novelAbuy Chapter 235 Jia Wen's Persuasion to Advance
Chapter 235 Jia Wen's Persuasion to Advance
The autumn rain outside the window drizzled, but didn't last long. In the afternoon, the clouds thinned, and a few weak rays of sunlight struggled to penetrate the moisture, casting a dim golden glow on the damp military camp. The air remained damp and chilly, but the charcoal brazier in the commander-in-chief's study dispelled the cold and dried the sticky feeling brought on by the rain and complicated emotions.
Chen Xing had regained his usual calm and focus, and was working with Chen Wei on the huge 3D sand table of Caishiji, simulating the intensity of resistance that each unit might encounter after the general offensive began, and the corresponding contingency plans. Shen Qing, on the other hand, was supplementing the details of the naval ships' artillery support and blockade during the general offensive.
"Report—Prime Minister Jia requests an audience." The guard's voice interrupted the military simulation.
"Please." Chen Xing straightened up, gesturing for Chen Wei and Shen Qing to wait. Jia Wen's arrival at this time was certainly not for ordinary military business.
The curtain was lifted, and Jia Wen entered slowly. He was still dressed in dark casual clothes, his figure slightly thin, but his narrow eyes still shone with a sharp inner light, and his steps were steady. After bowing to Chen Xing, he glanced at the sand table and knew what they were discussing, but he did not rush to interrupt and simply stood quietly to the side.
"Your arrival is timely, Jia Qing. Is there some important matter in Beidu?" Chen Xing asked, while gesturing for his guards to offer him a seat.
"Everything is well in the capital. Her Majesty the Empress is in good health, the government is running smoothly, and the Crown Prince is diligent in his studies." Jia Wenxian reported that everything was well before sitting down on the brocade stool below Chen Xing. He put his hands in his sleeves and said slowly, "This old minister has come not for urgent military matters, but for a matter that I have pondered for a long time and feel is ripe. I dare not fail to report it to Your Majesty."
His tone was calm, yet carried a rare, long-brewing solemnity.
Chen Xing's heart stirred slightly, and he waved for Chen Wei and Shen Qing to retreat to a side room to wait. Only the two of them remained in the study, with the charcoal fire occasionally crackling softly.
"Please speak freely, Minister Jia." Chen Xing walked back to his desk and sat down, looking calmly at the old minister who had followed him since the Xinghuo Fort era and was known for his profound strategies.
Jia Wen did not speak immediately, but tilted his head slightly, as if he were carefully considering his words, or perhaps sensing the invisible yet increasingly solidifying "momentum" in the study of the imperial camp. After a long while, he slowly said, "Your Majesty has been raising an army from humble beginnings, sweeping across the northern frontier, pacifying the Western Liang, and establishing your state as a duke for nearly ten years. Now, you personally lead the royal army across the Yangtze River to conquer the south, winning battle after battle. Caishiji will be captured in no time, and half of the south will be under your control. The barbarians on all sides have submitted, and the people are eagerly awaiting your arrival... Your Majesty's achievements are comparable even to those of the ancient Qin Emperor and Emperor Wu of Han."
He paused, then turned his gaze to Chen Xing, his voice soft yet clear: "However, does Your Majesty know that in the eyes of all your subjects and even the surrounding vassal states, Your Majesty is still merely 'Lord Xing'?"
Chen Xing's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't reply; he just listened quietly.
"A duke is a feudal lord. Although Your Majesty has established a kingdom, its vast territory and powerful army far surpass any feudal lord of the previous dynasty, its title and position are not yet legitimate, which is ultimately a shortcoming," Jia Wen continued, his tone unhurried yet carrying a profound understanding of the world. "If the title is not legitimate, then the words will not be proper; if the words are not proper, then the affairs will not be accomplished. Your Majesty wishes to unify the world, restore peace, win the hearts of all people, and have the whole world submit. This cannot be achieved solely through military might. A legitimate title is needed to stabilize the world and reassure the people."
He stood up, bowed deeply to Chen Xing, this time with exceptional solemnity: "This old minister dares to presume to be the first to 'rectify the name' today. Your Majesty's achievements surpass those of the Three Sovereigns; Your Majesty's virtue is worthy of the Five Emperors. In the present world, there is no one above Your Majesty. The time has come for Your Majesty to grant this honor! I humbly beseech Your Majesty to follow the will of Heaven and the people, to ascend the throne as Emperor, to receive the Mandate of Heaven, and to govern the four directions!"
Adding the radical "白" to "王" forms the character "皇" (emperor). Jia Wen was clearly and formally urging Chen Xing to ascend the throne and become emperor!
The study was silent. Even the crackling of the charcoal fire seemed to have stopped. Sunlight filtered through the damp window paper, casting flickering shadows between Jia Wen's bent-over figure and Chen Xing's composed face.
Chen Xing remained silent. This wasn't the first time he'd heard Jia Wen express similar sentiments. Back when he dominated the north and established his duchy, there had been calls to ascend the throne, which he'd declined, citing his "lack of accomplishments and unworthy virtue." Since the southern campaign, especially with the war going smoothly, such voices had occasionally circulated privately. But he hadn't expected that the first person to raise this issue so formally, so clearly, and so directly would be Jia Wen, who was always known for his caution and profoundness.
He did not immediately rebuke Jia Wen for "overstepping his bounds" or "flattering," because he knew that Jia Wen was by no means the kind of person who would speak recklessly in order to curry favor. He must have had a profound consideration in making this suggestion.
