Chapter 242: The Longing of Tiemuta

In the gloomy night, the figure of Liang Feng quickly merged into the darkness.

The smile on Han Xin's face gradually faded: "To deal with Yan Wang this time, the Liang Family has truly paid a heavy price, actually giving such an important thing to our Han Family."

Han Zheng narrowed his eyes, "Sea Trade Rights are a taboo for the Liang Family. Fifty years ago, the Xie Family once had designs on sea rights, but it ended up angering the Liang Family. The Liang Family dispatched assassins to kill the eldest son of the Xie Family at the time, and the Xie Family retaliated by killing several Liang Family disciples in Jingshi. The two families fought tooth and nail, and in the end, it only concluded with the Xie Family no longer mentioning the matter of sea rights."

Clearing his throat, he said: "Otherwise, do you think the other seven families don't understand the profits of sea trade? They just don't want to engage in internal strife again and give the Imperial Clan an opportunity."

He then continued: "This time, the Liang Family agreed to share Sea Trade Rights with Yan Wang, but it is actually just a stopgap measure. What they care about is the Artillery, but in their hearts, they likely hate Yan Wang even more than the Dou Family does."

Han Xin nodded, "The Dou Family wants to topple Yan Wang for the sake of the Third Prince, and the Liang Family wants to topple Yan Wang to monopolize the Sea Trade Rights. I didn't expect that although our Han Family lost the Yuan Family, we have gained these benefits because of Yan Wang."

Han Zheng stroked his beard, smiling and nodding.

Among the Eight Great Influential Clans, the Wang Family and the Han Family are the ones facing Yan Wang directly.

Therefore, after Yan Wang took charge of Yanzhou, the Wang Family, worried about Yan Wang, privately reached an agreement with the Han Family to defend and assist each other.

Now, with the added support of the Liang Family, the Han Family's strength in the imperial court has increased rather than decreased.

Even Dou Wei probably wouldn't have thought of this.

"Hehe, the chips for the Second Prince to ascend the throne have increased again. Dou Wei, Xie Duan, you surely wouldn't have thought of this, right?" Han Zheng sneered repeatedly.

For every influential clan, the benefits brought by supporting an Imperial Prince to ascend the throne are enormous.

So enormous that the influential clan is willing to endure huge losses just to compete for it?

What is the reason?

As long as the Imperial Prince ascends the throne as Emperor, for the next several decades, this influential clan will be the most powerful among the Eight Great Influential Clans.

Just like the current Dou Family.

Back then, it was precisely with the support of the Dou Family and the Xie Family that Zhao Xu seized the throne.

In return, Zhao Xu gave the position of Prime Minister to the Dou Family.

He gave the position of Empress to the Xie Family.

Over these years, relying on the real power of the Prime Minister, Dou Wei has provided the Dou Family with a massive amount of benefits.

With the Empress as their backer, the Xie Family also possesses unparalleled influence in the imperial court.

Yet before Zhao Heng ascended the throne, the Dou Family was merely a bottom-tier clan among the Eight Great Influential Clans, and the Xie Family was also of only middling status.

Previously, their Han Family, Ma Family, Wang Family, and Liang Family were the most prosperous influential clans.

Now, with the Xie Family and the Dou Family still wanting to continue holding onto the throne, how could he be willing to continue bowing his head to these two families?

Thinking of this, he said to Han Xin: "In two days, you will return to Qizhou. You must handle this matter well. The Liang Family is not stupid; they never release the hawk until they see the rabbit."

Han Xin's mouth curled up into an evil smile, "Father, rest assured. A matter that can both make Yan Wang suffer and bring benefits to the Han Family—I will certainly accomplish it!"

Hearing this, Han Zheng was very satisfied in his heart.

The golden morning sun dispelled the darkness of the night.

Tiemuta and the accompanying Northern Di officials packed their bags and, accompanied by officials from the Court of State Ceremonial, arrived outside Jinling City and set off toward the north.

Looking back at the prosperous Jinling City, he actually felt a trace of reluctance.

