Chapter 623

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The dense information in the yellowish-brown booklet detailed the Great Yu Empire and its surroundings.

After informing Xiao Ming of the three important matters, Wang Xuan departed from the main hall. Now, as the Secret Guard’s reach extended further and further, Wang Xuan was also much busier than before, and Xiao Ming often couldn’t see him.

Many times, intelligence was delivered to the princely estate by other members of the Secret Guard.

After a rough glance at the intelligence, Xiao Ming frowned slightly. Although the information in the booklet was not as important as the three matters, it was enough for him to formulate plans based on its content.

For example, there was information about the Ji family and Tian family in Yan. Based on this information, he could have two preparations: one was to use the Fourth Prince, and the other was to bypass the Fourth Prince and cooperate directly with these two families.

However, which path to choose would depend on whether the Fourth Prince would be obedient.

Besides the conflicts in Yan, the document also recorded the current movements of the barbarians and Goryeo. One piece of intelligence, in particular, caught his attention: according to the information provided by Wang Xuan, Empress Zhao and Prince Zhao seemed to be on very bad terms.

Originally, Xiao Ming had thought that Prince Zhao had colluded with Empress Zhao to create the drama of the Crown Prince assassinating the emperor. Now, it seemed things were not as simple as he had imagined.

Nodding slowly, Xiao Ming had a plan in mind. According to the intelligence, generally speaking, the imperial princes who were once supported by the various vassal princes were now living lives of dependence.

This was true for the Fourth Prince, and probably also for the Third Prince. However, falling to such a fate could only be said to be their own doing, for blindly trusting the words of these vassal princes.

Putting away the intelligence, Xiao Ming stood up and walked outside. The matters Wang Xuan mentioned forced him to consider carefully. The Japanese invasion of Goryeo was now a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him. If he couldn’t use this opportunity to stabilize the northern territories, the barbarians would inevitably get involved in the future, and then he would truly face an unmanageable situation.

Stepping out of the main hall, the dazzling sunlight made Xiao Ming squint. He glanced at Fei Yuer, who was still in the pavilion, and smiled bitterly. Fei Yuer’s mention of a marriage alliance with Prince Huainan’s daughter at lunch was no coincidence. This must have been a consensus of opinion in the Qingzhou court.

And Fei Ji must have analyzed the pros and cons for Fei Yuer. Moreover, according to the tradition of the Great Yu Empire, the main consort had a responsibility to select secondary consorts for her husband.

While thinking about this, Xiao Ming walked towards Fei Yuer.

Seeing Xiao Ming approach, Xiao Huan put away her smile and stood with her hands by her sides, while Fei Yuer said, “Your Highness’s brow is deeply furrowed. I suppose Wang Xuan has brought more troublesome news for Your Highness.”

Xiao Ming nodded. He tentatively said, “Wang Xuan said that the news of this marriage alliance was deliberately released by Prince Huainan’s merchants to test me. If that’s the case, Prince Huainan intends to form an alliance with me through marriage.”

“Your Highness, if so, wouldn’t that just prove what I said?” Fei Yuer said, “Father said that the Prince of Huainan is much more loyal to the court than other vassal princes. His actions seem to be out of righteousness.”

“Wang Xuan’s intelligence also says so. After all, there are still people in this world who support the imperial family,” Xiao Ming said slowly. “If that’s the case, I cannot fail to reciprocate the Prince of Huainan’s good intentions.”

For a modern man, having one wife was actually enough. But in the face of reality, he found that political marriages were unavoidable in this era.

He had never seen the daughter of the Prince of Huainan, nor did he know if she was ugly or beautiful, but this time, even if she was a monstrous woman, he would have to take her as his wife. After all, if he could unify the Great Yu Empire, a sacrifice was worth it.

Although this was a very tough thought, as an emperor, sometimes he was truly not his own master. Now, to win an ally, he was truly giving it all.

Fei Yuer naturally understood Xiao Ming’s meaning. This matter was basically settled. For her, she could say nothing, otherwise, a jealous empress would be criticized by the ministers as unworthy of being empress.

After a pause, Xiao Ming said, “Additionally, there’s another matter. Before the allied army of the three princes arrives, I will ascend the throne. As empress, you must prepare. I will have the Ministry of Rites prepare your ceremonial robes.”

“Ascend the throne!” Fei Yuer said in surprise.

Xiao Huan also gaped, her eyes wide.

Xiao Ming nodded, “Now that the thirteen prefectures of Wei have been incorporated into my state, I used to lack strength, but now it’s time to rectify my name.”

“Your Highness is absolutely right. The current enthronement of the Thirteenth Prince by Prince Zhao is quite absurd, and Prince Chu’s reverence for the Third Prince as sovereign is equally laughable. Only Your Highness holds the secret imperial edict. These petty figures are merely taking advantage of others’ power,” Fei Yuer said solemnly.

Xiao Ming nodded, “I have thought a great deal about this decision. Prince Zhao, Prince Yan, and Prince Liang are ambitious and intend to destroy the imperial family. How could I fulfill their wishes?”

After a pause, he said, “Princess Consort, you should prepare now. I still need to discuss this matter with Pang Yukun.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Fei Yuer said.

With that, Xiao Ming turned and headed towards the government office.

Seeing Xiao Ming depart, Xiao Huan mischievously said to Fei Yuer, “Xiao Huan greets Empress, and congratulates Your Majesty on ruling the world!”

“You little imp, I’ll tear your mouth apart!” Fei Yuer was both shy and delighted. In the blink of an eye, she had transformed from an ordinary woman into an empress. Her emotions were equally complex.

At this time, Xiao Ming had already gone from the princely estate to the government office. In the government office, he found Pang Yukun and discussed the matter of ascending the throne.

“Your Highness, the officials of the entire state are waiting for this day!” Pang Yukun’s face was excited. In fact, upon learning of the imperial edict, they had wanted to honor Xiao Ming as their sovereign.

However, Xiao Ming was unwilling to become the target of all at that time. Now, having obtained the thirteen prefectures of Wei, their strength had greatly increased, and they no longer needed to worry about the reactions of other vassal princes.

Xiao Ming sighed. He said, “Yes, a year has passed in the blink of an eye. How many years are there in a lifetime? I’ve also come to understand that I inherited Imperial Father’s last will and testament. I am the true Emperor of the Great Yu Empire. There’s nothing to hide. I want to tell the world that I am the Emperor of the Great Yu Empire!”

Tears seemed to well up in Pang Yukun’s eyes, and his heart was also surging. For years, he had accompanied Xiao Ming through so much, and now they had finally reached this stage.

“Your Highness, I will immediately instruct the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the enthronement ceremony, and at the same time, proclaim the late emperor’s last will to the world,” Pang Yukun said.

“Yes, choose an auspicious day and time. Since I am to ascend the throne, it should be done grandly. Also, inform the imperial relatives in Qingzhou about this. After the enthronement, there will be a ceremony to offer sacrifices to Heaven, and I will need them to accompany me,” Xiao Ming said thoughtfully.

Although he had made many preparations before this, and even started to enlighten the common people, his experiences during this period made him realize that only through the path of an emperor with the Mandate of Heaven could he unify the Great Yu Empire as quickly as possible.