Chapter 632

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“Capture Bingzhou!”

Prince Yong’s expression showed surprise.

Xiao Ming nodded gently, “Precisely. This time, Prince Liang has dispatched a large army, so Liang’s interior must be empty. At this moment, if Imperial Uncle takes the opportunity to capture Bingzhou, he can easily take it.”

“But can I withstand the allied forces of the three princes under Yunzhou City?” Prince Yong asked, somewhat worried. Now that he had pledged allegiance to Xiao Ming, he naturally had to consider Xiao Ming’s interests as well.

Xiao Ming said confidently, “Fourth Imperial Uncle, rest assured. Even if I cannot defeat them in the field, with these forces, I can hold Yunzhou City. Moreover, once Prince Liang learns that Bingzhou is besieged, he will surely lead a large army back. At that time, Imperial Uncle and I can set up an ambush on Prince Liang’s return route and annihilate them in one fell swoop. The allied forces of the three princes, lacking Prince Liang’s army, will then surely suffer a drastic drop in morale.”

“My worthy nephew has thought it through completely. I will do as you say,” Prince Yong said.

Xiao Ming breathed a sigh of relief. Prince Yong’s allegiance was somewhat unexpected, and it was arguably the greatest good news before his enthronement.

Although Prince Yong’s governance of his fiefdom was not exemplary, he still had over 100,000 soldiers under his command, and these soldiers could now become one of the factors influencing the war.

However, with Prince Yong’s allegiance, he could not show no appreciation. After all, human hearts are unpredictable. This time, Prince Yong’s loyalty was due to Xiao Wenxuan’s imperial edict. As a monarch about to ascend the throne, he also had to show appropriate generosity to win over people’s hearts and at the same time reassure Prince Yong.

So he said, “I hear that Imperial Uncle is currently lacking both military pay and provisions. I have prepared 300,000 taels of silver and 500,000 shi of grain for Imperial Uncle. These supplies should be able to help Imperial Uncle in an emergency.”

Prince Yong was immediately overjoyed upon hearing this. He was precisely worried about this matter. Ever since a famine occurred in Yong two years ago, leading to Prince Qinglong gathering rebels, coupled with the barbarians’ plundering and massacring of Yong, the treasury of Yong had become extremely difficult.

It was precisely for this reason that he knew he was no match for Xiao Ming.

“Worthy nephew, you truly think of me. This time, Imperial Uncle will risk his old life to take Bingzhou for you,” Prince Yong laughed heartily.

Xiao Ming revealed a faint smile. He was also helpless. He understood Prince Yong’s current situation; without the support of this military pay and provisions, Prince Yong’s army would likely desert by more than half along the way.

Because the common people of the Great Yu Empire enlisted in the army for a very simple reason: to have a meal. If they couldn’t even get food, most of them would choose to desert.

This was also why ancient armies often had the custom of plundering. Especially when provisions were insufficient, military commanders would often allow soldiers to plunder conquered cities, because this would give the soldiers a desire to attack cities.

“In that case, I await Imperial Uncle’s good news,” Xiao Ming said to Prince Yong. However, this time, when dispatching Prince Yong to attack Bingzhou, he also had backup plans.

If Prince Yong successfully captured Bingzhou, it would naturally be a joyous outcome, and from then on, Prince Liang would suffer heavy losses. If Prince Yong failed to capture it, it could still achieve the effect of “besieging Wei to rescue Zhao,” enough to help him defeat the allied forces of the three states.

After discussing this matter, the two chatted for a while. After the enthronement ceremony, there would also be a sacrifice to Heaven and a visit to the ancestral temple. This matter naturally required Prince Yong’s presence.

After all, Prince Yong was now the highest-ranking elder among the imperial relatives. Prince Yong readily accepted this.

Having settled this matter, Prince Yong returned joyfully. At this time, he was genuinely happy in his heart. This act of pledging loyalty to Xiao Ming had brought him so many resources. He seemed to instantly return to the time when Xiao Wenxuan was on the throne, when Xiao Wenxuan would always resolve his urgent needs.

