Thank you to Nora7 for the ko-fi~ ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝⋆˙⟡♡
After all, Shou City is just a county seat. Even though it was the frontline for attacking Eastern Wu in the early years, with smooth transportation of grain and a well-fortified city, the place is still quite cramped. Suddenly, tens of thousands of aristocrats rushed in, making not only the city but even the entire Huainan region unbearable.
Countless people couldn’t find a place to settle, and complaints filled the imperial court. However, among the court officials, not a single one faced such difficulties. After entering the city, Wang Yan took possession of an official residence early on. Although it couldn’t compare to the luxurious mansions in Luoyang, it was still a shelter.
However, after entering Shou City, it became difficult to meet him.
“Brother Ah, is your health better?” Wang Dao sat in front of the bed and asked warmly.
Now serving as the bridge between Sima Rui and the emperor, Wang Dao frequently came to Shou City to investigate changes in the court. Since he came, how could he bypass his elder brother, Wang Yan?
“Cough, cough…” Wang Yan weakly coughed twice and sighed, “Better than a few days ago. Alas, who would have thought that this journey would be so difficult.”
This thousand-mile journey of relocating the capital finally made Wang Yan, a man in his fifties, fall ill on his bed. His once jade-like complexion had turned waxy yellow, with many more wrinkles and white hairs. Coupled with his weakened appearance, where was the demeanor of the leading scholar of the past?
Seeing his elder brother in this state, Wang Dao advised, “Brother Ah, don’t worry; take good care of yourself. Coincidentally, Shou City is bustling with affairs, and you can temporarily avoid them.”
Hearing his younger brother’s words, Wang Yan showed a faint smile, “His Majesty has his own ideas; how can we stop them?”
After the capital moved to Shou City, with no life-threatening pressure, the young emperor began to try to control the court. The literati who accompanied the emperor wanted to find an opportunity to stand out, and many Southerners wanted to take advantage of the situation to enter the court. More people were willing to offer advice and strategies to the emperor.
Wang Yan was never one to take action. Moreover, he was cunning and wise, well aware of the risks of mediating the North-South dispute. How could he participate in such matters? Taking advantage of his illness, he hid away. After all, being the leader of the literati, the young emperor dared not neglect Wang Yan. Instead, he made him once again a figurehead, a non-functional idler.
Such words, if spoken by brothers, are forgivable. Wang Yan reminded once again, “You and Ah Long over at Prince Langya’s side should not be careless. I see signs of chaos in the court, and the emperor may not be able to sustain the situation. If there is an opportunity, nudge Prince Langya; it will be beneficial to our Wang family.”
Ah Long is Wang Dun’s nickname. Wang Yan had high hopes for this younger cousin, and he was well aware of their joint plans. While he served in important positions on the emperor’s side, Wang Dao and Wang Dun followed Sima Rui, seeking alternative paths. Regardless of the outcome, the Wang family would always benefit. This was the survival strategy of top-tier aristocratic families like theirs, accustomed to such ways.
Wang Dao nodded, “What Brother said is indeed true. However, the matter of the designated marriage may leave hidden troubles. If that Liang Zixi refuses to marry the princess, it might create discord with the emperor. Defending against the Xiongnu would become even more difficult.”
Because of the Xiongnu’s movements, the emperor ultimately decided to marry his sister to Liang Feng, and this news had already spread. Wang Dao couldn’t help but find fault with this approach. Wasn’t it putting suspicions directly on the table? After all, Liang Zixi was the commanding general of the three provinces and held the position of Minister of Works. If he were forced to rebel, who would benefit?
Wang Yan smiled, “Just after moving the capital to Shou City, such a matter has arisen. How could the emperor not be suspicious? However, Liang Feng is a deep thinker. If he truly has rebellious intentions, he might even marry the princess. Otherwise, he might choose a noblewoman to make the envoy’s journey in vain. Unlike Liu Yuan and other barbarians, even if he harbors rebellious thoughts, he won’t reveal them so quickly. Moreover, the Han and Bing County are neighboring; even if others can escape, he, as the commander of Bing County, will always exert some influence.”
