CHAPTER 1080: CHAPTER 595: DRAWING SWORD TO ENTER THE HALL (PART 1)

The conflict on the front line, unsurprisingly, shattered the winter tranquility of the Capital.

No one expected that at the stage of negotiation, weapons would clash again. And as military reports from Xiping and Iron Pass were delivered across a thousand miles to the Empress’s desk, the negotiation atmosphere in the Ministry of Rites changed subtly.

The situation on the front line did not halt the negotiations; instead, it pushed the three parties to a real stage of intense discussions at the negotiation table.

Zhao Douan did not participate in the specific negotiation affairs, but the latest progress of the negotiations was sent to him every day.

And time pressed closer to the year’s end amidst this delicate atmosphere.

This winter was exceptionally cold, with snowstorms more frequent.

...

Morning.

At the Zhao family’s dining table, Zhao Douan entered the dining hall again, seeing his aunt and sister already waiting.

However, compared to the usual relaxed atmosphere, today the expressions of the two women in the family were full of concern.

"What’s wrong? Is something troubling you?"

Zhao Douan sat in the main seat, picked up a bowl of porridge, and teasingly said,

"Is it the approaching year’s end, worrying about the many affairs of welcoming and bidding farewell for the festival?"

You Jinhua forced out a smile, hesitating to speak, while Zhao Pan was less reserved, bluntly saying,

"Yesterday, mother and I attended a gathering with some officials’ wives in the Capital, and they talked about the negotiation, saying it’s not going smoothly. Is that so?"

Even though Yu Country was ruled by an Empress, the family members of civil and military officials below still adhered to tradition and rarely discussed politics.

Therefore, there was a certain delay in information.

"Indeed, it’s not going smoothly," Zhao Douan put down the bowl of porridge and said,

"The Vassal Kings of Hejian and Yanshan have big appetites, demanding that the court officially and legally permit them to take a large piece of land, only then would they stop the war. The court will certainly not agree, thus leading to a stalemate."

Seizing land?

You Jinhua and Zhao Pan exchanged a glance, their worried expressions matching the information they knew.

Although Zhao Pan was a young girl, she posed as a refined lady now; however, there was a wild streak in her nature, as she coldly snorted,

"Wishful thinking; a bunch of rebels still dream of co-ruling the realm with Your Majesty? Besides, such a thing cannot be agreed upon, and if loosened, other rebel kings would follow suit. If Your Majesty permits it legally, wouldn’t each one have to be agreed upon?"

You Jinhua, though she held authority in front of her daughter, was still a little woman at heart and said anxiously,

"If not agreed, would it mean there must be a fight?"

Zhao Douan sighed and replied,

"Looking only at Xiping and Iron Pass, the court does not fear going to war with them. The reason for willing to negotiate is worrying about the larger picture."

He analyzed:

"Especially Xiping, if Prince Hejian is determined to confront the court even in the cold winter, it will inevitably lead to a weak western defense. Recently, Duke Tang reported that the countries of the Western Regions are not stable... They’re exploiting this point, using the Western Regions and Prince Jing to coerce the Empress into submission."

If the Northwest Border Army weakens, and the Western Regions people invade next spring, then the court will have to deal with Prince Jing, and also threats from the west and possibly the north, unable to handle them all...

Heh, that day I saw Xu Wenyan, still unsure of the leverage he spoke of, now it’s clear, this is their coercive tactic."

Zhao Douan felt heavy at heart too.

Because this is indeed a problem without a solution and it’s the real reason why negotiations remain in a long stalemate.

The Empress is absolutely unwilling to acknowledge the opponent’s legal right to grant land.

But if not given, the hard-earned situation this year would be ruined again.

The root of the problem is the Old Emperor left a mess, all of which needs to be cleaned by the successors.

The meal was heavy and oppressive.

Finally, You Jinhua softly said,

"The wife of Governor Ning next door asked me to help send some items to Governor Ning; they’re year-end goods, clothes sewn by his wife and daughters."

Zhao Douan then realized.

The year’s end was approaching, and many officials on the front line couldn’t return to reunite with their families this year.

He earnestly said, "I will arrange for someone to handle this matter."

Not only Ning Zechen, but other officials’ families probably have similar requests.

He planned to talk to Zhenbao afterward and squeeze out some manpower to do this.

...

Leaving the Zhao family, Zhao Douan took a twisting path into a certain alley, only to see his secretary Qian Kerou and other subordinates standing in front of several large carts waiting.

"Sir,"

Everyone saluted, Zhao Douan acknowledged with a sound, stepped onto the cart, "Let’s go."

Following him, several carts moved grandly toward the east of the city.

It’s winter, and as per routine, Zhao Douan would send some winter supplies to the orphanage and other charitable halls in the east of the city.

However, this year, the scale of supplies expanded substantially.

Because a few days ago, when Zhao Douan’s Divine Soul returned to Jingchuan City, Jin Jian found him, and the stingy little miser surprisingly generously handed him a bulging little pouch, entrusting him to send it to the charitable halls in the east of the city.

Inside the little pouch, besides the Silver Tael rewarded to Jin Jian for the assassination of Xu Jingtang, there was also the compensation for her affairs in Taicang Prefecture, as well as the Silver Tael earned by the Young Priestess from "odd jobs" throughout the year, remaining after her needs were met.

It was truly a large sum of money.

Every time he thought of Jin Jian’s face full of distrust when she handed him the money, repeatedly warning him "If you dare to embezzle, and once I investigate when I return to the Capital, I’ll tell Master," Zhao Douan couldn’t help but want to laugh.

This silly little girl still didn’t know Zhao Douan did this every year.

The orphanage in the east of the city.

After getting off the cart, Zhao Douan took off his mask, covered most of his face with a veil, and made slight changes to his appearance.

Then he knocked on the door of the charitable hall.