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Soon after, the Empress Dowager presented the most important point.
"We both know what kind of person Murong Cheng is," the Empress Dowager said. "Once he becomes emperor, he will never tolerate anyone else by his side. He can even turn against his own brothers, let alone you who have always been at odds with him."
Her words directly revealed the critical issue that Ye Xiaohan and the others were facing, and the answer was obvious. Murong Cheng would undoubtedly be the first to strike against them; he had done so countless times before.
Faced with this undeniable fact, there was no point in hiding it. Ye Xiaohan admitted it directly and smiled as he asked, "What you say is absolutely correct, Empress Dowager. This is indeed the dilemma we are encountering. I wonder if you have any insights to share with us."
The Empress Dowager's response was naturally within Ye Xiaohan's expectations.
"To deal with Murong Cheng with your current strength would be quite difficult. However," the Empress Dowager shifted her tone, "if you wish to win, there is only one way: cooperate with others and advance or retreat together."
As for which party to choose for this cooperation, the Empress Dowager readily recommended herself.
"Currently, there are not many candidates available for cooperation; most will choose self-preservation. Looking at the situation, we are the only ones who can partner with you."
Ye Xiaohan nodded in agreement. "Your insights are truly remarkable, Empress Dowager. Murong Cheng is indeed hard to deal with. Honestly, we are all trembling in fear, worried that we might be captured at any moment. Only someone as seasoned as you can serve as a solid wall to shield us from this storm."
This statement was clearly a compliment to the Empress Dowager; Ye Xiaohan and his companions did not have a hundred percent guarantee of success, but they had enough strength to confront Murong Cheng if it came down to it.
However, since she had made such a concession, the Empress Dowager would certainly pick up on that implication and seized the opportunity.
"Miss Ye is a wise person who knows what is best; I believe there is no need for me to repeat myself," the Empress Dowager presented her offer. "As long as you are willing to cooperate with us against Murong Cheng, we will do our utmost to protect your safety, which will naturally increase your chances of success."
With all three parties having comparable strength, an alliance between two of them against one would almost certainly lead to an overwhelming advantage.
"It does sound quite appealing; I'm almost tempted," Ye Xiaohan pretended to ponder and said, "But I cannot make this decision alone; I need to discuss it with Gu Bei first."
The Empress Dowager did not object and nodded slightly. "Of course, feel free to propose conditions; if they are reasonable, we will meet them."
Afterward, the Empress Dowager took her leave.
Ye Xiaohan had already made up her mind. After consulting with Gu Bei, their opinions aligned.
As the Empress Dowager had said, they currently lacked sufficient strength. Although they could force a confrontation with Murong Cheng given their current power, it would likely result in significant casualties.
That was not something they wished to see.
"It seems there is only one path forward; we have no other options," Ye Xiaohan said, looking at Gu Bei and seeking his opinion.
Gu Bei nodded. "It's best not to provoke the Empress Dowager's side right now. If we engage in conflict, it will only benefit Murong Cheng."
The most suitable plan was to establish cooperation with the Empress Dowager and Murong Jing to jointly deal with Murong Cheng.
As for the future, Gu Bei had to uphold his promise to the Predecessor Emperor and loyally support Murong Xi in ascending to the throne. There would be more storms awaiting them then.
"For now, we can only take it step by step," Gu Bei said as he stood before the scaled-down battlefield simulation, observing the movements on the sand table.
"I think so too. Let's settle on this," Ye Xiaohan agreed.
With their decision made, they still needed to maintain a strong stance. This was a psychological tactic; if they rushed into an agreement, Murong Jing would take advantage of them. It was better to keep him guessing and wait for the right moment to maximize their benefits.
After two days of silence, just as Murong Jing began to grow anxious, Ye Xiaohan and Gu Bei personally paid him a visit.
"Your Highness, it's been a long time since we parted in Jiangnan," Ye Xiaohan greeted Murong Jing with a smile, her politeness tinged with a hint of distance, like an old friend who hadn't seen each other in ages.
Murong Jing felt a dull pain rise within him as he listened, unsure of what exactly hurt.
Though the two were not overly familiar in their demeanor, there was an undeniable tenderness in their simple gestures that everyone could see.
It was an atmosphere that only deeply in love couples shared.
Murong Jing lowered his eyelids, concealing a sense of loss and dullness.
When he raised his head again, he was once more the imposing Third Prince.
"Welcome to both of you from afar; this place shines with your presence," Murong Jing casually exchanged pleasantries. However, the focus of the group was not on this, and they quickly shifted the conversation back to business.
Ye Xiaohan smiled and said, "Empress Dowager, Lord, since this is a collaboration, there must be a fair distribution of benefits. How shall we divide it justly?"
The concept of fairness was nonexistent. When interests were involved, both parties would only strive to secure the maximum benefit for themselves.
After some back-and-forth, they finally settled on the division of interests.
Gu Bei's army would remain under Gu Bei's command; however, it was a cooperative effort. Should Murong Jing require assistance, Gu Bei would need to comply to the best of his ability.
Upon success, Murong Jing would ascend to the throne and subsequently hand over Murong Cheng to Gu Bei for retribution against the grudge of six or seven lives lost.
On the surface, everyone appeared satisfied with this arrangement.
As for the private thoughts each harbored, those remained unspoken.
Gu Bei would not allow Murong Jing to ascend the throne, and once Murong Jing took power, he would likely not tolerate Gu Bei's presence either.
But those matters were for the future; for now, they had successfully established a cooperative relationship and begun their alliance.
Murong Jing held a noble status while Gu Bei commanded a powerful army. Under the banner of 'the new emperor's ruthlessness,' they raised the flag of rebellion in Murong Jing's southern fiefdom.
Once word of the uprising spread, chaos erupted in the Court. As long as those old foxes remained calm on the surface, they secretly continued to engage with Murong Jing, seeking new footholds.
"Scoundrels! Scoundrels!" Murong Cheng slammed his red brush down hard on the blue bricks of the Imperial Study. "These lawless individuals dare to rebel! I want to see what capabilities they truly possess!"
He was no longer the person he used to be! Now, he was the Emperor, the Sovereign of the Nine-Five, the True Dragon Son, blessed by the heavens, and he would never lose to two defeated subordinates!
"Gu Bei truly has some remarkable tactics!" Murong Cheng had genuinely believed that Gu Bei was dead; he never expected that Gu Bei had been hiding in the shadows, preparing to recruit troops.
A dangerous smile crept onto his lips. "But it doesn't matter. You escaped death last time; this time, I will ensure you get what you wish for!"
Murong Cheng slammed his palm down on the table. The heavy rosewood surface remained unyielding, but the pain from the impact spread through his hand and gradually engulfed him.
This pain, Murong Cheng intended to inflict upon Gu Bei and Murong Jing as well.
The court quickly dispatched troops to suppress the situation.
However, half of Dongchuan's army was already under Gu Bei's command. With his recent recruitment efforts, his strength was far beyond what a single force from the court could suppress.
Moreover, Gu Bei's greatest strength lay in his ability to lead troops into battle; under his command, the army could unleash its full potential.
After just one battle, the court's forces were utterly defeated and forced to retreat in disarray.
"Excellent! That was a splendid victory!" Murong Jing personally led the charge; it was his first time commanding troops. After experiencing the thrill of battle firsthand, he felt a newfound respect for Gu Bei. "General Gu truly lives up to his reputation, strategizing and guiding us through this conflict!"
Gu Bei humbly replied, "Your Highness flatters me. Gu Bei has no exceptional skills; I only possess these meager tactics. I hope Your Highness does not find them lacking."
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