After ten years on the battlefield, Rong Cang has a good understanding of Mobei's habits, and he also knows that the people of Mobei do not keep their promises.
So even if Princess Qixia was trustworthy, he had to treat her with caution.
"You are right." Emperor Mu rubbed his brows, "The relationship between her and Qi Jin is not that simple. Her child is also the grandson of Marquis Zhongyi. Marquis Zhongyi and his wife have military power. If Princess Qixia is allowed to be the Queen of Mobei, this When the child grows up, his status will be more valuable than that of a prince."
Rong Cang raised his eyes: "Father, don't worry about the children. As long as Chu and Mobei can coexist fairly, the pressure on the southern border will be relieved a lot. Maybe Zhongyihou will take the initiative to hand over his military power without waiting for the children to grow up."
When Emperor Mu heard these words, he suddenly felt a strange sense of peace of mind.
There has never been a moment where he felt that establishing Rong Cang as his heir was the wisest decision.
The father and son could discuss the government affairs of the country and the country so calmly. Whether it was running the country or the army, whether it was the long-term plans for Chu State or the variables that would arise in other countries in the future, Rong Cang could see it more accurately than others.
It seems that what he is worried about is what really needs to be guarded against, and what he can feel at ease with is probably something that can make people feel at ease.
He said that Marquis Zhongyi was reliable, and Emperor Mu felt that Marquis Zhongyi was really reliable and there was no need to be suspicious at all.
This feeling is very strange, and it should be very strange to the king of a country, because the king has always controlled the world, and has never let others influence his emotions?
If another prince is appointed as the heir apparent, who can have complete control over the world?
Rong Cang obviously didn't know what Emperor Mu was thinking. He was just thinking about how to completely calm down Mobei.
"I am not worried about Marquis Zhongyi and Qi Jin, not even Princess Qixia." He took a sip of tea, "If we want to sign an armistice agreement, in addition to annihilating the Dugu royal family, we must not retain any of the generals in Mobei. Only by eradicating the roots can we eliminate them. Future troubles and their grasslands must be under the control of Chu State."
After a pause, "In addition, we can arrange for a few enterprising officials to go to Mobei to divide and rule for a few years, which will indirectly weaken Princess Qixia's power in Mobei."
After saying this, Rong Cang thought deeply for a moment, and then said: "We can also start training a group of spies to monitor Mobei's movements regularly every year, and do everything more carefully. Even if we cannot get fifty years of peace, we can ensure stability for twenty or thirty years." It’s absolutely no problem.”
Twenty or thirty years of rest and recuperation would be enough to make the Chu State more prosperous and wealthy, and its military and horses stronger, so that other countries would not dare to provoke easily.
"You are very thoughtful." Emperor Mu expressed approval. "If she can hand over the troop deployment map and the Mobei map, it will be the best opportunity to effectively reduce the casualties of our soldiers. In half a year, Attack Mobei Imperial City from within."
As an emperor, he didn't have much ambition, not to mention that he was older now. He just wanted to stay on the throne for a few years, and expanding his territory was never what he wanted.
Even if they were conquered and successfully incorporated into the territory of the Chu State, it would be troublesome to govern them in the future. Over time, they would still have dissent, which would lead to the division of the territory and frequent wars.
What's more, Mobei is not a small country. How can it be so easy to conquer them?
Rong Cang didn't speak, just nodded slightly.
The discussion between the father and son was temporarily over, and Rong Cang finally got up to leave and returned to the Changxin Hall of the East Palace.
Chu Yunfei was sitting in front of the window reading a book. Seeing that Rong Cang came back early tonight, he couldn't help but be surprised: "You came back so early today?"
Rong Cang hummed, "Princess Mobei brought a child over, and it belongs to Qi Jin."
Chu Yunfei was surprised: "Qi Jin's child?"
"Yes." A smile flashed across Rong Cang's lips, "What happened today was beyond everyone's expectations, and the situation turned around in an unexpected way."
Chu Yunfei walked up to him, poured him a glass of water, and looked at him eagerly.
Rong Cang had never seen his beloved wife look like this before and couldn't help laughing: "You really want to know?"
nonsense.
Chu Yunfei rolled her eyes angrily and sat in his arms: "My husband has been very busy these days. How many days have I not seen you?"
Rong Cang held her in his arms and kissed the corner of her mouth: "My husband comes back every night, but he comes back late and you are already asleep."
Chu Yunfei hummed lazily: "Let's get down to business."
