I am the snake demon!

"What Your Highness said just now is not without reason. According to etiquette, children should indeed observe three years of mourning. However, three years is too long, so it has been shortened. Military families usually observe three months."

Wei Xuanli spoke slowly.

For civil officials, observing three years of mourning could demonstrate their integrity and make them renowned scholars.

Fame could be converted into political capital through recommendation and examination, allowing one to directly enter the imperial court as an official.

But this is not very useful for military generals.

Moreover, observing mourning is indeed very time-consuming.

Therefore, some people are nominally supposed to observe three years of mourning, but in reality, they only observe three years, or twenty-five months, before the mourning period is considered over.

After military generals, it became common practice to use months instead of years, and three months instead of three years.

Especially in border regions where etiquette and music are not prevalent.

Bai Xuan stared at Wei Xuanli expressionlessly. He knew all of this, so what?

"But the eldest princess is filial and willing to follow ancient rites to observe three years of mourning, which is only natural and a model of filial piety. She can explain the situation and submit a memorial to the emperor. The emperor is magnanimous and will surely agree to the princess's request. The so-called marriage contract will naturally be nullified. This will be a good story, and the emperor will reward the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion." Wei Xuanli suddenly shouted loudly.

Trust me, I can turn this into a beautiful story.

Upon hearing this, Bai Xuan's expression changed slightly, and he looked at Wei Xuanli with some surprise, saying, "Is that all?"

His knowledge of history is limited; aside from what he learned in school, most of his historical knowledge comes from movies, TV dramas, and short videos.

Whether these items are genuine or not is unknown.

In his understanding, however, it was a serious matter for a subject to refuse a marriage decree issued by the emperor.

So let's just take action.

But you're saying you can just write a table?

Is defying an imperial decree really that simple?

"Yes, that's reasonable and well-founded. The Holy Dynasty governs the world with filial piety, and the Grand Princess is benevolent and filial, serving as a model. The Emperor has no reason to refuse her," Wei Xuanli said.

It's not that easy.

If Bai Xuan hadn't thrown that punch, the emperor wouldn't have agreed.

After all, the North is arguably the easiest place to bully right now.

Take advantage of your misfortune; if you don't kick someone when they're down now, when will you?

But now, Wei Xuanli is certain that the emperor will agree.

The reason is simple: the capital doesn't want the northern border to actually rebel.

In the event of a real war, the powerful and influential people in the capital would certainly be victorious.

But with over 200,000 troops in the north, what price would the court have to pay to eliminate them?

Moreover, if these troops in the northern border are wiped out, who will defend against the demon race and the northern wilderness?

Where can we spare more than 200,000 troops to garrison the northern border?

It has only been a little over twenty years since the Western Shu, Southern Chu, and Northern Yan were destroyed, and those princes and grandsons of the emperor are not yet all dead.

If the imperial court goes to war with the northern border, it's hard to guarantee that these three places won't rebel.

Therefore, the opinions of the court regarding the northern border are relatively consistent, with the main approach being a conciliatory and divisive strategy.

Otherwise, Xu Yanheng wouldn't have been sent to Bingzhou.

What the imperial court wants is a complete northern border.

Even if we take a step back and assume that these soldiers in the North are to die, they should die in the war to resist foreign invasion!

Therefore, if the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion is tough, then the imperial court naturally has to be softer.

Using minimal force to achieve maximum effect—that's true political wisdom. Going to war over every little disagreement is the act of a street thug.

"Does the Holy Dynasty govern the world with filial piety?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Xuan naturally thought of Li Mi's petition. Li Mi wrote the petition because the emperor had issued an edict appointing him to an official position, which he refused. So he wrote the petition to ask the emperor to rescind the order, and he succeeded.

Am I getting excited?

No, even if you knew beforehand, you still have to beat them up.

Otherwise, one's thoughts will not be clear.

Bai Xuan glanced at Guo Mingcheng, who was still breathing. "You'll be a cripple for the rest of your life. Your father probably has more than one son. Don't blame me. Blame yourself for coming to the Northern Border and becoming my enemy."

