Chapter 290 Restless and Ready

Gao Yuan and his wife still showed the appropriate level of decorum and respect toward the Great Qian Imperial Court's imperial decree of conferment.

After setting up the incense altar, Zhao Xiyao, dressed in a cross-collared brownish-yellow five-clawed dragon robe, wearing a Winged Cicada Crown and a jade belt, stood at the head. Gao Yuan, dressed in a purple robe, followed her, with a crowd of officials standing in two rows, all bowing together toward the decree-bearing Eunuch.

The decree-bearing Eunuch had enjoyed guest-of-honor treatment since arriving in Panyu yesterday; he had eaten well and slept well, so he was naturally in a good mood. At this moment, his voice was even a bit more high-pitched as he read the imperial decree.

“Under the Chancellery: ...”

Gao Yuan stood there listening to the Eunuch read the imperial decree with a raspy, duck-like voice, full of cadences, while inwardly complaining.

“As expected, no matter the dynasty, these official documents are all the same—full of nonsense and platitudes.”

After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the nonsense was finally finished, and they reached the most critical part of the conferment.

“Specifically, Prince of Nanyue Zhao Xiyao is granted the Imperial Battle-Axe, the Nine Bestowments, and a crown with ten tassels; she is permitted to wear a sword and shoes into the palace, is exempt from rushing during court audiences, and need not announce her name during greetings;

Duke of Xicheng Commandery Gao Yuan is enfeoffed as the Duke of Yue, General of State Support, Opening of Office with the Same Status as the Three Excellencies, and Pillar of State. He is specifically granted a purple ribbon and golden seal, permitted to wear a sword and shoes into the palace, exempt from rushing during court audiences, and need not announce his name during greetings.”

Hearing these rewards, everyone else couldn't help but show smiles, but only Gao Yuan felt something was wrong, very wrong.

All of this seemed glorious, but anyone with even a slight understanding of history knew that things like the Nine Bestowments, wearing a sword and shoes into the palace, not rushing during audiences, and not announcing one's name were essentially a 'rebellion starter kit.'

That night, after a bout of passion between the couple, Gao Yuan voiced his concerns.

“Zhao Xiyaos informal address, I’m worried this conferment isn't a good thing. It’s likely that Xiao Yu, Cui You, and that lot want to praise us to our doom.”

To his surprise, Zhao Xiyao gave a sweet smile.

“Husband, you worry too much. We aren't in the imperial court, nor are we controlling the central government. Within the Nanyue Kingdom, who do you think would question these things?”

Hearing Zhao Xiyao say this, Gao Yuan immediately realized his mistake. The reason those honors were criticized in history was based on a premise: the person was controlling the central government and holding the Emperor hostage to command the lords.

But he had established his own kingdom. Within the Nanyue Kingdom, he and Zhao Xiyao were the heavens. No matter how much honor was added to them, everyone would think it was only right.

As for those opposing voices from the outside, let them oppose. When his grand army marched over in the future, those fools wouldn't dare utter another word. If they dared to chirp, they had better be prepared to face his wrath.

Having thought this through, Gao Yuan's mood improved significantly. The energy within his body surged once more, and amidst Zhao Xiyao's soft pleas for mercy, he mounted his horse again.

Just as Zhao Xiyao said, regarding this clearly over-the-top conferment, there wasn't a single voice of opposition within the entire Nanyue Kingdom.

In everyone's eyes, the Nanyue Kingdom was launching expeditions against foreign tribes and expanding territory externally, while internally reducing taxes and stabilizing the people's livelihood. These honors were only natural.

Many even felt the court's conferment was too light. Given Zhao Xiyao's merits, she should have been titled a First-Rank Prince, rather than just a Commandery Prince.

At this moment in the Capital City, the court's conferment did indeed cause quite a bit of controversy, which gave Xiao Yu and Cui You a sense of satisfaction that their scheme had succeeded.

With the internal situation stable, grain production steadily increasing, and hundreds of thousands of troops ready for action, Gao Yuan, who had been settled for a while, began to feel restless again.

Seeing Gao Yuan spending every day in the Governors Office's war room looking at maps, everyone understood that he was looking to cause trouble again.

For this purpose, Gao Yuan even took advantage of the New Year to summon Gao Yao and Liu Rengui back to discuss the next direction of development.

