Qin Huaiyuan simply kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, as if he couldn’t hear the discussions behind him at all. Even if he did hear them, he didn’t care in the slightest.
Even though some were cursing Qin Huaiyuan for being unprincipled and defecting so quickly, no one could deny that the solution he presented today was indeed the most suitable approach.
But some raised questions: “Though Minister Qin’s words are reasonable, that Yuchi Yan is no pushover either. Since he’s already planning to ascend the throne, he must be convinced that he is the true legitimate heir of the Yan Dynasty. How could he be willing to accept Great Zhou’s enfeoffment?”
“Exactly. Moreover, Prince Yan isn’t in the capital now – his current location is on former Yan Dynasty territory, where he probably still has some old supporters. With his status and backing, he certainly won’t agree to Your Majesty’s enfeoffment.”
Qin Huaiyuan smiled slightly: “Both ministers speak reasonably, but it doesn’t matter if Prince Yan is unwilling to accept the enfeoffment – isn’t he currently beside Yuchi Xuji?”
This seemingly casual remark set everyone thinking deeply.
If Great Zhou could recognize South Yan and establish diplomatic relations between the two nations, allowing Yuchi Xuji to legitimately be emperor – that would be something he’d be overjoyed about. If Yuchi Yan refused to agree, Yuchi Xuji would probably try every means to make him agree.
For the sake of that legitimacy, without them lifting a finger, Yuchi Xuji would make all the necessary preparations.
Everyone fell silent.
They all shared the same feeling – that Qin Huaiyuan was simply too devious!
Could it be that because Yuchi Yan had left the capital with some of the old Yan Dynasty ministers this time, deliberately not telling Qin Huaiyuan and leaving him behind, he now held a grudge?
Indeed, the existence of “Wise Pan An” wasn’t an empty reputation. With Qin Huaiyuan, they’d better stay close and not make an enemy of him.
However, though most people thought this way, there were still a few who couldn’t think clearly and raised objections on the spot.
“Though this may be so, all this is merely Minister Qin’s speculation. What if Prince Yan refuses and takes the opportunity to incite the people to rebel? The northern Tatars already have us at our wits’ end – if the south erupts in military chaos too, we’ll be caught between enemies on both sides. The consequences would be unthinkable!”
Hearing this, Li Qitian also pulled back from his complete satisfaction and couldn’t help but ponder deeply. Indeed, if both sides truly went to war simultaneously, could his troops win great victories while dining on wind and drinking dew? As the saying goes, before the army moves, provisions must go first – they simply didn’t have the economic strength to support battlefields in both north and south simultaneously.
Qin Huaiyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled: “Therefore, this strategy has one more crucial element – dispatching someone with considerable weight to garrison the south. Preferably someone whose name alone would make those Yan Dynasty people tremble, someone who could stop children’s night crying, making both Prince Yan and Yuchi Xuji afraid to make any moves.”
Li Qitian’s eyes immediately narrowed.
All the ministers also turned their gazes toward Pang Xiao, who stood first among the military officials.
Great Yan had been conquered city by city, town by town by Pang Xiao. His former great achievements in Great Yan were known throughout the realm. If there was one person who could intimidate the southern people, making them tremble with fear just at the sight of him and not dare speak loudly, if Pang Xiao modestly claimed to be second, no one in the world could rank first.
So was Qin Huaiyuan’s strategy for His Majesty ultimately aimed at having Pang Xiao regain military authority?
…
Pang Xiao told Qin Yining everything that had happened at court in detail. Hearing this, Qin Yining couldn’t help but sigh softly: “Father truly had such painstaking intentions. His arrangement not only gives you the opportunity to control military power, but also allows us to leave the whirlpool of power struggles and go south to rest, recuperate, and develop our own influence.”
“Yes.” Pang Xiao’s eyes were full of admiration. “His Majesty understood this point at the time too. If His Majesty could trust me one hundred percent, he might not suffer so much.”
“Then how did His Majesty agree? How could he feel comfortable placing the Huben Army under your command again?”
Pang Xiao’s large hand gently stroked Qin Yining’s long hair as he said softly: “Silly girl, when did I say His Majesty was giving me the Huben Army? His Majesty appointed me as Grand Marshal of Pingnan, commanding the Pingnan Army, taking office immediately. The Huben Army is my direct force – His Majesty saw my prestige within the Huben Army today. He would never allow me to command the Huben Army again.”
“I see.” Qin Yining nodded, leaning against Pang Xiao’s shoulder and rubbing her cheek against it. “His Majesty allowing me to accompany you to take office – he must have said he couldn’t bear to separate us as husband and wife? Didn’t he enfeoff Old Madam and Grandmother?”
“Those who should receive enfeoffment and rewards – His Majesty won’t overlook anyone.” Pang Xiao pressed his chin against Qin Yining’s forehead, looking down: “He must do these ceremonial things properly. Even Prince Li, who committed such grave offenses, he could hold his nose and make him a Prince of the First Rank. And with Marquis Qingyang, he showed no signs of wanting to assign blame. His methods of winning hearts and appeasing people – His Majesty has perfected them.”
Qin Yining shook her head: “These are all surface phenomena. Prince Li and Duke Qingguo’s ‘death from illness’ is just a matter of time. When that happens, even those who helped Prince Li and Duke Qingguo rebel will probably just feel relieved.”
As they spoke, Qin Yining felt the carriage turn a corner. The road surface began to smooth out, and the air mixed with faint water vapor and sandalwood fragrance – very fresh and pleasant.
Pang Xiao lifted the window curtain to look outside, smiling: “We’re home.”
The carriage slowly stopped in front of a residence.
High-hanging lanterns swayed in the wind, their candle flames flickering. A servant wearing thick cotton robes who had been crouching guard at the entrance for some time saw the carriage arrive and immediately called loudly toward the inside, then hurried forward to bow: “Your Highness, Your Highness, you’ve returned! The Grand Madam instructed this servant to wait here.”
Pang Xiao carried Qin Yining down from the carriage and asked the servant: “The imperial edict has been delivered?”
“Delivered, delivered.” The servant nodded repeatedly, holding up a lantern to lead the way. “When the imperial edict arrived, the Old Madam was so delighted, and when your in-law’s grandmother learned that your in-law’s master was not only restored to office but also entered the cabinet, she was so overjoyed she fainted. A physician just came to examine her.”
“Is that so?” Pang Xiao paused in his steps, asking Qin Yining in a low voice: “Should we go to the east courtyard first to see your grandmother?”
For convenience of protection, after Pang Xiao and Qin Huaiyuan’s discussion, they still had both families live in the same residence. They just allocated the larger east courtyard to the Qin family, while the west courtyard housed the Prince’s household. Qin Huaiyuan also planned to open side doors on both sides for convenient movement – this way they could live without interfering with each other while still being able to visit easily.
Qin Yining thought for a moment: “Let’s first pay our respects to Grandmother and the others, then go pay respects to my grandmother.”
“That’s fine.” Pang Xiao smiled: “After all our commotion today, Grandmother and the others are probably scared to death.”
Worried about Qin Yining being tired, Pang Xiao had someone bring a sedan chair for transportation. Bingtang and Ji Yun followed behind Qin Yining, and seeing Pang Xiao being so considerate, they couldn’t help but smile with pursed lips.
The group soon reached the entrance of the west courtyard.