Chapter 324: Chapter 314: You’re So Fierce
In the council chamber, Xie Xun slammed his palm onto the table in raging fury, shattering a corner of the solid wooden desk. A crack split through the middle of the desk, a testament to the sheer force of his anger. All three pamphlets were unequivocal: they accused Xie Xun of planning to massacre Jiaozhou and painted Lin Zhi as a stalwart loyalist.
Xu Zhou and the assembled generals felt their scalps tingling with unease. This was clearly a premeditated trap. These pamphlets sprouted like mushrooms after a rainstorm, spreading instantly throughout the streets and alleys of Yanyang. The intent was unmistakable – a targeted attack on the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry through public opinion.
Xie Jue and Xie Xun were branded as rebels, bereft of moral righteousness and advantageous geography. They had no claim to justice or popular support; even the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry’s strength confined them to a small corner. In contrast, the Yuwen Royal Family sat firmly in the heart of Yanyang, commanding every advantage.
Throughout history, rebellion has followed one of two paths: either widespread suffering drives commoners and warlords to rise up and seize power, or a corrupt monarch provokes lords to rally under the banner of cleansing the court. In any case, those vying for the throne need to possess at least one of justice, advantageous positioning, or public sentiment. Yet Xie Jue and Xie Xun had none.
First, the Beiman had entered peace talks with Yanyang, marking a period of recovery and rest. Should Yanyang erupt into civil war, one misstep from Xie Jue and Xie Xun would make them public enemies. Thus, the brothers could not afford to deploy troops—they needed to secure twelve states without spilling a drop of blood. Second, Yuwen Jing wasn’t a tyrant. Before ascending the throne, he was a crown prince celebrated for his benevolence and compassion. Though he experienced a period of madness after his coronation and purged some nobility and military generals, the common people remained largely unaffected. Rumors about him killing his father and predecessor were just that—rumors, without substantive proof. After emerging from his insanity and reassembling the cabinet with Lin Helin’s assistance, Yuwen Jing resumed the demeanor of his former self. To the populace, he was no despot.
The widespread destitution wasn’t caused by the royal family; it was the result of years of warfare. At this pivotal moment, anyone instigating civil war naturally became the enemy of the masses.
A single death—that of Lin Zhi—was enough to cost Xie Jue and Xie Xun sway over public opinion and the support of most of Yanyang’s populace. What’s worse, with communication networks so underdeveloped, the Xie brothers couldn’t clarify the truth fast enough.
The Xie brothers’ weakest link had always been public opinion.
Someone had seen through this flaw—a single sacrificial act could completely unravel their ambition to swallow the twelve states. For the next two years, the court wouldn’t be able to launch a major offensive; thus, Ningzhou must also be deterred from striking first.
Both sides would have to stall for two or three years to see who could shore up their war preparations more thoroughly. Only then could there be a decisive clash.
"Prince, what should we do now?" Xu Zhou asked. The council chamber was filled with righteous indignation from the generals. They had followed Marquis Zhenbei, Xie Zhang, into countless battles but had never encountered such a situation before.
Fighting the Beiman was straightforward—just engage, since it was external warfare.
But civil war? They were novices in that domain. Who would have thought Lin Zhi’s death could lead to consequences this dire? Now the commoners in Jiangnan and Zhongzhou were fuming with resentment, openly cursing Xie Jue and Xie Xun. Their morale was shaken.
Faced with this public opinion offensive, they had no counterattack.
"The court is using Lin Zhi to force the commoners of Jiangnan, Zhongzhou, and the Capital City to stand against us. This impacts everything—trade, livelihoods—it’s a devastating blow. While we are powerless to counter this wave of public sentiment, they cannot sever our commerce or extinguish our economic lifelines. The twelve states are vast and resource-rich; we’re self-sufficient. Even if Zhongzhou, the Capital City, and Jiangnan cease commerce with us, we can still ensure an abundant supply of food. What matters now is the stable development of the twelve states. Don’t be consumed by this public opinion battle. I act with integrity and leave my conscience clear." After venting his frustration, Xie Xun regained his composure. "Continue sending envoys to negotiate with Jiaozhou. Spread the message throughout Jiaozhou City that I intend to take Jiaozhou, but I vow not to harm a single blade of grass within its walls."
"Understood!" Hearing Xie Xun’s reassuring tone, Xu Zhou felt steadier. The greatest fear in such a public relations battle was the commander losing his composure. As long as Xie Xun remained steady, the troops’ morale could hold.
"Jiaozhou is currently united—both its army and civilians will refuse to yield. They won’t open the city gates to welcome us in; we’ll have to storm it by force!" General Chen, known for his straightforward temperament, requested permission to act. "Prince, give me three days, and I’ll take Jiaozhou for you without fail."
"No!" Xu Zhou shook his head. "If we use force against Jiaozhou, even the twelve states will be thrown into panic. We’ll lose the support of our own people too. This is absolutely the wrong time to wage war."
The timing of war was everything!
Xie Xun didn’t want to fight; he couldn’t afford to.
"If we don’t act now, then when?" General Chen flared up in anger. "Such treacherous schemes! Can’t win through strength, so they resort to tricks! Now I understand why the Beiman always call them cunning and sly!"
"Enough!" Xie Xun’s voice echoed sternly, silencing the room. None of the generals dared to oppose him. "Station our troops at Tongzhou. Don’t forget—our purpose here is to deter Zhongzhou from deploying forces to disrupt our plans for the twelve states, not to conquer Jiaozhou. Do not lose sight of our priorities. Our army remains stationed just behind Jiaozhou. If Fang Chuning dares to enter Jiaozhou, I’ll deploy troops to fight him directly. Let’s see who dares strike first!"
Xie Xun assigned detailed tasks to the generals for stationing forces around Jiaozhou. He had spoken with Zhang Feng earlier, and Zhang Feng’s stance aligned closely with Jinzhou’s. If Jinzhou surrendered, Jiaozhou would too. Jinzhou and West Continent were still locked in fierce conflict, but Fengyu had pacified Xue Yu, and Zhang Feng naturally fell in line with Xie Xun.
Gradually, quiet returned to the council chamber. Xie Xun was left alone as the sun sank behind the mountain peaks, its lingering glow dimming bit by bit. The last trace of light in the room faded away, and when Feiying came to light the lamps, Xie Xun dismissed him.
Toward evening, Feiying hesitated outside with a tray of food. His master surely had no appetite, having gone the entire day without eating, though hunger must have set in. Yet if Feiying entered, he would no doubt be driven out again.
Feiying thought to himself: if only the Third Miss were here.
Xie Xun sat alone atop the high platform, one hand resting on his forehead as he closed his eyes in exhaustion. Clad in dark robes, he seemed to merge with the encroaching night. Though commanding and assertive, he exuded an air of loneliness.
Gradually, the chamber’s light grew again. Someone lit the oil lamps beside him, igniting the tall bronze lamp stand to illuminate the room. Xie Xun noticed the glow and irritably opened his eyes. "Stop bothering me! Haven’t I told yo—"
Fengyu stood beneath the bronze lamps, dressed in a striking red gown and smiling radiantly. "Zhixu, you’re so fierce!"