Chapter 461: Internal Conflict in Youyan! (Thanks to book friend Nan Liujing for the reward!)
Youyan, Yijing.

In a room in the Governor's Mansion, Zhao Jianan was pacing back and forth anxiously, his expression full of panic as he didn't know what to do...

“Dengdengdeng··········Dengdengdeng·····”

Anxious Zhao Jianan walked faster and faster in the room. Just when he was about to give up, footsteps were finally heard outside the room.

Hearing the footsteps, Zhao Jianan immediately went up to them and asked:

"Mr. Sun, how is my father now?"

In response to Zhao Jianan's question, Sun Zhunde, the Youyan councilor and another major adviser under Zhao Fuqu, shook his head and said:

"We don't know the exact situation yet, but we know that the old commander was indeed injured by the assassin from the Supervisory Department!"

Zhao Jianan looked a little disappointed when he heard this, and then he seemed to remember something and asked:

"Is there no news from Hu's side?"

In order to secure his position as the heir, Zhao Jianan often gave benefits to Hu, Zhao Fuqu's favorite concubine, and her two brothers. This was so that Hu could whisper good things about Zhao Fuqu and tip him off at critical moments!

Sun Zhunde still shook his head and said:
"The news from Hu's company may be on the way, but I haven't received any news yet!"

Unlike Huang Wen Ze, Zhao Fuqu's most trusted counselor who kept himself clean and stayed out of the affairs, Sun Zhun De had already placed his hopes on the eldest son Zhao Jian An among Zhao Fuqu's sons...
Zhao Jianan could not hide his disappointment after hearing this. He urgently wanted specific news about his father Zhao Fuqu, no matter whether the news was good or bad. If Zhao Fuqu's injuries were not serious, he would continue to guard the rear for his father, but if things changed, he must take decisive action!

What he was most worried about now was this situation where he didn't know anything. He didn't know whether he should be prepared or not! If he wasn't prepared, he was afraid that he would lose the opportunity. If he was prepared, he was afraid that his father would find out later and he wouldn't be able to explain. In short, Zhao Jianan was in a dilemma!

Seeing the disappointment in Zhao Jianan's face, Sun Zhunde hesitated for a moment and advised:

"My Lord, we should be calm in times of crisis. I think we should hold our ground at this moment!"

Listening to Sun Zhunde's words, Zhao Jianan's expression changed and he immediately asked:

"Mr. Sun, do you think there's nothing wrong with your father?"

Under Zhao Jianan's gaze, Sun Zhunde hesitated for a moment, but still nodded and said:
“Although there is no definite news about the old commander’s condition, some news has been sent back from Jinzhong. This time, Feng Han led his troops to attack, and more than 7,000 of our soldiers were killed and more than 8,000 were injured. Although the loss was not small, Jinzhong City was still defended. What’s more important is that the front line required a lot of money and food supplies at once…”

Zhao Jianan thought about what Sun Zhunde said, but still didn't understand what he meant. He asked with some doubt:
"Mr. Sun, isn't it normal for the front line to suffer heavy losses in the battle and the loss of important money and food supplies?"

Seeing that Zhao Jianan didn't understand, Sun Zhunde could only explain in detail:
"My Lord, the deputy commander beside the old commander is General Jin Zhengrui. He is a mature and steady man who rarely takes risks in marching and fighting. If the old commander really gets into trouble, then the command of our Yan army in Yunbing will definitely be taken over by General Jin Zhengrui. Therefore, in order to preserve the main force of our army, General Jin Zhengrui will most likely choose to withdraw from Yunbing!"

"And if that's the case, then General Jin Zhengrui would not have needed to ask our rear for a large amount of money and food supplies. From this, I infer that the command should still be in the hands of the old marshal. Since the old marshal still holds the command, then the injury should not be a big problem!"

Listening to Sun Zhunde's analysis, Zhao Jianan suddenly realized and bowed to Sun Zhunde, saying:

"Sir, your words are like the light that clears the clouds, and it makes me suddenly enlightened!"

Listening to Zhao Jianan's praise, Sun Zhunde was somewhat pleased with himself, but still said modestly:
"It's just my humble opinion. Thank you for the compliment, young master!"

