First of all, I apologize. I didn't update yesterday, and I didn't ask for leave at the beginning. There's nothing to explain. It's all my own problem. I've truly drunk too much. I've slept through the early hours of last night and am still not feeling well.
Before I came, I had thought that I would definitely get drunk, but I didn't think I would drink so much and fall so thoroughly.
I will add yesterday's chapter before the 20th of this month and say my apologies. I'm planning on quitting drinking. Really. Looking at the world with one's eyes drunk and suddenly realizing there's a problem, it's scary. Furthermore, drinking is not good for the body. I have to take responsibility for myself, my family, everyone, and my work.
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Fan Xian had two intelligence teams in his hands. Regarding the movements under the heavens, he investigated quickly. However, the matter of Dongyi opening the Sword Hut was the most important matter of the various powers' attention. He left the capital quickly. At that time, the Overwatch Council and Baoyue Brothel had not returned with intelligence. Yanjing was in the North and had many interactions with the other two powers under heaven. Furthermore, the military had its own intelligence network, so he urgently asked Wang Zhikun to see if he had any information.
Wang Zhikun furrowed his brows and thought for a moment. He then said without much conviction, "Logically speaking, it should be Marquis Chang Ning."
The influence of Dongyi's direction in the future was too far-reaching. Regardless of whether it was Northern Qi or the Qing Kingdom, they were both very nervous. The Qing Kingdom sending out their best fighter, Fan Xian, would probably not escape the analysis and judgment of the people under heaven. Northern Qi would certainly have to send out a corresponding figure to make Dongyi feel their sincerity and bargaining chips.
Marquis Chang Ning was the brother of the Northern Qi empress dowager. Furthermore, he was in charge of the Northern Qi palace treasury's money flow. He was indeed an important figure.
Fan Xian raised his brows and quietly said with some suspicion, "This Marquis is an old acquaintance. He's good at drinking, but when it comes to actually doing things, he's much worse than his son."
Wang Zhikun knew they were talking about serious matters. Given his status as a Governor, he didn't dare to slight it. "Although Wei Hua is the commander of the Brocade Guard, the status of the Northern Qi Brocade Guard is far below that of the Council. He doesn't have that much authority."
Fan Xian nodded. The Overwatch Council was a special organization. Other than the extremely confident Emperor, no Emperor dared to allow such an organization to exist. Although the Northern Qi Brocade Guard had inherited the Red Cavalry that Xiao En had organized, under the attacks of the Northern Qi Empress Dowager and the Emperor and his mother, their power was far from what it had been in the Wei Kingdom.
Particularly after Shen Zhong had been stabbed to death in the street by Shang Shanhu, although the Brocade Guard's power remained, their status was declining day by day. If the Northern Qi Emperor truly wanted to do something in Dongyi, Wei Hua was not a good choice.
No matter who they send, in the end, it is a competition of national power. It is best not to think about it anymore. "Fan Xian took a sip of wine. A faint tiredness rose between his brows.
Wang Zhikun looked at him with a slight smile and said, "Sir Fan junior's trip will certainly be successful."
Fan Xian laughed bitterly. Before leaving Jingdou, everyone, including Hu the Scholar, had the same confidence as Governor Wang. Even when the Emperor was giving instructions in the royal study, it seemed that he had never thought that Fan Xian would lose this battle.
He didn't know that in the hearts of the Qing officials and people, the words "Sir Fan junior," embroidered in gold, had long become a patch of gold. Everyone had a great deal of confidence in him. The events of the past five years had long proven that as long as he personally acted, there was nothing he could not do.
In the spring of the 10th year of the Qing calendar, the entire Qing court seemed to be quietly waiting for Dongyi's submission and Sir Fan junior's carriage to enter the Sword Hut. Without the use of a single soldier, they would begin to take over a large piece of land, the people living on it, and the vast wealth accumulated over countless years.
However, Fan Xian himself would not have such thoughts. Although he had sensed Sigu Jian's attitude through Thirteenth Wang and had carefully expressed his attitude to this sword saint, the two sides had, to a certain extent, found a point of intersection of benefits. However, the benefits he had to fight for for the Qing Kingdom on this trip to Dongyi were too great.
