Chapter 206: Compromise

Zhao Pu didn't know when he had already stood there; he held a cup of hot tea, his face showing no expression.

"Your Majesty, getting angry late at night harms the dragon body. Have a cup of tea to reduce the fire."

Zhao Kuangyin's chest heaved violently; he stared fixedly at Zhao Pu: "You also saw it! You also saw it! What are they doing? They are demonstrating against me! They are rebelling!"

Zhao Pu gently placed the teacup on the imperial case, not spilling a drop.

"Your Majesty, I believe this is not a demonstration at all; on the contrary… it is a good thing."

"A good thing?" Zhao Kuangyin seemed to have heard a huge joke, "A knife is already at my throat, and you tell me this is a good thing?"

"Your Majesty, please consider." Zhao Pu said calmly, "If the Wang family truly harbored rebellious intent, why would they openly display such weapons before us? They could keep it secret and strike suddenly one day; then our Great Song would be in peril."

Zhao Kuangyin staggered, his furious thoughts slightly calming.

Yes, if Wang Che wanted to rebel, he should have hidden those weapons tightly, catching us off guard. Why would he stage a "military exercise" in front of the envoy we sent?

"By putting this military force out in the open, they clearly show they currently have no rebellious intent." Zhao Pu's voice was like a sedative, slowly seeping into Zhao Kuangyin's heart.

"This is not a demonstration, Your Majesty. This is negotiation."

"They first respectfully received your imperial edict, agreeing to all your demands—marriage alliances, sending people, presenting blueprints, none lacking. This is to give you face, telling you they are willing to be your subjects."

"Then they let you see their weapons and equipment. This is revealing their trump card, telling you that this subject is not to be provoked. If you want to move against them, you must weigh the cost you would have to pay."

Zhao Pu's gaze turned sharp: "They are drawing a line, Your Majesty. On this side of the line are ruler-subject relations, tribute trade, everyone living in peace. But once you wish to cross this line…"

Zhao Kuangyin felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him from head to foot.

He completely calmed down.

Zhao Pu was right. Wang Che that brat wasn't provoking; he was using the most direct, blunt way to have an equal dialogue with this emperor of mine.

The gist of the dialogue is simple: I can be your subject, but you cannot treat me as your slave.

"Good… good a Wang Che…" Zhao Kuangyin slumped back onto the dragon throne, his back clothes already soaked with cold sweat.

Only now did he realize that all his previous schemes—marriage alliances, planting spies, sowing discord—were utterly laughable in the face of the opponent's absolute strength.

He could marry off the princess, but if he dared to move against the Wang family, that princess would be the first burial sacrifice.

He could appoint Wang Hao as a magistrate, but as long as Wang Che is willing, the official position he promised is utterly insignificant before Wang Hao.

He could obtain that steam engine, but as Zhao Pu said, that is the "fruit," not the "root." The true root is the Wang family's Investigating Things learning, their mysterious Science Academy. And that root, he cannot touch at all.

A forced attack?

Zhao Kuangyin glanced at the huge map on the wall. Southern Tang not yet pacified, Southern Han not yet determined; to the north, there is the covetous Northern Han. If at this moment we expended the nation's strength to attack Yangzhou, even if we could take it, Great Song would surely be gravely weakened, and then only others would benefit.

Moreover… could we really take it?

Just thinking of that giant ship instantly shattered, Zhao Kuangyin's heart couldn't help but twitch.

Cannot fight.

At least for now, cannot fight.

"Then, according to your opinion, what should I do?" Zhao Kuangyin's voice was full of fatigue and helplessness. This was the first time since his ascension that he felt this way.

A fleeting glint of sharpness flashed in Zhao Pu's eyes.

"Your Majesty, since we cannot be enemies, we can only be friends."

"What the Wang family wants is nothing but profit. They want overseas trade, to bring back resources from Dongying. Then we will give them that profit."

"Issue a secret edict to Han Wei. Tell him, regarding the Maritime Trade Office's duties, let him turn a blind eye. As for the Wang family's ships, as long as they are not openly carrying weapons and armor, do not inspect them. Clear water holds no fish; giving them some convenience is leaving ourselves a retreat."

"Furthermore, it is pacification." Zhao Pu continued, "The wedding of the Princess of Yongning must be grand, conducted splendidly. Increase the rewards. Let all under heaven see how much favor Your Majesty bestows upon this 'Marquis of Investigating Things'."

"What we need to do now is not to weaken them by any means, but to make use of them."

"Your Majesty, don't forget that they also presented Investigating Things learning. With their artisans and blueprints, we can also build our own steam engines, our own firearms! We may not catch up to them immediately, but as long as we start learning, someday we will grasp their ways."

Zhao Kuangyin's eyes slowly brightened.

Yes!

Can't beat them, join them!

What he needs most now is time! Time to learn the Wang family's technology!

As long as Great Song can also master this power, the humiliation the Wang family inflicted on him today will be repaid a hundredfold in the future!

"Good! I'll follow your plan!" Zhao Kuangyin's fighting spirit reignited, but within it lay a hint of restraint and greed.

"Issue the edict! Order the Minister of Rites to personally go to Yangzhou to preside over the Marquis of Investigating Things' wedding! All expenses from the national treasury!"

"Also send a secret edict to Han Wei, letting him… let him understand the Wang family's difficulties."

"Moreover…" Zhao Kuangyin's gaze fell on that secret report, "Let our side speed up imitation. I want to know exactly what that steam engine is!"

He rose, walked to the window, gazing eastward, toward Yangzhou.

The night was deep, but he seemed to see, on that land, a giant beast named "Investigating Things" slowly opening its eyes.

He drew a deep breath, silently chanting in his heart.

Wait, Wang family. Wait, Wang Che.

I, will wait.

I have plenty of patience.