Chapter 791: He Chunhua's Threat

"You see, the Yan Kingdom's past attempts to quell rebellions are like playing whack-a-mole. Some areas, barely reclaimed, would revolt again within two weeks," he slowly explained. "Just fighting wars isn't enough. Zhao Pan and Ke Jihai, both top generals of the Yan Kingdom, are still constrained by various factors from the rear, preventing them from achieving their ambitions."

These two were indeed loyal. When the Emperor ordered them to fight, they went to the front lines.

But despite fighting for so long, the lost territories remained unrecovered.

The more they fought, the larger the financial deficit became.

The worse the logistics, the harder it was to fight on the front lines.

This created a vicious cycle.

While he complained incessantly, He Lingchuan chuckled, "It seems Father has thought this through. Whether governing people or leading an army, one cannot be passive or dependent."

He Chunhua's worried expression cleared. "Cannot be passive or dependent? Well said!"

"Therefore," he continued, changing the subject, "I have requested the position of Governor-General of Yazhou from His Majesty, along with command over the military affairs of three prefectures."

He Lingchuan was surprised. "Father, what ambition!"

He Chunhua was originally the Governor-General of Xiazhou, but now he sought the position of Governor-General of Yazhou. Though both titles were "Governor-General," Yazhou's geographical location, material output, and strategic importance far surpassed Xiazhou's.

Not to mention, he also wanted command over the military affairs of three prefectures.

With military power, wouldn't these three prefectures effectively be under his control?

That would make him a de facto regional overlord.

His father's ambition was finally revealed. No wonder the Yan Emperor was unwilling to agree; it was like unleashing a tiger to devour wolves.

"This is also out of necessity," He Chunhua said, casually shaking an apricot branch nearby. Apricots and leaves fell into the water, attracting fish that competed for them.

Without rice grains, they still fiercely competed. "Without good governance and harmony among the people, one cannot achieve a wealthy state and a strong military."

"The first time His Majesty heard me mention it, he severely reprimanded me, and his anger hasn't subsided these past few days. Therefore," he looked at He Lingchuan, "Chuan'er, you truly are my lucky general. Because of the Rongshan Sect's loan, His Majesty will certainly reconsider."

He Lingchuan stirred the water. "Won't His Majesty send someone else to quell the rebellion?"

"He already has," He Chunhua said casually. "They were dispatched from a nearby location. I reckon results will be seen in a few days, which will be perfect for me to test the rebels' strength."

"What if they win? Does Father still have any leverage?"

"No need to worry," He Chunhua seemed optimistic. "As long as the Grand Marshal doesn't die, I'll have a role to play."

Just then, Butler Wu rushed in from the south to report, "Master, Official Wang has sent someone to invite the eldest young master, er, the Rongshan Envoy!"

The Rongshan Envoy and his party were originally staying at the guesthouse, but He Lingchuan had moved the entire contingent directly into the He Residence.

This matter would, of course, be reported to the Minister of Protocol.

He Lingchuan also shared the surname He, and now that he was staying in the He Residence, Official Wang would likely make some connections.

He Chunhua immediately straightened up. "Let's go, I'll come with you to meet Official Wang."

The father and son first went to change clothes. He Lingchuan then called for Qiu Hu, Hu Qin, and two Rongshan disciples, and they left the residence by carriage.

The Minister of Protocol's duties involved external communications and internal reporting, and his official residence was built impressively.

When the carriage arrived, Official Wang personally came to the gate to greet them. Seeing the He father and son alight together, a strange expression crossed his face.

He hadn't noticed yesterday, but now that the two He family members stood together, their facial features and contours bore some resemblance.

It was clear at a glance that they were related by blood.

Oh dear, what is this?

However, he was a seasoned official who had seen many grand occasions. In an instant, he switched to a beaming expression. "How was your rest last night, Envoy He? And Official He, why have you come as well?"

He Lingchuan observed Official Wang, who had a round face and nose, resembling a soft, fluffy white bun – a pleasing countenance.

"Good, I slept very well," he said, clearing his throat and gesturing towards He Chunhua. "To be frank, this is my father."

Even with some mental preparation, Official Wang was momentarily speechless.

He Chunhua immediately said, "The Rongshan Sect instructed him to prioritize official matters upon his arrival in the Yan capital before attending to personal ones. Thus, I only learned this morning that Chuan'er has become an envoy for the Rongshan Sect."

Official Wang silently repeated the name "He Lingchuan" to himself, then asked, "Is the Envoy Official He's... eldest son who fell into the water?"

When He Chunhua returned to the capital from Xiazhou, he arrived with the glory of successive great victories. Officials in the Yan court all knew his basic information: that he had two sons, his eldest having unfortunately drowned during the Battle of Han River last year, and his second son having gone to the Ministry of Agriculture.

However, He Chunhua's eldest son held a very low position. Although the Yan court had granted additional compensation, no one truly remembered He Lingchuan's name.

Yesterday, when Official Wang heard him introduce himself, the name sounded vaguely familiar, but he hadn't given it much thought.

Now that he finally put the pieces together, he felt it was beyond belief!

"Indeed," He Chunhua said with emotion. "This boy has a strong fate. He didn't die after falling into the water, somehow ended up at the Rongshan Sect, and now he's returned as an envoy."

Though he sighed dramatically, he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.

Official Wang immediately cupped his hands and, with a broad smile, said, "Congratulations, Official He!"

General He was already renowned and even dared to bargain with the Emperor. Now, with his son returning to the country with life-saving substantial funds, it was like adding wings to a tiger – truly remarkable.

This news had to be reported quickly.

He Lingchuan cleared his throat. "Official Wang, official matters are pressing."

Official Wang smiled. "Envoy He, please; Official He..."

Before he could finish, He Lingchuan interjected, "Official He is busy with matters today, so we can only meet again at home during dinner."

He Chunhua had intended to stay and observe the discussions between both parties. But with his eldest son speaking this way, he could only say, "Alright, then I'll trouble Official Wang to take good care of things. I'll take my leave first." With a nod to Official Wang, he boarded the carriage and departed.

Only after he was in the carriage did a cold smile play on He Chunhua's lips.

The boy dismissed him so abruptly. Was he afraid He Chunhua would interfere during the collateral review?

Official Wang, however, breathed a slight sigh of relief.

If He Chunhua had stayed, he would undoubtedly have influenced the proceedings. With that old fox from the bureaucracy present, it would have been difficult for Official Wang to operate.

Now, with only a seventeen or eighteen-year-old envoy remaining, his pressure significantly decreased.

With some effort, perhaps the agreement could be signed within these two days?

He subtly signaled to an attendant nearby, who understood and quietly withdrew to report the Rongshan Envoy's true identity to his superiors.

He Lingchuan paid no mind, leading Qiu Hu and Hu Qin as he followed Official Wang into the official residence.

They took seats at a long table and were served tea. Official Wang immediately stated, "According to our country's most recent proposal to the Rongshan Sect, the loan totals seven million taels of silver, with a two-percent monthly simple interest rate. Interest will be settled annually, and the principal repaid within five years. Failing this, the thirty-year operating and mining rights to the Yongshan Mine and Taihe Mine, the thirty-year grazing rights to the western grasslands of Haozhou, and the thirty-year transport rights to Wusong Port on the Xuyang River and Baixun Bay on the Han River will be used as collateral!"

The pleasantries had been exchanged yesterday; today, it was time for official business.

He Lingchuan could already recite the terms of the agreement backward. The Rongshan Sect had been quite reasonable; it hadn't objected to Yan Kingdom's proposed two-percent monthly simple interest rate. This calculated to an annual interest of 1.68 million.