Chapter 338: Your Rising Power Threatens the Sovereign, Growing More Dangerous!
In a particular cell, it was where the Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong of Great Xia was imprisoned. At this moment, the Crown Prince was standing in front of a writing desk, meticulously practicing calligraphy, engrossed in the elegant activity.
Seeing Lin Beifan enter, he gave a faint smile, “Lord Lin, how come you have time to visit? No, I should address you as Prime Minister Lin now.”
Lin Beifan arched his hand with a smile, “Greetings, Your Highness. I’ve only been appointed Prime Minister for a few days, yet you’re already aware. You’ve been confined here all this time. How did you come to know?”
“Isn’t it simple?” Xia Tianqiong smiled, “Although I’m imprisoned here, I’ve not been mistreated. You’ve ensured that I’m provided for in terms of food, clothing, and other necessities. I’ve managed to eavesdrop on the palace attendants, so naturally, there’s nothing they don’t talk about. But I would like to request that you not punish them, Lord Lin.”
“As long as they don’t cross any ethical lines, I can’t be bothered with them,” Lin Beifan said.
Xia Tianqiong put down his brush and, with an air of nobility, walked up to Lin Beifan, saying with a smile, “It’s quite rare for Prime Minister Lin to have time to come visit. I’m delighted. Shall we have a drink?”
“The hospitality of Your Highness is too gracious. I wouldn’t dare to refuse,” Lin Beifan replied.
After a cup of tea’s time, Lin Beifan had entered the cell.
Before them was a small table with wine and snacks. As they drank and chatted, their laughter echoed.
Xia Tianqiong sipped his wine and sighed, “To be honest, drinking is much better when shared. I used to drink alone and talk to myself in here, which became rather dull!”
Lin Beifan chuckled, “You can invite the palace attendants to join you for a drink.”
Xia Tianqiong shook his head lightly, smiling, “As the saying goes, ‘A toast to true friends’. Finding a kindred spirit is key to enjoying alcohol! Otherwise, it’s like playing the lute to a cow or feeding peonies to a bull—missing an essential flavor!”
“I hold the world in my heart, while those attendants only focus on the prison and city matters. We truly lack common ground. I don’t understand what they talk about, and they lack interest in my affairs. We’re like oil and water. It’s better not to drink with them,” he explained.
Lin Beifan nodded, “Your Highness’s words are wise.”
Xia Tianqiong suddenly opened his folding fan with a snap, pointing it at Lin Beifan, “Even in this heart of the imperial capital, only you, Lord Lin… can truly be called my confidant!”
Shaking his head, Lin Beifan humbly responded, “Your Highness, you’re giving me too much credit.”
“Not at all. I trust my intuition,” Xia Tianqiong’s gaze was intense as he looked at Lin Beifan, “I’ve heard that when I was about to leave Dedain after traveling there, it was you who strongly suggested to the court that I be kept, as I posed a threat to Great Wu and could spark war.”
“If, at that time, the Great Wu court had heeded your advice, there might not have been the later Battle of Hulao Pass! So, among the entire realm of Great Wu, you’re the one who understands me the best. You are my confidant.”
Lin Beifan responded, “But we are still adversaries.”
“Actually, we can’t even be considered enemies, just serving different masters,” Xia Tianqiong smiled, “Look at us now. With no conflicting interests, we can sit down and have a drink and a chat, can’t we?”
Lin Beifan nodded and chuckled, “Indeed.”
“That’s how it should be! There’s no grudge between you and me, it’s only due to our countries’ stances that we stand opposed. Even now, I still greatly admire you. It would have been so much better if you were a Great Xia native,” Xia Tianqiong said with a hint of regret.
Lin Beifan poured a cup of wine for Xia Tianqiong, “Your Highness, even if I were a Great Xia native, I wouldn’t serve you. You see, talent needs a suitable environment to grow, like a mandarin orange from the south or a bitter orange from the north. In Great Xia, I wouldn’t be able to fully utilize my abilities. It simply lacks what I desire. It’s only in Great Wu that I can thrive like a fish in water.”
Xia Tianqiong opened his hand and smiled, “Just after wealth, aren’t you? If you were to accompany me to Great Xia, you could be as greedy as you want, have whatever you desire, and I would comply with it all!”
Lin Beifan chuckled, “Your Highness, even now you want to recruit me?”
“Of course! I’ve realized by now that you’re not merely talented; you’re a once-in-a-millennium prodigy, a rare genius!” Xia Tianqiong praised loudly. “Since you became the Prefect of Dedian, the people live and work in peace, enjoying prosperity.”
“You led troops into battle: against Great Xia’s 800,000 troops to the east, pressing down on Prince of Southern Jiang with 500,000 forces to the south, facing the combined million troops of Wuxi and Dayue in the west, and dealing with the chaotic rebel army in Northern Hebei. In all four battles, you achieved a complete victory, making it an impressive feat!”
“With only you, you’re worth more than a thousand soldiers. Having you alone can stabilize our nation!”
Xia Tianqiong extended another heartfelt invitation, “Lord Lin, as long as you follow me to Great Xia in the future, the position of Prime Minister will surely be yours! Furthermore, even the title of an exceptional ruler isn’t out of the question. In short, everything you possess in Great Wu will be given to you, and even more!”
Lin Beifan smiled, “But I’m a corrupt official and treacherous minister.”
