Chapter 337: The Promise to Ma Han

"Your Highness."

Just as Chang Wei left, Ma Han walked in from outside and bowed to him.

"No need for formalities." Zhao Xu smiled, "Have you been living comfortably in Yancheng these past few days?"

"Thanks to Your Highness's care, although I have no worries about food or clothing, as for being comfortable..." Having said this, Ma Han sighed and stopped speaking.

Zhao Xu knew what Ma Han wanted to say.

He sat down in the main seat, signaled for Ma Han to sit as well, and then had a maid serve tea.

"I brought you to Yancheng this time, naturally, for the sake of your Ma Family. Although the mastermind has not yet been identified, I have already grasped some clues," Zhao Xu said.

Hearing the Yan Wang say this, a sharp glint suddenly erupted in Ma Han's eyes, "I ask Your Highness to clarify."

Thus, Zhao Xu told him about the carrier pigeon flying out of the residence after he and his father had left.

"Without my father's instructions, no one can use the Ma residence's carrier pigeons, unless it is... Ma Jin." Ma Han's pupils suddenly dilated, "Ma Jin was at the residence that day."

Zhao Xu nodded; he did not need to say the rest.

In short, this matter indeed contained a massive conspiracy.

"However, I suspect that the person behind this is ultimately aiming to deal with me, which is why your Ma Family was implicated," Zhao Xu said.

Ma Han came from the Ma Family and had been well-read in poetry and books since childhood; he was no stranger to conspiracy and power struggles. He shook his head, "Your Highness is mistaken. Even without Your Highness, this chess piece had already been placed by someone; it is just that it has been moved now."

"One could say it that way." Zhao Xu picked up his teacup and blew on it gently.

With a hint of gloom on his face, Ma Han looked at Zhao Xu, "Please, Your Highness, make the decision for Ma Han. Unless I return to the Ma Family, it will be difficult to investigate this matter thoroughly."

"I have kept you enduring in silence all this time, firstly for the sake of the war in Jinzhou, and secondly for your own safety. Now that the war has ended, I naturally will not sit idly by," Zhao Xu said.

Upon hearing this, Ma Han was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your great kindness."

Zhao Xu shook his head slightly, "Actually, I do not wish to hide it from you. In helping you, I also have my own selfish motives."

Setting down the teacup,

he paced to the middle of the hall, "Just as you said, Ma Chong and Ma Jin are a chess piece. Now that this piece is placed in the northwest of the Great Song, it truly makes it impossible for me to be at ease."

Pausing for a moment, he continued, "The Ma Family dominates the northwest of the Great Song and controls important passes like Xiao Pass. Although the war in Jinzhou has been quelled, if Ma Chong and Ma Jin continue to commit evil, I fear that the flames of war will rise again elsewhere."

Ma Han nodded thoughtfully.

"In this Jinzhou war, over five thousand of my Yanzhou soldiers were killed in action, over six thousand were wounded, and countless money and grain were consumed. With the formidable enemy of the Northern Di still present, I do not wish to expend too much energy on the northwest again," Zhao Xu continued.

"Your Highness is worried that Ma Chong and Ma Jin will cause trouble again," Ma Han asked.

"Indeed." Zhao Xu returned to his seat and picked up his teacup, "However, you need not be too hasty about reclaiming the position of Head of the Family. As the saying goes, when the name is correct, the words carry weight. I will first inform the Emperor of the news that you are still alive and challenge Ma Chong and Ma Jin in the imperial court. If they hand over the position of Head of the Family, that is fine; if they do not, I will then lend you troops and horses to reclaim the position of Head of the Family—it will not be too late."

"Your Highness is truly far-sighted." Ma Han's expression was agitated.

He secretly thought that he had not misjudged the Yan Wang after all.

In this conversation, Zhao Xu had spoken frankly about his own selfish motives.

One might ask how many people could do such a thing.

