Chapter 191 (1/2)
Tang Xiaotang rubbed the tummy of the little snow wolf. She thought of what she had seen and asked towards the back of her brother curiously, ”What's up with the wolf?”
”Perhaps the Headmaster met the pack before when he traveled to the desolate north. The wolves were probably able to sense things due to their meeting today. How else would an ordinary wolf be able to sense the power of Heaven and Earth?”
Tang Xiaotang exclaimed, ” The Headmaster can even teach wolves? That's amazing... Brother, who do you think is stronger? The Headmaster or the Overlord?”
Tang's footsteps slowed down. He spoke after a moment of silence. ”Teacher was not as good as the Headmaster then. But he has cultivated for twenty-three years... I think he's still not as good as the Headmaster.”
”Brother, you've told me previously that most of the officials of Tang have studied in the Academy. Those from the Second floor are not to be provoked. The Headmaster has been the headmaster of the Academy for over a hundred years. Does that mean that the Headmaster has much power over the country? Isn't the emperor worried?”
”What would he be worried about?”
”His throne.”
”The throne holds no importance to the Headmaster.”
”Isn't the emperor worried about how the Headmaster would affect the court? Which emperor would want to be second to someone else?”
”It doesn't matter whether he is willing or not. The Headmaster has been second to none for many years since before he was born. The Headmaster will not concern himself with a small matter such as the court.”
”Is the court a small matter? If we fight with the Tangs, will the Headmaster interfere? If he is really as powerful as you say, how can we fight against him?”
”I've said, the Headmaster will not concern himself with small matters such as this.”
Tang Xiaotang held the small snow wolf and hastened to walk beside her brother. Her eyes were widened in surprise as she asked, ”This is a small matter? What's a big matter then?”
”All matters are small to someone like the Headmaster. As for what's a big matter, people like us will never know. Why would we waste our effort trying to guess?”
Where there are people, things will happen. And where things happen, trouble follows. The means to solve these issues were limited. Other than war and violence, the only other way out would be to hold meetings. When the Desolate Men held a meeting in the gra.s.slands to discuss their next steps, the Tang Empire in the south held their own meeting as well.
The Daming Palace outside of Chang'an was where the Emperor stayed in summer. Since the officials find it rather troublesome to leave the city, the matters discussed in court reduced. There was only one official court meeting held every three days.
”Even though it is much cooler in the Daming Palace outside of the city, it is still very hot. This soup has been chilled with ice. Drink it before returning to the city. I will worry if you fall from the horse.”
Li Zhongyi, the Emperor of the Tang empire said to the officials. He took his own bowl from Eunuch Lin and drank it in a few gulps.
The court matters that have been piling up for the past three days have finally been cleared. while the Daming Palace was cooling, there was nowhere as comfortable as one's own home. While the soup was icy cold, it will never be as delicious as the one at home. The officials thanked His Majesty and drank the soup quickly as they prepared to leave the palace.
Right before the officials prepared to leave, the emperor thought of something. He waved for them to return and said, ”There is another small matter. The Military Ministry reported that the Left Tent riders have entered the Yan Kingdom three days ago and robbed the village. I thought that it was a matter of the Yan Kingdom and did not do anything about it. However, it did not feel right to ignore it completely. This involves the Desolate Man moving southwards as well. We still have to think of a way to speak with the West-Hill and other countries. Quick, discuss it.”
The officials from the Military Ministry hurriedly replied, ”The Left and Gold tent did not do anything out of the ordinary. Our reports say that they did not cause significant damages.”
”What has the people of Yan to do with me? This has nothing to do with the damage caused.”
The emperor raised his brows and the gentleness on his face hardened. He said, ”When the Tang insisted on splitting the country lines those years ago, the Chanyus of the three kingdoms have all signed an agreement. Now that they have crossed the line, I care more about what right they have to dare cross it.”
To the officials of the Tang Empire, the barbarians of the gra.s.sland were unable to cause much trouble even though they were an annoyance. They did not think that this was a grave matter of any sort. The minister of the Ministry of Rites ran his hand on his beard and thought about it from the barbarian royal court's point of view and said with a smile, ”The Desolate Man have moved southwards. Since the barbarians could not defeat them and had their most bountiful land taken, they could only rely on plundering for a living. It is indeed difficult for them.”
