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Chapter 191: Having a Child
Zhai Rang forced himself to suppress his anger. Although he had never heard of Wei Zheng, since he was sent by the Lord, he could not act against him unless he intended to rebel.
He squeezed out a stiff smile and said, "Thank you for your reminder, sir. I will certainly keep them in check. However, even if they have made some mistakes, with the Lord's generosity and my modest contributions, I believe we can preserve our wealth and status without troubling you."
Wei Zheng flicked his long sleeves. Having been a Taoist priest, he had some habitual gestures: "General, do not misunderstand. Wei does not care about your life or the lives of your relatives; he simply does not want your foolishness to tarnish the Lord's reputation."
Xu Shijie stopped Zhai Rang, who was about to lash out: "Alright, the sir speaks harshly, but you really should manage those people. Do you think no one knows what Zhai Hong said after drinking yesterday?"
Last night, Zhai Rang had revealed his intention to submit to Li Jian Cheng to his relatives and confidants. While they were surprised, they also thought it was a good thing. Before meeting Li Mi, they believed they still had a chance in this world. However, after witnessing Li Mi's abilities, they realized how far behind they truly were.
Without Li Mi, Wagang couldn't even surpass Zhang Suduo; how could they hope to navigate the current situation?
As for Li Jian Cheng, he had been renowned ten years ago as the Guanlong Noble Son, alongside Yang Xuangan, who was called the reincarnation of a great overlord. In comparison to those two, Li Mi was nothing.
Suddenly, Zhai Rang's brother Zhai Hong shouted angrily: "Emperor, you should take charge yourself! Why let others do it? If you refuse to act, I will!"
How wonderful it would be to be an emperor! How could such an opportunity be given to someone else? If you are unwilling, then I shall take the throne!
Zhai Rang immediately ordered someone to silence Zhai Hong and strictly commanded his confidants not to let this information leak out. However, he did not expect that Xu Shijie and Wei Zheng would already know.
Zhai Rang's expression changed; he hurriedly explained to Xu Shijie: "My brother is just a simpleton from the countryside; you know that."
Xu Shijie did not hold back: "So I have no intention of informing the Lord about this. But once we join forces in the future and if he speaks like this again, it will be beyond our ability to cover up."
Zhai Rang quickly nodded and dared not confront Wei Zheng any further; he retreated in frustration.
Wei Zheng watched his retreating figure and remarked: "He has some cleverness but lacks foresight. If he does not distance himself from these people, it will be easy to gain wealth but difficult to end well."
Xu Shijie smiled and asked: "I see that if you do not change your blunt nature, ending well will also be difficult for you."
Wei Zheng replied calmly: "I am a person from outside society; though I lack wealth and status, I am not short of food and clothing. I abandon observation of the world only to assist in saving a worthy ruler and restore peace for all."
"I lack the abilities of Zhuge Wuhou, but I possess the courage to speak frankly and offer advice. I wish to be a good minister, not a loyal minister."
Xu Shijie reined in his smile, feeling a sense of respect rise within him. Being a good minister was far more challenging than merely being a loyal minister.
...
In the spring of the thirteenth year of the Great Undertaking (617), Du Fuwei from Qizhou, having gained victory, captured Gaoyou and occupied Liyang, declaring himself Governor and appointing Fu Gong as Prefect. The Jianghuai Bandits flocked to him.
Dou Jiande set up an altar in Leshou County, proclaiming himself Changle Wang, establishing officials and changing the year to Ding Chou. The Lu County Bandit Xu Yuanlang seized Dongping, dividing his forces to claim territory from Langya to the north as far as Dongping.
Lu Mingyue swept through Henan and reached Huai Bei with an army of four hundred thousand, declaring himself Supreme King.
Fen Yin Xue Ju, renowned for his bravery and immense wealth, had always enjoyed forming alliances with heroes in the west. Seizing the opportunity, he raised an army, imprisoned the Prefecture officials, opened granaries for relief efforts, and declared himself the Western Qin Overlord, changing the era to Qin Xing.
At this time, Li Jian Cheng was organizing his troops to march north. After a winter of preparation, he aimed to completely resolve the threats posed by Liu Wuzhou and Liang Shidu and reclaim Shuofang Mayi and other counties, cutting off the Turkic influence.
He understood that facing the Turkic people with sentimentality would be futile; it would only be seen as weakness. Thus, he had refrained from contacting Shibi Khan for several months.
Of course, he still sent scouts to ascertain the situation among the Turkic tribes. According to Sogdian sources, Kang Tan was dead, but his business continued under his kin. The Turkic people could not sever ties with them.
As long as Li Jian Cheng could help them gain substantial profits, they would not fear any lack of cooperation from them.
The situation among the Turkic tribes was dire. Although Shibi Khan ordered the execution of the Tiele tribesmen, such actions were not easily accomplished on the vast grasslands where every herdsman grew up on horseback; escaping was not difficult.
Those who fled lost their families and herds and became unbound wanderers on the grasslands—Horse Bandits targeting Shibi Khan's territories.
While they could not harm Shibi Khan directly, their existence severely undermined his prestige. For a Khan lacking authority on the grasslands, life would only become increasingly difficult.
This southern expedition was Shibi Khan's last gamble. If successful, he could return to resolve other issues at leisure; if not, his options would be limited: either risk everything like Yang Guang and continue southward or abandon that path entirely to focus on internal matters.
From Li Jian Cheng's understanding of Shibi Khan, he was not as reckless as Yang Guang; sending Ashina Anar over for mutual alliance was a more prudent approach.
"My Lord! The Li Clan rejoices! The lady is with child! Heaven blesses the Li Clan!"
While discussing matters with others, Li Jian Cheng received this anticipated good news. Xiao Chanyan had shown significant reactions in recent days; he had sensed something was amiss and had specifically arranged for a diagnosis during today's meeting.
The people in the hall were equally filled with joy. The worries that had long plagued their hearts finally dissipated. With no sons or daughters under Lord, who would inherit the current estate and the future lands?
More importantly, they had pledged their loyalty to Lord, hoping that this bond would ensure prosperity for their descendants, not just for this generation.
Wang Yi, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui immediately led everyone in bowing down. Even between a ruler and his ministers, such a grand gesture was rare, highlighting their delight.
"We congratulate Lord on having an heir!"
Whether the child was a boy or a girl was of little concern; what mattered was that it confirmed Lord and his lady could bear offspring. Given their youth, it was only a matter of time before a Legitimate Eldest Son would be born.
Li Jian Cheng smiled and said, "Let us celebrate together with the Gentlemen!"
With the arrival of a child, it would no longer be appropriate to refer to him as Lord. Wang Yi quickly added, "We should send someone to Chang'an and Zhuojun to spread this joyous news. We must also celebrate grandly here so that the whole world knows of this event."
Li Jian Cheng nodded in agreement. Everyone set aside matters of Consultation and rushed out to relay the news, spreading joy from the royal residence to every corner of Jinyang City.
He had implemented policies of light taxation and abolished harsh laws and punishments since taking charge of Taiyuan. Even when facing conflict with the Turkic, he had never conscripted a single able-bodied man, which had won him the hearts of the people long ago.
……………
(End of Chapter)
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