"Yes, Your Highness is right. The Prince of Zhenbei's family is full of loyal and filial sons. Therefore, His Majesty has issued an edict to confer the title of Prince." As Wei Xuanli spoke, he directly handed the last imperial edict to Bai Xuan, skipping the formality of issuing the edict.

"In that case, I have misunderstood. But I have injured the Crown Prince of Wei with my bare hands. What should I do?" Bai Xuan asked Wei Xuanli.

What excuse should I use if I injured someone?

"This is indeed a problem, and we need Your Highness to send an envoy to apologize to Prince Wei. However, this matter is none of my concern, since Prince Wei's heir is not on the list of imperial envoys; he is merely accompanying me. As for Imperial Censor Tian, ​​he should be waking up soon." Wei Xuanli said, glancing at Tian Mingjing lying on the ground beside him.

Stop pretending to be dead, get up.

When Tian Mingjing heard that things seemed to be turning around and he didn't have to answer the question he couldn't answer, he immediately stood up, as if nothing had happened. However, he no longer had the confidence he had just displayed, and he was as quiet as a quail.

Bai Xuan nodded upon seeing this, then looked at Wei Xuanli and said, "Minister Wei, you are indeed a pillar of the nation!"

No wonder you are the chief envoy, while Tian Mingjing is only a deputy envoy.

This gap, this level.

What a talent!

If it's not an imperial envoy, then it must be a personal feud between the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion and the Prince of Wei.

It was not a feud between the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion and the Emperor.

Everything was resolved with just a few words, turning a major issue into a minor one.

"Your Highness flatters me. The late Prince Zhenbei spent thirty years on the battlefield, conquering various kingdoms, defeating Western Shu, attacking Southern Chu, defeating Northern Yan, resisting the demon race, and sweeping away the northern wilderness. His military achievements were numerous, and he protected the people. The late Emperor praised him as a pillar of the Great Zhou Dynasty, surpassing even the most famous generals of antiquity. It is truly a tragedy that he has sacrificed his life for the country. Now that I have come to the Prince's residence, I wonder if I may offer incense before His Highness's spirit?" Seeing Bai Xuan's reaction, Wei Xuanli breathed a sigh of relief.

It would be best if things could be resolved peacefully.

Needless to say, from a public perspective, the success or failure of this matter will affect whether he can advance further.

If he is taken back, no matter what the outcome, he will be a joke.

It seems unlikely that he can advance any further in this lifetime; the second rank is his limit.

But if he walks back by himself, that's a different story!

He successfully completed his mission.

After all, the most crucial of the four imperial edicts was to send Xu Yanheng to Bingzhou to split the northern border, and he succeeded.

That means I have fulfilled my mission.

Moreover, if he were forced to speak, he would no longer be the one speaking, but if he took the initiative to speak, then he would be the one answering.

The same content, presented from different angles and with different ways of speaking, can produce different results.

At this moment, he had already figured out how to explain things after returning to the capital.

The Crown Prince of Wei angered the Prince of Zhenbei. Tian Mingjing proved to be incompetent and nearly caused the mission to fail. It was Tian Mingjing who remained calm in the face of the Prince of Zhenbei's weapons and rebuked the Prince of Zhenbei. The Prince of Zhenbei was shocked and ashamed. He realized his mistake, repented, and took the initiative to submit a memorial to apologize.

It was Wei Xuanli who turned the tide, saved the crumbling empire, maintained the peace of the Great Zhou, and protected the millions of people of the Great Zhou from the suffering of war.

If he doesn't enter the Council of State Affairs, then who will?

If he doesn't become the Prime Minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty, then who will?

"Of course."

After becoming the true Prince of Zhenbei, Bai Xuan smiled and said, "If my father were still alive, he would have considered a man as outstanding as Minister Wei as a close friend."

"This is my regret," Wei Xuanli said with a regretful expression.

Bai Xuan also showed a serious expression. The two of them suddenly became like old friends who had known each other for many years, and chatted happily.

Before Wei Xuanli left, Bai Xuan casually gave him a stack of silver notes.

After leaving the Prince of Zhenbei's residence, Wei Xuanli finally breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Tian Mingjing beside him, saying, "Remember next time, when facing these military generals, use gentleness to overcome strength, and don't be forceful."

