Chapter 654: Secondary Communication

Translator: Atlas Studios    Editor: Atlas Studios

Information and reconnaissance were not easy, but he had patience.

If he couldn’t do it in a year, he would do it in two years, three years, four years or five years… The fragmented information was tested and confirmed several times before being perfected bit by bit.

Yu Youyao was in disbelief. “Cousin, you’re really thorough.”

He had even investigated the topographic map of the grassland. This was something that even Emperor Gaozu had not done back then. Otherwise, the north expedition would have ended quickly.

Zhou Linghuai shook his head. “The highest form of generalship is to block the enemy’s plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy’s army in the field; and the last choice is to besiege walled cities.. Since Harmon has taken the initiative to make a deal, I have the advantage in this transaction. If I can obtain the greatest benefits at the lowest price, there’s no need to make a fuss.”

At this point, he paused and continued—

“l think Harmon knows very well that with the powerful warhorses of the grassland, even if the Great Zhou Dynasty is in chaos, as long as I guard the North, they won’t dare to act rashly.”

Yu Youyao agreed deeply. “When will Cousin return from Youzhou this time?” Zhou Linghuai said, “If there are no accidents, I’ll return to the capital in July at the latest.’

It would take more than two months. Yu Youyao suppressed the reluctance in her heart. “You have to be careful. Be careful that the Northern Barbarians have ulterior motives.” She frowned and was a little worried. “Back then. The reason why the Marquis of Weining and the Marquis of Changxing were so bold to steal the military power of Youzhou was because they colluded with the Northern Barbarians and forged evidence of King Li of Zhou colluding with the enemy. The evidence passed the Northern Barbarians and was even more convincing. If Cousin gets in touch with the Northern Barbarians and news gets out…”

The Marquis of Changxing brazenly led his troops to besiege King You’s residence. This was because once the “evidence” was “searched” from King

You’s residence, the crime of colluding with the enemy would be confirmed.

It was precisely because the Princess Consort and the princess had guessed this that they did not hesitate to burn down King You’s residence.

She didn’t think Harmon could outsmart her cousin.

However, nothing was absolute.

Back then, who would have expected that the invincible God of War of the Great Zhou Dynasty would actually die under the scheme of someone?

The little girl frowned slightly. Her worry and reluctance for him were written all over her face. Zhou Linghuai’s heart trembled. “Don’t worry! Since I’ve agreed to Harmon’s request, I’ve also taken precautions against all kinds of problems. ”

Yu Youyao heaved a sigh of relief. “Cousin, return to Youzhou in peace. Don’t delay serious matters because of me.”

Her cousin had never left the capital, but after the Imperial Court conferred her the title of County Head, how could she not guess the crux of the matter?

Every year in early spring, the army in the Northern Barbarians was at its weakest. This year, there was a spring drought in the north, and without the revitalization of the rich and beautiful aquatic plants, the situation should be very serious.

The request for a deal in the Northern Barbarians must have been conveyed to her cousin long ago.

Her cousin had not returned to Youzhou because he knew about the many schemes in the palace and was worried about her. The Imperial Court had conferred her the title of County Head of Shaoyi, and it happened to be the safest time for her.

Zhou Linghuai’s lips curled up. “Don’t think too much about it. Harmon’s private message was handed to me at the beginning of April. The reason why I didn’t leave immediately isn’t entirely because of you.”

Yu Youyao did not believe it. In April, her cousin’s leg had basically recovered. He did not need to continue with the acupuncture and it would not affect his

return to Youzhou.

Zhou Linghuai could only say, “Since Harmon made a trade request, it’s impossible for me to agree rashly. First, I have to investigate clearly if the drought in the Northern Barbarians is really that serious. Only then can I control them and raise the price.”

“The Great Zhou Dynasty and the Northern Barbarians have been fighting for many years, and the hostility between the two sides is still deep. It’s not completely credible for the Northern Barbarians to take the initiative to show weakness. We also need time to arrange the necessary precautions to be safe.”

“Harmon has a favor to ask of me, and I have the advantage. I’ll leave them hanging and let them panic. When it’s time to trade, I can raise the price further and gain greater benefits.”

Of course, the overall reasons added up could not be explained one by one.

This was a psychological battle where smoke couldn’t be seen.

It was a battle of patience, strategy, and schemes.

Yu Youyao pursed her lips, feeling a little unhappy. “Really?”

Zhou Linghuai subconsciously opened his mouth, wanting to reply that it was true. However, just as he was about to say something, he saw that the smile on the little girl’s face had disappeared. She looked at him without blinking, and he subconsciously sat up straight. For some reason, he felt the need to survive this so he changed his words. “The main reason is that I’m still worried about you.”

This wasn’t a lie. A large reason was because he was worried about her.

The little girl smiled and repeated, “Really?”

Zhou Linghuai heaved a sigh of relief for no reason and nodded affirmatively. “Really.”

At this moment, he also realized—

If he answered that the reason was solely Yu Youyao, she would feel that she had interfered in his business and feel uneasy and worried.

If he hadn’t answered that the reason was solely because of Yu Youyao, she would have thought that in his heart, these miscellaneous reasons were more important than worrying about her.

Just like this, part of it was because he had schemed for other reasons, and most of it was because he was worried about her.

It would neither make her feel that she had delayed his serious business, nor that these so-called serious matters were more important than worrying about her.

It was just right!

Only villains and women were difficult to raise. The ancients were right.

Zhou Linghuai sighed in his heart and felt that he had to add, “The time isn’t right this time. I’ll bring you along the next time I return to Youzhou.”

Indeed!

Yu Youyao’s voice was sweet and soft. “Brother Jingzhi, don’t worry about me.

I’ll wait for you.”

This time, Zhou Linghuai was really relieved. “You’ve been conferred the title of County Head of Shaoyi. Your current situation is considered safe, but you have to be careful. Soon, the palace will be in chaos.”

Yu Youyao’s eyes widened. “The palace?”

“Yes.” Zhou Linghuai nodded, his smile deepening. “The emperor’s dragon body doesn’t have much time left.”

Yu Youyao’s heart skipped a beat. The first thing she thought of was Concubine Lan, who had just come out of the Cold Palace, and Concubine Xu, who was in the Forbidden Palace.

She couldn’t help but ask, “l heard that taking Jinshi medicinal pills all year round can cause one to be in a daze?”

Zhou Linghuai said meaningfully, “Not only that, but it will also cause people to go crazy. It’s as if they’ve lost their minds. The pill poison is in the body all year round. With just a little use, it will trigger the poison in the body. Even gods won’t be able to save them.”

Her cousin’s answer undoubtedly confirmed her guess. If the emperor couldn’t stay alive, the struggle for the throne would become complicated. Yu Youyao was in a daze for a moment.

Fighting for the position of heir was not only for the supreme power, but also for their lives.

The winner takes all. There was no choice.

The calamity in the palace had been destined from the day Concubine Lu came out of the cold palace.

Actually, she should have foreseen this day, but when it really came, she was a little confused. Natural and man-made disasters were endless, and the common people were the ones who suffered.

It’s better to be a dog in a peaceful time than be a man in a chaotic period. Zhou Linghuai sighed softly. “The Great Zhou Dynasty is at its end..”

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