Chapter 462: Chapter 446: The Throne
Everything Sangnan aims for is within Xie Jue’s expectations.
Xie Xun let out a furious laugh, "The thirteen cities of Jiangnan, from Liling in the southeast of Bei River to Yangzhou and Lanzhou, all under your control. Such a tiny territory, yet your ambition is boundless, wanting to take the richest thirteen cities of Yanyang. Why don’t you just dream about it? It’s faster to dream."
Han Ziqi, knowing Xie Xun would be angered, chuckled softly and said, "Our Sangnan contributes troops, money, and provisions. It’s impossible for us to help you conquer the lands without any benefit in return. If these thirteen cities were under our governance, we would still deliver half the annual tax revenue to you, creating a co-governance model for the cities. This serves as a buffer zone for both countries—an ideal arrangement. You get your revenge; we gain land. To be frank, relying solely on the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to defeat Zhongzhou and Jiangnan is no easy feat."
"Besides..." Han Ziqi dragged out his speech, "You are family, so I don’t mind revealing it to you. Back when Beiman entered peace talks, the spies Beiman left in Yanyang territory did indeed contact Sangnan to communicate information. During the Beiman negotiations, Sangnan intentionally increased troop deployments along the border to pressure Yanyang. My father knew that if Beiman were to fully submit to Yanyang, the next country to face extinction would be Sangnan. It was merely self-preservation. Sangnan and Beiman have long maintained their connections. Dugu Jing signed a peace treaty with Yanyang, but he did not sign one with the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. If he learns of Ningzhou Iron Cavalry’s defection from Yanyang, he will launch an attack on Ningzhou, leaving you overwhelmed. Why not ally with me? You are my cousin, and Sangnan is naturally willing to put forth all efforts to assist you."
Xie Xun and Xie Jue’s expressions darkened. As expected, Sangnan had colluded with Beiman during the peace talks back then, though they had been unable to find evidence or uncover their communication.
If Sangnan hadn’t colluded with Beiman, Dugu Jing wouldn’t have been so arrogant during the negotiations.
He had long decided to eliminate everyone in the Marquis Mansion during the peace talks.
"Do you know what I’m thinking?" Xie Jue’s gaze turned cold as he looked at him. "I’ll return to Sangnan, reveal my identity, and claim the throne. Then, I’ll ally with Zhixu. Once the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry emerges victorious, I’ll surrender Sangnan, uniting the two nations. How about it?"
Han Ziqi’s face changed slightly, his heart racing, but he quickly laughed and said, "Weren’t you uninterested in tiny territories?"
"I wasn’t interested before, but now I am."
Han Ziqi: "..."
The smile faded from Han Ziqi’s lips. The foundation of his collaboration with Xie Jue lay in Xie Jue hiding his identity and not interfering in Sangnan. "Second Young Master, even if you reveal your identity, Aunt is dead. Who can prove your lineage? Yes, my father and I know, but we would never say a word. You also lack anyone to validate your identity. Sangnan is out of reach for you. Now, we are generously offering support to help you seek vengeance without any harm intended. If you refuse to cooperate with us, we won’t trouble you."
"If we don’t join forces with you, will you still march on Jiangnan?"
"Yes!" Han Ziqi’s tone was resolute. "For decades, we have prepared for this day, to no longer live under Yanyang’s oppression."
Xie Xun was unclear about Sangnan Army’s strength, but he trusted the abilities of the Grand Marshal.
"Since the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry is unwilling to assist me, then let them stand aside as mere spectators," Han Ziqi said, realizing negotiations had failed and retreating to a secondary option.
Xie Xun poured him a cup of tea. "Though my brother and I have defected from Yanyang, with Ningzhou and the Imperial Court governing on separate sides of the river, if Jiangnan faces turmoil, we will not stand idly by. Yanyang territory will never allow outsiders to encroach upon it. You can forget about stepping into Yanyang!"
"If you send troops to support Jiangnan and Dugu Jing attacks, what then?"
Xie Jue’s eyes darkened.
Xie Xun slammed his palm furiously onto the table, nearly shattering it. "Han Ziqi, are you threatening me?"
The Beiman Cavalry—the lifelong enemy of the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion!
The threat Sangnan posed paled compared to Beiman. In recent years, the Beiman Imperial Court had flourished in both climate and livelihood. If Dugu Jing learns of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry’s defection from Yanyang, he could lead the Beiman Cavalry to launch a surprise attack on Ningzhou overnight.
