Chapter 561 Seizing Power! (Thanks to book friend 16571 for the reward!)

Great Zhou, Jinzhong

The second largest city in Yunbing, which used to be bustling with people, was now completely covered in white, with a solemn and sad atmosphere...
In the Youyan Governor's Mansion located in the center of the city, Zhao Jianan and Huang Wen Ze, both in mourning, were sitting opposite each other. Zhao Jianan looked up at Huang Wen Ze and said sincerely:

"The hatred for killing my father is irreconcilable. I cannot coexist with that bastard Ye Mingsheng. If I don't kill this beast, I would be unworthy of being a son!"

"Sir, you are my father's right-hand man. Do you have any good strategy to defeat the enemy?"

Although Zhao Jianan's words were very sincere, Huang Wenzhe still couldn't figure out what Zhao Jianan was thinking!
In Huang Wen Ze's opinion, Zhao Jianan is more resilient than his brother Zhao Jianwen, and is more diligent in handling government affairs. He can also pretend to be humble and courteous to others. With the Yan army now on the verge of despair, it is a very wise decision for Zhao Fuqu to choose him instead of Zhao Jianwen as his successor!

However, the fact that Zhao Jianan is stronger than Zhao Jianwen does not mean that Zhao Jianan is so powerful. It only means that Zhao Jianwen is worse. In Huang Wenzhe's eyes, Zhao Jianan has a fatal flaw, which is that he is very inferior in his heart, and the source of this inferiority is that he was born from the affair between Zhao Fuqu and a married woman when Zhao Fuqu had not yet risen!
Although Zhao Jianan tried his best to hide this fact and always showed a positive image such as modesty and prudence in dealing with people, everyone knew that this was a thorn in his heart. Whenever someone rejected him, Zhao Jianan would inevitably wonder if the other person looked down on him because of his background...

In the previous open and secret struggles between the two brothers Zhao Jianan and Zhao Jianwen, Huang Wenzhe, as Zhao Fuqu's first adviser, was naturally the top priority for both sides to win over.

Among them, Zhao Jianan was particularly bad. After all, Zhao Jianan did not have the support of his mother's family, the Feng family, like his younger brother Zhao Jianwen, so he needed the support of important officials of the Yan army like Huang Wen Ze. Huang Wen Ze, who was the first strategist under Zhao Fuqu at the time, remained strictly neutral between the two brothers Zhao Jianan and Zhao Jianwen in order to avoid Zhao Fuqu's suspicion. Therefore, he repeatedly rejected Zhao Jianan's solicitation and goodwill!

Facing Huang Wen Ze who had rejected him many times, although Zhao Jianan still smiled on the surface and respected Huang Wen Ze very much, Huang Wen Ze had heard rumors more than once that Zhao Jianan once got drunk and scolded him, and also said that when he becomes the governor of Youyan in the future, he will definitely teach Huang Wen Ze a lesson!
Although the Yan army is now in a difficult situation, Zhao Jianan has become Zhao Fuqu's successor as he wished, and controls the Yan army's last territory in Yunbing and the remaining more than 10,000 soldiers. In order to hold on to the power in his hands, Zhao Jianan has adopted a strategy of sidelining many of the old men left behind by Zhao Fuqu!

Among them was Jin Zhengrui, a veteran general of the Yan army who had been left in Jinzhong by Zhao Fuqu. After learning that Zhao Fuqu had died in Fuhugang, Zhao Jianan organized the entire city to wear mourning clothes to mourn Zhao Fuqu. On the other hand, he did not slow down his pace of seizing power. He took away Jin Zhengrui's military power and distributed it to his subordinates.

All this made Huang Wen Ze feel very daunted and disheartened...
Let's talk about Zhao Jianan's problem now. Although what he said was very righteous and there was nothing wrong with it, saying that he was avenging his father, Huang Wen Ze was a little confused about what Zhao Jianan was thinking!
Right now the Yan army only has the territory of Jinzhong, and has only more than 10,000 soldiers. Even if they immediately recruit the young and strong men in Jinzhong to join the army, the most they can get is no more than 20,000 soldiers. Now, after the Fengwu Army captured Zhuo County and completely occupied Youyan, its strength has increased significantly, and it has won victory after victory in military battles, and is unstoppable!

