Inheriting His Mantle and Guarding His Path

After dark.

The entire city of Kyoto was shrouded in snow.

The back door of the prison has been opened.

The door hinges had just been oiled and made no sound, and the jailer guarding the door had been transferred elsewhere.

The jailer himself carried a lantern and stood guard at the door, his body bent over.

In the darkness, the sound of wheels rolling over stone slabs could be heard.

Yang Qinghe stepped down from the carriage, not wearing official robes, but only a thick cloak to block the wind.

The jailer stepped forward, "Your Excellency, shall we verify your credentials?"

Yang Qinghe glanced at him.

The jailer quickly took back his words, saying, "It was my fault for being so talkative. Please come this way."

Without an imperial edict, without a warrant from the Ministry of Justice, and without anyone asking this old man who had already relinquished his power as Grand Secretary, why was he imprisoned?

When he arrived, the door opened.

The two hadn't gone far when another person chased them in through the back door.

The newcomer carried a military report from the northern border. After entering, he first looked at the jailer, then at Yang Qinghe, and dared not pursue him any further.

"Your Excellency, a new military report has arrived from Hanmen Pass. The Ministry of War would like to request your approval."

Yang Qinghe took it.

He turned two pages by the light of the lamp, but did not write any comments. He simply drew a line next to a number on the grain route.

"The amount of 37,000 catties is incorrect. Go back and recalculate."

The messenger took the military report, asked no further questions, and hurriedly left.

Yang Qinghe continued walking forward.

The jailer shook the lamp in his hand, and he quickly covered the lampshade with his hand, not hearing anything.

This has happened far too many times in the past twenty years.

Before important matters are discussed in the Hall of State Affairs, the Grand Secretary must be consulted first.

The north was short of food, and the south was short of ships. Local officials were of good use and those who needed to be replaced. A piece of paper was sent in, and a few words would always come back with them.

Yang Qinghe is no longer in the Political Affairs Hall, but when it comes to crucial moments, his former students will still seek him out first.

Habits cannot be changed in a few days.

Yang Qinghe has been feigning illness and relinquishing power recently, but his real purpose is to kill three birds with one stone.

Firstly, he does need to rest and recuperate to prepare for the upcoming major battle.

Secondly, it draws out the remnants of the Oni clan who have been lurking in the shadows, eliminating internal problems before the war.

Thirdly, Yang Qinghe wanted to see Li Youchan again.

Li Youchan was very intelligent in his youth. He read quickly, remembered things quickly, and was decisive in making decisions. He was more than capable of being a ruler who maintained the status quo.

But in chaotic times, there's more to it than just these things.

In chaotic times, the only thing that matters is whether you can put capable people in the right places in the shortest amount of time, and then leave the consequences to yourself.

Therefore, Yang Qinghe gave Li Youchan one last test.

After the An Rushan Rebellion, Li Youchan did not cause any chaos.

When news of the battle reached the capital, he quickly issued military orders.

But this emperor wanted to control everything. He gained power, but the court became slow.

This is the assessment that Yang Qinghe has given in recent days.

medium.

Being average does not mean being incompetent.

In times of peace, this shouldn't lead to any major mistakes.

In today's world, every step slower could cost lives.

The jailer led Yang Qinghe through three iron gates and stopped at the innermost one.

There were no groans of torture here, nor the smell of branding irons and blood; only darkness.

The walls were thick on all four sides, so no sound from the outside could get in.

Suhe sat by the wall.

He was wearing iron shackles on his feet, and his injured shoulder was simply wrapped in a few layers of coarse cloth. The wound was already festering, and a patch of the coarse cloth was wet.

Yang Qinghe stood outside the wooden fence.

"Suhe".

The young man by the wall stirred and slowly looked up.

The jailer quickly lit a torch, inserted it into the iron groove on the wall, and then bowed his head and retreated.

The two looked at each other through the cage.

This was the first time Yang Qinghe had met Su He.

This was also the first time Suhe had met this old man who had served as Grand Secretary for over a hundred years.

But they both knew what the other had done.

