Chapter 86: Discussing the Marriage Alliance

However, it matters which princess or clan lady is sent for the marriage alliance.

After all, this marriage alliance is merely a stopgap measure.

Once the Da Qian dynasty has quelled its internal rebellions, it will surely not tolerate Su Ye, this rebel.

At that point, the conflict will inevitably escalate.

Moreover, the princess or clan lady involved in this marriage alliance will surely become a sacrifice of war!

Furthermore, he also knows that a marriage alliance is an extremely sensitive means.

If mishandled, it could provoke even more disputes and dissatisfaction.

Therefore, he needs to carefully weigh the pros and cons of this suggestion.

In the end, Si Xiao Fei decided to temporarily set this issue aside.

He needs more time and information to assess the feasibility of this proposal.

Thus he waved his hand: 'This matter is of great importance; allow me to consider it further.'

The young official received the emperor's tacit approval and secretly felt delighted.

He knew his suggestion had already attracted the emperor's attention, and this was exactly the outcome he wanted.

He deeply understood that in the game of power, a marriage alliance is an extremely important political tool capable of bringing immeasurable benefits to the dynasty.

However, he also knew that a marriage alliance is no easy task.

It involves numerous complex interests and family feuds; a slight misstep could trigger a greater crisis.

Therefore, he needs to handle this matter even more cautiously, ensuring everything proceeds smoothly.

After bowing, the officials in the study withdrew quietly, leaving only that dim yellow lamp to keep Si Xiao Fei company through the long, silent night.

He sat alone on the dragon throne, his back appearing somewhat lonely and helpless.

The next day, at court.

At the break of dawn, the golden sunlight flooded the palace's main hall, casting a solemn and mysterious atmosphere.

The court bell rang sonorously, echoing through every corner of the palace and summoning the officials to the main hall.

The officials, dressed in various robes, stepped onto the stone stairs and slowly entered the main hall.

Their expressions were solemn, their steps steady, showing their regard for the court assembly.

At the hall's entrance, several eunuchs loudly announced the officials' ranks and names; their voices reverberated in the hall, adding a sense of solemnity.

The officials arranged themselves in order of rank along both sides of the hall.

They held their tablets, bowed their heads, and stood upright, awaiting the emperor's arrival.

The hall was hushed, save for occasional whispers and footsteps, which added a touch of mystery.

Suddenly, a melodious tune sounded, and Si Xiao Fei, clad in a dragon robe, walked slowly into the main hall.

Behind him followed a few attendants, holding long swords and dragon fans, their steps vigorous and strong.

The emperor's dragon robe glittered in the sunlight, his crown flashing with brilliant light, making him appear majestic and divine.

The officials knelt in unison, bowing their heads to kowtow to the emperor.

Their voices rose in unison, filled with reverence and loyalty: 'Long live the emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!'

Si Xiao Fei sat upon the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the hall.

He gave a slight nod, and the eunuch announced the start of court.

The officials came forward one by one to report on affairs, their voices rising and falling, full of respect and caution.

After hearing the various reports from the officials below,

"Esteemed ministers, yesterday I received a battle report: on the front lines, our Da Qian's war against the Yellow Turbans is unfavorable."

"At the same time, the heir of the Yun King of the two eastern provinces, under the pretense of supporting Cangzhou, has seized control of Cangzhou without imperial permission, appointed himself Inspector of Cangzhou, raised troops extensively, and appears to harbor rebellious intentions."

"I wish to ask, what good strategies do you have?"

Si Xiao Fei's voice carried a hint of fatigue, yet remained firm and strong.

The hall fell silent; the officials glanced at each other, each lost in thought.

They well knew that the Da Qian dynasty now finds itself in tumultuous times, where any word or deed could affect the dynasty's fate.

Meanwhile, the main forces of Da Qian are being tied down by the Taiping Sect's Yellow Turban rebel bandits.

If, at this moment, the Yun King and the Yun King's heir stationed in Cangzhou were to stab the Da Qian dynasty in the back,

that would truly be a matter of life and death!

Just then, as the officials in the Da Qian court were at a loss,

the young official who had spoken earlier broke the silence, stepping forward and kneeling before the emperor: 'Your Majesty, I have a remark I am unsure whether to utter.'

The emperor looked at the young official, a flicker of encouragement in his eyes: 'Speak.'

The young official took a deep breath: 'Your Majesty, I believe we should consider pacifying the two eastern provinces through a marriage alliance.'

As soon as he spoke, the hall erupted in an uproar.

Some senior officials immediately objected, deeming it a desecration of the imperial dignity.

They advocated taking hardline measures, directly sending troops to suppress the rebellion in the two eastern provinces.

Did they not realize that, for the Da Qian dynasty at this juncture, the most advantageous course is to stabilize the two eastern provinces?

They know it!

However, the marriage alliance has both advantages and disadvantages.

First, the fate of the princess or clan lady involved in this marriage alliance is destined to be miserable.

As the Da Qian's war with the Yellow Turbans gradually concludes, the two eastern provinces will surely be settled by Da Qian.

By then, this will become a stain on the Da Qian imperial house.

Then the person who previously proposed this marriage alliance will naturally meet no better end.

Someone has to take the blame for the royal family's face.

For this group of old foxes in the Great Qian court,

This plan can be used!

But it cannot come from one's own mouth.

Otherwise, for just a bit of meat, you'd bring trouble upon yourself.

Not worth it!

And that young official doesn't have so many scruples.

What he needs to consider most now is how to strive upward, rather than being hesitant.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The court officials will not be the first to speak.

As for speaking about what happens after the marriage alliance,

Then we'll talk about it later!

Si Xiao Fei looked at the officials below, who were discussing heatedly, a flash of understanding crossed his mind; he naturally also knew what this group of old foxes were thinking.

He took a deep breath, interrupted everyone's discussion: "Esteemed officials, please hear my words."

Everyone immediately fell silent, their gazes all focused on the emperor.

I understand your concerns, esteemed officials; marriage alliance is indeed a sensitive measure, but what Great Qian needs now is stability and unity.

I am not intending to sacrifice princesses or clan women for temporary peace.

I wish to express the imperial family's stance through marriage alliance, demonstrating our desire and determination for peace under heaven.

Looking at the obedient officials below, Si Xiao Fei's eyes flashed with a hint of helplessness, and he slowly spoke.

Of course, marriage alliance is merely one of our strategies, not the goal.

Our true purpose is to stabilize the two eastern provinces, preventing them from taking advantage of the dynasty's turmoil to rebel, thereby buying Great Qian more time to face the current crisis.

He paused, his gaze firm as he looked at the many officials below.

Upon hearing the emperor's words, the officials in the hall began to gradually set aside their worries and doubts.

Of course they knew that at this time the dynasty most needed unity and cooperation, not internal strife and division.

Therefore, after the Great Qian emperor Si Xiao Fei took the lead, the court officials immediately began to reconsider the feasibility and pros and cons of this marriage alliance proposal.

(End of chapter)