After seeing off Prince Yong, Xiao Ming stood up and walked towards the side hall of the princely estate. With Prince Yong’s matter settled, there was still the matter of the Prince of Huainan to be kept pending.

At this moment, the envoy sent by the Prince of Huainan was chatting with Imperial Concubine Zhen in the side hall. However, unlike regular diplomatic missions, this time, the one who came to Qingzhou was Princess Consort Li of Huainan.

“Mother, it’s been seven or eight years since we last met, hasn’t it? The last time we met was at His Majesty’s fiftieth birthday.”

In the side hall, Imperial Concubine Zhen sat in the main seat, and below her sat Princess Consort Li of Huainan.

Princess Consort Li was similar in age to Imperial Concubine Zhen. Despite the passage of time, it was hard to conceal her natural beauty. Holding Imperial Concubine Zhen’s hand, Princess Consort Li appeared affectionate, as if she and Imperial Concubine Zhen had been close friends for many years.

Princess Consort Li’s words reminded Imperial Concubine Zhen of the past, and a hint of sadness appeared in her eyes. In such a short time, things had changed so much, which was lamentable. However, she clearly understood the role she should play at this moment, so she smiled and said, “Sister is absolutely right. I remember that Sister also brought Xue’er to Chang’an at that time. Although Xue’er was only twelve at that time, she was already a little beauty. I wonder what kind of excellent son-in-law Sister has chosen for her now.”

“Mother, you still remember that mischievous girl? Alas, don’t even mention it. That girl has been spoiled by His Highness. At her age now, she still hasn’t found anyone she fancies. She only says that the current princes are all useless. If there were one as magnanimous and daring as His Royal Highness Prince Qi, she would marry him,” Princess Consort Li said seemingly casually.

Imperial Concubine Zhen’s eyes shifted. She said, “Since ancient times, beauties have loved heroes, and this is understandable. Now that Ming’er already has a legitimate consort, I am thinking that it’s time to choose secondary consorts for him to continue the lineage. After all, there are too many complexities in the imperial family, and only with more descendants can the ancestral line be assured. At that time, I also thought of Xue’er, but feared that Xue’er would look down on the position of secondary consort, so I dismissed the idea.”

“Mother is overthinking. Now that His Highness is about to ascend the throne, this secondary consort will soon become an Imperial Noble Consort. This status is worthy of her. What I fear is that Mother might look down on this girl,” Princess Consort Li’s face bloomed into a smile.

Imperial Concubine Zhen also smoothed her brow. Princess Consort Li’s meaning was clear: Fei Yuer was the Empress, but her daughter was to be an Imperial Noble Consort. This was a bargaining chip.

Although she never interfered in government affairs, she knew that Xiao Ming would find it difficult to quickly stabilize the north without a few capable helpers.

So she said, “I liked Xue’er from the first time I saw her. In that case, I will agree to this matter. I hope Sister will choose an auspicious day to send Xue’er to Qingzhou.”

“Mother, that’s simple. After I return, I will send a letter to His Highness, asking him to send someone to bring Xue’er,” Princess Consort Li said with great joy.

This Imperial Noble Consort was the first rank below the Empress, so it was not a slight to her daughter.

The two chatted for a while longer, then Princess Consort Li stood up and departed.

As soon as Princess Consort Li left, Xiao Ming walked in from outside the side hall. Imperial Concubine Zhen looked at him and said, “This matter has been settled by Mother for you. The King of Huainan’s intention is for his daughter to be an Imperial Noble Consort. However, now it seems only the King of Huainan can form a marriage alliance with you. As long as the King of Huainan can obey commands, this Imperial Noble Consort will not be a loss.”

“It can only be this way now. I hope he can contain the King of Chu and Prince Yan,” Xiao Ming slowly said.