Chapter 83: Marriage Proposal
As soon as Jiang Yu and Fang Mingda stepped out of Pingzhou's government office, their faces uncontrollably darkened.
Fang Mingda remarked, "That Great Liang princess is making such exorbitant demands..."
Jiang Yu cut him off, "We'll discuss this later."
With that, he strode ahead toward the carriage.
Seeing Liang officials still emerging from the government office one after another, Fang Mingda knew this wasn't the place for such discussions and quickly followed Jiang Yu.
Having already met Wen Yu, they no longer needed to avoid suspicion when visiting Sikong Wei. The carriage rattled along and soon arrived at Sikong Wei's residence.
Sikong Wei, still recovering from his cold, nearly coughed up his lungs upon hearing their negotiation results.
After finally suppressing his cough, he lay panting on the recliner: "With Northern Wei interfering and them developing methods to block our southern Chen's northern advance, conceding Xin and Yi provinces is understandable. But three million dan of grain? That's enough to supply southern Chen's entire army for a year! How can we agree to such terms?"
As Sikong Wei grew agitated and threatened another coughing fit, Fang Mingda quickly patted his chest to ease his breathing: "Please calm down, don't work yourself up."
Jiang Yu stood arms-crossed by the window. Having suffered repeated setbacks with Wen Yu today, his frustration deepened upon hearing Sikong Wei's reproach. "This isn't about whether we agree or not," he said grimly. "Southern Chen has been backed into a corner with no alternatives!"
Sikong Wei seemed about to retort but was seized by another coughing spell before he could catch his breath.
Fang Mingda interjected, "The three million dan isn't entirely given to Great Liang. Princess Hanyang promised it would merely be held in trust for us, with future northern campaign provisions drawn from this reserve."
Sikong Wei slapped the armrest, sighing hoarsely: "In all warfare, provisions are paramount. What maintains southern Chen's control over border troops? Precisely the fact that provisions must come from the imperial court! Now this Great Liang princess demanding three million dan is like putting an iron collar around the neck of southern Chen's northern expedition!"
Jiang Yu countered, "I know southern Chen shouldn't be controlled by others. But if we don't first appease the Great Liang princess, given their existing prejudices from past events, what if they truly ally with Northern Wei?"
Fang Mingda added support: "Minister Sikong, you didn't witness today's proceedings. That Great Liang princess is truly formidable, leaving us no room for negotiation! Not to mention last time when you and Commander Jiang were imprisoned without even meeting her. This time, I deliberately came post-flood thinking it would advantage us, yet Pingzhou remains perfectly managed. My scouts report the floods caused minimal damage thanks to the government's swift response, only increasing the princess's popularity among the people. With such strategic depth and methods, do you think she'd fight unprepared battles?"
Sikong Wei had initially reacted strongly to the grain quantity, but after hearing Fang Mingda's detailed explanation and calming down, he recognized their lack of alternatives and fell silent.Fang Mingda, seeing his persuasion taking effect, continued: "We're still within Great Liang's territory and must absolutely not act recklessly anymore. If we truly provoke them into choosing Northern Wei and turning to wage war against Southern Chen, whether our party would be taken hostage is one thing. With their tactics, they would not only crush our Southern Chen's army but also burn all our military supplies until autumn. That would be a true loss outweighing any gain!"
Sikong Wei turned his face away with a heavy sigh: "This old minister has no face to see the King and Empress Dowager upon returning to Southern Chen!"
His words provoked a resentful glance from Jiang Yu.
Seeing the situation turning sour, Fang Mingda quickly continued smoothing things over: "Which of us can return to Southern Chen with any honor? But human calculations never match heavenly will. Great Liang gained this advantageous position thanks to Pei Song's withdrawal from Yizhou - these are matters beyond our control, are they not? This official believes that after truthfully reporting to the King and Empress Dowager, the court would likely want us to first stabilize the Hanyang Princess. Although we'd be conceding these interests and might be constrained by Hanyang, at least Great Liang shares our stance against external enemies. This is better than gaining nothing and being blocked outside Hundred Blades Pass."
A shrewd light flickered in his narrowed eyes: "Moreover, once the Hanyang Princess marries into Southern Chen, she'll be far from the center of power. Our people will have plenty of room to maneuver in Pingzhou and Tao County!"
Admittedly, Fang Mingda's reasoning was sound. Sikong Wei's expression softened as he said: "Vice Minister Fang speaks wisely. Although Hanyang eliminated some of the aristocratic families we previously won over in Pingzhou City, there remain others who hid deeper and know how to trim their sails. Before entering the city, this old minister had already made contact with some of them. Once Hanyang leaves, these hidden assets can be reactivated."
Fang Mingda smiled meaningfully: "Not just those aristocratic families, but also the many Liang officials who submitted to Hanyang. Some will inevitably weigh the choice between remaining loyal to a former Liang princess or becoming meritorious officials before the throne after our Southern Chen unifies the realm. Though these three prefectures and one county are nominally allocated to Hanyang, we have numerous ways to reclaim them!"
The wind picked up in the evening.
Accompanied by Zhao Bai, Wen Yu went to inspect the personal guards Yan Que had been training for her.
