Just as he had personally escorted him back to the Prime Minister's Manor back then, Wang Yuqian, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, came in person today to receive Xu Yuan.
At ordinary times, visits between court dignitaries of this caliber would have been glaringly conspicuous. But as Great Yan was currently undergoing its triennial official evaluations, an immense stream of visitors flowed through the Prime Minister's Manor every day, and the Left Vice Minister's arrival drew no one's attention.
At least, not on the surface.
Once the carriage cleared the gates of the Prime Minister's Manor, it headed straight for the Di'an headquarters of the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce.
The window curtains were drawn wide, and the bone-chilling winter wind poured into the compartment as the beast-drawn carriage sped forward.
Sitting by the window in the cold breeze, bathed in the gentle warmth of the winter sun, Xu Yuan had an unobstructed view of the bustling city scenes rapidly receding along both sides of the beastway.
Di'an City's Tian'an Chamber of Commerce was situated on the outskirts of the inner city's southern district. Even traveling by beast carriage, the journey took an hour.
During this time, Xu Yuan naturally chatted about government affairs with Wang Yuqian, a veteran official aligned with the Prime Minister's Manor.
Among the Six Ministries of the imperial court, the Ministry of War possessed no command over troops, yet it held the authority to procure armaments and provisions.
As the Left Vice Minister, Wang Yuqian was privy to certain special military intelligence even before the Prime Minister's Manor was. Consequently, along the way, Xu Yuan learned a great deal of new information regarding the various war fronts.
Not only about the Northern Border, but also the Great Desert to the northwest, the Wanxing Mountain Range to the southwest, and even the Wokou pirates along the southeastern coast.
The fighting in the Great Desert was locked in a stalemate, but with the Marquis of Zhenxi presiding over the front, the situation remained under control.
Meanwhile, the region along the Wanxing Mountain Range appeared somewhat precarious. Unlike past years, when the demonic beast tides arrived only in spring, unusual movements had already been observed among the beasts there this winter.
Last month, there had even been an assault on a city involving over ten thousand demonic beasts.
Along the hundred thousand li of the Wanxing Mountain Range, pleas for aid from military settlements and fortress towns throughout the region poured into the Ministry of War like snowflakes.
"Alas... everywhere in the Wanxing Mountain Range is clamoring for funds, for grain, and for armaments. But the Emperor and Lord Chancellor currently have their attention focused on the Northern Border, making it difficult for both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to spare provisions for that region."
The little old man with snow-white hair and beard looked exhausted, letting out a faint sigh. "This winter, if Guyuan truly unleashes a large-scale beast tide, the New Year in the Wanxing Mountain Range will likely be very bleak."
Xu Yuan listened attentively, Shengshan County subconsciously floating into his mind. With a trace of concern, he remarked, "Those demons certainly know how to pick their timing."
The wrinkles on Wang Yuqian's face twitched, and he shook his head. "Third Young Master need not take this old man's words too heavily to heart. We have already conducted an evaluation at the Ministry of War's internal briefing. Although some border towns along that hundred-thousand-li southwest defense line might be breached locally, on the whole there won't be major trouble.
"As long as we hold out until next year, when the fighting in the Northern Border is settled and the court can free its hands, everything will improve."
"..."
Hearing Wang Yuqian's reassurance, Xu Yuan felt an inexplicable unease.
"The demon race probably won't let this opportunity slip by."
A trace of disdain surfaced on Wang Yuqian's aged face. "Though the sects over there are reluctant to exert themselves, they cannot sit idly by and do nothing. If the border pushes inward and inner commanderies and counties are slaughtered, it is their own assets that will be lost."
"Let us hope so," Xu Yuan said.
Wang Yuqian smiled faintly and changed the subject. "Still, aside from these pieces of bad news, there are some positives overall. Because of conflicts in their homeland, the Wokou along the southeastern coast have been fairly quiet this entire year. Military expenditures there were cut by three-quarters compared to previous years, saving this old man quite a bit of worry."
"Elder Wang has toiled diligently for the country and the people," Xu Yuan said, not sparing praise.
"Third Young Master flatters me."
The worry on Wang Yuqian's face faded, replaced by a contemplative look. "By the way, Third Young Master, perhaps due to your secret meeting with His Highness the Crown Prince some time ago, after today's morning court adjourned, His Highness personally sought out this old man."
Hearing this, Xu Yuan's gaze sharpened instantly. "What did he say?"
"This old man has not yet reported this matter to the Chancellor."
Before revealing the conversation, Wang Yuqian prefaced with this line, then lowered his voice. "His Highness expressed admiration for your talent, and also dropped some hints about recruiting this old man."
Xu Yuan ignored the underlying declaration of allegiance in the man's words. A trace of confusion arose in his heart, and he clarified, "Was the Crown Prince's solicitation aimed at you, or at me?"
"At this old man," Wang Yuqian replied, lowering his head.
"That makes no sense," Xu Yuan muttered subconsciously.
Wang Yuqian chimed in, "Indeed it makes no sense. His Highness the Crown Prince has acted as regent for so long; it is impossible for him not to know that my loyalty lies with Lord Chancellor. Such an obvious attempt at recruitment would inevitably be reported truthfully by this old man."
At this point, Wang Yuqian lowered his voice even further, transmitting sound softly: "Third Young Master, I pondered this for a long time afterward. I suspect His Highness the Crown Prince wants to use this old man to establish contact with Lord Chancellor."
"..."
The Crown Prince reaching out to the Chancellor's Manor?
Xu Yuan frowned, his mind turning rapidly. He said in a low voice, "The Emperor allows Li Zhaoyuan to openly side with the sects without intervening. Has the pressure Li Zhaoyuan exerted on the Crown Prince over these past few months driven him to lean toward the Prime Minister's Manor?"
Wang Yuqian rubbed his rough fingers together. "This old man thought along the same lines. Otherwise, there would be no reason for His Highness the Crown Prince to approach me."
Xu Yuan took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Making these speculations now is premature. For now, Elder Wang, carry on as usual. If His Highness the Crown Prince truly intends this, there will eventually be a clear signal."
"Understood," Wang Yuqian replied respectfully.
Xu Yuan nodded and said no more, resting quietly against the cushioned couch with his eyes closed. After about seven or eight minutes, he suddenly spoke softly:
"By the way, Elder Wang.
"In this matter, you should have reported to my father first."
"..."
The hunched old man's body trembled slightly. He cast a cautious glance at Xu Yuan, then hurriedly lowered his head again. "Y-yes... this old man understands."
Xu Yuan gave a slight nod and closed his eyes to nap.
He did not hold Wang Yuqian's little schemes against him.
This old man was not part of the innermost circle of the Prime Minister's Manor and had no knowledge of their family's true situation. It was understandable that he viewed their household as a venomous pit of cutthroat rivalry, much like the imperial family.
Given the available intelligence, choosing to take Xu Yuan's side was a natural move.
After all, every sign pointed to Xu Yuan's status as the 'crown prince' of the Prime Minister's Manor. Once the Chancellor passed away in the distant future, this old man would naturally claim the merit of having backed the rising sovereign early on.
In fact, according to his father's intentions, accepting the man's allegiance would have been entirely normal.
However, Xu Yuan had no desire to meddle in such messy politics for the time being.
For no other reason than that with his father holding up the sky above him, he couldn't be bothered to care. Wouldn't slacking off in the shade of the great tree that was his father be far more appealing?
Chapter 478