It was evident that the Yan Wang was truly upright in his conduct and actions.

Having settled this matter, Zhao Xu told Ma Han to rest easy in Yancheng and wait for news.

Ma Han then bowed and left.

After seeing Ma Han off, Zhao Xu rose to return to his sleeping quarters.

The two months of marching fatigue had left him very exhausted, and he had not yet fully recovered after three or five days.

But before he could walk out of the Council Hall, Xu Ke arrived.

"Your Highness, I have obtained some very important intelligence at the Ningjin Dusi," Xu Ke said with a serious expression.

"Ningjin Dusi?" Seeing Xu Ke so solemn, he had a bad premonition, "What is it?"

"In these two months, a strange person has come to Ning City and Jin City. He has golden hair and blue eyes, is named Ivan, and comes from a place called Ross. It is said he is a missionary. The Northern Di seem to value this person highly; every time he travels, a large number of guards accompany him for protection," Xu Ke said.

A large number of Song People lived in Ning City and Jin City, so this news could not be hidden from the eyes of the Four Courts.

"Ivan, Ross, missionary." Zhao Xu frowned deeply.

The historical trajectory of this world had changed drastically.

With the Central Plains being like this, he believed that due to the butterfly effect, other places would also have different changes.

But he did not know exactly what they had become.

For instance, this Ross—the name sounded somewhat familiar.

But based on his estimation, it was likely the contemporary Russia.

After all, the name Ivan was very Russian.

"It is said that this person was captured by the Northern Di in the Extreme North. Previously, the Northern Di had also fought a war with the people of the Ross country in the Extreme North," Xu Ke continued.

Zhao Xu's heart sank.

Combining this news, it was even more certain.

He asked, "What is this missionary doing in Ning City and Jin City?"

"He is preaching," Xu Ke said.

Zhao Xu nodded slowly. These words reminded him of a similarly famous missionary in contemporary history—Johann Adam Schall von Bell.

This person was deeply trusted by the Qing emperors Shunzhi and Kangxi and helped them supervise the casting of Artillery.

And the Qing court allowed him to preach in the country.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu felt even more vaguely uneasy. He said to Xu Ke, "Keep an eye on this Ross person; do not let any clues slip by."

"Yes, Your Highness," Xu Ke said. He had never seen such a grave expression on the Yan Wang's face.

After discussing some more intelligence regarding the Northern Di, Xu Ke left.

At this moment, Zhao Xu said, "Truly, the trees desire stillness, but the wind will not cease."

The joy of defeating Xiliang also vanished into thin air in an instant.

At this moment, the shadow of the Northern Di seemed to shroud Yanzhou once again, and shroud the Great Song.

If this Missionary from Ross could build Artillery.

The Northern Di Iron Cavalry combined with Artillery would undoubtedly be enough to give him a hard time.

As long as this enemy is not eliminated, he must remain vigilant at all times and cannot be reckless.

And this is one of the reasons why he obeys the imperial decree of Zhao Heng and maintains a relationship with the powerful clans that involves struggle but stops short of a total break.

If the Great Song falls into chaos, it will inevitably give the Northern Di an opportunity to exploit.

Much like the internal strife caused by the Li Zi City uprising at the end of the Great Ming, the court factionalism, and the apathy of local gentry, which drained the national strength of the Great Ming and allowed the Jurchen to take advantage of the weakness.

Furthermore, he still needs a stable Great Song to provide him with Silver and a market, ensuring the development of Yanzhou.

Therefore, even if he hates the powerful clans to the bone, it is still necessary to cooperate if possible.

After all, he is the Yan Wang, governing Yanzhou.

Sometimes it is necessary to consider the big picture.

Right now, he has so many soldiers and officials under his command.

And numerous commoners.

He does not want to let them fall into an bottomless abyss because of his own carelessness.

Therefore, for now, he must continue to build high walls, store grain extensively, and advance technology.

Only in this way can he face the Northern Di with ease.