Dongsheng opened his mouth, paused for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "The court's reduction of the Yanbei Army's military pay, followed by their plot to incite unrest within the Yanbei Army and stir up public resentment, was all to shake morale, provoke incidents, and seize the opportunity to weaken the Yanbei Army's combat effectiveness. The Yanbei Army has always been a thorn in the court's side, and the Yan clan believes that after more than a decade of maneuvering, the political situation in the court has stabilized, and the time is ripe to weaken the Xiao Family."
Xiao Jingxi smiled, idly stroking the rim of the blue-and-white porcelain teacup. "If I recall correctly, your master's surname is Li, isn't it?"
Dongsheng nodded without changing his expression. "You are correct, sir. My master's surname is Li, not Yan. Moreover, my master values his life above all else. If the Yanbei Army were to fall to the Yan-controlled court, my master would be the first to suffer. That is why I, more than anyone, hope for the Yanbei Army to remain strong."
A faint, ambiguous smile played on Xiao Jingxi's lips, his voice low and pleasant. "And who told your master to say that?"
Dongsheng lowered his head and remained silent.
Xiao Jingxi didn't press the matter, speaking gently with a smile. "Since ancient times, when the ruler demands a subject's death, the subject has no choice but to comply. Otherwise, your master would not have fled to Yanbei all those years ago. If the court orders troop reductions, Yanbei can only obey the ruler's will."
Dongsheng naturally didn't believe a single word of this. He replied solemnly, "But a general in the field may not always follow orders from afar. Does Yanbei wish to repeat the catastrophe of decades ago? Though I am of little talent, I know that even though the Liao people were driven out of Yanbei by the Yanbei Army decades ago, they still watch eagerly, waiting for an opportunity to return. Meanwhile, the northwestern border is plagued by the Dangxiang tribe, disturbing the peace of the people. Without the Yanbei Army stationed in Yanbei, what would become of its people? Would they live like dogs, barely surviving under the iron hooves of the Liao people as they did in the past? Therefore, the Yanbei Army must not fall and must never retreat."
Only then did Xiao Jingxi turn his gaze to Dongsheng, studying him intently for a moment before suddenly smiling. "So, what solution do you have to counter the court's troop reduction order targeting Yanbei?"
Hearing this, Dongsheng glanced at the attendant Tong He standing beside Xiao Jingxi.
Without waiting for Xiao Jingxi's order, Tong He bowed his head, stepped out, and closed the door behind him.
Xiao Jingxi looked at Dongsheng with a gentle gaze, smiling as he waited for him to continue.
Dongsheng said, "My master enjoys listening to operas, so we servants have learned a few lines. I recall one opera that tells the story of 'repairing the plank roads openly while secretly crossing at Chencang.'"
Seated at the head of the room, Xiao Jingxi's deep eyes flickered slightly, but he said nothing.
"I know that the current Ningxia Regional Commander, Wu Xiaohe, is the brother-in-law of the Prince of Yanbei. When the old Yanbei Prince arranged the marriage between the Commandery Princess and the Wu Family, he likely intended for the Xiao and Wu families to support each other in critical times. Therefore, if the court ever issues an order to reduce troops, the Yanbei Prince's Mansion would most likely try to transfer a portion of the Yanbei Army to Ningxia to divert the court's attention and preserve the Yanbei Army's strength."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise passed through Xiao Jingxi's eyes. This was a move planned by the late old Yanbei Prince during his lifetime. Although Xiao Jingxi did not think much of it, his father had approved of it.
But how had the person before him guessed it?When Prince Xian was exiled to Yanbei back then, all those around him had been thoroughly investigated by the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. Thus, Xiao Jingxi knew that the opera troupe Prince Xian kept nowadays actually concealed many capable individuals.
However, since Prince Xian had no conflicts of interest with the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, and those people could not stir up any major trouble, the Yanbei Prince's Mansion turned a blind eye. Moreover, his grandfather believed that keeping Prince Xian in Yanbei might prove useful for them in the future.
Even so, both Prince Xian and the Prince Xian's heir had indifferent and leisurely dispositions. Even if this indifference was merely a facade, he did not believe they could discern the Old Yanbei Prince's plans.
The sound of rain outside grew increasingly urgent, while inside the room remained quiet and oppressive.
Dongsheng's voice gradually grew steady and confident: "But I do not think this is a good approach. Only what is held in one's own hands truly belongs to oneself. Once it changes hands, it changes surnames. Since ancient times, this has been the principle behind 'a new ruler brings new ministers.' To speak bluntly, even though Wu Xiaohe is the son-in-law of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, he does not bear the surname Xiao. No matter how close the relationship between the Xiao Family and the Wu Family may be, in the end, it cannot withstand the primacy of 'interest.' Over time, who can say for certain? Even if the Wu Family and the Xiao Family always advance and retreat together, and the Wu Family consistently follows the Xiao Family's lead from beginning to end, what if the Wu Family finds itself in a situation beyond its control? Although military positions in our dynasty can be inherited—Wu Xiaohe's position as commander-in-chief was inherited from his father, Marquis Wu Houchun—the heavens are unpredictable, and fortunes can change overnight. An inherited position does not guarantee it will remain unshakable forever. Rather than placing hope in allies, it is better to hold power firmly in one's own hands."
