Free Web NovelChapter 1208: Chapter 1190: The Bet
The warfare in Jiangnan fluctuates dramatically, making Zhao Shen, miles away in China, feel eager to immediately fly to Jiangnan and get involved.
But Zhao Hanzhang did not let him go.
He brought it up twice, and Zhao Hanzhang did not agree both times, so Zhao Shen restrained his feelings, for he must save the third opportunity for when Zhao Hanzhang deemed it appropriate.
He needed military achievements to secure his position as Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, a fact both he and Zhao Hanzhang understood clearly.
Suppressing his desire for success, Zhao Shen’s excited mind began to race, grasping the key point, he asked Zhao Hanzhang: "I’ve heard of Wang Dun, heard that he is broad-minded and decisive. How are you sure he will stop the war in Jingzhou when it ceases, rather than decisively taking Jingzhou?"
Honestly speaking, Yangzhou’s military strength surpasses Jingzhou’s, and Wang Dun is also very capable. If it were merely a skirmish between the two states, it wouldn’t have resulted in Wang Dun’s retreat as it is now;
Zhao Hanzhang stationed her troops in Yiyang County, serving as a backing for Jingzhou, whereas Wang Dun’s support was undermined by King Langya, who not only refused to offer support but also sought to seize his military power in the meantime, forcing him to divide his forces, guarding against Zhao Hanzhang attacking from the north, while also defending against King Langya dispatching troops from Jiangnan and Guangzhou to attack him.
On reflecting, Wang Dun is indeed in a miserable plight, besieged from all sides.
No wonder he harbors rebellious thoughts, seeking to completely replace King Langya as the king of Jiangnan. To quell external threats, internal peace must first be established. If Jiangnan and Jiangbei are destined for a clash, Jiangnan must achieve internal unity to stand a fighting chance. The diversion of troops to repair the Yellow River is indeed an opportunity.
Zhao Hanzhang replied: "Being decisive is not the same as being foolishly reckless. Without probing my true strength, he dare not act rashly. But, nothing is absolute, I also fear he may act impulsively, hence I’ve augmented troops by twenty thousand in Yiyang County from Yu State, ready to reinforce Jiangxia County at any time."
Jiangxia County belongs to Jingzhou, it is an unavoidable path for Wang Dun’s western attack.
Zhao Hanzhang sighed and said: "Actually, the battle can indeed be fought, Wang Dun provided us a very good excuse. Whether we strike when he attacks first, or we attack directly now, our reasons are legitimate."
Pillage tax grain, they all knew it was Wang Dun’s probe, but they could very well announce to the realm that it was on King Langya’s orders that Wang Dun acted, hence when they march south, it would be justifiable.
However, crossing the river to fight this battle would entail heavy casualties, coupled with the army’s supplies not yet being fully prepared, to keep the soldiers alive, she could only command them to requisition military provisions locally, then, the court would likely lose the hearts of the people of Jiangnan.
Since the Wu Kingdom war, Jiangnan has not engaged in much large-scale warfare, mostly sporadic conflicts over power and territory between states and counties, with minimal casualties.
Unlike the North where extermination and massacre were frequent in grand campaigns, Jiangnan’s aristocratic clans and commoners are generally stable; if her arrival brings war and the ruin of families, regardless of how good her reputation is, no matter how much she preaches fighting for the people, they will resent her, blame her.
Jiangnan, once belonging to the Wu Kingdom, inherently holds a disconnect with the Central Plains, and post-conflict, it becomes harder to soothe their wounds, making their future allegiance even harder to obtain.
And if allegiance is not secured, chaos will eventually arise in Jiangnan.
Hence, for long-term considerations, she is willing to wait a little longer, willing to expend more effort planning for this land.
Zhao Hanzhang reminded Zhao Shen that when he really leads troops south later, he ought to remember this point.
"Considering the timeline, Liu Kun should have received the message by now?" Wang Xuan’s progress is smooth, Yuan Li also reported that among the aristocratic clans in Jiangnan, quite a number harbor thoughts of returning home, even local aristocrats express intentions to ally with Imperial Censor Lu and other angels, crossing the river to join the recruitment exam.