Looking at it from another perspective, the benefits Dongyi had to pay were too great. This was not playing house or a large business that involved millions of liang of silver. It was a true change in history. A true historical event was about to happen in front of Fan Xian's eyes, perhaps even in his hands.
In such a situation, Fan Xian had no choice but to be fearful. He often wondered what virtue or ability he had to be able to open up land and expand his borders. Furthermore, he might be walking the path of the Qing Dynasty.
The problem was, Sigu Jian was heavily injured and about to die. His hatred and anger toward the Qing Emperor could probably not be washed away even with all the waters of the East Sea. Although this Great Grandmaster knew that after his death, Dongyi would certainly be divided between the two large countries, he had to think about the city and the vassal states beside it. That was why he had invited Northern Qi and the Qing Kingdom to participate in the last opening ceremony of his life. He still had to fight for the people of Dongyi one last time.
Fan Xian couldn't help but think of the last deep conversation he had with the Emperor in the royal study before he left the capital. At that time, there had been a faint smile on the Emperor's face. Although, like the other officials, he was full of confidence in Fan Xian's trip to Dongyi, his words and actions showed that he did not place much importance on this opening ceremony.
Fan Xian understood the Emperor's thoughts. Someone as confident as the Emperor did not care at all about the conciliatory intentions and final goodwill that Dongyi was about to collapse.
In the Emperor's view, this was Dongyi's last cry of sorrow. If the Qing Kingdom could spend less money to obtain Dongyi's land and wealth, it would be worth it. However, if the conditions Sigu Jian raised were nonsensical to the Qing Emperor, the Qing Emperor would not be afraid to raise the knives and spears in his hands and turn this cry of sorrow into a wretched cry.
Given Fan Xian's analysis and understanding of the personalities of these two powerful men, the conditions Sigu Jian was about to raise were certainly something the Qing Emperor would not be able to accept. This was the biggest problem he faced on this trip.
… …
The diplomatic group did not waste too much time in Yanjing. Early the next morning, Fan Xian left the city under the escort of Wang Zhikun and Mei Zhili. He met up with the Fourth Bureau of the Overwatch Council who had hurried over from Jiangnan and headed toward the official road.
The group of carriages headed toward the Qing border. Before they had completely left the escorting soldiers of the Yanjing camp, they met up with another group. Under everyone's confused gazes, a merchant climbed into Fan Xian's carriage.
"You've worked hard." Fan Xian patted Shi Chanli's shoulder. During these years, three of Fan Xian's four disciples had worked hard in the Qing court. Only Shi Chanli, who had failed to pass the imperial examinations, had become Fan Xian's personal helper. He had been in Jiangnan and in the luxurious counties outside the borders, opening Baoyue Brothel with Sang Wen and secretly helping Fan Xian organize his sources of intelligence.
In a low voice, Shi Chanli explained the recent situation of Baoyue Brothel to Fan Xian, as well as some small news he had heard in Dongyi.
"Looks like Thirteenth Wang was right. There is internal strife in Dongyi. This time, everyone thinks the Qing Kingdom is going to pick the fruit. Who would have thought that the fruit could also be poisonous?" Fan Xian listened for a moment and then smiled self-mockingly. "However, I don't know where the Master of Dongyi gets his courage to oppose the Qing Kingdom when Sigu Jian is about to pass away."
"The Northern Qi people are certainly supporting him in secret. Even within the Sword Hut, there are many people who are unwilling to get close to the Qing Kingdom. "
"These things are not up to them whether they want to or not." Fan Xian sighed. "Power decides everything. Once Sigu Jian dies, Northern Qi and Dongyi will no longer have Great Grandmasters. The two sides can only meet on the battlefield. Northern Qi's territory is vast, the people are rich, and the soil is fertile. They have the power to fight the Qing Kingdom. However, Dongyi is built on trade. They are rich but not very strong. How can they be a match for the Qing army? "
"The key problem is that Sigu Jian was injured by the Emperor. Everyone in the Sword Hut hates the Qing Kingdom to the bone. They would probably rather fight to the death than submit and become subjects." Shi Chanli had lived the life of a boss these years and had grown fatter. There was no white hair on his head. Compared to his youthful and wretched appearance of the past, he had changed a great deal. The only thing that had not changed was his loyalty and respect for Fan Xian. Since last year, he had stayed in Dongyi to investigate the intentions of the Sword Hut. He knew the danger hidden under the deathly silence of the Sword Hut. He couldn't help but worry for his teacher.