Yang Qinghe spoke first, but instead of explaining why he had come, he first mentioned someone:

"More than a hundred years ago, there was a young official in Linhe Prefecture who had just entered officialdom. He encountered a commoner on the street who was being forced to sell his daughter by tax collectors."

"The official checked the accounts and found that the tax collectors had tampered with the government grain. He arrested them that same day and returned the excess grain to the granary."

"The family's daughter was saved, and the people are all praising him."

"The tax collector who was arrested was in charge of three granaries in Linhe Prefecture. The newcomer did not know about waterways, and after opening the granaries, he did not seal the doors in time. A heavy rain flooded half of the granaries, and seventy-seven people in Linhe Prefecture starved to death that winter."

Yang Qinghe looked at Su He and asked, "Tell me, did this official do the right thing?"

Suhe did not answer immediately.

The official in the story was young and impetuous. He would lend a hand when he saw injustice and did indeed save people, but he only saw what was in front of him.

This is exactly the mistake Su He often made when he first joined Xun Jin Si.

It also reminded him of someone.

"That official is you, Your Excellency."

"Yes."

Suhe leaned against the wall, straightened his posture, and gave his answer: "A gentleman judges by his actions."

Yang Qinghe asked, "Only based on the traces?"

"Even when discussing the traces, we must finish the discussion."

Suhe said, "That official saved one family, which is a merit; he didn't think clearly about who would take over after the granary was opened, resulting in the deaths of seventy-seven people, which is a fault; merit cannot erase fault, nor can it be said that he shouldn't have saved people at that time."

Yang Qinghe straightened her cuffs. "Not bad."

He took a folded piece of paper from his sleeve, slipped it through the gap between the wooden fences, and placed it in front of Suhe.

"have a look."

Suhe unfolded the paper.

He first looked at the content, then at the ink color and handwriting, and his gaze lingered for a moment at the signature at the bottom.

[Shen Gui]

Su He paused for a moment. He didn't ask Yang Qinghe where she got it from, but simply read it again.

Yang Qinghe asked, "If you had this letter written by the Yan Ancestor, how would you use it?"

Suhe carefully placed the book flat on her lap.

His brain started working at high speed.

If Yan Zu's handwritten letter is published now, the enemy's claim to be acting on Yan Zu's orders will be immediately dismantled.

Of the nine vassal states, not every ruler was wholeheartedly against Yan. Some were afraid of Qianhan, some coveted Yan's border territories, and others simply dared not remain in their place when they saw that other states had made their moves.

Once this letter is issued, internal strife will inevitably break out in various countries.

The Yan Kingdom's border troops will also know that this battle is not helping the Li family fight against Yan Zu.

Once the morale of the troops is stabilized, this piece of paper will already be useful.

Thinking of this, Su He gently pressed down on the corner of the paper.

not enough.

No country will back down because of just three sentences.

It could be phrased differently: Yan Zu did not issue the order, but he also did not recognize the Li family. Instead of being ordered to punish the false emperor, they were simply tasked with settling old scores for Yan Zu's usurpation.

The enemy could also claim that the letter was forged by the Yan Kingdom.

Why should people from all over the world believe a piece of paper without the seal of Yan Zu?

To verify the handwritten document, one can look for the imperial edict left by Shen Gui two hundred years ago, or ask the old minister and Yang Qinghe to personally verify it.

However, the truth of some things is not only determined by whether there is enough evidence, but also by whether the listener is willing to believe it.

This is precisely what Suhe cannot calculate right now.

If the letter is released now, the armies of the nine kingdoms are not yet fully united, and each kingdom has time to exchange proclamations, verify the authenticity of the letter, and appease its soldiers.

A letter that could dismantle the enemy's identity would only serve this purpose.

Suhe pushed it down another step.

What all countries truly feared was that Yan Zu himself stood before Hanmen Pass.

The three sentences in the handwritten note were very restrained; they neither mentioned the Li family nor said whether he would participate in the war.

The more the enemy interprets, the more suspicious they will become.

