Peace Order

Chapter 1865: Chapter 5: Yan Daiqing’s Plot at the Northern Border (2)

"Who would kill themselves?"

Wen Qingyu smiled: "When there’s discord between upper and lower ranks, and disharmony between ruler and ministers, it’s enough."

Yuan Shitong was still somewhat puzzled, but Xue Tianxing was already enlightened, stopping Yuan Shitong from asking further. They just drank wine together, and after nightfall, while Yuan Shitong slept soundly, Xue Tianxing went to visit Mr. Wen Qingyu.

He handed over the dossier detailing the actions and speeches of the ’Son of the Taiping Duke’ to Wen Qingyu. It recorded everything from his early achievements to the later ambitions of seizing power and fame, with nothing concealed. freēwēbnovel.com

After perusing it, Mr. Wen Qingyu smiled and nodded, saying:

"Thank you, General Xue."

Xue Tianxing replied: "I dare not."

After handing over the dossier to Wen Qingyu, it seemed as if nothing had happened, and he no longer inquired about it, instead discussing Ying Country, where the Grandmaster of Ying opposed Emperor Qin, keeping Emperor Qin at the frontier for years.

Xue Tianxing sighed deeply: "Even the Emperor Ying, Jiang Yuan, has indulged in pleasures and desires in these past two years, yet Ying Country remains peaceful. I hear that this year’s harvest is abundant, and praises of peace are heard everywhere."

Wen Qingyu said: "That’s good news."

Xue Tianxing watched Wen Qingyu without expression.

The latter looked at Xue Tianxing, smiling, and said: "Even in the old Chen Country, the emperor deposed by Chen Fubi, the Divine Martial King, patronized the clergy heavily, and the daily expense on lamp oil was staggering."

"Yet, even so, with continuous battles in the southwest, resistance against the Western Regions, and confrontations with Ying Country, Chen Country was not exhausted. It was only after Regent King’s era, Chen Dingye’s era, until a few years ago when accumulated issues erupted all at once."

"This is the depth of a long-reigning and vast nation."

"The blood runs thick, and with annual harvest and population growth, some of the nation’s essence will replenish. In many dynasties, an emperor indulging in pleasures in the harem often becomes the least significant reason for dynastic change and national decline."

"The real trouble stems from an incompetent emperor leading to dispersed military power and chaos among the aristocratic clans."

"But before Jiang Wanxiang’s death, he eradicated those major noble clans that could cause such disasters. With Jiang Su holding the fort, it would take at least twenty years to deplete this vast three-hundred-year dynasty’s vitality due to Jiang Yuan’s reckless behavior."

Xue Tianxing remained silent.

He wasn’t sure whether twenty years was long or short.

Saying it’s long, it’s just twenty years to exhaust a nation wielding nearly half the world’s territory, a three-hundred-year reign, even after a capable king’s sixty-year governance.

Fast, it’s indeed too fast.

It’s simply an extraordinary spendthrift.

On another note, it seems excessively long to take twenty years to deplete Ying Country’s essence and unify the world, with continuous wars causing suffering for the people, soldiers, and the nation.

Wen Qingyu said: "However, fortunately, this is just the action of that king himself, and beyond this, we can give him a little push."

"Everyone has desires; a poor scholar and a powerful Prime Minister are both human, yet they make different choices when facing a matter."

"Even Chen Fubi, when he became Regent King, gradually indulged in excesses and eventually fell out with Taiping Duke."

"The true power over millions, the authority of life and death, amplifies the desires and ripples in anyone’s heart; what we need to do is simply hasten the amplification of his desires."

Xue Tianxing instinctively looked at Wen Qingyu.

It was late at night. On the table, a candle burned, its light flickering, casting moving shadows on Mr. Qingyu’s face. Wen Qingyu held his finger up to his lips, dividing his face in half, smiling warmly and sincerely:

"A foolish ruler in power will eventually lead to ruin, sooner or later."

"But we can apply a little bit, insignificant help."

"Just a little."

Xue Tianxing looked into Wen Qingyu’s eyes filled with firelight, and for some reason, he suddenly thought of that great fire in the Dangxiang King’s city that had ultimately burned away the Wolf King’s dream.

This truly is the first master of poison strategies in the Western Regions, Yan Daiqing.

What kind of character must Emperor Qin have been to have been able to control such a person?!

And with what methods could he make such a character willingly follow when he was only the Marquis Qin Wu, with a small piece of land and ordinary martial ability?

Truly extraordinary!

Xue Tianxing remained calm.

He raised his glass and toasted: "We look forward to seeing the master’s means!"

"Yuan Shitong and I are willing to be driven by the master’s plans, willing to sacrifice everything."

After several drinks, he rose to take his leave.

Wen Qingyu saw him off, watching the figure of the famed general disappear into the night, until he could no longer be seen, he muttered to himself: "Xue Tianxing, truly a cunning fox granted by the Taiping Duke in the past."

"You’re somewhat like me."

He looked at the dossier recording the speech and actions of the ’Son of Taiping Duke,’ with a half-smile.

The next day, Wen Qingyu made a grand display of visiting this Son of Taiping Duke. Li Xingyi had been stripped of martial arts, knowing Wen Qingyu was coming, he braced himself for death, disheartened, yet he hadn’t expected Wen Qingyu to be so ceremonious, feeling rather honored.

Wen Qingyu lavished praise on Li Xingyi for his previous achievements.

Yet, he avoided discussing the numerous wrongdoings he had committed.