Chapter 490: Reconciliation

"Gentlemen, everything that needed to be said has been said. As for how you choose to proceed, that lies with you."

The sky was growing dark, and the distant mountain forests were gradually fading into shadow; Dou Wei prepared to bring this banquet to an end.

Before the Third Prince met with disaster, he still had the opportunity to let the Third Prince ascend the throne through peaceful means.

But after everything became impossible, he no longer wished to continue bowing and scraping before Zhao Heng.

Even superficial displays of respect felt tiresome.

The Great Song was established by the Eight Great Influential Clans together with the Zhao Clan.

In his eyes, the Zhao Clan was no more noble than any other family.

If the Zhao family could sit upon the throne, why couldn't his Dou family do the same?

Zhao Heng, a muddle-headed and incompetent fool, what right did he have to issue orders to him?

And then there was that rebellious Imperial Prince, Yan Wang.

If he were allowed to continue gaining power, the fate of the influential clans would be the same as that of Yuan Li, who was currently hiding in Qizhou.

And to resist the Northern Di, it was even more necessary to have someone who could unite the other influential clans.

This person could be none other than he, Dou Wei.

In this way, by casting off the final shackles, the influential clans would unite and become as powerful as they were before the founding of the nation.

Solving the problems of Yan Wang and the Northern Di would be no issue at all.

The Great Song would also become clear and bright, and the roots of the influential clans would strike even deeper into this land.

"The Prime Minister's words resonate deeply with me; the Han Family and the Wang Family offer our full support," Han Zheng said.

Once this matter was settled, they would no longer need to have any reservations.

From here on, the influential clans and the Imperial Clan would fall into a fierce confrontation.

"The Liang Family as well."

"And the Fan Family."

"The Xiao Family goes without saying," the other families spoke up one after another.

Finally, everyone's gaze turned toward Xie Duan.

Xie Duan hesitated for a moment, then let out a long sigh, "Our Xie Family also supports the Prime Minister."

Right now, the First Prince's leverage was held in the hands of the Liang Family.

If he did not agree, he feared these six families would make trouble in the imperial court tomorrow.

By then, it wouldn't be a question of whether the First Prince could become the Crown Prince, but rather that he might be demoted to a commoner.

Trying on the Dragon Robe was a grave crime, after all.

Yet despite agreeing, he still felt unwilling in his heart.

The Dou and Xiao, the Han and Wang were each colluding; the Liang Family was powerful, and the Fan Family was far away in Yunzhou, merely wanting to be a local emperor.

Only his Xie Family relied on the Imperial Clan to possess such prestige.

If the Imperial Clan were to decline completely, how would he contend with the other families in the future?

But his refusal seemed unable to change the overall situation; the other six families had already reached a consensus.

For now, he could only agree for the time being, while secretly not completely severing ties with the Imperial Clan or Yan Wang.

"Hahaha, good." With the matter settled, Dou Wei raised his cup to drink with the six men once more.

After chatting for a while longer, the group dispersed.

"Minister Han, might you come to my residence for a talk?"

Outside the villa gates, just as Han Zheng boarded his carriage to return, Liang Kai blocked the way.

"Of course," Han Zheng smiled.

It was one thing for the seven families to unanimously decide to seize military and political power in their respective provinces.

But afterwards, who wouldn't want to become the leader of the influential clans?

Therefore, being able to win over other influential clans was naturally excellent.

And since the spheres of influence of the Liang Family and the Han Family were separated by thousands of miles, they were the perfect candidates for forming distant alliances and attacking those nearby.

"Then please!" Liang Kai gestured for Han Zheng to go first, and he then boarded his carriage to head toward the Liang Mansion.

Upon arriving at the mansion, Liang Kai invited Han Zheng to sit in the main hall and ordered tea to be served.

Lifting his teacup to take a light sip, Han Zheng said, "Minister Liang, you have extended a warm invitation; I wonder what important matter you have?"

Liang Kai's eyes darted around, and he said, "Actually, I do not agree with Dou Wei's strategy for dealing with Yan Wang."

Hearing this, Han Zheng's movements stalled for a moment, but he feigned confusion and asked, "Since that is the case, I wonder what high opinion Minister Liang has?"

