Chaotic World Book
Chapter 300 - 293 Settling the King’s Affairs Under Heaven

Chapter 300: Chapter 293 Settling the King’s Affairs Under Heaven

Huangfu Yongxian was seated across from him, his expression still somewhat stern and respectful, as if he were attending a meeting.

Zhao Changhe found this attitude less comfortable than Cui Wenjing’s readiness to lift his hand and slap someone; perhaps he was a glutton for punishment.

But he heard Huangfu Yong Feng say, "Your Highness... ah, Mr. Zhao does not wish to acknowledge his identity, is there a special reason for this? Or is it out of hatred or abandonment?"

That was Chichi...

Zhao Changhe’s reluctance to acknowledge his identity stemmed from simpler reasons; first, he did not want to recognize someone else as his father, and second, he did not want to get involved in court affairs, the thought alone was enough to make one spit blood.

Ever since he felt that his path diverged from that of Xia Longyuan, he became even less willing. It was one thing to call someone ’father’ on account of his father-in-law, but anything beyond that was out of the question.

However, this was not something Zhao Changhe could easily discuss with Huangfu Yongxian. After a long pause, he chose a different phrasing: "I emerged from the Worldly Society on my own, through battles fought with sword and arrow, soaked in blood. Perhaps I’ve taken advantage of some relations, but I’ve also shouldered risks commensurate with them, and I could attribute my achievements to myself. Even being labeled the ’Bloodthirsty Shura’ is not exactly pleasant, I relish it, because no matter how unpleasant, it was a reputation I forged on my own, unrelated to anyone else, unlike when people call out to ’Prince,’ they’re actually addressing Xia Longyuan behind me, not Zhao Changhe."

In Huangfu Yongxian’s eyes, a hint of surprise flickered; he had not expected this kind of answer.

He pondered for a while before attempting another question: "Then why did Sir Zhao face death and fight the enemy, breaking the siege at Yanmen, what was it all for?"

Zhao Changhe replied indifferently, "Whatever the General did it for, I did it for the same reason."

Surprise and pleasure grew in Huangfu Yongxian’s eyes.

Yet, he persisted, "Nowadays, the world is descending into chaos. With your status and abilities, Sir Zhao chooses to remain in the Worldly Society, isn’t that a waste of your efforts?"

Zhao Changhe said, "Because it’s useless. You don’t understand Xia Longyuan; you think of a bunch of nonsense that’s laughable in his eyes. Besides, he won’t die, at least not in the short term, and he doesn’t need a Crown Prince. Just take care of your own matters; don’t overthink it, hmph."

Huangfu Yongxian fell silent.

Zhao Changhe had much to say about Huangfu Qing, but didn’t know how to broach the subject. Should he suggest that the well-known Imperial Concubine, whose status was universally acknowledged, should be replaced, swapped like the metaphor of a plum tree standing in for a peach, or perhaps take flight by becoming a nun? He’d assure Xia Longyuan wouldn’t intervene...

But that would be far too obvious and Huangfu Yongxian would go insane on the spot.

Besides, Huangfu Qing herself found meaning in what she was doing; what use was there mentioning it to her father?

It was difficult for Zhao Changhe and others to even consider that Huangfu Qing might be the Vermilion Bird or Ying Wu; speculation was rampant, a serious concern being that Vermilion Bird’s cultivation far surpassed Huangfu Yongxian’s and had a higher rank, notoriously fierce. This led most people not to guess in that direction, instead theorizing about whether the rebel Vermilion Bird would assassinate Huangfu Yongxian...

Ying Wu and the others, having exhausted numerous possibilities without identifying Vermilion Bird, had no choice but to jokingly speculate about Huangfu Qing, once renowned alongside Tang Wanju, but without any concrete evidence, it remained just idle banter.

In fact, Huangfu Yongxian truly had no control over what Huangfu Qing wanted to do; not just leaking out, she had long since taken a dominant position over her father.

Huangfu Yongxian remained silent for quite a while, uncertain how to proceed... Before coming to "visit the sick," he had anticipated that Zhao Changhe would espouse a philosophy of "revering the virtuous and yielding to the wise," boasting of national affairs, and then he, Huangfu Yongxian, would subtly express his admiration, indicating a willingness to pledge loyalty. The result would be mutual satisfaction, the Crown Prince securing the Northern Army in secret, the army having a stable political support.

Instead, what he encountered was Zhao Changhe constantly shirking responsibilities, leaving himself pleading for Zhao to take over.

Do you fucking want the Northern Border Army or not?

But what Zhao Changhe said was not wrong; as long as Xia Longyuan lived, any thoughts they had were basically a joke.

Huangfu Yongxian seemed to age another ten years, his weary form leaning against the chair. It took him a while before he said, "Your High... Mr. Zhao, what you think no longer matters. Under the current situation, walking in the Worldly Society is even more dangerous than before, even more perilous than when you first left Beimang. The Wang Family will certainly stop at nothing to kill you, and not just them. Do you realize that all over the world, smoke from battles is rising, more and more people are arming themselves and declaring independence? They will all want to kill you. Your journey into the Worldly Society will be fraught with danger."

Zhao Changhe chuckled, "Let them come. I was just worrying about the lack of adversaries to sharpen my skills. Including Listening Snow Tower, don’t chicken out."

