Chapter 684 Three-Way Talks
The Heavenly Lord once again arrived in Wenshui County with the transport ships.
After several days of arduous work, Wenshui County had begun to take shape again.
Brand-new districts were rising, block by block. Many of the buildings utilized cement, making them neat and incredibly sturdy.
However, the Ming people weren't particularly fond of the stark appearance of the cement houses. Many residents, showcasing their woodworking skills, added an extra layer of timber to the exterior of their cement homes. On this timber, they carved intricate designs, transforming plain facades into works of art that truly demonstrated the craftsmanship of our celestial empire.
As Li Daoxuan led the transport convoy into the county town, he was greeted cheerfully by Fan Shangzheng, the Governor of Henan. It turned out the esteemed Governor, with nothing pressing to do, was simply strolling by the city gate when he happened upon Li Daoxuan. “Ah, Hero Xiao,” Fan Shangzheng exclaimed, “Your injuries? Are they mended?”
Li Daoxuan replied, “They’re fine, all healed up.”
“Hero Xiao, for the sake of the common people, you’ve provided funds and effort, even personally braving the battlefield and suffering injuries,” Fan Shangzheng declared, a heavy sigh escaping him. “Truly... I barely know how to express my gratitude.”
“It’s nothing, truly nothing!” Li Daoxuan waved off his concern. “But speaking of which, what has transpired in Huaiqing Prefecture since I left?”
At this, a look of triumph spread across Fan Shangzheng’s face. “The siege of Huaiqing Prefecture has finally been lifted!” he announced. “Supreme Commander of Xuanfu and Datong, Zhang Zongheng; Zhang Fengyi, leading the Sichuan White Pole Soldiers; You Shilu, the Regional Commander of Shanxi; and Vice Commander Zuo Liangyu—all their armies converged to relieve Huaiqing. The rebels dared not resist and fled east into the Taihang Mountains.”
Li Daoxuan mused inwardly: My intervention had subtly altered history: the rebels hadn't managed to cross the Yellow River and wreak havoc in Henan. However, they had still successfully retreated into the Taihang Mountains. In other words, while the details had shifted, the overall trajectory remained unchanged.
With the rebels now fleeing into the Taihang Mountains, a small contingent would inevitably cross the range and appear in Hebei Province.
Hebei Province, after all, was not far from the capital.
Should the rebels infiltrate Hebei, it would send shockwaves through the capital! The Ming court would then unleash even fiercer measures to subdue them.
Of course, these measures would ultimately prove futile!
No matter how fierce the Ming court grew, the rebels would always match—and then exceed—their ferocity.
Ultimately, eliminating the rebels would fall to Gao Family Village.
Just then, a troop of horsemen galloped into the county town. The leader, clad in an embroidered flying-fish robe, was undeniably a Jinyiwei agent. Spotting Fan Shangzheng by the city gate, the Jinyiwei dismounted with a practiced ease and cupped his fists in a salute. “Governor,” he announced, “I bear an imperial verbal decree for you, by His Majesty’s command.”
Fan Shangzheng, hearing this, uttered a surprised sound. The Emperor sent Jinyiwei for a verbal decree? This was truly unusual. He quickly composed himself. “Let us find a private place to discuss this.”
The two men slipped into a nearby building.
Li Daoxuan let out a soft exclamation. He moved to a corner and released a palm-sized reconnaissance-type Heavenly Lord avatar. He instructed the small avatar to follow Fan Shangzheng and the Jinyiwei as they entered the building.
“What are His Majesty’s commands?” Fan Shangzheng inquired.
The Jinyiwei replied, “The Prince of Fu’s estate has sent a letter, lamenting the situation at Xiaolangdi to His Majesty.”
“Ah?” Fan Shangzheng uttered in surprise. “Xiaolangdi again?”
The Jinyiwei stated, “The Emperor said, ‘Such trivial matters are usually unworthy of mention. However, as it concerns the imperial family’s prestige, it cannot be ignored. Therefore, no formal imperial edict will be issued. Instead, I am to deliver a verbal command to the Governor: reclaim Xiaolangdi and return it to the Prince of Fu’s estate to prevent further lamentations from the Prince.’”
Fan Shangzheng looked utterly bewildered, caught between laughter and tears. “The Prince of Fu... lamenting? This is...”
