535 A Whirlpool of Brewing Troubles (1/2)
Compared to the issue with Yun Yang, Yun Xiaoyao's current focus was more towards Bao'er's regular lessons instead. He who watched the teachers daily educating the young boy in turns was both deeply immersed in his supervision task and yet also wore a gaze of comfort.
The child was young but obedient, anyone would be fond of him. Yun Xiaoyao's endearment towards Bao'er increased as the days passed by, exceeding that of Emperor of Yutang and Yun Yang too.
The threat of imminent war for Yutang had ended. While a new storm showed its beginning signs, it had yet to fully surface.
Bai Yixue, Fang Mofei, Lao Mei, and others officially took their positions as security and babysitter. However, their talents were barely employed in the time that followed. Other than the three waves of ambush from suicide assassins that felt more like probes than actual full-scale attacks, there was no more ruckus; it was unusually peaceful for some time.
Yun Yang was not surprised. A little would go a long way – the three ambushes were mainly to test the Residence of Yun's defense strength and their degree of concern for the child. The Residence of Yun's countermeasures towards these ambushes spoke well enough about their attitude. Under such premises, if the attackers could not succeed in one go, it would only alarm the defenders; as they would instead cook up an ultimate ambush and finish things in one massive blow.
In spite of this, Yun Yang was fearless. After all, the prospect of danger that could be currently produced within Tiantang City was considered as nothing in Yun Yang's eyes. Even if the crown prince and entourage acted, Yun Yang's crushing counter would await them once they did!
If it came to that, Yun Yang would not be fazed at all in turning Tiantang City into a river of blood.
For the time being, however, Yun Yang was caught in a perilous dilemma. He watched Ji Lingxi and Yue Rulan's actions closely almost every day. After the incident, his awkwardness about what happened was secondary to his worry for Yue Rulan, afraid that his new Sister-in-law Yue would take things too hard and follow after his eighth brother.
What happened to Yun Zuiyue had already become a nightmare to Yun Yang after the battle in Tianxuan Cliff. He really did not want a similar tribulation to happen again.
Yun Yang made no move but the Nine Supremes' force grew. Since Shui Wuyin took after Nine Supremes' intelligence system, the Labyrinth of Nine Heavens Intelligence spread further like a huge spider that was quickly weaving a gargantuan web that wrapped the entire continent in the underground where no one could see.
Even Yun Yang was in disbelief at Shui Wuyin's efficiency. The operation was not completed yet but seeds were being sown in every direction; the foundation was already taking form. Things were growing rapidly and continuously.
Yun Yang thought to himself that his efficiency would probably be lacking in comparison to Shui Wuyin even if he were to take things into his hands without a second care for other matters. In fact, it was not 'probably' – it was 'definitely'. One should be a master in his profession – Shui Wuyin was a natural talent for this! There was no other substitute for him.
Regarding the matter, Yun Yang had only gone to see Shui Wuyin in secret once.
”Our current target prioritizes various countries, cities, military, and whatnot. When these are about done, then we release the tentacles into the martial world.”
”I understand.”
”The martial world houses too many strange talents and unexpected variables. The forces that are against us are even more. If our men were to be caught, we'll have to endure the risk of being found out from various hints and rumors. This must be cautioned against and to be strictly avoided.”
”I understand and have already made respective preparations. No matter which link sees an issue, the attached upper and lower ends will break off their connections immediately. It will never tie back to our base. The base of the Nine Supremes is an unknown secret, even from our own people.”
”Good.”
”Wuyin, what's your future plan?”
”Revenge for our boss!”
”After the revenge?”
”… I don't have further plans.”
”Is your focus in the martial world? The imperial court? Maybe… further?”
”You can forget further. I lack such talent nor do I have such a wild wish. The martial world and its martial affairs, I have enough of them too; as for the imperial court, it's not my joy to conspire and outwit each other either. The most ideal will probably be secretly taking charge of this matter. It's enough for now and it gives me a sense of achievement too.”
