Half a Spoiler Chapter 136

Yuan Yanshi, seeing this, refrained from further comment and quietly awaited the Emperor’s command.

Wen Yanran was deep in thought, pondering why the Luonan region sought such a conferral.

The factions in the southern coastal area had long acted autonomously, and to them, the prestige of the Great Zhou Dynasty was waning year by year. Now that this traitor surnamed Chen was willing to submit and beg for an imperial decree, it could only be due to the grave internal situation in Southern Luo. To maintain his rule, he needed external support.

Wen Yanran spoke slowly, “The late emperor treated the southern coastal region generously, yet Luonan showed no gratitude. As for the traitor Chen, who committed regicide and usurped power, he is beyond redemption. How could I possibly confer such a title upon him?” Her expression was not severe, but to the ministers, it carried an air of imperial majesty. “If he wants an imperial edict, then I shall write him one.” She raised her voice slightly, “Minister Du.”

Du Daosi stepped forward, bowing her head. “Your Majesty.”

Wen Yanran articulated each word deliberately. “Draft the edict for me. The false ruler of Luonan was installed by the traitor and shall now be deposed and reduced to commoner status. A worthy and capable individual shall be selected from the Fan clan to be the new ruler…” She paused briefly to inquire, “How many children of the previous ruler of Southern Luo still survive?”

This question, in fact, exceeded the typical knowledge scope of a assistant secretary. Fortunately, Du Daosi was also a native of the southern region and kept abreast of the surrounding circumstances, enabling her to provide a timely answer. “Besides the youngest, there are two daughters and one son still living.”

Without delving into further details, Wen Yanran nodded and declared, “In that case, select the eldest among them to be the ruler. As for the Chen clan, strip them of their offices and titles, and then have a public assembly deliberate their crimes.”

For a powerful minister who had arbitrarily deposed and installed rulers, the loss of office essentially amounted to a death sentence. Such a figure, when pushed to the brink, would naturally fight back with desperate ferocity.

Yuan Yanshi couldn’t resist offering a piece of advice. “If Your Majesty approves the matter concerning Luonan, the southern coastal region could be reclaimed without expending a single soldier or arrow.”

Wen Yanran had always been courteous to this loyal minister and replied with a smile, “What you say is reasonable. However, this traitor is a disloyal minister. If he could be unfaithful to his own ruler, how could he ever be loyal to Great Zhou? His submission today is merely to pave the way for rebellion tomorrow. How could I grant him the opportunity to catch his breath?” She then added, “I intend to issue an order to General of Huairen to take the traitor’s head and have it circulated among all the states in the southern coastal region as a warning to those who might follow in his footsteps.”

Based on Wen Yanran’s judgment, the internal situation in Luonan was perilous to the point of being on the verge of explosion. For Chen Guda to have been able to depose and install rulers, the forces he commanded must have been considerable. Yet his urgent need for external support proved that the opposition against him was also formidable. Now that Great Zhou has provided legal and moral support to his opponents, when two powerful forces clash, it will inevitably be a fight to the death.

Moreover, since Xiao Xichi, who was stationed nearby in Qingyi, had chosen to send a letter, it was evident that she intended to take some action. Being too far from the southern coast to ascertain the precise situation on the ground, Wen Yanran opted to trust Xiao Xichi’s judgment.

In the Tianfu Palace.

Taoist officials were not, in principle, supposed to involve themselves in court affairs. However, given that the current emperor held the State Preceptor in high regard, idle chatter concerning various news items had become more frequent within the temple.

Now that Luonan’s diplomatic correspondence had arrived in Jianping, the Emperor had not only issued a response but had also made it known to the entire realm. She made it clear to all that she intended to execute the usurpers in Southern Luo.

This development left many feeling uneasy. With the western tribes and the eastern territories having been pacified not long ago, was the empire about to descend into war once more?

The Emperor’s style of governance was exceedingly assertive. Although she had emerged victorious from every campaign since her ascension, it inevitably caused some of her subordinates to worry that she might be prone to overindulging in military exploits.

