abnabooks Chapter 109 Intelligence
Chapter 109 Intelligence
The world depicted by Pu Nanshusheng can be found in "Joy of Life: Ye Qingmei, the birth mother, and Li Yunrui, the child raised by her".
"I truly value Miss Si Lili's intelligence and understanding of Northern Qi," Ye Tian's voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of enigmatic laughter. "You will indeed be an indispensable asset on this northern expedition. Your value extends far beyond the bedroom."
He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming unquestionable: "As for other matters, the military situation is currently extremely urgent, and everything should prioritize the Northern Expedition. When our army returns in triumph and rewards are distributed, I will certainly not mistreat any meritorious official. You should focus your attention on how to help me conquer Northern Qi."
Upon hearing this, Si Lili's heart sank slightly. She hadn't expected Ye Tian to be so "unromantic," or rather, his composure and shrewdness far exceeded her imagination. She could sense that although Ye Tian hadn't explicitly refused, he hadn't accepted her "offering."
"Yes, I understand." Si Lili dared not pester him any further. She knew that excessive pestering of someone like Ye Tian would only breed resentment. She respectfully responded and gracefully withdrew. But in the instant she turned away, a hint of resentment and a deeper calculation flashed in her eyes.
Ye Tian watched her departing figure, a cold smile playing on his lips. He didn't want to "make a move" on this beautiful snake, Si Lili, for the time being. Keeping her around might be more useful than simply possessing her.
.
The three armies raised their flags in celebration, and drums and horns resounded.
Prince Ye Tian of Qin, dressed in specially made marshal's golden armor and riding his magnificent Akhal-Teke horse, rode out of the capital city gates in a grand procession, surrounded by an army of 100,000 (ostensibly provided by Emperor Qing), embarking on his northern expedition.
The people of Kyoto lined the streets to see him off, chanting slogans such as "May the King of Qin be mighty!" and "Long live the Grand Marshal!" Their voices shook the heavens. They looked at the handsome young marshal with eyes full of awe and anticipation.
Dozens of miles after the army left the capital, in a secluded valley.
Chen Pingping was already waiting there. He was not in a wheelchair, but dressed in a simple blue robe, standing side by side with Ye Tian, with a ghostly shadow behind them.
"Shadow, you will depart immediately, leading all the agents of the Overwatch Council in the Northern Territory to secretly follow Prince Qin north." Chen Pingping's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "On this northern expedition, that old fox, Emperor Qing, harbors treacherous intentions, and Northern Qi is no easy opponent. You must spare no effort to ensure Prince Qin's safety, and lend him a helping hand at crucial moments. But remember, unless absolutely necessary, never easily reveal your identity or the power of the Overwatch Council. He is our only hope for revenge, and the only continuation of Qingmei's ideals!"
Beneath the unchanging, cold mask of Shadow, a faint emotional fluctuation seemed to flicker. He bowed deeply to Chen Pingping and Ye Tian, then vanished into the dense forest in a flash.
After the shadow disappeared, Chen Pingping turned to Ye Tian, his eyes filled with expectation and a hint of worry: "My lord, Emperor Qing has sent you on this northern expedition, ostensibly to establish merit and achieve great things, but in reality, it's a ploy to use one enemy against another, a way to kill someone with a borrowed knife. What are your plans?"
After their conversation in the Cold Palace and Ye Tian's life-saving grace in healing his legs, Chen Pingping had already regarded Ye Tian as his only "master" in his heart, and placed all of Ye Qingmei's unfulfilled ideals and hopes for revenge on him.
Ye Tian gazed northward, his eyes flashing with an air of domineering ambition and deep-seated cunning: "Dean Chen, Emperor Qing wants me and Northern Qi to weaken each other, ideally killing this 'tiger' in the north so he can reap the benefits. Heh, little does he know, I'm about to turn the tables on him!"
He abruptly turned his head to look at Chen Pingping and said, word by word, "On this northern expedition, I not only want to win, but I want to win spectacularly and decisively! I want to use this opportunity to demonstrate the might of my Ye Tian army and to gather a truly loyal and battle-hardened elite force that is loyal only to me! The vast lands of Northern Qi will become the first cornerstone for my future ambitions to conquer the world!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Pingping was visibly shaken, his eyes flashing with disbelief! He had initially thought Ye Tian merely wanted to protect himself during the Northern Expedition or to earn some military merit, but he never imagined Ye Tian's ambition was so vast! He actually intended to use Northern Qi as the starting point for his scheme to conquer the world?!
"As for Kyoto," Ye Tian's lips curled into a cold smile, his voice filled with boundless killing intent and unwavering determination, "the day I return north will be the day that old fox, Emperor Qing, is removed from his throne!"
"My lord!" Upon hearing this last sentence, Chen Pingping felt his blood boiling! He trembled with excitement, and his legs, which had regained their ability to stand, could hardly support the joy and excitement in his heart!
"Excellent! What a perfect 'The day of the return to the north will be the day the dragon throne is moved'!"
Chen Pingping's voice was hoarse with excitement, and tears even welled up in her eyes.
No, she has surpassed her predecessor, becoming even more decisive and assertive than she was back then!
He took a deep breath, bowed solemnly to Ye Tian, his voice filled with fervent worship and unwavering loyalty.
"This old servant, this old servant's crippled life, this leg that can stand up again, has been waiting for this day!"
"Emperor Qing! What he owes Qingmei, what he owes us, what he owes the world, we will make him pay a hundredfold, a thousandfold! Your Majesty, please rest assured in your northern expedition. Within the capital, this old servant and the Censorate will keep a close eye on things for you, and will never allow that old fox, Emperor Qing, to stab you in the back! This old servant awaits Your Majesty's triumphant return, to reign supreme over the world!"
Seeing Chen Pingping's excited and almost uncontrollable appearance, Ye Tian felt a surge of pride in his heart.
And he knew very well in his heart that...
Once it is.
With Chen Pingping and the Censorate in Kyoto providing support and assistance, his worries about the rear during the Northern Expedition were greatly reduced.
His gaze turned north again, where his empire would begin!
····················
After Ye Tian led the Northern Expeditionary Army away from the capital, Emperor Qing's nerves, which had been tense for several days, finally relaxed a little. The mountain that had been weighing on his heart was temporarily removed, allowing him to catch his breath and also enabling him to begin to re-examine and clean up the "hidden dangers" within the capital caused by Ye Tian.
His first target was Princess Li Yunrui, and the Imperial Treasury, which she controlled and was incredibly wealthy.
On this day, in the Imperial Study.
Emperor Qing sat high on his dragon throne, his face calm, but a hint of sternness lurked deep in his eyes. Below him sat Princess Li Yunrui, who had come by imperial decree. She was still dressed in her magnificent palace attire, her hair piled high, her bearing naturally elegant, but her brows held a more wary and subtly arrogant air than usual.
"Princess," Emperor Qing's voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Ye Tian has already led a large army on a northern expedition. This battle is crucial to the fate of the nation and will cost a fortune. The national treasury has been gradually depleted due to previous events and the support for the northern expedition."
The Imperial Treasury is the royal private treasury and the last bastion of the nation's lifeline. It should rightfully be under my personal control and unified management to meet any unforeseen needs and ensure that every penny is used wisely, providing the strongest possible support for the soldiers at the front.
He paused, then looked sharply at Li Yunrui:
"From today onwards, the seals, ledgers, and all authority over the allocation of the treasury's resources shall be jointly managed by the Ministry of Revenue and the Imperial Household Department, which is directly under my jurisdiction. You have served the treasury diligently and made great contributions over the years, and I will reward you accordingly."