Chapter 354

"They also fought a fierce battle against the arriving Northern Liao grand army and emerged victorious."

After Zhuang Zhu Xuejiu finished speaking, he looked at the crowd in the lecture hall, taking their expressions, movements, and glances all in.

"Regarding this matter, how do you all view it?"

Sheng Changfeng spoke up first: "Zhu Xuejiu, are the Jin army forces truly that formidable?"

Zhuang Zhu Xuejiu gestured with the official gazette in his hand.

Sheng Changfeng looked embarrassed.

Subsequently, Zhu Xuejiu saw Qi Heng's expression and said: "Heng-ger?"

Qi Heng rose and clasped his hands in a bow, saying:

"Zhu Xuejiu, this student believes that the Jin's ability to win two consecutive battles proves their combat strength is formidable."

"But Northern Liao's territory is vast; the armies guarding Northern Liao's Upper, Middle, Western, and Southern Capitals still remain. Having lost this battle, they should not yet be at a point of crippling injury."

"Our Great Zhou should continue to observe."

Gu Gu Tingye, seated to Qi Heng's right, stood up, bowed to Zhuang Zhu Xuejiu with clasped hands, and said:

"Heng-ger, your words are mistaken!"

"In recent years, Northern Liao launched multiple campaigns against the Jin, suffering consecutive defeats; even the Northern Liao Emperor was nearly captured by the Jin."

"Before the New Year, the fifty prefectures of Liaodong declared independence as the Great Bohai Kingdom."

"Previously, Prince Yelu Ying, the only one to lead Northern Liao troops to victory, was exiled north of Northern Liao, where he subdued the Jada Lan tribe and now holds a standoff against the Wugu Di Lie Army Command at Northern Liao's Upper Capital."

"Our Great Zhou has tied down the forces of Northern Liao's Western and Southern Capitals; the forces east of the Middle Capital have been defeated. How could they not be suffering crippling injury?"

"Therefore, our Great Zhou should temporarily halt the campaign against Bai Gao, ally with Prince Yelu Ying and the Jin, and first destroy Northern Liao."

Hearing Gu Gu Tingye's words, Qi Heng asked in a daze: "Second Uncle, where did you see these reports?"

Gu Gu Tingye said: "Naturally, from the official gazette."

And also from his own eldest brother's 'slight' analysis, as well as Gu Gu Tingye's own insights.

Qi Heng clasped his hands: "Second Uncle, Northern Liao is a vast nation; it is not so easily destroyed."

Zhuang Zhu Xuejiu nodded, gesturing for the two to sit, then said: "Sheng Changbai?"

Sheng Changbai stood up, clasped his hands in a bow, and said:

"Zhu Xuejiu, this student believes that currently the Jin's military might is at its peak; after consecutive victories, their morale is soaring!"

"Even if Northern Liao and our Great Zhou compromise, moving troops from the Western and Southern Capitals eastward to fight a great battle against the Jin, their chances of victory are still slim."

"To the north is Prince Yelu Ying, to the south is our Great Zhou, and to the east is the Jin; Northern Liao's destruction is imminent."

"And the Jin may become a formidable enemy of our Great Zhou in the future; we must guard against them!"

"Therefore, our Great Zhou should sharpen its weapons and feed its horses, temporarily halt the campaign against the Bai Gao Kingdom, and be prepared to avoid disaster!"

Zhuang Zhu Xuejiu smiled without committing to an opinion and similarly gestured for Sheng Changbai to sit.

Subsequently, Zhuang Zhu Xuejiu looked around the lecture hall, glancing at the three Lan once.

Seeing Mo Lan turned back to look at Sheng Changfeng; seeing Sheng Changfeng's expression of total indifference, Seeing Mo Lan glared at him with hatred;

Hearing Rulan scratched the corner of her mouth with her finger, seemingly still thinking about the locations of the several Northern Liao Southern Capitals Sheng Changbai mentioned;

Minglan held a brush in one hand, watching Sheng Changbai while nodding continuously, then looked with confusion at Xu Xu Zaijing in the corner.

"Rrrrip"

Zhuang Zhu Xuejiu unfolded his paper fan and said: "Xu Zaijing?"

Xu Xu Zaijing stood up, clasped his hands in a bow, and said:

"Zhu Xuejiu, this student believes Northern Liao's fate is not yet exhausted! Moreover, our Great Zhou should not merely observe; we should cut through the tangle with a swift blade and launch a campaign against Bai Gao!"

