Chapter 474: Changing Situation

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Dou Wei also learned the news of Zhao Heng's escape, and also knew of Zhao Heng's journey to Yancheng.

Waving his hand to send the messenger away, he took a carriage to the Third Prince's residence.

"Hot Air Balloon, what is this thing? I have never heard of it."

Dou Wei explained the sequence of events to Zhao Mu, and Zhao Mu's expression changed slightly.

"I am not clear on this either, but the Emperor was indeed rescued," Dou Wei said.

Zhao Mu nodded, his eyes dim, "In that case, the ascension will have to be delayed again."

Seeing this, Dou Wei patted Zhao Mu's hand, "What your uncle promised you, I will certainly give you."

He then continued: "This may not necessarily be a bad thing. The Emperor is trapped in Xian City, and the Northern Di are currently feeling triumphant. Privately, they may not be willing to accept our conditions. Thus, even if you ascended the throne, you might only face a Great Song plagued by internal and external troubles; furthermore, there is still the Yan Wang on the side."

Zhao Heng was trapped in Xian City; at the time, this news came too suddenly.

Although he was full of distrust for the Northern Di in his bones, he could only harbor fantasies at the time.

He hoped the Northern Di would cooperate with them.

After all, letting the Third Prince ascend the throne was the most important matter.

Everything else could be discussed after the Third Prince ascended the throne.

Although Zhao Mu was unwilling in his heart, he was a smart man and could not help but nod.

All things change according to the situation, so one naturally cannot remain conservative and outdated.

He said: "Since that is the case, what does Uncle plan to do next?"

Dou Wei pondered for a moment, "Since the Emperor is safe and sound, we will pick up our previous plan. Moreover, with the heavy losses of the Imperial Guards and the New Army this time, the original plan will be easier to implement. However, we must wait for the opportunity and proceed slowly; the other influential clans will not let us have our way."

Zhao Mu nodded solemnly.

Over these years, the Imperial Clan has declined, and the Eight Great Influential Clans have been vaguely carving up the territory.

Zhao Heng and these Imperial Princes were all aware of this.

As of now, the commanderies controlled by the influential clans basically no longer pay taxes to the Imperial Court, and they are actively recruiting soldiers and buying horses in private.

With money and soldiers, the influential clans are effectively the local emperors controlling the commanderies and counties, dominating one side, no different from the vassal kings.

Originally, his uncle only wanted to help him ascend the throne smoothly by accumulating political achievements and establishing military merit for him.

But after being humiliated by Xiliang, he no longer had that opportunity.

Then, for the Dou Family to send him to the throne, there was only a bloody path to take.

This meant relying on the troops of the Dou Family and the Xiao Family.

Using swords and blades to force the Xie Family, Han Family, Liang Family, and other influential clans to acknowledge him as Emperor.

Of course, until the final step, his uncle was still unwilling to play this move.

Because when that time comes, the Eight Great Influential Clans will certainly have to engage in battle to decide the winner.

As for the Imperial Clan, this Northern Expedition failed, and the New Army suffered heavy losses.

The empty treasury will be unable to support his father, the Emperor, in rebuilding the New Army.

The majesty of the Imperial Clan has declined further, making it even more unable to contend with the influential clans.

It was not within his consideration either.

"But there is still the Yan Wang." Thinking of this, a person flooded into Zhao Mu's mind, "Zhao Xu letting Father go to Yancheng this time, I wonder what he is thinking."

Dou Wei's eyes narrowed, and he said: "This is exactly what I am worried about. However, since the Yan Wang rescued the Emperor this time, the Northern Di will certainly harbor great hatred. Perhaps we don't need to take action, and the Northern Di will keep him too busy to look south."

He then continued: "The current situation is too complex, and I cannot deduce a result. Everything must wait until your father returns and be decided according to the changes. But no matter what, we must continue to accumulate military strength. If your ascension does not go smoothly, humph, I would rather destroy this world than let anyone else have it."

Zhao Mu nodded slowly, a smile that was almost perverted appearing at the corners of his mouth.

The only purpose of him living now was to ascend the throne.

He was a broken man, but he could pass the throne to his own descendants.

For this, what did the affection between father and son count for!

