eurekapd Chapter 459 Yi Bu's Clever Words Divert Attention, Xiao Ruojin Bestows Title on Lei Men (2)
Chapter 459 Yi Bu's Clever Words Divert Attention, Xiao Ruojin Bestows Title on Lei Men (2)
This question gets straight to the heart of the matter.
Ib had already made up his mind, but he pretended to ponder and said:
"Your Majesty, although Lei Men is confined to the south of the Yangtze River, it is still a part of the people of Dali. Now, with war imminent and the Medicine People posing a danger, if Your Majesty were to summon them for the greater good of the nation, and grant them further permission..."
He deliberately stopped and looked up at the emperor.
"What promise?" Xiao Ruojin pressed.
"A noble title and an imperial decree!"
Yi Bu uttered these words softly yet clearly, “The Lei Clan is the wealthiest in Jiangnan, and holds a prestigious position in the martial arts world. Ordinary rewards are hardly worthy of their attention.”
But if His Majesty were to grant the head of the Lei family a hereditary title, even if it were only the title of Earl or Marquis…
He paused, letting his words settle in Xiao Ruojin's ears for a moment, before continuing, "For martial arts families, it means a complete transformation; they are no longer commoners, but noble families."
Xiao Ruojin narrowed her eyes slightly upon hearing this, feeling that Yi Bu's words did indeed make a lot of sense.
Jinxuan then whispered in agreement:
"Your Majesty, Sect Leader Yi's words... remind me of something—"
Lei Mengsha is now a Silver-Clad Marquis. If the Lei Clan were to receive another title, it would be a family with two titles. No other aristocratic family in Jiangnan has ever achieved such glory.
This statement, seemingly a supplement, is actually adding fuel to the fire!
It not only clarifies Lei Mengsha's existing relationship with the imperial court, but also implies that this relationship can be exploited.
Xiao Ruojin stood up and slowly paced around the hall.
The morning light shone through the window lattice onto his bright yellow nightgown, casting dappled shadows.
Yi Bu and Jin Xuan stood with their heads bowed, glancing at each other without saying a word.
After a long while, Xiao Ruojin stopped in her tracks:
"Jinxuan!"
"The slave is here!"
"Drafting an imperial edict..."
Xiao Ruojin walked to the imperial desk and gently tapped the corner of it:
"The Lei family head of the Jiangnan Thunderbolt Hall, Lei Hong, is hereby granted the title of 'Marquis of Thunderclap' and bestowed with an imperial edict and iron certificate."
In addition, a reward of five thousand taels of gold, three thousand bolts of brocade, and ten pairs of jade discs will be given…
As soon as he finished speaking, Jinxuan dipped her brush in thick ink and wrote with great flourish.
At this point, Xiao Ruojin thought for a moment and continued, "Let me add one more thing—order Lei Yunhe, Lei Hong, and the other three heroes of the Lei Clan to immediately lead the elite troops of the Lei Clan northward."
They will join forces with the army of the Prince of Langya at Jianmen Pass to jointly punish the rebels. If they achieve meritorious service, the imperial court will surely reward them handsomely!
Jinxuan bowed: "This servant obeys the decree, but... what should be done if Leimen tries to shirk responsibility?"
Xiao Ruojin put down her pen and looked at Yi Bu: "General Yi, I'll leave this matter to you. Go to Jiangnan personally and make sure to persuade Lei Men to accept the imperial decree."
He paused, his eyes turning cold: "If he knows what's good for him, Lei Men will become a powerful clan in the martial arts world and a rising star in the imperial court; if he doesn't know how to be virtuous..."
He didn't say what he meant next, but both Yi Bu and Jin Xuan understood what the emperor meant.
Yi Bu bowed deeply: "This old minister understands, and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!"
"Go!" Xiao Ruojin waved his hand. "I await your good news."
After Ib left, the side hall returned to silence.
Jinxuan carefully copied the imperial edict and affixed her seal, then asked in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, do you really think Lei Men will accept the imperial decree?"