The emperor shook his head and said, ”Even if they have difficulties, they must tell the imperial court in advance to have the imperial court arrange for them since they were awarded by the empire. Now, they did not inform anyone and secretly started. Of course, it is not allowed. We must make them go back and then I'll listen to their difficulties.”
”Your Majesty is wise. Even though the Left-Tent Palace has been hara.s.sing the Yan Kingdom, they have crossed the line we drew back then. They are challenging the Central Plains. As the leader of the Central Plains, we should do something about it.”
The prime minister nodded thoughtfully. He turned around to look at the minister of the Military Ministry and said unhappily, ”The general is not far from the Yan Kingdom. He can arrange for some soldiers to chase the Left-Tent Palace back. Why would you worry His Majesty about such small matters?”
”Even though it is a small matter, we still need to send soldiers and arrange for generals. We also need to inform the court before entering the north of Yan for war. Otherwise, wouldn't the King of Yan be frightened to death?'
The officials of the Military Minister turned towards the dragon throne and said to the emperor seriously. ”Your Majesty, I think that the empire needs to consider the Desolate Man who have moved south seriously. They have gone against a thousand-year-old agreement and moved southwards. How should our empire react?”
”Do not think that I do not understand what you mean. Which old general got bored and wanted to lead some soldiers into battle? Do you think that battles cost no money?”
The emperor smiled all the while scolding, ”The reports said that the Desolate Man have taken over the north of the wilderness and stopped their people from moving anymore south... The distance between us is wide. If they do not bring trouble to me, I shall not bother with them. If we want to bring up the agreement from a thousand years ago, the Desolate Man have been defeated terribly by us then. There were only a few hundred thousand of them left. There is no point in us continuing to hold this against them.”
The imperial court meeting ended. Master of Nation, Li Qingshan looked slightly troubled and said to the emperor softly, ”The divine hall's reaction to this is rather suspicious. They sent out an edict for such a small matter. South Jin and the Yuelun Kingdom should be preparing to head north. It probably has nothing to do with the Left-Tent Palace making trouble at the border. Since the Desolate Man have returned, the old ones probably sensed the Devil's Doctrine.”
The emperor who had remained calm and collected during the court meeting furrowed his brows when he heard mention of the Divine hall. He said, ”Taizu (Founder of the Tang Dynasty) worked with the West-Hill Divine Kingdom when he started the empire. They chased the Desolate Man out of the Wilderness. A few years ago, youngest uncle entered the Devil's Doctrine and killed all the strong ones there left behind by the Desolate Man. Now that they have fallen, what has the West-Hill Divine Kingdom to worry about?”
Li Qingshan said, ”The Devil's Doctrine and the Desolate Man have an irreplaceable relations.h.i.+p. That is why the Divine Hall is a little wary. This edict has spurred many countries towards the north. The West-Hill has even sent a regiment of cavalry. From what I see, other than being wary of the Devil's Doctrine and helping the Yan Kingdom stabilize the frontiers, it is also for them to show off their prowess to the rest of the world.”
The emperor looked at his left arm and said, ”They want to show off their muscle? Who was sent from the Yue Lun Kingdom and South Jin?”
”It was reported that the Buddhist Sect of Yuelun Kingdom sent a few younger strong cultivators. The sword sect of South Jin has also sent people out. But what we really need to keep a look out for other than the cavalry is the Judicial Department of the Divine Hall.”
The emperor's eyebrows rose slightly as he smiled. ”It seems that they are training their troops while also spreading influence. It is not suitable for us to send our own people there. It is just that it isn't convenient for us to interfere. If we do, we can control the whole situation. Since this is so, let Xia Hou go personally.”
Li Qingshan furrowed his brows. He said, ”Doesn't it show that we take the barbarians too seriously if we send out General to settle these small issues?”
”I know what you're worried about.”
The emperor looked at him and said, ”I'm sending Xia Hou there personally not because I think highly of the soldiers or the edict from the Divine Hall, or even the youngsters from the various countries. It is because… I want to see Xia Hou in person.”