The Southeast Province ranked third among the eleven provinces of the Furious Wave Kingdom.
Apart from Tianshui City and Linhai City, the Southeast Province was also home to two other feudal lords, namely Ironwood City and Qichi City. These two feudal lords possessed considerably smaller forces, with territories of merely two hundred li and populations of just over one hundred thousand subjects.
In addition to the four feudal lords, the Southeast Province contained six commanderies, totalling approximately two hundred thousand square kilometres. The six commanderies combined with the territories of the four feudal lords gave the entire Southeast Province a population of nine million.
To thoroughly govern the Southeast Province, a single decree would certainly be insufficient.
The military obstacles were not significant, because during the previous campaign to destroy Suo, Qi Wei had mobilised all the troops of the Southeast Province at once. Of the one hundred and fifty thousand strong army, over one hundred thousand had been killed or wounded, and more than forty thousand had been captured.
Nowadays, the troops of the Southeast Province and the majority of its military officers had either died in battle or been taken prisoner. They had been wiped clean.
The crucial factor was the local officials, led by the six commandery governors. They were the most direct rulers of the Southeast Province.
Qi Wei had been in the Southeast Province for eight years. From top to bottom, they were all his people. It had certainly been managed as tightly as an iron barrel. By normal means, it would be completely impossible for Suo Lun to seize control of the entire province in the shortest possible time.
The total number of officials, great and small, throughout the Southeast Province exceeded ten thousand. If Suo Lun wished to thoroughly reorganise and sort everything out, several years might not even suffice.
But if he did not follow normal means, the entire Furious Wave Kingdom was watching Suo Lun at this moment.
Because of this great victory, many nobles and feudal lords had already begun to waver and sit on the fence, waiting to see who offered the better price. If Suo Lun offended too many people, he would only push these forces towards Qi Li.
…
Gui Xingfu remained kneeling prostrate upon the ground, his respectfulness absolute.
“Gui Xingfu, how many officials are there in total in the Southeast Province?” Suo Lun asked.
Gui Xingfu replied, “Those registered in the records number over twelve thousand.”
Suo Lun asked, “Are they all people of Qi Li and Qi Wei?”
“Yes,” Gui Xingfu said. “The former Chuyun Commandery Governor Zuo Daojin was a man of Duke Qi Ting. However, later due to the chaotic stone salt fields, he was stripped of his official post and imprisoned, sent to the royal capital. Therefore, at this moment, the officials of the entire Southeast Province are half the people of Qi Wei, and half the people of Prime Minister Yan Wuqi.”
“Yan Wuqi’s influence in the Southeast Province is that great?” Suo Lun asked.
Gui Xingfu said, “Of the six commandery governors, three are his disciples, one is his nephew, and the chief secretary of the governor’s mansion is his own younger brother.”
Suo Lun frowned. “No wonder Yan Wuqi is so arrogant. His power and influence are suffocating!”
Gui Xingfu said, “Ever since His Majesty the King fell gravely ill and could no longer govern, Qi Li, Tu Lingtuo, and Yan Wuqi joined forces to completely monopolise the kingdom’s court politics. Of the eleven provinces of the Furious Wave Kingdom, I fear that half the officials originate from the Yan Clique. It is no longer merely a case of suffocating power and influence, but of blotting out the sky and covering the sun.”
Suo Lun’s brows furrowed. He had truly underestimated this kingdom prime minister, Yan Wuqi.
Originally, he had only fixed his gaze upon Qi Wei and Tu Lingtuo, believing that the civil official faction would not amount to much in this great struggle. He had not expected that the power Yan Wuqi held in his hands was in no way inferior to Tu Lingtuo’s.
Qi Li was the sovereign lord, but after all, he had come to power halfway, lacking a foundation.
The reason he had become the kingdom’s crown prince was due to the support of Tu Lingtuo, Qi Wei, Gui Xingfu, Yan Wuqi, and others.
And it was Tu Lingtuo, Yan Wuqi, and the like who were the true holders of power.
Gui Xingfu continued, “The Yan Clique has not only inserted its hand into the provinces, commanderies, and counties, but has also begun to encroach upon the territories of the various feudal lords. Yan Tingyi, the inner secretary of my Linhai City, is one such example.”
Suo Lun closed his eyes and entered into contemplation. He did not have that much time to expend on the political affairs of the Southeast Province. To thoroughly seize control of the entire province in the shortest possible time, the maximum time left to him was two or three months.
“Gui Xingfu, what should I do if I wish to seize control of the entire Southeast Province in the shortest possible time?” Suo Lun asked.
Gui Xingfu said, “The key lies in one person. If you secure him, you will have seized control of the greater part of the Southeast Province.”
“Who?” Suo Lun asked.