Xiao Ruojin walked to the window, gazing at the gradually brightening sky outside, a meaningful smile appearing on her lips:
"Whether or not the imperial decree is accepted is not up to him! If Lei Men were smart, he would know that this is a once-in-a-century opportunity for their clan."
If he's stupid..."
He turned around, a cold calculation flashing in his eyes: "If Lei Men doesn't accept, Lei Mengsha's situation in the army will become delicate."
You tell me, when the entire army knows that Lei Men disobeyed the imperial order, and yet this member of Lei Men holds a high position… how should the Prince of Langya treat him? And how should he face the fact that Lei Meng killed him?
Jin Xuan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly flattered, "Your Majesty is wise!"
"Wise and sagacious?" Xiao Ruojin chuckled. "It's nothing more than the art of emperors. The medicine man needs to be broken, the Thunder Gate needs to be used, the Prince of Langya needs to be relied upon, and also... checked and balanced!"
He walked back to the bedside and picked up the now-cold ginseng tea again:
"Issue another decree to the Shadow Sect, instructing them to keep a close eye on Lei Mengsha—when news of Leimen receiving the decree reaches the army, see how Lei Mengsha reacts!"
"I want to know everything you say and do!"
"Yes." Jinxuan bowed and withdrew.
Xiao Ruojin was the only one left in the hall.
He gazed southward, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
'My dear brother, aren't you supposed to be a man of great loyalty and righteousness?'
"Didn't you and Lei Mengsha pledge your lives to each other? I'd like to see if you can still uphold that loyalty when the imperial title falls into Lei's hands, when your brother is caught between national duty and the code of honor among江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world)."
The morning light grew brighter, but it couldn't warm the icy chill in the emperor's eyes.
Meanwhile, on the shores of Taihu Lake in Jiangnan, within the ancestral home of the Lei family of the Thunderbolt Hall, a crucial decision concerning the family's century-long destiny is about to begin.
Ib's carriage has already left Tianqi and is heading straight for Jiangnan.
He sat in the car, eyes closed, seemingly resting, but a cold smile played on his lips.
'Ji Ruofeng, do you think you can humiliate me by tearing up the silver note? Little do you know, what I really want has never been your little bit of information!'
Using the imperial court as a tool, they dragged Lei Men into the vortex of court politics; using the Lei Men affair, they sowed discord between the Prince of Langya and Lei Mengsha.
Then, through these layers of checks and balances, we can consolidate the Shadow Sect's position in the court... At that time, we can find any opportunity to destroy your foundation in Beili in one fell swoop!
Ji Ruofeng, I will show you that only my Shadow Sect can mediate between the martial world and the imperial court!
The carriage sped along, raising a cloud of dust in its wake.
At this moment, a crucial piece was quietly placed in the game of chess between the martial arts world and the imperial court.
The peace that had lasted for over a hundred years in the martial arts world of Jiangnan was about to be shattered by the arrival of Yi Bu!
……
The morning mist had not yet dissipated at the entrance of the Ironthorn Ridge Cave.
After reading the note handed to him by Baili Chengfeng, Wen Yanzhao frowned slightly, then relaxed, a mocking smile appearing on his lips.
“Uncle,” he folded the note and handed it back to Baili Chengfeng, “this new emperor Xiao Ruojin… his methods are quite efficient.”
Having ascended the throne for only half a month, he took action against a fourth-rank censor as a warning to others, which was in line with his usual style.
"Very well, let the court descend into chaos. Some power-hungry individuals will inevitably vie for power, but this will benefit us. Let them stir things up; the more chaotic Tianqi is, the greater our opportunities!"
Baili Chengfeng's expression was solemn: "Zhao'er is right. Xiao Ruojin is far less benevolent than his younger brother Xiao Ruofeng. However, Hu Bufei's father, Hu Cheng, a Grand Scholar, spoke up for his father many times in court and was a benefactor of the Baili family."
Now that his son is unjustly imprisoned, if we stand idly by...
