Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

It wouldn’t matter. A single island nation going against a country—no matter how skilled the island’s warriors were, they could only watch helplessly as their opponent’s logistics continuously replenished soldiers, weapons, food, and all other strategic resources.

—With the country’s resources, it could afford to lose many times, but the island nation only needed to lose once to be utterly ruined.

After some thought, the Qingpu magistrate added, “If Your Majesty is concerned about governance after conquest, all Wokou could be relocated to a smaller, resource-poor island.”

The officials who didn’t grasp the reasoning reflexively asked, “Why?”

Those who did understand inhaled sharply, staring at the magistrate as though he were a venomous strategist from antiquity.

The magistrate calmly continued.

“If they are confined to an isolated island with limited resources, they will naturally turn on each other in competition, fragmenting themselves. This will suppress their population growth. Additionally, Great Xia could trade with one faction annually, bringing them resources they lack. To secure Great Xia’s favor, they would strive to curry favor and submit to us.”

“As for the now-vacant Wokou islands, they could serve as another place for Great Xia to exile criminals.”

Since it would be an exile site, there wouldn’t be much need to worry about disaster relief in the event of typhoons or earthquakes.

But the old emperor found himself admiring the magistrate more and more. He immediately promoted him.

“Once you return to Qingpu, prepare to hand over your duties and resign.”

The magistrate’s face showed a trace of delight. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace.”

Seeing the magistrate’s restrained reaction, the old emperor felt slightly out of sorts.

—Officials in the capital, influenced by Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts, had grown notably expressive in their emotions.

Feeling mischievous, the old emperor raised the stakes. “Although you haven’t yet resigned, to me, you’re no longer the magistrate of Qingpu. I hereby appoint you to the Ministry of Justice as an Assistant Director. Once the official document arrives, you may assume the post.”

“Thank Your Majes—”

[If we’re going to attack the Wokou, what reason should we use? The envoy’s disrespect toward the Great Xia Emperor should suffice, right?]

A voice suddenly interjected, disregarding whether the magistrate had finished speaking.

The newly appointed Assistant Director paused mid-sentence, completing his thanks as he frowned, wondering which official could be so rude. But then he heard the voice again—

[If that’s not enough, I remember coming across a reasonable justification to intervene…]

[Found it!]

The newly appointed Assistant Director of the Ministry of Justice keenly noticed not only that the emperor’s gaze drifted in a certain direction but also that many capital officials’ eyes uncontrollably followed the same path.

“?”

[As expected! Among the envoys, there’s the son of the Wokou Emperor! He’s hiding his identity!]

“?!”

The Assistant Director sensed that this person probably didn’t realize their thoughts were being overheard; otherwise, they wouldn’t have spoken in such a self-muttering tone.

Moreover, it seemed that others could hear it too.

But how could such a bizarre thing exist in this world!

The old emperor glanced at the Assistant Director’s clearly astonished expression and, finally satisfied, happily continued listening to Xu Yanmiao’s inner voice.

The son of the Wokou Emperor! And then?

[I recall many historical instances where suzerains intervened in their vassals’ internal affairs. For example, during Emperor Wen of Zhou’s time, there was a Western Region state where an uncle usurped his nephew’s throne. Emperor Wen issued an edict demanding the uncle cease hostilities and uphold familial bonds.]

The old emperor clicked his tongue twice, looked around, and called the newly appointed Assistant Director forward. “Beloved minister, what’s your courtesy name?”

“Your subject’s courtesy name is Guangcai.”

“Guangcai, ah. I seem to recall… Emperor Wen of Zhou himself seized his nephew’s throne to ascend, didn’t he?”

The Assistant Director: “…Yes.”

That was indeed the case, but why did the emperor appear so amused, as if finding the situation unexpectedly funny and interesting?

You’re an emperor; why are you acting like a village gossip? Is this really appropriate?

[I wonder if the Jinyiwei has discovered the Wokou prince in the delegation yet. Somehow, with the old emperor’s shamelessness, I feel like he could turn this prince’s presence into a spectacle.]

The old emperor felt Xu Yanmiao’s inner commentary was truly unflattering.

Shameless? Him? How?

Several months later

Wokou Country

The Wokou king held the freshly delivered letter from Great Xia, his face pale as wax, his expression like he had swallowed a fly. “How could my son possibly request Xia to send troops?!”

The Great Xia envoy, refined and polite, replied, “The prince claimed that the Emperor’s Decree of Mercy for All Living Things has driven the nation into despair. The people are prohibited from eating meat, and in his appeal to Great Xia, their suzerain, he begged us to save the suffering Wokou citizens. Naturally, my emperor refused—how could we meddle in another country’s internal affairs without cause?”

The Wokou king breathed a sigh of relief, his face lighting up with a smile. “Yes, yes…”

The Great Xia envoy’s expression turned mournful, his tone shifting to one of lamentation. “Alas, the poor prince, driven by concern for his people, took his own life to plea for intervention…”@@novelbin@@

He clapped his hands, signaling attendants to bring forth the body of the Wokou prince, who had allegedly died by “self-inflicted seven stabs.”

“The prince’s profound care for his nation moved my emperor deeply. Thus, he has resolved to launch a punitive campaign to alleviate the people’s suffering. I have been dispatched to inform His Majesty the Emperor—”

“Let it not be said you were not forewarned.”

Author’s Note:

“Despicable? So be it! I’m not after that! I’m a eunuch!”

[Based on the joke: “If you desire her body, you’re despicable. If you don’t, you’re a eunuch.”]

Notes:

1. The strategy in the text regarding war and territorial control draws inspiration from the “First Island Chain” concept.
2. The expenditures for conquering and maintaining the Western Regions are modeled after Zuo Zongtang’s campaigns to reclaim Xinjiang and the subsequent costs of stationing troops there.

Dark humor references:

Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di), who rose to power through the Jingnan Campaign, once heard of infighting within the Timurid Empire. The fourth son of Timur, Shah Rukh, waged a “Jingnan” campaign of his own, overthrowing his nephew Khalil Sultan. Upon learning this, Zhu Di sent an imperial edict encouraging them to resolve their conflict amicably, emphasizing family unity:

“Relatives by blood should show deep affection and care for one another. Cease warfare, protect your kin, and share in the blessings of peace.”

— This comes from Ming History:

“The ruler of Samarqand, Khalil, nephew of the ruler of Herat, was at odds with him, and they frequently clashed. Upon hearing this, the emperor sent a directive via the commander Bai Arxintai:

‘Heaven creates the people and establishes rulers to ensure their well-being. I govern all under heaven with equal regard, regardless of distance. I have repeatedly sent envoys to counsel you.

‘If you diligently fulfill your tribute duties, govern your people with care, and remain content in your territories, I will praise you greatly. Recently, I’ve learned of your quarrels with your nephew Khalil, and I am deeply saddened. Relatives by blood should foster deep affection, which also serves as a defense against external threats. If close relations are so estranged, how can distant ones hope to maintain harmony?

‘From now on, you should cease fighting, protect the people, and ensure the well-being of your kin so you may share in the blessings of peace.’

‘Additionally, I bestow upon you gifts of brocade and silk and extend the same directive and gifts to Khalil.’

— Ming History.”