If, before the Qianhan Kingdom makes its next decision, they cannot ascertain Shen Gui's whereabouts or how many of the Yan Ancestor's relics are still hidden in the Yan Kingdom, this piece of paper can transform from a handwritten letter into a thorn in the side of the enemy army.

But using it this way creates new problems.

The soldiers of Yan Kingdom will also wait for their ancestor, Yan.

If they are convinced that Yan Zu will definitely take action, the border troops may become more emboldened, or they may quietly leave the gates they should be guarding to that legendary figure.

It was written very clearly in the handwritten note.

[Today's Yan Kingdom is guarded by its own people].

This statement, once it reaches the border, should not become a reason for everyone to wait for him with peace of mind.

But what if we keep holding it in place?

People are dying every day outside the Humble Gate Pass.

The Jiuyuan Army is currently consolidating its vassal states. Once they have established a firm foothold, they will present their written message, and they will first include the lives of the Yan Kingdom in it.

When should it be released?

Should we show it to the garrison at Hanmen Pass first, or send it to the Nine Kingdoms Army first?

Who will verify the handwriting, and what will the court say after the handwritten document is written?

If Li Youchan uses this to falsely claim that the Li family's ascension to the throne was approved by Emperor Yanzu, then even the original meaning of the handwritten letter has been altered.

Suhe thought of the capital from the border, and then of the enemy countries from the capital.

Every path leads forward, but after a few steps, you'll encounter new pitfalls.

He could see the opportune moment and the backup plan, but he couldn't calculate the hearts of the people in the four continents, nor could he dismantle the morale of the enemy army while sitting in prison.

Su He placed the letter back in front of Yang Qinghe.

"I can't answer that right now."

He paused for a moment. "This is a big deal. Could you give me a few more days to think about it?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Qinghe took back the letter and folded it exactly as it was.

Then, he gave his own assessment: "Knowing that he couldn't finish answering all the questions, he was better than many people in the court."

Suhe watched as the paper returned to its old sleeve.

He still didn't know how Yang Qinghe would use it.

Yang Qinghe already had the answer in her heart.

It would be a waste to use this piece of paper only to repel a single battle.

When it is finally revealed, the Nine Abyss Army outside Hanmen Pass will see it, the Thirteen Subordinate Countries of Dongjin will see it, and merchant ships from Zhonghunhai will carry those three sentences to other continents.

On that day, the world will know one thing.

Yan Zu has returned.

Then, taking advantage of this momentum, the Yan Kingdom wiped out the enemy army in one fell swoop.

Now we need to keep adding fuel before the momentum ignites, so that it burns fiercely and reaches the sky.

Yang Qinghe did not tell Su He any of this.

He came here tonight mainly for Suhe.

"Suhe".

"exist."

"Would you be willing to become my disciple, my last student?"

Yang Qinghe's words came as a complete surprise.

This filthy prison doesn't look like the place where a former prime minister once took in his disciples.

Moreover, these are students who are taught behind closed doors, which means that all the knowledge they have acquired in their lives will be passed on to them.

Suhe was naturally surprised. He looked at the old man standing there but did not respond immediately.

After a few breaths of fluctuating emotions, Suhe gradually understood the weight of those words.

Yang Qinghe's protégés and former subordinates are spread throughout the Six Ministries and various prefectures. If he were to become his disciple, he would no longer be just Su He from tomorrow onwards, but would also be regarded as a new generation of students of Yang's faction.

This will bring him power, and it will also bring him more attention.

Suhe also realized something: the assassinations he had encountered along the way in Wangcang were a test from the person in front of him.

No wonder the assassin's cultivation level was stuck at the Observation Realm all along the way.

Suhe didn't ask if he would die if he failed the test.

This question is meaningless.

Suhe was simply pondering why the prestigious capital city had chosen him.

Because they had similar personalities when they were younger? Because they passed several tests? Or because you understand that person better?

Yang Qinghe was also looking at Su He.

The old man did not urge him, nor did he threaten the prison or his life to force him to bow.

If Su He is unwilling, he will still find a way tonight to ensure that the young man leaves alive.

