97: Chapter 7 Using Both Soft and Hard Approaches

The gates of the Forbidden City were already open, and the guards had been replaced by Li Ling's men. Seeing Li Ling approach, they stood at attention and saluted in perfect unison. Li Ling nodded and rode in on his horse.

Only after entering the Imperial City did he truly experience what "magnificent and resplendent" meant. Although the outside was dilapidated, the inside of the Imperial City was still bright and beautiful. Red walls and yellow tiles, carved beams and painted rafters, white marble balustrades, and the water beneath the Golden Water Bridge was still frozen. Hundreds of years of imperial accumulation were concentrated in this palace city.

But Li Ling was in no mood to appreciate any of this. What he saw were the eunuchs and palace maids hiding behind pillars, the concubines and noble ladies peeking from behind windows, and the princes and imperial descendants cowering in corners. They were like a pack of startled rabbits, huddling in their respective nests, watching this intruder with terrified eyes.

Li Ling ignored them and walked straight toward Taihe Hall.

Taihe Hall was the tallest building in the Forbidden City and the place where the emperor held grand ceremonies. But now, it seemed rather desolate. The hall doors were half-open, and a few figures could be faintly seen inside. Li Ling dismounted in front of the hall, tidied his military uniform, and then strode inside.

Inside the hall, the Emperor of the Qingxia Kingdom sat on the dragon throne. His face was pale, his eyes red, clearly having just wept. Beside him stood a few eunuchs and palace maids, all looking terrified and uneasy. There were no ministers or imperial guards in the hall; it was completely empty, like a hollowed-out shell.

Li Ling walked to the center of the hall, stood still, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your subject, Li Ling, pays respects to Your Majesty."

He did not kneel.

According to the etiquette of the Qingxia Kingdom, a subject meeting the emperor was required to perform three prostrations and nine kowtows. But Li Ling did not kneel; he did not want to kneel, nor could he kneel. If he knelt, all his previous efforts would go to waste—he would turn from a powerful minister holding heavy military power into an obedient servant. And in this chaotic world, a servant had only one end: to be squeezed dry by their master and then thrown away.

The emperor's expression flickered for an instant, but quickly returned to normal. He was a clever man and understood the current situation. It wasn't that he didn't want to take issue with it, but that he didn't dare to.

"Beloved Subject Li, rise," his voice was somewhat raspy, as if he hadn't drunk water for a long time. "You have traveled thousands of miles to the capital to aid the throne; We are deeply comforted. Someone, bring a seat."

A eunuch brought over a chair and placed it behind Li Ling. Li Ling expressed his thanks and sat down generously.

"Your Majesty has been startled," Li Ling's tone was neither humble nor arrogant. "The rebel army has retreated, and the capital is now safe. I have already sent men to take control of the city defenses, distribute grain, and stabilize the people's hearts. Your Majesty may rest easy."

The emperor nodded repeatedly. "Good, good, good. With you handling matters, We are at ease."

The two fell silent for a moment, and the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat awkward.

The emperor looked at Li Ling, then at Wang Hu and Zhao Tiezhu behind him, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Beloved Subject Li, We have a request."

"Please speak, Your Majesty."

"Our princess... has been married to you for some time now. Is she... doing well?"

Li Ling smiled. "Her Highness is doing very well. She is currently in Jiangning Prefecture helping me handle government affairs and coordinate the rear. For this journey north, I originally wanted to bring her along, but the distance was great and I feared she would suffer, so I had her stay behind."

The emperor nodded, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He missed his daughter, but he wanted even more to know her situation with Li Ling. Li Ling saying that the princess was helping him handle government affairs made him both comforted and worried—comforted that his daughter was not neglected, but worried whether she was being used by Li Ling.

"That is good then," the emperor sighed. "This daughter of Ours has been clever since childhood, and We have always doted on her. In marrying her to you, We also hoped she would live well."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty," Li Ling said. "I will treat her well."

"We trust you."

Another silence ensued.

The emperor finally could not help but ask tentatively, "Beloved Subject Li, how long do you plan to stay in the capital this time?"

Li Ling knew what he was worried about. He feared that Li Ling would linger in the capital and refuse to leave, turning the imperial family into mere figureheads, or even replacing them. This was normal; any emperor would have such worries upon seeing a subject holding heavy military power enter the city.

"I plan to stay in the capital for about a month," Li Ling said. "During this month, I will assist Your Majesty in reorganizing the defense of the capital region, wiping out the remnants of the rebel army, and restoring order to the capital. Once everything is stable, I will return to Jiangning Prefecture."

