Chapter 125: The Talent of a Military Advisor, Comparable to the Ancient Saint of War!
Meanwhile, Lin Beifan was busy counting his gains.
“After bluffing for half an hour, I gained 1 million taels. How satisfying!”
He looked up and saw a familiar figure.
Bai Guanyin gazed at Lin Beifan and softly remarked, “You even colluded with the escaped princess of the Slanted Moon Dynasty, providing her with advice and strategies for planning in the Wuxi region. Your audacity is truly growing!”
“There’s no choice, just trying to make a living!” Lin Beifan spread his hands.
Bai Guanyin’s mouth twitched.
Trying to make a living?
Who is like you, opening your mouth and grabbing millions of taels at a time? And you call that just trying to make a living?
She had seen many corrupt officials, but she had never seen someone so adept at making money!
Bai Guanyin’s expression became complicated. “Colluding with the princess of the outer court, it seems… you plan to betray the Empress!”
Lin Beifan became a little angry. “Bai Guanyin, don’t slander me! I have the bare minimum of morals and conscience. The Empress has been so good to me, how could I betray her?”
Bai Guanyin retorted angrily, “You don’t? You have already introduced foreign invaders to split the imperial court. Isn’t that considered betrayal? This situation is far more serious than the crimes you have committed in the past!”
“I did this for Her Majesty and for the Great Wu!” Lin Beifan justified confidently.
“Huh?” Bai Guanyin was dumbfounded.
You’ve already caused a split, and yet you boldly claim it’s for Her Majesty and for the Great Wu…
How shameless can you get?
A person can be shameless, but not shameless to this extent!
“Think about it, ever since Duke Wuxi took control of the Wuxi region, he has become a major threat to the Empress and the court. With a well-trained army of one million soldiers under his command, he aims in all directions. There are few who can compete with him in the world! In this situation, the court can only appease, not act rashly!”
“At this time, remnants of the Slanted Moon Dynasty have appeared!” Lin Beifan proudly continued, “They have been enduring hardships for over 20 years in order to restore their dynasty! It can be said that they will do anything for the sake of regaining their country! So, I took the opportunity to lure them to the Wuxi region! There can’t be two tigers on one mountain. Without the Empress and the court taking action, they will fight among themselves! Isn’t this more advantageous for the Empress and the court?”
Bai Guanyin was astonished. “So, you are using them?”
“How can you say it’s using? It should be said that we both have our own interests!”
Lin Beifan smiled and said, “For the Xieyue Dynasty to restore its power, it needs territory and people. The Wuxi region is very suitable for that! It has both land and people, and it is also closer to the Dayue Dynasty! If we can take control of the Wuxi region, we can aim for the Dayue Dynasty! And our court, without spending a single soldier, will not only resolve the issue of the Wuxi Duke but also counter the Dayue Dynasty!”
Lin Beifan spread his hands and said, “Why not do something that benefits everyone?”
Bai Guanyin was shocked and shook her head, “You are truly cunning and terrifying! You come up with such a perfect plan. As your enemy, I feel truly pitiful!”
“Don’t talk nonsense! I am very pure. I only drink purified water and pure milk!” Lin Beifan blushed and lowered his head.
“You, pure?” Bai Guanyin sneered.
If you were pure, you wouldn’t manipulate all the corrupt officials in the court!
If you were pure, you wouldn’t manipulate the various vassal kings so skillfully!
If you were pure, you wouldn’t continue thriving after embezzling millions of taels!
If you were pure, there would be no pure people in this world!
A person like this, if they do good, will undoubtedly benefit the world!
If they do evil, they will surely bring calamity and chaos!
Then, Bai Guanyin took the money from Lin Beifan and went back to report.
Inside the palace, when the empress learned that Lin Beifan had once again betrayed her and caused harm to the country, she was speechless.
“This guy again? He has such audacity, actually colluding with external enemies and dividing our imperial territory!” The empress massaged her forehead in frustration. “When will he give me some peace of mind?”
Bai Guanyin chuckled and said, “Although he takes an unorthodox approach, it’s actually a good method to resolve the Wuxi region issue!”
“Sounds promising! But…” The empress shook her head. “With just the remnants of the Slanted Moon Dynasty, they think they can defeat the Wuxi Duke with his million-strong army? It’s like striking a rock with an egg, a foolish dream!”
“I used to think this matter was difficult to accomplish as well, but after hearing his theories on military strategy, I realized there might be a chance! If executed properly, it could be a great opportunity!”
The empress blinked curiously and asked, “He also knows military strategy? Sister Bai, what did he say?”
Then, Bai Guanyin explained Lin Beifan’s theory of land revolution.
After hearing it, the empress was amazed, “Did he really come up with this theory? To make land the belief, gather people from all directions, fight for the land, and fight for themselves! In the end, the victors have their own fields and houses! Everything they need is within reach?”
“That’s right, it’s his idea!” Bai Guanyin sighed in admiration. “To make land the belief and let the common people fight for the Slanted Moon Dynasty!”
“In this way, the common people, for the sake of their own land and interests, will fight without hesitation! In order to protect their own land and interests, they will firmly support the rule of the Slanted Moon Dynasty! Eventually, more and more common people will be attracted to join, rapidly developing and growing, forming an unstoppable force!”
“Your Majesty, do you think this method is feasible?”
The empress clapped her hands in approval and said excitedly, “This method is truly marvelous! With this theory as guidance, the military and the people will undoubtedly unite as one, and there is no reason for them not to succeed! I never expected this top scholar to be a military genius!”
Bai Guanyin asked, “Your Majesty, can this method be applied to Great Wu?”
