Finest Servant

Chapter 405 The Brave and Loyal Army of the Great Hua Empire

The Emperor slightly moved his countenance, pausing to ponder for a long while before saying, "Lin San, why are you so certain? You've heard Prince Cheng's opinion. This matter concerns the very lifeblood of our Great Hua. We must not take it lightly. In this time of crisis, if we divide our forces to Goryeo, won't we put our Great Hua in peril? What do you think?"

Lin San was widely knowledgeable, and others had heard of him. Seeing that his opinion was at odds with Prince Cheng's, the courtiers were instantly intrigued, eager to hear what he would say.

"As Prince Cheng said, everything has two sides. His Highness has seen the threat from Dongyin, considering the safety of our Great Hua. His loyalty and wisdom can serve as a model for the world," Lin Wanrong laughed, metaphorically patting the prince on the back without spending a cent. "However, from another angle, might this not be a grand opportunity created by Dongyin for our Great Hua?"

"Opportunity?" The courtiers were momentarily puzzled. The people of Dongyin had reached Goryeo, and Lin San was calling it an opportunity? Had he gone mad? The Emperor frowned, "What do you mean by opportunity, Lin San? Come forward and explain more clearly."

Lin Wanrong took a few steps closer, glimpsing through the curtain at the gentle and calm woman inside, feeling a sense of familiarity welling up in his heart.

"Your Majesty, I will not mention the strategic importance of Goryeo's geographical location, as Miss Xu has already explained it clearly. Sending troops to Goryeo is not merely a tactical need; it's a strategic deterrence, firmly stating the attitude of our Great Hua. We will never allow anyone to create chaos under our watch."

Prince Cheng smiled slightly, saying, "Lord Lin's action is indeed to uphold the dignity of our Empire. But sending troops to Goryeo not only consumes our manpower and resources but also poses a great danger to our Great Hua. To exhaust the national treasury and strength for mere fame is something we must approach with caution."

How could upholding national pride be more important than maintaining the stability of Great Hua? Prince Cheng's words hit the nail on the head, and the courtiers nodded in agreement.

"Your Highness is right; only fools would exert effort for no gratitude." Lin Wanrong chuckled, "I dare to ask, considering Dongyin's arrogance, there will be a battle between Great Hua and Dongyin sooner or later. Do you agree, Your Highness?"

Prince Cheng replied seriously, "Of course. Dongyin's disobedience and self-importance deserve a proper lesson. However, as there are issues in the north of Great Hua, dealing with Dongyin can wait until we have driven away the northern nomads."

"Deal with them later? By then, if Dongyin conquers Goryeo and establishes a foothold on land, how easy will it be to deal with them?" Lin Wanrong snorted, "Your Highness, if sending troops to Goryeo is beneficial for Great Hua, will you support it?"

Prince Cheng shook his head, replying indifferently, "I'm short-sighted and can't see the benefits. I hope Lord Lin can enlighten me."

Lin Wanrong grinned and looked around, his eyes landing on Xu Wei as he smiled and said, "Mr. Xu, there's something I don't understand. I hope you can shed some light."

Seeing Lin San and Prince Cheng locked in a heated debate, the courtiers' interest was piqued. One was a powerful royal prince, and the other a rising star favored by the Emperor. Their lively argument on the golden hall was certainly entertaining to watch.

Xu Wei bowed to the Emperor, then turned around, smiling, and said, “Little brother Lin, if you have anything to ask, please speak freely. This old man will surely tell all that he knows.”

“Well said, well said.” Lin Wanrong clasped his hands together and chuckled, “Mr. Xu, who should be the most worried about the Dongyin attacking Goryeo?”

That question seemed needless to ask; even a fool knew the answer. Xu Wei replied, “The most anxious, of course, should be the King of Goryeo!”

Lin Wanrong nodded, “Considering Goryeo’s national strength and resources, can they resist the Dongyin?”

“Goryeo is weak, and cannot be compared to Dongyin. In my humble opinion, the request for assistance from the King of Goryeo will certainly arrive by today,” Xu Wei confidently stated.

