knife

Chapter 193 The Butterfly Effect of the Northern Yuan Incident

There were dozens of tables outside, but only one table inside.

Although Zhang Ruo was the host, he invited Xiao Changche to sit in the head seat.

In terms of status, Zhang Ruo was a third-rank Vice Censor-in-Chief and Inspector of the Guanwai region, which was half a grade higher than Xiao Changche of the Anxi Protectorate. However, in the Guanwai region where strength determined the hierarchy, and given that the Qin Dynasty's strength had declined significantly and its control over the Guanwai region was almost nonexistent, it seemed quite natural for Xiao Changche to be in the first place.

No one felt there was anything wrong with it.

Even Zhang Ruo thought so.

However, Xiao Changche was clearly still in a bad mood. She always had a cold face, and today she was even colder.

With her there, the atmosphere in the room became noticeably cold.

As a local strongman in Duxian County, Xu Ziqi felt extremely uncomfortable sitting at the bottom of the table, as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

Because Xiao Changche ate so quickly on her own, it seemed as if she was the only person at the table. Apart from Zhang Ruo toasting her, and her polite toasting response, she received no response when the others raised their glasses to invite her to drink.

Including Li Guohua.

Upon seeing this, Cai Tianyou and Xu Ziqi naturally refused to humiliate themselves, so they simply stopped eating and just stared at this legendary Protector-General of Anxi.

Neither Cai Tianyou nor Xu Ziqi had ever met Xiao Changche before.

But the legend of Xiao Changche spread throughout this land.

Seeing is believing, hearing is believing.

As expected, he's an arrogant general who dared to block the door and beat up General Zuo and General Wei, and who doesn't even respect Commander Linghu.
It's only natural not to give everyone face!

Just as Zhang Ruo was about to warm up the atmosphere, Xiao Changche put down his chopsticks, stood up, and said coldly, "I'm full. Help yourselves out!"

Watching Xiao Changche turn and leave, everyone at the table was dumbfounded. They were at a loss for words as Xiao Changche walked straight through the hall and left.

I was trying to offer some flattery, but this guy's actions really spoiled the mood.

Even if you wanted to say a few words of abuse, putting aside Xiao Changche's official position, his martial arts skills and temper alone made him someone no one wanted to provoke.

Li Dachui chuckled and explained, "Protector Xiao has been fighting for over a month and is exhausted. He was already unhappy that I dragged him here. Right now, he probably just wants to get a good night's sleep before heading to the Black Domain to fight again tomorrow. Let's not worry about him. Come, come, let me toast everyone as an apology on behalf of the Protector. Please, please!"

With a reasonable explanation, everyone felt they could save face and stood up to raise their glasses.

"Protector Xiao is devoted to the country and is a role model for us all." This was Xu Ziqi's last chance to flatter.

"With Protector-General Xiao in charge of Anxi, we are safe and sound. We are no longer afraid of bandits or Yuan people causing trouble!" This was said by a respected local gentry, and he was truly sincere.

"Protector Xiao still has the heart of a child. Even after becoming Protector, he hasn't changed. I'm afraid Deputy Protector Li is just worried sick about Anxi!" The sarcastic remark was naturally made by Li Guohua.

"It seems the Protector-General still resents me for moving the Inspectorate to Du County." Zhang Ru smiled bitterly. "I hope Deputy Protector-General Li can explain the reasons to Protector-General Xiao."

"Of course, of course!" Li Dachui laughed. "Come, drink this cup to the brim."

After a drink, everyone's complexion and mood became more natural.

Xiao Changche, this oddball, always manages to turn a lively scene into an instant fizzle, no matter where he is. This skill has remained unchanged from the past to the present. Not to mention today's scene, even in Linghu Ye's Zhenwu City in the past, Xiao Changche could still make people extremely disappointed.

Xu Ziqi, the lowest-ranking official at the banquet, poured wine for everyone.

Li Dachui put down his chopsticks and looked at everyone, saying, "It just so happens that Secretary Li is here today. Our Anxi Protectorate has obtained some intelligence and would like to share it with the Andong Protectorate."

Li Guohua looked at Li Dachui, cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I must thank you. But I wonder what kind of intelligence it is?"

His face looked quite serious, but his eyes betrayed his indifference.

They probably felt that even if there was any truly important intelligence, Li Dachui would never reveal it to them; what he could tell them would likely be just common information.

“First, Emperor Yingzhuo of the Great Yuan Dynasty is nearing his end!” Li Dachui held up a finger: “Reliable intelligence indicates he has at most a year left, perhaps even less.”

Li Guohua sat up straight abruptly, and the expressions of everyone else at the table also turned serious. "What is Valley Master Fu's judgment?" Li Guohua asked.

They naturally knew that Changchun Valley Master Fu Qingzhu had been invited to Beiyuan, but they knew nothing about Ying Zhuo's specific situation.

It is common knowledge that Fu Qingzhu is closer to the Anxi Protectorate.

Li Dachui nodded: "Exactly."

“In that case, a great change is about to occur in the Northern Yuan!” Li Guohua said.

Li Dachui chuckled and raised his second finger: "The Northern Yuan Left Wise King Astu was killed in his own manor. More than two thousand people, including Astu's personal guards, were killed without exception. Not a single chicken or dog was spared in the manor."