"The key is still Sigu Jian's attitude." Fan Xian lowered his head and closed his eyes. Rising and falling with the advance of the carriage, he smiled bitterly and said, "If he is truly an idiot with a twisted temper, there will probably still be a great fight. However, if there really is to be a fight, then what about Thirteenth Wang? If the news you've sent these years is true, then Thirteenth Wang will be his successor. Such a powerful and forceful attitude forces me to think again and again on behalf of Dongyi. Sigu Jian can't have made this move for nothing. "
"That's another question. Whether Dongyi leans toward the Qing Kingdom or Northern Qi is one thing. However, who will be in charge of the Sword Hut after Sigu Jian is another important matter, "Shi Chanli said worriedly. Shi Chanli said worriedly, "Although Sir Thirteen is deeply favored by Sigu Jian, it is Yun Zhilan who is the first disciple of the Sword Hut. He has many friends and is very popular. He also has countless disciples and juniors supporting him. Additionally, he has the support of the manor of the Master of the City and Northern Qi. If Sigu Jian dies, I'm afraid Yun Zhilan will not give Sir Thirteen any chance."
Fan Xian opened his eyes. A cold light flashed through them. He muttered to himself, "Are we going to have to kill the entire family like many years ago before the Sword Hut can decide who it belongs to?"
He was talking about an old matter that happened many years ago in Dongyi. Sigu Jian had caused people's hair to stand on end and killed hundreds of people in his family. He didn't even let his own parents go. His infamy as a madman and idiot spread like wildfire. At the same time, it allowed the Overwatch Council to pick up a Shadow until today.
Shi Chanli was silent. He didn't know how to reply.
"The Master of Dongyi will certainly not accept our conditions," Fan Xian said quietly. Fan Xian said quietly, "There is a book about the Three Kingdoms that says the officials can surrender because they are still officials. Only the Master of the City, if he surrenders, then he is nothing."
"There is another important matter, which is Dongyi's legacy." He rubbed the space between his brows. "If Yun Zhilan really wants to fight with Thirteen, outsiders like us won't be able to do much beforehand."
Shi Chanli was silent for a moment. He then asked in a small voice, "Teacher, before you left the capital, what was the bottom line the Emperor gave?"
"Become subjects, pay tribute, disperse the army, open the borders of each vassal state, allow the Qing army to enter, and allow the nobles to all live in Jingdou," Fan Xian said with his head lowered.
Shi Chanli sucked in a cold breath. He thought that once these conditions were laid out, it would be the same as crippling Dongyi. The Emperor's appetite was too big. He wanted to use the power of the country to carry out intimidation and subdue the enemy without a fight. No one in Dongyi would dare to accept such humiliating conditions.
"Of course, the length of time can be discussed later. There is no need to fight for a moment," Fan Xian said quietly. Fan Xian asked quietly. This was something he had privately argued with the Qing Emperor for a long time before he bought more time for Dongyi. He paused and then continued, "If these nobles don't dare to live in Jingdou, the Emperor will build them a new manor in Yanjing. Naturally, he will not mistreat them."
Shi Chanli suppressed the shock in his heart and shook his head. "No one will agree. Such conditions are the same as putting their heads on the chopping board of the Qing Kingdom. I'm afraid they would rather fight to the death. At least there will be some hope. "
Fan Xian didn't reply to this question. Instead, he said, "The Northern Qi people will certainly not watch as Dongyi is swallowed by us. This time, they will certainly do something."
"What can they do?"