“That makes sense,” Lin Wanrong said, smiling. “Since Goryeo is seeking assistance from our Great Hua, expenses such as military funds, provisions, and compensation should naturally be borne by them. Thus, the talk of draining our treasury does not apply. By timely deployment of troops, we can also minimize the loss to Great Hua's military strength. Mr. Xu, isn't that how it's calculated?”

Not quite sure what Lord Lin was up to, Xu Wei nodded, then shook his head, “If you only calculate the loss of material and manpower, Little brother Lin's calculations are correct. However, when deploying troops to Goryeo, the enormous risks that our Great Hua must undertake have not yet been considered.”

“First, we must not suffer any losses; that's our basic principle. As for risks—” Lin Wanrong slightly smiled and spoke lightly, “Compared to the immense benefits, all risks are worth taking!”

“Nonsense! Helping Goryeo, where's the benefit?” An earlier offended official, Su Mubai, angrily said.

Lin Wanrong laughed a few times, “Mr. Su, just because you don’t see something doesn't mean it doesn’t exist. If our Great Hua can take Goryeo without a single shot, tell me, isn’t that a benefit?”

Take over Goryeo? The officials in the hall were all stunned. This Lin San was really bold, speaking words others would not dare to utter. With the Turks attacking at the moment, how could Great Hua even think of taking over Goryeo?

Xu Wei, rich in experience, thought deeply for a while before saying, “Little brother Lin's intention, could it be to take advantage of Goryeo’s request for troops and seize the opportunity to take over Goryeo? The idea is good, but the King of Goryeo might not be unprepared. If they are determined to die rather than submit, this might be difficult to achieve.”

“That's why a more gentle approach is needed. After several days and nights of deep thought, I finally came up with a grand idea, called ‘One Country, Two Systems; Goryeo Governed by Goryeo.’ If all goes well, Goryeo will be incorporated into Great Hua's territory.”

“One Country, Two Systems; Goryeo Governed by Goryeo?! What does this mean?” Not only the people in the hall but even the Emperor on the dragon throne could not sit still and eagerly asked.

Lin Wanrong was triumphantly beaming, his face lit with a smile, “The so-called ‘One Country, Two Systems; Goryeo Governed by Goryeo’ means that the King of Goryeo recognizes the central authority of the Emperor of Great Hua, declaring the two as one entity. Yet, Goryeo continues to be governed by the King of Goryeo. They may have complete judicial and economic rights, with only foreign affairs and military matters managed by Great Hua. After the unification of Goryeo and Great Hua, the two can freely trade and intermarry, with Great Hua encouraging mutual relocation, and the inclusion of the Chinese language in Goryeo schools. Once this announcement is made, if Dongyin wants to attack Goryeo, it would be attacking Great Hua, directly confronting our Empire. Tell me, does Dongyin have the guts to do that?”

Everyone listened with eyes wide and mouths agape. Was this idea really conceived by Lin San? Such a magnificent plan was beyond what an ordinary citizen could think of.

In the meantime, Xu Zhiqing was also secretly sighing. Seeing how Lin San used to laugh and joke with Seo Jang Geum, she never expected that when he acted, he was utterly resolute. How could he face the little palace maid like this? Even Qiaoqiao could see Seo Jang Geum's deep affection for him, and he was so heartless? Miss Xu gritted her teeth, her nose snorting, "Unfaithful and heartless, you traitor!" Her small face flushed red, and her hands covered her cheeks, feeling a surge of heat.

Xu Wei was skilled in statecraft, and hearing Lin San's words, he was truly elated. By preserving the Goryeo royal family's rule but stripping them of military and diplomatic power, this was a brilliant move. It didn't annihilate them completely but caused the Goryeo king both pain and a touch of consolation. It ensured that the resistance would not be too intense, ultimately accepting this "one country, two systems" grand dream under the pressure from the Dongyin. Even more wonderful was Lin San's proposal for mutual marriage and mutual relocation, subtly achieving national assimilation. With a mix of both sides, Goryeo would never be able to revolt.

