Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 103

Chapter 103

“The Xianyu barbarians often raid the northwest frontier. They are a cunning people, and I wouldn’t feel right handing the pass over to anyone else. I might as well keep watch over it myself,” Xiao Dingbei said, waving his hand dismissively.

At this, Xiao Pingnan said no more, only offering a smile. “You’ve worked hard, Third Brother.”

Xiao Hong walked ahead of them, his voice deep and resonant. “It is indeed hard work. Dingbei, the northwest frontier has not been peaceful these past few years. One day, when we lead our armies to sweep across the northwest and pacify it, you will finally be able to return to the Capital for good.”

In those few short sentences, Xiao Hong’s ambition to purge the world of his enemies and bring order to the realm was palpable.

This world would belong to one family sooner or later!

When the day of unification arrived, it would also be the moment Xiao Hong’s name was etched into the annals of history!

“Good! I shall hold the northwest frontier and wait to rendezvous with Father’s great army!” Xiao Dingbei’s words were thick with battle intent.

The father and sons laughed heartily. Upon returning to the mansion, they had the servants open several jars of fine aged wine.

Since Xiao Dingbei had returned today, everything was naturally done according to his wishes. Aside from Xiao Hong and Xiao Wangshu, no one else in the family would dare go against him.

It was a rare occasion for all the masters of the Chancellor’s Mansion to gather in one hall for a meal. The scene was so lively it felt as if they were celebrating the New Year early.

***

Meanwhile, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Mu Yunze, dressed in plain clothes, had slipped into the palace with the help of an internal contact. Evading the patrols of the Imperial Guard, he appeared before Wei Qixuan.

“This subject pays his respects to Your Majesty,” Mu Yunze said, bowing with his hands clasped.

Wei Qixuan raised a hand toward him. “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Mu Yunze stood to the side and asked, “Has Your Majesty summoned me to the palace for an important matter?”

“The Yu State Envoy is about to arrive in the Capital,” Wei Qixuan said. He held a secret document over an oil lamp, watching the flames consume the letter before continuing. “Actually, there was one thing Xiao Hong said previously that was true. If we invite external enemies to drive out internal threats, I fear that once the internal trouble is gone, the external enemy will become an even greater disaster.”

“But Your Majesty, if we do not eliminate Xiao Hong, look at the Xiao Family’s current ambition. One day, they will monopolize the imperial government entirely. Whether it is Xiao Hong or Xiao Pingnan, it would be no different from usurpation.

“Rather than standing by and watching Xiao Hong commit treason and hand the Great Wei’s territory to others, it is better to take a gamble.”

Mu Yunze continued his persuasion, and his words indeed carried a certain logic.

Wei Qixuan leaned back against his chair and let out a long sigh. He then asked, “Is the Yu State Envoy truly willing to make peace with the Wu Kingdom and submit to me?”

“It is absolutely true. This is also the news sent back from the Wu Kingdom.

“The Wu Kingdom has been a vassal state since the time of Emperor Gaozu, remaining loyal to the Great Wei imperial family for six generations. To rescue Your Majesty from the hands of the Xiao Family traitors, the Wu Kingdom’s royalty has not hesitated to repeatedly incite conflict on the southeast border to tie down Xiao Hong’s troops.

“Your Majesty can rest assured of their loyalty. With the military strength of the Wu Kingdom assisting us, I believe Your Majesty will sooner or later break free from the shackles of the Xiao Family traitors and regain control of the government!”

Mu Yunze spoke with such conviction that Wei Qixuan’s confidence surged.

Wei Qixuan smiled. “The Xiao Family still believes the Yu State is loyal to them. How ridiculous. The Princess of Yu is coming for a marriage alliance this time; she surely intends to infiltrate the Xiao Family and steal their military deployment secrets.”

“Exactly. Your Majesty need not be upset by the Princess of Yu entering a marriage alliance with the Xiao Family. The Xiao Family won’t be arrogant for much longer,” Mu Yunze consoled him.

When the Tuoba Envoy had come to discuss the alliance, the Tuoba Little Princess had chosen only Xiao Pingnan, completely disregarding the Emperor of Wei.

One didn’t need to think twice to know that Wei Qixuan was extremely displeased by this.

