Chapter 1199 (Struggle for the Throne)
Ye Yuanqing whispered, "Shan Yu, our true enemy is not the royal family but the mysterious Donghuang surname."
"Is it General Ye's elder brother who said that?" Shan Yu asked curiously. He had also heard about this mysterious family.
Ye Yuanqing nodded, "Yes, my elder brother warned me to be cautious even if I ascend to the throne. Beware of the Donghuang surname."
"Since it's Prince Ye's words, then it's indeed something to be mindful of. Now we need to seize the throne!" Shan Yu knew that this struggle for the throne was not that simple.
Ye Yuanqing's advantage lay in the military. She had her father's faction in the court, and many people had not declared their stance yet.
Even some were leaning towards the Ye family. If Prince Ye could return to take charge, the royal family wouldn't be so arrogant.
However, Shan Yu also understood that Prince Ye might be intentionally allowing his sister to experience this.
Some things needed to be fought for personally to understand the difficulties. Still, Shan Yu hoped that Prince Ye would come back; things would be much simpler then.
After all, the royal family still feared Prince Ye. Although Ye Yuanqing was Prince Ye's sister, Prince Ye hadn't declared his stance yet.
The royal family thought Prince Ye adopted a hands-off attitude, letting whoever had the ability become the emperor.
Indeed, that was Ye Hua's attitude. But if his sister were to be defeated in the end, as his elder brother, he would have to step in. However, Ye Yuanqing believed in her own strength.
"Tomorrow will be an important day," Ye Yuanqing said softly, taking a sip of tea. She felt more exhausted than being a general. Tomorrow would be the final decision, and she didn't know how it would end.
Shan Yu said in a deep voice, "General Ye, you can't waste the military power in your hands."
"Shan Yu, the royal family also has military power."
"But the military's loyalty lies with you. As long as General Ye gives the order, I believe all the generals will stand behind you."
"I know, but this is no different from usurping the throne. After all, I am not from the royal family. To become the emperor, I need people's support. Recently, Huang Min has gained a lot of popularity through his virtuous deeds. He even spread rumours outside that I want to seize the throne. The people's support is almost collapsing." Ye Yuanqing said in a deep voice.
At this point, Shan Yu couldn't help it. With a low growl, he said, "Ye Yuanqing! How did you become a general? You're not decisive at all! This is politics, like a battlefield. If you hesitate, the enemy will kill you! Moreover, you are going to be the Emperor! There are things that need to be sacrificed. Put away your conscience!"
"No, if I put away my conscience, what's the difference between sitting on the throne and others? I want to benefit the Spirit City. I don't want to engage in those conspiracies and tricks! If we want war, it should be open and fair!"
Shan Yu covered his forehead. 'God... how did you become a general like this? Be flexible, this is a political struggle, the battlefield tactics are useless here.'
"If you want to sit on the throne, you have to be able to. If General Ye can't even ascend to the throne, how can we talk about benefiting the Spirit City." Shan Yu tried to persuade her. Otherwise, it would be too passive. The opponent initiated the move, and she couldn't resist.
Shan Yu finally understood how troublesome this woman was. She was truly immersed in her own world.
If all women were so troublesome, he would rather remain unmarried for life.
"I won't forget my original intention. If it really doesn't work, my elder brother will scold me at most."
"Ye Yuanqing! Do you think it's just a scolding? If you compete with Huang Min, once Huang Min gains the emperor's power, do you think the Ye family can still be preserved? Can't you be less naive!" Shan Yu couldn't help but roar. This woman was simply too foolish. Father actually asked him to assist her. He might be driven to madness.
Ye Yuanqing looked at Shan Yu. Although the latter's strength was not strong, he still stared back, showing considerable momentum.
"I have made up my mind. Let's meet tomorrow morning in court. I'll go rest now," Ye Yuanqing said, and then she returned to her room, leaving Shan Yu standing alone in a daze. If the military wasn't mobilised, they would surely be defeated tomorrow.
However, Ye Yuanqing also knew this, and she hadn't expected it to be so difficult. It seemed impossible to change her original intention of struggling with peace.
In the month since her return, Ye Yuanqing had been physically and mentally exhausted. Sometimes she really didn't want to be an Emperor anymore.
Especially when she heard people's allegations against her, it felt heartbreaking.
Ye Yuanqing was ultimately just a general. Being an Emperor was different from being a general. A good general might not be a good Emperor.
Shan Yu left helplessly, planning to go back and discuss this matter with his father. Whether to support the royal family in the morning court tomorrow or not, otherwise, the Shan family would also perish!
Being with the ruler is like being with a tiger. Standing on Ye Yuanqing's side at that time meant standing in opposition to the royal family.
Once they failed, would Huang Min forgive them for competing with him? That was impossible. The entire Ye family faction would die!
So, once Shan Yu returned home, he immediately found his father.
Shan Junren held a book in his left hand and a teacup in his right, sipping occasionally, looking very leisurely, not at all worried.
"Father, why are you still in the mood to drink tea and read? Our family is about to perish!" Shan Yu anxiously exclaimed, not even thinking about how to survive this disaster.
Shan Junren glanced at his son and said in a low voice, "How many times have I taught you? Even if the sky is falling, you have to maintain a calm mind. Only then can you rationally judge the problem."
"Father, are you saying that I've lost my rationality? I haven't. I am very rational now."
"Fidgety, difficult to achieve great things." Shan Junren glared at his son, who looked anxious, with sweat on his forehead.
Shan Yu was very dissatisfied. "Father, Ye Yuanqing has no intention of counterattacking at all. She is so passive, letting go of such a good situation. Huang Min already has a seventy to eighty percent chance of winning now. If we lose, it's the crime of exterminating the clan, Father..."
"Indeed." Shan Junren nodded, still very calm.
Shan Yu couldn't understand. "Father? Extermination of the clan? It isn't exterminating bugs?!"
"I know."
"Then why doesn't Father make plans?" Shan Yu couldn't believe it. His father used to strategize, but now it seemed like he had given up resistance and was casual.
Shan Junren put down the book in his hand and asked his son, "Shan Yu, what do you want your father to do? Speak out and I'll listen."
"Father, the most urgent thing is only two ways. First, whether or not Ye Yuanqing, we launch a counterattack ourselves, seize the opportunity, and break the net even if it means sacrificing ourselves!"
"Second..."
Before Shan Yu could finish his words, Shan Junren said softly, "Is it to join forces with the royal family, seeking a chance to survive?"
Shan Yu took a deep breath and nodded, "Yes."
"Have you ever considered what will happen after joining forces?"
"We'll sustain."
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