Chapter 169: A Psychological Strategy After Twenty-Four Years…

Chapter 169: A 24-Year-Old Game of Minds...

Before Huo Ling dangled the bait of "annexing the Qiang Rong," she had already anticipated the reactions of the court officials.

Given her current status and position, she could appoint anyone who wasn’t explicitly opposed to her.

Only by appropriately distributing benefits among various factions could she rally the entire court to work toward a common goal.

Thus, Huo Ling didn’t care whether the rank-and-file members of the envoy delegation belonged to the Empress Dowager Faction, supported the emperor, or came from the imperial clan, noble families, or the nobility—as long as the candidates recommended by each faction were competent.

The real stakes lay in the appointments of the chief and deputy envoys.

The mission to the Qiang Rong indeed carried no mortal danger. With a hundred thousand elite troops stationed in Yanxi, the Qiang Rong would never dare harm the Great Yan’s envoy delegation, no matter how bold they were.

However, the purpose of sending the envoy delegation was to persuade Li Yichun and the Qiang Rong nobles to lay down their arms, abandon resistance, and submit to Great Yan.

While Li Yichun had been nurtured by Great Yan, and many Qiang Rong nobles were friendly toward the empire, friendliness was one thing—full annexation by Great Yan as a prefecture was another.

Huo Ling and Li Yichun had maintained correspondence over the years, but beyond their rapport, would Li Yichun truly bow his head so readily?

Did he genuinely pledge loyalty to Great Yan as he claimed in his letters, without clinging to his position as the Qiang Rong leader?

Doubtful.

Thus, the success of this mission depended on how effectively the envoy delegation—especially the chief envoy—could bargain with Li Yichun.

The chief envoy needed not only intimate knowledge of the Qiang Rong but also guts, wit, and silver-tongued persuasion.

Given the sheer distance between the Qiang Rong King’s court and the Great Yan capital, Huo Ling could only lay down the broad terms. Many details required the chief envoy’s snap judgments after engaging with Li Yichun.

Rare were those who fit the bill.

Among the limited qualified candidates, Song Xu was the only one with multiple diplomatic missions, including visits to the Qiang Rong King’s court and direct dealings with Li Yichun.

Huo Ling had no doubts about Song Xu’s competence, but his loyalties gave her pause.

After some deliberation, she dipped her brush and wrote a few names on paper.

Song Xu couldn’t be the nominal chief envoy.

The Duke of Jingguo was level-headed and discreet—his presence as chief envoy would reassure the delegation.

Qiu Hongzhen had served as Senior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works for nearly a decade and was ripe for advancement. His past stint as a county magistrate in Yanxi made him a suitable deputy envoy.

For another deputy envoy, Huo Ling chose Zhu Qingyun.

What Song Xu made of this list, Ding Jinghuan couldn’t say, but his own feelings were complicated.

Given Song Xu’s qualifications, he was eminently qualified to be chief envoy.

Song Xu was Wen Shengan’s disciple and the emperor’s tutor.

When the empress dowager and Wen Shengan were at odds, she could fully trust Song Xu’s loyalty and rely on him.

But now, with tensions between the empress dowager and the emperor, she had begun to doubt his allegiance.

...

With the chief and deputy envoys decided, the factional maneuvering largely subsided.

In the diplomatic mission, apart from Zhu Qingyun, there were also several female officials including Sang Xuanqing. Nominally, they were following the mission under Huo Ling's orders, but in reality, they represented the Shadow Pavilion to contact their embedded operatives in Qiang Rong, providing intelligence advantage for the negotiations.

Before departure, Huo Ling separately summoned the chief and deputy envoys for private discussions and instructions.

The diplomatic mission departed in grand fashion from the capital with the state letter.

Meanwhile, the troops stationed in Yanxi and Yanbei also coordinated with the mission's movements, intensifying increased patrols and troop rotations, maintaining a show of force against the enemy.

Even before the official departure of the mission,

Officials in Yanxi, under the Empress Dowager's orders, had already privately met with Li Yichun and some Qiang Rong nobles for preliminary discussions to sound out their positions.

Reactions to this situation varied—some were excited and joyful, others were filled with grief and indignation, while some were calculating their own advantage, frequently currying favor with Yanxi officials.

Of course, a handful of individuals, driven by various interests, secretly sent letters to Great Mu, seeking military assistance to resolve Qiang Rong's crisis.

—Regardless of the reasons, Great Mu would not wish to see Great Yan annex Qiang Rong.

***

In the shadowy royal hall, Li Yichun sat on a chair draped with tiger skin, propping his forehead with his right hand, eyes closed in thought.

"Your Majesty."

Hearing the voice, Li Yichun slowly opened his eyes: "Where is the Great Yan diplomatic mission now?"

