At this moment, on the other side, in the Imperial Palace of the Capital City.
Inside the Imperial Study Room, Emperor Jing paced anxiously back and forth. His gaze cut through the layers of palace gates, as if penetrating thousands of mountains and rivers, directly reaching the distant Beiguan.
There, Zhao Zun, who held military power, had not yet been replaced. Zhao Zun had become a massive stone on the court's mind, pressing the emperor into sleepless nights.
Emperor Jing, thirty-one or thirty-two years old, appeared unremarkable, possessing a mediocre demeanor, with no trace of imperial majesty, and hardly revealed the extraordinary bearing under the Dragon Robe.
"According to the schedule, news should have arrived by now. Why is there still no movement?"
Emperor Jing asked Mr. Wei, sitting in a chair like a lord beside him, his voice tinged with a hint of fatigue and dissatisfaction.
Mr. Wei was able to sit nonchalantly in the Imperial Study Room because he was the Crown Prince's Master before Emperor Jing ascended the throne, and became Prime Minister after Emperor Jing's accession.
The so-called "Once a teacher, always a father." It can be said that Mr. Wei watched Emperor Jing grow up, and he was the person most trusted by Emperor Jing.
It can even be said that Mr. Wei could sometimes influence Emperor Jing's decisions.
"Your Majesty, do not worry. Whether the Turkic invasion after winter is true or not, we are dragging without gathering provisions. Relying solely on the regular supply from the Ministry of War isn't enough to support the war. Prince Xiaoyao cannot hold out for long. If he doesn't cooperate, wait till he runs out of food and strength. Let Cao Xiong take him down directly with the royal decree."
Mr. Wei spoke slowly, picked up the teacup at hand, took a sip, and then set it down.
"Humph! The Turkic are already lacking in clothing and food. I absolutely don't believe they would invade again after winter. Zhao Zun must just be finding an excuse to delay, unwilling to hand over power and return to the Capital."
The Zhao family, spanning two generations, had been guarding and managing Beiguan, and now the Zhao Family Army was loyal only to Zhao Zun, not to the court, showing signs of amassing personal power with soldiers.
The title of "Prince Xiaoyao" was a makeshift plan that Emperor Jing came up with after much effort.
He hoped that with this title of carefree freedom, Zhao Zun would hand over the military power and return to the Capital City to enjoy riches and honors peacefully.
However, the decree of enfeoffment had been sent to the border two months ago, but there was no response from Zhao Zun, only urgent requests for provisions from the court. This filled Emperor Jing with uncontrollable anger.
Mr. Wei understood Emperor Jing's mood at this moment and even more so Zhao Zun's situation at the border.
Mr. Wei stroked his beard, shaking his head slightly.
"Your Majesty, although Zhao Zun holds immense military power and is renowned far and wide, he certainly understands the saying 'merit overwhelms the master.' If he easily relinquishes his military power, he might find it difficult to protect himself upon returning to the Capital. Moreover, the border situation is complex; who will guard the place if he leaves? These are issues that Zhao Zun must consider. Give him more time! The old minister believes he will make the right choice."
Hearing this, Emperor Jing's expression eased slightly, but still with some unwillingness, he asked, "Then what does the Prime Minister suggest I do? We can't just keep waiting like this, can we?"
The Prime Minister pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, why not send another minister with grand gifts to the border, to express Your Majesty's sincerity and determination to Zhao Zun. At the same time, they can also take this opportunity to understand the actual situation at the border and provide reference for future decisions."
Does an emperor need to show sincerity?
Hearing this, Emperor Jing frowned, feeling a sense of being controlled. Clearly, he was the emperor, so why must those soldiers listen to Zhao Zun?
"No, that would make it seem as if I am begging him." Emperor Jing clenched his fists angrily and continued, "The southeastern borders have been smoothly taken over, indicating that the commanders there are not disloyal. What is Zhao Zun stalling for? Does he truly harbor intentions of rebellion?"