"Minister Jia," Chen Xing spoke slowly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, "Jiangnan is not yet pacified, and Nanjing has not yet been captured. Is it too early to urge me to ascend the throne at this time? Have you not heard that 'an arrogant army is bound to be defeated'? If I were to declare myself emperor now, I fear that my soldiers would think that the great victory has been achieved and become complacent; I also fear that the world would think that I am ambitious and eager for glory, seeking empty fame before achieving complete success."
Jia Wen straightened up, his gaze frank: "How could this old minister not know Your Majesty's concerns? However, it is precisely because the times are delicate that this action is necessary." He stepped forward, his tone shifting to analysis, "Firstly, to rectify the title and solidify the morale of the army. Your Majesty's ascension to the throne is not for personal glory, but to establish a clearer and more indisputable banner for the soldiers of the southern expedition and for all the people who submit to you! The soldiers fight bloody battles, seeking nothing more than to follow a true 'ruler of the world' and create immortal achievements. The title 'Star Lord,' though prestigious, is ultimately a feudal title; the title 'Emperor' is the legitimate one, the one chosen by Heaven! Once the title is correct, the soldiers' sense of belonging, honor, and mission will surely reach new heights! How could they slack off? Their morale will only be higher!"
"Secondly, establishing legitimacy will intimidate the enemy. The Southern Dynasty relies solely on the concept of 'legitimacy' to maintain its precarious rule in the south. If Your Majesty were to ascend the throne, you would be directly confronting their corrupt 'legitimacy' with the mandate of heaven for a glorious new dynasty. Upon hearing this news, the garrison at Caishiji and the officials of Jinling would see their last vestige of 'legitimacy' crumble, and their will to resist would suffer another severe blow. This is the best strategy to win hearts and minds, far superior to an army of ten thousand!"
"Thirdly, we must establish a proper name to appease the newly subjugated people. The gentry and people of Jiangnan have long been under the rule of the Southern Dynasty and have their own concept of the 'court' in their hearts. If Your Majesty continues to rule under the name of 'Lord Xing,' in their eyes you will ultimately be a 'Northern Dynasty prince.' If Your Majesty ascends the throne and becomes emperor, you will be the new emperor of the dynasty, inheriting the mandate of heaven and ruling the four seas. This will be of great benefit to appeasing the gentry, stabilizing the people's hearts, and accelerating the integration of Jiangnan into the empire. Counselor Lin's appeasement strategy also needs this 'formal status' as its ultimate foundation."
"Fourth," Jia Wen lowered his voice, but it sounded even more solemn, "Your Majesty, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, nor can it be without a crown prince for long. Your Majesty is in the prime of life, but establishing a crown prince is a matter of great importance to the country, and it must be clarified as soon as possible when the position is determined and the court is stable. Only when Your Majesty ascends the throne can the crown prince be rightfully appointed, and only then will the succession of the empire have a legal basis. This concerns the stability of the foundation for thousands of generations, and is not comparable to the current war."
He paused, then concluded, "As for the criticism of 'not yet achieving complete success,' it is not worth worrying about. Since Your Majesty raised your army, you have expanded the territory and achieved remarkable feats, far surpassing the founding emperors of ancient times. The pacification of Jiangnan is imminent. By the time Your Majesty's enthronement ceremony is fully prepared, the victory report from Caishiji, and even the surrender document from Jinling, will likely already be presented before the Emperor! At that time, the great victory in Jiangnan will be the most lavish congratulatory gift for Your Majesty's ascension to the throne! How can it be considered 'too early'?"
His words, meticulously analyzed the situation from four perspectives: morale of the army, the enemy's courage, the people's hearts, and the foundation of the nation, thoroughly elucidating the necessity and urgency of "urging him to ascend the throne." Jia Wen truly lived up to his reputation as a "poisonous strategist," possessing keen insight and always able to grasp the core of the issue and present it in the most advantageous way.
Chen Xing fell silent again. His fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, his gaze distant. Jia Wen's words were indeed true. Becoming emperor was not merely a change of title, but the ultimate confirmation of a political stance, the pinnacle of legitimacy for power, and a crucial step in uniting all forces and moving towards the ultimate goal. It was like a key that could unlock many doors that were currently difficult to fully open under his current status as "Lord Xing."
However, this also means heavier responsibilities, higher expectations, and... a more complex situation. The harem, the court, the old and new forces, the divide between North and South... many problems may be magnified as a result, or need to be faced and resolved in new ways.
"What Jia Qing said... I need to consider it." After a long silence, Chen Xing slowly said, neither agreeing nor refusing immediately. "This matter concerns the national system and cannot be decided by me alone. You may first inform important ministers such as Chen Wei, Shen Qing, and Zhao Tiezhu about this proposal and hear their opinions. The opinions of the soldiers at the front should also be taken into consideration. It will not be too late to discuss it after Caishiji is recaptured and the gates of Nanjing are opened."
He didn't completely rule it out, but his attitude had softened. He was no longer using "unfulfilled ambitions" as an excuse, but rather considering it based on "timing" and "the need for discussion." Jia Wen understood; he knew that His Majesty was already interested, but as an emperor, he needed more steps and a more opportune moment.
"Your Majesty understands." Jia Wen bowed again, a glint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. "Your Majesty will make proper arrangements. When the news of the victory at Caishiji arrives, it will be time for the ministers to submit their memorials urging Your Majesty to ascend the throne, and for Your Majesty to act in accordance with Heaven's will and the people's wishes."