Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 526 - 271: Managing the River_5

Chapter 526: Chapter 271: Managing the River_5

However, the Zhao Yi Army made no statement about this, which made Qin Huizhi expend quite a bit of effort to finally stabilize the court situation.

This displeased Qin Huizhi somewhat.

Meng Lin shook his head slightly, "Could it be that Prime Minister Qin is being shortsighted? This is not the time for General Han to speak up!"

He lowered his voice, "If he were to speak now, what would General Han have to say once Prime Minister Qin ascends to the throne in the future?"

Qin Huizhi was taken aback, then realized what Meng Lin meant, and a smile spread across his face, "Right, right! It is I who am confused!"

Why doesn’t General Han Fuyue speak out?

According to Meng Lin’s explanation, General Han Fuyue certainly could speak out now, but there’s no need.

If General Han Fuyue were to voice his support for Emperor Yingzong of Qi now, what could he say later on when Qin Huizhi attempts to usurp Emperor Yingzong?

It surely wouldn’t do to play both sides and be the laughing stock of all under heaven, right?

Thus, Meng Lin’s meaning was clear: General Han Fuyue must not speak now. Wait until Qin Huizhi plots to usurp Emperor Yingzong, then General Han Fuyue can condemn Emperor Yingzong for instigating the Jingping change, being a great fool of an emperor, and even for plotting against his own brother, Emperor Gaozong of Qi...

In short, paint Emperor Yingzong in the worst possible light.

At that time, wouldn’t Qin Huizhi’s usurpation seem perfectly justified?

Now that Emperor Yingzong has been restored, although many officials in the court are dissatisfied, Emperor Yingzong has the legal mandate, and they dare not act out, only to endure.

But how many of those officials would support him when Qin Huizhi usurps the throne? That’s hard to say.

Thus, the support of General Han Fuyue is like a decisive weapon for Qin Huizhi. To use it now would indeed be premature.

The misunderstanding is cleared up.

Delight crept over Qin Huizhi’s face, and after drinking two cups, he asked, "Then, in General Han’s opinion, when might I undertake this great endeavor?"

Meng Lin pondered for a moment, "It must not be too hasty, but it also must not be too delayed!"

Qin Huizhi was puzzled, "What do you mean by that?"

Meng Lin explained, "Emperor Yuansheng has just been reinstated, and the court is in turmoil. If he is deposed in haste, it might trigger a fierce backlash.

"So, it cannot be rushed.

"However, it absolutely cannot be delayed. The current emperor truly doesn’t have many loyal ministers now, and is easy to control. But he won’t stay this way forever.

"After all, he is the emperor; he has to attend court and meet with the officials. Can Prime Minister Qin really keep him under house arrest forever? Sooner or later, the emperor will gradually reclaim power.

"By that time, it won’t just be about ascending to the throne; Prime Minister Qin might even be held accountable and charged with regicide!

"Therefore, in the view of this humble officer, one year is optimal!

"After one year, Prime Minister Qin can first claim the emperor is ill and confine him to the palace, cancel court assemblies, and have all major and minor affairs decided solely by Prime Minister Qin. After several months of such governance, with the political scene stabilized, proceed with the enthronement and dethronement, and then the fate of all will be set!

"The Zhao Yi Army, then, will rise and list the current emperor’s ten grave sins, burdening him with the ignominy of losing the army’s respect and committing fratricide and patricide.

"If any of Qi’s warriors dare to revolt, Prime Minister Qin can first eliminate them under the pretense of wrongful imprisonment. If that doesn’t work, General Han can personally lead the troops to quell the rebellion for Prime Minister Qin!"

Qin Huizhi listened to Meng Lin’s description of the splendid future, and his eyes shone.

Did he dream of becoming emperor?

He did, endlessly!

And now, the opportunity was truly laid out before him, how could his heart not stir?

Yet in the midst of his excitement, Qin Huizhi also gradually calmed down and lowered his voice to ask, "Then, what is General Han’s aim?"

Clearly, General Han Fuyue would not help him for no reason.

