was only because the Yan Dynasty had fallen and Yuchi Yan had submitted a surrender document that the people had no choice but to bow their heads and get on with their lives.

But now, if Yuchi Yan became active in the south, the resulting prairie fire could very well rekindle the southern people’s loyalty to the Yan Dynasty. At that point, it would be extremely difficult for Great Zhou to reclaim its authority.

“The south must be stabilized. Our Great Zhou’s base is in the north, but the south is the most crucial grain-producing region. If rebellion breaks out in the south, food supplies may return to their former inadequate state.”

“Exactly. Our Great Zhou Dynasty has strong soldiers and fine horses, but what we lack is money and grain. Without these two, even tigers descending from mountains would lack the strength to fight.”

The ministers’ discussions grew louder, showing that everyone clearly understood the current crisis.

Great Zhou was already struggling with insufficient funds and supplies in dealing with the Tatars. Adding a chaotic south would truly mean facing enemies on both fronts.

Moreover, Great Zhou had only established its government five years ago after overthrowing the tyranny of the Northern Ji Kingdom. Throughout these five years, the dynasty had been continuously embroiled in warfare. The people had no chance to rest and recuperate, instead living daily under the shadow of war. This would inevitably lead to loss of popular support, or at minimum exhaust the people.

Everyone understood the reasoning, but solving the problem could not be accomplished overnight.

Li Qitian sat high upon the imperial steps, listening to his ministers’ discussions, his own heart quite heavy.

He hadn’t slept all night, then experienced the heart-stopping palace seizure battle. By now he was utterly exhausted, and the ministers’ lengthy inconclusive discussions only increased his irritation.

However, as an emperor, he had to maintain proper bearing, especially before Prince Li who had attempted to usurp power – he couldn’t appear inferior to such treacherous subjects.

Li Qitian turned his gaze to Qin Huaiyuan, who had remained silent throughout.

“Minister Qin, what is your view?”

Called upon by name, Qin Huaiyuan stepped forward and bowed: “In response to Your Majesty, this minister believes that this great upheaval in the capital as well as the rebellions north and south were all premeditated. The Tatars and South Yan must have secretly coordinated.”

When Qin Huaiyuan spoke, the discussing crowd fell silent. Everyone knew of his reputation as “Wise Pan An” and wanted to hear a concrete solution from him.

Li Qitian also rose, standing with hands behind his back upon the imperial steps: “Minister Qin speaks reasonably. Then what strategy do you propose?”

“In response to Your Majesty, this minister believes that our current plan requires distinguishing priorities and urgencies, defeating them one by one. If we respond on two fronts, though our Great Zhou has brave and fierce generals, we fear insufficient provisions and overstretched battle lines would be disadvantageous to our dynasty.”

Li Qitian nodded, asking with a smile: “Then in this strategy of defeating them one by one, which side do you think should take priority?”