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The game is up. In the vast hall, the atmosphere was momentarily solemn and quiet. Apart from Zonggan's instinctive slap, no one spoke. Some looked at each other, some pondered with their heads down. At this moment, some had realized what Zonghan and Xiyin were trying to do in this chess game.

Xiyin slowly poured himself some wine.

"Regarding the issue of the new emperor, all parties are now involved and cannot extricate themselves. All of you uncles and brothers sitting here today are thinking of the Jurchen people. Aren't those standing behind Zongpan doing the same? All of you are now of noble status, sharing the country's fate. Even if we help the new emperor ascend the throne, can we become even more noble and prominent? It's all for the sake of the Jurchen nation's overall stability. But once a victor is decided among us here today, half of us will not be able to sleep soundly in the future, and the country's foundation will be unstable."

"Inside and outside the capital city of Shangjing, swords are already drawn tonight. Before this, many nobles inside and outside the city had already fought and bled, and some have disappeared, not to be seen to this day. Tonight, Saiye arrives in the capital. When we enter the palace gate together, can you guarantee that Zonggan will definitely ascend the throne and become the emperor? If it's Zongpan who ascends, you won't be at peace either. Since we're at this stalemate, why not take a step back?"

Several people began to whisper to each other.

Indeed, because of Wugumai's edict, almost all the top nobles of the Great Jin Kingdom had already taken sides. But how much benefit could this alignment bring them? These people were already the most prominent princes. But once they chose the wrong side, for the next half of the new emperor's reign, these great clans that chose the wrong side would not have a single day of peace.

Such a great risk, such a small reward. Many people said they were unwilling to get involved. However, once Wugumai's edict was announced, Zonggan and Zongpan began to pull people in everywhere, and Zonghan and Xiyin followed suit, lobbying from within. In such a major event, who could truly remain neutral? For more than a month, it was difficult for everyone to advance or retreat. Therefore, Xiyin's proposal came at just the right time, touching the hearts of many.

And for a group of nobles who had experienced countless events, they would naturally not think that the whole thing was a whim of Xiyin or Zonghan. Originally, the failure of the southern expedition and Zonggan's ascension to the throne, along with the decline of the Western Palace, might have been the only outcome of this matter. Who knew that Zonghan and Xiyin would side with Zongpan, pulling all the great nobles into the game, creating a stalemate that made everyone feel embarrassed. Now, Zonghan and Xiyin, who had originally fueled the flames, were now trying to break the deadlock by taking advantage of it.

If Wugumai's participation was involved in this layout when he was still alive, then the entire story was truly lamentable. If the southern expedition had been successful and the Jurchen people were strong, Wugumai might have directly passed the throne to Zonggan, and even had some selfishness in letting his son Zongpan ascend the throne. However, Zonghan suffered a disastrous defeat in the southwest, and Wugumai changed his edict in illness, dragging everyone into the water, which in reality gave Zonghan and Xiyin the only opportunity to break the deadlock... Looking back from the future, did that bear-like emperor, who had endured for several years after suffering a stroke and paralysis, have such considerations?

It was now difficult to trace.

The night sky outside was covered in dark clouds, but it wasn't snowing. The air was cold and oppressive. Xiyin had just revealed his sharpness, and in the face of Zonggan's livid face, no one responded.

In this whole affair, Zonggan was originally the most advantageous successor. However, after a series of games and pulling everyone into the arena, he suddenly realized that Zonghan and Xiyin originally wanted to take advantage of this oppressive situation to push him and even Zongpan out of the game.

Originally, he was supposed to be the emperor, and he had a strong force and a good reputation. In the blink of an eye, he was about to be directly discarded by two cheerleaders. Although this idea had just been proposed, the anger in his heart was imaginable.

"Such a thing... dare you say it to Zongpan?" he gritted his teeth, one word at a time.

"It's all for the good of the Great Jin. Everything can be discussed," Xiyin said slowly, "To take a step back, even if Zongpan hates me and Nianhan, and kills us both, what benefits can he get? In the end, if you succeed to the throne, he and everyone around him will have to be worried. The result is far inferior to putting a younger one on the throne."

These words were unhurried. At this time, Zonggan was facing not only Zonghan and Zongpan, but also half of the great nobles of the Jin Kingdom.

Zongbi exploded, "I fuck you—" rushing down from above.

The seemingly old and thin Xiyin overturned the table with a bang. His tall figure rose up and met the burly Zongbi. He wielded a stool in his hand and smashed it down on Zongbi's head. Zongbi was already wearing armor, and he raised his hand to block and collide. The wooden stool exploded in the air. Zongbi had already punched Xiyin twice. Xiyin grabbed the armor in front of his chest and headbutted Zongbi hard in the face. Everyone saw two figures rotating and entangled like wrestlers in the hall for a few rounds, and then Zongbi was thrown out, smashing on the steps at the entrance of the hall. He was in his prime, and he rolled over and half-knelt, his nose and mouth covered in blood.

Xiyin also had bloodstains on his forehead. He opened his arms, like a giant supporting the heavens and earth in the wind and snow. The words in his mouth were like a tiger's roar, echoing in the hall.

"Little Four, come on—"

The crowd rushed forward to separate the two.