“If I’m not mistaken, the old marshal is fine. There is no news coming back from the front line yet, so it is very likely that the old marshal has ordered the news to be blocked…”

Zhao Jianan seemed to realize something after hearing this, but he asked Sun Zhunde with some uncertainty:

"Mr. Sun, do you mean that father wants to test the reaction of us brothers?" "That's right!"

Sun Zhunde nodded affirmatively, and then continued to offer his advice:

“Now, whether it’s strength, reputation, or status, it’s all in your hands, Eldest Young Master. There’s no need for you to do anything unnecessary. You can pretend that you know nothing and keep your troops in place. At the same time, you can secretly pass the news of the old commander’s accident to the Second Young Master, making him anxious and jump up and down…”

Zhao Jianan's eyes lit up immediately when he heard that, and he became eager to make a move. In feudal etiquette, the eldest son is the natural heir. Although Zhao Jianan is Zhao Fuqu's eldest son, unfortunately, he is not a legitimate son, but the son born from Zhao Fuqu's affair with another person when Zhao Fuqu was poor!
It is precisely because of this background that even though Zhao Jianan tried very hard to be a good person, to make himself look generous, humble, low-key, hardworking and studious, and possess all the characteristics of an excellent successor, he was still criticized in Youyan because of his background...
Zhao Jianan's competitor for the position of successor is his younger brother, Zhao Fuqu's second son Zhao Jianwen, who is three years younger than him. Unlike Zhao Jianan, Zhao Jianwen was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He is the son of Zhao Fuqu and the daughter of Feng, a wealthy family in Youyan. Unlike Zhao Jianan, who needs to be courteous and kind to others to attract supporters, Zhao Jianwen is born with Feng as his biggest supporter!
Although Zhao Jianwen was not as diligent and studious as Zhao Jianan since childhood, he was several times more talented than Zhao Jianan. It was possible for Zhao Jianwen to learn an article in just one day, which took Zhao Jianan three days to learn. Therefore, Zhao Jianwen was more favored by Zhao Fuqu than Zhao Jianan!

However, it was precisely because he had lived too smoothly, had a good family background and was very talented, that Zhao Jianwen was not as determined and hardworking as Zhao Jianan. He usually indulged in sensual pleasures, and was often scolded by Zhao Fuqu...

This time when Zhao Fuqu went to Yunbing, although Zhao Fuqu did not arrange anything for Zhao Jianwen, it seemed that Zhao Jianan had won the final victory in this succession dispute, but Zhao Jianen did not dare to be careless, because in addition to the help of Feng family behind him, the more important reason was that his cousin Zhao Yong stood on Zhao Jianwen's side, and Zhao Yong had 20,000 soldiers and horses in his hands, and was arranged by Zhao Fuqu to stay in Zhuo County!

To be honest, Zhao Yong did not stand on Zhao Jianwen's side from the beginning. In fact, because of his background, he was more inclined to Zhao Jianan's side!
Zhao Yong was born in a humble family. When he was fifteen or sixteen years old, he was wanted by the government for killing someone in a fight. He wandered in the green forest in fear all day long. Later, when Zhao Fuqu's power in the army grew, Zhao Yong surrendered to Zhao Fuqu and became a brave and capable general under Zhao Fuqu's command!

Although he was very brave in battle and dared to fight with his life with the enemy, he had little education because he had only been to school for a few days. In addition, he had been in the outlaws, so he brought some outlaw habits into the army. Not only did he have very low requirements for military discipline for his subordinates and allowed his soldiers to harass the people, he also supported some gambling dens and money houses, took dividends and honors, which caused great indignation among the people and had a very bad impact...
When Zhao Jianan first took office, he encountered these bad things about Zhao Yong. At that time, Zhao Jianan was also very courageous. In order to establish prestige in the government and win the hearts of the people, he did not hesitate to send those soldiers under Zhao Yong who harassed the people, and closed down those gambling dens and money houses that were illegally opened and caused the people to lose their homes, and brought all those involved to justice!

Among these people were Zhao Yong's brother-in-law and trusted generals who had followed Zhao Yong for many years. Zhao Yong personally went to Zhao Jianan to plead for these people, but because the public opinion in Youyan was surging at the time, Zhao Jianan hesitated again and again and still did not compromise with Zhao Yong and executed these people according to the law.

