On the Xianbei grasslands!
The Murong Clan, after years of relentless battles, finally unified the eastern grasslands.
The Murong Clan’s Ancestor broke through to the Martial Saint Realm. Under his suppression and support, the Murong Clan established the Northern Yan Dynasty.
“Heaven and earth bear witness, today our Murong Clan unifies the Xianbei tribes, fulfilling the wishes of our ancestors. We hereby establish our nation, named Northern Yan…”
As soon as the Northern Yan Dynasty was established, the news quickly spread to Da Li.
Faced with the Murong Clan’s unification of the eastern grasslands and the establishment of Northern Yan, the Da Li Dynasty reacted as if they had swallowed something foul.
In the past, the Xianbei tribes of the northern grasslands were disunited and posed little threat to the south.
The northern frontier of Da Li was peaceful.
But now, with the Murong Clan unifying the Xianbei grasslands and establishing Northern Yan, consolidating their power, they would inevitably become unprecedentedly strong, and the northern region would no longer be peaceful.
“Beloved secretaries, tell me, how should our Da Li respond to the establishment of Northern Yan by the Xianbei Murong Clan?” Emperor Zhao Qingwu of Da Li asked the gathered civil and military officials.
Faced with Emperor Zhao Qingwu’s inquiry, the civil officials remained silent.
However, the military generals clamored for war, eager to crush Northern Yan.
“Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to battle and destroy Northern Yan. How dare a mere foreign tribe think they can establish a nation and oppose our Da Li.”
“Your Majesty, give me 300,000 troops, and I will bring back the head of the Northern Yan Emperor.”
“Your Majesty, I only need 200,000 troops to make Northern Yan wet their pants.”
The generals of Da Li shouted, eager to destroy Northern Yan.
They were bored with the routine of court life and longed to lead troops into battle.
“Do you think you can handle it? The grandfather of the Northern Yan Emperor is a Martial Saint. Do you have the ability to fight a Martial Saint?” A civil official couldn’t stand it any longer and spoke up.
“Old fool, what did you say? Say it again if you dare.” The generals glared at the civil official, ready to fight.
Seeing the civil and military officials bickering, Emperor Zhao Qingwu’s brows furrowed deeply.
“Enough!” Zhao Qingwu shouted, his gaze stern as he looked at the officials below.
In the Da Li court, the rivalry between civil and military officials had suddenly intensified, with both sides clashing fiercely.
“Jiang Chu, Zhang Yi, step forward!”
Jiang Chu and Zhang Yi stepped forward joyfully, surprised that His Majesty had chosen them.
“Your Majesty!”
“You two will each lead 100,000 troops north to assist General Huanfu in guarding the northern frontier and preventing the Xianbei of Northern Yan from invading our Da Li borders.” Zhao Qingwu commanded.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
…
Northern Yan!
The Murong Clan established their nation, becoming the second power on the grasslands.
“Your Majesty, what orders do you have for this old minister?” Jiao Qihuan bowed to Murong Yunfei.
“Beloved Secretary Jiao, I wish for you to lead an envoy to the Great Wei and establish friendly relations with them,” Murong Yunfei said.
“An envoy to the Great Wei?” Jiao Qihuan looked at Murong Yunfei.
To become the first emperor of Northern Yan, he indeed had his unique insights. Establishing friendly relations with the Great Wei would subtly restrain Da Li.
“Yes, I wish to establish friendly relations with the Great Wei. After all, the relationship between the Great Wei and Da Li is not good. The two Central Plains nations often go to war. If we can befriend the Great Wei, it might make it easier for us to deal with Da Li in the south,” Murong Yunfei explained.
The Murong Clan, in learning from the Central Plains dynasties, had also adopted much of their culture. Murong Yunfei understood the principle that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will lead the envoys to the Great Wei and strive to establish friendly relations,” Jiao Qihuan said firmly.
Murong Yunfei sent envoys to the Great Wei, attempting to establish friendly relations.
When the Northern Yan envoys arrived in Luo Capital, the court of the Great Wei was surprised and some were even gloating over the news of the Xianbei establishing a nation.
The Great Wei had long been troubled by the Huns, which consumed much of their energy.
Now that Northern Yan was established, it seemed that the northern frontier of Da Li would also face difficulties.
“Your Majesty, the envoys from Northern Yan wish to establish friendly relations with our Great Wei. How should we handle this?” Minister Qian Cheng asked in the court.
“What do you all think?” Empress Hazel Han did not answer directly but instead asked the courtiers.