"I wouldn't call it a high opinion. In my view, to resist the Northern Di, there are formidable passes to guard, and we can still keep the Northern Di outside the borders; this is like a skin-deep ailment. But Yan Wang resides within the passes, which is like an ailment of the internal organs. By comparison, the internal ailment is more worrying," Liang Kai said. "Especially since your Han Family and the Wang Family are neighbors with Yanzhou; if one day Yan Wang were to contend with our influential clans, you two families would be the first to suffer."

Han Zheng's expression turned unpleasant.

In this recent war, not only did Yan Wang not suffer much loss, but he also achieved great merit.

At the same time, he drove out Yuan Li and occupied the entirety of Yanzhou, greatly increasing his strength.

With such a feudal prince who exterminated local rich clans right next to him, he couldn't even sleep soundly.

This time, it was merely that Dou Wei spoke first; even if Dou Wei hadn't spoken, he would have united with the Wang Family to bring this matter up.

He had to take back his military and political power, reorganize his armaments, and guard against Yan Wang.

Liang Kai had been watching Han Zheng's expression the whole time. Seeing Han Zheng's color change, he knew he had guessed correctly, so he said, "Actually, Yan Wang is also a grave concern for my Liang Family. The Dou family's Jingzhou is far from Yanzhou, so he naturally isn't anxious, but for you and me, we can feel the pain firsthand."

Hearing this, Han Zheng looked puzzled, "Forgive my dullness, but how has Yan Wang become a grave concern for the Liang Family?"

Liang Kai said coldly, "The Emperor granted Yan Wang the Sea Trade Rights; this is known to all under heaven. But that is secondary; what truly makes my Liang Family wary is the Black Shark Sea Bandits!"

"The Black Shark Sea Bandits!" Han Zheng immediately furrowed his brows.

After the battle at sea, the evil reputation of the Black Shark Sea Bandits spread throughout the Great Song, and he was naturally aware of it.

Thinking that this force was right in the waters near Qizhou, he was likewise terrified.

If these sea bandits were to attack his Qizhou, what would he do?

"That's right, even if these Black Shark Sea Bandits were not personally created by Yan Wang, they have deep dealings with him; whichever it is, it is disadvantageous for you and me."

Han Zheng nodded, then sighed, "It's just that if the Northern Di's three hundred-plus Tower Ships are no match for these Black Shark Sea Bandits, how could my Han Family possibly be a match?"

The Liang Family was waiting for exactly these words; he said, "You have no way, but I have a method to drive the tiger to devour the wolf, though it requires the help of your Han Family."

"Please speak, Minister Liang." Han Zheng immediately perked up.

Ever since these Black Shark Sea Bandits appeared, the Northern Di's Merchant Ships traveling to and from Qizhou have also been cut off.

The powerful clans had once privately agreed on trade with the Northern Di, but now it is all ruined.

It is the Dou Family that has gained all the benefits for now; thinking of this, he could not help but grit his teeth in hatred.

"Actually, we are not the only two families nervous about the Black Shark Sea Bandits; the forces on the sea are intricate and complex, no less so than within Da Song," Liang Kai explained at length, "Currently, the largest force on this sea is called the Wufeng Island Pirates; the sea bandits who attacked Yan Wang's fief twice before were them. If they learn that a Black Shark Sea Bandits has appeared, they will surely destroy them to satisfy their own interests."

Han Zheng had also heard of the reputation of the Wufeng Island Pirates, but he did not understand them as well as Liang Kai, "Can they defeat the Black Shark Sea Bandits?"

"That is not something you or I need to worry about." Liang Kai smiled very sinisterly.

He intended to deliberately leak the news to Wufeng Island.

In this way, even if his Liang Family does not spend any Silver, Wufeng Island will certainly fight the Black Shark Sea Bandits to the death.

One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, and one sea likewise cannot accommodate two dragons.

When they fight until they are both dead or wounded, that will be the time for his Liang Family to unify the seas of Da Song.

Han Zheng nodded.

The two chatted for a while longer, and when the moon rose above the willow branches, Han Zheng finally departed.

The next day.

Zhao Heng held court, and Dou Wei, claiming to have recovered from his illness, went to court together with the powerful clans.

Today, they will put a final seal on this Northern Expedition.

At the same time, they will also decide the path forward for Da Song from now on.