Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 105: The Rise of Chaos
“Young Master, a letter has arrived from Anyang.” Song Xing handed a thick letter to Li Xian; this letter was exceptionally thick, almost like a book.
Li Xian opened it and found four small envelopes inside the large envelope.
The first letter was from Xia Qingqing, just a single page, stating that everything was going well and the negotiations had concluded successfully; the dumping plan was about to launch.
The second letter was from Xu Ren, also just one page: “We’ve recruited Yan Ze’an, the prime minister of the Cai Kingdom, and one of the top generals, Yan Zhengqing.”
Li Xian was overjoyed upon reading it. “This isn’t just digging the wall; it’s like directly relocating a Great Wall! Mr. Xu is truly talented!”
Next was Yan Ze’an’s letter, which was practically a book. The letter detailed the current issues in Anyang and future developments; Yan Ze’an also sought Li Xian’s advice on industrial and commercial development strategies. Li Xian spent an entire day reading Yan Ze’an’s letter.
Finally, there was one more letter, only two pages long, a joint letter from Yan Ze’an, Yan Zhengqing, and Xu Ren, inquiring about Li Xian’s views on warfare and ideas for the future development of Anyang.
It took Li Xian five days to finish his reply.
Ad
Watching Song Xing leave, Li Xian rubbed his sore wrists. “As expected of a prime ministerial talent; all the questions he asked hit the nail on the head, many of which I hadn’t considered. Ha ha, now I can finally relax and be a hands-off manager! Hmm, let me first check on the progress of the imperial tomb over the past few days.”
The progress on the imperial tomb was excellent. With the help of gunpowder, the excavation of the mountain was particularly swift. Magic couldn’t be used in the construction of the imperial tomb, but it could be used for transporting materials. With the assistance of gunpowder and magic, the new cavern had become quite substantial in less than half a month.
The chosen location was good; the entrance’s depth had exceeded previous measurements, and they hadn’t encountered the so-called “miasma.”
After two more days of excavation, when the entrance’s depth finally fell below the ground level, Ge Zhengfeng nodded, “The depth is sufficient now. Next, we need to excavate the stone chamber and construct the underground imperial tomb.
Do you have any suggestions, Young Master Li?”
Li Xian knocked on the surrounding rock walls, “This is very hard stone; we can definitely carve out an underground royal city. Mr. Ge, how about we directly replicate the imperial city here? With the help of gunpowder, we should be able to complete it within two years!”
“Not bad, good idea! This will surely surpass all known royal tombs in Yingzhou! However, we still need the emperor’s approval and to deploy the royal craftsmen. I’ll write a letter immediately.”
Ge Zhengfeng drafted a letter and promptly sent someone to deliver it to the imperial city; the imperial tomb team was also busy continuing some basic work, like constructing stairs and so on.
When Ge Zhengfeng’s letter arrived in Wuyang, a team from the Cai Kingdom slowly entered the imperial city.
“From the Cai Kingdom, Ye Mingquan greets His Majesty of the Great Xia Kingdom. Hearing that Your Majesty has been unwell, I am sent by the Emperor to convey well wishes and present three century-old snow ginseng.”
The Emperor of the Great Xia Kingdom casually replied, “I have received your intentions. Someone, escort the envoy from the northern kingdom out of the city.”
Ad
Ye Mingquan didn’t even have time to rest before being taken out of Wuyang City, swaying back to the Cai Kingdom; during his return journey, he moved slowly, using the opportunity to investigate the state of the Great Xia Kingdom. Though officially an envoy, Ye Mingquan was effectively an open spy.
After Ye Mingquan left, the Emperor saw the joint petition from Li Xian and Ge Zhengfeng. Upon seeing that the construction of the imperial tomb was proceeding so smoothly, the Emperor was immediately delighted and appointed Sikong Chen Guodong to lead five thousand royal craftsmen to rush to Yunding Mountain to construct the imperial tomb.