Zhuang Zhu Xuejiu said with a smile: "Oh?"

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's words, everyone in the lecture hall turned to look at Xu Xu Zaijing.

Xu Xu Zaijing continued:

"Zhu Xuejiu, the official gazette states that Northern Liao imperial clansman Prince Yelu Ying was exiled north of Northern Liao, yet he first subdued the Mongol tribes and then seized control of the Northwest Route Pacification Commission."

"However, for these past days, he has been in a standoff with the Wugu Di Lie Army Command, with no reports of mutual attacks."

"This student believes Prince Yelu Ying is preserving the elite forces for Northern Liao."

"And once our Great Zhou's northern forces show any movement to campaign against Northern Liao, this student believes Prince Yelu Ying will attack our Great Zhou's army first."

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's words, Gu Gu Tingye shook his head and said: "Jing-ger, the place where they are in a standoff is over a thousand li from Great Zhou; how could it be that fast!"

Xu Xu Zaijing raised an eyebrow and said: "Yuan Yuan Erlang, the troops under Marquis Gu are mostly infantry, while the troops led by Prince Yelu Ying are all cavalry, and moreover, one man per horse!"

Sheng Changbai said in confusion: "Jing-ger, then what is Prince Yelu Ying waiting for?"

Xu Xu Zaijing replied: "Naturally, he is waiting for our Great Zhou and the Bai Gao Kingdom to fight each other to a standstill, leaving no strength to attend to Northern Liao."

Gu Gu Tingye added: "Jing-ger, if this happens, when the Jin reaches Northern Liao's Middle Capital, many people will die; perhaps the Northern Liao Emperor..."

Gu Gu Tingye did not continue speaking.

Qi Heng said: "Second Uncle, why don't you finish? Perhaps the Northern Liao Emperor will what?"

Gu Gu Tingye looked at Qi Heng and said:

"Heng-ger, Prince Yelu Ying and her younger brother Prince Yelu Sun are also Northern Liao imperial clansmen!"

"And Prince Yelu Ying not only commands heavy troops herself, but she is also the only one who has won a battle against the Jin during Northern Liao's consecutive defeats in the war against the Jin!"

Qi Heng suddenly understood: "Second Uncle, are you saying Prince Yelu Ying wants to self..."

Qi Heng did not continue speaking either.

Zhuang Zhu Xuejiu closed his paper fan and tapped the table, saying: "Xu Zaijing, if you say this, how do you know that when Great Zhou fully campaigns against Bai Gao, Prince Yelu Ying will not come to help the Bai Gao Kingdom?"

Xu Xu Zaijing clasped his hands and said:

"Zhu Xuejiu, under Prince Yelu Ying is a unit commanded by her uncle, formerly the troops of the Northern Liao Northwest Route Pacification Commission; their pastures are close to our Great Zhou and Bai Gao, so naturally they will not be separated out,"

"The people of the Northwest Pacification Office were originally responsible for controlling and managing the Mongol tribes, so naturally they did not wish to have Mongol tribes near themselves."

"Although the Helan Mountains of the Bai Gao Kingdom have good pastures, their area is not enough to accommodate the Mongol tribes led by Prince Yelu Ying, and they would also face fighting against our Great Zhou cavalry and Bai Gao soldiers."

"Such effort yields no reward; why not simply wait for the Northern Liao nobles to die in battle in Liaodong, and then directly seize the pastures near the Upper Capital for convenience?"

Qi Heng asked in confusion, "Brother Jing, are you saying the Mongol tribes are following Prince Yelu Ying for the pastures near the Northern Liao Upper Capital?"

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile on his face.

Master Zhuang glanced at Minglan in the corner of the lecture hall; just now, Minglan's eyes had been full of realization, but she had said nothing.

Gu Gu Tingye suddenly understood and said, "Master, isn't this Prince Yelu Ying's strategy of driving the tiger to swallow the wolf?"

Master Zhuang waved his fan, signaling Xu Xu Zaijing to speak.

Xu Xu Zaijing cupped his hands and said:

"Yuan Yuan Erlang, it is too early to determine who is the wolf and who is the tiger."

"But before the fat meat of the lush pastures near the Upper Capital thrown out by Prince Yelu Ying, the tiger and the wolf must first fight a battle."

Zhang Sheng Changbai said, "Brother Jing, then won't the tiger and the wolf join hands to eat the Northern Liao first?"

Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "It should not be so; I heard the Northern Liao has always appeased and intermarried with the Mongol tribes, and Northern Liao nobles and the imperial clan have many relatives among the Mongol tribes."

Gu Gu Tingye asked curiously from the side, "Brother Jing, where did you learn about these matters between the Northern Liao and the Mongol tribes?"

Xu Xu Zaijing scratched his head and said:

"Yuan Yuan Erlang, it was when I accompanied Fourth Brother Zhang of the Duke of Ying's Zhang family and the Northern Liao envoy to shoot arrows at the Southern Imperial Garden outside the Nanxun Gate; I chatted a bit with the Northern Liao envoy."

Gu Gu Tingye looked at Xu Xu Zaijing in confusion and said, "Brother Jing, do you chat with the Northern Liao envoy about this for no reason?"

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded.

Master Zhuang said, "Brother Jing, but Bai Gao has been established for many years; how could it be so easy to conquer?"

Xu Xu Zaijing bowed and said, "Master, Bai Gao has been established for many years, but internal chaos of this sort, with widespread slaughter of the Bai Gao imperial clan, has never happened before."

Master Zhuang nodded in approval, listening to the distant time-keeping shout coming from outside the courtyard, and said:

"Good! Let us stop discussing here for today."

"As for what happens next, let us watch the situation unfold."

"Disperse."

Everyone in the lecture hall hurriedly stood up: "Respectfully see off the Master."

Shou'an Hall

The Old Lady looked at Xu Xu Zaijing eating with big mouthfuls, smiled slightly, and said, "How are Huilan and the child these past few days?"

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded and said:

"Great-aunt, all is well! They can eat and sleep."

"It's just that my brother worries a bit; as soon as the child cries, he wakes up faster than the wet nurse."

The Old Lady shook her head with a smile on her face.

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing devouring his food, the Old Lady also ate much more than usual.

Seeing this scene, Mother Fang on the side told Sister Sister Danju to go boil some digestive tea to keep ready.

Two quarters of an hour later,

Mother Cui, with Cuiwei, took away the nearly empty dishes from the table.

Sister Sister Danju and Mother Fang then served the sweet and sour tea.

When the Old Lady herself held the tea cup and took two sips, Xu Xu Zaijing was already having a somewhat surprised Sister Sister Danju refill his tea cup for him.

The Old Lady smiled and looked at Xu Xu Zaijing, saying:

"Brother Jing, why did you think to come eat lunch here with an old woman like me today?"

Xu Xu Zaijing said:

"Hehe, your nephew-grandson just missed Mother Fang's cooking."

The Old Lady: "Oh?"

Xu Xu Zaijing looked into the Old Lady's eyes, sighed, looked at the tea cup placed on the table, and said:

"Missing Mother Fang's cooking is only one reason; there is another matter, which is"

The Old Lady assumed a listening posture and looked at Xu Xu Zaijing kindly.

"Great-aunt, it's just that your nephew-grandson was previously acquainted with Xiao Zhao, a minor official of the Imperial City Office; Xiao Zhao's subordinate, Captain Gao, while going on official business to the southeast, passed through Youyang."

The Old Lady nodded, signaling Xu Xu Zaijing to continue speaking.

"After returning, while drinking with your nephew-grandson, he mentioned some matters of Youyang County."

"Great-aunt, you know your nephew-grandson took the provincial examination this year; after Captain Gao learned of this, he told your nephew-grandson that there is a scholar surnamed Sun in Youyang who became a Xiucai at twelve."

"The one he is betrothed to is precisely the young lady from the eldest branch of the Sheng family in Youyang."

The Old Lady's face showed a helpless bitter smile, and she said, "Did he tell you that the Sun family is an unsuitable family to marry into?"

Xu Xu Zaijing raised his head, looked at the Old Lady with some surprise on his face, then looked at Mother Fang standing nearby, and said, "Great-aunt, you know about this!?"

Mother Fang glanced at the Old Lady, who nodded at her, and said:

"Fifth Young Master, our Xu family has an old residence in Jiangning Prefecture, and the Old Lady's several estates are all in the prefectures of that area."

"Because the distance to Youyang is not far, when the Old Lady learned of the object of Sheng Shulan's betrothal back then, she had someone inquire about this Xiucai Sun."

"After inquiring clearly, she also told the Old Lady of the eldest branch that this Xiucai might not be a good match! But the Old Lady of the eldest branch said"

The Old Lady shook her head and said:

"My elder sister-in-law also liked that the young man of the Sun family became a Xiucai at such a young age; she said, at the very least, he could become a Juren in the future, and in Youyang, he would count as an asset for the Sheng family."

