I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

Chapter 582: Chapter 424: Crystal Clear

Capital Garrison.

The rumbling of carts, the whistling of horses, and the constant shouts of killing.

The central army tent.

Prince of Pingxi frowned deeply as he looked at the Daqing map on the table, marked with black and red.

The red represented generals and commanders with old ties to the Feng family and were less than thirty percent of the black markers, let alone the fact that old ties did not necessarily mean compliance with Prince of Pingxi’s commands.

Daqing had seen two successive emperors expand its territory and destroy nations, flourishing national fortune and public support, with no one capable of replacing the Zhao family.

...

“We were too greedy for success back then!”

Prince of Pingxi shook his head helplessly, somewhat regretting that he had extinguished the Great Moon Nation too swiftly; he should have dragged it out for another three to five years.

By requesting troops and supplies from the Imperial Court and selecting loyalists from the military to cultivate, he could have gradually transformed the Western Conquering Army into a Feng family force, making today’s situation much better.

At that moment.

Outside the door came a report: “Your Highness, the Princely Heir seeks an audience.”

“Let him in.”

Prince of Pingxi was puzzled; the important grounds of the Capital Garrison should have been avoided by Feng Ze, who pretended to be a prodigal, lest the Crown Prince monitoring the Feng family discover anything amiss.

Feng Ze did not enter alone; a man in hemp clothes followed him.

The man wore a wide-brimmed hat, obscuring his face. He was broad-shouldered and sturdy, standing half a head taller than Feng Ze on the spot.

“Greetings, Father.”

Feng Ze said, “Eunuch Wu has sent a message, that castrated dog has refused to join hands and is wholly devoted to assisting His Majesty.”

“Just as expected.”

Prince of Pingxi said, “He holds both the positions of the Eastern Depot supervisor and the Grand Commander of the Imperial Household, having reached the pinnacle of power. What more could he gain by joining forces with me? Why bother taking the risk?”

Feng Ze said, “That castrated dog being His Majesty’s knife will not end well in the future. Does he really prefer to wait for execution?”

“He doesn’t trust me,”

Prince of Pingxi didn’t believe Zhou Yi could be loyal when the eunuchs had abandoned even their own family and incense, let alone be loyal to a person.

“Regardless of whether that castrated dog joins us or not, Father must take the gamble.”

Feng Ze said, “Now is the last chance. Once His Majesty settles the palace turmoil and reforms governance, taxes, and levies, becoming an enlightened and sage ruler, the Feng family will have no way out!”

An enlightened and sage ruler commands submission from the Four Seas; with but a single decree, the Feng family could face extermination.

Prince of Pingxi hesitated. After all, he was a close confidant and support of the Orthodox Emperor and might be enshrined in the ancestorial temple after death, leaving a legacy in the annals of the National Dynasty.

“If His Majesty becomes an enlightened and sage ruler, out of regard for the monarch-minister reputation, perhaps he will no longer care about the Feng family!”

“There used to be mutual affection between monarch and minister, but now the King of the Northern Defense serves as a warning.”

Feng Ze solemnly said, “Moreover, I have played the fool for the Feng family and have had enough of living in fear for my life!”

“For the Feng family, you have suffered.”

Prince of Pingxi sighed, “It’s a pity that castrated dog is too timid. Without the cooperation of the Imperial Household, even if we somehow succeed, the Feng family alone will have difficulty in orchestrating a change of rulers.”

“The Imperial Household isn’t alone in the palace.”

Feng Ze said, “That castrated dog, no matter how powerful, is just a servant; he can’t compare to the noble ladies of Kunning Palace. With their help, once the plan succeeds, they can appear to order the prince to oversee the state and stabilize the Imperial Court.”

Prince of Pingxi said, “You’re talking about forming an alliance with the Empress?”

“The Empress is trapped in a desperate situation, the perfect opportunity to help her in her time of need.”

Feng Ze said, “Moreover, if the Empress wishes to oversee the state as regent, she must rely on Father’s support, ensuring she won’t go back on her word in the future!”

Prince of Pingxi frowned, “Heretics and deviants are hard to trust.”

“Father, justice belongs to the victor!”

Feng Ze persuaded, “When the Great Ancestor raised his army, he received the support of the Holy Fire Sect, which was also seen as heretical by the previous dynasty.”

Prince of Pingxi did not nod, but instead looked towards the strange man.

“Is this person a master from the Sanyang Sect?”

Upon hearing this, the man lifted his wide-brimmed hat, revealing a face covered in tattoos: a Heavenly Wolf howling at the moon, a mighty eagle spreading wings, and many other strange symbols and talismans.

Prince of Pingxi said with hatred, “Foreign race!”

Since the founding of Daqing, there had been continuous warfare with foreign tribes. As the Prince of Pingxi commanded troops on the border, countless comrades had fallen to the foreign tribes.

Had this man not been brought by Feng Ze, he would have been hacked to pieces at once!

Feng Ze introduced, “Father, this is Grandmaster Ben Xin of the Wolf Clan. He is currently under the command of the King of the Northern Defense.”

“The King of the Northern Defense!”

Prince of Pingxi’s eyes narrowed slightly as countless thoughts flashed through his mind. The most shocking one was that the King of the Northern Defense harbored traitorous intentions early on.

A Grandmaster was equivalent to a National Master; moreover, with the foreign tribes’ unity of church and state, his power was nearly on par with the Heavenly Wolf King himself.

When the Heavenly Wolf King’s Golden Tent was breached years ago, news transmitted by the King of the Northern Defense claimed that Ben Xin had died amidst the siege.

Ben Xin bowed slightly, cupping his fists, and spoke in highly proficient Daqing official language.

“Greetings to Prince of Pingxi.”

Prince of Pingxi asked, “The King of the Northern Defense destroyed the Tianlang Kingdom, why would the Grandmaster submit to him?”

Ben Xin replied, “The Wolf Clan has always revered the strong and bending the knee for the continuation of our bloodline is of little consequence.”

Prince of Pingxi suppressed the anger in his heart, “State the King of the Northern Defense’s conditions.”

Ben Xin answered, “The great military governorship of the three northern provinces, overseeing both military and political affairs.”

“Impossible!”

Prince of Pingxi glanced at the map. The King of the Northern Defense’s domain was the former Tianlang Kingdom, with several mountain ranges forming a natural barrier protecting Daqing.

Should the three northern provinces be ceded, the King of the Northern Defense’s troops could descend upon the south at any time.

Ben Xin said, “This is Zhao’s empire; why be so concerned? With the support of the northern armies, who would dare to oppose your regency, Your Highness?”

“I fear the King of the Northern Defense would be the first to leap out, brandishing the banner of cleansing the monarch’s side and entering the capital to display his loyalty!”

Prince of Pingxi said, “The Imperial Court can’t afford to lose the three northern provinces, but I can promise that after the plan succeeds, the Imperial Court will turn a blind eye to the actions of the Northern Border.”

Ben Xin shook his head, “The Imperial Court is currently powerless to govern the Northern Border.”

Ask for the sky and settle for the earth.