Fan Xian lifted the curtains and looked at the green trees on the road. Casually, he said, "The Northern Qi Emperor will first try to persuade Sigu Jian to ally with Northern Qi before he dies so that Northern Qi will give Dongyi a great deal of support. Once the Northern Qi people find out that Dongyi cannot hold out and is prepared to agree to the Qing Kingdom's treaty, they will stop at nothing to break this agreement. "
Without waiting for Shi Chanli to speak, he continued in a quiet voice, "Kill me or kill an important figure in Dongyi to incite the already strong hatred and bloodshed between Dongyi and the Qing Kingdom. Once the war starts, even if Dongyi wants to surrender, given the Emperor's personality, he will not agree. At that time, the Northern Qi people will be able to ride on the wall and make other plans."
As they spoke, the group of carriages turned in the southeast direction. Leaning against a small mountain, they followed a clear stream and headed in the direction of the Song Kingdom. Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and looked back. Yanjing could still be seen clearly. The soldiers in the camp were waiting for the arrival of the war, or perhaps they were terrified of the arrival of the war.
The young lady of the Wang family was going to marry into Prince Heqing's manor as a Secondary fei, so it was impossible for her to see Fan Xian off. However, she still respectfully asked Governor Wang to bring Fan Xian a gift. Every time he thought of this young lady, who was at first unruly and unparalleled but later had been punished by him into a wretched state, Fan Xian's emotions would feel complicated.
No matter what kind of person's personality, whether it was a Great Grandmaster or an arrogant and unruly daughter of a noble family, if he or she had a goal he or she had to achieve in this world, then he or she would certainly be willing to pay a price for it that he or she would normally not pay.
"I am only worried about one thing right now." Fan Xian withdrew his gaze from the carriage window and quietly said, "Sigu Jian is not a saint. If he is like me and believes in the creed of not being afraid of the flood after death, then it will be troublesome."
"Hmm?" It was clear that Shi Chanli did not completely understand these words.
Fan Xian laughed bitterly and said, "Before Ku He died, he made two ruthless moves and dragged on the Qing Kingdom with great difficulty. It also gave me a strange headache. For major figures like them, they see further than anyone else. I find it difficult to believe that Sigu Jian, who had lost to the Emperor and struggled at death's door to this day and thought about it for two and a half years, would willingly admit defeat and not have any other thoughts. "
He was afraid of these Great Grandmasters' terrifying thoughts.
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On the third day, the group of carriages passed through the invisible border hidden in the plains and entered the Song Kingdom. The area of this small vassal state was not large. It was not even the size of a large province in the Qing Kingdom or Northern Qi, but it had a long history. Although there was a king in name, in reality, everything was controlled by Dongyi. Other than the power to appoint and remove officials, all of the armed forces came from the manor of the Master of Dongyi and the Sword Hut.
Fan Xian was not unfamiliar with the Song Kingdom. He was very familiar with this path. The Baoyue Brothel in the Song Kingdom had opened very early. It was the first batch of experiments when Fan Xian controlled the high-end brothel industry and developed a chain store. During the Dong Mountain incident a few years ago, after Fan Xian killed Yan Xiaoyi, he escaped the mountains with a heavily injured body. He had also entered the territory of the Song Kingdom, passed through Yanjing, and finally returned to Jingdou. Leading the Overwatch Council, he launched a ruthless counterattack against the Eldest Princess' faction.
After the previous year, Fan Xian was alone. He hid his identity and disguised himself. He was tired in body and mind, and his injuries lingered. He didn't know what path to take.
When he came this year, he was accompanied by a canopy of officials and attendants like clouds. He was well-dressed and watched by tens of thousands of people. His glory was boundless. With the title of the most powerful official in the world, he walked proudly on the streets of the Song Kingdom.
In Fan Xian's view, he had not changed at all. What had truly changed was the comparison of power among the three powers under heaven.
Refusing the Song Kingdom's warm reception and avoiding the cautious and complicated gazes, Fan Xian and his group moved into Baoyue Brothel. After all, it was his own business, so he was more at ease in terms of safety.
Moments after they entered the brothel, a Song Kingdom official came with a nervous expression to report that a guest had arrived and requested to see Sir Fan junior. Fan Xian's expression froze slightly. Looking at the official's nervous expression, he knew who the guest was. He couldn't help but smile. He thought that it was quite a coincidence that he had just arrived, and the Northern Qi people had also arrived.
He rose and walked out of the hall. Raising his hands in a salute, he smiled and said, "Brother Wei Hua, I didn't expect it to be you."
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