"The outriders report that the mission has crossed the seven-hundred-li desert and will arrive at the royal court by tomorrow at the latest."

"Have the identities of the chief and deputy envoys been confirmed?"

These were vital intelligence details. The messenger produced a letter from his robe, briefly recording the identities and reputations of the mission members.

"Song Xu again." Just seeing the name gave Li Yichun a headache. "This man is far more troublesome than previous Great Yan officials."

Li Yichun exhaled deeply, collecting himself before asking, "What about the others? How have they reacted?"

He was naturally referring to the leaders of the other major tribes.

Li Yichun's position as the nominal leader of Qiang Rong was due to Great Yan's backing and his tribe being the largest, wealthiest, and most militarily powerful among them.

Beyond his tribe, Qiang Rong consisted of dozens of other tribes, large and small.

The minor tribes held little influence, surviving through vassalage to larger ones—their opinions were insignificant. What mattered were the other major tribes.

As Li Yichun listened to his subordinate's report, he silently weighed these reports. After a long pause, he asked, "The Yeli clan has been secretly contacting Great Mu. Has there been any response?"

"This... Your Majesty, should we summon the Yeli clan for questioning?"

Li Yichun waved his hand. "No need. If Great Mu intends to intervene in the negotiations between Great Yan and Qiang Rong, they will act accordingly. The priority now is to prepare for the arrival of the Great Yan mission."

Regardless of their private thoughts, the major Qiang Rong tribes outwardly put on their most ceremonious display in welcoming the Great Yan mission.

That evening, the royal court hosted a grand bonfire banquet for the mission, with aromatic whole roasted lambs and fine wines from the Western Regions filling the tables.

As the host, Li Yichun first greeted the chief envoy, the Duke of Jingguo, before turning to Song Xu: "Deputy Envoy Song, it has been many years. You cut an even more impressive figure than before."

Song Xu raised his cup. "You honor me, Qiang Rong King. I am but of ordinary talent, while Your Majesty is resolute and commanding."

Li Yichun replied, "One chosen by your Sage could hardly be ordinary. By the way, having been acquainted with your Sage for years, may I ask if she is in good health?"

"Thank you for your concern, Qiang Rong King. The Sage is blessed with longevity and good health." Song Xu smiled, sipping the fine wine. "Before the mission, the Sage summoned me and instructed me to deliver her greetings to you upon our meeting."

"Oh?" Li Yichun raised an eyebrow slightly, with studied indifference. "I wonder what your Sage has asked you to convey."

Song Xu replied, "The Sage said she hopes to see the Qiang Rong King visit the capital of Great Yan to pay homage during her fortieth birthday celebration."

Li Yichun was momentarily stunned before tipping his head back with a laugh.

He still remembered the similar words Huo Ling had once spoken to him. However, her exact phrasing had been: "If you're truly curious, one day you may personally visit the capital of Great Yan to offer tribute and kneel in homage to our Celestial Sovereign."

Now, the words relayed by Song Xu had changed to "pay homage to her."

Presenting tribute and paying homage was an act of submission by a vassal state to its suzerain, a gesture of fealty.

Merely paying homage, however, signified the submission of a regional official to the Sage.

The difference of a single word precisely reflected the shifting dynamics between Qiang Rong and Great Yan, as well as the change in their respective statuses.

Yet, neither past camaraderie nor rhetorical jousting could compel Li Yichun to willingly surrender. Thus, after the banquet, Qiang Rong also dispatched envoys to negotiate with the Great Yan envoy delegation.

Beyond the official exchanges, Song Xu met privately with Li Yichun.

"I have here a sealed letter entrusted to me by the Sage for the Qiang Rong King."

Li Yichun chuckled lightly, propping his chin on his hand. "I’ve heard there are two Sages in Great Yan now. With only one letter, I wonder which Sage has written to me?"

Having already discerned Song Xu’s stance—though sent by the Empress Dowager, he was the Young Emperor’s tutor—Li Yichun’s question was laced with mockery.

Song Xu remained unperturbed, as if oblivious to the slight in Li Yichun’s words.

He produced a lacquered box from his sleeve and respectfully placed it on the table. "The Sage also tasked me with delivering a private message. She said: General Zhou Jiamu is of mixed Qiang-Yan heritage and is also Great Yan’s Marquis of Northern Pacification (a noble title for quelling rebellions)."

Li Yichun’s smile stiffened, then dissolved.

He stared expressionlessly at Song Xu.

Like Zhou Jiamu, he was of mixed Qiang-Yan blood, but he had not been as fortunate.

Zhou Jiamu was born in Yanxi, a natural-born citizen of Great Yan, while he had been born in the Qiang Rong royal court, battered by scorn and cruelty from childhood.

