The Blood Crown - Chapter 126

The new mansion bestowed upon Yan Sikong by Emperor Zhaowu was located in a prime area within the city. Though not excessively luxurious, it was spacious enough. It was inconceivable for the princess to be married off and reside in his humble abode.

Yan Sikong wasn’t in a hurry to move in because among the household staff, undoubtedly, there were spies of Xie Zhongren. Nonetheless, he took Arli to inspect the place and gave instructions to the steward about his habits, including setting up a darkroom in his study. Additionally, the proximity to Shen Hexuan’s residence meant Arli wouldn’t need to deliver provisions to Madam Shen anymore; the steward could handle that.

On the way back, Yan Sikong smiled and asked, “Arli, do you like that grand mansion?”

Arli shook his head.

“Why not?” Yan Sikong gestured.

Arli gestured back, indicating, “So many people, not knowing who’s good and who’s bad.”

“Everyone there is bad,” Yan Sikong replied casually.

Arli looked at him bewilderedly.

“This matter can’t be delayed any longer. Before the New Year, we must move there. Remember, don’t trust anyone there. Everyone must be guarded against. If anything happens, report to me immediately.”

Arli nodded vigorously.

“I need you to do one more thing.”

Arli looked at him attentively.

“Once we move to the new mansion, there will be a steward and numerous servants. You won’t be the only one by my side anymore, but I trust only you. Therefore, you will still serve me closely, but I want you to start acting foolish.”

Arli stared blankly at Yan Sikong.

“I know you’re not foolish. Though you don’t speak, you understand everything. But I need you to act mentally impaired. Not too much, just enough to make them lower their guard. It’ll make things easier for us to gather information. Can you do that?”

Arli nodded earnestly.

Yan Sikong stared into the empty distance ahead, his gaze deep and far-reaching. “I have a feeling this year won’t pass smoothly. I had you convert the gold and silver treasures into silver notes to prepare for unforeseen circumstances. Find a time to sneak out of the city and hide them in a safe place.”

—

Upon hearing the news, Yan Sikong learned that Emperor Zhaowu had decreed the Ministry of War to compile a list for reducing military expenditures in Datong, while Feng Jianping’s assessment had also arrived as scheduled. These seemingly unrelated events coincidentally intersected, with intricate connections that suggested dissatisfaction from both the Emperor and the Feng family if the former wasn’t pleased. However, reducing military expenditures meant cutting military budgets, which would inevitably strike at the heart of the Feng family’s power. It was unpredictable how much Feng Jianping would compromise.

Yan Sikong always believed Feng Jianping shouldn’t have returned to the court. From the moment he set foot in the capital, everything had been on the defensive. But now, it was too late to say anything; all they could do was wait and see.

After discussing with Yan Zilin and Feng Jianping, Yan Sikong handed a moderate and reasonable list of proposals to Liu An, the Minister of Personnel. However, Liu An delayed submitting it to Feng Jianping, likely under someone’s instructions, waiting for clues on the reduction of military expenditures before making further plans.

Although Yan Sikong had temporarily completed his task, he dared not relax. However, there was someone even more anxious than him at the moment—Feng Chuang, the Deputy Minister of War who had suddenly been thrust into such a bloody and stormy task. The seat of Minister had barely warmed before this happened.

During Wen Youchi’s stay in the capital, he did discuss the issue of reducing military expenditures with the Deputy Ministers of War. However, before he could produce any results, he returned home due to his father’s death. Therefore, Feng Chuang could only speculate based on the reports from Zhang Yushi and Wen Youchi’s attitude, arriving at a rough estimate of reducing military forces by a hundred thousand. He brought this estimate to discuss with Yan Zilin.

Yan Zilin was the first to respond, “One hundred thousand? Cutting one hundred thousand military forces means reducing military expenditures by a million taels annually. Even if I have to tighten my belt and save on everything, I still have to lay off sixty to seventy thousand soldiers. How will these sixty to seventy thousand soldiers be resettled?”

Yan Zilin reassured him, “General, don’t be anxious. Initially, Datong raised three hundred thousand troops to resist the Vara. Now that the Vara have been defeated, it’s time to cease fighting and nurture the people. The soldiers in Datong can fight on horseback and work in the fields when dismounted. Food production has been self-sufficient for many years, so there’s no worry about food and drink. Cutting one hundred thousand military forces doesn’t mean we have to lay off soldiers; we can reduce armor, firearms, and logistical support. If one day war resumes in Datong, no matter which part of the treasury suffers a deficit, we can’t afford to cut military spending.”

“Elder, are you pretending to be confused with a clear understanding?” Feng Jianping said in a low voice, “Just feeding people well can make you work hard for me? It’s better to raise three hundred thousand dogs.”

Yan Zilin’s face changed slightly.

Feng Jianping was furious, and Yan Sikong, sitting beside him, felt his heart oppressed. Indeed, he was worthy of being the number one general of Great Sheng, even a slight displeasure was enough to make people fearful.

Feng Jianping continued, “Even if they are dogs, they must be rewarded and punished. Can people be managed better than dogs? What about salaries? What about rewards? In summer, we need to reduce heat and drive away mosquitoes; in winter, we need to burn charcoal and add clothing. When sick, they need treatment; when dead, they need burial. None of these are without cost. If we are to reduce military expenditures by ten thousand, the only way is to reduce the military, but as they say, to raise an army for a thousand days, it takes only a moment to use them. If the frontier raises its sword in battle again, can the soldiers be called upon to fight?”

