If Liao Yuan could seize this opportunity to attack Lin Yuan, it would surely divide Lin Yuan's forces. At that time, Great Li might very well be able to reclaim its lost territories.
Just the thought of recovering the six cities, starting with Mo City, within his lifetime, and possibly even occupying Huai City, belonging to Lin Yuan, filled Yuwen Yi with an indescribable sense of exhilaration. He looked at Cheng Ji, the smile in his eyes gradually fading. As the initial surprise subsided, Yuwen Yi was filled with deep suspicion. How had he learned of the loss of Lin Yuan's border defense map, a secret even his informants within Lin Yuan had failed to uncover?
Yuwen Yi's youthful ambition and unwavering confidence in his ability to subdue all stubborn individuals and make them serve him had, in his old age, transformed into deep suspicion. He was prone to suspicion and possessed a profound intellect, unable to fully trust even Cheng Ji, who had wholeheartedly assisted him in ascending to the throne.
Cheng Ji's expression darkened. The past was like smoke. Even if the old friend stood before him, how much camaraderie remained?
A sigh flowed through his heart. Before Yuwen Yi could ask, he spoke first to explain, "Originally, it was absolutely impossible for this minister to know of this matter. However, today, this minister received a secret letter from the Seventh Prince." He understood Yuwen Yi. Despite his suspicions, to maintain their camaraderie, or perhaps to appear less heartless and unrighteous, Yuwen Yi would never voice his doubts. But not asking did not mean he would let it go; he would only bury it in his heart, repeatedly pondering and speculating.
One should not fear the Emperor's displeasure, but fear the Emperor's calculated deductions.
Of course, merely stating the channel of information was far from enough. His suspicion and ruthlessness were like an ingrained festering wound, impossible to eradicate without death.
"Your Majesty, you know that the general who accompanied the contingent this time is my junior disciple, so..."
Cheng Ji did not over-explain. Sometimes, excessive explanations could lead suspicious individuals to misunderstand the intentions. It was better to touch upon it lightly.
Yuwen Yi nodded, his smile returning. He pointed at Cheng Ji's nose, shaking his head with a laugh, "You, you, you are still so timid and cautious. Your camaraderie with me is different; there's no need to explain these things. Do you perhaps still worry that I might suspect you?"
His eyes held a smile, but Cheng Ji felt that the smile was only superficial, not reaching the depths. He had no doubt that if he dared to break through Yuwen Yi's facade and speak directly of his suspicions, Yuwen Yi would surely show him what it meant for the Emperor's heart to be unfathomable, and for serving a ruler to be like walking alongside a tiger!
He feigned anger, "Your Majesty and I have had years of camaraderie, yet you ask such a question. This minister will definitely go back and eat more than a dozen roast geese to relieve his sorrow."
"You, you!"
Yuwen Yi shook his head, his voice laced with amusement. "Among all the civil and military officials in the court, only you dare to throw such a tantrum with me."
"Enough, enough. You don't need to go back and eat; be off to the imperial kitchen and eat to your heart's content!"
"This minister thanks Your Majesty for the imperial feast!!"
Cheng Ji respectfully thanked the Emperor for his favor, adhering to the etiquette of a subject to his ruler. However, his words were somewhat insolent, yet it was precisely this that caused Yuwen Yi's suspicions to completely dissipate.
Exiting the imperial study, Cheng Ji turned and looked at the study, which symbolized the apex of Great Li's power. The study, separated by a single door, not only divided the ruler from the subject but also the sincere efforts of assistance from the camaraderie of the past. The moment Yuwen Yi ascended the throne, all that remained between them was the magnificent imperial power.
Alas~
Cheng Ji sighed. If he had not involved himself in court affairs over the years, withdrawing wisely after assisting Yuwen Yi to the throne and accepting only a sinecure within the palace, he feared he would have already become the dog that is slaughtered after the cunning rabbits are gone!
He had not gone far when he heard Yuwen Yi urgently summon Bi Chongwen and Zhang Yafu.
War was like this. Even if the initial desire was merely for a piece of candy, in the end, it might escalate to wanting an entire candy shop.
Even though Yuwen Yi had found the border conflict inexplicable just days ago, the moment he learned of Lin Yuan losing its border defense map, he could not stand idly by and watch this opportunity to reclaim lost territories slip away.
...
Qin Qiancheng led the vanguard of the Jiyang Army to Huai City first, with the remaining army under the command of Deputy General Huan Heng.
From his deployment to the Jiyang Army until his arrival at Huai City, it took only three days.
Huai City was not engulfed in the flames of war as he had imagined. Although the city's inhabitants were anxious and apprehensive, their lives had not changed. The Huai City border guards patrolled the city gates in three shifts daily, facing the Wei City border guards across Changming Slope.
Qin Qiancheng sensed something amiss.
Logically, if Great Li harbored intentions of invasion, after slaughtering the Huai City border guards, they should have seized the opportunity to attack and control Huai City in the shortest possible time. Why were they holding back? Wasn't this deliberately giving Lin Yuan an opportunity to react?
Even though Great Li's military strength was inferior to Lin Yuan's, they would not be so foolish. Excluding the possibility of Great Li having other objectives, there was only one explanation for the current situation: the cause of this battle must not have been Great Li's invasion!
After entering the city, Qin Qiancheng ordered the Jiyang Army to tie up Huai City's current highest commander, the centurion Luo Zhong, and immediately took control of the entire Huai City border army.
He wanted to know what exactly had happened in Huai City!
...
An event occurred in the capital that day: Qing Shan Monastery was closed.
The current abbot of Qing Shan Monastery, Yun Lanzi, personally visited the capital to meet the Emperor. After being invited into the palace, he spoke something to the Emperor before leaving the palace and returning to Qing Shan Monastery, where he announced the closure of the Taoist temple.
Since Qing Shan Monastery was established in the capital, such an event had never occurred. Upon hearing the news, pilgrims and lay disciples rushed to the monastery by carriage and horse. Abbot Yun Lanzi did not appear; his senior disciple, Dao Ji, emerged to turn everyone away without providing any explanation. However, through the persistent inquiries of the pilgrims, they learned a piece of information: Master Yun Qingzi had revealed heavenly secrets in the past, resulting in Qing Shan Monastery being punished by the heavenly way and thus requiring a period of closure to eliminate their karmic debt!
Everyone suddenly understood.
Upon hearing this news, Nan Shiying almost spat out the tea she had just drunk. She had to admit that the disciples of Qing Shan Monastery were all talented, to be able to utter such words!
Their closure was merely because they discovered the graves in the back mountain had been disturbed, and they feared being implicated in court disputes. Yet, they had conjured a rumor about revealing heavenly secrets and suffering backlash, which not only deterred the continuous stream of inquiring pilgrims but also elevated the prestige of Qing Shan Monastery.
It was truly killing two birds with one stone.
Nan Shiying couldn't help but think of Yun Qingzi.
She couldn't help but sigh: Truly worthy of being disciples taught by the same master!!