Chapter 702

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“The King of Shu is dead.”

Xiao Ming closed the memorial sent by Di Ying.

He received this news a month after Xiao Zhen led two tens of thousands of troops into Shu.

Because of this matter, Fei Ji and Pang Yukun both came to the imperial study to discuss it.

“As I expected, the King of Shu indeed refused to surrender,” Pang Yukun said.

Fei Ji then said, “This Xiao Zhen, at the last moment, sacrificed his kin for righteousness, which was a brilliant move. It earned him praise from the Emperor and also gained the favor of the powerful families of Yizhou.”

“But this Third Prince is also quite ruthless; he is his own brother,” Pang Yukun said seemingly casually.

Xiao Ming glanced at him. Pang Yukun was merely reminding him that this Third Prince was a cruel person and to be wary.

“I understand what you mean. Therefore, I intend to issue a decree to abolish the feudal state title of Shu, and establish Shu as a province. The army of Shu will temporarily be commanded by Di Ying. This way, the Third Prince will be a tiger without teeth. If he acts out of line, I can deal with him at any time,” Xiao Ming said.

Pang Yukun nodded, “What feudal lords fear most is holding both military and political power. Now we only need to control the army to control the Shu territory.”

“Additionally, we will send some loyal officials there. This way, the Shu territory will be no different from the Wei territory, and the Third Prince will be nothing more than exiled in Shu,” Fei Ji said.

Xiao Ming nodded. He naturally had no pity for the Third Prince. To the victor go the spoils; there was no room for pity.

He didn’t kill him simply because he took the Shu territory without bloodshed. This was a great merit, enough for him to continue enjoying wealth and glory, but it would be impossible for him to re-enter the Great Yu Empire’s political center.

After discussing the Third Prince, Xiao Ming led the two to the map. Besides discussing the establishment of Yizhou Province (Shu Land), he also sought them out for the matter of the barbarians.

During this period, memorials from the border arrived one after another. The content of the memorials was largely similar, all reporting on unusual movements of the barbarians at the border.

However, both Shanhai Pass and Juyong Pass were heavily guarded, and the barbarians seemed to be having a headache, often merely driving slave soldiers to test the defenses before retreating.

But this situation still caused unease in the court and among the common people. There were even suggestions of “heqin” (marriage alliance for peace), which greatly angered Xiao Ming.

The two looked at the circles on the map. These were all places recently probed by barbarian attacks, all important passes along the Great Wall.

“Your Majesty, there have been some outrageous remarks in the council hall regarding the barbarians. Some officials’ knees have softened again. Some want to pledge allegiance, some want to offer tribute, and some even want to propose ‘heqin.’ It’s ridiculous!” Pang Yukun sneered.

Fei Ji then said, “When the late Emperor was alive, he constantly blamed himself for compromising with the barbarians. If they hadn’t allowed the barbarians to enter the pass back then, the Great Yu Empire wouldn’t have declined to this extent. Your Majesty is a ruler of great ambition, and naturally need not pay attention to these petty individuals in the council hall. I believe the barbarians are insatiably greedy; only by thoroughly defeating them will they retract their claws.”

“I am relieved to hear you say that. As the saying goes, ‘when the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam is crooked.’ If you also had the same thoughts as them, this council hall would be finished.”

After a pause, he said to the two, “You go back and tell them that my three principles will not change: no pledging allegiance, no offering tribute, and no Marriage. Anyone who wants to pledge allegiance should take off their official robes and go to the barbarians to do so; I will not stop them. Those who want to offer tribute should take their own silver and give it to the barbarians; I will not stop them. As for those who want to propose ‘heqin,’ let them send their own daughters. If anyone dares to send a fake, I will cut off his head.”

“Hahaha…” Pang Yukun laughed heartily. “Your Majesty, if that were the case, I’m afraid none of the ministers would dare to agree. It’s easy to be generous with the nation’s resources, but it’s not so easy to be generous with one’s own.”

Fei Ji nodded, “When I return, I will tell them Your Majesty’s words.”

Xiao Ming shook his head. Some people, once they get used to kneeling, can’t stand up. If you make them stand up, they’ll even curse you.

Currently, there was indeed such a group of people in the council hall. He had Qian Dafu note down their names, intending to investigate later whether these people were corrupt.

According to common practice, those who liked to bow down were often greedy and lustful.

However, Xiao Ming’s purpose in having the two look at the map was not for the barbarians. For now, the barbarians had no way to enter the northern heartland, relying on the passes along the Yan-Yun line.

His purpose for them was Goryeo.

So he said, “Let’s put the barbarian matter aside for now. Today, I want to talk to you about Goryeo. I think it’s time to deal with Goryeo.”