Although he usually presented himself with the demeanor of a scholar, Xiyin was never a soft persimmon that could be easily humiliated, even among the top generals of the Jurchen. Even Zonghan, Zongwang, Lou Shi, and others all respected him. How could it be because of some writing skills? Zongbi had been beaten by Xiyin since he was a child. This victory in the southern expedition greatly increased his confidence, and considering Xiyin's age and apparent approaching death, he challenged him again. However, at this time, he could realize that the bloodiness in Xiyin's chest had not diminished in the slightest.

"Let me go, I'll kill him—"

Although separated, Zongbi was furious, roaring that he wanted to go up again. Xiyin pursed his lips, flicked his sleeves, and slowly walked to the table in front of Zongbi, poured a glass of wine, and drank it.

"I know, this time going south, the east has won after all. It's hard for you to swallow this breath if you give in, Zonggan, but everyone is already at an impasse today. It's hard for you to insist. If you can consider the younger one, we can also make concessions. This younger one can be chosen from your side, and there is indeed a suitable one."

Xiyin looked at Zonggan, "Back then, when Zongjun passed away, you took Wan Yan Dan as your adopted son. He is the most beloved grandson of Emperor Taizu. Letting him ascend the throne is probably the most reassuring thing for everyone. And although you are not Wan Yan Dan's biological father, you still have the kindness of raising him. This kindness cannot be erased. The throne will return to Aguda's branch, and others will probably find it difficult to covet it again. For you, you haven't made too many concessions."

Wan Yan Zonggan was the eldest illegitimate son of Aguda. There was also the eldest legitimate son, Wan Yan Zongjun, followed by Zongwang, Zongfu, and Zongbi. Zongjun died young. After his death, his son Wan Yan Dan was adopted by Zonggan. Because of Aguda's love for this eldest grandson, he received countless rewards from an early age, but because his father was no longer alive, not many people harbored too much hostility towards this child.

Speaking of this, Xiyin sighed, "As for me and Nianhan, we are old and have no more thoughts about power in this life. Only what I saw in the southwest has been on my mind. Everyone, Nianhan and I have fought all our lives. Perhaps we can be blamed for other things, but on the battlefield, are we really so昏聩? The countless generals who died in the battle in the southwest, what heroic figures they were on the battlefield, have you all forgotten?"

"But we still lost in the battle in the southwest, almost completely defeated. Everyone, the southwest is like the Jurchen when we followed Emperor Taizu to start the uprising! Even more so! If we don't learn their physics and methods of training soldiers, the disaster of destruction is not far away. Perhaps when they sweep through the Central Plains and attack our north again, the old guys in this room today will not have died yet!"

"Nianhan and I only hope that the Jurchen clan can pass this hurdle safely. If the Shangjing matter can be resolved peacefully, we will practice soldiers, build weapons, and learn physics from the south in Yunzhong with peace of mind. As for the soldiers we train and the things we build, our children will use them in the future. Little Four, you will use them sooner or later. You are meticulous and not stupid, but you have to pretend to be reckless and impulsive. What is the reason for this? There will be no conflict between us in the future. Don't worry. When I beat you when you were young, it was because I couldn't stand your fake recklessness!"

Saying this, he threw the empty glass on the table.

"I know that this matter is of great importance, and you need to close the door and discuss it. I'm afraid you won't be able to make up your mind tonight. If you bring Saiye here tonight, and are sure that you will win when you enter the palace, then you can treat me as if I didn't come and didn't say anything. But if you don't have certainty, consider letting Wan Yan Dan ascend the throne. Everyone will not suffer. I have said everything I need to say. Xiyin takes his leave. After you have made a decision, we will discuss it in detail."

He bowed to the crowd. Wan Yan Chang stood up and bowed to him. Others, including Zonggan, who was silent, saluted him to see him off. However, as he turned to leave, Zongbi shouted in the hall.

"Maybe you can't beat the southwest because you and Nianhan are昏聩, and your people can't fight! No matter what happens this time, I will lead troops to Yunzhong one day, and we will have a fair fight again. If your soldiers are really cowardly, it means that you were lying in Shangjing today, and you are苟且偷生, and now you are talking nonsense about the strength of the Black Flag, wanting to苟活! Then I will kill your whole family—"

Xiyin stopped and looked at him, "Okay, then you can all come. Let you see what the Tushan Guard, who was defeated in the southwest, can still fight. Let your soldiers—leave all your last words before you come—farewell!"

After saying this, he strode out of the hall and got into the carriage outside after a while. There was a brazier burning in the carriage, and the temperature was quite warm. Xiyin leaned against the wall of the carriage, and then took out a silk cloth and coughed suppressively. He coughed for a long time, and there were spots of blood on the silk cloth. After all, he was old, and he was injured after fighting with Zongbi just now.

The convoy faced the cold wind and blew through the quiet long street, with sparse lights in the houses on the roadside. After a while, he returned to the large mansion on the other side of the palace and saw Zonghan.

"...Next, it depends on how to persuade Zongpan. He won't be happy."

Zongpan inherited his father Wugumai's physique, his figure was like a giant bear, and once he got angry, his temperament was quite brutal, and it was difficult for ordinary people to deal with him head-on.

"I'll talk to him," Zonghan smiled coldly on his serious face, "He will agree."

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