ITF Chapter82

“I’d say he’s got the nerve of a madman!” Bai Jiashu slammed his hand down on the imperial desk, then hurled the parchment scroll onto the floor.

Written on this parchment scroll was a piece of news that had traveled from the south. In order to curb the worsening private wars among the nobility, the palace had recently promulgated a new decree strictly forbidding private warfare. However, this decree had clearly failed to suppress the ever-expanding desires of the great nobles for expansion—three days ago, in a dispute over the ownership of a piece of land, an earl had openly defied the royal command and formally declared war on another earl.

The imperial council was as silent as cicadas in winter. The young king was in a fit of rage, and no one wanted to be the unlucky bird that stuck its head out. Amidst the ministers’ silence, Bai Jiashu calmed down slightly. He took a cup of wine from a tray held up by an attendant and took a shallow sip.

“If left unchecked, it will only lead others to follow suit recklessly,” he said, sitting down in his chair and speaking in a deep voice. “We must let them know the price of flouting the royal family.”

The Minister of Revenue, Xu Jin, opened his mouth several times but failed to utter a word. In the end, it was Shao Cheng who voiced what was truly on his mind, “Engaging in a direct conflict with them right now is not a wise move.”

Bai Jiashu gently swirled the silver cup in his hand, leaning back against his chair and remaining silent for a moment.

“What brilliant insights do you have, General Shao?” He asked with his eyes closed.

Shao Cheng replied, “If we recruit troops using this reason, the other great nobles may not necessarily have the willingness to deploy their forces.”

“Your Majesty,” Xu Jin finally chimed in, “if we absolutely must dispatch troops south, we will have no choice but to take out further loans.”

The public bonds issued previously had not yet been redeemed; Bai Jiashu was naturally well aware of this. At the beginning of his coronation, he had drastically reduced the tribute taxes of the nobility in order to win over the hearts of the people. Later, he had been forced to turn a blind eye and tacitly allow the Church to expand its territory. Now, the royal treasury was empty, and even maintaining that well-equipped Royal Cavalry was a challenge, let alone mobilizing troops on a massive scale to march south.

Zhong Maoru’s open defiance had plunged the royal family into a dilemma.

Shao Cheng continued, “I suggest we first turn our attention back to the crux of the matter. Someone has been continuously supplying equipment and weapons to several of the great nobles.”

Bai Jiashu glanced at him and asked, “What is so strange about that?”

Shao Cheng said, “The goods came from the sea. That weapon merchant should be a foreigner.”

Bai Jiashu frowned. “And so?”

“I have examined the goods they sell; the quality is excellent.” Shao Cheng pondered for a few seconds. “But their asking price is lower than others. Even when factoring in the shipping costs of a long journey, selling them like this is unprofitable.”

Bai Jiashu finally turned serious. According to this reasoning, the other party either possessed substantial mineral reserves, mastered a more advanced smelting technology, or—

This foreigner had ulterior motives and was not here to make money at all.

He set his wine cup back on the table and said solemnly, “Go investigate that merchant.”

“We are currently investigating,” Shao Yixiao took over the conversation. “But they are very cautious and do not easily do business with strangers.”

Bai Jiashu rose to his feet, lifted his wine cup, and took a few unhurried steps around the hall.

He offered no further opinions, seemingly deep in thought, and the council chamber fell silent once again.

“Your Majesty…” Xu Jin’s tone was uneasy, “about the matter with Zhong Maoru…”

Bai Jiashu only felt a headache coming on and waved his hand to interrupt him. “All of you may leave.”

Since he did not insist on going to war, Xu Jin silently breathed a sigh of relief. The ministers stood up in a scattered fashion and took turns bowing out to the king.

“Shao Yixiao,” Bai Jiashu called out to Shao Yixiao instead, saying to him, “You stay and have a drink with me.”

*

Bai Jiashu was not much of a drinker these days, so Shao Yixiao was somewhat surprised by this request. He waited quietly until everyone else had left before taking a cup from the attendant’s hand, pouring himself some wine, and sitting down by the table.

