69novels Chapter 1178 When acting, one should naturally act in a comprehensive way!
Chapter 1178 When acting, one should naturally act in a comprehensive way!
“Yes.” A glint of wisdom flashed in Lü Zhi’s eyes. “Since Emperor Qing suspects that you are related to the Grandmaster and has sent Qin Ye to test you, it means that he is still observing you. In that case, why don’t we turn the tables on him? We can use Qin Ye as a lead to investigate Emperor Qing’s intentions and plans.”
Gao Yao's eyes lit up: "You mean...?"
“Make the game even more chaotic,” Lü Zhi said softly. “Li Yunrui, Emperor Qing, Chen Pingping, Qin Ye… all these people want to use you, so you can also use the conflicts between them. After all, your biggest advantage is that none of them know your true background and purpose.”
“Zhi’er, look,” his voice was calm but with a hint of coldness, “Qing Kingdom is like a sleeping giant, with the western border being its belly and the northern border its throat.”
Empress Lü Zhi slowly rose and walked to her husband's side. The candlelight danced on her delicate face, and her intelligent eyes followed Gao Yao's fingers.
“That old fox Qin Ye wants to drag me into the quagmire of the court and make me struggle in the vortex of the capital.” Gao Yao turned to look at his wife, a sharp glint in his eyes. “But I’m going to do the opposite.”
Empress Lü Zhi seemed to be deep in thought: "So you chose to leave the capital and go to the northern border?"
“That’s not all.” Gao Yao pressed his finger heavily on the northern border. “I want everyone to think that Gao Yao is just a terrified merchant who traded 200,000 dan of grain for peace. The real game will unfold where they can’t see it.”
A glimmer of understanding gradually appeared in Lü Zhi's eyes: "Feint to the east while attacking the west... no, feint to the north while attacking the west. Your show of weakness in the north is actually to cover up the operation in the west."
"Smart." Gao Yao nodded approvingly, reaching out to gently stroke his wife's cheek. "Han Xin needs a brilliant victory, but not to completely crush the state army, but to attract enough attention, yet not enough to make Emperor Qing mobilize a large army regardless of the consequences."
“This balance point is extremely difficult to grasp,” Lü Zhi said worriedly.
“That’s why Han Xin needs to personally take charge.” Gao Yao walked back to his desk and spread out a sheet of Xuan paper. “He’s not an ordinary general; he’s a military genius. He knows how to make a battle look thrilling, yet keep it perfectly within the scope of ‘local conflict.’”
Empress Lü watched as her husband wielded his brush, writing a letter to Han Xin with flowing, powerful strokes. Every word seemed to penetrate the paper, conveying an unwavering resolve.
"Husband, aren't you worried that Han Xin might misunderstand your intentions and actually fight a decisive battle?" Lü Zhi asked softly.
Gao Yao continued writing, a smile playing on his lips: "If Han Xin couldn't even grasp this basic principle, he wouldn't deserve the title of 'God of War.' Besides..."
He paused, then looked up at the night sky outside the window: "I will make it clear in the letter that this battle must be won, but not completely; it must be ruthless, but not ruthless; it must alarm the court, but not threaten the foundation of the nation."
After writing the letter, Gao Yao summoned his trusted confidant and whispered a few instructions. The man accepted the order and left, his footsteps quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor.
Lü Zhi poured Gao Yao a cup of hot tea and asked softly, "So, what are your plans for the trip to the Northern Border?"
Gao Yao took the teacup, the rising steam blurring the expression in his eyes: "Two hundred thousand dan of grain is no small amount; it's enough to attract the attention of the court. I will personally escort it, so that everyone can see how Gao Yao is 'loyal to the emperor and patriotic,' and how he 'generously contributes.'"
"But what is your real purpose?" Lü Zhi pressed.
Gao Yao put down his teacup, his gaze deep: "Chen Ping, the garrison commander of the northern border, is an interesting man. He came from a humble background and rose to his current position step by step through military merit. He is both loyal to Emperor Qing and dissatisfied with him. Such a person is worth meeting."
Empress Lü suddenly realized: "You want to plant a pawn in the northern border as well?"
“More than one.” Gao Yao smiled mysteriously. “The northern border is bitterly cold, and the garrison is always short of food and pay. What I’m sending is not just food, but also a favor. And favors are the easiest thing in the world to turn into loyalty.”
The Gao residence was bustling with activity for the next few days. Preparing 200,000 dan of grain was no small matter, but Gao Yao deliberately made the process exceptionally high-profile. Major merchants in the capital received purchasing orders from the Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce, and almost all the transport vehicles in the carriage and horse companies were rented out.
This commotion naturally did not escape the notice of the imperial court.
Inside the imperial study, Emperor Qing listened to Qin Ye's report, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest of his dragon throne.
"Did Gao Yao really raise 200,000 dan of grain and fodder to send to the northern border?" Emperor Qing's voice was unreadable.
“Absolutely true, Your Majesty,” Qin Ye replied, bowing. “Not only that, he also handed over all the accounts from his previous collaboration with the Princess to prove his innocence.”
Emperor Qing sneered: "To show innocence? Or to show weakness?"
Qin Ye cautiously replied, "In my humble opinion, both are true. Gao Yao is a man who is well-versed in the art of advancing and retreating, knowing when to be assertive and when to yield."
"Do you think he's truly bowing his head, or is he using this as a pretext for retreat?" Emperor Qing's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's.
Qin Ye pondered for a moment: "This old minister believes that Gao Yao has already understood the principle that merchants should not fight with officials after this fright. He offered up the grain and handed over the accounts simply to exchange for peace. After all, the essence of a merchant is to seek wealth, not power."
Emperor Qing nodded slightly, seemingly accepting the explanation, but a trace of doubt remained in his eyes: "Continue to keep an eye on him, especially his movements during his trip to the northern border."
"This old minister understands."
After Qin Ye withdrew, Emperor Qing stood alone by the window, gazing at the faintly visible streets of the capital beyond the palace walls. Gao Yao's actions were reasonable, even wise, but for some reason, he felt a sense of unease, as if he had overlooked something.
Meanwhile, inside the Gao residence, Lü Zhi was packing her husband's belongings.
“The northern border is cold, so bring all these thick fur coats.” Lü Zhi carefully inspected the clothes in the trunk and then took out a silver fox fur cloak. “This cloak was a gift from my father years ago. It’s extremely warm, so please make sure you take it with you, my husband.”
Gao Yao grasped his wife's hand: "I entrust everything at home to you. Especially be careful with our communications with the Western Regions."
"I understand." Lü Zhi grasped her husband's hand in return, her eyes filled with reluctance and worry. "The journey is long, my husband, please take good care of yourself."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Gao Yao gently kissed his wife's forehead. "By the time I return from the North, this game will have entered the middle stage."
Three days later, a large caravan departed from Kyoto, heading north in a grand procession. Gao Yao's carriage was not luxurious, but it was sturdy and practical. He lifted the curtain and looked back at the receding Kyoto city walls, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
He had traveled this road to the North more than once, but this time its significance was entirely different. Before, it was for business; this time, it was for strategic planning.
The caravan had been traveling for ten days and had entered the northern borderlands. The scenery gradually became desolate, with sparse vegetation and a biting wind. Gao Yao frequently got out of the caravan to inspect the situation, talking with the escorting guards and drivers to learn about the journey.