"Yes, thank you for your advice, sir." Tian Mingjing showed a look of relief at escaping death, then said, "However, since the Prince of Wei's heir is injured, I'm afraid the Prince of Wei won't let us off easily?"

"What is there to fear? Do we, the civil officials of the Great Zhou, lack integrity? How could we fear the powerful and wealthy?" Wei Xuanli said arrogantly.

Since the War of the Eight Princes, the late emperor changed the rules, and the princes of this generation have not left the capital; they are merely granted titles in name only.

What do vassal kings without fiefdoms have to fear?

Could it be that the King of Wei would dare to kill a mere minister in the capital?

The Prince of Zhenbei is the one who wants to kill!

Meanwhile, after seeing Wei Xuanli and his party off, Bai Xuan began to deal with the affairs of the Prince's Mansion. He looked at Xu Yanheng with a forced smile and said, "I haven't congratulated you on becoming the governor of Bingzhou yet. I'll have to trouble you and my elder brother with the affairs of Bingzhou from now on."

"I dare not accept such praise. It is the most joyous occasion for my royal family that my third brother has succeeded to the position of Prince of Zhenbei. I, your foolish brother, will certainly assist you with utmost loyalty and service." Xu Yanheng quickly lowered himself and dared not be arrogant.

"Brother, you've worked hard. Don't worry about going to Bingzhou. I'll take care of everything at home and won't let Aunt suffer any grievances," Bai Xuan said to Xu Yanheng with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yanheng's expression changed, and he said, "Liang and Bing are far apart. Why don't I let my mother go to Bing with me?"

"What nonsense are you talking about, brother? It's precisely because of the distance that it's not good for Aunt to travel so far. Aunt has lived in the Prince's Mansion for many years and is used to it. Do you think I'm worried that I won't take good care of Aunt?" Bai Xuan asked, feigning confusion.

Xu Yanheng's expression changed slightly, but he quickly forced a smile and said, "What are you saying, Third Brother? We're all family, how could I not believe you? Very well, Bingzhou is far away, and it's not good for Mother to travel such a long distance."

"It's good that you understand me, brother. By the way, you were able to get this position this time thanks to your connections in the court. I just gave Wei Xuanli 100,000 taels of silver. As you know, the Prince's Mansion has been rather strapped for cash in recent years. The Xu family is very wealthy, so I'll have to trouble you to make up for it for me," Bai Xuan said.

"One hundred thousand taels?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yanheng's expression changed immediately, and he stared wide-eyed at Bai Xuandao, "Third brother, this is no small sum."

That's 100,000 taels of silver!

The compensation for a common soldier who dies in battle is only ten taels of silver.

This was still in the northern border, where military discipline was good. If it were elsewhere, it would be eight taels, but the soldiers would only get five taels at most.

Moreover, he had clearly seen that the silver notes Bai Xuan gave him were so thin, at most ten thousand taels, and no more.

"That's right, but for your career, brother, it's necessary. We should save where we can and spend where we can. To be honest, you're still in mourning, so you shouldn't be holding an official position. You know, civil officials are different from us military officers. Civil officials observe three years of mourning. Now you're going to be a civil official, which is different. To ensure that you can sit securely as governor and avoid slander from petty people, this money has to be spent." Bai Xuan said to Xu Yanheng.

I'll give you one more chance to organize your thoughts.

Xu Yanheng looked at Bai Xuan, whose face practically screamed "scoundrel," took a deep breath, and forced a fawning smile, saying, "Brother is right. We should spend what we need to spend. I'll have someone deliver it to our door later."

"Then thank you very much, brother." Bai Xuan said with a smile as he left.

They sent three thousand taels and received one hundred thousand taels back; they made a profit.

Even if I leave the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion one day, I won't have to worry about not having food to eat.

Watching Bai Xuan's departing figure, Xu Yanheng clenched his fists, his eyes filled with deep resentment. That damned guy, he's good for nothing except talking, he only got lucky by being born into the right family, and now he's even trying to extort money from me.

Once I take control of Bingzhou, I'll make you pay. I'll show you that I, Xu Yanheng, am the one who truly resembles your father.

Xu Wenzheng watched coldly, a slight smile playing on his lips. If there were no further disturbances from the court, then it would be time for the three of us brothers to have some fun.