Chapter 479: Chapter 463: The Consorts
Lin Helin countered the question with another, "Minister Gong, His Majesty plans to dispatch troops to Ningzhou. There are three hundred thousand soldiers from Zhongzhou and the Capital City. How much provision can the Ministry of Revenue supply, and how long can it last?"
Minister Gong, who had managed provisions for the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry for many years, had a clear ledger in his heart. Feigning poverty was his usual tactic. "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue can approximately prepare provisions for three hundred thousand soldiers for two months."
Lin Helin replied lightly, "Two months. One month would be spent traveling back and forth. That leaves you only one month for combat. Salt City’s garrison has sixty thousand soldiers. It’s easy to defend and hard to attack. Ningzhou has also been waging a defensive battle, preparing against a court-led pincer attack. If the court truly dispatches troops, the garrison at Salt City will increase to a hundred thousand. The troops you can mobilize are from Zhongzhou and the vicinity of the capital. They are unfamiliar with the Northern Battlefield. One month... esteemed generals, you speak with such boldness. Can Ningzhou truly be conquered in just one month?"
"If we don’t try, how would we know we can’t conquer it?" Li Xiao, who knelt on the ground pleading for a military campaign, was young and aggressive, not believing he couldn’t defeat the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry.
Lin Helin sneered coldly, "Using tens of thousands of soldiers’ lives to ’try’? In your eyes, are soldiers’ lives mere blades of grass, worth risking for an attempt?"
Li Xiao’s chest tightened, his confidence shattered by Lin Helin. He dared not respond and could only kneel, silently appealing to Yuwen Jing.
These young generals were all promoted by Yuwen Jing in recent years. Li Xiao, a martial examination champion, had been elevated to a third-rank general under Yuwen Jing’s guidance. Back then, Xie Zhang, renowned for his bravery and strategic prowess, fought on the Ningzhou Battlefield for nearly a decade and, despite his extraordinary achievements, was but a second-ranking general. Bearing the Emperor’s favor, one must alleviate the ruler’s burdens.
This group of generals had long been instructed by Yuwen Jing to request a campaign during the morning court, fulfilling both imperial command and their aspirations to prove themselves. If they could cooperate with the Beiman forces to capture Ningzhou, it would be an unmatched feat. If Ningzhou were to face enemies on both sides, not even Xie Jue and Xie Xun, with their boundless skills, could likely emerge victorious.
Minister Lin said slowly, "The Beiman forces’ attack on Ningzhou, combined with their loss of the battleground and retreat into the city, has placed them in a defensive position. This is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Xie Xun’s rebellion will eventually reach the Capital City. It’s better to seize this chance while the Beiman forces attack and his wings are not yet fully formed to eradicate him, eliminating future threats."
Lin Helin took a deep breath and calmly asked, "If the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry were to be annihilated amidst a pincer attack from the Beiman and the court, then tell me, Minister, who could resist the Beiman forces as they sweep westward straight toward the Capital City?"
"The court has signed a peace treaty with the Beiman. How would they march on the Capital City? They are attacking Ningzhou, not us!" Minister Lin responded confidently.
"Ridiculous!" Lin Helin scolded sharply, "The Beiman’s hatred for Yanyang runs deep as the ocean. A thin sheet of a treaty—if they could sign it, they can tear it. Without the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, the court’s armies will become as weak as a sick cat. Do you still expect a ferocious beast not to devour its prey? Such naiveté!"
Everyone knew well the true nature of the Beiman.
Yuwen Jing, unhurried, posed the question, "In Lin Qing’s opinion, what should we do now?"
Lin Helin spoke frankly, "Your Majesty, the Xie family’s rebellion is an internal matter. Now that the Beiman have torn apart the peace treaty and sparked war, the court and Ningzhou should unite as one, driving out foreign invaders to stabilize the people’s hearts."