Huangfu Yongxian couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head, then he switched to more conventional topics: "Ba Tu’s internal allegiance will certainly come into effect, unless His Majesty purposefully refuses..."

He paused there, also unsure whether Xia Longyuan would act so capriciously, then continued, "In that case, the entire Southern Desert will fall under Ba Tu’s control, becoming a barrier north of Yanmen. As he is now also estranged from the Divine Hall, he must lean on our backing for support, and the relationship between both parties will be very harmonious for the short term... Actually, I reckon that as long as Sir Zhao is in the Central Plains for one day, Ba Tu won’t dare harbor any disloyal thoughts..."

Zhao Changhe said, "Surely not. Don’t think this brute is just a simpleton at face value, he’s quite the cunning dog."

Huangfu Yongxian shook his head, "In a previous meeting with Ba Tu, he was all secretive, just wanting to know if you were around. When he learned you weren’t, his demeanor suddenly became more imposing, his voice louder. Ba Tu fears you, and he can’t hide it... Sir, you may truly not understand the significance of your actions for both parties, to say your influence terrifies the Northern Border is not an overstatement."

Zhao Changhe asked, "So what you’re saying, General, is..."

"Yellow Sand Market remains an extremely important trade hub, crucial indeed. Now we want to intervene; we cannot let Ba Tu have control over it alone, else where is the profit from this war? We should deploy our troops, at the very least both sides should station troops separately. But, stationing troops at their core territory is sensitive; we might need Sir Zhao to personally negotiate with Ba Tu, otherwise the talks may not go smoothly."

"No need," Zhao Changhe said. "I will recommend someone for the political leadership of Yellow Sand Market, and that will be the end of it."

"Who?"

"Let Yuan San Niang take charge of Yellow Sand Market. Both parties can station troops, and San Niang will coordinate and maintain the balance. They were already planning to set up camp nearby to develop the Secret Realm, and Ying Wu will be very satisfied with this arrangement. Moreover, San Niang is greedy for money; with this convenience, she’ll be grinning ear to ear. Even if she herself does not want to stay later, finding a spokesperson will suffice. With Ying Wu backing her, how could Ba Tu not concede?"

Huangfu Yongxian wondered, "Putting someone from the Worldly Society in charge... Does the young master really trust Yuan San Niang?"

From the standpoint of Great Xia, no, she is a die-hard rebel, just like your daughter.

But of course, on a personal level, I trust her as I trust your daughter.

Zhao Changhe didn’t say this but simply said, "Just listen to me on this, definitely no mistake."

Huangfu Yongxian responded, "If Ba Tu sees San Niang as the young master’s spokesperson, then maybe there really won’t be a problem."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Huangfu Yongxian showed a hint of a smile, "Alright, since it’s the young master’s arrangement, this old servant shall, of course, obey."

Zhao Changhe: "...Enough already. Old General, you’ve been non-stop, aren’t you tired? Go rest, I need to rest as well."

Huangfu Yongxian leaned back into his chair, fatigued, and murmured so faintly it was barely audible, "Settling the affairs of the king’s realm..."

Poor white hair, grown amidst concerns.

Zhao Changhe gazed absently at his white hair, speechless for a long time.

Their conversation ended there; Zhao Changhe was finally unable to discuss his daughter with the other, and Huangfu Yongxian could no longer articulate the army’s loyalty to the Crown Prince.

What needed to be said had already been said.

"Young master, have a good rest." Huangfu Yongxian bid farewell and left. Not long after, a red shadow flashed by, and Yue Hongling quietly entered the room, securing the door latch behind her.

Zhao Changhe embraced her tightly, "Sister, let’s go somewhere else to heal. I don’t want to stay here anymore, it’s so tiring."

Yue Hongling gently patted his back, speaking soothingly like to a child, "Okay, where to?"

"In this cold northern winter, amidst the heavy snow, where the green mountains meet the white crowns, don’t you feel a little longing for a visit to the old place?"

Yue Hongling was stunned, remembering Beimang from the past, the pitfall traps amid the heavy snow, and the leader’s wife by Old Zhao’s side.

She looked up slightly, seeing the expectant, sparkling eyes of Zhao Changhe, and couldn’t help but laugh, "Such a child you are."

Zhao Changhe objected, "It’s called reminiscing."

"Mm," Yue Hongling’s heart softened, knowing he truly was reminiscing. Such deep sentimentality made her heart glad.

She leaned gently against Zhao Changhe’s chest and asked softly, "I haven’t heard you call me ’sister’ much recently; you’ve been acting more like a leader calling me Hongling. Why do you keep calling me ’sister’ today..."

Zhao Changhe, too, seemed lost in thought.

Perhaps it was the exhaustion of injury, or perhaps it was the bustling demand to make decisions that had worn him down.

Only by her side did he feel he could stop thinking about everything. His sister was there, after all.

It was always Yue Hongling who could give him such a sense of comfort, even in the latter half of the battle when she was taking orders, acting like a little wife... but just seeing her gave him an indescribable sense of ease.

It was a reliance rooted from the first glance in this world.

Yet, when he reached the point of saying it, he couldn’t and instead bit her ear, whispering, "Not only do I want to call you ’sister,’ but I also want to hear ’sister’ call out."

Yue Hongling’s cheeks flushed to her earlobes. She stomped on him fiercely, "Does the leader need his skin scratched? Come on, get inside the house with me!"