Hearing Wang Yan’s words, Wang Dao felt a slight relief. The situation now was different from before. The emperor had already moved the capital to Shou City. If they really couldn’t resist the Xiongnu, Jiangdong might also suffer. The best situation would be for the court and Bing County to separately resist the Xiongnu in the northern territories, while Sima Rui laid the foundation in Jiangdong. When the consumption was almost equal, he could step forward and reap the benefits.
But the little emperor was too young. If he stayed in power for more than ten years like Emperor Hui, it would be troublesome.
However, given Wang Dao’s character, this thought only flashed briefly before he suppressed it. Smiling and nodding, he said, “So be it.”
Everyone was waiting for Bing County’s response. However, when the envoy returned to Shou City and presented the memorial, it still surprised everyone.
“Liang Qing says he will no longer marry?” The little emperor looked at the memorial, his eyebrows raised high. This was completely different from what he had expected. If he remembered correctly, Liang Feng only had one legitimate son, and he was still without an heir. To say such a thing at such a young age was simply unreasonable.
Now, refusing the emperor’s designated marriage and marrying someone else in a few years, wouldn’t that be a slap in the face? And if he truly didn’t want to remarry, how would his family business be stabilized? Not to mention others, even his subordinates might develop treacherous intentions!
Different from the previous expectations, how should they respond?
On the side, Song, the attendant minister, bowed and said, “Is this not a test of General Liang’s true intentions by the emperor? If he harbors ill intentions, he has countless ways to deal with the emperor’s designated marriage. Why speak openly about refusing a wife? In this way, Bing County can be reassured.”
On the other side, Gou Xi sneered, “Not necessarily. I remember that Liang Zixi once suffered from poisoning; maybe he cannot have a normal marriage, and that’s why he refuses.”
Gou Xi had always held a grudge against Liang Feng for taking over Si County and then withdrawing the troops protecting the emperor halfway. He spoke without reservation. Although his words were crude, they were not entirely without possibility.
If he cannot have a normal marriage, what’s the use of marrying? It’s better to make a statement and put the emperor’s mind at ease. This statement is more believable both emotionally and logically. The eyes of the young emperor suddenly lit up. If this were true, it would be best if Liang Feng didn’t marry! With his weak heir, his legitimate son being only nine years old, it was a question whether he could survive to adulthood. Moreover, Liang Feng himself was frail and sickly, and he could pass away at any time. In this way, with a young heir and an unstable foundation, wouldn’t it be the precursor to chaos?
As for himself, he was only fourteen years old now. As long as he lived long enough, there was hope to reclaim the mountains and rivers! As for Liang Feng, now that he had no intentions of rebellion, letting him confront the Xiongnu directly would be even better.
A smile involuntarily appeared on the young emperor’s face as he nodded, “Since General Liang has spoken thus, I will not force it. I heard that Wang Mi’s army is also showing signs of unrest in Yu County. General Gou, the task of suppressing the bandits will be entrusted to you.”
Gou Xi, as the commander of Yu County, couldn’t shirk this responsibility. Taking a step forward, he clasped his fists and accepted the command. The other courtiers also tactfully changed the topic and began discussing ways to deal with the Xiongnu.
Since Bing County was still reliable, they needed to gather their spirits and prepare well to face the Xiongnu.
※
“Liang Zixi refused marriage?” Liu He was surprised to hear this news, “Isn’t he afraid of arousing suspicion from the Jin emperor?”
“He didn’t refuse the Jin emperor, but rather made it clear that he no longer wishes to remarry.” Liu Yuan picked up a medicine bowl, drank the medicine inside, and then coughed a few times before responding.
Whether it was because of the lingering spring cold or aging, Liu Yuan’s condition had not completely improved. He had recently started taking medicine again. Fortunately, there was no sign of deterioration; it could be controlled with some medication.
“But he hasn’t reached adulthood yet… I really can’t understand…” Liu He was a bit confused. Could it be that Liang Feng wasn’t afraid of problems with the succession and heir?