”Hmm”
After their talk, Yun Yang thought long about the situation and even gave rise to some woes.
Shui Wuyin's thinking was very simple and straightforward, but such a simple mindset would be tricky to handle later on. When the world was united in the future, the forces of the intelligence organization that Shui Wuyin had built would be a weapon no ruler could ignore! It was because the very existence of the entity itself was one that sufficed to become an immense threat to the royal autonomy.
When it came to that time, both sides would stand against each other and proceed to have an irreversible stand-off.
However, it was not realistic to end things now. Yun Yang believed that even if he did not continue to work towards this, even if he did not tell the emperor about this, even if the emperor did not agree to it, Shui Wuyin would be able to continue manipulating this force as long as he wanted to. Besides, Yun Yang very much needed this force now.
”Forget it, let nature run its course. Whatever happens in the future will be in the future. No point in worrying myself with non-existent woes now.” Yun Yang thought, ”As long as I stay alive, this balance will continue indefinitely. Even if I die one day, this underground force of Shui Wuyin will continue to help Yutang against external threats too; the balance can still be kept.”
…
Whenever the emperor was free, he would visit the Residence of Yun in casual attire to see Bao'er's learning progress. This was the current crux of things. If Bao'er was limited in talent and was not up for greater things, everything would be as immaterial as a dream. However, the learning ability that Bao'er had shown so far baffled both the emperor and Yun Xiaoyao.
The innate talent and ability of Bao'er was no longer describable by words like 'genius' and so on. Not only could the kid absorb everything he learned, regardless of subject, he could understand it intimately and could apply it to his advantage as well. Bao'er was even able to ponder deeply regarding certain subjects that just a single day of his study exceeded ten dedicated years of study for an ordinary person.
The height of his aptitude was beyond imagination; he was a rare talent indeed.
Today, His Majesty and Yun Xiaoyao were discussing the matters of imperial court power balance. Bao'er was listening quietly at the side. When he heard about the balancing of power among the Grand Commandant, the Grand Preceptor and the other families of generals like Qiu and Leng, he showed that he was putting on his thinking cap.
The emperor was amused and casually asked, ”What does Bao'er think about this? Do you have any opinion?”
Yun Xiaoyao chortled when he heard him, obviously tickled by the question. As for the emperor who started the topic, he was beaming too, not expecting to actually hear an answer. How could a three to four-year-old child know anything about the issues they were discussing?
Despite his age, Bao'er thought carefully. He frowned and said, ”Emperor Grandpa, you'll have to be tired to have both sides suffer but also not suffer.”
Hearing this sudden reply, the emperor's hand that was stroking his beard jolted and pulled two strands out of his beard. His eyes widened, filled with shock as they looked at Bao'er. As for Yun Xiaoyao, his eyes had widened in surprise too.
About the counterbalance between ruler and officials, the balance of martial and civil sides, Bao'er had attributed the pinnacle of balance to the emperor. The truth was exactly that too; while the child's choice of words was childish, the theory behind it was essentially correct.
”Why does Bao'er say that I'll have to be tired?” the emperor asked while contemplating Bao'er's words.
Bao'er answered naively, widening his distinctly black and white colored round eyes, ”It's simple. Emperor Grandpa doesn't really want to beat them and can only allow them to be afraid of being beaten. Just like Bao'er playing see-saw, once one side is heavy, the other side will come up. To maintain it from moving up and down, both sides must be about the same so they can't be too heavy on either side. Emperor Grandpa is the one taking care of both sides of people on the see-saw, of course you'll be tired!”
Both His Majesty and Yun Xiaoyao were momentarily speechless at Bao'er's astute observation.
”What if I don't want to be tired?” His Majesty asked, taking Bao'er into his embrace.
”Don't want to be tired…” Bao'er thought about it with his head cocked to one side, ”As long as there's no one on the see-saw, only then it will be quiet! It won't need another person there to balance it.”
The emperor frowned upon hearing this answer, deep in thought. Was this another suggestion to let go of his reins? Was it suitable for now though?