It is often the case that those outside the fray can see things more clearly than those caught within. Everything was as it was now.
Even though Liang Shicheng could sense it, the more he looked at the situation, the more it bore the hallmark of that young man’s style of doing things. Yet, Emperor Zhao Ji was so moved he was almost in tears.
“Sir, Your, Your…”
As Zhao Ji spoke, he quickly reached out and clasped Lin Ling Su’s right hand.
“Your Majesty…”
The emperor and his minister sat by the bedside like this, speechless, with only tears flowing freely…
“The backlash from interfering with the national destiny is far more intense than this old Daoist imagined. I implore Your Majesty to approve this matter as soon as possible. Otherwise, when the next piece of news arrives, it may well be the time of this old Daoist’s demise…”
“Sir, rest assured. I approve. I approve of everything, and everything will be done according to your wishes!”
After wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, Zhao Ji hurriedly spoke.
“Many thanks, Your Majesty!”
Seeing this scene of the emperor and minister in accord, Liang Shicheng, despite having already tasted the truth of the matter, could only lower his head and squeeze his eyes hard, trying to force out a few tears.
After chatting with Lin Ling Su for a while longer, it was only when the imperial physicians from outside the door entered that Zhao Ji reluctantly left with Liang Shicheng and returned to the imperial palace.
“I once thought Mr. Yuan Miao… Today I truly understand your heart…”
After dismissing all the eunuchs and palace maids serving in the Faning Palace, Zhao Ji once again sighed with genuine emotion…
“Your Majesty, will this matter be difficult to implement? Those few cities are currently still in the hands of the Jurchens…”
Looking at Zhao Ji’s reddened eyes, Liang Shicheng felt a bit depressed. Many things are hard to be moved by once you know the truth, especially when it was originally a pretense.
Lin Ling Su’s performance of this act of self-inflicted injury today was indeed brilliant. However, after discerning his purpose, even an old actor like Liang Shicheng could no longer cry.
To avoid finding himself in the awkward situation of the emperor weeping while he secretly chuckled, Liang Shicheng quickly changed the subject.
“What about Hebei…”
When it came to serious matters, even Emperor Zhao Ji felt a headache. The fighting in Hebei was simply unbearable for him. Both Tan Zhen and Tong Guan, their performances to date, were truly neck and neck.
One recaptured a few cities only to lose them again, while the other, having finally broken into Yanjing, was driven out in the blink of an eye.
Hundreds of thousands of troops, consuming vast amounts of grain, provisions, and military pay every day, yet the results achieved so far were meager. Even if Emperor Zhao Ji wanted to gloss over their failures, he couldn’t find a place to start…
Strictly speaking, there wasn’t no solution to break the stalemate, but this solution made Emperor Zhao Ji hesitate.
How could he, the emperor, not think of what the ministers in court were thinking? Prince Xin had just achieved a victory, and his troops, having undergone training, were in high spirits. Sending them north at this time would be better than Tong Guan’s tattered remnants, no matter what!
However, as soon as he thought about it, many people in the army were men recently promoted by Prince Xin, Zhao Zhen. This made Zhao Ji’s heart falter.
It could be said that the issue of how to check and balance military commanders was almost etched into the very bloodline of every Zhao emperor.
Whether it was Emperor Taizong or Emperor Taizu, they were both great masters in this regard!
“Let’s do this. First, let Zhang Ruhui lead the men to activate the array eyes in the cities we hold ourselves. As for what comes next, I will think of other methods!”
Just as Liang Shicheng was about to say something, the emperor suddenly spoke.
This instantly blocked Liang Shicheng’s prepared speech.
“Yes!”
With Liang Shicheng’s intelligence, he naturally understood what the emperor meant. If he continued to speak at this time, it would only be counterproductive. Therefore, without a second thought, he responded and turned to walk out the door.
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“What did you say? Let our people agree to Tong Guan’s strategy?”
At Cai Jing’s mansion, after listening to Cai Jing’s words, Cai Tao completely exploded.
His elder brother had already been at loggerheads with them, and had even set up his own father several times before?
Each time he struck, it was more ruthless and more unfeeling than the last.
Everyone in the imperial court knew that Tong Guan and Cai You were birds of a feather.
Supporting Tong Guan at this time was no different from supporting Cai You!
“Before today, you could certainly contend with your elder brother to your heart’s content, but not now!”
Looking at Cai Tao’s agitated state, Cai Jing said slowly.
“Why not? Father, I’m saying, you’re not senile, are you? That’s Cai You! The unfilial son who almost doomed you to eternal damnation!”
No matter what Cai Jing said, Cai Tao still wouldn’t listen. As he spoke, his emotions became more and more agitated, and his spittle was almost flying onto his father’s face.
“I’ve told you long ago that your ability to control your temper needs to be honed. With your current skills, you can’t uphold the Cai family’s prestige, yet you refuse to believe me…”
Cai Jing said this with a wry smile.
Lacking a successor, this matter also made him helpless…
“Fine, then I will listen to you explain to me why I must support that damned eunuch!”
When it came to this matter, Cai Tao immediately felt guilty. If it weren’t for Cai Jing handling the previous incident properly, Cai Jing, who had just managed to regain his footing, would likely have been kicked out of Bianliang City again.
Although he had been intentionally learning the art of power from his father since that incident, this kind of thing, on one hand, depended on talent, and on the other hand, it required long-term study. How could a ten-thousand-foot building be erected in a day or two…
“Did you not hear the cheers outside the mansion today? Did you not feel anything?”
Cai Jing spoke while tapping the table in front of him.
“But weren’t those cheers because Fang La was captured?”
After hearing Cai Jing’s words, Cai Tao became even more depressed. These two matters were completely unrelated!