“Yan Wuzhi!” Gui Xingfu said. “This man is the younger brother of Yan Wuqi, chief secretary of the Southeast Province governor’s mansion. He is second to one and above ten thousand. Qi Wei is a royal duke who normally placed greater emphasis on military affairs, so the majority of political matters were delegated to Yan Wuzhi. After Duke Qi Wei’s death, the six commandery officials of the Southeast Province will certainly look to Yan Wuzhi as their leader. As long as you gain his support, you will be able to seize control of the Southeast Province in the shortest possible time.”
Suo Lun fell into deep thought.
Gui Xingfu continued, “Although you killed Yan Tingyi, delivering a resounding slap to Yan Wuqi’s face. But if the benefits are sufficient, what is a mere Yan Tingyi? Your great victory in this war against Qi Li has caused the nobles and feudal lords throughout the realm to sit on the fence and observe. No family would place all their eggs in one basket, and Prime Minister Yan Wuqi is no exception. Perhaps at this very moment, he is racking his brains trying to repair relations with you and invest in your future.”
Suo Lun’s need for the Southeast Province stemmed more from military necessity, followed by political necessity. As for the mere annual tax revenue of over one hundred thousand gold coins, he had not paid it much attention.
Therefore, if Yan Wuzhi was willing to pledge allegiance, he would not mind wholly accepting the existing officials of the Furious Wave Province.
After contemplating for a full quarter of an hour, he said, “Very well, I shall give him an opportunity. You shall go to speak with Yan Wuzhi in person. If he is willing to pledge allegiance to me, I can let bygones be bygones and continue to appoint him as chief secretary of the governor’s mansion, wholly accepting the officials of the Southeast Province.”
Gui Xingfu said with delight, “As you command!”
Suo Lun said, “I give you five days. After five days, if Yan Wuzhi and all the officials of the Furious Wave Province do not kneel in allegiance, then I shall have but one method. That is to let the compliant prosper and the rebellious perish, even if the Southeast Province must be drenched in rivers of blood.”
Gui Xingfu was startled and said, “You must not! You now face the most favourable situation. The feudal lords, nobles, and even the Yan Clique are all sitting on the fence and observing. If you commence a massacre, it would be equivalent to completely offending the entire kingdom’s upper echelons. On the contrary, it would once again push them towards Qi Li’s side.”
Suo Lun did not explain. He let out a cold laugh and said, “Five days. I have never been a patient man.”
Gui Xingfu kowtowed heavily and said, “This old servant shall exert himself to the utmost.”
Suo Lun clapped his hands. Instantly, a Shadow Pavilion warrior entered and presented a medicinal pill.
“This is a rare poison. The only antidote is in my possession. Swallow it,” Suo Lun said.
Gui Xingfu stepped forward, picked up the poison pill and swallowed it, then kowtowed once more and said, “This old servant shall exert himself to the utmost.”
Suo Lun said, “Gui Xingfu, I shall speak the ugly words first. My father Suo Long’s death was indirectly caused by you, so I shall only ever use you, never employ you. Once my use for you is complete, I shall cast you aside. The best outcome for the rest of your life is lifelong imprisonment.”
Gui Xingfu kowtowed heavily and said, “This old servant understands!”
“You may go,” Suo Lun said. “Five days. If Yan Wuzhi and the bureaucratic clique of the Southeast Province do not surrender and pledge allegiance, I shall commence a massacre. My time is precious. I shall not waste great swathes of it upon them.”
“This old servant obeys.” Gui Xingfu bowed respectfully.
Half an hour later, several dozen Shadow Pavilion experts, over a hundred warriors, and two thousand soldiers escorted Gui Xingfu as he departed Tianshui City for Donghai City, the capital of the Southeast Province.
…
Inside a quiet room of the Tianshui City Lord’s mansion.
Suo Lun gazed almost brazenly at Fu Lingxi’s face.
“Why look at me thus?” Fu Lingxi said with a gentle smile. “Your little wife is far more beautiful than your mother.”
Suo Lun’s gaze contracted slightly. “Your face, has it been altered?”
Fu Lingxi was startled, then nodded. “Your eyes are truly sharp. For certain reasons, my face has been corrected.”
Suo Lun said, “Was your original face very similar to elder sister Ning Bing’s?”
Fu Lingxi said, “Very similar, extremely similar.”
Suo Lun said, “Why was it corrected? When was it corrected?”
Fu Lingxi said, “To infiltrate Ashi Luo’s side, so my face was corrected.”
“Not necessarily,” Suo Lun said coldly, but did not pursue the matter further.
Fu Lingxi’s gaze softened, and she also did not speak.
Suo Lun said again, “Speak. Why have you come to Tianshui City?”
Fu Lingxi said, “If I said it was because I missed you all too much, and so came to Tianshui City, you would probably throw me out.”