Here, there were charming women, endless Fine Wine, soft and comfortable bedding, and towering, beautiful pavilions.

By comparison, the Grassland was so desolate and shabby.

Yet all of this did not make him forget the Grassland.

On the contrary, his longing for the Grassland grew heavier day by day.

He had to go back and sharpen his weapons and feed his horses.

One day, he would sit on the Dragon Throne in this Jinling Imperial Palace.

When that time came, he would make all the Imperial Concubines of the Emperor of Great Song kneel before him, waiting for his selection.

Because the people of Jinling said that the most beautiful women in the world were all in the Imperial Palace.

He would have the Northern Di soldiers move all the gold, silver, and jewels from the Da Song treasury before him.

Because the people of Jinling said that the wealth of the world was accumulated there.

"When will we be able to enjoy this Jinling City to our hearts' content?" a Northern Di official sighed.

Other Northern Di officials revealed greedy expressions, casting their gazes toward Tiemuta.

"After returning to the Grassland, you must tell every Northern Di person about the prosperity of Da Song. Tell them that Da Song has inexhaustible money, and beautiful women who make men unwilling to leave their beds for days and nights. If they want to obtain all of this, let them sharpen their swords and blades, and feed their Warhorses until they are strong. Before long, the great Khan will lead them to slaughter all the men of Da Song and occupy everything of Da Song!" Tiemuta shouted loudly, unable to hide the fanatical fighting spirit in his eyes.

The Northern Di officials laughed heartily, beginning to fantasize about the arrival of that day.

Yancheng.

Zhao Xu was in the North Camp supervising several generals in the making of a Sand Table.

Chang Wei stood by his side, his face full of shock.

Over these past few days, he had witnessed with his own eyes a "Yanzhou" being born right under his nose.

"Your Highness, why are you basically never stepping out of the house, yet you are so familiar with the mountains and terrain of Yanzhou?" Chang Wei was extremely depressed.

In front of Yan Wang, he felt more and more like a "moron."

This was a word that officials and generals often blurted out when things were not handled well.

Soon, this word became popular in official circles and the military.

From time to time, he would also call Lv Chang a moron.

It felt quite satisfying.

"I read it in books," Zhao Xu explained casually.

The seven Commandery Governors had brought their respective teams to take office over the past two days.

At this moment, he shifted his attention to the military.

Of course, prioritizing civil administration over military affairs does not mean he views civil administration as more important than military affairs.

It is because this time, in sweeping away the Rich Clans, the civil administration system was basically shattered, so it must be prioritized.

After all, the Prince's Personal Army has a mature system capable of handling a suddenly expanded military; at most, some of the commanders are just a bit green.

"So that's how it is; Your Highness truly knows everything from astronomy to geography," Chang Wei exclaimed.

Zhao Xu chuckled softly; that was a given, as the knowledge in the microchip was certainly not for nothing.

This world has only seen the main thread of history go astray, while the mountains and geography have basically remained unchanged.

Therefore, when making the Sand Table, he was able to create a scale model of Yanzhou with great ease.

"From now on, there must be someone in the military specifically responsible for the Sand Table; in this way, commanders can simulate warfare on it during peacetime, so they won't panic during wartime. This is also a part of the curriculum at the Military Academy," Zhao Xu said.

The main purpose of the war Sand Table is for commanders to play the roles of the red and blue sides to conduct confrontation exercises on the terrain of the Sand Table, improving the commanders' command capabilities.

Especially now that Artillery has been equipped in the military, commanders need to understand how to utilize Artillery on various terrains.

Chang Wei took note of this in his heart.

In the war where they defeated the Yuan Family and defended Yanguan last time, neither he nor any of the commanders in the military questioned Yan Wang's ability to lead the army anymore.

If in the past, to the soldiers, Yan Wang was just Yan Wang.

But now, Yan Wang has undoubtedly become the supreme commander in the Prince's Personal Army who cannot be replaced by anyone.

His prestige in the military is unshakable.

Therefore, since Yan Wang says the Sand Table is useful, it is naturally useful; it is just that he has not yet experienced the benefits himself.

This is just like the Artillery from before.