Zhao Fuqu led an army of 100,000 to counterattack, but was defeated by the Fengwu Army at Fuhugang. What can you do now with only 10,000 or 20,000 people?
Zhao Jianan is not a fool, how could he not know this?
Since he knew this, and asked himself this question, what was he thinking?

Huang Wenzhe realized that although he couldn't figure out Zhao Jianan's thoughts on this issue, he thought of Zhao Fuqu's instructions to him in Zhuo County. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to tell the truth and said:
"Reporting to the Governor, our army has just defeated the enemy and is in great momentum. We have also been promoted to the Governor of Yan and Liao with the endorsement of the court. It is the heyday of our army. At this time, our army must remember the hatred, but also endure hardships and work slowly. You must know that hard work will not be in vain. Three thousand Vietnamese soldiers can conquer Wu. Since ancient times, fortune has changed. It is impossible for Ye Mingsheng to be so lucky forever!"

Seeing Huang Wen Ze lowering his head and addressing him as "Governor" respectfully, Zhao Jianan felt secretly happy. This bastard had been ignoring him before, letting him put his warm face on his cold butt. He, Zhao Jianan, had been waiting for this moment for a long time...
After Huang Wen Ze finished speaking, Zhao Jianan clapped his hands and praised:
"Mr. Huang is indeed a loyal minister left to me by my father. What he said is all mature and wise. I also intend to act according to Mr. Huang's plan and wait for opportunities in Jinzhong. In my opinion, if we want to work hard to govern Jinzhong, we need to start with education. So I plan to reopen the government school in Jinzhong to train more talents for my Yan army and Da Zhou. I wonder what Mr. Huang thinks of my idea?"

Hearing what Zhao Jianan said, Huang Wen Ze didn't understand what Zhao Jianan wanted to do. He felt sad but could only nod and say:

"Your Excellency the Governor is absolutely right!"

Zhao Jianan heard this and said in a pretentious manner:
"I feel much more relieved after getting Mr. Huang's affirmation. However, the preparations for reopening the prefectural school are almost complete, but there is no chief priest who can lead the prefectural school. To be the chief priest of the prefectural school, one must be a very famous person in my Yan army to show my importance to the prefectural school. I have never found a suitable candidate. I wonder what you think about the position of chief priest, Mr. Huang?"

Feeling the hypocrisy in Zhao Jianan's words, Huang Wenzhe sighed in his heart, knowing that Zhao Jianan was determined, but as a subject, he could only accept Zhao Jianan's decision and said:
"Since the Governor is interested, I would rather obey your orders..."

After getting the answer from Huang Wen Ze, Zhao Jianan's smile widened and he said:

"I feel much more relieved to have Mr. Huang as the prefectural school's chief priest. I believe Mr. Huang can train enough talents for our Yan army. If that's the case, then the other things in Mr. Huang's hands can be handed over to Chen Su, Guo Zhen and the others during this period of time!"

Huang Wenzhe nodded and said
"Yes!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Huang Wen Ze, Zhao Jianan let Huang Wen Ze leave. Just as Huang Wen Ze walked to the door, he heard Zhao Jianan's calm voice.

"My father has passed away, and as a son, I should come back to pay my respects. Don't you think so, Mr. Huang?"

Huang Wen Ze was shocked when he heard this. Just as he was about to say something, Huang Wen Ze smiled and said again:
"Mr. Huang! Please walk slowly!"

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Liaoyang, Dongning

In the study room of Murong Mansion, Murong Yuliang and Murong Qingwu, a father and daughter, were sitting opposite each other. For some reason, the atmosphere between them was a little strange. Murong Yuliang seemed to want to say something, but he didn't know where to start. Seeing this, Murong Qingwu spoke first and smiled softly, saying:

"Father, haven't you always been worried that I would become an old maid, and have tried every possible means to marry me off? Why are you like this now? Are you reluctant to part with me again?" Feeling the joking meaning in Murong Qingwu's words, Murong Yuliang shook his head and said helplessly:
"You kid, you are still joking at this time..."

"Your father wants to marry you off, but I want you to marry into a good family, not a dangerous place!"

Murong Qingwu was not surprised to hear this. She blinked her beautiful eyes and said with a smile:

"Father, you shouldn't say that. You are the governor of Fengwu Army. Haven't you taught us since we were young that words can cause trouble and that we should think twice before doing anything and be cautious?"

