Chapter 479: Wazhen
Emperor Muwu shot upright, his expression a mix of shock and delight. "Is it true!?" he asked in disbelief.
Everyone else present was also stunned by the news and turned to look in unison.
Shen Yanchuan said, "The letter is here. I invite Your Majesty to read it."
Emperor Muwu said hurriedly, "Quick! Bring it to me!"
Eunuch Li hastily complied, scurrying over to take the letter. He then turned and knelt to present it to Emperor Muwu.
Emperor Muwu was clearly extremely excited. He reached out and snatched it, tearing it open with impatience.
The grand hall fell silent, the only sound the rustling of paper as Emperor Muwu read the letter.
Everyone looked at each other, seemingly yet to recover from the momentous news.
Jiang Zhao Yuan could hardly believe his ears. "Mu Mu Zhen’er is suing for peace? H-How is that possible?"
The Wazhen were a nomadic people who had long occupied the northern grasslands. They were skilled horsemen, belligerent, and known for their fierce and aggressive culture.
Due to a lack of resources, they frequently pillaged and plundered along the Northern Border, leading to conflicts between the two sides at regular intervals.
This was why the Northern Border was garrisoned with a massive army of two hundred thousand men—to defend the nation’s gates!
For decades, ever since the Grand Ancestor Emperor ascended the throne, the Northern Border had been plagued by Wazhen incursions, a problem that had long been a headache for Emperor Muwu.
To think that today, he would finally receive a peace overture from Mu Mu Zhen’er!
Who wouldn’t be shocked?
The Eldest Princess pondered for a moment before saying, "Mu Mu Zhen’er has a hard and unyielding personality. Has he had a sudden change of heart?"
She had crossed swords with the Wazhen people before and knew just how fearless they were.
Making them concede was as difficult as reaching for the heavens.
Jiang Zhao Yuan furrowed his brow. "There must be a trap! Your Majesty, you must reconsider!"
Emperor Muwu quickly finished the letter, his mind still reeling. He was in the middle of his thoughts when he heard Jiang Zhao Yuan’s words and grew instantly displeased. "I am capable of judging for myself."
Jiang Zhao Yuan’s heart skipped a beat as he realized his gaffe.
’Emperor Muwu hadn’t even said anything, yet he had spoken so rashly. Wasn’t that as good as saying the Emperor was a fool? That he couldn’t even tell if a peace letter was genuine or not?’
He immediately prostrated himself on the floor.
"Your Majesty is wise and will make his own judgment! This old subject has spoken out of turn!"
But these placating words carried little weight with Emperor Muwu at that moment.
He had been bedridden with illness recently, and Jiang Zhao Yuan had chosen this exact moment to request his resignation. How much loyalty could such a man truly have for him and the country?
Emperor Muwu ignored him and read the letter over and over several more times.
"This is indeed Mu Mu Zhen’er’s handwriting."
The Wazhen were nomads, and few among them were literate. Mu Mu Zhen’er, being of noble birth, had received the necessary education to be able to write this letter.
Besides, in his younger years, Emperor Muwu had clashed with Mu Mu Zhen’er more than once, so he could still recognize it.
The Eldest Princess asked, perplexed, "After fighting for so many years, why is he suddenly willing to negotiate for peace?"
Emperor Muwu handed the letter over. "See for yourself, sister."
The Eldest Princess took it. Her brows knitted slightly, then gradually smoothed out.
When she reached the end, she let out a short, scoffing laugh. "So that’s how it is."
Emperor Muwu said, "The Wazhen suffered from successive droughts this year, leaving their grasslands withered. Their cattle and sheep lack sufficient fodder. On top of that, a sudden heavy snowstorm not long ago froze many of their horses to death. Under such circumstances, it’s no wonder Mu Mu Zhen’er is desperate."
In the past, when they lacked supplies, they would simply raid the cities and towns of the Northern Border.
But this year’s situation is too dire; they’ve lost both the men and horses fit for battle.
Especially since the Northern Border has always been defended by the large army led by Shen Youyan, making it a tough opponent to begin with. With their current predicament, what’s left to fight for?
Sue for peace, swallow their pride, and at least they could get through this winter a little more easily.
The Eldest Princess was rather impressed. "I always thought that Mu Mu Zhen’er was a tough nut to crack. I never expected he’d see a day where he’d back down."
"His submission is likely temporary," Emperor Muwu said, his expression turning serious. "The man’s word is worthless. He has never been known to keep a promise. We must still be cautious."
He said this because he had suffered at his hands before.
Mu Mu Zhen’er could be described as a ruthless warlord, a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He could agree to something one moment and turn his back on it the next.
He even seized his position as leader by killing his own father during a time of chaos.
A letter from such a faithless and treacherous man truly presented a difficult choice.
Chen Songshi stroked his beard and said, "What Your Majesty says is absolutely right. Mu Mu Zhen’er cannot be easily trusted. However, he is currently preoccupied with his own troubles. For the sake of his own interests, it’s possible he genuinely seeks to negotiate peace. If we could achieve a truce, it would bring tranquility to the people of the Northern Border."
No one could endure years and years of fighting.
The soldiers risked life and limb, the common people were displaced, and peace was never within reach.
If this could be resolved peacefully, it would undoubtedly be the best and easiest option.
Emperor Muwu fell into deep thought.
No one spoke, waiting for him to make a decision.
Suddenly, Shen Yanchuan broke the silence.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble subject has received another piece of information, one that may be related to Mu Mu Zhen’er’s peace offering."
Emperor Muwu immediately said, "Speak."
Shen Yanchuan paused for a moment before speaking, enunciating each word clearly. "An informant reports that Mu Mu Zhen’er has been struck by a sudden, grave illness. The struggle between his four sons has reached a fever pitch. Mu Mu Zhen’er feels his position is precarious and, fearing his tribe will splinter and be defeated piecemeal after his death, has opted for an urgent plea for peace."
As his voice faded, a long, deathly silence fell over the vast hall.
Ye Chutang stood off to the side, her gaze still fixed three inches in front of her, as if she had heard nothing.
In her heart, however, she couldn’t help but applaud.
’Brilliant.’
’Absolutely brilliant!’
’All this time, the Young Master had kept a low profile. Everyone thought he had no intention of getting involved in this conflict and planned to stay out of it.’
’Who would have thought—this was what he was waiting for!’
’So this was the real reason Mu Mu Zhen’er sent the Peace Negotiation Book!’
’A sudden grave illness, sons fighting for the throne—didn’t that make him and Emperor Muwu brothers in misery?’
Sure enough, by the time the last word was spoken, Emperor Muwu’s expression had become impossibly grim.
He wasn’t unaware of the recent turmoil in the court, but he had been able to console himself with the thought that as long as he recovered from his illness, everything would still be under his control.
But in that moment, Shen Yanchuan’s words were like a sharp blade, viciously tearing away all pretense and laying the raw, bloody truth before his very eyes!
He had no choice but to face it!
He had no choice but to wake up!
He wasn’t dead yet, but his sons were perhaps already eagerly awaiting his death!
And those officials below him had perhaps already chosen their sides, just waiting for the moment to cheer for their new master!
A surge of furious energy rushed through Emperor Muwu, but he forcibly suppressed the intense discomfort in his chest and spoke in a low voice.
"So, you’re saying this peace letter is credible?"
Shen Yanchuan considered for a moment. "For at least a year, the Wazhen will not have the capacity to break the agreement."
That settled it!
Emperor Muwu closed his eyes. After a long while, he finally said:
"In that case... very well. Very well!"