Chapter 561
Chapter 561
‘Can I touch the Zhong Clan? No! Can I touch the Xue Clan? Also no! What about the Jin Clan of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate? That has become impossible as well!’
The thought gave the King an unbearable headache. He was well aware that his time was short, afflicted as he was with a terminal illness. His immediate priority was not to push for new reforms, but to defeat the Qiong army. If the State of Yue could crush the Qiong army in the great southern war to come and completely suppress the Nan'ou rebellion, it might be able to avoid a potentially nation-breaking war with the State of Chu. In the coming years, Ning Yuanxian's foremost task was to annihilate the Qiong army; only then could the State of Yue find stability.
And his second task was to enthrone a new king. The ascension of a new monarch was necessary for the regime of Yue to find peace. This was an exceedingly difficult task. The successor had to distinguish himself through the struggle for the throne, but that struggle must not escalate into factional strife or civil war. Behind the Crown Prince was the Zhu Clan; behind the Third Prince were the Zhong and Xue Clans; and behind the Fifth Prince were Shen Lang and the Nirvana Army. Whoever ascended the throne would surely eliminate the other two factions.
The thought made the King’s head throb even more. Still, the most pressing matter was the annihilation of the Qiong army. The fifty thousand troops of the General of Zhenbei, Nangong Ao, and the thirty thousand troops of the Tianyue Commandery had already been assembled. These eighty thousand soldiers would march south to the Nan'ou battlefield upon Ning Yuanxian's command, and once they joined Zhu Lin's forces, their numbers would swell to one hundred and thirty thousand.
However, once the Qiong army unified the four tribes, they would command at least one hundred thousand troops. A force of one hundred and thirty thousand against one hundred thousand would make it very difficult to achieve a complete victory, but it would be enough to hold the defensive lines in Nan'ou. As long as the situation in Nan'ou did not collapse, Ning Yuanxian would continuously dispatch more troops as reinforcements. The State of Jiang had now become an ally of Yue, and after a year spent stabilizing its internal affairs, it should possess tens of thousands of soldiers. At a critical moment, if the armies of Yue and Jiang were to launch a pincer attack on the Qiong army from the east and west, the probability of victory would be exceedingly high.
At this thought, the King felt another surge of gratitude toward Shen Lang. It was all thanks to him. If not for Shen Lang, Su Nan and the State of Jiang would have already united, and Yue would not have been able to keep its western territories intact. As long as the State of Jiang existed, the kingdom’s southwest flank was absolutely secure. The Queen of Jiang, Aronana, was either about to give birth or had already done so. Whether the child was a son or a daughter, the State of Jiang would have an heir, which was also good news for the State of Yue.
A month ago, King Ning Yuanxian of Yue had sent a massive delegation to the State of Jiang. He had included wet nurses, female physicians, midwives, and a large supply of medicinal herbs. He had even sent numerous toys for Aronana’s unborn child and more than a dozen tutors to educate the child. To maintain the alliance with the State of Jiang, Ning Yuanxian had truly done everything in his power.
And so far, he had only given, making no demands in return. Not only that, but he had also issued a decree stating that the people of Yue who had been captured by Jiang in the past could return to Yue if they wished, or they could remain in Jiang to live and work in peace and comfort if they so chose. Furthermore, he declared that those who remained in Jiang could still enjoy the rights of Yue citizens if they later decided to return. In modern terms, this was equivalent to dual citizenship.
“Has Big Dummy left the capital?”
At Ning Yuanxian’s question, Yeo Jun replied.
“Big Dummy did not return to the capital with Shen Lang. He traveled with us to Lang Commandery, then changed direction and headed south to the State of Jiang. He might just make it in time for the Queen of Jiang's delivery.”
Ning Yuanxian nodded. This generation's Queen of Jiang was truly extraordinary. Unlike her cunning father and ancestors, she ruled with benevolence and righteousness, yet her throne had only grown more secure. Moreover, her reputation in the State of Jiang was astonishingly high. Her renown was far better than the King of Yue’s, at the very least, and she seemed almost like a sacred queen. Of course, Ning Yuanxian had also contributed to her reputation. Because Yue had supported Jiang without asking for anything in return, the people of Jiang were living better lives than before, which in turn made them even more grateful for their queen’s rule.
Yeo Jun suddenly spoke.
“Your Majesty, the Queen of Jiang wrote a secret letter to Shen Lang. She mentioned that the State of Jiang possesses a vast amount of gold, implying she would be willing to lend it to us.”
This was precisely why Ning Yuanxian was so moved by her. The previous King of Jiang had been insatiably greedy, like a wolf that was always hungry no matter how much it ate. When given a gift, he would not feel gratitude but would instead see it as a sign of weakness to be exploited for more. This Queen of Jiang, however, felt indebted for having received so much from Yue and offered to lend Ning Yuanxian the enormous amount of gold in the Jiang royal palace. Ning Yuanxian knew, of course, that the amount of gold was staggering, the fruit of decades of plunder by King Arogan.
“No. We absolutely cannot ask to borrow it! The strategic value of the State of Jiang to us is worth more than millions of taels of gold. Although we are allies, the relationship between our two sides is not yet solid. If we were to ask for that money, we would be seen as petty. No matter how difficult our situation, we must not ask the State of Jiang for gold. Has Shu Tingyu of the Hidden Yuan Society arrived?”
“Not yet.”
Ning Yuanxian intended to borrow money from the Hidden Yuan Society again. The last transaction had failed. The Hidden Yuan Society had offered to lend the money on the condition that he exchange the formula for glass mirrors, but Ning Yuanxian had refused. At that time, however, Ning Yuanxian had collapsed from illness, appearing extremely weak, and his prestige within the country had plummeted.
