Chapter 492: The Tip of the Spear and the Crest of the Wave

Latest website: "A bunch of bastards."

Dong An hesitated for a moment, untied the note from the arrowhead, and scanned it; his face immediately turned angry.

He appended the contents of the note to the bottom of the letter and ordered it to be sent to Yanzhou immediately.

Gazing at the bustling streets of Jinling, he sighed faintly: "Da Song is about to change."

Seven days later.

Dong An's letter arrived at the Prince's Mansion in Yancheng.

At this time, Zhao Xu was discussing the defense against the Northern Di with Chang Wei.

After the Northern Di destroyed Xiliang, Mule Hongzhen returned to the Wangting.

However, the situation north of Yanzhou had suddenly become tense.

According to intelligence provided by Xu Ke, in addition to the Curved Blade and Copper Ox royal tents that were already stationed in the Ningjin Dusi,

two more royal tents had entered the Ningjin Dusi.

The former grazing lands of the Black Iron Royal Tent were now also jointly managed by two royal tents.

Thus, the Northern Di had effectively deployed six royal tents north of Yanzhou.

In these past few days, Northern Di scouts had again appeared frequently near Yanshan and Yanguan, seizing every opportunity to harass the Lengbao and Yanguan.

Some Scouts encountered Northern Di ambushes while patrolling, resulting in casualties.

At the same time, the first batch of Xiliang people driven by the Northern Di also arrived at the Ningjin Dusi.

These people were either assigned to Northern Di nobles to till their land, selected for the army to prepare for training, or driven to repair city walls.

Given all this, Mule Hongzhen's strategy was faintly emerging.

He intended to forge a great army as a spear for offense, while simultaneously building high walls and promoting agriculture and animal husbandry as a shield for defense.

As the saying goes, "To receive without returning is not polite"; in the face of these actions by the Northern Di, he naturally could not turn a blind eye.

Furthermore, the Northern Di were urging craftsmen to build ships, and envoys had gone to Gaoli.

It seemed they had the intention of retaking Chrysanthemum Island.

Faced with all this, he could not afford to take no action.

"Just as the Northern Di start making trouble, some people within Da Song can no longer sit still; it truly is a troubled time." After reading Dong An's letter from top to bottom, he handed it to Chang Wei.

In the letter, besides mentioning the matters of the Imperial Court session, Dong An had added a section at the bottom.

This content came from the wine banquets of the powerful clans, presenting all the discussions of the seven powerful clans including Dou Wei.

Besides this, Dong An also mentioned the matter of the short arrow.

Clearly, someone wanted to give him a reminder.

As for who this person was? For the moment, he could not guess.

However, there were at least still people in Da Song willing to reach out and help him.

"Bastards! They are trying to rebel." After reading it, Chang Wei's face was full of anger. "Your Highness, you should submit a memorial on this matter to impeach the seven powerful clans."

"You are thinking of this too simply. In this matter, Dou Wei is merely concerned about his reputation, so he wants the Emperor to grant them military and political power to make it appear legitimate." Zhao Xu stood with his hands behind his back. "If they didn't care about reputation, they could still firmly control the military and political power of their respective provinces behind the back of the Imperial Court."

"But, are we just going to watch them carve up the provinces?" Chang Wei clenched his fists.

If this continues, Da Song will truly face a struggle among warlords, with internal troubles and external threats.

Zhao Xu nodded. "There is no other way. Dou Wei has seized this opportunity of the peace talks; now we are firmly held back by the Northern Di and cannot divide our attention."

He paused and continued: "And can you not feel from the letter the sharp conflict between the powerful clans and the Imperial Clan at present? Especially directed at this Prince?"

Hearing this, Chang Wei nodded slowly.

The powerful clans were united as never before, and it was not just because these peace talks gave them an opportunity.

It was because they had gradually lost their patience; they no longer wanted to be suppressed by the Imperial Clan and wanted to break free from all the chains that bound them.

Or rather, they were no longer hiding their ambitions.

"But if this is the case, Yanzhou's situation will become even more difficult." Chang Wei said: "If they deliberately incite civil unrest, Yanzhou's trade will certainly be affected."

