Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 293: To Fulfill the Emperor's Grand Designs

Huangfu Yongxian sat opposite him. His expression was serious and respectful as if they were in a meeting.

Zhao Changhe found himself preferring Cui Wenjing’s attitude, where he would be threatened with a slap every now and then—but maybe he was just a glutton for punishment.

Huangfu Yongxian then asked, “Your Highness... Or um, Young Master Zhao, is there any special reason as to why you refuse to acknowledge your identity? Is it due to the resentment from being abandoned?”

That would be Chichi’s issue...

Actually, the reason Zhao Changhe did not want to admit to the identity was much simpler. Firstly, he did not want to acknowledge someone else as his father; secondly, he did not want to get involved in court politics. Just thinking about having to deal with all the nonsense in the imperial court made him gag.

Ever since he realized that his path differed from Xia Longyuan’s, he became even more reluctant to admit to the identity. Calling someone like Cui Wenjing father-in-law because of a relationship was acceptable, but anything else was out of the question.

However, these were not reasons he could easily explain to Huangfu Yongxian. After thinking for a while, Zhao Changhe found another way to put it, “Ever since I entered the jianghu, I’ve fought my way through with my own strength. While I may have indeed benefited from some connections, I’ve also taken equivalent risks. With that, I can consider my achievements my own. Even if people call me the Bloodthirsty Asura, which I don’t find quite pleasant, I accept it willingly because it’s a name I’ve earned myself and has nothing to do with anyone else. This is far from being referred to as some highness, which shows respect for Xia Longyuan and not Zhao Changhe.”

Huangfu Yongxian’s eyes revealed a hint of surprise. He did not expect to get such an answer.

He pondered for a while and then asked, “Then, why did you risk your life fighting behind enemy lines to relieve the siege of Yanmen?”

Zhao Changhe said calmly, “For the same reason as you, general.”

Huangfu Yongxian’s eyes widened in astonishment but also with growing delight.

He still asked, “With the turmoil the world is under, you have the status and ability to change many things, yet you continue to play around in the jianghu. Are you not wasting what you’ve fought for?”

“Because it’s pointless,” said Zhao Changhe. “You don’t understand Xia Longyuan at all. The plans all of you have made are laughable in his eyes. Besides, I can tell you right now that he won’t die, at least not anytime soon, and he certainly does not need a crown prince. Just do what you need to do, and don’t overthink things.”

Huangfu Yongxian fell silent.

Zhao Changhe wanted to talk to him about Huangfu Qing but did not know how to broach the subject. Should he say that everyone knew her status as the imperial noble consort was just a title, and that she could easily be swapped out? He was at least confident that Xia Longyuan would not care.

But if he did that, his intentions would be clear as day, and Huangfu Yongxian would likely go mad on the spot.

Besides, Huangfu Qing herself felt the position was meaningful, so what good would it do to talk to her father about it?

Zhao Changhe did not dare to assume that Huangfu Qing was Vermillion Bird, and even Ying Five and others only dared to speculate. The most problematic thing about that assumption was that Vermillion Bird’s cultivation was even higher than Huangfu Yongxian’s, and she was ranked higher. This also added to why people would not speculate in this regard. If anything, the mainstream speculation was that Vermillion Bird might assassinate Huangfu Yongxian.

Ying Five and his organization had searched through countless possibilities without being able to pinpoint who Vermillion Bird really was, leading them to speculate, jokingly, about Huangfu Qing, who was once as famous as Tang Wanzhuang. However, they had no concrete evidence and could only make light-hearted remarks.

In reality, Huangfu Yongxian could not control what Huangfu Qing did. She had long since asserted her independence, almost to the point of completely disregarding him.

Huangfu Yongxian sat in silence for a long time, unsure of what to say. Before coming to visit, he had envisioned Zhao Changhe playing the role of a humble and wise leader, talking about national affairs and expressing his willingness to serve, leading to a pleasant conversation where Zhao Changhe would subtly hint for his approval. This would then result in their army in the north becoming a stable political support for him.

Instead, Zhao Changhe was obviously tossing the responsibility away, and Huangfu Yongxian found himself trying to persuade him to take the reins.

Does he want the Northern Border Army or not? Hmm... But he’s right. As long as Xia Longyuan is still alive, any of these thoughts or plans are nothing but a joke.

Huangfu Yongxian seemed to age another decade, slumping wearily in his seat. After a long pause, he said, “Your Highness... Er, Young Master Zhao, do you realize that what you want does not matter anymore? Your situation is more dangerous than ever, even more so than when you first emerged in Beimang. The Wang Clan will now stop at nothing to kill you. Moreover, it’s not just them. The entire empire is in turmoil, with more and more people moving to seize power and set up their own states. They will all try to kill you. Wandering the jianghu now means facing dangers at every turn.”

Zhao Changhe smiled, “Then let them come. I’m still looking for strong opponents to sharpen my skills, including Snow-Listening Pavilion—they better not back down.”

Huangfu Yongxian, exasperated yet amused, shook his head before bringing up more practical matters. “Batu’s allegiance will certainly be accepted unless His Majesty deliberately refuses it...”

