"Father, Mingjing indeed has great ambitions, but his heart is for the people of Great Wei. When I was trapped in Youzhou, it was he who risked his life to save me. In terms of military merit, no one can compare to him. He possesses the solitary courage of a lone rider, as well as a compassionate heart."
"His resignation as Commander of the Left Guard is indeed to observe the mourning period for Elder Cui, but more importantly, his ambition does not lie in officialdom. When he returned from Youzhou, he said he wished to guard the border for the rest of his life and ensure the eternal peace of Great Wei. Father, Mingjing has indeed received great kindness from the Cui family. If he were to draw a clear line because of the Cui family's affairs, I would despise him. I trust him."
Xiao Che knelt on the ground, his tall figure enveloped by the candlelight. The Sage looked at his son, familiar yet strange.
He had indeed grown up, no longer blindly obeying his father, the Sage, and had his own judgment on the grievances between the noble clans and the Xiao family.
Xiao Che knelt on the ground. The Sage did not help him up. The palace servants of Taiji Hall, including Zhang Ying, lowered their heads, afraid to speak.
This was a game between the Sage and the future Sage. Anyone who dared to speak, or even to listen, would be committing a crime.
"Father, now only the Lu and Li families remain among the noble clans. Instead of suppressing them forcefully, Your Majesty might as well emulate Emperor Wu of Han and implement the policy of enfeoffment and bestowal of favors to weaken them."
This would weaken the influence of the two families in the regions and alleviate conflicts, while also earning the Sage a good reputation.
The Sage looked at Xiao Che for a while: "I had not heard you mention this before."
"Your son dares not hide anything from Father. Your son and Scholar Xie have been corresponding, and when the Gu family had their troubles, your son sought his advice."
"Did he also tell you to emulate Emperor Wu of Han and implement the policy of enfeoffment and bestowal of favors?"
"Yes, your son just received a letter from Scholar Xie before coming here." Xiao Che took out the letter from his embrace.
By bestowing titles of nobility upon the scions of the Lu and Li families, or by assigning them positions in various regions, they would be forced to disperse and unable to band together. With their family assets thus divided, they would inevitably disintegrate and no longer pose a threat.
The Sage read it in silence for a long time: "Let me think about it carefully."
Jiangzhou
"I delivered the letter for you, but I can't guarantee the outcome," Hua Chao Fei said, sitting opposite Xie Jia Yan and unceremoniously picking up a cup from the table to take a sip of tea.
He was parched from traveling through wind and snow, and he had to pour his own tea upon entering.
Xie Jia Yan dipped his brush in ink and continued writing, without looking up, "It's good that the letter was delivered."
"You are now a dignified fourth-rank official, yet you don't even have someone to pour tea and water for you. Look, this room is even more shabby than before." It was understandable to be poor in the capital, but why was he still so shabby even after reaching the prosperous Jiangnan?
Others were promoted and became wealthy, but he, on the other hand, was wearing old clothes.
Liao Kong quietly entered with hot tea: "Young Master dislikes being disturbed."
"Your Qinggong is getting more and more impressive. You appear and disappear like a ghost, and I didn't even notice you." Such a talented martial artist chose to be a humble servant who poured tea and water. These two are becoming more and more alike.
Liao Kong ignored him, and after pouring the tea, he disappeared.
"Why don't you ask me what happened at the Lu family?" Hua Chao Fei felt that this fellow, despite his young age, was becoming increasingly composed.
Xie Jia Yan's letter was just finished. He put down the brush in his hand: "If you want to say it, you will say it naturally."
"The head of the Lu family is a wise man. After the troubles of the Cui and Zheng families, he had already begun to secretly transfer the Lu family's assets. The impeachment and imprisonment of Minister Lu made him see the reality clearly. The Lu family can only use all their wealth to save Minister Lu's life. However, since you have a better solution, the entire Lu family is willing to follow your command," Hua Chao Fei picked up the hot tea and took a sip, pausing his tone, "The head of the Lu family said he has a daughter of a similar age to you and is willing to form a marital alliance between the two families."