"Following your instructions, they've been trained using the same methods as the former princely estate used for the Shadow Guards. I've selected the outstanding ones who can serve by your side and handle affairs for you," Yan Que reported, walking one step behind Wen Yu as he guided her through the Military Training Ground.
Wen Yu watched the soldiers practicing alone on stakes or sparring in pairs. Her eyes, illuminated by the setting sun, resembled glazed porcelain reflecting golden light. Brushing aside the willow branches blocking her path, she seemed momentarily lost in thought: "It truly feels like returning to the former princely estate."
Yan Que seemed uncertain how to respond, fearing he might say something wrong that would sadden Wen Yu, so he remained silent for a moment.
After watching the sparring soldiers for a while, Wen Yu turned to Yan Que: "Speaking of which, Commander Yan was essentially cultivated by my father, wasn't he?"
Since Yan Que had been appointed chief guard when escorting Wen Yu from Luodu to Southern Chen, she still addressed him this way.
Hearing her words, Yan Que promptly bowed and clasped his fists: "Only through the prince's gracious regard does Yan Que exist today. I shall never forget his recognition and kindness."Wen Yu seemed somewhat sentimental, saying, "My father and elder brother departed so suddenly. What they left me, besides this broken kingdom, is only you and Zhao Bai."
Yan Que hurriedly responded, "As long as this humble officer draws breath, I shall protect the Princess for a day."
Zhao Bai, being a man of few words, merely nodded in agreement.
Wen Yu smiled faintly and said, "Fortunately, I still have both of you."
She glanced back at the Military Training Ground: "The selected elites need not be sent to me immediately. The covert agent our strategist placed by Pei Song's side requires manpower—send them to that lord first."
Yan Que's face lit up with joy: "There are still our people under Pei Song's command?"
Wen Yu offered no further explanation, simply stating, "A just cause gains abundant support while an unjust one finds little."
The joy on Yan Que's face quickly turned to hatred: "That wolf-hearted schemer has committed countless atrocities! With the Princess's marriage alliance with Southern Chen imminent, we shall soon be able to behead that villain!"
Just then, a maid hurried over with a message, saying the evening banquet was about to begin and Li Yao needed to speak with Wen Yu about some matters.
Wen Yu thus ended her conversation with Yan Que, saying only, "Since the victory banquet has commenced, Commander Yan should proceed there as well."
Yan Que clasped his fists in acknowledgment, while Wen Yu departed with Zhao Bai following the messenger maid.
After Wen Yu's party had gone some distance, Yan Que lowered his clasped hands, gazing thoughtfully in the direction she had left.
If not for lacking a suitable excuse to decline, Xiao Li truly did not wish to attend tonight's banquet.
Seated among Fan Yuan, Tan Yi, and other martial generals from the army, the boisterous group had already forced several cups of wine upon him before the feast even began.
Though Xiao Li possessed considerable alcohol tolerance, drinking on an empty stomach still left his stomach burning uncomfortably.
When others came laughing and cheering to propose more toasts, he deflected them by saying it was inappropriate to get drunk before the banquet began—both because Wen Yu might see and because it would appear undignified to the Southern Chen delegation.
With this excuse, the generals finally stopped pressing drinks on him.
Fan Yuan, seeing him return to his seat after dealing with that round, teased with a laugh: "How does it feel to be the man of the hour?"
Xiao Li replied, "Brother Fan, please don't mock me."
Fan Yuan laughed heartily, raising his wine cup: "I can drink with others later, but this celebratory toast, your old brother must offer you first!"
Xiao Li said, "The capture of Tao County was achieved through the efforts of Brother Fan, Lord Chen, and all our soldiers. Today's sandbox deduction was also planned by you, Old Master Li, and Lord Li Xun on my behalf. I dare not claim credit alone."
Fan Yuan waved dismissively, clinking his cup against Xiao Li's: "Old brother's toast has nothing to do with those matters!"
With that, he drained his cup in one gulp.
Sensing something amiss, Xiao Li didn't bring the wine to his lips, asking instead: "If not for those two matters, what else is there to celebrate?"Naturally, your lifelong major event, young man!""
The slight smile on Xiao Li's face vanished completely, as if he momentarily failed to grasp Fan Yuan's meaning: "What?"
Fan Yuan patted his shoulder, leaning closer to whisper: "Don't tell me you haven't heard? Let your old brother give you a hint—Lord Chen intends to take you as his son-in-law."
Xiao Li's hand gripping the wine cup tightened abruptly. After a pause, he said, "How could someone of my humble worth be deserving of Lord Chen's daughter? Lord Chen honors me too greatly."Fan Yuan still thought he was concerned about being originally Wen Yu's personal guard, and that forming marital ties with Chen Wei's side might displease Wen Yu. He said, "Rest assured, Lord Chen is prudent in his actions and has long since sought the Princess's approval. The Princess has also consented to this marriage. Today, when Li Xun met with the Princess to request a list of officials to accompany her south, Lord Li Yao recommended you for the task of Accompanying the bride, but the Princess declined. It seems she took into account your upcoming marriage to the Chen family."
OpenNovel