After saying this, he paused, as if unsure whether or not Xia Longyuan might act capriciously. Then, he continued, “Once the alliance is established, Batu will have stable control over the entirety of Monan north of Yanmen, and he will serve as a shield. Since he is now at odds with the temple, he must rely on our support. In the short term, relations will be very harmonious. In fact, I believe that as long as you are still in the Central Plains, Batu would not dare act against us.”

Zhao Changhe interjected, “I doubt it. Don’t be fooled by his simple demeanor; he’s actually very cunning.”

Huangfu Yongxian shook his head and said, “When I met with Batu, he was constantly looking around to see if you were there. When he realized that you weren’t, he seemed to stand taller, his voice even grew louder. It’s clear that Batu is afraid of you. You may not realize your influence, but to both sides, you are a formidable presence, an individual who has truly shaken Saibei.”

“So what are you suggesting?”

“Huangsha Market remains an extremely important trading hub. Now, our stance is that we must have a stake in it. We can’t let Batu control it alone. Otherwise, what benefit do we get from the war? We should station troops there to at least have a joint military presence in the area. However, stationing troops in such a key area in their territory is quite a sensitive matter, so we might need you to negotiate with Batu personally.”

“There’s no need for that,” said Zhao Changhe. “I’ll just recommend someone to serve as the administrative head of Huangsha Market.”

“Who?”

“Let Third Lady Yuan be the commander of Huangsha Market. Both sides can station troops, and Lady Three can coordinate and balance things. They are already stationed nearby to develop the secret realm, so Ying Five will be very satisfied with this arrangement. Also, Lady Three loves money, and having such an advantageous position will definitely make her very happy. Even if she does not want to stay later on, she can find someone else to replace her. With Ying Five behind her, Batu would not dare object.”

Huangfu Yongxian asked curiously, “You’re letting someone from the jianghu take charge? Can you trust this Third Lady Yuan?”

From the perspective of Great Xia, she isn’t someone who can be trusted. She is basically its sworn enemy, just like your daughter. But from a personal standpoint, of course, she can be trusted... just like your daughter.

Zhao Changhe obviously did not say that out loud, and he simply replied, “Trust me, it will work out.”

Huangfu Yongxian said, “If Batu views Lady Three as Your Highness’s representative, there might indeed be no problem.”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Huangfu Yongxian showed a smile. “Alright, since that is your arrangement, then I shall obey.”

Zhao Changhe said, “General, you’ve been running around non-stop. Aren’t you tired? Go get some rest, I’ll be resting as well.”

Huangfu Yongxian leaned back in the chair with a bit of weariness on his face. He softly murmured, “To fulfill the emperor’s grand designs...”

Hair turns white while time slowly reaches its end.

Zhao Changhe stared at Huangfu Yongxian’s white hair, lost in thought, remaining silent for a long time.

Their conversation ended there. Zhao Changhe could not bring himself to talk about Huangfu Qing, and Huangfu Yongxian could not bring himself to pledge the army’s loyalty to the prince.

Everything that needed to be said had been said.

“Young Master Zhao, have a good rest,” Huangfu Yongxian said as he left. Shortly after, a flash of red appeared, and Yue Hongling quietly entered the room, locking the door behind her.

Zhao Changhe pulled her into his arms with all his strength. “Big sister, let’s find somewhere else to heal. I don’t want to stay here anymore. I’m so tired.”

Yue Hongling patted his back gently, speaking softly as if soothing a child, “Alright, where do you want to go?”

“In this cold northern winter, with snow falling and mountains covered in white, don’t you feel like revisiting certain places?”

Yue Hongling was stunned, reminiscing about the time at Beimang, the trap in the snow, and the stronghold mistress by Zhao Changhe’s side.

She lifted her head slightly and saw the eager sparkle in Zhao Changhe’s eyes, unable to resist smiling herself. “You’re such a child.”

Zhao Changhe protested, “I’m just nostalgic.”

“Mm,” Yue Hongling’s heart softened, knowing that he truly was nostalgic. His deep sentiment and attachment made her heart swell with joy.

She leaned gently against Zhao Changhe’s chest and softly asked, “You haven’t been calling me big sister much lately, acting all responsible with me, eh? Why are you calling me big sister again now?”

Zhao Changhe found himself lost in thought.

Maybe it was the fatigue from his injuries or perhaps from the endless stream of people and decisions he had to make.

Only when he was with her did he feel that he could let go of everything, knowing that his big sister was there.

Only Yue Hongling could give him this feeling. Even in the later stages of the battle, she followed his lead, almost like a little wife... But just seeing her now brought him an inexplicable sense of peace.

It was a reliance rooted in their first meeting in this world.

But instead of expressing this, he leaned in and whispered in her ear, “I don’t want to just call you big sister, I want to also hear big sister’s moans.”

Yue Hongling’s cheeks flushed deep red, reaching her ears. She stomped on his foot viciously and said, “You’re just itching for it, huh? Come on, follow me into the room!”