The emperor was visibly relieved, but still maintained his imperial dignity on his face. "You have worked hard, beloved subject."

"It is no trouble," Li Ling stood up. "Your Majesty, I still have military affairs to handle, so I will take my leave now."

"Go ahead," the emperor nodded.

Li Ling turned and walked out of Taihe Hall, with Wang Hu and Zhao Tiezhu following behind.

Stepping out of the hall doors, Wang Hu could not help but whisper, "My Lord, you're just leaving like this? Why not chat a bit more with the emperor?"

"Chat about what?" Li Ling asked back. "Chat about when he will abdicate? Or when I will rebel? In such situations, the fewer words spoken, the better."

Wang Hu nodded half-understandingly and asked no more.

Li Ling flipped onto his horse and looked back at Taihe Hall. Inside the hall, the emperor was slumped on the dragon throne like a heap of mud. That once high-and-mighty, arrogant emperor was now just an old man abandoned by the times.

On the third day after entering the capital, the imperial family sent an envoy.

The visitor was none other than Prince Qing.

Prince Qing was in his fifties, short and plump, with a friendly smile always hanging on his round face, looking like a kind, wealthy patriarch. But those who knew him knew that this smiling prince was one of the most cunning and treacherous figures in the officialdom of the Qingxia Kingdom. Having mingled in the court for decades and lived through three reigns, what storms had he not seen?

"Young Master Li, I have long looked forward to meeting you," Prince Qing bowed with cupped hands as soon as he entered, his face covered in smiles. "I have long heard that Young Master Li is young and promising, and seeing you today, you indeed live up to your reputation."

Li Ling stood up to return the gesture. "You are too polite, Prince. Please, have a seat."

The two sat down as host and guest, and a maid served tea.

Prince Qing picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked around Li Ling's temporary headquarters. This was a three-entry courtyard house, originally the mansion of a certain Beile. It had been left vacant when the rebel army retreated and was requisitioned by Li Ling. The courtyard was filled with radio stations, maps, and various military equipment, with soldiers bustling in and out in an orderly manner. A few jeeps and motorcycles were parked in the corner, their bodies still stained with mud, clearly having just completed a long journey.

"Young Master Li's troops are truly well-disciplined," Prince Qing praised sincerely. "I have stayed in the capital for decades, but I have never seen such an orderly army."

"You flatter me, Prince," Li Ling smiled. "My soldiers are only good at fighting; they don't know how to do anything else."

"Being good at fighting is enough." Prince Qing set down his teacup and shifted the topic. "Young Master Li, I have come this time by order of His Majesty to discuss a few matters with you."

"Please speak, Prince."

Prince Qing cleared his throat. "The first matter is regarding the defense of the capital region. His Majesty wishes to ask, how long does Young Master Li plan to station troops in the capital? And how many men?"

Li Ling had long expected them to ask this, and said unhurriedly, "Prince, the capital is the national capital, and its defense cannot be neglected. I plan to leave ten thousand elite troops to assist the court in defending the capital. As for the duration of the stationing... at least one year. Once the rebel forces in the capital region are completely wiped out and the New Army's training is fully formed, I will then consider withdrawing the troops."

Prince Qing's brow furrowed slightly, but quickly smoothed out. Ten thousand elite troops was neither too many nor too few. To say it wasn't many was because the capital originally had tens of thousands of defending troops, so ten thousand was nothing; to say it wasn't few was because Li Ling's ten thousand elite troops had a combat effectiveness equivalent to a hundred thousand of others. With these ten thousand men stationed in the capital, every move of the imperial family would be right under Li Ling's nose.

"This... allow me to go back and report to His Majesty." Prince Qing did not express his stance on the spot, but instead proceeded to the next topic. "The second matter is regarding the court's military funds. His Majesty says that the court's treasury is currently empty, and they cannot even pay the Imperial Guards. Could Young Master Li... offer some help?"

Li Ling sneered in his heart. They wanted him to spend money to maintain the court's army. Supporting his own troops was already very expensive; where would he find spare money to support others? But he could not say so directly and had to find a tactful excuse.

"Prince, to tell you the truth, my own military funds are also very tight." Li Ling sighed, putting on a troubled expression. "The daily expenses of an army of five hundred thousand is an astronomical figure. I am barely getting by by selling arms and doing business. As for the court's military funds, I am truly powerless to help."

