Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 224 The Survival Rules of the Aristocratic Class

In response to his son's question, Yang Xuan, the current head of the Yang family, looked at everyone in the hall with a solemn expression. Some looked puzzled, some frowned in thought, some hesitated to speak, and some were unsure.

Yang Xuan said in a deep voice, "The attitude of the king in court today has proven that Song Gong's warning was not unfounded."

“Then we should show our loyalty and gain the king’s trust!” one elder objected.

"Sixth Uncle, throughout the centuries, dynasties have risen and fallen, but the aristocratic families have never stood firm, relying on their loyalty to the royal family."

The crowd fell silent. The loyal ones had long since vanished into history along with the fallen royal family. With their family traditions, they knew that the rule for the gentry to survive was to serve in prosperous times and retreat in times of chaos.

“Anzhou is mountainous with little land, remote and inconvenient to travel to. It has been a place that military strategists have never fought over since ancient times. Decades ago, our major families moved to Anzhou in this barren land to avoid external conquests. Erecting the Ji family as ruler was just a formality.”

To put it bluntly, the Ji royal family is simply the power holders that several major aristocratic families have brought to the forefront.

“We all know that Anguo is powerless to contend for the world. We are just waiting for the end of the chaos and the emergence of the next great ruler who will unify the world. Then we will submit to him. No matter which dynasty it is, it will need our gentry to help it govern the world.”

In an era when papermaking technology was backward and knowledge was monopolized by the aristocratic class, Yang Xuan's idea was not wrong.

"I thought this day would be many years away... Man proposes, God disposes."

Yang Xuan, a man of keen insight into the ways of the world, couldn't understand why Shen Qingxi would suddenly decide to attack Anguo at this time. It couldn't be that she was coming here specifically to retaliate for last year's surprise attack on Pingshan Pass; that would be too much of a loss.

Although they couldn't understand it, the fact that the other side had attacked was undeniable, and they couldn't even win.

“But the king has treated us well…” Yang Erlang was young and his blood was still hot. He felt that since he had eaten the king’s food, it would be unreasonable to betray him without trying to fight for him when the time came.

Lady Yang sighed, “We are well aware of Anguo’s situation, and the king is also aware of it. When the various states are divided, no one will bother to attack Anguo without gaining anything in return. Once the outside world is pacified, Anguo will perish. Everyone can surrender, but the royal family cannot. That is why the king mobilized the entire country to support the allied forces when Zhuge Xuan of Di sent us the solution to break the deadlock.”

"After so many years as your subjects, we are willing to do our utmost for you. Otherwise, Your Majesty would not have been able to advance this war. If the original plan to divide the kingdom into three states had succeeded, Anguo would have had Yongzhou as a bridgehead, allowing it to advance or retreat as needed, instead of being confined to a corner. Its situation would have been very different..."

At this point, Yang Xuan sighed with regret, "It's a pity that Shen Qingxi appeared out of nowhere and saw through our plan in advance. Anguo still missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

I'm paid by the emperor, so I'll do my utmost for him. I mean it, and I won't go any further.

"Even so, wasn't Father's decision too hasty? We don't know what the other families are thinking, and I'm afraid our Yang family alone will not be able to succeed."

Instead of answering, Yang Xuan asked, "Bingzhi, where do you think the information about Lord Song came from, and why did you inform the Yang family?"

"Naturally, it's because Prefect Song sent a family letter as a warning. The Song and Yang families have been friends for generations, so what's wrong with Prefect Song's well-intentioned reminder?"

Yang Xuan shook his head. "Bingzhi, you're thinking too shallowly."

Seeing his son's confusion, Yang Xuan continued, "Let me put it this way, after you found out the news, did you secretly inform your father-in-law as well?"

Yang Dalang was startled, as if he had grasped something crucial in a daze.

“The families of Anguo are all connected by kinship. If one knows, the others will basically know as well. The most ingenious thing is that the source of the information is the Song family, which is not on the list…” Yang Xuan’s last sentence was full of meaning.

The people weren't stupid; they quickly understood after hearing this.

"Song Huaizhang led tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians to retreat to Xuanwu City so decisively that he probably already had secret dealings with Xuan Army in Chishan City."

Seeing that everyone understood, Yang Xuan continued, "Now we are certainly not the only ones who have this idea."

"I understand, son." Yang Dalang knew it was time to make contact.

Yang Xuan nodded with satisfaction, "If we're going to do it, we should do it thoroughly. Only in this way can we ensure that the Yang family's century-long prosperity continues after we serve Xuan Kingdom."

Meanwhile, in Chishan City, soldiers patrolled with torches, glancing up at the city tower as they passed by.

"It's pitch black, what is General Shen doing standing so high up all by himself?"

"What do you know? This is called stargazing."

Seeing his teammate speaking with such seriousness, the soldier nodded blankly.

"How much longer are we going to stay in Chishan City?"

"If I had known, I would have become a general. Don't overthink it, General Shen has definitely made arrangements!"

Several days later, Xuandu also received military reports that Lu's army had set out on an expedition.

The Imperial Censor directly criticized the Marquis of Yongyi in court: "The Marquis of Yongyi is far too presumptuous. How dare he act first and report later when it is such a major event as going to war against another country!"

Grand Minister Wang Mao continued, "Lord Lu is not the kind of person who is arrogant and complacent about his achievements; there must be another reason behind this."

Wang Mao's words sounded like he was speaking on Lu Zhen's behalf, but his arrogance clearly had another meaning behind them.

"No matter what the inside story, this trend must not be encouraged; an imperial edict must be issued to reprimand it!"

Shen Shi kept his eyes down and didn't offer much of an opinion. Lu Zhen was indeed not an arrogant person; this sudden and inexplicable action seemed more like Qing Xi's style.

“When a general is in the field, he has the authority to act expediently. Marquis Yongyi must have his reasons for doing so.”

Jiang Du stepped forward, determined to do the opposite of whatever Wang Mao's men said!

"Jiang, you make it sound so easy. Wars are fought with money and supplies! We haven't even made up for last year's deficit yet. If we start another war in Yongzhou, we'll only increase taxes. If the people suffer and lives are lost, can you bear the consequences?"

"Lord Sun, you really know how to label people. It's possible that the battle will be very successful, but you're already predicting bad consequences."

"Hmph~ What benefit would it bring to Xuan Kingdom if we spent so much manpower and resources to conquer Anguo, a tiny place?"

"Alright," Emperor Yongxi said, stopping the ministers from arguing. "Your Highness, what do you think?"

Que Jin stepped forward and replied, "Your subject proposes that an imperial envoy should be dispatched immediately to Pingshan Pass to investigate the matter, so that the court can take appropriate action."

"Your Majesty, I second this proposal. Although Anguo is weak, it cannot be conquered in a year or two due to its advantageous terrain. If the Imperial Envoy finds nothing serious, he should be ordered to withdraw his troops immediately and be punished upon returning to the capital!"

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

Seeing that his ministers no longer objected, Emperor Yongxi ordered, "Crown Prince, send someone to handle this."

"Your subject obeys the decree."

…………

Chishan City —

"What is General Shen doing?" The patrolling soldiers could only see Shen Qing's back as he sat on the hillside, gazing at the sky.

"Shh, be quiet, the general is making plans."

Shen Qing, sitting alone against the wind with his back to all living beings, stared at the sky with dead fish eyes.

Damn it, how am I supposed to fight this Turtle City?