"Moreover, the Sun family consists of orphans and widows; they cannot stir up any trouble!"

"Since my elder sister-in-law said so, we could not meddle any further; meddling further would only cause unhappiness!"

Xu Xu Zaijing thought to himself:

'True, Great-Aunt has seen much over these years; how could she not inquire about the suitor for her great-niece?'

'But since the Matriarch of the Eldest Branch of the Sheng family has made the final decision, further words are useless.'

'I anticipated the worst outcome, yet I did not expect it to be this bad.'

'This may well be why the Matriarch of the Eldest Branch held on to her last breath, determined to pull Sheng Shulan out of the fire pit.'

Pondering this, Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head in secret, then suddenly had a flash of insight and said, "Great-Aunt, did you not say the Li family has a young man who excels in his studies?"

The Matriarch said nothing.

Seeing the look in the Matriarch's eyes as she gazed at him, Xu Xu Zaijing scratched his brow, thought for a moment, and said:

"Great-Aunt, could it be that the Li young man is seeking a bride from an official's family?"

The Matriarch nodded and said:

"Having passed the imperial examination, naturally he seeks an official's family; this provides support on his official career path and allows him to go far."

"Your cousin followed this very path back then."

"Moreover, the Li young man's achievements in the imperial examinations are unknown; why would the Li family be so foolish as to seek an ordinary merchant family?"

Saying this, the Matriarch shook her head.

Then, looking at Xu Xu Zaijing, who had lowered his head to drink tea without speaking, the Matriarch said:

"Jing-ge is so concerned for his relatives; your heart is in the right place."

"Rest assured, over these years, the business of the Eldest Branch of the Sheng family has grown ever larger."

"My nephew Sheng Wei told this old woman that in the past year or two, he has come into contact with many noble and high-ranking officials. He has also told this old woman more than once how deeply grateful he is for the assistance provided by those dukes, marquises, and earls."

"Just a Xiucai, after all; in Sheng Wei's eyes now, he may truly count for nothing."

Xu Xu Zaijing raised his head, smiled, and said, "Great-Aunt speaks the truth."

Saying this, he set down his tea cup, rose, stretched, and then said, "Great-Aunt, then I shall go to the school for my lessons."

The Matriarch smiled and nodded.

Watching Xu Xu Zaijing disappear from the entrance of Shou'an Hall with the well-fed maid, the Matriarch sighed deeply and said:

"Cui Cui Ruan, have Wei Wei Xiaoniang bring Cheng-ge over."

Cui Mama bowed from the side and replied, "Yes."

In less than half a ke,

Wei Wei Shuyi arrived at Shou'an Hall with Sheng Changcheng.

"Changcheng, pay respects to Grandmother!"

Seeing her grandson, who was nearly three years old, the Matriarch's face lit up with a bright smile as she lifted him onto the Arhat bed.

The Matriarch looked at Wei Wei Shuyi and said, "I heard from the maid in your courtyard that Cheng-ge is already copying calligraphy models at such a young age?"

Wei Wei Shuyi performed a bow:

"Yes, Lady."

"How is his copying?"

Wei Wei Shuyi smiled and said, "Stroke by stroke, he actually has a proper form. Why not have Sister Sister Xiaodie bring some for you to see?"

The Matriarch smiled and nodded.

After a while, holding the calligraphy model that Sheng Changcheng had copied, the Matriarch looked at Wei Wei Shuyi, who was seated on an embroidered stool, and nodded, saying:

"Judging by the calligraphy model Cheng-ge copies at this age, his future handwriting will surely be more beautiful than Minglan's!"

Wei Wei Shuyi, seated on the embroidered stool, smiled and bowed slightly: "Lady speaks the truth."

In the latter half of the fourth month,

on this day,

after several days of lessons, Zhuang Xueju announced a day of rest.

Xu Xu Zaijing, unusually, was walking his horse at the riding ground in the morning.

After riding a few laps,

he saw a carriage and horses enter the courtyard where the riding ground was located.

Among them, two riders on horseback walked toward Xu Xu Zaijing.

"Jing-ge? Bo-ge? Why have you come?"

"Han Wulang, we have come to seek instruction. We heard your Jinbuhuan has been raised! Mother and my sister have just dismounted at the Second Gate."

"We two brothers have come to the riding ground to take a look."

(End of this chapter)