Prince Qing's expression changed slightly, but quickly returned to normal. "Young Master Li, His Majesty's meaning is, could you lend some first? It can be repaid in the future when the treasury is abundant."

"Lend?" Li Ling shook his head. "Prince, it is not that I am unwilling, but that I truly cannot produce it. How about this, I will offer an idea to the court."

"What idea?"

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

"Disarmament." Li Ling said, "The imperial court currently supports hundreds of thousands of Forbidden Army troops, but very few are actually capable of fighting. Instead of keeping these useless people, it would be better to disband most of them and use the saved military funds to train elite troops. I can send people to help the imperial court train the New Army, free of charge."

Prince Qing's mouth twitched, and he said nothing.

Disarmament? Li Ling sending people to train the New Army? Wasn't this obviously trying to hollow out the court's military power? But since he spoke so high-sounding, it was hard to refute him directly.

"This... I will also go back and report to His Majesty." Prince Qing said, picking up his teacup and taking a big gulp to hide his embarrassment.

"What about the third matter?" Li Ling asked.

"The third matter..." Prince Qing put down the teacup and hesitated for a moment. "His Majesty wants to ask, when can Young Master Li... return control of the capital to the imperial court?"

The question was blunt, but also very helpless.

Li Ling had been in the capital for three days. Although he was polite on the surface, he had actually controlled everything in the capital. The city gates were guarded by his troops, the streets were patrolled by his troops, the warehouses were watched by his troops, and even the area around the Forbidden City was filled with his sentries. The royal family was nominally the owner of the capital, but in reality, they were trapped in the Forbidden City, and their movements required Li Ling's permission.

Li Ling was silent for a moment, then said, "Your Highness, I control the capital not to seize power, but to protect the safety of His Majesty and the royal family. Although the rebel army has retreated, the remnants are still there and could make a comeback at any time. As long as my troops are here, the capital is safe; if my troops withdraw, who will protect His Majesty?"

"But..." Prince Qing still wanted to say something.

"Your Highness, if I may speak bluntly." Li Ling interrupted, his tone becoming serious. "Can the court's Forbidden Army fight? A few days ago, when the rebels attacked the city, the Forbidden Army collapsed at the first touch. Some ran, some surrendered, and they didn't even hold for a day. Can you count on such an army to protect His Majesty?"

Prince Qing was speechless.

He knew that what Li Ling said was the truth. The Forbidden Army was indeed rotten to the core. Officers embezzled pay, soldiers were starving, weapons were old, and training was abandoned. Let alone fighting, they couldn't even stand guard properly. On the day the rebels attacked the city, the Forbidden Army ran away without firing a single shot, leaving the Emperor and the royal family in the city to fend for themselves. If it weren't for Li Ling arriving quickly, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Young Master Li is right." Prince Qing finally relented. "I will convey your words to His Majesty. As for what His Majesty decides... I cannot guarantee."

"I understand." Li Ling smiled. "Your Highness, official business is done. Shall we talk about personal matters?"

Prince Qing was stunned. "What personal matters?"

"I would like to ask about Princess Heshuo's situation in the palace." Li Ling said. "Although I have already married the Princess, I don't know much about her past. You are an elder, Your Highness, so you should know something, right?"

Prince Qing's expression softened a little. He had watched Princess Heshuo grow up and had feelings for her. When she was mentioned, his tone changed too.

"That child Heshuo has been smart since she was young." Prince Qing sighed. "She is proficient in reading, writing, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her personality is also good; she is neither arrogant nor impatient, and she is kind to everyone. His Majesty doted on her very much and originally planned to keep her by his side for a few more years, but I didn't expect..."

"I didn't expect it to be my gain." Li Ling laughed.

Prince Qing also laughed. "Young Master Li is a blessed person. Heshuo marrying you is your blessing, and it is also her blessing."

"I will treat her well." Li Ling said. "Your Highness, rest assured."

"I am assured." Prince Qing stood up. "Young Master Li, I should be going back. I will report your words to His Majesty truthfully."

"Safe travels, Your Highness." Li Ling sent him to the door. "I will host a banquet another day and invite you to grace it with your presence."

"Definitely, definitely." Prince Qing cupped his hands in farewell, got into the sedan chair, and left, swaying.

Over the next few days, Li Ling began to deal with the affairs of the capital.

The first thing was to reorganize the administrative agencies.