Had he not been captured by Great Yan and forged an alliance with Huo Ling, he would have perished long ago, never attaining his current status.

Even as the Qiang Rong King, his mixed heritage and Great Yan’s backing meant discontent simmered among his people. Over the years, crushing the dissent of the nobility had drained him.

"Does the Qiang Rong King still recall why he once agreed to cooperate with the Sage?"

Song Xu’s voice overlapped with the measured, steely voice from his memories.

"If Qiang Rong is absorbed into Great Yan as a prefecture, there will no longer be distinctions between Qiang and Yan, nor discrimination against those of mixed blood. Regardless of lineage or origin, every soul under its banner is Yan-born."

This was the promise Huo Ling had made to Li Yichun.

Yet when she spoke those words, she had merely been the daughter of a minor garrison commander.

Given her status, such a promise reeked of hubris.

Li Yichun had initially wanted to laugh, but her gravity left him unmoored. Instead of mockery, he found himself, against his will, stirred by the future she painted.

Years flew by, eras shifted, and the political landscape changed. That seemingly jesting, audacious promise from back then now held the potential to become reality.

Li Yichun used the secret letter to cover his face, which was filled with shock and bewilderment. Only a voice heavy with melancholy drifted from behind the letter:

"...I heard these very words from her over twenty years ago. But I never imagined that, more than two decades later, when I hear them again, she would actually be making them happen."

Hearing Li Yichun's words, even Song Xu's usually calm and expressionless face showed surprise.

He knew the Empress Dowager Regent was acquainted with the Qiang Rong King.

Back when the late emperor had suddenly passed away and Great Mu launched an invasion, Song Xu had volunteered to go north of Great Mu to sow discord and hasten their retreat. At that time, he had passed through Qiang Rong and stayed in the Qiang Rong royal court for a while.

Yet Song Xu had never expected that, as early as twenty years ago, the Empress Dowager Regent had already begun her plans for Qiang Rong—and her game of hearts against the Qiang Rong King.

Yes, a game of hearts.

The same words, if spoken only now by Song Xu, would at most be seen as concessions made by Great Yan to annex Qiang Rong.

But if they had already been spoken by Huo Ling over twenty years ago, and were now reiterated by Song Xu, it meant that Great Yan's Empress Dowager Regent had never forgotten her promise to the Qiang Rong King!

This carried more weight than any declaration!

Li Yichun took a deep breath, drew a dagger from his waist, and cleanly sliced open the envelope.

He didn't bother concealing it from Song Xu, quickly scanning the contents of Huo Ling's secret letter—

Great Yan had never had a king not of imperial blood before, and never would in the future.

Thus, after Li Yichun submitted to Great Yan, he naturally could no longer remain the Qiang Rong King. However, Huo Ling would grant him the title of Duke of Stabilizing the State, with the title inheritable for three generations without demotion.

Once Qiang Rong was absorbed into Great Yan as a province, he, as the Duke of Stabilizing the State, could continue serving as its governor, assisting the court in managing the Qiang people and upholding the policy of Qiang autonomy.

At the end of the letter was the Empress Dowager's imperial phoenix seal.

...

Truth be told, Huo Ling's offer was remarkably generous, even allowing Li Yichun to remain and govern the Qiang people.

Li Yichun held the letter, pondering for a moment before glancing up at Song Xu.

Song Xu took his leave with perfect timing.

For such an important matter, he knew better than to expect immediate agreement. Li Yichun needed time to consider.

As Song Xu stepped out of the royal court, sunlight streamed down. He shielded his eyes with his hand before making his way back to the residence where the envoy delegation was lodged.

Zhu Qingyun emerged from the main hall just as she spotted Song Xu. "Lord Song, I was just looking for you."

Song Xu asked, "What’s the matter?"

Zhu Qingyun led him back into the main hall before speaking in hushed tones. "We’ve received word from the Weimu clan—the Yeli clan has secretly contacted Great Mu. It’s said that Great Mu is also sending an envoy delegation to Qiang Rong."

Song Xu showed no reaction. "The Yeli clan has always been close to Great Mu. This isn’t surprising."

Zhu Qingyun nodded and added, "For days, our spies have been monitoring the movements of the major tribes. We’ve largely determined their stances and leanings. The Duke of Jingguo said that this evening after supper, we should all gather in the study to hear the agents’ report and discuss our next steps."

Song Xu replied, "Perfect timing. I also have something to discuss with you all."

Li Yichun’s resistance was already weakening, and their negotiations needed to shift tactics.

It would be best to secure Li Yichun's commitment before Great Mu’s envoy delegation arrived in Qiang Rong. Otherwise, once they arrived, unwelcome complications might arise.