He smiled and said, “Why the elegant mood for drinking today?”

Bai Jiashu remained standing by the window, silently gazing outside. Countless flowers competed in full bloom, bursting forth in a final blaze of color as summer drew to a close in the palace gardens. He suddenly said, “How are the preparations for your marriage to the youngest son of Xu Jin’s family coming along?”

Shao Yixiao vaguely understood Bai Jiashu’s intention in asking him to stay. He set down his wine cup and asked tentatively, “You aren’t angry with me, are you?”

“Why would I be angry?” Bai Jiashu said. “I didn’t want to marry him in the first place.”

Shao Yixiao’s betrothed was the very same prospective queen who had been arranged for Bai Jiashu by Bai Yi three years ago. After Bai Yi’s death, there had been no follow-up regarding their marriage. Half a year later, a grand royal wedding was held between Bai Jiashu and the second child of Shao Cheng—a handsome and gentle-natured Omega.

Seeing that his tone was normal, Shao Yixiao felt relieved. He raised his cup, took a sip of wine, and added, “I heard the Queen is pregnant again. Have him enter the delivery room early this time to protect the fetus.”

Bai Jiashu did not speak, but his face darkened.

The Queen’s first two children had both tragically died in the womb, and he had yet to give him an heir. Whispers had already begun circulating among the nobility that the king should install a new queen, but because Shao Yiqing was the child of Shao Cheng, no one dared to speak of it directly to him.

Bai Jiashu turned around and asked, “What, are you afraid I will depose the Queen?”

Shao Yixiao smiled and shook his head.

“If the Queen continues to fail to produce an heir, Father will urge you to depose him even if you never raise the matter yourself.” Having said that, he reined in his smile and said with a serious expression, “A country cannot do without an heir.”

These words were truly heartless, as if Shao Yiqing were merely a stranger who had absolutely nothing to do with him at all. Bai Jiashu gave a cold laugh, drained the wine in his cup, and had an attendant refill it before walking back to the table to sit down right next to Shao Yixiao.

“Shao Yixiao,” he looked at Shao Yixiao and asked, “Are you on my side, or your father’s side?”

“Father and I are naturally both on Your Majesty’s side.” Shao Yixiao replied fluently.

Bai Jiashu said, “I want to hear the truth.”

Shao Yixiao smiled and asked in return, “What do you think?”

Compared to three years ago, Shao Yixiao had changed a great deal. Sometimes, Bai Jiashu could even see a trace of Shao Cheng’s shadow in him. He admitted frankly, “I don’t know.”

Shao Yixiao set down his wine cup with a hint of helplessness creeping into his tone. “I’ve taken quite a few beatings from my father because of you.”

Zhong Maoru had openly trampled on the dignity of the royal family, yet they were leaving it unchecked. Knowing that Bai Jiashu was displeased, he comforted him further, “Father is also considering the bigger picture.”

Bai Jiashu said, “The bigger picture is in his hands, so of course he has to consider it.”

Shao Yixiao froze upon hearing this, then couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Aren’t you being a bit too honest with me? Your Majesty, you’re making things very difficult for me.”

But Bai Jiashu did not smile. Noticing the fatigue etched across his face, Shao Yixiao gradually let the grin fade from his own slightly. “Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Do you want the royal physician to take a look?”

“No need,” Bai Jiashu waved his hand. “I haven’t been sleeping well lately, always dreaming.” Pinching his throbbing forehead, he suddenly changed the subject. “There’s still no sign of that illegitimate child’s whereabouts?”

It took Shao Yixiao a moment to realize who he was talking about. They had not spoken of Pei Yan for a very long time, and Shao Yixiao had almost forgotten the man’s existence.

“The Urdan people are either dead or scattered, and they haven’t caused any trouble for the past three years. That kid was so severely injured back then; he might have died long ago.” He took the untouched cup of wine from Bai Jiashu’s hand, drank it for him, and comforted him, “Pay more attention to your own body, and stop worrying about those meaningless things.”

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