The Jinyiwei sighed. “His Majesty finds himself in a difficult position.”
Overhearing this, the small Heavenly Lord couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. What was this feeling? It was like a street gang member, having his territory seized, running to his boss for assistance.
Fan Shangzheng let out a long, drawn-out sigh. “Please convey to His Majesty,” he stated firmly, “that Xiaolangdi is beyond my reach.”
“Why so?” the Jinyiwei pressed.
“Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Xiaolangdi has been plagued by river bandits,” Fan Shangzheng explained. “Over a millennium, it has never truly been pacified. It was only recently that Bai Yuan arrived, eradicated the bandits, resettled the populace, and brought order to Xiaolangdi. If we were to reclaim Xiaolangdi and hand it over to the Prince of Fu... begging His Majesty’s pardon, what capability does the Prince of Fu’s estate possess to manage it effectively?”
The Jinyiwei remained silent.
“The Prince of Fu’s estate, with its relentless extortion, would simply drive the common people away,” Fan Shangzheng continued. “Xiaolangdi would revert to a bandit den, which would benefit neither the nation nor its people.”
The Jinyiwei, caught between amusement and exasperation, conceded, “That... is a valid point. But how are we to address the Prince of Fu’s lamentations? Governor, you must also share His Majesty’s burdens.”
As a member of the literati officialdom, Fan Shangzheng, upon hearing the phrase “the Prince of Fu’s lamentations,” felt an urge to retort, “Let the fool weep to himself!” but such words could not be spoken aloud. He could only reply, “Very well. Allow me to consider this matter carefully and find some other means of compensation for the Prince of Fu’s estate.”
“Then I shall return to report my findings,” the Jinyiwei stated.
The Jinyiwei’s arrival had been swift, and his departure equally so.
Fan Shangzheng, meanwhile, sighed and emerged from the room. He gazed up at the clouds drifting across the sky. “Alas,” he muttered, “A thorny problem indeed.”
Li Daoxuan stepped out from his hiding spot nearby, feigning ignorance. “Governor,” he asked, “What troubles you so?”
“Ah, nothing, nothing at all,” Fan Shangzheng replied dismissively.
Changing the subject, he added, “Hero Xiao, you and Mister Bai Yuan, you seem to be very good friends?”
“Indeed,” Li Daoxuan confirmed. “We have a rather good relationship.”
“Then... I have an impolite request,” Fan Shangzheng began.
Li Daoxuan had a feeling he knew what was coming.
“Regarding Xiaolangdi, do you think it would be possible to invite Mister Bai Yuan to a meeting?” Fan Shangzheng proposed. “We could sit down and have a proper discussion. Rest assured, I have no intention of demanding he return Xiaolangdi to the Prince of Fu’s estate. As for a few hundred taels of silver in rent or similar payments, I also believe it’s utterly unnecessary for the Prince of Fu’s estate to receive anything. It’s just... the imperial family’s prestige cannot be entirely disregarded. This matter, ultimately, requires a resolution.”
His words held merit!
Such a vast and strategic area as Xiaolangdi couldn’t simply be held by whoever wielded the greatest power. No state or government could possibly tolerate such a situation indefinitely.
Ultimately, a proper solution was indeed required.
Gao Family Village needed a justifiable reason to continue occupying the area, otherwise, it would lead to endless disputes or open conflict.
Li Daoxuan smiled. “Very well. I’ll accept on behalf of my brother Bai Yuan. Let’s arrange a time and place for a leisurely tea, where we can properly discuss this matter.”
Fan Shangzheng went off to instruct his servants to arrange for representatives from the Prince of Fu’s estate to come for discussions.
For Li Daoxuan, things were simpler. With a co-sensing leap, his consciousness transferred to the golden-threaded Heavenly Lord avatar worn on Bai Yuan’s chest. A few words were exchanged, and the matter was settled.
Three days later!
A warm winter sun, shining brightly, lifted everyone’s spirits.
Li Daoxuan strolled leisurely into the “Divine Capital” of Luoyang.
While Puzhou was renowned as the “Center of the World,” Luoyang claimed the title of “Heart of the World.” Both bore similar grand titles, yet they represented distinct eras, different glories, and varied historical transformations.
At the largest tavern in Luoyang City, Fan Shangzheng had arranged a banquet, preparing for the three-way talks.
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