Xiao Jingxi's gaze was inscrutable, carrying a hint of profound meaning, yet the corners of his mouth still held a faint smile. He neither spoke nor expressed an opinion.
Having said this, Dongsheng secretly observed Xiao Jingxi's expression but could discern nothing, which made him feel uneasy again.
At that moment, a gust of wind blew in through the open window, bringing with it moist air. Xiao Jingxi frowned and coughed lightly.
Dongsheng noticed that even when coughing, the young man before him possessed a leisurely and elegant demeanor uncommon among ordinary people.
Only then did he remember that the second young master of the Xiao Family had always been in poor health. When he left the capital last time, it was said he was so ill he was near death. Although he had recovered somewhat after returning at the end of the year, he still needed to rest quietly from time to time.
Yet, from the moment Dongsheng entered and saw him, he seemed to have forgotten that Xiao Jingxi was a patient. There was an indescribable brilliance about Xiao Jingxi—a brilliance that captured all attention, causing others to overlook his weaknesses and see only his grace.
Now, as Dongsheng observed him more closely, he realized that Xiao Jingxi's appearance was indeed outstanding, though not as "peerlessly beautiful" as the world proclaimed. Rather, it was the unique rhythm Xiao Jingxi exuded—in his every gesture, his gaze, his voice, and his tone—that drew people's eyes and held them captive.
Dongsheng stared blankly for a long while before snapping back to reality. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he averted his gaze, silently cursing himself for being bewitched.
Although Xiao Jingxi was exceptional, his excellence was of a masculine kind. And Dongsheng was certain he had no peculiar inclinations, so he felt rather vexed at having been captivated by a man.Xiao Jingxi coughed for a while, and the servant boy named Tong He waiting outside the door anxiously asked through it, "Young master, do you need me to come in and attend to you?"
Xiao Jingxi's coughing gradually subsided. He put away his handkerchief and said calmly, "No need."
There was no further sound from outside.
Seeing the window still open, Dongsheng couldn't help but say, "Shall I close the window for you? Rain is blowing in."
Xiao Jingxi looked out the window with a serene and peaceful expression, his gaze as tranquil as deep flowing water. He shook his head with a smile, "No need. It's even more uncomfortable when it's stuffy."
Dongsheng then stepped back and stood properly again.
Xiao Jingxi turned his gaze back to him and said gently, "My apologies, please continue."
Dongsheng thought for a moment and then continued, "So I believe that Yanbei's army can only exert its greatest power and effectiveness by staying in Yanbei. Splitting and dispersing it is an extremely risky move."
Xiao Jingxi looked at Dongsheng and smiled quietly, "Perhaps you are right, but I still say the same thing: the emperor's command cannot be disobeyed."
Dongsheng thought for a moment and spoke bluntly, "Does the young master mean that Yanbei has no intention of confronting the imperial court head-on for the time being?" This statement was extremely straightforward, completely stripping away Xiao Jingxi's high-sounding pretext.
Yet Xiao Jingxi was not angered, smiling without speaking.
Dongsheng also smiled slightly, "This is precisely the purpose of my visit to see you today, young master. Although I wish to seek your protection, I will not accept your favor without giving something in return. It's the same principle as having to pay for a meal."
Xiao Jingxi chuckled softly, his voice still low, gentle, and slightly hoarse, "Speak freely. If you can persuade me, I will ensure both you and your master remain safe and sound."
His tone was amiable and casual, as if joking, yet it gave a sense of unwavering reassurance.
Dongsheng couldn't help but feel pleased. He had naturally heard of Xiao Jingxi—once he made a promise, he would never break it, truly a gentleman whose word carried great weight.
All his hesitation and beating around the bush had been precisely to hear this one promise.
Without hesitation, Dongsheng said, "The young master is right. The imperial court wants to reduce the army; Yanbei should not confront it head-on. Otherwise, it would stand against the scholars of the world who constantly preach propriety, righteousness, integrity, and honor. Although scholars alone cannot stage a successful rebellion in three years, when these scholars join forces and wag their tongues, no one can withstand it. So Yanbei should go with the flow."
Without waiting for Xiao Jingxi to ask, Dongsheng continued voluntarily, "Young master, who do you think is the wealthiest in Yanbei now?"
Xiao Jingxi was slightly taken aback by the question.
Dongsheng smiled, "I believe it is not the Su Family, the Ren Family, the Lin Family, the Yun Family... or any other prominent family, but..."
As he spoke, Dongsheng pointed first to the ground beneath his feet, then to the sky.
"...but these pure and tranquil Buddhist temples. Commoners often say that of the world's wealth, Buddhism holds seven-tenths."
Xiao Jingxi tilted his head slightly in thought, then smiled faintly, clearly not opposed to this statement.
"There are roughly eight hundred temples of various sizes throughout Yanbei. Take this White Dragon Temple, for example. Its registered landholdings, lands donated by devotees and followers, plus the uncultivated wasteland reclaimed without being reported can support at least two to three thousand people annually, not including other sources of income. And in all of Yanbei, there are about twenty temples similar in size to the White Dragon Temple."
Thank you to the three dear readers Meiwei Shuchong, Yu Nüyao, and Xiangshuijiao for the pink tickets~ ^^.I thought I’d feel a great sense of accomplishment today for diligently adding an extra update.
But then I realized I actually missed an update yesterday. If I count the makeup update, I only added 1,000 words today… 1,000 words… (~>__<~)
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