Free Web NovelChapter 1200: Chapter 1182: A Discordant Core
Zhou Yi complied readily, but Zhou Chong was very agitated, complaining, "In Luoyang, you were a scholar equal in fame to Zhao Changyu. Why are you now mingling with people like Wang Bin?"
Zhou Yi remained nonchalant.
Zhou Chong became even more upset and asked, "Must we save Wang Ying? Drinking and holding banquets during mourning, even killing officials, how dare such a person call himself a filial son? Although Liu Kui is a vile person, Wang Ying should not be saved."
Only then did Zhou Yi sigh, "Zhong Zhi, I’m not saving Wang Ying; I’m saving the Great King, saving us. Can’t you see, Wang Dun is on the brink of rebellion due to the neglect of Mao Hong. If he does not come forth to preside over the situation, Jiangnan will descend into chaos even before Zhao Hanzhang crosses the river."
Zhou Chong halted in his tracks, furrowing his brow, "Could it be that Wang Dun dares to rebel?"
Zhou Yi: "In these times, what is impossible?"
Having endured so much, Zhou Yi felt that even if the heavens and earth merged into chaos, it was possible; Wang Dun raising an army for rebellion was hardly impossible.
"Wang Dun is self-willed and ruthless; if not controlled and appeased, he will certainly rebel," Zhou Yi said. "And the only one who can control him is Wang Dao."
After a pause, he continued, "If delayed further, his power will grow, his dissatisfaction with the Great King will deepen, and by then, not even Wang Dao can control him."
During Wang Dao’s months of silence, Wang Dun was lively, pulling many to his side.
Wang Dao wants to resign, leaving those short-sighted people lost and aimless, like headless flies, easily swayed by Wang Dun with a mere gesture.
Such folly, this realm is not just Jiangnan and Jiangdong. Zhao Hanzhang in Jiangbei holds much influence and the people’s support. Believe me, should Jiangnan descend into chaos, she will reap the benefits.
Wang Dun truly believes that by opposing King Langya, he can reign and divide the realm with Zhao Hanzhang?
Do not forget, Jingzhou is also under Zhao Hanzhang’s control.
No, that’s incorrect; the Jingzhou Governor is Wang Si Niang, a member of the Wang Family. If she goes against Zhao Hanzhang, Jingzhou would fall to Wang Dun...
Zhou Yi’s heart shuddered; such a scenario could truly happen.
Zhou Yi grew uneasy; he did not wish for Wang Dun and Zhao Hanzhang to divide the realm. It ought to be united, otherwise the masses would suffer greatly.
Zhou Chong seemed to sense his brother’s thoughts, unable to resist asking, "Does elder brother believe King Langya can unify the realm?"
Zhou Yi replied, "King Langya perhaps cannot, but the Princely Heir certainly can."
King Langya’s heir, Sima Shao, is only a year older than the Little Emperor, yet he is clever and thoughtful, kind and well-rounded. Though young, Zhou Yi believed he was already superior to his father, King Langya.
Zhou Chong was fond of challenging his brother, and upon hearing this, he asked, "What about Zhao Hanzhang? Is she incapable?"
Zhou Chong wasn’t convinced Zhao Hanzhang could unify the realm, he just couldn’t resist playing devil’s advocate with his brother who favored Sima Shao.
Zhou Yi’s silence stretched long enough for silence to speak, "It depends on whether Zhao Hanzhang will be blinded by arrogance." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Many heroes fall short at the last step, complacent after gaining power, leading to their undoing.
Thus, Zhou Yi felt that an outsider’s surname was too perilous, a change in the dynastic name was needed. Conversely, Sima Shao’s lineage posed less risk in transitioning power.
Zhou Chong didn’t believe Zhao Hanzhang capable, but seeing his brother’s support for Sima Shao, his mind raced, "The Princely Heir is too young; Jiangbei has stabilized. In two to five years, Zhao Hanzhang will surely march south."
The brothers walked side-by-side, preparing to argue more when they heard, "Urgent military news, urgent military news—"
Zhou Yi and Zhou Chong stepped aside as a rider galloped past them towards Jiankang Palace.
The brothers exchanged worried glances, turning to the palace. Could Zhao Hanzhang be unwilling to wait even two years and attack now?
Zhou Yi thought silently, she is surely prideful. Jiangbei just endured a brutal war and locust plague; are the people even breathing a sigh of relief yet this year?
Zhou Yi could enter the palace, but Zhou Chong held no official palace position. Seeing his brother’s eager eyes, he spoke kindly to the guards to bring his brother in.
King Langya was fond of Zhou Yi, and with the recent military report striking him deeply, he allowed the brothers admittance.
And thus, Zhou Yi and Zhou Chong learned the contents of the report.
Oh heavens—has Zhao Hanzhang finally lost her patience and made a move?
But why attack only from Jingzhou? Shouldn’t it be a three-sided assault from the north, west, and east?
Zhou Yi squinted, feeling instinctively wrong; if Zhao Hanzhang intended to move against Yangzhou, she wouldn’t attack like this.
Though Wang Xuan had swiftly taken four cities in Wuchang County, it was only Wang Xuan’s troops moving; Yu State and Xuzhou may be across a river, yet not entirely silent.
If worse came to worse, Jingzhou could attack via water routes; being upstream, they could sweep down to Yangzhou’s doorstep. In a surprise, who could stop them?
Zhou Yi immediately asked the soldier, "What’s the reason behind Jingzhou’s attack on Yangzhou?"
The report didn’t explain, but the soldier knew, saying, "Jingzhou alleged Yangzhou Army seized their tax grains."
The Zhou brothers:...
Zhou Chong widened his eyes, asking, "So, did the Yangzhou Army really seize them?"
The soldier nodded honestly, "They did, but Jingzhou Army responded swiftly, ultimately only taking half."
Zhou Chong: Alas, he aimed to take all.
Turning to his brother, he signaled dissatisfiedly, asking, "In such circumstances, who else should we attack?"
Zhou Yi was speechless, looking towards King Langya seated above.
King Langya was overwhelmed with sorrow, utterly unaware of this incident. Since Wang Han’s failed attempt at sowing discord, King Langya had withdrawn, fearing Zhao Hanzhang settling scores; why provoke her unnecessarily?
Zhou Yi spoke to King Langya, "Great King, please have Mao Hong persuade Wang Dun, then clarify matters to Luoyang, we are willing to compensate the lost tax grains," pausing before adding, "twicefold."
King Langya instantly doubted; could Wang Dun’s actions be solely to bring Wang Dao back to lead?
Regardless, what options did King Langya have now?
Reflecting on Wang Dun’s uncontrollability, King Langya’s heart burned like fire, forcing him to mantain calmness, "Please have Bo Ren visit and petition Mao Hong’s return to court."
Zhou Yi sighed; the outcome seemed positive, yet the schism between the two widened, begging the question, can the Wang Family and King Langya truly coexist? fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Zhou Yi accepted the order, bowed, and withdrew.
Zhou Chong regained his senses, hurriedly catching up to his elder brother as they left the palace.
Reaching a secluded spot, he asked, "Do you think, brother, that Wang Xuan and his sister can reconcile with Wang Dun?"
Zhou Yi remained silent.