Listening to his precious daughter's sermon, Murong Yuliang smiled bitterly and shook his head, then said seriously:

"You haven't even married yet, but they've already started in our house. What methods will they use when you marry? And even though he has a bright future, it's really unfair to let you, Qingwu, go there to be a concubine... Qingwu, our Murong family has been a family of three elders for five generations, and we haven't reached the point where you need to sacrifice your life's happiness. Your father also has the ability to protect you!"

Feeling the solemnity in Murong Yuliang's words, Murong Qingwu was deeply moved and couldn't help but say:
"father········"

After the deep affection between father and daughter, Murong Qingwu wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and said softly:

"Dad, I've thought about what you said, but who else can I marry if not him?"

"If I really find someone else, I will probably always compare myself with him, and then I will definitely regret it and won't resign myself to it!"

After listening to his daughter's thoughts, Murong Yuliang nodded silently. After a long while, he looked at Murong Qingwu, nodded and said:

"Since Qingwu has made up your mind, then your father will support your decision!"

At this point Murong Yuliang paused for a moment before continuing:

"Your cousin Murong Hui will probably return to Youyan in half a month!"

Murong Qingwu was a little surprised when she heard this and said:
"Didn't my cousin come here a while ago? Why is he here again so soon? Is there something important?"

Murong Yuliang explained:
“The situation at the Southern Tour Court is not very good. Shangguan Hongyuan’s army has approached Jianmen. Although Jianmen has natural barriers, it is hard to say whether it can stop Shangguan Hongyuan. The situation inside the Southern Tour Court is also very complicated. The reason why your uncle was able to successfully operate this time and let the Southern Tour Court appoint him as the Governor-General of Yan and Liao, in addition to your uncle’s efforts, is largely related to the current crisis of the Southern Tour Court…”

"Lin Shize and Jiang Guang originally planned to have Zhao Fuqu and the King of Qin contain Shangguan Hongyuan on the east and west sides. Even if they couldn't defeat Shangguan Hongyuan, they could still ensure that the imperial court in Chengdu would be as stable as Mount Tai. Unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes. The King of Qin's Liang army was defeated by Shangguan Hongyuan, and Ye Mingsheng suddenly appeared, quickly entered the pass and defeated Zhao Fuqu. In this way, the east and west sides they carefully built were completely shattered!"

"Without the constraints from the east and west, and the fact that the Southern Tour court itself is a hodgepodge and lacks internal unity, Shangguan Hongyuan has the opportunity to march straight into Chengdu. So in order to escape its own crisis, the Southern Tour court places its hopes on Ye Mingsheng, hoping that Ye Mingsheng can march westward, force Shangguan Hongyuan to stop attacking Chengdu!"

Murong Qingwu sighed and said slowly:
“Those Dukes of the Great Zhou in Rongcheng really think of him as a loyal and capable general of the Great Zhou. Although the Fengwu Army has won victory after victory, after the battles with the Luobi and Yan armies, they are now exhausted and lack logistical supplies. I guess they need to rest for a while…”

After saying this, Murong Qingwu seemed to have thought of something and then said:
"Uncle sent my cousin here this time. Did he want him to persuade Ye Mingsheng to lead his troops westward?"

Murong Yuliang nodded and said:

"That's part of the reason! But more importantly, after listening to your cousin's report and hearing the news that the Fengwu Army had completely captured Youyan, your uncle felt that the future prospects of the court on the southern tour were not very good, so he decided to increase his investment in the Fengwu Army!"

"After your cousin comes to Youyan this time, he will not go back. He will seek a position in the Fengwu Army. If everything goes well, more children of the Murong family will come to Youyan, and even people from other families may come too!"

After saying this, Murong Yuliang said to his daughter in a deep voice:
"Qingwu, I'm telling you all this just to make you understand that the family will always be your most reliable backing. We, the Murong family, will never allow ourselves to be bullied. We, the Murong family, really don't take the Kunshan Marquis An family seriously!"

“There are only Cui Shao and the Cui family. Although they have already taken the lead, from my perspective, Ye Mingsheng is also wary of them and does not completely trust them. This time you marry him, it is possible that Ye Mingsheng wants to check and balance the Cui family, so Ye Mingsheng will never let them do whatever they want…”

(End of this chapter)