“Currently, we have three directions for development. The first is to cross the Five Ridges and develop toward the Jiangnan West Circuit. The second is to continue westward and launch an attack on Mughal. The third is to continue advancing into the Malay Peninsula and secure the Strait of Malacca.”

Gao Yao glanced at the map and immediately offered his thoughts.

“Lord, with our current strength, dealing with Mughal is a sure thing. Therefore, in my humble opinion, we should deploy troops against Mughal.”

Liu Rengui naturally wanted to head north from Hanzhong to take the Guanzhong, but after analysis, he also felt that Mughal was a soft target.

“Lord, according to my previous thoughts, I certainly wanted to leave Hanzhong and take Guangzhong, but on second thought, the gains from continuing westward are greater; however, if we want to continue west, the strength of the Pugan Circuit is slightly insufficient.”

Gao Yuan nodded.

“Since the direction is clear, I plan to transfer the main force of the Central Corps to the Pugan Circuit. Zhengze, are you interested in being the commander-in-chief for this expedition?”

Liu Rengui's eyes lit up, but he soon shook his head.

“Lord, the current situation in the Jiannan Circuit is also not optimistic. I am worried...”

Gao Yuan waved his hand.

“No need to worry about that. I plan to transfer Xue Linfeng to guard the Jiannan Circuit. As for grain and military supplies, I think we can mobilize them directly from the Central South and Vietnam circuits. Being closer will reduce losses.”

Regarding Gao Yang, who came from the Gao Family Army, Gao Yuan still couldn't trust him one hundred percent.

Of course, the premise of his distrust was letting Gao Yang deal with Northern Liang or the Gao Family Army. If it was to fight foreign tribes, Gao Yuan was still very at ease.

As for Xue Linfeng, although he was from the Hedong Xue Family, he was an outcast of the family. Furthermore, most of the Hedong Xue Family had already followed the Great Qian Imperial Court in its southern migration, so he had no conflict of interest with the Gao Family. Gao Yuan naturally felt much more at ease with him.

Having reached a conclusion through discussion, Gao Yuan immediately set about making preparations. Mobilizing grain and military supplies from various places required his and Zhao Xiyao's warrants; otherwise, no one else could move a single grain of rice or a single arrow.

With Gao Yao and Liu Rengui assisting, the pressure on Mu Sheng was much less. In less than ten days, he had calculated the required grain and military supplies.

Hearing that Gao Yuan would not be going on the expedition this time, Zhao Xiyao also very happily signed the warrants.

Just as they entered the twelfth month, Gao Yao and Liu Rengui impatiently set out with Gao Yuan's orders, and the Beiwei Army and Xiaoguo Army also began preparing for the expedition.

Watching Xia Luqi, Gao Yang, and Zhao Meng excitedly making preparations, Chen Dao was a bit unhappy. He would find any opportunity to linger in front of Gao Yuan.

Gao Yuan could easily see through his thoughts and could only find a chance to explain to him.

“Shuzhi, once they leave, it will be for at least a year or two. Now that the Central Corps is gone, if the Baier Soldiers also leave, and if any trouble arises, I won't have any troops left by my side to mobilize.”

Chen Dao was no fool. With Gao Yuan's explanation, he knew he wouldn't be able to join this expedition.

Seeing him a bit dejected, Gao Yuan decided to give him some work.

“Shuzhi, I’ve recently felt a lack of mobile forces in my hands. So, I want you to go to various places and select some elites to form a Imperial Guard Division with the Baier Soldiers as the foundation.”

Hearing that there was work to do, although it wasn't as exciting as going on an expedition to fight foreign tribes, at least he wasn't sitting idle at home. Chen Dao's mood improved considerably.

“Rest assured, Lord. This humble general will certainly select the personnel as quickly as possible.”

Gao Yuan nodded with satisfaction.

“Good, then prepare as quickly as you can. Remember, you must adhere to the principle of quality over quantity. Even if there are fewer, you must never lower the combat effectiveness of the Baier Soldiers.”

“This humble general understands. Please be at ease, Lord.”

Gao Yuan picked up a brush and quickly wrote a warrant, handing it to Chen Dao.

“Good, then set out as soon as the New Year is over.”

Just then, a slightly battered fleet sailed into the Jingzhou Port dock.