“Another war? Your Majesty, we truly have no more silver for war now. Besides, Goryeo is far from the Great Yu Empire, and this will surely require a large mobilization of forces again.” Pang Yukun immediately pleaded poverty.

Fei Ji echoed, “Your Majesty, Senior Grand Secretary Pang speaks the truth. The imperial treasury only has so much silver. Your Majesty allocated six million for industrial support, and daily expenses include opening mines, building schools, and repairing roads. Continuing like this, our expenditures will simply outstrip our income.”

Xiao Ming also understood the current situation. He said to the two, “That is precisely why I want to attack Goryeo. Fighting domestically naturally makes us poorer, but attacking Goryeo is a profitable business. Over the years, the Great Yu Empire has offered a lot of silver as tribute to the barbarians. Now, I also want Goryeo to offer some silver to the Great Yu Empire.”

After a pause, he continued, “Moreover, attacking Goryeo is also for merchants to sell goods, and at the same time, it is to cut off the barbarians’ arm.”

Both were intelligent men and understood immediately.

Pang Yukun said, “Your Majesty, if that is the case, then let the merchants bear the cost of supplies and expenses for this attack on Goryeo.”

Now, Fei Ji and Pang Yukun were remarkably in agreement. He said, “Since attacking Goryeo is for the sale of goods, this war is being fought for the merchants. It is simply unreasonable for them not to contribute silver. Why not sell the trade rights to Goryeo to these merchants in exchange for supplies and silver?”

Xiao Ming nodded slightly. This was his purpose in summoning the two. He said, “That is also my idea. So, you two go and talk to the merchants, let them pay for the trade rights to Goryeo. How does that sound?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the two bowed in response.

Solving the funding issue meant tackling the problem of attacking Goryeo. For Xiao Ming, the best way to fight a war was, of course, to keep the enemy outside the nation’s gates.

Destroying someone else’s home was always better than destroying one’s own. This time, his attack on Goryeo was to divert trouble eastward.

Moreover, it would be even better if it caused the barbarians to change their strategy, as this would greatly reduce the pressure on the passes along the Yan-Yun line.

Having settled this matter, Xiao Ming then sent a letter to Yue Yun, instructing him to make preparations. The main force for this attack on Goryeo would be the navy and the marines.

…..

The cold wind stirred the study windows, making a “thump-thump” sound.

Holding a writing brush, Xiao Ming’s hand felt a bit cold. The imperial decree was completed. He said to Pang Yukun, “You two must pay attention to the matter of raising funds, but you cannot neglect the matter of reform either.”

The two nodded. Fei Ji said, “Your Majesty, winter is almost here. Will we be unable to attack Goryeo this year?”

Xiao Ming nodded, “Winter is too cold, and Goryeo is also a harsh and barren land. This season is indeed unsuitable for warfare, otherwise, there would likely be more soldiers suffering from frostbite than those killed in battle.”

Pang Yukun said, “Since Your Majesty has already planned this in your heart, I am at ease.”

As the three were speaking, Xiaohuan suddenly ran in a fright to outside the study. She said breathlessly, “Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress is probably going into labor!”

“What!” Xiao Ming was startled, but he calculated and realized it was indeed time for Fei Yuer to give birth.

Fei Ji immediately grew nervous upon hearing this, as he was very anxious, not knowing whether Fei Yuer would give birth to a boy or a girl.

Pang Yukun, however, was much calmer. He said to Xiao Ming, “Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty!”

At this moment, Xiao Ming had no time to pay him any mind. He walked directly with Xiaohuan towards the bedchamber.

Fei Ji, as Fei Yuer’s father, was also permitted to go with Xiao Ming at this time. He immediately followed Xiao Ming.

Although Pang Yukun also wanted to go, it was clearly inappropriate at this moment. He looked at Fei Ji with envy and then walked out.

At this time, many people had already gathered in the bedchamber. Lu Luo, Ziyuan, and the Empress Dowager had all arrived. Fei Yuer was in the inner room, and the midwife was attending to her inside.

When Xiao Ming arrived, Fei Yuer was crying out, evidently enduring immense pain.

Seeing Xiao Ming approach, the Empress Dowager grabbed Xiao Ming’s hand. Evidently, she too was very nervous. Lu Luo and Ziyuan were the same. The two continuously rubbed their hands, pacing back and forth restlessly.

Fei Ji dared not enter the moment he reached the door. Standing there, he continuously prayed, “Heaven bless it’s a boy, Heaven bless.”

“Ah, ah…”

Fei Yuer’s screams continuously rang out. Every time Xiao Ming heard one, his heart couldn’t help but clench. This pain of childbirth was said to be level twelve. He could not blame Fei Yuer for acting this way.