Among the northern aristocratic families, there is actually prejudice against the recruitment exam — their descendants rarely participate every year, while the exam largely comprises common students and low-ranked nobility.
This is because the recruitment exam does not differentiate between noble and humble, anyone possessing talent can participate, which for the high-ranking families, taking exams and competing for positions alongside those of much lesser family status is quite humiliating.
But for Jiangnan’s aristocracy, it is an excellent opportunity, as due to hostile relations during the Three Kingdoms period, after being unified by Jin, they seldom entered the court, engaging in political discussions.
Is it that they didn’t wish to?
No, it’s because their path to the court was blocked by the northern aristocratic clans, the channels of promotion occupied by them.
Why did they support King Langya?
Because Wang Dao and King Langya politically gave them promises, making them gradually accept King Langya’s rule in Jiangnan.
Now, Zhao Hanzhang offers them a chance to participate in politics in another way.
With King Langya’s decline evident, the aristocratic clans skilled at recognizing situations naturally lean towards Zhao Hanzhang.
She hopes Liu Kun too can recognize the circumstances, while Zhao Shen respects Liu Kun’s loyalty, precisely because of his loyalty, he expressed doubt, "Will Liu Kun agree?"
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and said: "Why wouldn’t he agree? This is for Your Majesty’s unification of the realm, a deed that could immortalize one’s name, what reason does Liu Kun have to refuse?"
Zhao Shen opened his mouth, speechless for a while, finally finding a reason, "Liu Kun and Wang Dun are friends."
"He is also friends with Wang Cheng and even more with Zu Ti," Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand and said, "National affairs render personal relations negligible, I believe Liu Kun will agree, if not, let’s make a bet."
Zhao Shen, hearing this, immediately expressed interest, asking: "What are we betting on?"
"If I win, you immediately go repair your house and move in, stop living in Seventh Ancestor’s mansion."
Zhao Shen couldn’t help but laugh when he heard it, "Is Seventh Ancestor bothering you again?"
Upon confirming the answer, he was even more delighted, dancing with joy, "Seems that Seventh Ancestor is quite annoyed with me now."
That is indeed great, towards enemies, as long as the other side is unhappy, oneself is joyful.
Zhao Hanzhang really doesn’t want to settle litigations for them anymore, intends to solve it from the root, "If I win, you must move out of Seventh Ancestor’s mansion before the year ends."
"There isn’t much time until the New Year; repairing the house will take at least two months, moreover you haven’t even received Liu Kun’s reply yet, time is insufficient." Zhao Shen felt the turtle shell, the result was not promising but he still made the bet, "If I lose, I will move out before the Lantern Festival."
Zhao Hanzhang, knowledgeable in I Ching, saw the outcome at a glance and couldn’t help asking: "What did you inquire?"
"I asked if I would lose."
Zhao Hanzhang: "... Betting despite the outcome?"
Zhao Shen looked up and grinned at her, "Bet!"
Seventh Ancestor’s words were indeed correct, Zhao Shen is indeed prone to gambling, no wonder he could exasperate Seventh Ancestor, both father and son are truly cut from the same cloth.
With the bet settled, Zhao Shen brought the topic back, "Are you sure Wang Dun will first deal with King Langya, then come upon you?"
"Yuan Li discovered Wang Dun discreetly suggested northward attacks to King Langya twice, King Langya refused both times, Wang Dao also expressed disapproval. I’ve met Wang Dun; he is someone who outwardly appears broad and cheerful yet has deep thoughts and is adept at enduring," Zhao Hanzhang said, "but that was then."
"When he led Qingzhou’s grand army to turn to King Langya, mid-journey, finding Princess Xiangcheng and the maids burdening, he abandoned Princess Xiangcheng, gifting the maids she carried to accompanying soldiers."
Zhao Shen opened his mouth wide, unaware of this matter.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him, of course he didn’t know because the event occurred last year, just about a year and a half ago. And because he erased many traces, few people know, but she thought, Wang Dao must certainly know.