"Didn't you already refuse the family head's kind offer on my behalf? Why bring it up again?" Xie Jia Yan said without changing his expression.
"You are the most boring person. However, the head of the Lu family is not easily fooled, so I had to say that you and the sixth daughter of the Yu family are deeply in love, and only then did he give up," Hua Chao Fei placed his teacup on the table, watching Xie Jia Yan's expression.
"Nonsense," Xie Jia Yan was indeed agitated.
Hua Chao Fei rarely saw him like this and was inwardly delighted. He picked up his tea and slowly drank another sip before saying, "I was doing this on your behalf. Besides, am I wrong?"
When the Cui family had trouble, he had truly acted out of rage for his beloved. Normally, he feared their relationship being known, but that day, he disregarded that Ye Feisheng was a confidant of the Sage and directly ordered him to destroy the Wuji Sect.
This was good, saving him from hiding in the shadows as if he were ashamed. He seemed to be fickle and had become even closer to Ye Feisheng.
"You know very well that it's impossible between her and me."
The candle was about to burn out, and the light in the room suddenly dimmed. Xie Jia Yan's thin figure, illuminated by the faint light, appeared even more desolate.
Hua Chao Fei lit the candle beside him, and the room gradually brightened: "We have known each other for so many years and can be considered life-and-death friends. I will ask you one question: do you dare to live for yourself for once?"
Xie Jia Yan smiled bitterly in his heart: "Do not mention this again in the future. This matter concerns a woman's reputation. I will explain it clearly to the head of the Lu family."
"You," Hua Chao Fei stood up from his chair, indignant and frustrated, "you just wait and see the daughter of the Yu family betrothed to someone else."
Xie Jia Yan's heart tightened. She would reach her coming-of-age ceremony next year; it was time for her to get engaged.
The Yu family would surely find a good marriage for her.
That was fine, he had never harbored any extravagant hopes.
Hua Chao Fei, angered, left the room and ran into Ye Feisheng.
Ye Feisheng's Li Jing Sect was ridiculed by the martial arts world as lackeys of the court. Coupled with their past grievances, they disliked each other.
"Sect Leader Ye had best control his subordinates. If they engage in any underhanded dealings and fall into my hands, do not blame me for not showing you respect," Hua Chao Fei said angrily.
After Hua Chao Fei destroyed the Wuji Sect's stronghold, he also took over their territory, expanding the business scope of Fengming Tower.
In Ye Feisheng's view, Fengming Tower had picked up a bargain and snatched the Li Jing Sect's business.
The Li Jing Sect served the Sage, and besides protecting Xie Jia Yan's safety, they were also responsible for intelligence gathering in various parts of Jiangnan.
The two factions were bound to encounter each other, and conflicts often arose in their struggle for dominance.
Although they were both working for Xie Jia Yan, Ye Feisheng's master was the Sage, and that dog emperor's character was too poor.
It was said to be protection, but in reality, it was surveillance, to prevent students of official schools from remembering only Xie Jia Yan and forgetting the current Sage.
This time, when he went to the Lu family to deliver the letter, Ye Feisheng dared to send people to follow him.
He was also not polite and broke the hands of those two people. They should still be lying in bed.
"楼主 Hua does not need to show me any respect. If my subordinates offend you, feel free to discipline them."
Ye Feisheng spoke politely, but that night, upon receiving the news, he led his men to raze a contact point of Fengming Tower.
"Is that so? I happen to have a piece of fresh news that I believe Sect Leader Ye will be very interested in."
"Oh?"
"The Emperor intends to relaunch the Five City Patrol. At that time, the Li Jing Sect will also be incorporated into it, moving from the shadows into the light, becoming legitimate court officials. Tell me, after returning to the capital, will there be a position for you, the Sect Leader of Li Jing Sect, in the Five City Patrol?"