The empress’s smile turned bitter, “The idea is wonderful, but it cannot be implemented!”
Bai Guanyin pressed further, “Why can’t it be implemented?”
“The resistance is too strong!” The empress sighed, “Nowadays, almost all the land in the country is owned by the officials, powerful clans, and sects! They hold high positions, have military power, and firmly control various resources, dictating the rise and fall of the dynasty! The common people are like helpless lambs, unable to resist at all!”
“By using this method, it’s equivalent to snatching land from their hands. Do you think they would agree? I can guarantee that if this method is implemented, it would lead to chaos in the entire country! At that time, even my throne would be in jeopardy!”
Actually, there is one more thing to consider.
She herself is the biggest landowner, so how could she carry out a revolution?
Does she have to take out her own valuable possessions and distribute them to others?
No one would be so generous!
In comparison, the Slanted Moon Dynasty can utilize this method.
Since they don’t have land and are in dire straits, they can precisely use this method to motivate the common people to fight for them!
If we can’t conquer land, I won’t be able to distribute it to you!
But if we do conquer it, we will naturally distribute it based on merit!
Although I don’t have land, I can collect taxes!
No matter how you calculate it, it’s not a loss!
The empress fell silent, and so did Bai Guanyin.
After a while, the empress spoke softly, “Sister Bai, if Lin Beifan holds another lecture, can you bring me to listen?”
“Hmm?” Bai Guanyin was puzzled.
“Based on your account just now, I speculate that Lin Beifan has a complete theoretical system and there are many things he hasn’t mentioned. I want to hear it with my own ears! I feel that his ideas would greatly benefit our future plans!”
“Alright! No problem!” Bai Guanyin nodded.
Two flowers blossom, each showing its own beauty.
At this moment, Princess Ziyue had already returned to the Xiyue Tower.
As soon as she came back, she immediately took out pen and paper and recorded everything she had learned from Lin Beifan.
To not miss any piece of knowledge, she wrote down every word that Lin Beifan had said, word for word.
Fortunately, she was intelligent and had a good memory, otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to remember so much.
Even so, it took nearly two hours.
It was already late at night, with a dark sky and complete silence. However, Princess Ziyue’s room was still brightly lit.
With a face full of joy, she held the paper filled with words as if it were a precious treasure and sighed, “Reading it again, it still brings many benefits! The talent of a military strategist is comparable to a celestial being, worthy of being on par with the ancient military sage! With this brilliant strategy, coupled with the exceptional military advisor, how can we not succeed in our great cause?”
Princess Ziyue was full of confidence.
She believed that this time she would not fail again!
She believed that this time she would be able to lead the remnants of the Slanted Moon Dynasty, restore the dynasty, and avenge her late father and queen mother!
Although it was late at night, she was still full of energy.
So she copied another copy overnight.
One copy was kept for herself, and the other copy was sent back to guide everyone’s actions.
The next morning.
Princess Ziyue put one of the copies into a box and handed it solemnly to a trusted person, instructing, “You must immediately rush back and personally deliver this method to Old Xu. He knows what to do! Remember, this method is extremely precious and is related to our restoration cause. It must not be lost! If you encounter any danger, it’s better to destroy it than let others see it!”
The trusted person had a serious expression on their face. “Princess, rest assured, I know what to do!”
Princess Ziyue smiled. “When it comes to handling tasks, I’ve always been at ease with you.”
“Princess, is there anything else you want me to do?”
“Yes, remember to bring back more money!” Princess Ziyue replied.
The trusted person was taken aback. “Ah? Bring back more money?”
She clearly remembered that Princess Ziyue had brought over millions of taels of silver. How could it be spent so quickly? It had only been a day since she returned. Where did it all go?
*cough* Princess Ziyue felt a bit uneasy under the other person’s gaze and cursed in her mind about someone being greedy. She replied with a hint of irritation, “Don’t look at me like that. The money I need has a great purpose!”
“Yes, Princess!” The trusted person bowed and took the box, bidding farewell to the princess.
Three days passed like this.
In the evening, Princess Ziyue visited Lin Beifan once again.
The two of them sat in the same study.
Seeing the beautiful Princess Ziyue again, Lin Beifan was in a good mood and personally brewed a cup of tea for her.
“Princess, please enjoy!” he said.
Princess Ziyue smiled. “Thank you, military advisor.”
Lin Beifan greeted her cordially. “Princess, did you bring the money?”
Princess Ziyue’s mouth twitched slightly as she took out a thick stack of silver bills and handed them to Lin Beifan. “Military Advisor, this is 1.5 million taels. Please accept it!”
Lin Beifan happily accepted the money, putting it in his pocket, and praised, “Princess, you are truly generous and open-handed! It’s comfortable to work with someone like you!”
Princess Ziyue smiled proudly, “Of course, I never mistreat my own people! As long as you follow me, military strategist, fame, fortune, and rewards are within reach! Endless glory and wealth to enjoy!”
“Thank you for your generous favor, Princess! However, next time you can bring a bit more!” Lin Beifan said.
Princess Ziyue’s smile gradually froze on her face. Unable to hold back, she spoke, “Advisor, isn’t 1.5 million taels enough to satisfy your appetite? You’re too greedy!”
“Knowledge is priceless!” Lin Beifan confidently justified himself, “I have already imparted invaluable knowledge to you, and I’m at a loss. What’s wrong with charging you some money? Are you actually complaining about it?”
Princess Ziyue opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything. She had to change the subject, “Advisor, can we start now?”
“Naturally! With the money in place, nothing is a problem!” Lin Beifan smiled and immediately began his lecture.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop outside the room, two figures appeared.