Astu's murder in the Northern Yuan was still a top secret, kept completely hidden from the Northern Yuan.

The dignified Left Wise King died under mysterious circumstances, and now the Northern Yuan has determined that he was killed by the power of a certain prince. Such a shameful matter must not be made public.

Apart from a very small number of people who knew about it, the outside world was truly completely unaware of this matter.

Li Guohua could no longer sit still. He stood up abruptly, glared at Li Dachui, and said, "Deputy Protector Li, don't try to play games with us."

"Why would I tease you!" Li Dachui laughed. "What's wrong, Secretary Li? You two have such a good relationship with Shaliewen Akton, why didn't they tell you about this?"

Everyone at the table turned to look at Li Guohua.

Li Guohua slowly sat down, picked up a glass of wine, took a sip to calm himself down: "Vice Protector Li, don't make false accusations. According to the information we have, it is you, Vice Protector Li, who have been doing business with Aktun and his people!"

Li Dachui laughed and said, "Astu is dead. The power to garrison Yandu in the Northern Yuan is about to change hands, and the power structure of the Northern Yuan will undergo a major change."

“Vice Protector-General Li, who could have killed Astu? Could it be some prince of the Northern Yuan?” Cai Tianyou, who had been carefully observing everyone, finally couldn’t help but ask.

“General Cai is right,” Li Dachui laughed. “That’s what I thought too. The third piece of intelligence is that the commander of the Northern Yuan’s southern border is going to be replaced, and we believe it will be Jebe.”

"Did Jebe kill Astu?" Cai Tianyou blurted out.

Li Dachui spread his hands and laughed, "Probably, who knows! Anyway, Jebe's arrival in the Southern Frontier will have a huge impact on both our Anxi Protectorate and the Andong Protectorate. Secretary Li, Jebe is not like the Tiele. The Tiele are people who can negotiate and bargain. Jebe is extremely arrogant and looks down on us, the so-called Southerners. You'd better be careful!"

Li Guohua cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Deputy Protector-General Li, for sharing this intelligence with us."

Regardless of Li Dachui's motives for telling him this information, which was clearly still top secret, he had to accept the favor. This information was indeed extremely useful to the Andong Protectorate.

Preparation is key to success, and lack of preparation leads to failure. For any matter, intelligence should come first.

Only with accurate intelligence can we make targeted deployments and avoid losing the initiative in the subsequent development of events.

"No need for thanks!" Li Dachui's smile faded. "Because the Northern Yuan is our common enemy. If the Northern Yuan is at peace, we might still be able to coexist peacefully with them. But if any problems arise within the Northern Yuan, I'm afraid they will attack us immediately. Zhebie was banished to the Southern Frontier because of this matter. Whether he is venting his anger on us or urgently needs to make meritorious contributions to compete for the throne, our area outside the Great Wall will not be peaceful. Anxi has been preparing to resist the Northern Yuan. The Chief Secretary knows what's going on in Andong. Don't let Zhebie catch you off guard."

“The 100,000-strong army of Andong is far superior to the makeshift forces of the Anxi Protectorate. If Jebe really wants to fight, he will probably have to weigh which one is easier to defeat!” Li Guohua said with a smile. “If the Anxi Protectorate needs support at that time, just let us know.”

“When we really need support, we will not hesitate to help, Scholar Zhang, don’t you agree?” Li Dachui turned to look at Zhang Ruo.

"We are all border troops of the Great Qin Kingdom, so we should help each other!" Zhang Ru nodded repeatedly: "Last time when Protector Xiao hunted down Sha Liewen, General Chen Liang of Yuntai Wilderness made a supporting move, which forced the Yuan army in Qingtongxia and Yezhuling to take countermeasures. This contributed to the final annihilation of Sha Liewen's troops. I also listed these matters in my memorial to the court. In the future, we should cooperate more closely. If General Chen had been bolder last time and had sent troops to Qingtongxia to join forces with Deputy Protector Li, we might have been able to recapture this important pass!"

Zhang Ruo's tone was full of regret.

Li Guohua's expression was strange, and his mouth tasted bitter, but he could only say that it was what he should do.

Li Dachui, who was sitting to the side, was secretly overjoyed.

Scholar Zhang's help is truly divine, wonderful, wonderful! It seems that Chen Wuliang is about to get his comeuppance again.

“Yingzhuo is nearing his end, Astu has been killed, the commander of the Yandu garrison will be replaced, and Jebe will come to the southern border. These events are interconnected and will have a great impact on us outside the Great Wall. The next year or two may very well be our most difficult time!” Li Dachui stood up, raised his wine glass and said, “Gentlemen, I hope we can work together to overcome this difficult time.”

Zhang Ruo also stood up, raised his cup and said, "Vice Protector Li is absolutely right. Secretary Li, please convey to Commander Linghu that the forces of An Dong and An Xi are strong when united and weak when divided. Only by focusing on external threats can we maintain the prestige of our Great Qin. If one day we can lead an army on a northern expedition and wipe out the enemy's stronghold, I, Zhang, am willing to serve Commander Linghu by holding his horse and pulling his stirrups."

"If Commander Linghu is willing to launch a northern expedition, the Anxi Protectorate is also willing to submit to Commander Linghu as its leader!" Li Dachui laughed heartily. "Secretary Li, please drink this cup to the brim."

(End of this chapter)