Chapter 493: Fragile Balance

Jinling, Imperial Palace.

At the time Zhao Xu received Dong An's letter, Zhao Heng was in the study discussing something with Mi Yan.

At this moment, he no longer possessed the ease and composure from after the peace negotiations, but was instead filled with worry.

A few days ago, when Liang Cheng was strolling in his manor, a short arrow suddenly landed at his feet.

After checking the note on the short arrow, he immediately entered the palace.

"If we do not collect taxes, the national treasury will struggle to continue; if we do collect them, the Rich Clans will not let this matter end peacefully. Minister Mi, what... what on earth should be done?" Zhao Heng paced back and forth in anxiety.

Only now did he realize that his thinking had been too wishful.

He had deliberately elevated Yan Wang, intending for the Rich Clans to focus on dealing with Yan Wang so that he could profit in the middle.

But while he was calculating against the Rich Clans and Yan Wang, Dou Wei and the other Rich Clans were clearly also calculating against him.

Mi Yan sighed at length, "Inciting civil unrest is merely a means for the Rich Clans to force Your Majesty to grant them military and political power; their fundamental goal is to secede in a legitimate manner. In this minister's opinion, since that is the case, Your Majesty might as well give them that military and political power."

Zhao Heng nodded.

In truth, over these years, the Imperial Court had long since lost control over the prefectures and counties held by the Rich Clans.

Whether or not he gave them military and political power actually made little difference.

It was merely the difference between a covert secession and a legitimate one.

Mi Yan continued, "Therefore, since they want a title, just give it to them. However, before giving it, you must use this title to make a deal with them, ensuring they do not take the opportunity to incite civil unrest; otherwise, never grant them this title."

"But if I say this, will they listen? After all, they want to secede; how could they still be obedient to me?" Zhao Heng picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

Because of his worry, his mouth was now a bit dry.

The current situation of the Great Song seemed similar to the end of the previous dynasty, the Liang Dynasty.

At that time, the Great Liang Imperial Court had likewise lost control over the regions.

The Rich Clans seceded in the prefectures and counties, and local Rich Clans were stirring restlessly.

At that time, the high-ranking local officials of the Liang Dynasty were called Regional Commanders; after the founding of the Great Song, this was changed to Prefect.

Before the great chaos of the Liang Dynasty, the Regional Commanders had likewise held the military and political power of a prefecture.

Now, the Great Song and the Liang Dynasty had fallen into the same predicament.

"Your Majesty, things have reached this point; the conflict between the Imperial Clan and the Rich Clans can no longer be reconciled. Do you still harbor illusions about them? When the time comes, you must naturally be stern in your words and force them to accept," Mi Yan said.

He knew deeply that the Great Song was sliding into an abyss, and the only thing he could do was to slow this slide a little.

If the Rich Clans did not take the opportunity to wreak havoc in the prefectures and counties controlled by the Imperial Clan, then just give them this title.

At least the power of the Imperial Clan would not decline too quickly.

"Sigh, this is the only way now." Zhao Heng sat down dejectedly.

"Also, please forgive this minister for speaking bluntly; things have reached this point, and Your Majesty must trust Yan Wang. Next, the Rich Clans will certainly continue to accumulate strength. If one day there is chaos in Jingshi, Your Majesty will at least have a place to go," Mi Yan said, emphasizing his tone.

A layer of cold sweat suddenly broke out on Zhao Heng's body.

Mi Yan had reminded him that the entire Ningzhou, where Jinling was located, was surrounded by prefectures controlled by the Rich Clans.

If one day the Rich Clans truly rebelled, he feared it would be difficult to defend with only the Imperial Guards of Jingshi.

And once defeated, would the likes of Dou Wei spare him?

At that time, for him, the only safe place would be Yanzhou, controlled by Yan Wang.

"Minister Mi's words have awakened me from a dream; I have truly been muddled during this period." Zhao Heng wiped the sweat from his forehead.

It was just that with the situation having deteriorated to this extent, there was very little he could provide to Yan Wang.

It was not that he did not want to give, but that he could not give anything.

Thinking of this, he regretted it all the more.

Originally, he had thought that the entire Great Song empire was under his control.

Therefore, whether it was the Rich Clans or Yan Wang, he did not want them to become a threat to him.

Thus, he adopted a policy of balance, making them check and balance each other so he could profit.

But he was too wishful; the premise for him to sit back and reap the rewards was that he had absolute power to control both.

