"The old minister believes that an alliance with Northern Rong is not impossible, but we must also guard against them," Grand Tutor Du said slowly. "The Northern Rong barbarians have always been untrustworthy. An alliance with them is a matter of necessity to jointly resist Blue Moon and Cloud Rise. However, Northern Rong has had considerable friction with both Blue Moon and Cloud Rise. I worry that Northern Rong might stab us in the back."
"If we are to form an alliance with Northern Rong, who can be sent to negotiate?"
Grand Tutor Du hesitated for a moment before replying, "I believe only the Prince of Qin is suitable."
The Emperor frowned. The Prince of Qin was currently very weak, barely able to get out of bed. How could he possibly go to Northern Rong to negotiate?
"Grand Tutor, you know the Prince of Qin's health as well as I do. How can he go for negotiations?"
"Prince of Qin is as renowned as the Empress Dowager of Cloud Rise. Only the Prince of Qin can awe Northern Rong. If someone else were to go, they might never return."
Grand Tutor Du's concerns were valid. Northern Rong had always adhered to the principle of respecting strength. If the envoy sent by Yushang could not awe them, it would be tantamount to sending a head. The Northern Rong barbarians would not care about diplomatic relations or the rule of not killing envoys!
"Given the Prince of Qin's current condition, what is the difference between him going and being sent to his death?"
"Your Majesty, although Prince of Qin is still recovering from his serious injuries, the prestige of the Silver Armored Army will not diminish due to his condition. It is the Silver Armored Army under Prince of Qin's command that truly deters Northern Rong!"
"Then couldn't the commander of the Silver Armored Army go?"
"His status is insufficient," Grand Tutor Du shook his head. "If the commander of the Silver Armored Army were to go, it would only lead to unnecessary conflict. Yushang is currently in turbulent times. If we were to engage in war with Northern Rong again, Cloud Rise and Blue Moon would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to incite trouble. At that time, Yushang would be isolated and helpless!"
The Emperor felt a throbbing pain in his head and instinctively pressed his temples to alleviate the discomfort.
"Is Your Majesty's gout acting up again?"
The old Emperor waved his hand, signaling he was fine. "Besides the Prince of Qin, is there no one else who can go?"
"Your Majesty, besides the Prince of Qin, who else can command the Silver Armored Army?"
The old Emperor choked. Indeed, the Silver Armored Army under the Prince of Qin was as fearsome as the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry under Du Gu Man of Cloud Rise. Thinking of this, the Emperor angrily slammed the table. That damnable Xiao Man! She had secretly subdued the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry without reporting it. She must have harbored rebellious intentions long ago!
Seeing the Emperor's anger, Grand Tutor Du lowered his head. He knew Xiao Man was vengeful, but he hadn't expected her to openly betray Yushang. Logically, a traitor should be spurned by all, yet Xiao Man had transformed into a noble princess of Blue Moon, second only to the emperor. How could His Majesty swallow this insult!
"Issue a decree, ordering the Prince of Qin to be an envoy to Northern Rong and discuss an alliance."
"As you command."
"Also, send two imperial physicians to accompany him and ensure his health is well looked after."
Grand Tutor Du stood respectfully to the side. Even a prince of heaven's favor like the Prince of Qin, even if bedridden, would be unhesitatingly dragged from his sickbed and pushed onto the battlefield when the emperor needed him. This was royalty, this was father and son!
Grand Tutor Du suddenly understood why the Prince of Qi had fled to Lan Du. Lan Du was not particularly rich, but it was not barren either. In Lan Du, the Prince of Qi would be a regional lord, far from the intrigues of the court and the struggle for power. Although he would have no chance at the throne, he could at least be a carefree prince, free from worries for his entire life!
Thinking of this, Grand Tutor Du recalled the events at Baiyun Nunnery. Baiyun Nunnery had been burned to the ground, and not a single soul inside had escaped. When he received this news, Grand Tutor Du felt a pang of sadness, but also a sense of relief. Du Yu Lan had gone mad; keeping her would have been a constant threat. Now, being consumed by the flames was a form of release.
"Grand Tutor."
"I am here, Your Majesty."
"The Prince of Qin is no longer young. When he returns from Northern Rong, I plan to bestow a marriage upon him. Which family's daughter do you think is suitable to be the Princess Consort?" the Emperor inquired, the Prince of Qin's marital affairs now a nagging concern in his heart.
"Regarding this matter, Your Majesty should consult the Prince of Qin's wishes," Grand Tutor Du replied. "Prince of Qin is obstinate. If Your Majesty bestows a marriage without regard for his wishes, it may lead to an unhappy union."
The old Emperor saw Grand Tutor Du sigh and immediately understood he was thinking of his granddaughter's marriage to the Prince of Qi. "Very well. After the Prince of Qin returns from Northern Rong and I have inquired about his wishes, I will make a decision."
"Your Majesty is wise."
"But that Xiao Man of Blue Moon, I will absolutely not let her off!"
Grand Tutor Du remained silent. Xiao Man's current status was not something that could be easily challenged. The only ones who could deal with Xiao Man now were the people of Blue Moon. "Your Majesty need not worry. Xiao Man has infringed upon the interests of many in Blue Moon. You do not need to act personally; the other princesses of Blue Moon would sooner flay her alive!"
The Prince of Qin, languishing in illness, was ordered by the Emperor to be an envoy to Northern Rong.
The court officials, upon hearing this, were all filled with apprehension. Two months had passed since the spring hunt, and the Prince of Qin's health had shown no signs of improvement. Not only was the Emperor indifferent to his suffering, but he also wanted him to undertake the mission to Northern Rong while gravely injured.
Northern Rong had a harsh climate, and its people were known for their brutality and unreasonableness. Was His Majesty intending to use this opportunity to eliminate the Prince of Qin, so that the Prince of Chu could ascend the throne legitimately?
"My Lord, His Majesty has ordered Prince of Qin to be an envoy to Northern Rong. It is likely that Prince of Qin will not return from this trip."
"Foolish!" Nan Gong Yan glanced at Fu Yao. "If he dies, what benefit does that bring us? Do you know why the other three nations have only engaged in minor skirmishes and have never truly confronted Yushang?"
Fu Yao rubbed his head. "Because Yushang is powerful?"
"I call you foolish and you've actually become foolish!" Nan Gong Yan was somewhat exasperated. He desired the throne, and he desired Nan Gong Yu's life. However, Nan Gong Yu could not die now. At least not until he had secured his position on the throne and stabilized his influence within the court. Otherwise, even if he ascended the throne, he would not be able to hold onto it!
"Your servant is indeed foolish. Please enlighten me, Your Highness."
"Blue Moon and Cloud Rise have formed an alliance, and Yushang is truly isolated. Originally, Yushang had two great generals: Xiao Zhen and Prince of Qin. Now, Xiao Zhen is dead, and Prince of Qin is gravely injured. Outsiders are all waiting for him to die. Once he dies, the other three nations will undoubtedly launch a joint attack. Therefore, not only must he not die, but he must also return alive and well!"
"But if he returns alive and well, won't that threaten Your Highness's position?"
"My two brothers can fight amongst ourselves behind closed doors, but we cannot let outsiders take advantage," Nan Gong Yan said coldly. "Furthermore, Xiao Luo has defected, and the current Lord of Cloud Rising City is Wen Ru Yu. Wen Ru Yu is Prince of Qin's right-hand man, and this is common knowledge. If Prince of Qin were to meet with an accident, do you think Wen Ru Yu would obey my command?"