Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 921 - 918: Profligate Militarism

Chapter 921: Chapter 918: Profligate Militarism

Now that the new dynasty is established, there are countless tasks to revive, especially since the previous Jin Dynasty emperor nearly emptied the national treasury for a nine-tiered platform. Is there even room in the treasury to fund Bai Qingyan’s war efforts?

Even if the treasury could support Bai Qingyan’s military campaigns, the five vassal princes with fiefdoms have led the people of their regions to swear they would rather die than surrender. Could Bai Qingyan possibly kill all the people in these five territories?

Is she not afraid of gaining a reputation for reckless warfare?!

With this decided, the five aged vassal princes of the Jin royal family gathered together on the eve of Bai Qingyan’s return... to discuss important matters.

In a secluded three-entry house on the west side of Dadu City, the King of Guangan, the King of Baishui, the King of Hedong, the King of Anxi, and the King of Shuofang sat in a secret chamber, swearing a blood oath, reaching a consensus.

"Since the King of Guangan, the King of Baishui, and the King of Hedong had already reached an agreement before we arrived in Dadu City, and they have secretly dispatched troops, the King of Shuofang and I have nothing more to say. We will send someone back to convey the order, demanding our forces reach Dadu City with troops before Bai Qingyan’s enthronement on June 20th! If Bai Qingyan does not agree, we will rebel against her..." said the King of Anxi.

"But..." The 27-year-old King of Shuofang clenched the fan in his hand, feeling a chill run down his spine. Despite planning to follow the lead of the King of Anxi, he hesitated, "Not only is Bai Qingyan invincible in battle, but she also holds military power in her hands, with elite forces from the Daliang campaigns. I’m afraid our private soldiers won’t be able to resist!"

"If we don’t resist, what can we do? The Third Prince of Liang is a living example! Granted a princely title, yet with no land, he cannot raise an army, nor control taxes! What does that mean... it’s just a hollow rank, waiting to wither away!" The King of Anxi, over fifty, had a somber look in his eyes.

"Our fiefdoms and titles have been passed down through generations, hereditary to this day... we’ve lived off these lands generation after generation. If they are truly taken back now, what about our descendants?" The King of Baishui looked at the King of Shuofang, "The King of Shuofang has just inherited the title and may not understand the thoughts of us elders, but once you have grandchildren, you’ll understand!"

"Whether it was the Southern Frontier War or defeating Daliang at the Northern Frontier, we may not have sent troops, but we contributed provisions and supplies! Even though the Eldest Princess is gone now, Bai Qingyan cannot forget our contributions!" The steady-tempered King of Hedong lowered his gaze, staring at the clear tea in his cup, speaking leisurely, "I also believe that the Bai family... won’t be those who forget old favors. We are mobilizing troops to Dadu City merely as a precaution, which may not necessarily lead to a confrontation with Bai Qingyan."

"Indeed, Bai Qingyan hasn’t even dealt with the imperial kin within Dadu City who maintain ties with the old dynasty’s emperor within the fifth degree of kinship. We, who share the same ancestor with the Emperor and are far from Dadu, are merely seeking fiefdoms to support our descendants. I think Bai Qingyan also understands the importance of winning people’s hearts." The oldest, the King of Guangan, fiddled with his Buddha beads. "Bai Qingyan herself is a woman; becoming the ruler of a country isn’t that easy. If we are willing to concede, with the new dynasty just established... she should stop at the right point, for stabilizing the court is key for her!"

The King of Hedong nodded with a smile, placing his teacup on the corner table nearby: "From the time of Emperor Mingzhao to the present, the emperors have only granted our ancestors fiefdoms to the five families. Since Emperor Wende, there has been an intention to weaken the power of fiefdom kings like us. Even Emperor Wuxuan allowing governors to control regional forces to counter us vassal kings did not succeed, and now Bai Qingyan is at the beginning of a new dynasty... Even if she wishes to weaken the vassal kings, the phrase ’stabilize the situation’ will be enough to constrain her."

"Alright, it’s settled then!" The King of Guangan paused in his movement of the Buddha beads, raised his hand to touch his grizzled beard, ready to stand up.

The King of Baishui quickly rose to support the King of Guangan. Standing up, the King of Guangan continued, "Tomorrow morning, when Bai Qingyan returns to Dadu City, we should follow the officials to greet her. When meeting Bai Qingyan, you must lower your stance, showing more respect than to the Jin Dynasty emperors, as it’s practical."

"It would be best if we could secure a marriage alliance with the Bai family; that would be even more assured!" The King of Hedong smiled with squinty eyes as he stood up, brushing off imaginary dust from his robe, eyes smiling. "Besides the second girl, who married Qin Lang, born from the original wife of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth girls of the Bai family are all of marriageable age. The seventh girl could be engaged first!"

After speaking, the King of Hedong chuckled as he spoke to the other vassal kings: "As for Bai Qingyan... if any of you have the ability and suitable offspring, you might as well give it a try. Having one’s own people by the ruler’s side would make information flow more smoothly. Do not let past views of male superiority and female inferiority bind you. Now that a female emperor is ascending... the times have changed, and the world... is different!"

The King of Hedong knew in his heart that Bai Qingyan should not be treated as a woman but as a sovereign ruler. Hence... the strategies used on emperors of previous dynasties could also be applied to Bai Qingyan.

"How else does she want them to differ? Does she even intend to allow women to be officials? Even bold as Empress Ji was... she did not dare let women enter officialdom! Xiliang is the same!" The King of Baishui frowned.

The King of Hedong offered a gentle smile: "Why bicker with me, King of Baishui? I am merely expressing my thoughts... listen if you wish, otherwise just treat it as a joke."

With the plan settled, they quietly left the small courtyard in batches.

The King of Hedong was the last to emerge from the corner gate of the courtyard, looking up at the bright moon in the sky, wondering in his heart... would Bai Qingyan truly risk the world’s condemnation and appoint women to officialdom.

After all, he knew well... Bai Weiting never underestimated women, teaching his grandsons and granddaughters equally.

Unsure of how this would affect the soon-to-be enthroned empress!

Should Bai Qingyan dare, the King of Hedong found... they could exploit this aspect, as only when Bai Qingyan is overwhelmed would she lack the means to deal with these vassal kings.

Leaving aside the deeply ingrained notions of male superiority and men ruling externally while women rule internally, the inherent selfishness of humanity dictates... it is already challenging for scholars across the land to advance through examinations, let alone if women join the exams and enter officialdom, reducing the opportunities for men.

And never mind the claim that women are inferior to men, if that were so... how does one explain Empress Ji, the Empress of Xiliang, and the current Bai Qingyan? In truth, men across the world understand that women are not necessarily inferior, which is precisely why the concepts of men ruling externally, women internally, and male superiority were fabricated.