"Moreover, we can gain a reputation for having the Emperor and court officials who care for the world and think about the people, which court official in any country wouldnât be tempted? You and I... can try to guide the court officials and the Imperial Clan in this direction!"
She looked at Xiao Rongyanâs confident demeanor and smiled faintly. He was right; conquering another strong nation without bloodshed while gaining a reputation for thinking of the people would naturally be tempting!
Xiao Rongyanâs approach was very good, and she agreed with it.
"As for Yan, with this matter proposed by Ah Li, the young Emperor, the Yan Court officials will surely have both opposition and support. Those opposing... naturally would go to the Young Emperorâs archrival, the Ninth Prince Murong Yan. Thus... the Ninth Prince Murong Yan would also express his agreement, using the argument... that the Empress of Zhou is an Emperor who came on the halfway while Yan holds the orthodox lineage to persuade the officials!"
"Conveniently, using the young Emperorâs age... and the battle of national policies between the two countries involving Yanâs destiny, we can seize the power, placing the main positions in the court under the Ninth Princeâs followers who oppose the young Emperor. These people must be encouraged to make efforts, for Yanâs national fate is in their hands. If they really lose... losing Yan, they would be eternal sinners!"
"Thus... the entire Yan Court would instead unite for the same goal, abandoning past grievances and striving for the same objective. It is like when you set a goal of national unity for those officials and scholars, they would strive for it, and the trivialities would not matter." Xiao Rongyan tapped his fingers gently on the table, "This is what I learned from Kid, and Kid is my teacher..."
Bai Qingyan was amused by Xiao Rongyanâs words. Looking into his calm and dark eyes, she asked, "For this matter... have you also made a big decision? Did you compromise because your heart wavered, and thatâs why you told me... about using the national policies of the two countries to decide the victory or defeat to Ah Li?"
She looked down at her belly, "Because of me... and the child?"
Xiao Rongyan didnât want to lie to Bai Qingyan. His elbow rested on the hidden table behind Bai Qingyan, gently stroking her back. He nodded and said in a low voice, "Indeed... you and the child are my reasons for wavering, but what finally made me decide was Ah Li."
Sister-in-lawâs concern for Ah Liâs throne was no secret to Xiao Rongyan.
The Emperorâs brother, before his departure, worried most about his sister-in-law, and Xiao Rongyan knew that as well. At that time, Xiao Rongyan didnât promise Bai Qingyan... partly due to the Yan Imperial Familyâs possessiveness over Yan, and partly out of concern for his sister-in-law, and the already enthroned Xiao Ali.
However, Murong Liâs reaction was indeed beyond Xiao Rongyanâs expectations. He didnât expect Murong Li to be more open-minded than him and able to understand him. He said... if Xiao Rongyan proposed this, it might anger his mother to death, but if Murong Li proposed it... his mother wouldnât think itâs Murong Yan trying to seize power from Murong Li.
Murong Li also instructed Murong Yan to visit his mother, to have her persuade Ah Li to retract the order, so she would, to maintain the Emperorâs dignity, turn around and urge Murong Yan to agree.
"Kid, I was born into the Murong Royal Family, so in some matters... I cannot agree with your thoughts," Xiao Rongyan said softly.
"But you also admit, this is indeed the best way to avoid a war between the two countries..." Bai Qingyan said with a smile.
Xiao Rongyan nodded, "Setting aside the Yan Imperial Familyâs selfishness, for completing the unity... this method is indeed the best for the people, and for the soldiers!"
She nodded, adjusting to an extremely comfortable position, leaning on the hidden table, "Initially, your brother came to me, asking... if there came a day with only two countries left what I should decide, to fight or to settle. I kept contemplating this issue. Later... after annexing Daliang and establishing the state title as Zhou, and Yan extinguishing the Wei Kingdom, I have been pondering how to avoid the suffering of the masses and complete the grand cause of unity early! I am delighted that you and Ah Li agree with my view."
"Alright, letâs settle on a rough idea for now!" Xiao Rongyan said with a smile, looking at Bai Qingyan, "Tomorrow morning, Iâll return to Yan and find an opportunity to have Ah Li propose this, then send a treaty of alliance to Zhou... this way, you can directly tell the Zhou court officials that this is an opportunity to take Yan without bloodshed and to have confidence in your new policy, so you wonât be in a difficult position."
Regardless, the matter was proceeding according to Bai Qingyanâs initial solution, which she was delighted about, as it would neither let the people suffer from the chaos of war nor require the soldiers to make unnecessary sacrifices.
Bai Qingyan thought for a moment and said, "This matter... I see the need to execute it quickly! Even if thereâs no opportunity yet to propose the two countries compete based on national policies, we should first establish the alliance."
"Are you worried... about Tianfeng Kingdomâs elephant army?" Xiao Rongyan asked.
Bai Qingyan nodded, "Tianfeng Kingdomâs elephant army has lingered in Xiliang for quite a while now, and Tianfeng Kingdom has already considered Xiliang its domain. The next step... will inevitably be to test their hand, but Uncle in Dengzhou will not let Tianfeng Kingdom covet Rong, so only Yan remains. If at this time, the Emperors of Yan and Zhou come forward to form an alliance, even Tianfeng Kingdom would shiver a bit."
Since the two countries have decided ultimately to determine the outcome based on national policies, they should work together to resist external enemies.
The candlelight on the table flickered dimly in the wind before brightening up again.
Xiao Rongyan nodded thoughtfully, "Thus... the matter of the two countries determining the outcome through national policies needs to be postponed, establishing the alliance first! If this is brought up now, Iâm afraid some court officials with ulterior motives in both countries would prefer to see Tianfeng Kingdomâs elephant army entangle with one of the nations to weaken the otherâs strength, which would be disadvantageous for forming an alliance to resist the elephant army."
Bai Qingyan shared this concern, hence discussing the option of setting the alliance first with Xiao Rongyan.
"Alright, then tomorrow I will return to Yan, establish the alliance and repel the elephant army! Once Tianfeng Kingdomâs elephant army is repelled, Iâll perform a play with Ah Li... and quickly settle this matter!"
"Good, once the elephant army is repelled, and the invitation from Yan is sent, Iâll perform a play with the Zhou court officials as well," Bai Qingyan responded with a smile.
Xiao Rongyan held Bai Qingyanâs hand, gently caressing her wrist, and took her into his arms, full of guilt, "Iâm sorry, I canât be with you and the child..."
"The child is very well-behaved..." Bai Qingyan leaned in Xiao Rongyanâs arms, softly stroking her abdomen and told him, "Being pregnant with this child, I havenât faced morning sickness or discomfort, and my appetite is fine as well. Sometimes, if not for the constant reminders from my mother and aunts, Iâd forget Iâm pregnant with a child. You donât have to worry too much."