At last, murmurs spread among the civil officials. When the topic had been the assault on Ningzhou, they remained silent, unwilling to exploit others’ struggles in bad faith. They all knew that without the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, the Beiman forces would march unimpeded, leaving no one to resist them. They did not wish to become ministers of a fallen nation. However, hearing the suggestion to cooperate now, they were no more inclined toward agreement.
"Your Majesty, I must disagree with the Grand Scholar. The Beiman are a mortal enemy of our nation, and the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry are also our adversaries. There is absolutely no possibility of forming an alliance. Instead, we could watch from the sidelines as two tigers fight, waiting to reap the rewards as the fisherman."
"Indeed! The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry have considerable experience fighting the Beiman forces. As long as they remain, the Beiman cannot breach our borders. Simultaneously, their engagement will deplete the cavalry’s strength. Both sides will suffer great losses. What does that have to do with us?"
"Mr. Wu speaks wisely. The Beiman and Ningzhou have just begun their battles. The situation remains unclear. Once they determine a victor, both will be battered and weakened. At that point, sending court forces will ensure neither Ningzhou’s army nor the Beiman are able to retaliate. We can seize the opportunity to eradicate them both."
"Excellent suggestion!"
Lin Helin was nearly furious to death by this assembly of officials. When they had remained silent earlier, he had clung to a sliver of hope that the civil ministers would unite to advocate for cooperation. Yet now their rhetoric dashed his expectations.
Lin Helin said, "Your Majesty, the Beiman’s assault on Ningzhou is a golden opportunity for both the court and the Xie family to mend their relations. Your Majesty ought to take proactive measures to facilitate this alliance, dispatching troops to provide reinforcements and jointly repel the invaders. Only the Beiman are Yanyang’s true foe. Only by showing Ningzhou the court’s sincerity in protecting its people can Xie Xun be persuaded to lay down his enmity and return to peace. Please consider this carefully, Your Majesty!"
Zhang Boju, in agreement with Lin Helin, also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I concur with the Grand Scholar. The court should reconcile with the Xie brothers and resolve this feud."
Where was Marquis An Yuan today? Why had he feigned illness and skipped court? If he were present, Lin Helin and Zhang Boju would not even need to step forward.
Yuwen Jing sneered coldly, "I once sincerely wished to mend ties with the Xie brothers, gifting them gold, silver, and jewels, even granting them Ningzhou as the foremost fief of Yanyang for non-imperial nobility. But they refused. Since they spurned my goodwill, there is no longer any room for negotiation. The battle between Beiman and Ningzhou is the perfect opportunity for me to reclaim the twelve prefectures. Beiman is indeed Yanyang’s mortal enemy. Since the Grand Scholar believes dispatching troops to Salt City is unwise, very well—I will heed that advice. We will not deploy to Salt City. Send word to Zhongzhou, commanding Fang Chuning to cross Bei River with his troops and attack Jiaozhou, claiming Jiaozhou, Jinzhou, and West State to reclaim our Yanyang lands."
Lin Helin: "..."
At Yingchun Palace, the Empress and Feng Shu were chatting over tea in a pavilion. Nearby, Abao was playing in the garden. Feng Shu, imprisoned in Yingchun Palace, rarely stepped outside. The concubines in the palace no longer dared to disturb her. A favored consort once came to provoke her, only to be beaten to death by Yuwen Jing. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble for Feng Shu.
The Empress visited Yingchun Palace even more frequently than Yuwen Jing. Six out of ten visits, she brought Abao along to play. Abao, only a year older than Ruyi, was lively and adorable—a bright and clever child. Though he was Yuwen Jing’s son, he always stirred feelings of affection in Feng Shu, inevitably reminding her of Ruyi.
The affairs of the court were tightly linked to the inner palace. The Empress, exceptionally well-informed, was aware of the Beiman’s assault on Ningzhou. Yet, she had not expected Yuwen Jing to issue an order for Zhongzhou to mobilize its troops to the twelve prefectures.
