99: Chapter 9 The Stabilizing Force

## I

Just when Li Ling was so busy in the capital that his feet barely touched the ground, things were not idle over at Jiangning Prefecture.

Holding down the fort in the rear was Li Ling's father, Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan.

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan was fifty-six this year, with a burly build, a square face, short whiskers, and a pair of tiger-like eyes that were bright and alert.

He had served as a frontier official for over twenty years, having seen great storms and waves, and had experienced every kind of situation.

Although his son's reputation now overshadowed his own, he was not jealous; on the contrary, he was very gratified.

The Li family had produced a promising son, and as his father, he felt a sense of pride.

After Li Ling went north, Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan took over all military and political affairs in Jiangning Prefecture.

Although he did not possess his son's new-style weapons or new-style tactics, he had something his son lacked—experience.

His twenty-plus years in officialdom gave him profound insight into human nature, power dynamics, and the overall situation.

He knew when to be firm and when to be flexible, when to advance and when to retreat.

Three days after Li Ling left, trouble broke out in Jiangning Prefecture.

A few restless gentry members colluded in secret, attempting to stir up trouble while Li Ling was away.

They contacted several bandit leaders outside the city, preparing to coordinate from inside and outside to seize control of Jiangning Prefecture.

Before the news could even reach Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan's ears, it was intercepted by Princess Zaiyi's people.

The Princess—that is, Princess Zaiyi—although a woman, had a keener political sense than most men.

She had grown up in the palace, accustomed to deceit and intrigue, and was all too familiar with such treacherous schemes.

Calmly and composed, she organized the intelligence and personally delivered it to Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan's desk.

"Father, someone is planning to stir up trouble." Princess Zaiyi handed over the intelligence, her tone calm.

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan took the intelligence, read it through, and his face darkened: "Who is leading this?"

"The Zhao family in the east of the city, the Qian family in the west, and the Sun family in the south," Princess Zaiyi said. "They have contacted the bandits from Black Wind Stronghold and agreed to strike in three days."

"How bold of them," Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan sneered. "Do they think that just because my son is away, Jiangning Prefecture belongs to them?"

"What does Father intend to do?"

"What to do?" Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan stood up. "Arrest them."

That very night, Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan dispatched troops to surround the three families' residences.

The Special Forces scaled the walls and dragged the masters of the Zhao, Qian, and Sun families out of their beds while they were still asleep, not even giving them time to put on clothes.

At the same time, the bandits of Black Wind Stronghold outside the city were rounded up in one fell swoop; the bandit chief was killed on the spot, and the underlings were either killed or surrendered.

Early the next morning, the three families' residences were sealed, and all their gold and silver treasures were confiscated.

The masters of the Zhao, Qian, and Sun families were dragged to the city gates, their crimes read aloud before the common people, and then they were thrown into prison to await trial.

As the news spread, the people of Jiangning Prefecture clapped and cheered. Those who had originally been restless immediately retreated, never daring to show their faces again.

"Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan's methods are ruthless," someone discussed in a teahouse. "Even more ruthless than his son's."

"Nonsense, Young Master Li is his son, could he be any less capable? Like father, like son!"

"The Li family is about to change the world."

"Change the world or not, as long as we commoners can get enough to eat, that's all that matters."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan heard these discussions but just smiled, not paying them any mind.

He knew that now was not the time to relax. Li Ling was fighting to conquer the world in the capital, so he had to guard the rear well and not let his son be distracted.

## II

Besides suppressing the rebellion, Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan was also doing another major thing—consolidating his sphere of influence.

Although Li Ling had conquered a vast territory, many places only submitted on the surface and were secretly waiting to see how things developed.

Whoever wins, they follow—this was the nature of warlords.

What Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan had to do was make these people realize that the Li family would not lose, and that following them was the right choice.

His method was very simple—the carrot and the stick.

To those who were obedient, he gave benefits. Reducing taxes, providing loans, protecting trade routes, and even sharing some arms orders.

To those who were disobedient, he struck severely. Stationing troops, replacing local officials, confiscating property, and in serious cases, raiding their homes and wiping out their clans.

Using both soft and hard tactics, and balancing favor with severity, within a month, all local forces in the five southeastern provinces were brought to heel by Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan.

No one dared to pull any more tricks, and everyone obediently paid taxes, delivered grain, and complied with orders.

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan also did something Li Ling had always wanted to do but had no time for—reforming the administration.

He sent people to inspect various prefectures and counties to evaluate the performance of officials. The honest and capable were promoted and entrusted with important tasks; the corrupt and incompetent were dismissed and investigated.

Batch after batch of corrupt officials were rooted out; some were removed from office, some were exiled, and some were beheaded. The people clapped and cheered, calling Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan "Justice Li".

"Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan is paving the way for Young Master Li," a staffer sighed with emotion. "When Young Master Li unifies the country, these places will be his foundation."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan stroked his beard and smiled. "I am old and won't be able to work for many more years. But as long as I am here for one day, I must pave the way for him. I cannot let him be distracted."

