By the time the Tartar royal court dispatched envoys to the capital, it was already early winter. In just over a year, the situation had completely reversed. The previously arrogant Tartars now had to tuck their tails between their legs when entering the capital—if they didn’t keep their tails tucked, Great Zhou, having just been troubled by the Tartars, probably had the mind to devour them whole, let alone lend them troops to quell their rebellion.

Yetan relied on his cavalry to establish himself as king. The royal court had no way to deal with him at all, as he had won several consecutive victories.

Tuomu had also dispatched envoys to seek reconciliation, but they were actually beheaded by Yetan.

Chief Minister Chang was playing chess with Cui Shaoting when he heard the news. He couldn’t help but stroke his beard, looking at Cui Yingshu who was observing the game from the side, smiling as he said to him: “In the past, Master Qingfeng always said that although Shaoting is a military general, he has more schemes than you, a civil official. I never believed it, but now I do. This stratagem of sowing discord was truly masterfully executed.”

Cui Shaoting had planted this hidden danger for the Tartars early on—the Tartar royal court was growing increasingly weak, Grand Preceptor Yecha controlled the government and showed little respect for the Tartar royal court. It was never a unified place to begin with, and after the incident of Yecha being captured and then sent back to the royal court, these two factions could absolutely never work together again—even if Yecha and Tuomu reached an agreement, Yetan wouldn’t be willing. Who would willingly hand over something as addictive as power?

Before, he had never tasted the flavor of authority, so he had been content to remain subordinate. But once he had a taste of the sweetness, thinking that upon returning he would have to hand over military command and resume a life of taking orders from others—how could Yetan bear it?

Even if he could truly bear it, the agents Cui Shaoting had planted wouldn’t allow him to bear it. There were always ways to instigate someone who already harbored a desire for power.

Going back and forth like this, the relationship between Yetan and the Tartar royal court had already become so strained it couldn’t be reconciled. Yet the Tartar royal court couldn’t defeat Yetan. Unable to defeat Yetan, they absolutely wouldn’t hand over the throne willingly. So what could be done?

The planted agents didn’t even need to rack their brains—naturally someone would propose seeking help from Great Zhou. Hadn’t they already cooperated before when sending Yecha back? That cooperation had gone quite smoothly. With this prior relationship established, what was wrong with borrowing troops from Great Zhou for the sake of securing the throne?

Cui Yingshu laughed from the side: “Exactly. He’s much craftier than me. Only Master always treats him as an honest person. I’ve been wronged terribly.”

Both Cui Yingshu and Cui Shaoting had lost considerable weight. Chief Minister Chang looked at them and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—the Cui clan truly produced no wastrels. This time even Cui Yingtang and the others in Jinzhong had helped immensely.

He first smiled and scolded Cui Yingshu for a while, then asked Cui Shaoting: “But if Tuomu refuses to submit to our court to the death, wouldn’t that just benefit Yetan instead?”

“It won’t happen.” Cui Shaoting placed a piece on the board, raised his head to look at the smiling Chief Minister Chang, and told him: “You also know what kind of people the Tartars are. Our Great Zhou’s propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame mean nothing to them. Having full bellies and warm clothes is what matters. The Tartars have submitted to us as vassals before. They simply habitually seek benefit and avoid harm. With this nature, we needn’t fear they won’t take the bait.”

No wonder back in Fujian he could make those pirates cry for their parents. This ability to fathom people’s hearts was probably a direct inheritance from the Cui family. No wonder the Crown Prince’s Consort was also so formidable at understanding human nature.

Chief Minister Chang smiled: “The Tartar envoys have already settled in the guesthouse. We’ll have to trouble you, Shaoting, to play the villain.”

Whatever conditions the Tartars had proposed to Great Zhou before, this time they would demand back with compound interest. Cui Shaoting had his own methods for dealing with these Tartars. Having him take charge was most suitable.

Cui Shaoting nodded in agreement: “Shaoting will not shirk this duty.”

Chief Minister Chang put down the piece in his hand and looked at the board for a long time before sighing: “I’ve lost.” While collecting the pieces, he looked at Cui Shaoting and Cui Yingshu: “Speaking of which, the Song family has already begun to wisely retreat in success. Old Master Song, that old fox, has become shrewd with age. Submitting a petition to retire at the height of his career is extremely clever. What about you two?”

Cui Shaoting looked at Cui Yingshu beside him with some surprise, then at Chief Minister Chang: “Naturally we must observe mourning!”

With Old Madam Cui’s passing, as her son, observing three years of mourning was human ethics. Wearing mourning for an aunt for one year was also perfectly natural. Cui Shaoting spoke with righteous confidence: “As for after three years, perhaps heaven and earth will be different again.”

The Cui family could certainly be considered maternal relatives, but the Cui family had also endured for a hundred years, with talented people emerging generation after generation, never experiencing a break in succession over several hundred years. At this point, the Cui family couldn’t possibly settle for being idle wealthy nobles just because they produced an empress—they were different from the Song family. Song Jue was still young now. With Old Master Song stepping down, it could both set the Emperor’s mind at ease and make way for those coming after.

But the Cui family had no need for such concerns at all, because the achievements of Cui Shaoting and Cui Yingshu were earned through their own efforts.

Chief Minister Chang had finished collecting his pieces and stood up from his stool. Only after Cui Yingshu also nodded did he stop: “For Yingshu to observe three years of mourning is perfectly proper, but you probably won’t be able to observe the full mourning period.” Seeing Cui Shaoting about to speak, he waved his hand to stop him: “You’re a great general. Compelling generals to abandon mourning has existed since ancient times. Xibei currently needs someone to guard it. With Yingshu alone stepping back, that’s enough. Since there was never any thought of truly retiring, the ready-made position should still be held.”

Since Chief Minister Chang said this, the Cabinet must have already had a plan. Cui Shaoting acknowledged with assent, then asked Chief Minister Chang: “Your meaning is that I’ll probably have to continue serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Three Borders for a few more years?”

Chief Minister Chang nodded without evasion: “Guard for a few years. Right now you’re the Left Vice Minister of War concurrently serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Three Borders. When you return, you’ll be Minister of War, and entering the Cabinet will be just around the corner.”

Sometimes wisely retreating in success actually meant advancing rather than retreating. Chief Minister Chang, seeing that Cui Shaoting could comprehend this, smiled and asked them to stay for dinner.

However, Cui Shaoting politely declined. He returned to the Ministry of War to discuss with the Minister of War and Right Vice Minister, negotiated terms with the Tartars, and only then entered the palace to report to Emperor Jianzhang.

Emperor Jianzhang was reviewing memorials. He specially took out the rewards list first to show Cui Shaoting, praising him: “The Cui clan truly lives up to being a prestigious family of renown—talented people emerging in succession, with loyal hearts and righteous courage!”

Cui Shaoting repeatedly said he dared not accept such praise. Seeing that the rewards list was not far from what he had guessed, he first declined on behalf of the Cui family: “We dare not claim credit. We merely did our duty as subjects.”

Emperor Jianzhang was deeply moved and shook his head: “Not everyone can do their duty well. This is what the Cui family deserves. That Xibei can have peace is largely thanks to you all.”