“Uncle, you misunderstand. I didn’t mean to stand idly by,” Wen Yanzhao interrupted him. “It’s just that the situation is far more complicated than you think.”
He walked to the cave entrance and watched the mist gradually dissipate outside:
"Xiao Ruojin has just ascended the throne, and the people in the court are not yet loyal to him. The old ministers in the Censorate, especially that old man Xu Wei, have always only recognized the late emperor and the Prince of Langya."
Although Hu Bufei was addicted to alcohol and made mistakes, he was promoted by Xu Wei and had a good reputation in the Censorate.
By targeting him, we can both send a message to Xu Wei, intimidate the Censorate, and show those hesitant officials in the court that the world has changed hands.
Baili Chengfeng remained silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "How could I not know these principles? But my benefactor's son is in trouble, and if my Baili family does not lend a hand, I will truly feel uneasy."
"Besides, the old man also instructed that it would be best if you could offer assistance, which is why your uncle told you the news!"
“Of course we have to take action.” Wen Yanzhao turned around, his eyes clear. “But right now the Pofeng Army is facing off against the Beili Army. My uncle needs to organize his troops for battle, and I need to train the medicine men. Neither of us can leave.”
Sending ordinary people to Tianqi to rescue people would be risky, as they would lack the strength and their identities would be easily exposed, ultimately harming Hu Bufei.
Baili Chengfeng rested his chin on his hand and frowned: "Then what should we do?"
Wen Yanzhao suddenly laughed: "Uncle, how could you forget? We have the best candidate—our cousin Dongjun, who is far away in Snow Moon City."
Baili Chengfeng was taken aback: "Dongjun? That brat, he's the city lord now, he's very busy! Besides, we're currently a thousand miles away from Snow Moon City..."
"So what if it's a thousand miles away?" Wen Yanzhao's eyes gleamed. "I'll send him a message using the method of teleportation, and he'll arrive immediately!"
Dongjun is now a top-ranked expert, and he has Sikong Changfeng and Yin Luoxia by his side. In addition, the Tongtian Pavilion in Xueyue City has the brothers Luo Fengzhong and Luo Nianse in charge.
If they go to Tianqi disguised as martial arts practitioners, they can both conceal their true intentions and successfully rescue Hu Bufei, thus deterring the imperial court!
He paused, then added, "Moreover, although Dongjun has no personal relationship with Hu Bufei, he knows about the connection between the Hu family and the Baili family."
Knowing his temperament, he would never stand idly by.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Baili Chengfeng's eyes, yet he still harbored reservations: "But Tianqi City is teeming with powerful figures, including the Shadow Sect, the Directorate of Ceremonial, and the Imperial Guard... experts are everywhere. Dongjun is young and impetuous; what if..."
"Uncle!" Wen Yanzhao suddenly raised his voice, his eyes filled with laughter, "When you ventured into Lingnan alone and snatched Aunt from under the noses of the Xu family, did you ever think about 'what if'?"
Back then, you were merely at the Vajra Realm, yet you dared to declare in the Wen family ancestral home—'Listen up, Xu family! I'm determined to marry Wen Luoyu! Not even Wen Hujiu can protect her!'
Why are you so hesitant and timid now that your son is going to Tianqi to rescue people?
These words brought up old stories about Baili Chengfeng, and he was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter:
"You little rascal! You're bringing up what your uncle did back then!"
Baili Chengfeng patted Wen Yanzhao on the shoulder, a look of reminiscence in his eyes: "Yes... back then I was just a greenhorn, yet I dared to venture into Lingnan to snatch back Luoyu..."
Now that Dongjun is the Grand Lord of Snow Moon City, and ranks among the most outstanding, is he really less capable than his father was back then, going to Tianqi to save someone?
He took a deep breath, his eyes hardening: "Alright! We'll do as you say! Let Dongjun go and rescue Hu Bufei!"
Wen Yanzhao nodded: "There's no time to lose, I'll use my teleportation to send the message now."
He sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed, and a faint golden light emanated from his body.
In an instant, I was lost in a trance!
……