Chapter 604: Stabilizing the Flank

"I am tired. I shall return to rest. As for the remaining matters, you may discuss them with Yan Wang." Zhao Heng extended his hand, and Liang Cheng immediately helped him up and walked toward the inner courtyard.

Liu Fu, Chang Wei, Zhu Tuo, and the other officials of the fief were all beaming with joy.

Although Yang Feng and Mi Yan were not as excited as they were, they also felt this was only right and proper.

That Yan Wang could maintain the dignity of this emperor, who had once attempted to send him to Northern Di as a hostage, was already the height of benevolence and righteousness.

Moreover, they likewise did not wish for Zhao Heng to interfere in the affairs of Yanzhou.

In their view, from the time Yan Wang arrived in Yanzhou until today, when he drove Northern Di out of the Ningjin Regional Military Commission, it fully proved Yan Wang's capability.

Just as Zhao Heng said, in the coming chaos, only Yan Wang could turn the tide.

They must absolutely obey Yan Wang's orders.

Once Zhao Heng's figure disappeared, Zhao Xu dismissed the ministers, leaving behind only Yang Feng, Mi Yan, Liu Fu, and Chang Wei.

Since those remaining were his own people, there was no need to keep so many people to discuss state affairs.

After all, many people mean many opinions; although these ministers were loyal to him, people's hearts are unpredictable, so he still had to be a little guarded against them.

Confidential matters should be discussed with his core subordinates.

"Your Highness just said to strike first to gain the advantage; are you preparing to take action against the Han Family?" Yang Feng asked.

To the north of Yanzhou is the Northeast, to the east is the sea, to the west are Jinzhou and Sizhou, and the only remaining side, which is also Yanzhou's weakest side in terms of defense, faces the Han Family's Qi.

Without a doubt, the Qi established by the Han Family posed the greatest threat to Yanzhou.

Zhao Xu nodded. "Correct. But before attacking Qi, there are two things that must be done: one is the Sixth Prince in Jinzhou, and the other is the Ma Family in Sizhou."

He had already discussed this matter with Chang Wei, but he had not yet spoken of it to Yang Feng and Mi Yan.

Mi Yan nodded slightly. When he was in Jingshi, he could only understand Zhao Xu through rumors.

After arriving in Yanzhou, through the time they had spent together, he understood more and more that his nephew's ability to gain a foothold in Yanzhou was absolutely not due to luck.

For example, the decision he made this time was exactly what Yang Feng and he had carefully discussed before coming.

The result was the same as the decision made by Yan Wang.

The Sixth Prince was stationed in Jinzhong, and his uncle Yuan Li was currently in Qi.

If the Yanzhou army marched south, the Sixth Prince would inevitably coordinate with Qi from the north and south.

Although the Sixth Prince's army was nothing but a motley crew in front of Yan Wang's troops.

However, if he adopted some sinister methods like Northern Di, it would still pose a significant threat to Yanzhou.

Therefore, he must absolutely not give the Sixth Prince the opportunity to wreak havoc in Yanzhou.

As for the Ma Family's Sizhou, its location was quite important.

Ever since the Imperial Court last negotiated peace with Northern Di, the Dou Family had profited handsomely from the border markets with Northern Di.

If they could strike at the border markets, they would certainly be able to contain both Southern Liang and Northern Di at the same time.

More importantly, when he went to the Imperial Villa today,

a merchant who came from Southern Liang brought very important news.

A few days ago, a Northern Di cavalry unit escorted their envoy to Xiangcheng, and subsequently, news spread of an alliance between Southern Liang and Northern Di.

It is said that Southern Liang and Northern Di have agreed to be brotherly nations.

If Southern Liang is attacked, Northern Di is obligated to send troops to assist the Southern Liang army in resisting the enemy's attack.

Likewise, if Northern Di is attacked by an enemy, Southern Liang is also obligated to help Northern Di.

Moreover, if necessary, both sides can send their own troops into the other's territory to assist in combat.

This matter not only shocked them but would soon shock other power factions as well.

In order to vie for the world, Southern Liang had clearly fallen into madness, not hesitating to invite the wolf into the house and cooperate with the mortal enemy of Great Song.