The addition of five thousand royal craftsmen accelerated the construction of the imperial tomb; however, Li Xian had firmly decided that the imperial tomb must be constructed over two years. If the construction took less than two years or if the Emperor did not pass away, they would just keep expanding it!
As mentioned before, the construction of the imperial tomb was essentially a means of protection for the Li family. As long as Li Xian continued to construct the imperial tomb, others would not dare to target the Li family—this meant they wouldn’t target the Li family, not that they wouldn’t target Anyang or other places.
However, Li Xian indeed needed these two years for adjustments; Anyang and the Brilliant Star Group required this time to adapt, and Li Liang needed time to organize Kaiping County.
While the imperial tomb was under construction, all the finances were being invested by Li Xian. A large number of specially made colorful lanterns were sent into the imperial tomb, along with exquisite decorations, which were also being continuously delivered. The construction and decoration were proceeding simultaneously. Li Xian had no idea what the imperial tomb would look like two years later.
As for Ye Mingquan, after swaying his way back to the Cai Kingdom, he immediately headed to the royal palace. “Your Majesty, this is what I have seen and heard in the southern country.”
Ye Mingquan had conducted a meticulous investigation, presenting the Emperor of the Cai Kingdom with a report resembling a book.
“There’s so much. My minister, please summarize for us,” the Emperor said.
“Certainly. Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Xia Kingdom is in a state of decline; I estimate he has at most three years left.
Ad
Furthermore, since the last failed northern expedition, the Great Xia Kingdom has been virtually non-existent. Local powers are fragmenting, governance is chaotic, and the Emperor’s decrees are not being followed. There are frequent wars among warlords, plundering, and the people are suffering. Many places are almost openly sidelining the court officials.
Lastly, an ideology called ‘Revitalizing the nation through commerce and industry’ has begun to spread in the Great Xia Kingdom, with local warlords competing in business, and products from Anyang are thriving.”
“Anyang?” The Emperor of the Cai Kingdom seemed deep in thought.
Suddenly, a guard came to report: “Your Majesty, there is news from Anyang.”
“Present it.”
The guard presented the memorial, and after reading it, the Emperor of the Cai Kingdom became furious. “Anyang, what audacity!”
The officials around him were astonished; what had happened to make the Emperor so enraged?
“Ye Mingquan, read it aloud!”
Ye Mingquan took the memorial and was stunned as well. “Not only did Anyang not execute Yan Ze’an and his family, but they have instead appointed Yan Ze’an and Yan Zhengqing to significant positions.”
In an instant, the expressions of the Cai officials varied widely—some were angry, some delighted, some indifferent, some smirking, some mocking, and others were clearly just enjoying the spectacle.
“Ye Mingquan, you must go to Anyang and demand an explanation. Anyang must give me an answer!”
Ye Mingquan was about to withdraw when suddenly another guard came to report that there was a letter from Anyang.
When it was presented, it turned out to be a letter from Yan Ze’an addressed to the Emperor of the Cai Kingdom. After reading the letter, the Emperor was even more enraged, beside himself with fury! Yan Ze’an’s message was clear— the Yan family of the past was gone! The old Yan family had perished! From now on, they would no longer be the Yan family of the Cai Kingdom, but the Yan family of Anyang!
“This is outrageous! This is outrageous!” The Emperor of the Cai Kingdom was pacing furiously, unsure of how to proceed.
The prime minister, Huang Fu, stepped forward. “Your Majesty, according to our agreements and oaths, we cannot attack the Great Xia Kingdom directly, but we can support internal strife within the Great Xia! Since Anyang has broken faith, we can use subterfuge!”
“Exactly!” The Emperor’s eyes brightened as he immediately opened a map and studied it for a long time. He then ordered, “Announce to the world that our previous attack on Anyang and our invasion of the southern country were incited by the Kong family.
Additionally, we will secretly contact the Lüliang County to the south of Anyang and Zhongshan County to the southwest. We can provide covert assistance to encourage them to attack Anyang.”