Wei Qixuan did not respond to that point, but instead changed the subject. “I have also heard that you have a pair of concubine-born younger siblings who are fawning over the Xiao Family and doing their utmost to please them?”

Mu Yunze was taken aback by the question, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face.
“Your Majesty, the mother of my concubine-born younger siblings hails from a merchant family. Indeed, all three of them possess a certain petty, narrow-minded nature.

“Years ago, had my father not been recruiting local officials for Your Majesty and in desperate need of funds, the Mu Family would never have had any dealings with a merchant house.

“As for those two siblings, I have very little contact with them. I shall certainly restrain them strictly upon my return today and ensure they never again commit such acts that disgrace our family name.

“The Mu Family’s loyalty to Your Majesty is as clear as the heavens and the earth. I only hope Your Majesty will not vent your anger upon the entire Mu Family because of the momentary foolishness of those two.”

Wei Qixuan listened and nodded slightly. “I have witnessed the loyalty of the Mu Family’s ministers over the years. Since Minister Mu has said so, you may return and settle this matter behind closed doors. I shall inquire no further.”

“I thank Your Majesty for your grace!”

Mu Yunze lifted his robes and knelt to express his gratitude.

Wei Qixuan waved him off. “You may go. Be careful on your way back; do not let the Imperial Guard discover you.”

“Yes. This minister takes his leave.”

***

“The Yu State claims to be loyal to Father on the surface, but in truth, they haven’t provided much actual assistance over the years. They are merely using Father’s influence to help them resist the covetous eyes of the Wu Kingdom.

“Compared to the valiant iron cavalry of the Tuoba Tribe, this ally, the Yu State, is clearly not performing with much sincerity.”

Xiao Wangshu stroked a lock of hair by her ear as she sat opposite Xiao Fuguang, looking at the map of the Yu State drawn in the *Geographical Records* on the table.

The Yu State was located in the east of the continental plate, to the east of Wei.

As for the Wu Kingdom, it was situated to the southeast of Wei, its northern border adjacent to both Wei and the Yu State.

Among these three nations, Wei possessed the greatest national strength. The Wu Kingdom was far weaker than Wei, yet stronger than the Yu State.

Consequently, the King of Yu had submitted to Xiao Hong, seeking his protection to fend off the Wu Kingdom, which watched the Yu State’s territory with predatory eyes from the south.

But every year, aside from offering some treasures and mountain delicacies as tribute, the Yu State didn’t seem to show much else.

They weren’t being practical.

“Sister, you’ve always sought a guaranteed profit in business, your abacus clicking away every time. But politics and power cannot be explained with the same logic as trade.”

Xiao Fuguang slowly set down his brush and looked at Xiao Wangshu.

“Sister, you must know that it is not easy to subdue a territory. As long as the Yu State is willing to submit and doesn’t cause trouble for Father-allowing him to focus on unifying the lands-that is enough for him.

“As for the amount of their tribute or how much they can do for Father, these things can be left without requirements. They aren’t important to Father; he only takes what he needs.”

Hearing Xiao Fuguang’s words, Xiao Wangshu looked up at him with a faint, enigmatic smile.

“Then, brother, how do you know that this submission is a permanent one?”

“This…” Xiao Fuguang hesitated for a moment.

A permanent submission-he certainly didn’t dare to speak such decisive words.

Just then, Xiao Wangshu opened the folded page of the map, revealing the western half of the continental plate to Xiao Fuguang.

On the parchment, aside from Wei, the one with the most extensive territory was the power to the northwest of Wei-the Xianyu Tribe!

To the south of the Xianyu Tribe lay the Hu Kingdom, which shared a border with them.

The Hu Kingdom and the Xianyu Tribe had been allies for a century, existing in a symbiotic relationship. This kingdom and tribe were like a folded blade hanging over the northwest of Great Wei, poised at the neck of the centuries-old Wei Dynasty.

Had Xiao Hong not led his troops to repel the Xianyu Army years ago, Wei would likely have fractured by now.

“Sister?”

Xiao Fuguang didn’t understand her meaning.

Xiao Wangshu pointed to the northwest and southeast of Great Wei’s territory and asked him, “Brother, if these four powers were to unite, how do you think the territory of Wei would be carved up?”