However, although they loathed Dou Wei, they had to admire Dou Wei's boldness.

This former Prime Minister of Great Song was indeed ruthless in his methods.

Northern Di was a man-eating tiger; if Northern Di were in its prime, Dou Wei would certainly not dare to conclude such an alliance with Northern Di.

But not long ago, Northern Di suffered heavy losses at the hands of Yan Wang and became a wounded tiger.

This tiger was not so terrifying anymore.

Moreover, in order to recover in peace and simultaneously contain and weaken Yan Wang, Northern Di would choose to cooperate with Southern Liang.

Mule Hongzhen would not be so foolish as to provoke a war with Southern Liang before eliminating Yan Wang.

Therefore, at this time, the Ma Family's position appeared very important; beyond Qin Pass lay the former territory of Great Song, Qinzhou and Yongzhou.

This area was also the passage for Northern Di to enter Southern Liang.

As long as they could control this place, they could disrupt the cooperation between Southern Liang and Northern Di.

And to achieve this, they had to ensure the Ma Family was truly of one mind with them.

"How does Your Highness intend to deal with the Sixth Prince and Ma Han?" Mi Yan asked.

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Xu said, "I must adopt a gentle approach toward Ma Han. I intend to have him come to Yancheng to test his attitude. If his Ma Family is two-faced, I can support his Ma Family, and I can just as easily destroy his Ma Family."

He paused, then continued, "As for the Sixth Prince, I intend to have the Emperor issue an Imperial Edict for him to come to Yancheng."

"The Sixth Prince hates and fears me; he will certainly defy the edict, and thus I can take the opportunity to capture him."

"Brilliant."

The four men nodded one after another upon hearing this; currently, this was the best method.

Having settled this matter, Zhao Xu ordered Chang Wei to head to the Southern Three Commanderies to prepare for the southward campaign against Qi.

He had Liu Fu lead Mi Yan to familiarize himself with the Government Office, and at the same time, go to the Government Academy to study for a while to become familiar with Yanzhou's administrative management methods.

Afterward, he would head to the Ningjin Regional Military Commission to be responsible for the government affairs there.

As for Yang Feng.

Zhao Xu had no plans to arrange a position for him in the imperial court.

This was his own request, and as this old general is advanced in years, it is indeed unsuitable for him to go out on campaigns again.

Even if I were to learn the tactics of the new-style firearm troops now, I would be unable to keep up with the young generals.

Therefore, it is best to just let him stay in the imperial court to idle away his time and serve as an advisor.

The next day.

Two teams of Cavalry set out from Yancheng, each carrying an Imperial Edict to Jinzhou and Sizhou respectively.

With a difference of one or two days, the Imperial Edicts arrived in the hands of the Sixth Prince and Ma Han.

Jincheng.

The Sixth Prince scanned the Imperial Edict from top to bottom, then threw it onto the ground.

His eyes revealed bone-deep hatred, and pointing toward the direction of Yancheng, he said, "Pah! Now that the world is in chaos and everyone is declaring themselves king, this Imperial Edict is worth nothing. You dog Yan Wang, you want to trick me into going to Yancheng to kill me; it won't be that easy."

Looking at the Imperial Edict, he stepped on it once more.

"Your Highness, calm your anger. This just goes to show that Yan Wang is desperate and clutching at straws. Seeing the Han Family establish a nation, he has panicked and wants to annex Jinzhou to expand his own strength. However, thinking he can take Jinzhou with just a single Imperial Edict—he is thinking too simply," said a middle-aged official by the Sixth Prince's side.

He was none other than the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Yuan Hang.

Because of the incident where Yuan Li attacked Yanguan, he and the Sixth Prince had both been thrown into prison.

Later, the powerful clans decided to send him to Jinzhou, and he followed the Sixth Prince there.

Upon hearing this, the Sixth Prince revealed a sinister grin.

He said, "My uncle wrote to say that Dongying's strength is formidable, and ten Yan Wangs would not be their match. With the Han Family establishing a nation, Dongying has officially formed an alliance with Qi, and their intimacy even surpasses that of Southern Liang and Northern Di. This time, Yan Wang is truly going to die a death from which there is no return."