But this time was different. He had just won a great victory against the King of Chu in a battle on the border, showed no signs of illness, and exuded a youthful vigor that soared to the heavens. Moreover, he had just appointed Ning Zheng as the Admiral of Tianyue. The Hidden Yuan Society, which supported Crown Prince Ning Yi, must be extremely nervous and contemplating how to curry his favor.
Therefore, the King had once again summoned Shu Tingyu to discuss borrowing money, and he believed that this discussion would proceed very smoothly and that the Hidden Yuan Society would not dare to displease him.
However, he had been waiting for an hour, and Elder Shu Tingyu of the Hidden Yuan Society had still not arrived. He had to borrow the money this time. Ning Yuanxian's eighty thousand troops were assembled and ready; as soon as the funds were secured, they could march south immediately. The bow was drawn, and the arrow had to be loosed. Every day the army was delayed from entering Nan'ou, the situation on the battlefield grew more precarious. Thus, Ning Yuanxian was determined to secure the loan this time.
***
After another quarter of an hour, Shu Tingyu finally sauntered in.
“This old servant greets Your Majesty!”
Shu Tingyu once again stumbled as he knelt to perform the rite. This time, Ning Yuanxian did not help him up, merely raising a hand to acknowledge the greeting.
“I have summoned you, Elder Shu, for the same reason as before: to borrow money. I wish to borrow four million gold coins from your society, using the salt tax as collateral!”
Previously, he had asked for three and a half million gold coins; this time, it had become four million. His appetite had grown. Upon hearing the King’s words, Shu Tingyu gave no reply, remaining silent. The King frowned at his demeanor.
‘What is the meaning of this? I have triumphed over the King of Chu, my might resounds in all directions, and I appear healthy and vigorous enough to reign for another twenty or thirty years. And yet, you do not give me a straight answer?’
Ning Yuanxian worried that his authority would not hold sway over the Hidden Yuan Society, while the Hidden Yuan Society worried that Ning Yuanxian would harm them. Ning Yuanxian needed something from the Hidden Yuan Society; he had to borrow money. But how could the Hidden Yuan Society not fear Ning Yuanxian? After all, they had to do business within the borders of Yue. Could Ning Yuanxian completely sever ties with the Hidden Yuan Society now? That would also be difficult, because he owed them an incalculable debt—so much that he could not possibly repay it all during his reign.
Shu Tingyu still did not speak, and the King grew unbearably anxious and furious inside.
‘Hidden Yuan Society, what are you trying to do? Do you intend to completely antagonize me?’
After a long moment, Shu Tingyu finally spoke.
“Your Majesty, the Hidden Yuan Society can lend you the money. We request that you send His Highness the Crown Prince to negotiate the specific details and finalize the contract with us.”
Hearing this, Ning Yuanxian was so enraged that his face instantly turned crimson. He could not believe what he had just heard.
‘What is the meaning of this? Asking the Crown Prince to step forward and borrow the money? Are you trying to interfere in the internal affairs of Yue? Interfere in my family matters? Are you saying I, Ning Yuanxian, cannot borrow the money, but Crown Prince Ning Yi can? In the eyes of your Hidden Yuan Society, do I carry less weight than the Crown Prince? Are you trying to burn all bridges with me? Is this the Crown Prince's idea, or that of your Hidden Yuan Society?’
Ning Yuanxian asked coldly.
“Elder Shu, did I hear you correctly?”
Elder Shu Tingyu of the Hidden Yuan Society spoke slowly.
“Your Majesty did not mishear. The Hidden Yuan Society can lend you the money. However, Your Majesty must send His Highness the Crown Prince to negotiate the contract.”
Ning Yuanxian was so furious he burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha! Shu Tingyu, do you think I cannot procure the funds without your Hidden Yuan Society? Surely you don't believe I am incapable of casting you aside?”
Elder Shu Tingyu of the Hidden Yuan Society bowed his head and replied.
“This old servant would not dare to think such a thing.”
But inwardly, Shu Tingyu sneered.
‘Your Majesty Ning Yuanxian, do you know how much money you have borrowed from us? You may not, but we know very well. Furthermore, we know exactly how empty your treasury has become because of a spendthrift monarch like you. Right now, your eighty thousand troops are assembled, waiting only for their pay. The situation is tense, and they must depart for the Nan'ou battlefield with utmost urgency. Time waits for no man. Others may be deceived by your strong facade, but not the Hidden Yuan Society. Besides us, who can produce so much money at once?
Moreover, this is only the beginning; you will need to borrow a second and third time. Can you get that money from the Heavenly Dao Society? No, you absolutely cannot. The only one you can rely on is us, the Hidden Yuan Society. If you agree to this proposal today, you can still save some face. If you refuse with a show of force today, only to come back and beg me later, that will be a true disgrace to a monarch. Your royal dignity will be in tatters.’
Besides, this was only the Hidden Yuan Society's first condition. Once Ning Yuanxian compromised, the society would present a second condition, pressuring Shen Lang to hand over the formula for glass mirrors. Then a third condition would follow, and so on, an endless list of demands. With the State of Yue in crisis and in need of the Hidden Yuan Society's help, he could ask for whatever he wanted.
“Hahaha! Did you think that without you, the butcher, I would be forced to eat an unbutchered hog? Guards, see Elder Shu out!”
Enraged, Ning Yuanxian immediately had Elder Shu Tingyu of the Hidden Yuan Society thrown out of the palace.