“General,” Yan Zilin whispered, “don’t be anxious. We’re not really going to cut so much. Deputy Minister Feng just wants me to discuss this with you. He estimates that presenting this report could satisfy His Majesty, especially since Xie Zhongren probably won’t find much fault. However, he also knows you definitely can’t agree, so it’s better if both sides compromise…”

“Elder,” Feng Jianping squinted, “if we truly reduce military preparations, won’t it be to the eunuchs’ liking? You want me to oppose the eunuchs and support the Crown Prince, but also cut military spending to fill the treasury. What exactly are your intentions?”

By the end of his words, Feng Jianping’s tone had become sharp. Yan Sikong and Feng Ye remained silent on the side; Yan Sikong didn’t even look at Feng Ye. He knew that the Feng father and son were already dissatisfied with Yan Zilin, so he had to avoid those burning eyes.

Yan Zilin said solemnly, “General, why do you speak like this? The matter of reducing military preparations is His Majesty’s decision. We can only try our best to mediate. I am now closely tied to you, and I have no reason not to consider you and the Feng family. Without you, how could the Crown Prince secure his position? However, if we only make superficial cuts, Xie Zhongren will definitely cling to the issue. His Majesty might also find it difficult to get past. I advise you like this for your own good.”

Feng Jianping replied expressionlessly, “Elder, how do you think this matter should be handled?”

“Both sides should compromise,” Yan Zilin murmured, “but I advise you, General, to be confident in your heart. If you’ve chosen to return to court, you cannot retreat entirely. Do not become a thorn in His Majesty’s side.”

Yan Sikong felt a chill run through his body, as if an invisible entity was crawling on his back, making him uneasy.

After a moment of contemplation, Feng Jianping glanced at Feng Ye, who opened his mouth but ultimately remained silent. After a long while, Feng Jianping said, “Fifty thousand. If we reduce military preparations by fifty thousand, we can avoid layoffs.”

Yan Zilin shook his head. “General, I don’t wish to bargain with you, but I can assure you that this will displease His Majesty.”

Feng Jianping clenched his fists, silent.

“General, you haven’t returned to the capital in nearly thirty years, accustomed to the company of swords and knives all day. You believe you can safeguard yourself in the most dangerous and brutal places in the world. But now, in the court, where swords and knives are invisible and undefendable, it’s just as lethal.”

Yan Zilin sighed heavily. “General, what I’m saying today comes from the bottom of my heart. You don’t understand His Majesty or the eunuchs, but I do. Think carefully.”

Feng Jianping sighed deeply. “Elder, most of those soldiers have left their homes behind, following me through the winds and snows of the frontier. Some haven’t returned home in years; some are crippled; some have died in foreign lands, their bones impossible to recover. They have been loyal to the country, sacrificing their lives for it. How can we betray them?”

“Elder, what you say makes sense, but there’s no turning back on this matter,” Yan Zilin advised. “You still need to consider yourself and the Crown Prince. Make a decision soon.”

Feng Jianping wearily supported his forehead and hoarsely said, “Eighty thousand.”

Yan Zilin nodded. “General, if you’re willing to make this sacrifice, I’m relieved. I will go persuade His Majesty.”

“If military preparations are reduced, then I will certainly be in a weaker position. Elder, aren’t you worried the eunuchs will take advantage?” Feng Jianping asked softly.

“I’m worried all the time, but if something happens to you, we’ll have even less hope. The Crown Prince’s position will also be at risk. For now, the best course of action is to help you through this ordeal,” Yan Zilin said.

Feng Jianping waved his hand. “Forget it. It’s up to you now.” He said quietly, “I have guarded Datong for His Majesty for more than thirty years, dreaming of dealing a heavy blow to the Vara and clearing the borderlands. Now there’s a chance to realize that dream, but…”

Yan Zilin sighed heavily. “General, I’ve been in office for over forty years, from a petty official to a prime minister. I once wanted to achieve great things that would be remembered in history forever. Now, in my twilight years, I understand that human effort can’t overcome fate. I’ve tried my best, but it’s hard to resist the raging tide. We are all just drops in the ocean, doing what we can.”

Feng Jianping forced a bitter smile. “Doing what we can.”

Yan Zilin stood up. “I’ll go ahead.” 

“I’ll see you off, Elder,” Yan Sikong said, rising with him. He quickly glanced at Feng Ye, signaling for him to come find him later, but his gaze lingered on the young man.

As Yan Sikong escorted Yan Zilin to the courtyard, he lowered his voice. “Elder, is reducing military preparations really this serious?”

“This is Deputy Minister Feng’s estimate. The actual gap between His Majesty’s and Xie Zhongren’s expectations is hard to gauge. His Majesty has not been so assertive in most matters before. However, he’s particularly determined about the Datong military preparations. Do you understand what this means?”

Yan Sikong nodded. “His Majesty feels threatened.”

“Yes, if His Majesty feels threatened, you should understand how outsiders view the Feng family. The elder is doing all this to preserve the Feng family. At critical moments, extreme measures are unavoidable. If the Feng family falls, we will inevitably be swallowed up by the eunuchs sooner or later.”

“I understand,” Yan Sikong said. He found it difficult to judge whether the situation was as dire as Yan Zilin described. After all, Emperor Zhaowu had shown considerable appreciation and affection for Feng Jianping. At least outwardly, suspicion wasn’t readily apparent. Yet, Yan Sikong reminded himself constantly that to gauge someone’s intentions, one mustn’t rely on their words but on their actions. In the case of military preparations and assessments, perhaps Yan Zilin wasn’t overreacting but rather, with over forty years of experience navigating the political currents, particularly acute.

If it were true, the Feng family’s predicament…

Yan Sikong hesitated to delve further into his thoughts.