Suo Lun nodded.
Fu Lingxi said, “I represent the family, coming to apologise to you and beg for your forgiveness!”
Suo Lun said, “Because of that fool Fu Qi?”
“Not only because of Fu Qi, but also because of me,” Fu Lingxi said.
Suo Lun said, “As a judge of the Dragon God Temple’s Tribunal, you are a person beyond the secular world. How is it you still concern yourself with family trivialities?”
Fu Lingxi said, “After all, I was born of the Fu Clan. I can never sever that connection.”
Suo Lun said, “You find it difficult to sever ties with the Fu Clan, yet severing ties with the Suo Clan was quite easy!”
A sorrowful expression appeared upon Fu Lingxi’s devastatingly beautiful face. She said softly, “Suo Lun, Mother knows she has no qualification to receive your forgiveness. But you must truly believe me. There has not been a single day when I have not thought of you and your sister. After all, you are flesh that fell from my own body.”
Suo Lun remained unmoved. “Then may I ask, in your heart, is your faith more important, or your own flesh and blood?”
Fu Lingxi trembled. Instantly, she seemed on the verge of weeping, unable to speak.
“Cannot bring yourself to say it,” Suo Lun sneered. “In your heart, the Dragon God Temple is more important, so you could abandon your family and children. You also know that such words, once spoken, are too inhuman to utter, and are too ashamed to open your mouth.”
Instantly, Fu Lingxi could no longer control herself. Tears fell like pear blossoms in the rain, like pearls from a broken string.
Suo Lun said, “Actually, I am not the slightest bit surprised. Because you people of the Dragon God Temple are all thus inhuman. Ashi Liren’s former husband Yan Ping was like this, and you, Fu Lingxi, are also like this.”
At these words, Fu Lingxi immediately rushed forward, her jade hand covering Suo Lun’s mouth. “My son, you may curse your mother however you wish. It is all my just deserts. But you must not show disrespect to the Dragon God Temple. If it falls into others’ ears, it will bring calamity upon you.”
Suo Lun let out a cold laugh. “I fear that in your heart, verbal attacks upon the Dragon God Temple are also a taboo.”
Fu Lingxi wept as she embraced Suo Lun in her arms. “However angry you are, it is only right. To atone for my sins these many years, I shall remain at home for five years. Within these five years, I shall strive to be a good mother. After five years, I shall return to the Dragon God Temple.”
“No…” Suo Lun said. “You said you are a guest. For a guest to stay ten days or half a month would already be remarkable. So you had best leave Tianshui City sooner, lest both sides be embarrassed.”
Fu Lingxi said tremulously, “Suo Lun, are you driving me away?”
“Yes,” Suo Lun said. “Yesterday, when I held my small wedding with Gui Qinshao, elder sister said it would be more complete with you present. I could not bear to break her heart. But in truth, both elder sister and I have grown up. We no longer need you. So… you had best depart.”
Then, Suo Lun continued, “Also, please convey to Count Fu E that from a political standpoint, if he wishes to receive my forgiveness, he must come to Tianshui City in person to apologise. Otherwise, there is nothing more to discuss!”
…
A day and a night later!
Gui Xingfu, as Suo Lun’s special envoy, entered Donghai City, the capital of the Southeast Province.
Then, Gui Xingfu entered the interior of the Southeast Province governor’s mansion.
Inside a secret chamber, Gui Xingfu met the second most powerful man of the Southeast Province, the younger brother of Prime Minister Yan Wuqi, chief secretary of the governor’s mansion, Yan Wuzhi.
Gui Xingfu performed his salutations with meticulous precision. “Special envoy of Count Suo Lun, Gui Xingfu, pays respects to Lord Chief Secretary.”
Chief Secretary Yan Wuzhi gazed at Gui Xingfu with a strange look in his eyes. “Count Gui Xingfu has come to see me. For what purpose?”
Gui Xingfu said, “I have come to deliver to Lord Chief Secretary a fortune, a heaven-shaking fortune! Please dismiss those around us. I have a matter of supreme secrecy to discuss!”
Yan Wuzhi said, “It happens that I, too, have someone here whom I wish you to meet!”
Then, Yan Wuzhi clapped his hands.
Instantly, a figure emerged from behind the door, directly kneeling before Gui Xingfu and saying, “Your son-in-law Ling Ao pays respects to Father-in-law!”
Gui Xingfu was startled, staring at Ling Ao in disbelief. How had he appeared here?
Ling Ao said respectfully, “Father-in-law, His Highness Qi Li asked me to bring you a message. Everything you have done was forced upon you by Suo Lun. As long as you are willing to mend your ways and return to righteousness, he can let bygones be bygones regarding your previous actions!”