The administrative system of the capital had been paralyzed before Li Ling entered the capital. During the rebel occupation, most officials ran, hid, or surrendered. The government offices were empty, and there wasn't even anyone to guard the door. Li Ling sent people to find the officials who were hiding. He kept those who could be used, replaced those who couldn't, and filled the vacant positions with his own staff.

The ministers of the six ministries, vice ministers, directors, and clerks... he checked them one by one, verifying each position. Li Ling did not use a one-size-fits-all approach. He retained capable and ethical officials regardless of their previous factions, and removed incompetent and corrupt officials regardless of their closeness to the royal family.

Within a week, the capital's administrative system was back in operation. Although it was not as large as before, its efficiency had more than doubled.

The second thing was to reorganize the defense of the capital.

Li Ling divided the ten thousand elite troops into five battalions, stationed in the five directions of the capital. Each battalion was equipped with radios, armored vehicles, and artillery, forming a tight defensive network. At the same time, he set up observation posts at the high points of the capital, equipped with telescopes and signal flags, so that any movement could be detected immediately.

Li Ling did not disband the original Forbidden Army but reorganized it. He selected five thousand young, strong soldiers with no bad records from the Forbidden Army and organized them into five new regiments, which were trained by his own officers. The remaining Forbidden Army soldiers were either sent home or transferred to logistics positions.

The reorganization process was not smooth. Some Forbidden Army officers resisted the reform and colluded in secret, trying to cause trouble. Li Ling's method was very simple—arrest. The Special Forces acted overnight and arrested the ringleaders, charging them with "colluding with the enemy and treason." Without even a trial, they were executed by shooting.

On the day of the execution, Li Ling had all the Forbidden Army officers and soldiers watch. As the gunshots of the execution rang out, several officers fell into pools of blood. The Forbidden Army officers and soldiers were pale with fear, and their legs were shaking. From then on, no one dared to cause trouble again.

The third thing was to restore the economic order of the capital.

During the rebel occupation, commercial activities in the capital had basically come to a standstill. Shops were closed, the market was depressed, and prices were skyrocketing. Li Ling sent people to mobilize supplies from various places and sold them at fair prices to stabilize the market. At the same time, he also reduced commercial taxes for three months to encourage merchants to reopen for business.

The effect was immediate. In less than ten days, the shops in the capital opened one after another. There were hawking sounds in the market again, and there were smiles on the faces of the common people. Although supplies were not yet very abundant, at least people would not starve to death.

Li Ling's methods were "protection" on the surface, but "house arrest" in reality.

Members of the royal family could move freely, but every time they went out, they were followed by "guards." They could meet guests, but guests had to be registered. They could issue edicts, but the edicts had to pass through Li Ling's "review" first. Everything was within the rules, and everything had a high-sounding reason, but everyone knew—the royal family had become a bird in a cage.

Emperor Zaitian knew this well, but he had no way to deal with it. He was powerless and had no courage. Li Ling had troops in his hands, while he had nothing. If he fell out with Li Ling, he would be the only one to suffer.

Therefore, he chose to endure.

Endure for a moment to find calm, take a step back to see the vast sea and sky. As long as Li Ling didn't drive him off the throne, he would continue to be his emperor. As for power... what is power? Can you eat it?

Prince Qing was a pragmatist. He knew that Li Ling could not be offended, so he chose to cooperate. He took the initiative to help Li Ling coordinate with various departments of the court and persuaded the hardliners to accept reality. Li Ling returned the favor by giving him a lot of face in government affairs and promising to help him keep his title and property.

Other princes and nobles either watched from the sidelines, resisted, or simply laid flat. Li Ling remained patient with those who watched, suppressed those who resisted, and ignored those who laid flat. Divide and conquer, break them one by one—this was his specialty.

As for the ministers, they were even more opportunistic. When Li Ling was strong, they leaned towards Li Ling; when the royal family was weak, they distanced themselves from the royal family. The officialdom had always been like this: whoever had the biggest fist was the boss.

Li Ling both used and guarded against these people. He used their abilities while guarding against their fence-sitting nature. For every important decision, he would seek the opinions of a few reliable ministers, but the final decision-making power was always in his own hands.

And that guy who went to play with the singing and dancing system had been unheard of ever since.

Li Ling would occasionally shout a few times in his heart, but there was no response. He wasn't worried; that thing in the system was smart and wouldn't get into any trouble. It was just that without someone to argue with, life was a bit boring.

"Fine, it's better that it's not here," Li Ling muttered to himself. "Saves it from snatching my snacks every day."

He glanced at the gray sky outside the window and lowered his head to continue reviewing official documents.