Wen Jingmei was also aware that recently, many within the palace enjoyed discussing affairs of the previous dynasty. He instructed those around him, “Many of the Taoist officials in the palace are currently restless. Increase the morning and evening prayers by half an hour each day until they can cease in September.” After his attendants had left, he sighed softly to himself, “This is merely much ado about nothing.”

On that day, although the Emperor had summoned Grand Tutor Yuan for consultation, she had not included Minister Lu. Even someone like Wen Jingmei, who knew little of military affairs, understood the principle that provisions and supplies precede an army’s advance. The fact that the Sovereign had not yet considered logistical issues meant that even if a conflict were to arise, it would be a localized one, unlikely to affect the Central Plains region.

“You have always possessed remarkable insight into matters.”

Just as he was lost in thought, a familiar voice came from outside.

Wen Jingmei’s quarters were deep within the Tianfu Temple, and he had long since ordered that no court officials were to be received during this period. Logically, no unexpected visitors should appear now. However, the person outside was an exception – as the Emperor of Great Zhou, wherever Wen Yanran might suddenly decide to go, she would rarely encounter anyone who would refuse to open their doors for her.

The State Preceptor, clad in a dark-based robe embroidered with silver cranes, had been brewing tea by the window. Upon hearing the voice, he rose and then turned slightly towards the sovereign of Great Zhou, offering a subtle bow.

Wen Yanran stepped into the hall and said casually, “Most likely, they’ll have to fight it out first. Then we can deploy our forces on the flank as a deterrent and wait until both sides are exhausted before moving in to clean up the mess.” She glanced at the State Preceptor’s expression and added with a smile, “Of course, this is just my speculation. Fortunately, with Minister Xiao in Qingyi, the imperial court need not intervene excessively.”

Many perceived the current emperor as someone who delighted in concentrating power and acting autocratically. However, in Wen Jingmei’s eyes, when a situation called for letting go, the Emperor relinquished control with remarkable alacrity.

Moreover, the southern coastal region was simply too far from the central government.

To maintain control over the provinces, a certain military presence was essential. Previous emperors of Great Zhou had established military agricultural colonies across the land, in addition to the five major military camps: Central, Front, Rear, Left, and Right.

Among these, the Central Camp boasted the largest and most formidable forces. As for the other four camps, although they bore the designations Front, Rear, Left, and Right, their positions were actually much closer to the central government. The commanding generals of these camps were also typically selected from prominent aristocratic families.

This approach was not without its concerns. If a military camp were situated too far from the central government and its commanding general harbored ambitions of rebellion, it could quickly lead to a separatist regime. The Great Zhou dynasty’s consistent strategy was one of semi-cooptation and semi-suppression. For instance, while the path to promotion for military officers was relatively straightforward, their social standing consistently remained lower than that of civil officials of the same rank.

Wen Jingmei had, in fact, pondered the possibility of Xiao Xichi establishing a separatist regime in his region. However, true to his professional habit, he remained largely silent on most issues.

Wen Yanran, however, seemed to perceive his concerns. She considered for a moment and then spoke frankly. “Ultimately, as long as the realm remains at peace, Minister Xiao will always be remembered as a renowned official and an exemplary general.”

Wen Jingmei responded, “Your Majesty has a keen eye for talent and knows how to delegate appropriately.”

A partial chess game was laid out on the desk. As she spoke, Wen Yanran sat down beside it, propping her chin on her hand, and began to seriously study the board’s progression.

Seeing this, Wen Jingmei inquired, “Would Your Majesty like to give it a try?”

Wen Yanran gave a slight shake of her head and said with a smile, “It looks rather difficult.”

Wen Jingmei suggested, “Your Majesty could take the black stones.”

In this particular endgame, the player with the black stones held a significant advantage.

Wen Yanran sighed. “I was referring to taking the black stones.”

Wen Jingmei: “…”

Fortunately, the Emperor did not always have the Attendant-in-Residence in attendance. Their exchange just now would not be recorded in the historical annals.

Since Wen Yanran was not going to play, she gestured to the attendant beside her to have the chessboard removed.