Lin Yushu remarked, "I thought he would merely sit and watch the chaos unfold, waiting to reap the spoils. Yet, he always manages to surprise me."
Such a man without boundaries—nothing he did could astonish Feng Shu anymore.
"Has the decree been issued?"
Lin Yushu nodded, "Even my brother couldn’t stop it."
The mobilization of Zhongzhou’s troops eased the pressure on the Ministry of Revenue. Zhongzhou’s stockpiled provisions could sustain operations for a year and a half without relying on court supplies. Xie Xun had originally stationed the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry across the twelve prefectures to guard the cities. With the outbreak of conflict involving the Beiman, he had withdrawn most of these forces. Now, in cities like Jiaozhou, only thirty thousand troops remained. Facing Zhongzhou’s imposing forces, Jiaozhou’s soldiers wouldn’t stand a chance. Holding the city would merely sacrifice lives. Fang Chuning’s mere ten thousand troops would suffice to capture Jiaozhou.
If war broke out across the twelve prefectures, what choice would Xie Jue and Xie Xun make? Would they resist the Beiman, or would they turn back to defend the twelve prefectures?
Feng Shu was deeply troubled. For Xie Jue and Xie Xun, this posed a colossal dilemma. How could it possibly be resolved?
"If I were to plead with him, do you think he would listen?" Feng Shu’s voice was so soft it was nearly inaudible, her gaze unconsciously drifting toward Abao. Ayu and Ruyi were both within the twelve prefectures.
If Zhongzhou’s troops were deployed, with neither Ayu nor Ruyi adequately cared for, what could be done?
"Cousin-in-law..." Lin Yushu’s brows arched softly, her demeanor gentle. "A man’s ambition cannot be swayed by a woman. No matter how much he covets you, when it comes time to make his move, he will make it."
"I know." Feng Shu’s smile was tinged with bitterness. "I have never placed any hope in him."
Lin Yushu chuckled softly, "The Emperor has been preoccupied with state affairs lately. I’ve been preparing medicinal meals to help him recuperate, lest the Empress Dowager complains that I don’t care for his wellbeing."
Feng Shu greatly admired Lin Yushu. Though her relationship with Yuwen Jing as husband and wife had all but ended, Lin Yushu remained a good Empress. Under her management, the inner palace was harmonious, free of jealousy or malicious scheming. Her temperament was serene, and her methods were skillful, keeping all the concubines in check. Moreover, she had never harmed innocent children for the Crown Prince’s sake. Among the imperial concubines’ children, only one consort’s pregnancy had ended due to slipping on a rainy day. All other children were safely born.
She cared for Yuwen Jing not as a wife but attended meticulously to his diet and daily life, making sure everything was in order.
Lin Yushu handed the medicinal meal recipe to Feng Shu.
"When he feels troubled, he likes taking meals at Yingchun Palace. You can supervise the preparation," Lin Yushu reminded her. "There are many dietary prohibitions involved with medicinal meals. Make sure the kitchen is attentive."
Feng Shu accepted the recipe, looking into Lin Yushu’s soft, kind eyes. "Very well."
Lin Yushu smiled faintly and called out to Abao, "Abao, it’s time for us to leave."
Abao, dressed in a sapphire blue jacket, hopped excitedly through the snow, bounding into the pavilion before bowing politely to Feng Shu. "Abao greets Lady Chen."
"Such a good boy." Feng Shu stroked his face, unable to suppress thoughts of what Ruyi might look like. Xie Jue’s letter said Ruyi resembled his elder brother, and it must be true.
Nephews often resemble their uncles. Abao bore more of Lin Helin’s features, fortunately not resembling Yuwen Jing.
"Next time you visit, I’ll play in the snow with you and build a snowman."
"Alright, thank you, Lady Chen."
Lin Yushu took Abao’s hand and left Yingchun Palace. Feng Shu watched Abao’s retreating figure, her heart flooded with longing. Only after a long time did she shift her gaze back to the medicinal meal recipe in her hand.