General Han Fuyue had previously been known as a loyal and patriotic figure, though he might have turned darker due to Emperor Gaozong of Qi’s ingratitude, opting to hold military power and govern his own territory independently, but he definitely wouldn’t have a good impression of Qin Huizhi.

Qin Huizhi was well aware that since General Han Fuyue couldn’t possibly like him, any assistance would have to be for a substantial benefit.

Meng Lin paused briefly, then said, "General Han’s demands are not many.

"After Prime Minister Qin declares himself emperor, General Han will also proclaim himself emperor,"

"Once we succeed, the two states will divide the Yangtze River as a boundary, north and south, honoring each other as brother nations!"

Qin Huizhi couldn’t help but take a sharp breath.

Dividing the river to rule?

This ambition is not small at all!

At this time, the Qi Dynasty’s territories are bordered by the Huai River and Dasan Pass, retaining the southern half of the lands beyond the river.

If they were to divide at the river, it would mean that all regions such as Sichuan-Shaanxi, Jingzhou, the Two Huais, etc., would have to be ceded to the Zhao Yi Army.

It would not only mean giving up nearly a quarter of the entire country’s territory but also several strategic locations!

Take, for instance, Jingzhou.

This place is crucial, as it has been of great significance for Qi to standoff against the Northern Barbarians for years.

Moreover, General Han Fuyue once said: To guard the river, one must guard the Huai.

Although the Yangtze River is a formidable natural barrier, it is ultimately too long, with too many places that can be breached. And once divided at the river, by the time the enemy has built warships and crossed over, our side may well be unable to react in time.

So, to guard the Yangtze River, one must first secure the Huai River. After repeatedly fortifying the defenses between the Huai and the Yangtze Rivers, we can ensure resistance when the enemy invades.

And now, General Han Fuyue intends to swallow this piece whole in one bite, truly a lion’s mouth indeed.

However, although Qin Huizhi’s first reaction was shock, he immediately burst into hearty laughter.

"General Han truly has a great appetite! But, if this matter succeeds, it’s not unreasonable to consider."

This bold demand to some extent dispelled Qin Huizhi’s doubts.

If General Han Fuyue is doing this for such a huge benefit, then it makes sense.

If General Han Fuyue wants nothing in return, that would make Qin Huizhi suspect his motives.

If Qin Huizhi were the current Emperor, he definitely would not agree to sell off a quarter of the nation’s soil all at once.

But Qin Huizhi is not the Emperor, nor is he selling his own possessions, so why feel regret?

For Qin Huizhi, although he has reached the pinnacle of power among his peers, the throne still lies a great distance away.

And this step is like a chasm between heaven and earth.

Being a powerful prime minister, no matter how much control one has in life, everything will dissipate after death. Does he expect his son to inherit his position and maintain his authority? That’s absolutely impossible.

Furthermore, Emperor Yingzong of Qi may not always allow him to manipulate at will.

But what if he really succeeds in usurping the throne and becomes Emperor?

Even if he can only keep the land south of the Yangtze River, it’s still an inheritance for his descendants!

Moreover, with the Zhao Yi Army blocking the north and the Jin incapable of crossing over, the future is unpredictable, but at least for the rest of Qin Huizhi’s life, he should be able to peacefully reign as Emperor over the prosperous south for a dozen years, enjoying all the splendor and riches.

No matter how you look at it, this is a very profitable deal.

As for whether General Han Fuyue would come attacking...

This was not something Qin Huizhi had completely overlooked, but he didn’t think it was a pressing issue.

For one thing, the Qi Dynasty still has a powerful navy that can use the natural barrier of the Yangtze River for defense; for another, the Jin are still eyeing the north ambitiously, and if the Zhao Yi Army commits all their forces to move south to attack, then the Jin would certainly launch a pincer attack.

Therefore, after General Han Fuyue consumes the large region between the Huai River and the Yangtze River, he should be at peace with him, considering the threat of the Jin in the north first.

This situation is not merely advantageous, it is exceedingly so!

With this in mind, Qin Huizhi raised his wine cup, laughing heartily: "In that case, let’s join General Han and quietly await the good news!"

Meng Lin also raised his wine cup, smiling slightly: "Quietly awaiting the good news!"