Not only was Wen Jingmei accustomed to it, but even the junior Taoist officials at Tianfu Palace had grown used to the Emperor’s sudden, unannounced visits. Now, they poured a cup of the tea the State Preceptor had just brewed and presented it to the Emperor. Cai Qu took the tea tray and stood quietly to one side. As a palace official from Western Yong Palace, she noticed the Emperor’s slightly distant expression and understood that she was contemplating matters of state, and thus dared not interrupt.

Normally, when Wen Yanran seemed lost in thought, most of the time she was actually reading system notifications. Today, however, she was genuinely considering the situation in the southern coastal region.

In this era, the management of population movement was not as strict as in later dynasties. If a citizen of Great Zhou went to live in the southern coastal region, they would gradually become a southerner. Conversely, if a southerner entered Great Zhou territory, they would be registered into the populace by the local authorities and obtain Great Zhou citizenship.

As the Great Zhou dynasty’s fortunes waned, land annexation grew increasingly severe, and all matters fell into disrepair. Conversely, exorbitant taxes and levies multiplied with each generation, which objectively led to population growth among external forces.

Wen Yanran thought to herself that the root of the southern problem actually lay within Great Zhou itself.

“Once the traitor Chen has been dealt with, I intend to adopt a policy of conciliation.”

The Emperor’s casual remark sent a slight tremor through her close ministers. Chen Guda might have been a formidable figure in Luonan, capable of stirring up storms with a flip of his hand, yet in the mouth of the Great Zhou Emperor, his life and death could be decided with a single, light phrase.

Although he knew he should not speak out of turn, Wen Jingmei, being a member of the imperial family himself, still felt compelled to say, “If the court officials were to learn of this matter, they might well urge Your Majesty to refrain from nurturing a tiger to invite disaster.”

Even if Chen Guda were executed, once the newly installed ruler came of age, Luonan would eventually and gradually recover its strength.

Upon further reflection, however, Wen Jingmei realized this problem was essentially unsolvable. In the present era, transportation and communication between regions relied entirely on human and animal power. The central government could only effectively control areas where its decrees could actually reach. This inevitably meant that no matter how powerful a state might be, its territory would always be limited.

Wen Yanran smiled faintly and did not respond directly. “The climate in Luonan is humid and warm. It is suitable for planting zhe.”

Zhe refers to sugarcane, which, due to its sweet flavor, was also a crop of considerable economic value.

Wen Jingmei surmised that the Emperor’s next step would likely be to open border markets for trade, as a means to pacify the people of Luonan.

His guess was not entirely off the mark, but he had yet to grasp the full scope of Wen Yanran’s plan.

Luonan was not only suitable for cultivating sugarcane but also ideal for growing rice.

In this era, grain and cloth functioned as currency because they were essentials for survival. Sugarcane, however, was not. The southern coastal region had limited manpower and a finite amount of arable land. If Great Zhou were to purchase sugarcane while simultaneously selling grain to them, it would inevitably lead to a reduction in the land dedicated to food production within Luonan.

Furthermore, once the powerful clans of Luonan realized the profits to be made from sugarcane, they would naturally engage in large-scale land enclosure. Since sugarcane is a perennial crop, a single planting could yield harvests for several years. By the time the sugarcane plantations were firmly established throughout Luonan, even if the local clans realized there was insufficient food within the country, they would be reluctant to destroy them.

However, relying solely on sugarcane was still somewhat precarious. Wen Yanran also intended for the Luonan region to cultivate tea extensively. Tea was also a cash crop, and its initial investment costs were even higher, making its potential destruction an even more painful prospect for the locals.

In this way, Luonan’s food supply would become firmly entrenched in the hands of Great Zhou.

The states in the southern coastal region were so small in scale that manipulating them truly required no effort at all.

Once the southern coastal region became largely dependent on Great Zhou for its grain, opportunities could be sought to tighten rice exports. Simultaneously, by sending people to recruit displaced persons, the population on the other side would naturally flow continuously into areas like Qingyi and Chongchang.

Wen Yanran said with a slight smile, “I have also heard that there are those at court who fear the scourge of war. But if both sides can coexist peacefully, why must we necessarily resort to armed conflict?”