"That is why opening up maritime trade routes is already a matter of extreme urgency." Zhao Xu said.

The letter already stated that if he gained an advantage over the Northern Di, the powerful clans would target him.

Thus, he could only find more baskets for his eggs.

Next, besides dealing with the Northern Di, the most important matter within Yanzhou would be shipbuilding.

This was his confidence for controlling maritime trade.

Seeing that Chang Wei was still frowning, he said: "Do not dwell on this matter anymore. The rise and fall of dynasties have their own destiny, which is beyond human power. Da Song is decrepit, like rotten wood; the powerful clans will sooner or later start a civil war and eye the imperial throne. For now, we can only hold Yanzhou and make it prosperous and strong so that we can deal with them with ease in the future."

After pondering for a moment, he continued: "And Dou Wei still needs time to recruit troops and horses and reorganize their military equipment; Da Song will not fall into chaos just yet."

Chang Wei felt much more relieved and laughed, "My hot temper just can't keep calm; it is still Your Highness who is always as steady as a mountain."

Zhao Xu shook his head and smiled bitterly; it was impossible for him not to be troubled by the coming situation of the powerful clans carving up the land.

After all, the external threat had not been resolved, and this internal chaos was about to arrive.

It is just that history has always been so unsatisfactory.

Just like the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Jurchen constantly invaded, while internally there was constant factional strife, and peasant uprisings swept the country.

Although the forms were different, they led to the same result.

Recalling that Dong An had also mentioned the three imperial edicts from the court in the letter, Zhao Xu temporarily put aside the matter of the powerful clans carving up the land and said: "My memorial this time was still somewhat effective; General Yang Feng's life has been saved, and he will soon be exiled to Yanzhou. Now the Yang Family is finally reunited."

"Yes, although we cannot employ the old General Yang, it is a good thing for him to spend his remaining years in Yanzhou." Chang Wei's sorrow dissipated, and a smile appeared on his face.

Zhao Xu nodded, his expression suddenly turning gloomy. "The old General Yang coming to Yanzhou is naturally a happy event, but what do you think about the Emperor's order for Changle Junzhu to be married off?"

"Your Highness, I believe this is someone deliberately trying to humiliate Your Highness, and it is highly likely to be Dou Wei; otherwise, how could Tiemuta specifically name Changle Junzhu?" Chang Wei's gaze was like lightning.

Zhao Xu agreed deeply.

He was alone in Yanzhou; if not for the initial help of Changle Junzhu and Xu E, he would have already died at the hands of the Zhang Family.

Now, how could he watch her be sent into the tiger's den?

Moreover, if not for the Ninth Prince being insane, Changle Junzhu would likely already be his Imperial Princess.

"This Prince thinks the same, so I will not let Tiemuta get his wish." Zhao Xu already had an idea in his heart.

Chang Wei widened his eyes and chuckled, "Could it be that Your Highness intends to..."

"Do not forget, this Prince has not signed a truce with the Northern Di. Since there is no truce, anything can be done. You select a group of elites recently and stand by at any time," Zhao Xu said.

"Yes, Your Highness." Chang Wei acknowledged the order, bowed, and left.

Watching Chang Wei depart, Zhao Xu looked once more at the letter sent by Dong An.

He hesitated over whether to write about the events at the powerful clans' Wine banquet in a Memorial and send it to Zhao Heng.

After hesitating for a while, he decided to drop the idea.

Since this person with ulterior motives sent him the letter, perhaps they had already disclosed the letter to Zhao Heng as well.

It was just that even if Zhao Heng knew, he likely had no good solution.

At most, he would lay the matter on the table, trading the powerful clans' military and political power in their home provinces in exchange for the powerful clans not fanning the flames when collecting taxes.

But regardless, from this moment on, the confrontation between the powerful clans and the Imperial Clan had officially begun.

If Zhao Heng still had any brains, he hoped Zhao Heng could think this matter through.

Do not continue playing that bullshit game of balance, but instead lean fully toward him.