For Yang Qinghe, taking in students and rescuing a capable official were two separate matters.

But if Suhe is willing, starting tonight, he will personally teach him, personally protect him, and personally watch Suhe pay the price for the path he has chosen.

This is the true weight that the phrase "closed-door students" should carry.

After a few breaths, Suhe spoke.

Over the years, he has been moving forward alone. Some people have given him official positions, some have given him authority, and Wu Huaiyi and others are willing to risk their lives for him, but no one has ever clearly told him that he can choose his own path and that there will still be people behind him after he makes his choice.

If he prays tonight, he will have a teacher and a true protector.

Su He finally spoke, without asking Yang Qinghe why she chose her.

His question was: "Can I still do what I want to do?"

"able."

"Can we continue searching for Yan Zu?"

"nature."

Yang Qinghe said, "You are my last student. You can choose which path to take yourself. No one can interfere, not even those in the Mountain and Sea Realm."

Suhe used her uninjured hand to support herself on the ground and slowly knelt down.

The iron chains on his feet rattled twice.

He bowed and kowtowed.

"Student Suhe greets teacher."

Yang Qinghe straightened up and accepted the bow.

There was no lengthy admonition, nor did he go to help his last student.

The old man simply took the key left by the jailer, squatted down, and unlocked the iron shackles on Suhe's feet.

The iron shackles had been fastened for so long that Suhe's ankles were now covered in bloody welts.

Yang Qinghe's hands were very steady; he inserted the key and opened the lock spring in one go.

A "click" sound.

The iron shackles fell to the ground.

Remember yourself today.

Yang Qinghe patted Su He on the shoulder, then turned and walked towards the outer corridor, where the jailer was still waiting.

The Grand Secretary only said three words.

"Find the imperial physician."

The jailer readily agreed.

"Your Excellency, should we move Lord Su to a cell upstairs first?"

"Need not."

Yang Qinghe said, "Without an imperial decree, no one can be moved. The imperial physician must come in, and the best medicine must be used. The wound must be treated again tonight."

The jailer memorized all those words and immediately went to carry them out.

After leaving the prison, Yang Qinghe first returned to the Yang residence, placed Shen Gui's handwritten letter into an empty chess box, and then personally delivered it to the secret room.

If this piece of paper is not revealed to the world, then so be it. But if he were to take it out one day, it would awaken the people of the four continents even faster than a game of chess that has been played for fifty years.

Many years ago, Yang Qinghe foresaw that the Yan Kingdom, this coveted prize, would be coveted by the world.

After repeatedly confirming that His Majesty's talents were insufficient to maintain the empire, Yang Qinghe began to plan the administration of the court.

He wanted to seize absolute power and ensure the smooth operation of the Yan Kingdom without any delays, so that there would be fewer tombstones within the kingdom and more children could see their fathers.

As for how scholars would evaluate him after his death, Yang Qinghe didn't care; he had been maintaining control of the court all these years.

Until, news of Yan Zu reappeared after a century.

And the information kept increasing, even taking longer than when he went to look for it himself a hundred years ago.

Yang Qinghe added another strategy to his governance: invite Yanzu back to the country.

After talking with Shen Gui at the restaurant that day, the strategy for inviting Yan Zu back to the country changed to asking Yan Zu to take a good look at Yan Country and then return willingly.

This strategy is even given higher priority than undermining imperial power and controlling the court.

But Yang Qinghe knew that this was not something that could be done in a short time.

He doesn't have much time left and may not live to see this, so he needs to find a successor to continue this path for him.

"The road ahead is long and arduous," Yang Qinghe sighed softly as she left the secret chamber.

He changed out of his thick cloak and into a clean, dark-colored official robe.

The butler waited outside the door, holding a newly written document in his hand.

Yang Qinghe took it, looked at it once, and put it into her sleeve.

A line of text was written at the top of the document.

[Su He was promoted to the rank of Imperial Pacification Commissioner, a fourth-rank official.]

Yang Qinghe walked down the steps.

"Enter the palace."