"The Retired Emperor is highly righteous."

"Righteous or not, I am his father." Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan waved his hand. "Helping my son is only natural."

## III

While Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan held down the rear, Empress Su Wanqing was also doing a major thing—recruiting talent.

Although Empress Su Wanqing was a woman, she had grown up with Li Ling and, through osmosis, had a certain understanding of politics, economics, and military affairs.

More importantly, she had a kind heart and was sincere in her dealings with others, making many willing to associate with her.

After Li Ling went north, Empress Su Wanqing took the initiative to take on the task of receiving guests from all sides.

Every day, people from various places came to visit Jiangning Prefecture; some came to seek refuge, some to do business, and others to gather information.

Empress Su Wanqing received them one by one, listening patiently and communicating with her heart.

For those with genuine talent, she would try her best to retain them, arranging accommodation and providing conditions.

For those with ulterior motives, she would calmly send them away and then secretly send people to monitor them.

Within a month, Empress Su Wanqing had recruited over thirty useful talents for Li Ling.

There were those skilled in economics, diplomacy, and law, as well as several young people who had returned from studying abroad, proficient in English, French, German, Japanese, and other languages.

"Empress Su Wanqing is truly a virtuous wife for Young Master Li," an old official sighed. "With her recruiting talent in the rear, Young Master Li has no worries while fighting on the front lines."

Empress Su Wanqing blushed at these words: "Sir, you flatter me; I have only done what I could."

"You are being humble, young lady," the old official smiled. "Just based on what you have done, when Young Master Li becomes Emperor in the future, you will be the only candidate for Empress."

Empress Su Wanqing's face turned even redder, and she lowered her head without speaking.

But in her heart, she was indeed thinking of that day.

Brother Ling becoming Emperor, her becoming Empress. This was a dream she had had since she was a child, and now, this dream seemed to be getting closer and closer.

Besides recruiting talent, Empress Su Wanqing was also doing another thing—contacting those old officials who were disappointed with the imperial family.

Although the Qingxia Kingdom was rotten, there were still loyal ministers. They were just disappointed with the imperial court and the Emperor, but they still had feelings for this country, this land, and the people.

Empress Su Wanqing used her connections to quietly contact these people, conveying Li Ling's philosophy and ambitions to them.

She did not force them to defect immediately, just letting them know that there was another path to take.

The effect was significant. Some old officials began to take the initiative to contact Li Ling's staff, and some even secretly provided internal information from the imperial court.

Although they had not publicly defected yet, the wind was already changing.

Empress Su Wanqing organized this information into a report and sent it to the capital by fast horse.

After receiving it, Li Ling was filled with emotion.

"Empress Su Wanqing is truly my lucky star." He said to the staffer beside him. "With her helping me in the rear, I have saved a lot of worry."

The staffer smiled: "Empress Su Wanqing is indeed capable. My Lord, when will you marry her?"

Li Ling thought for a moment: "Let's wait until the country is unified. By then, I will give her the most magnificent wedding."

## IV

Thanks to the efforts of Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan and Empress Su Wanqing, Li Ling's rear was as stable as a rock.

The economy of the five southeastern provinces was recovering, commerce was flourishing, and the lives of the people were improving.

Those local forces that had originally been watching from the sidelines now expressed their support for the Li family one after another.

Those old officials who had originally been hostile to the Li family also began to change their attitudes.

Everything was moving in a positive direction.

Li Ling received news from the rear in the capital and felt at ease.

He wrote a letter to his father, saying that things in the capital were mostly handled and he would return in a few days.

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan replied: "No rush, the matters on your side are more important. I am here in the rear, so you can rest assured."

Empress Su Wanqing also wrote a letter, saying: "Brother Ling, take care of your health on the front lines; I am waiting for your return in the rear."

The Princess also wrote a letter, saying: "My husband, I am helping Father handle government affairs, and everything is going smoothly. I hope for your triumphant return soon."

Li Ling finished reading the letters and smiled. He folded them up and put them into his pocket.

"With them here, what do I have to fear?" He muttered to himself.

Outside the window, the night in the capital was quiet and peaceful. In the distance, the Forbidden City cast a huge shadow in the moonlight, like a sleeping giant beast.

Li Ling stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open. The cold wind blew in, hitting his face, icy and piercing. But he did not feel cold; instead, he felt warm in his heart.

"After the war is over, I will spend some good time with them." He said in his heart. "Father, Empress Su Wanqing, the Princess, Emily... and that system that ran off to pick up girls."

He suddenly missed that sharp-tongued guy a little.

"System, are you there?" He called out in his heart.

No response.

"Forget it, it's better if you're not here; it saves me the annoyance." He smiled, closed the window, and walked back to the table.

There was still a pile of official documents waiting for him to review.