Yet he was like a frail old man, waving a whip to drive tigers and wolves.

Once the tigers and wolves turned back, he would be nothing but meat in their mouths.

"It is not too late for Your Majesty to wake up in time. If you continue to be ambiguous with the Rich Clans and suppress Yan Wang, I fear Yan Wang's heart will truly grow cold," Mi Yan said, bowing.

Zhao Heng nodded repeatedly, "Yan Wang once asked me for one hundred thousand shipbuilders; I will leave this matter to you to supervise, which can be considered my compensation to him."

"Yan Wang will certainly be grateful to Your Majesty." Mi Yan revealed a smile, "Only if Your Majesty can work in concert with Prince Yan will the Rich Clans naturally be afraid to act rashly."

"I hope so." Zhao Heng seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.

When he ascended the throne, the Great Song already had the appearance of the sun setting behind the western hills.

Now, it was finally difficult to reverse the trend of the setting sun.

Just as Mi Yan said, he hoped his choice this time would not be wrong again.

Ordering Mi Yan to return, he immediately summoned Dou Wei.

Before long, Dou Wei arrived at the study.

Looking at this Head of the Dou Family and Prime Minister of the Great Song, who had once supported his ascent to the throne and now united with other Rich Clans to secede in the regions, a hundred flavors surged in his heart.

"I heard that many distinguished guests visited the Prime Minister's villa outside Jinling City a few days ago," Zhao Heng asked, appearing indifferent.

Hearing this, Dou Wei was slightly startled, but he feigned ignorance, "This minister does not understand what Your Majesty is talking about."

Zhao Heng laughed softly, "Dou Wei, you and I have known each other since childhood. Things have reached this point, so why continue to play the fool in front of me? I can grant your Rich Clans the military and political power of your home prefectures, but it must wait until the tax collection is finished; otherwise, don't even think about me issuing an Imperial Edict."

Dou Wei's expression changed several times.

He had originally only wanted to carry this out in secret and did not want to tear his face with Zhao Heng for the time being.

But since Zhao Heng already knew, there was no need to continue hiding it.

Not to mention that Wuguan is in the hands of his Dou Family, this matter was also decided upon by the seven powerful clans together.

What could Zhao Heng do to them? Thus he said: "Many thanks for the Emperor's grace."

Originally, he had wanted to seize the military and political power of the province, and incidentally weaken the prefectures controlled by the Imperial Clan.

But Zhao Heng's attitude was so firm that he could only take a step back.

Choosing the more important military and political power.

"Hmm, you may return." Zhao Heng waved his hand.

He did not want to say anything more; it was enough that they both understood without speaking.

There was no point in arguing with Dou Wei either.

The conflict between the powerful clans and the Imperial Clan could not be reconciled.

Dou Wei also said nothing, bowed, and left.

Once outside the hall, Dou Wei's expression suddenly turned gloomy.

"Who exactly leaked this matter? It seems there is someone who fears the world won't be in chaos, wanting the powerful clans and the Imperial Clan to fight until rivers of blood flow, so they can profit from it." Dou Wei's eyes narrowed.

He believed the other powerful clans would not leak the words spoken at the Wine banquet.

The powerful clans were now in the same boat; even if the Xie Family was somewhat wavering, they would absolutely not reveal this matter.

After all, the Xie Family would also benefit from this affair.

If it was not someone from the powerful clans, then who was secretly spying on them?

Zhao Heng did not have this ability; the Capital City Secretariat had long been infiltrated by them until it was like a sieve.

Any movement at all, and they would know about it in advance.

Thinking of this, he could not help but frown; it seemed he would have to thoroughly interrogate the servants of the villa.

Then, he looked back at the Imperial Study.

Zhao Heng and he still had not completely torn off the mask this time, merely stopping at the appropriate point.

For the time being, he still wanted to maintain the fragile balance of the Great Song, and he believed Zhao Heng felt the same.

However, his goal was to profit from it, while Zhao Heng still wanted to continue being his emperor in peace.

But between them as monarch and subject, they could never return to the past.

Once the time was ripe and the fragile relationship collapsed, the Great Song would be filled with the smoke of war everywhere.

At the same time Zhao Heng and Dou Wei were clashing, Mi Yan returned to the manor.

At this moment, his father Mi Zhuang was holding a scroll, seemingly pondering something.

Anxious in his heart about the current situation of the Great Song, he sighed slightly, walked forward, and told him the news he had obtained from Zhao Heng's own mouth.