Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 189 Chen Xing's Ambition

Shen Yue left the central command tent, utterly dejected. The words, like a thunderclap in his ears and a bucket of ice water poured over his heart, still echoed in his mind. "...My ambition is to unify the world! Jiangnan will be mine sooner or later!" The young Star King's resolute and unquestionable demeanor, his domineering and arrogant air, stood in stark contrast to the quarrelsome and insincere faces in the Jiangnan court. The staff in his hand seemed to weigh a ton, his legs unsteady; had the deputy envoy not caught him in time, he would have collapsed to the ground.

He was "politely escorted" back to the temporary courtyard by the river. The Star Army soldiers remained heavily guarded, but their attitude was not rude; they even provided reasonably adequate food. However, Shen Yue could neither eat nor sleep. He knew that his mission had been a complete failure. No, perhaps from the very beginning, the Southern Dynasty's decision to send an envoy had sealed this fate. What the other side wanted was not the empty title of submission and tribute, nor the stability of ruling across the river, but the complete and intact Jiangnan region!

The entire delegation was shrouded in gloom. The deputy envoy from the imperial clan was pale and muttered to himself, "How can I report back to His Majesty... what should I do..." The official in charge of the Ministry of Revenue looked at the list of "generous gifts" that had been brought back almost untouched and smiled bitterly. These gold, silver and jewels were probably not worth a second glance in the eyes of the other party.

Just as Shen Yue was racking his brains about how to phrase his return to the court, and even contemplating suicide, Jia Wen unexpectedly visited him again the following afternoon.

This time, Jia Wen's face lacked the sharpness of the previous day, instead carrying a subtle, gentle smile. "Did you rest well last night, Master Shen? It's damp and chilly by the river; please take care of yourself."

Shen Yue forced himself to stay alert and bowed, saying, "I am grateful for Lord Jia's concern. I... am ashamed. His Majesty's ambitions are lofty, beyond the comprehension of us mere blockheads. However... the millions of people in Jiangnan all yearn for peace. Once war breaks out, lives will be lost, and everything will be destroyed, which is not what any benevolent person desires. I implore you, Lord Jia, to remember Heaven's benevolence towards life and persuade His Majesty to reconsider..." He made a final effort, his words earnest, even carrying a hint of pleading.

Jia Wen nodded slightly, gesturing for Shen Yue to sit down. He then sat down himself and slowly said, "I deeply appreciate Lord Shen's love for the people. My lord is not a warmonger. After the defeat at Wulin, did our army slaughter surrendered soldiers? Did we harass the local people? His Majesty often says, 'Weapons are instruments of violence, and sages use them only as a last resort.' The southern expedition was launched because the Southern Dynasty's court was weak and the powerful clans were arrogant, resulting in ineffective governance and widespread suffering. Furthermore, figures like Liu Kun and Zhu Huan repeatedly provoked border conflicts, intending to invade the north. My lord had no choice but to send troops to punish them."

He then changed the subject: "However, His Majesty's ambition is indeed to unify the world, a ambition as firm as metal and stone, unshakable. Lord Shen also heard this with his own ears yesterday. It is not that our lord does not desire peace in Jiangnan, but rather that the Southern Dynasty's system has become a shackle on peace. Powerful clans have annexed land, leaving the common people with no place to stand; aristocratic families have blocked the way, leaving poor scholars with no path to advancement; the court is extravagant, the national treasury is empty, and taxes are increasing daily... Even without the military might of our Star Kingdom, how long can such a situation be maintained? It is merely a matter of prolonging life and increasing public resentment."

Shen Yue remained silent. Although Jia Wen's words were meant to advocate for the Xing Kingdom, they all pointed to the deep-seated problems of the Southern Dynasty, leaving Shen Yue with no room for rebuttal. Born into an aristocratic family, how could he not be aware of these chronic issues? It was just that he had either turned a blind eye to them or been powerless to change them in the past.

"However," Jia Wen lowered his voice, his tone persuasive, "while Your Majesty aspires to unify the world, you also know the principle that 'haste makes waste.' Jiangnan is vast, and the people's hearts are complex; it cannot be settled overnight. A forceful military campaign, even if victorious, will inevitably result in heavy casualties and leave behind lasting hatred, which is detrimental to long-term stability. My lord, with your great talent and ambition, would never resort to such a inferior strategy?"

