The Emperor of Changtai was indeed moved by the grand vision. He had already forgotten Yan Xiaohan’s impropriety, remembering only the talk of restoring the Central Plains: “How We wish to launch a northern campaign, but the new dynasty is not yet stable. We lack troops, provisions, and funds. What can We use to launch a northern campaign?”
“The various military governors have all promised that if the court wants to reclaim the Central Plains, they will assist,” Yan Xiaohan said, “but the court still needs to build a presentable army. We can’t rely solely on military governors.”
“Moreover what?” the Emperor pressed.
Yan Xiaohan hesitated before speaking softly, “Military governors with their own armies are no different from regional princes. If the Central Plains are truly reclaimed, the court will need sufficient troops to intimidate local military governors.”
He stopped, inadvertently thinking of the Northern Yan cavalry.
The Emperor of Changtai nodded in agreement, “Well said. This matter should not be delayed. Immediately begin preparations.”
Yan Xiaohan stood and assented. The Emperor seemed to have thought along the same lines, sighing, “If We had the Northern Yan cavalry, restoring the Central Plains would be assured!”
Yan Xiaohan had been inwardly sneering since entering the palace and could no longer hold back, softly interjecting, “If the Jingning Marquis were here, the Xue consort would not dare to provoke the Empress.”
The Emperor looked embarrassed and displeased, “Enough. We did not expect you to have such good feelings for the Jingning Marquis, worth defending the Empress repeatedly.”
“Yan Xiaohan considered that he and Fu Shen could not continue pretending to be at odds forever. Being honest with the Emperor now was better than being accused of deceiving the throne later.
He cupped his hands, “Your Majesty, please allow me to report. I was betrothed by the Late Emperor, and there are hidden circumstances.”
Yan Xiaohan blamed the deceased Crown Prince, embellishing the Late Emperor’s true intentions, and explained everything in detail. The Emperor of Changtai listened in astonishment, “The Late Emperor actually… So you and the Jingning Marquis are not truly in love, but merely cooperating for control of the Northern Yan troops?”