“But your corruption is moderate, and your treachery is reasonable,” Xia Tianqiong immediately continued, “Over these days, I’ve thought and observed. I found that you only target corrupt officials and lawbreakers, never offending the common people in the slightest. In fact, you treat them very well. Because of you, the citizens of the capital are able to lead better lives. Legally speaking, you are a corrupt official, but in terms of character, you are an outstanding official.”
“You became a treacherous minister because in a corrupt environment, loyal ministers can’t survive. You have to be more treacherous and greedy than they are to endure. And that’s the truth.”
Lin Beifan added, “But I’ve arrested you, imprisoned you, taken away your freedom, and your dignity. I’ve plunged Great Xia into turmoil. Don’t you resent me for that?”
“At the beginning, I did resent you. But upon reflection, I realize I greatly underestimated you, leading to this situation,” Xia Tianqiong said with a bitter smile, “I was mistaken, I’m guilty! But what’s done is done, there’s no way to change it. We should focus on the future. For the future, I need you.”
Lin Beifan and Xia Tianqiong clinked their cups, and he said with a smile, “Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness. I am truly unworthy. Your Highness, do you know which aspect of you I admire the most?”
“Which aspect?” Xia Tianqiong asked.
“I admire your tolerance for others the most! Even though I am your enemy, causing you to become a prisoner and Great Xia to sink into a quagmire from which it can’t escape, you can still accept me, and even recruit me to serve you.”
“I admire your self-reflection the most! Always introspecting, making improvements when necessary and changes when required!”
“I admire your approach to handling matters the most! Even within these prison walls, you remain calm and collected, not becoming despondent or overly joyful over personal matters or worldly affairs.”
“All of these… are qualities a wise ruler should possess!”
Lin Beifan laughed, “No wonder when you were in Great Xia, your position was as unshakable as Mount Tai. No one could move you! Even now, though captured by Great Wu, the entire nation is mobilized to rescue you because you are worth it.”
Xia Tianqiong was delighted, “So, are you willing to follow me?”
Lin Beifan replied, “I am a corrupt official, and you are a just ruler; our paths don’t align.”
Xia Tianqiong unwillingly said, “I won’t give up on you.”
Shaking his head, Lin Beifan continued, “Regardless of whether you give up or not, I am already a subject of Great Wu. As they say, a loyal minister serves only one master. Changing allegiances is something I cannot do. Besides, the Empress treats me well, and betraying her is something I can’t do.”
“Although a loyal minister serves only one master, a virtuous bird chooses its tree wisely.”
As he poured wine, Xia Tianqiong smiled, “Honestly, Lord Lin, although you’ve climbed high, you’re becoming increasingly dangerous.”
Lin Beifan asked, “How so?”
“Because when one’s achievements are too great, it shakes the ruler’s authority.”
Word by word, Xia Tianqiong said, “Your abilities are too strong, your contributions too significant. The Empress is muddled and incapable, unable to control you at all. Emperors are envious, and women are envious. When these two factors combine, sooner or later, you’ll become a thorn in the Empress’s side and a constant annoyance. Right now, you may still be at peace, but what about in the future? Can you remain peaceful then?”
“Furthermore, you’ve offended all the civil and military officials once again!” Xia Tianqiong continued to pour wine, his tone sly, “I heard you seized their properties again? Confiscated quite a bit of silver and gold?”
Lin Beifan answered plainly, “Correct, I just confiscated their properties. I seized over 40 million taels of gold, silver, and jewelry, all of which were sent to my residence.”
Xia Tianqiong’s hand holding the wine glass trembled.
This guy’s methods are truly ruthless!
To be able to confiscate 40 million taels of gold and silver jewelry, truly offending all the civil and military officials!
There’s no room for compromise at all!
Xia Tianqiong said helplessly, “So, with such deep-rooted enmity, when you face trouble, they won’t possibly help you. It’s safe to say that in the court, you’re isolated and unsupported.”
“Due to the label of corruption, even though you’ve done many good deeds, the common people won’t accept you. If you encounter difficulties, they might even cheer in celebration!”
“Therefore, your fate relies entirely on the Empress’s mood. She can favor and reward you because she needs you!”
“But now, the entire court, civil and military officials, are under her control. The three major rebel kings are all imprisoned. Great Wu is united, its power felt throughout the land. She doesn’t really need you that much anymore. What do you think she’ll do? Would she allow someone who holds so much power to wander freely in front of her?”
“Who knows, perhaps one day, if you make a mistake, in order to pacify public anger, she’ll directly push you out to take the blame and have you executed! Such things aren’t uncommon!”
Looking at Lin Beifan’s silent expression, Xia Tianqiong thought he had gotten through to him. Feeling pleased, he continued, “So, why not leave yourself a way out? I’m always here to welcome you.”
“Your Highness, you make a lot of sense. I am indeed becoming increasingly dangerous now! However, that’s a matter for the future! What will happen in the future, we’ll see then! Maybe by the time she wants to chop off my head, I’ll have already slipped away!” Lin Beifan stood up, saying, “Thank you very much, Your Highness, for valuing me. However, it’s getting late, and I need to attend to official matters. I’ll come back to chat with Your Highness on another day.”
Xia Tianqiong also stood up, smiling, “Visit often, and I’ll treat you to fine wine!”
“Thank you, Your Highness. Farewell!” Lin Beifan left the prison.
As he walked, he muttered to himself, “A truly interesting prince. Even now, he wants to recruit me. But he’ll never know how many escape routes I’ve left behind. Even if Great Wu, I’ll be fine!”