At this moment, he was also nervous. He had neglected Fei Yuer during this busy period with state affairs, and he never expected that after ten months of pregnancy, she would be giving birth.

The palace maids in the inner room moved in and out. What they held were all bloody items. Xiao Ming grew increasingly nervous watching this scene.

This was ancient times. If Fei Yuer suffered a massive postpartum hemorrhage, it would be life-threatening.

Just as he was nervous, a loud cry from an infant suddenly rang out, followed by the midwife’s joyous announcement.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Her Majesty the Empress and the imperial prince are safe.”

When these words were heard, everyone immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Fei Ji, outside the door, also let out a heavy sigh of relief.

A faint smile appeared on Xiao Ming’s lips. A strange emotion suddenly filled his heart—the emotion of becoming a father for the first time.

Soon, the midwife came out of the inner room holding an infant. Seeing Xiao Ming, she bowed and handed the infant to him.

Xiao Ming carefully held his son. At this time, the infant’s eyes were closed, but his appearance still bore some resemblance to him.

“My son, you will witness your imperial father create a great empire. The era you live in will also be the best of times.”

Looking at the tiny infant, Xiao Ming’s heart suddenly swelled with grand ambition.

The Empress Dowager then walked over. Her eyes were filled with loving kindness as she looked at the infant in Xiao Ming’s arms. She said to Xiao Ming, “You should give the child to the wet nurse and go see how the Empress is doing. You have neglected her lately.”

Xiao Ming nodded, handed the infant to the wet nurse, and then entered the inner room.

Fei Yuer was now lying on the sickbed. Her face was pale, and she was completely exhausted.

Seeing Xiao Ming, she smiled, struggling to get up.

Xiao Ming told her to lie on the bed and not move. He sat down by the bed and said to Fei Yuer, “You have worked hard.”

Fei Yuer leaned against Xiao Ming, her eyes filled with happiness. She said, “To have given birth to an imperial prince for Your Majesty, I have no regrets in this life.”

Xiao Ming’s heart stirred slightly. He could feel Fei Yuer’s attachment to him. He said, “I have been busy with state affairs lately and have indeed neglected you. I promise you, after this busy period, I will spend good time with you.”

Fei Yuer showed two dimples. She said, “Your Majesty remembering me is already enough for me. However, compared to me, Your Majesty has neglected someone else even more.”

“Who?” Xiao Ming asked.

“Cui Xue’er,” Fei Yuer said. “No matter how busy Your Majesty is, you always return to the bedchamber, but Your Majesty has never once been to Cui Xue’er’s place.”

Xiao Ming, hearing this, said, “I care for you, yet you want me to care for others. You are truly a generous Empress.”

Fei Yuer was silent for a moment, then said, “I just feel that she is quite pitiful. She entered the palace at such a young age for a marriage alliance, and as a consort, she has never received Your Majesty’s favor. If this gets out, the Prince of Huainan will not be pleased.”

“I am aware of this matter. You should first focus on recovering your health,” Xiao Ming said helplessly.

For him, Fei Yuer was definitely the type of virtuous wife and loving mother from ancient times. It was precisely for this reason that he was very much at ease with this Empress.

Fei Yuer nodded. She said, “Your Majesty’s state affairs are important. I am fine.”

“State affairs are important, but the Empress is also important.” Xiao Ming used his glib tongue.

The two chatted intimately for a while. Because Fei Yuer needed rest, he then came out of the inner room.

At this time, the Empress Dowager was still outside. The child had already been fed by the wet nurse and was asleep. Xiao Ming then looked at his child for a while, feeling completely satisfied.

The Empress Dowager said, “Now that the Empress has given birth to an imperial prince, I am relieved. The Great Yu Empire has an heir. However, it would be best to have more descendants, wouldn’t it?”

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager looked at Lu Luo and Ziyuan. The two girls immediately blushed, looking very shy.

Xiao Ming felt a pang of bitterness. This emperor life was truly not easy. Not only did he have to be a model worker, but he also had to be a stud. No wonder very few emperors in history lived long lives.

The Empress Dowager showed signs of continuing her chatter. Xiao Ming immediately found an excuse to slip away, otherwise, he would probably be pressed into making more babies.

Fei Ji was still waiting outside the door, craning his neck to look at the infant in the wet nurse’s arms. Seeing Xiao Ming come out, he immediately said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the birth of an imperial prince.”

“And congratulations to you on having a grandson,” Xiao Ming said. “Elder Fei, since you are the Empress’s father and now the maternal grandfather of my son, you should even more wholeheartedly serve me in state affairs.”