Shen Yue's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at Jia Wen: "What does Lord Jia mean...?"

"Your Majesty's intention," a glint of light flashed in Jia Wen's eyes, "lies in 'subduing the enemy without fighting,' or 'pacifying Jiangnan with a few battles.' If we can overwhelm them with overwhelming force and win them over with benevolent governance, causing all the wise men and common people of Jiangnan to submit at the mere sight of us, and causing internal divisions, then great things can be accomplished, and bloodless victory may be within our grasp."

He paused, looking at Shen Yue: "Sir Shen is a renowned scholar from Jiangnan, with a long-standing reputation for integrity. You should know that Jiangnan is not a monolithic entity. The court, the imperial family, powerful clans, the poor, the common people... all have different intentions. Liu Kun has just been defeated, Gu Yong is hesitant, and Jiankang is in a state of panic. This is a time when people's hearts are restless and they are thinking of change. Although you have not been able to achieve the 'peace agreement' that the court hoped for, if you can see the big picture and consider the future of Jiangnan and the well-being of millions of people, you may be able to do something else."

This was quite blatant. Javin was implying, or even recruiting: rather than going back to report a hopeless situation and waiting for the Star Army to attack, he should take this opportunity to serve the "future" new dynasty and do something for a peaceful transition.

Shen Yue was deeply shaken, his expression shifting rapidly. He had remained loyal to the Xiao Liang dynasty his entire life, regarding it as the legitimate successor of Chinese civilization, and had never considered the word "betrayal." But Jia Wen's words did indeed point to the reality: the Southern Dynasty was riddled with problems, and the rise of the Xing Kingdom was unstoppable. Would continuing to resist truly only lead to the people of Jiangnan being sacrificed for this corrupt court? Which was more important, his personal honor or the lives and well-being of countless others?

He was torn between two conflicting emotions, and after a long while, he finally said in a hoarse voice, "Lord Jia... I need to think carefully about these words. However, His Majesty was so resolute yesterday..."

Jia Wen smiled slightly: "Your Majesty's ambition lies in unifying the world, so your words are naturally righteous and upright, demonstrating your determination and not to be taken lightly. However, specific strategies can be flexible. Lord Shen is a wise man and should understand the difference between 'momentum' and 'tactics.' What Your Majesty wants is for Jiangnan to submit and for the world to be unified. As for the process, whether it is by force or by strategy, it is all up to consideration. The key is whether there are people in Jiangnan who can recognize the times, act in accordance with the trend, and reduce unnecessary bloodshed and destruction."

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the mighty Yangtze River flowing eastward. He said meaningfully, "The Yangtze River may be treacherous, but it is not insurmountable. The true insurmountable barrier is the will of the people. Lord Shen, your journey home is long. You might as well take your time to look around and think things through. The way out for Jiangnan may not lie in the court in Jiankang, but in the inevitable trend revealed by this surging river."

Having said that, Jia Wen said no more, cupped his hands in farewell, and left. Shen Yue was left alone in the empty room, facing the river wind and the sound of the waves, his heart in turmoil, yet he seemed to see a glimmer of light that was different from despair, but more complex and faint.

In the central command tent, after hearing Jia Wen's report on his two conversations with Shen Yue, Chen Xing simply smiled faintly: "Wenhe, winning hearts and minds is the best strategy, and you've done a great job. Shen Yue has plenty of reputation but lacks courage, and he's not a core member of the Gu or Lu families. Letting him go back and relay messages to stir up trouble is just right. As for his personal choices, they're irrelevant to the overall situation. Jiangnan... will eventually be taken; it's just a matter of method and timing."

He walked to the huge map, his gaze sweeping over the counties, mountains, and cities of Jiangnan, finally settling on Jiankang.

"Send the order: the army shall rest for ten days, fortify its camps, and train its navy. If, after ten days, the Southern Dynasty makes no further 'wise' move..." Chen Xing tapped his finger lightly on the location of Jiankang, a sharp glint in his eyes, "then have the 'Jinghai Camp' and the 'Trap Camp' send my true 'greetings' to Jiangnan."