"This is simply stating the truth," Han Ziqi said with a smile. "A lesser evil, cousin."
Xie Xun was furious, but Xie Jue stopped him. "Fine, I’ll consider it."
"Brother!"
Han Ziqi was brimming with confidence. "Cousin, should the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry agree to cooperate, would the armor and weaponry also be delivered in full?"
Xie Jue remained silent and unresponsive before standing up and leaving. Xie Xun rose angrily, saying coldly, "Dream on!"
Han Ziqi leisurely watched the departing backs of the Xie brothers.
Surrounded by enemies, the options were either to join forces or be swallowed whole. Cousin, no matter how brilliant your mind may be, what solutions can you come up with? Intelligence alone cannot save your Yanyang, nor its people.
Fengyu followed the brothers as they exited the inn. Xie Xun’s anger was apparent while handling his internal injuries. Fengyu feared that his anger would worsen his condition. She grasped his hand and intertwined her fingers with his, gently stroking his palm. Like a raging lion gradually soothed by tenderness, Xie Xun began to restrain his fury.
"Han Ziqi is delusional!" Although Xie Xun was angry, he became anxious. He must hurry back to Ningzhou as soon as possible. Any delay could lead to complications. If Sangnan truly informed Beiman, and Dugu Jing launched an attack on Ningzhou, then what?
"Brother, what should we do?"
"Return to the mansion first."
Fengyu quickly realized the magnitude of Han Ziqi’s intentions and understood the predicament Xie Xun was facing. It was a difficult choice—either watch Jiangnan suffer in chaos or return to Ningzhou and fend off Beiman’s forces.
This wasn’t a mere matter of choosing between options. Even she knew that Ningzhou couldn’t afford another war. They could only watch as Sangnan marched on Jiangnan, unable to intervene.
Fengyu solely focused on comforting Xie Xun.
This matter depended entirely on Xie Jue’s decision.
No wonder Han Ziqi was brimming with self-assurance and willing to wait in the West State until after the new year. He held a card that the Xie brothers couldn’t refuse. Though they had rested and recovered for two years, if war broke out now, they would still struggle—though not as much as before.
Fengyu didn’t wish for war. Yet the dynamics of the world wouldn’t bend to her will. Dynastic changes were paved with blood and bones on the path of emperors. Xie Jue and Xie Xun wished to reclaim Yanyang without bloodshed—a dream likely to be shattered.
Matters must be prioritized, and this wasn’t a decision that could be made hastily.
The group returned to the mansion, where maids served hot tea.
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was chill. Xie Jue rubbed his fingertips against the teacup. The frostbitten fingers gradually regained warmth. Ningzhou, Jiangnan... Zhongzhou. If all three regions fell into turmoil simultaneously, Yanyang would be dragged into decades of chaos—hardly pacifiable.
Conflicts between Beiman and Ningzhou were unavoidable!
Sangnan and Jiangnan... were not!
If he were to write to his cousin and have him negotiate with Sangnan, could they buy some time? Had Han Ziqi truly revealed all his cards? Or was he hiding something?
"Brother, once my injuries are better in a few days, I’ll return to Ningzhou."
"No need to rush." Xie Jue glanced at the snowstorm outside the window. "Let me think it over."
Xie Jue didn’t drink the tea. He stood up and returned to his courtyard. The tea’s warmth gradually dissipated in the icy weather. Xie Xun watched his brother’s figure retreat into the distance, his eyes suddenly reddening.
"Zhixu..." Fengyu arose and came to his side, embracing him tightly. "Don’t be afraid. Brother won’t abandon you."
Fengyu already knew there was one optimal solution.
Xie Jue revealing his identity and vying for the throne against the King of Sangnan would resolve everything. Sangnan’s royal family would descend into turmoil, leaving them unable to mount an offensive. Years ago, Lin Helin had threatened Xie Xun with exposing Xie Jue’s lineage.
Yet that matter had fizzled out.
But if Xie Jue himself exposed his lineage?
If his identity was revealed, would the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry still follow a Sangnan prince as their leader? Would this shake their morale? These were questions Xie Xun had to confront.
Fengyu understood this, and so did Xie Xun.
"It’s fine. You have me," she said.