“Your Majesty, I believe we should refuse. Northern Yan is just a foreign tribe. No matter how we Central Plains nations fight, it is our internal matter. Why should we ally with a foreign tribe?” Assistant Minister Xie Buqi stood up and said.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. Northern Yan is just a Xianbei tribe, uncivilized and barbaric. As the saying goes, ‘Those who are not of our race must have different intentions,’” said Lu Keyuan from the Censorate.
“Your Majesty, Assistant Minister Xie and Censor Lu are mistaken. The establishment of Northern Yan will inevitably lead to conflicts with Da Li. Given the poor relationship between Da Li and our Great Wei, the enemy of our enemy is our friend.
We should establish friendly relations with Northern Yan and even use them to cause trouble for the Huns. After all, the relationship between the Xianbei of Northern Yan and the Huns is not good,” said Deputy Minister of War Shi Lei.
“That is absurd. Our Great Wei does not need to establish relations with a foreign tribe.”
“You are the one who is absurd. Are you taking bribes from Da Li to speak for them?”
The court was divided into two factions, arguing fiercely. The Left Minister, six ministers, Grand Tutor, and Sima watched the quarrel as if it were a show.
Empress Hazel Han sat on the dragon throne, silently watching her courtiers argue.
This was exactly what she wanted. If the courtiers were all in agreement and harmonious, she would be worried.
Seeing that the argument was about to turn into a physical fight, Hazel Han quickly intervened.
“Enough!”
Empress Hazel Han’s soft shout silenced the arguing courtiers.
If she hadn’t stopped them, the Chaotian Hall would have turned into a battlefield.
“We will discuss this matter later!” Without a conclusion, Empress Hazel Han halted the discussion and set the matter aside.
After all, deciding whether to establish relations with Northern Yan was not an urgent matter.
“Is there any other important business?” Hazel Han’s sharp eyes swept over the courtiers’ faces. She now understood how exhausting it had been for her father, Emperor Ming, to balance and control the courtiers.
Not only did she have to contend with the courtiers, but she also had to balance them to make them useful to her.
The art of imperial balance was something she still needed to learn.
“Your Majesty, the Prefect of Jingzhou reports that there are signs of activity from the White Lotus Sect in Jingzhou,” a courtier reported.
“The White Lotus Sect?” Hazel Han’s eyebrows raised slightly.
Recently, the activities of the demonic sects had become increasingly frequent.
“Order the Black Robe Guards and the Demon Slayer Division to investigate thoroughly. If any demonic sect members are found, eradicate them completely,” Hazel Han commanded immediately.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Jasper Zuo, the commander of the Black Robe Guards, and Feng Yinlie, the head of the Demon Slayer Division, stepped forward and accepted the order.
With foreign tribes constantly invading the borders and internal unrest caused by disloyal elements and demonic sects, the Great Wei was far from stable. Hazel Han’s position as Empress was also not secure.
“Left Minister, stay. The rest of you are dismissed!”
After the court session, Hazel Han returned to the Zhenghe Hall.
“Minister Fu, do you think our Great Wei should establish friendly relations with Northern Yan?” Hazel Han asked.
Left Minister Quentin Fu bowed and said, “Your Majesty, it is not advisable for our Great Wei to establish friendly relations with Northern Yan at this time.”
“Why?”
“After all, Northern Yan is a foreign tribe. If we openly establish friendly relations with them, Da Li and Da Chu will certainly attack our Great Wei. Da Li might even ignite the flames of war on the border again. What our Great Wei needs now is stability,” Quentin Fu explained.
Currently, both Da Li and Da Chu were hostile towards the Great Wei, and the Miao Territory in the south was also causing trouble. The north was still engaged in fierce battles with the Huns.
The Great Wei could not afford to go to war with Da Li.
Hazel Han nodded. Although she wanted to ally with Northern Yan to jointly deal with Da Li, Northern Yan was a foreign tribe.
If the Great Wei were to be seen colluding with a foreign tribe, it would damage their reputation.
Da Li and Da Chu would certainly seize this opportunity to undermine the legitimacy of the Great Wei Dynasty, causing the common people to lose faith in the Great Wei.
“I understand. Let’s set this matter aside for now,” Hazel Han said.
“Is there anything else, Your Majesty? If not, this old minister will take his leave,” Quentin Fu said, seeing that Hazel Han had dismissed the idea.
After the court session, he wanted to go home and hold his grandson.
His youngest son had given him a big, chubby grandson, which made Quentin Fu very happy.
“Minister Fu, you may go and rest,” Hazel Han nodded.
“This old minister takes his leave!”
After the Left Minister left, Hazel Han remained silent for a while before continuing to handle the memorials.
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