Afternoon.

The First Prince summoned the ministers to discuss matters.

Learning that the Emperor had escaped danger, the ministers had different expressions; naturally, some were happy, and some were disappointed.

However, they all wore the same expression on their faces, which was joy.

Immediately, the First Prince announced the dispatch of thirty thousand Imperial Guards to Yancheng to welcome Zhao Heng back to the capital.

The ministers naturally had no objections.

……

Yancheng.

Zhao Xu and Zhao Heng returned from Yanguan.

A day later, Han Qi and Wang Kang arrived in Yancheng one after another.

"Your Majesty, your subject was late in saving the Emperor, I deserve death, I deserve death."

The courtyard.

Seeing Zhao Heng, Han Qi and Wang Kang both knelt down, weeping bitterly.

Zhao Heng's eyes were also red, appearing moved.

The Second Prince straightened his back quite a bit upon seeing Han Qi.

Zhao Xu was also there, but he just watched coldly from the side.

These influential clans were not good at fighting, but their acting skills were each comparable to a movie star.

After staging a scene of a monarch and his subjects meeting.

Han Qi asked after his well-being for a while, then suddenly said sadly: "Why did Your Majesty bestow the Southern Three Commanderies upon the Yan Wang? Does this not chill the hearts of the Yuan Family soldiers? Or, were you deceived by some people?"

As he spoke, Han Qi swept his gaze toward Zhao Xu.

"Prefect Han, there is no need to beat around the bush; you might as well just say that I have deceived the Emperor," Zhao Xu said bluntly, not giving Han Qi any face at all.

These bastards shrunk back when it was time to fight, but now that the war had just settled and their own interests were involved, they were biting people like mad dogs.

That's right, he had indeed used some methods this time, but did they not know in their hearts what kind of people the Yuan Family were?

As for these Southern Three Commanderies, he was determined to have them!

He did not believe that Zhao Heng would refuse him face at a time like this.

Zhao Heng glanced at Zhao Xu, then looked at Han Qi.

This time, he had made up his mind to use Yan Wang to keep the powerful clans in check.

After all, the Imperial Guards had suffered heavy losses, and Yan Wang was the only one he could bring out to handle the situation.

The more prominent Yan Wang became, the safer he would be.

Thus he said, "The evidence of Yuan Li's crimes is all here, what is there to argue about? Furthermore, the Imperial Edict has already been issued, and there is no possibility of retracting it. I, on the other hand, would like to ask you: where is Yuan Li now?"

Having said that, he ordered people to bring over the confession, the fake Imperial Edict, the Imperial Guard Armor, and other items.

Han Qi was stunned for a moment, his heart skipping a beat, "Your Majesty, this confession could have been obtained through torture, and the physical evidence could also be forged."

Zhao Heng was furious, "Do you take me for a three-year-old child to be coaxed? In Yanzhou, besides Yan Wang, who else has the ability to produce so much Baggage Train and so much Imperial Guard Armor? Or was it you, Han Qi, who made them?"

"Your Majesty, this matter has nothing to do with your subject." A layer of cold sweat immediately broke out on Han Qi's back.

Looking toward Yan Wang and seeing Zhao Xu smiling quite wickedly, he immediately felt his teeth itch with hatred.

This Yan Wang was too cunning; by coaxing Zhao Heng to his own territory, Zhao Heng naturally had the confidence to deal with them, the powerful clans.

If they were in Jinling like last time, the powerful clans would apply pressure, and Zhao Heng would have no choice but to comply.

Furthermore, compared to them, Zhao Heng was naturally more wary of Yan Wang at this moment.

After all, whoever's territory it is, they are the master.

It seemed he was destined to swallow this bitter pill.

Although the Han Family had always hoped for the Yuan Family to become their vassals, the Han Family preferred for the Yuan Family to bring the Southern Three Commanderies with them when they defected.

This was the reason why he had demanded the Southern Three Commanderies.

"Since that is the case, you shall send men to arrest Yuan Li and deliver him to Yancheng," Zhao Heng said, staring at Han Qi.

Han Qi opened his mouth, suddenly wanting to slap himself twice.

He had truly tried to steal a chicken only to lose the rice this time.