Although Zhao Jianan established prestige in the government and won a good reputation among the people, he also completely offended Zhao Yong, the military leader. Zhao Yong once publicly stated after getting drunk at a banquet that he and Zhao Jianan were irreconcilable, and he completely stood on the side of Zhao Jianwen!
Zhao Jianwen, who already had the support of the Feng family, became even more powerful after getting Zhao Yong. He not only had money and power but also soldiers and horses. Ambitious, he coveted the position of eldest brother’s heir and became Zhao Jianan’s biggest worry, making Zhao Jianan think all the time about how to get rid of this younger brother...
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In Dongning, from the backyard of the Governor's Mansion, bursts of reading sounds could be heard.

The late Emperor's founding was not yet half over, but the middle path collapsed. Today, Yizhou is suffering from fatigue and weakness. This is the time when the survival of the sincerity is in danger. However, the ministers of the bodyguard are tireless at home, and the loyal people forget about themselves outside. This is because they want to repay the special experience of the late emperor to His Majesty. It is sincerely appropriate to open Zhang Shengting to honor the legacy of the late emperor and to magnify the spirit of the people with lofty ideals. It is not appropriate to belittle oneself, to use metaphors that are unjust, and to block the road of loyalty and admonishment.

The palace and the government are one, and there should be no difference in rewards and punishments. If there are those who commit crimes or those who are loyal and good, they should be handed over to the officials to decide their punishments and rewards, so as to show your Majesty's fairness and justice. It is not appropriate to be partial and make different laws for the inside and the outside...

Two little maids, holding books and speaking in baby voices, were reading "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital" seriously. Not far away from them, An Miaoyi was sitting on the armchair, looking at the candied fruit in front of her with some desire and hesitation.

A few days ago, when I was being intimate with Ye Mingsheng, Ye Mingsheng happened to talk about prenatal education. The speaker didn't mean it, but the listener took it seriously.

Although she was skeptical about whether the baby in her belly could hear the sound of reading, An Miaoyi thought it would be no harm to give it a try. It would be a pity if she succeeded, but there would be no loss if she failed. So she found two little maids to read to her every day, and sometimes she even read to the baby in her belly herself.
The Memorial to the Emperor on Starting the War, which Zhuge Liang wrote to Emperor Liu Shan, was also specially selected by An Miaoyi from a number of ancient books and scriptures. Only she knew the thought behind choosing the Memorial to the Emperor on Starting the War.

As the saying goes, sour boy, spicy girl, but An Miaoyi didn’t know why, during the period of pregnancy, she didn’t like sour food, nor spicy food, but especially liked sweet food...

Although sweets were very expensive in that feudal era, as Ye Mingsheng's wife, An Miaoyi could have whatever she wanted of sweets. However, every time she ate sweets, An Miaoyi would think of what Ye Mingsheng said, that eating sweets all the time was bad for the body and could easily lead to diabetes.

Although she didn't know what diabetes was, An Miaoyi remembered another thing Ye Mingsheng said, which was that eating sweets all the time would make you fat!

Women are always very sensitive about their weight and fatness!
Although An Miaoyi is now pregnant and immersed in the joy of becoming a mother, it does not mean that all the experiences are wonderful. An Miaoyi can endure insomnia, vomiting, and nausea, but she cannot endure the fact that the self in the mirror is gradually getting fatter and fatter...

This is also why An Miaoyi, who was originally very confident about her appearance, gradually became emotionally sensitive. This is also the reason why when Ye Mingsheng asked her if she took care of her that day, An Miaoyi burst into tears of grievance after Ye Mingsheng left.

Although An Miaoyi said she didn't know at that time, she knew very well in her heart that besides her, the only person in the entire Governor's Office who could do that was Pei Zhixiu.

Well, since it wasn't her, it could only be Pei Zhixiu. So when An Miaoyi thought of Ye Mingsheng and Pei Zhixiu being so affectionate and whispering in each other's ears in the room that night, she could no longer remain calm and burst into tears out of grievance.

But what An Miaoyi didn't know was that Ye Mingsheng was already drunk and unconscious that night. He didn't know anything and fell asleep directly. How could he have the energy to be so affectionate with Pei Zhixiu?

The existence of Pei Zhixiu and Murong Qingwu who was hiding in the dark and might appear at any time, made An Miaoyi feel a deep sense of crisis!
Therefore, although she wanted to eat sweets very much during pregnancy, An Miaoyi tried her best to restrain herself because she was afraid of getting fat. Every time she couldn't help eating a candied fruit, she would feel a little guilty······················
(End of this chapter)