"Your Majesty, since you have become emperor, you must reflect constantly. Restlessness and impulsiveness are great taboos for an emperor!" Mr. Wei, as Emperor Jing's mentor, would remind him occasionally.
"But this is right in front of us." Emperor Jing retorted, breathing heavily, "Why can other generals of the Da Jing Dynasty hand over their power to the court, but Zhao Zun cannot? Clearly, he does not share the same heart as the court."
"Alas!"
Mr. Wei sighed deeply, feeling the futility of playing music to a cow.
He couldn't help but murmur in his heart: such impatience, lacking the demeanor of an emperor, it's unclear why the late emperor chose him as Crown Prince.
"Your Majesty. The generals at the southeastern borders are both elderly, Your Majesty offered them high positions and generous pensions to retire to the Capital in comfort. Life at the borders is tough, so they naturally went along with it." Mr. Wei patiently advised, "But Zhao Zun is in his prime and has suspicions of you fearing his merits challenge the throne, and he may be amassing power by keeping soldiers. He certainly needs to consider more broadly."
"Can you blame me for suspicion?" Emperor Jing glanced displeasedly at Mr. Wei, reminding coldly, "As Prime Minister and former Crown Prince's tutor, or rather, now as the emperor's tutor, you should align with me everywhere."
Emperor Jing rarely used such a tone towards Mr. Wei, and this statement made Mr. Wei feel a bit uneasy. He pushed himself up, wanting to say something, but thought better of it and ultimately closed his mouth.
Emperor Jing continued to pace back and forth, venting the anxiety in his heart.
"Don't think I don't know, civil and military officials of the entire court are secretly spreading rumors, saying Zhao Zun is valorous and mighty, with him guarding Beiguan, foreign enemies dare not invade. They even say if not for the Zhao family, the Da Jing Dynasty would have long ceased to exist."
Mr. Wei remained silent, watching Emperor Jing move back and forth in front of him.
"Let his merits challenge the throne, after all, Zhao Zun's great achievements are there. But after the great defeat of the Turkic in autumn, I conferred him the title of Prince Xiaoyao, rewarded him with a vast amount of gold, silver, and jewels, calling him to return to the Capital to enjoy life. He should be grateful to the imperial grace, and immediately roll back to the Capital."
At this point, Emperor Jing was more than just restless, becoming more agitated as he spoke, almost itching to immediately draw a sword to deal with the unyielding Zhao Zun himself.
"Yet Zhao Zun not only shows no gratitude but instead falsely claims that the Turkic are invading the border again, reaching out to demand military provisions from me."
Originally passing by Mr. Wei's side while pacing, Emperor Jing suddenly turned around, leaning close to Mr. Wei, like an angry leopard, looming over and glaring into Mr. Wei's eyes.
"Why does he need so much provision? Holding immense military power, yet finding excuses to stockpile provisions. Isn't this amassing personal power with soldiers, intending to rebel?"
Mr. Wei was startled by the face suddenly appearing in front of him, instinctively leaning back.
"Then Your Majesty... Your Majesty wishes to do what?" Mr. Wei's lips trembled, his voice slightly quivering.
Emperor Jing withdrew his gaze, stood upright, clenched fists, and said coldly.
"No, I can't wait any longer. Didn't you always teach me that an emperor should not be indecisive? I will immediately decree, appointing Cao Xiong as the new Beiguan Garrison Marshal, leading a troop of the Imperial Army to Beiguan to transfer military power. If there is resistance, it will be dealt with as a crime of treason."
After speaking, Emperor Jing turned and strode towards his desk, picked up a pen, and began drafting the decree.
The pen tip moved swiftly, each stroke revealing his resolution and expectation.
Seeing Emperor Jing energetically writing at the desk, Mr. Wei knew further persuasion was futile, lightly comforting his nearly frightened heart, and thought to himself, "Your Majesty, you are justified in your suspicions."
You have every reason to be suspicious!