OBS Chapter 1742: The Ambition to Unify the World and Dominate the Four Seas
Chapter 1742: The Ambition to Unify the World and Dominate the Four Seas
With Qiu Yue's help, Shen Zhinian removed her hairpins and jewelry, and wearing a silk nightgown, she leaned against the headboard.
Nangong Xuanyu sat on the edge of the bed, looking into her charming eyes in the dim light.
The discussion regarding the selection of the Junior Tutor has come to an end.
But Shen Zhinian always kept one thing in mind...
She knew that the women of the inner palace should not interfere in politics, and she also understood the suspicious nature of emperors.
Some things, whether to say them or not, and how to say them, all require careful consideration.
But Jiang Wange is different.
Given how much Nangong Xuanyu values her, the things she holds in her mind must be extraordinary. If she were truly made to serve the Xiongnu, it could shake the very foundations of the Great Zhou Dynasty…
Shen Zhinian remained silent for a moment before finally asking, "...Your Majesty, I just remembered the matter in the Northern Border today. I wonder if there is any news about that deposed Consort Jiang?"
Nangong Xuanyu's tone was slightly cold: "There is still no definite trace."
Shen Zhinian could hear the suppressed anger in those few words.
“In the northern tribes, the grasslands are vast, and it is no easy task to find someone who has hidden himself.”
Shen Zhinian carefully considered her words and said, "However... in my humble opinion, the Jiang family is, after all, the only descendant of the former Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
"The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion once held immense power and influence in the court. Although it has fallen, it is hard to guarantee that some of its former subordinates are still scattered abroad."
"I heard that Lady Jiang was also carefully raised and was not an ordinary woman."
"If such a person falls into the hands of the Xiongnu, he will ultimately become a major threat..."
Nangong Xuanyu said in a deep voice, "...I know."
"The bounty has been issued to all the tribes of the grasslands. Anyone who brings Jiang Shi to the fore will be rewarded with a large sum of money and made a marquis. I am determined to capture her!"
Shen Zhinian's heart sank suddenly.
Sure enough, the man insisted on being held alive.
She wasn't unaware of the trade-offs behind this matter.
Jiang Wange, alive, is far more valuable than the dead.
Publicly trying her and punishing her in a clear and severe manner would serve as a warning to others and would also preserve the dignity of the royal family.
But... between ideals and reality lies the vastness of the northern grasslands and the cunning of the Xiongnu royal court.
Capturing Lady Jiang is no easy task.
Reason told Shen Zhinian that she should stop there.
The emperor has already made his will clear; for her to speak further would be to overstep her bounds.
But considering that the Great Zhou might be engulfed in war again, Shen Zhinian said tactfully, "Your Majesty is far-sighted and will surely achieve your goal."
"However... this woman's opinion may be absurd..."
"Since Lady Jiang has already fled to the grasslands, the Xiongnu will surely treasure her and protect her with great care. It is extremely risky and unpredictable to venture deep into enemy territory to capture her."
"Perhaps... perhaps sometimes choosing to nip the problem in the bud is the best way to prevent future troubles!"
Without even thinking, Nangong Xuanyu said, "No way!"
"I must capture Lady Jiang alive!"
Jiang Wange's mind is not only filled with firearms formulas, but also with things that could potentially change the world's格局 (geju, a concept encompassing both political, social, and cultural aspects).
Which emperor didn't have the ambition to unify the world and dominate the four seas?
If the Great Zhou Dynasty is to truly enjoy eternal prosperity and its power extend to all corners of the world, its current military might is not enough.
What Nangong Xuanyu wants is an achievement far surpassing that of all previous emperors!
It was an absolute power that made the barbarians of all directions tremble with fear and dare not look south again!
What Jiang Wange knows might help him forge unprecedented weapons, build an invincible army, and construct an impregnable border city!
How can these things be so easily destroyed because of a momentary danger?
He had to keep Jiang Wange alive and make her spill everything she knew!
Her value as a living person is immeasurable.
Once dead, one is nothing but a useless skeleton.
He will also miss out on his grand ambitions!
Shen Zhinian listened quietly, her faint hope completely extinguished.
She understood Nangong Xuanyu's ambition.
He would never give up his obsession with capturing Jiang Wange alive.
Having said all that, Shen Zhinian could no longer persuade her.
She revealed a submissive expression and gently rested her head on Nangong Xuanyu's shoulder: "It was my oversight and lack of knowledge that led me to this situation."
"Your Majesty possesses great talent and profound wisdom; how could I possibly fathom your depths?"
"Everything will naturally be based on His Majesty's will."
Nangong Xuanyu reached out and put his arm around Shen Zhinian's shoulder, his tone softening: "These matters will be taken care of by me and my court officials."
"The most important thing for Niannian now is to take good care of her health and give birth to the imperial heir safely. She should not worry about these things anymore."
……
Xianfu Palace.
The vermilion palace gates remained closed for over a month, exuding a sense of forgotten desolation.
Consort Mei wore a light green gauze summer dress, her face somewhat pale. The dark circles under her eyes could not be concealed even with makeup.
She has been imprisoned in Xianfu Palace for more than a month!
What made Consort Mei most uneasy was the news about Consort Yue.
Consort Yue always put on an aloof demeanor, as if she didn't care about the emperor's favor at all.
When they entered the palace at the same time, Consort Mei quickly stood out from the crowd with her charming and lively personality and her deep understanding of romance.
She suppressed Consort Yue, who also had a title but a cold and aloof personality, to the point that she barely made a ripple.
His Majesty often praised Consort Mei for being interesting, saying she was much better than those wooden women.
But now?
She was confined to Xianfu Palace to reflect on her mistakes and was not even allowed to leave the palace.
Consort Yue, that hypocritical and aloof woman, is frequently chosen by the emperor!
"Why should I..."
Consort Mei bit her lower lip tightly: "I only... I only asked the Imperial Noble Consort a few words of concern, how could Your Majesty be so heartless?"
"What's so great about Consort Yue? She's always putting on airs, so boring!"
Consort Mei grew angrier the more she spoke.
She recalled her ambitions before entering the palace and her father's earnest expectations for her.
She once secretly vowed to make a name for herself in the harem and surpass her cousin!
Now, it's all a joke...
If this continues, it's really over.
His Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, and the number of beauties in the harem is endless.
Confined for a day, the emperor's favor diminishes.
Confined for a month, His Majesty might even forget that there was such a person as her in Xianfu Palace!
By the time the ban is lifted, everything will have changed, and there will be no place for her in the harem.
No!
We absolutely cannot sit idly by and wait to die!
Consort Mei called out loudly, "Han Cui!"
Hearing the sound, Han Cui, who was guarding outside the hall, felt a tightness in her chest. She forced herself to come in and asked with her head bowed, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
Consort Mei stared at her and said, "Go to Changchun Palace again and request an audience with the Noble Consort. Just say... just say that I know I was wrong, that I really know I was wrong!"
"During these days of confinement, I have reflected on my actions day and night, and deeply regret my past mistakes."
"Your Highness, please, for the sake of our sisterhood and shared lineage, do your utmost... do your utmost to say a few good words for me before His Majesty!"
"I would even rather you let me go out and kowtow to the Imperial Noble Consort to admit my mistake!"
As Consort Mei spoke, her eyes actually reddened, making her look incredibly pitiful: "Han Cui, tell the Noble Consort that if things continue like this, I... I really have no hope left..."
"The Zhuang family sent me to the palace not so that I could rot away in Xianfu Palace. My cousin... she can't just stand by and watch me die!"