It was still early, and there was still at least an hour before dinner, so Rong Cang said: "Speaking of which, this matter involves Qi Jin's reputation. I haven't told you before because I don't want to expose his sadness too much." .”
"Sad thing?" Chu Yunfei frowned, his expression became serious, "Then why can you talk about it now?"
"Because Qin Taifu wrongly accused Qi Jin of collaborating with the enemy and treason, and Prince Mobei also wanted to lead him in the direction of treason, Qi Jin had to prove his innocence." Rong Cang said, telling him the whole story in detail, his voice low. , very patiently, as if telling her a folk tale, "Princess Qixia was the one who saved Qi Jin, so she gave birth to a child, but all this was because she wanted revenge, and now she has become an ally with us. relation."
Chu Yunfei quietly thought about what he said carefully: "So, as long as you agree to her conditions, Chu and Mobei will be able to cease fighting for fifty years?"
"That's right."
"Isn't this good?" Chu Yunfei was puzzled, "It doesn't take many soldiers to calm down Mobei, and Princess Qixia is from Mobei after all, so it will be more worry-free for her to govern Mobei. Young Master Chu With the enemy Mobei eliminated, how much pressure will be relieved within fifty years? How many families will be spared from the separation of wives and children? The national treasury will gradually become richer. With money, more soldiers and horses can be raised. As long as the soldiers and horses are strong, Chu No one dares to mess with the country."
Year-round wars waste people and money, and are an extremely unstable factor for the country and the people. War means casualties, and casualties mean broken families. Soldiers are recruited year after year. The longer the war goes on, the less money the national treasury has, and the less money it has, the harder it is to fight the war. So When will the vicious cycle end?
After listening to her straightforward words, Rong Cang didn't say anything for a long time. He just gently rested his chin on her shoulder: "That's very well said."
"Isn't that what you think?"
Rong Cang said: "I'm still thinking about it."
"What is there to consider?" Chu Yunfei turned to look at him, "Mobei and Chu have different customs, and their countries are not weak. If we really want to annex them by force, it is not impossible, but it will inevitably be accompanied by countless casualties. , both countries will suffer heavy casualties, and you will also be confused about what to do with the soldiers and horses in Mobei, and it will be inevitable to cause more killings."
Rong Cang's eyebrows were slightly lowered, and he pondered for a long time: "So you think I should agree to Princess Qixia's conditions?"
"I just expressed my opinions and suggestions." Chu Yunfei smiled and kissed him, "Right now, I can rest in peace and raise my baby, and I don't care about your affairs on the battlefield."
Rong Cang said: "Some countries in history have a habit of disbanding their armies during peacetime and letting them farm, but you just said that you can strengthen your army after a truce?"
"An armistice is always temporary. Even if the agreement lasts for fifty years, people's hearts are unpredictable. No one can guarantee that the armistice can really last for fifty years. Therefore, it is necessary to raise troops and we cannot relax." Chu Yunfei nodded, "The Chu State Department Under the attack from the north and south of Mobei and Southern Qi, soldiers and horses are the most important shield to protect the country. Once we relax, ten or twenty years later, we will face another crisis."
Rong Cang looked at Chu Yunfei in surprise: "How can you, a little girl, have such far-sightedness?"
"I'm just a little girl?" Chu Yunfei looked at him dissatisfied, "Are you starting to look down on women again?"
"no……"
"I used to be called a weak woman, but now I'm called a little girl." Chu Yunfei broke away from his arms, stood on the ground, raised her finger and pointed at his forehead, "We women are not as naturally brave as you, aren't we?"
Rong Cang quickly held her in his arms and coaxed her: "Isn't this a compliment to you? I mean, you are obviously a woman raised in a boudoir, but you have the courage, courage, mind and vision to be as good as a man. You are everywhere. He is better than others and makes my husband admire him."
Chu Yunfei snorted coldly: "Smooth words and smooth tongue."
Rong Cang coaxed for a few words, and then asked someone to call Ji Ziyi over: "I will go to the eldest princess's mansion with Ji Ziyi later. Qi Jin's son has been poisoned, so we can't delay."
"Poisoned?" Chu Yunfei frowned, "How could such a young child be poisoned?"
"Dugu Yinyun poisoned the child in an attempt to control Princess Qixia." Rong Cang looked slightly cold, "Mobei is really exhausted."
Really exhausted.
Chu Yunfei frowned, it was really crazy to be able to poison a two-year-old child.