“He used this excuse to deal with the emperor. However, Liang Feng’s intentions are probably more than that.” Liu Yuan sighed, “Have you not heard the recent rumors from Bing County? They say that the Buddha achieved enlightenment only after marrying and having children. Some even say that if he wasn’t destined for greatness, why would he frequently divorce his wives? These unofficial folk sayings are what makes people apprehensive.”
In this era, prophecies and folk rumors were the most easily misleading. There had been the saying in the Qin Dynasty, “The downfall of Qin will be due to the Hu people,” and in the Han Dynasty, there were prophecies like “The sickness is already certain.” Even during the time of the Sima clan, there were rumors of “Three horses sharing the same manger.”
Liang Feng already had a reputation as a Buddhist, and now he asserted that he wouldn’t remarry, which seemed to fulfill some kind of miracle. Whatever his purpose was, at least the local people would be more blindly trusting, stabilizing the situation. Simultaneously, it eased the relationship with the young emperor, preventing those influential families leaning towards the court from having any thoughts. As for establishing a foundation for the future and wanting to stand on his own, whether he marries or not, has children or not, isn’t it up to him to decide in the end?
This move is indeed clever. However, this time, Liu Yuan was completely sure that Liang Zixi had ambitions of self-reliance. The threat from Bing County was multiplied several times. This spring, they would have to deal with Shangdang.
With a firm decision, Liu Yuan gave the order, “Command Shi Le to lead the troops, join forces with Wang Mi to take Yu and Yan, and attack Shou City!”
“I heard that Zu Ti, the Henan Intendant stationed in Luoyang, is attacking several counties in Si County. Why doesn’t Father dispatch troops to defend?” Liu He asked.
“Don’t worry. Let him take the cities; the more refugees from Si County in Bing County, the better.” Liu Yuan chuckled coldly. Didn’t the Liang family like to take in refugees? Let them handle it. Now that the black market between Han and Bing County had been decisively cut off, without salt and grain input, famine was prevalent everywhere. He wanted to see how long this compassionate Buddhist could endure!
A tickle rose in his throat again. Liu Yuan picked up a silver jug nearby, poured a cup of warm wine, and drank it down. When the wheat in Shangdang was ripe, it would be the time to use the troops!
※
“Has the Lord been active in marital affairs recently?” Jiang Da furrowed his brows when routinely examining the pulse. The pulse seemed to show signs of deficiency.
Liang Feng cleared his throat, “Speaking of which, I was just thinking of asking Ji’en. Lately, I… um, occasionally experience arousal. Does it mean my kidney energy is sufficient?”
Hearing this, Jiang Da almost rolled his eyes, “Lord, it’s better not to indulge in pleasures. Slowly nurturing your health, consolidating your foundation, and cultivating vitality are the key. However, the abundance of yang energy is a sign of recovery, but do you occasionally experience morning erections?”
No, usually it’s when massaging the prostate in the middle of the night… but Liang Feng would never say that out loud. He deftly changed the topic, saying, “I understand. Still, prescribe some medicine, and let’s slowly adjust.”
Fortunately, Yiyan was often away on military expeditions; otherwise, he might have turned into a concubine, draining him dry in bed.
Jiang Da sighed, “Lord, you were previously affected by the poisonous plot. It’s essential to stabilize the foundation. Also, be cautious with archery and horsemanship. The warmth of early spring is still cold, and it’s easy to fall ill. Be careful.”
The words of the health doctor had to be heeded. After examining the pulse and applying acupuncture, Jiang Da took his leave. Shattered dreams aside, Liang Feng had to compose himself and follow the routine to nurture his body. These days, the mansion had been relatively calm. He thought Duan Qin would come to advise him, but unexpectedly, there was no entanglement. It was truly strange.
However, these are all minor matters. What’s crucial is the reaction from the Xiongnu. After the failed marriage proposal, the Han completely cut off the black market, and even salt from Hedian was unavailable. Liu Yuan’s intentions were not hard to fathom. It was just a matter of observing his next move.
As expected, a few days later, the Xiongnu launched an invasion, heading straight for Yu County!