The Emperor's eyes flashed with a tiger's glare. After much thought, he said to Prince Cheng, "Brother Wang, what do you think of Lin San's suggestion?"

"Your Majesty, although Lin San's words are bewitching, our Great Hua's greatest enemy is the Turkic tribes. Only by driving away these nomads can we preserve our Great Hua's foundation. If we are distracted, it will inevitably affect the great cause of resisting the nomads, leading to irreparable consequences. Please, Your Majesty, think thrice," Prince Cheng earnestly said.

"Please, Your Majesty, think thrice!" Su Mubai led some court officials, echoing in unison.

Prince Cheng was experienced and prudent, Lin San was sharp and explicit. Both sides had valid points, but as Prince Cheng said, Great Hua's foundation was the priority. Whether focusing on Goryeo would bring fortune or disaster to Great Hua remained unknown. The Emperor closed his eyes, deep in thought, before finally sighing heavily, "The state comes first! Lin San, if you want to persuade me, you only have one chance."

"I don't intend to persuade Your Majesty," Lin Wanrong said, smiling indifferently, "This is a matter of state, nothing to do with me. But seeing the indecisiveness of the gentlemen in the court, I have something stuck in my throat that I must say!"

"Speak!" The Emperor's eyes flashed sharply, his hands resting on the dragon throne, staring at him.

Lin Wanrong did not back down, speaking loudly, "In our Great Hua's hundred years, not one person has expanded our territory!"

The court fell into silence; no one dared to speak, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

"Good, good!" The old Emperor clapped his hands, suddenly standing up, his face flushed with excitement, shouting, "No one has expanded our territory; Lin San speaks well! I will be the first to do so. We will not tolerate Goryeo's issues. My ministers, discuss how to send military assistance to Goryeo!"

Seeing that the Emperor had made up his mind, no one dared to contradict him. Prince Cheng glanced at Lin Wanrong and said, "Your Majesty, our Great Hua has no troops to spare at present. To aid Goryeo, Lord Lin must go himself."

A woman behind the curtain passed out another note. The Emperor glanced at it, his furrowed brows relaxing, and he laughed, "Brother Wang, don't worry. Lin San hasn't finished speaking. Dear Minister Lin, I see you are full of confidence, do you have a way to send troops? But let me warn you, I have not a single soldier to spare."

‘It's as if the old Emperor was the worm in my stomach. How did he know I had a way?’ Lin Wanrong looked forward with puzzlement, only to see the old Emperor's face mysterious, smiling at him.

"Your Majesty, this commoner has a small idea that I wish to discuss with everyone."

"Speak quickly!" Upon seeing the sly smile on Lin San's face, the Emperor immediately sensed that the matter had been settled. With Lin San alone, he could counter millions of soldiers.

Lin Wanrong stamped a few steps, smiling and said, "The battle with Goryeo is imminent. If a large army is dispatched at this time, I fear they may arrive only after Goryeo has been attacked. In my opinion, it would be better to recruit soldiers locally in the northeastern part of Great Hua, as well as the areas near the border, and name them the Great Hua Loyal and Brave Army. They would be directly under the control of the court, and experienced officers would be appointed to lead and train them. First, the north is closer to Goryeo, and the turmoil of war may affect it at any time. The people there are more enthusiastic about defending their homes and country. Second, the northern folk are rugged, with many horse-riding and herding tribes, so it will be easy to form an army without much effort. Of course, all military expenses and provisions will be paid for by Goryeo. The Great Hua Loyal and Brave Army will be solely responsible for the defense and security of the Goryeo region, fostering growth through war, and thus adding a new vitality to our great Great Hua. What do you think of this idea?"

Even a fool could see that this method would work. The court would not have to make any effort, and all the funds would be paid for by Goryeo. Where else could they find such a great deal as this newly forged brave army, tempered by blood and fire?

"Miss Xu, you are known for your wisdom. What do you think of Lin San's suggestion?" the Emperor asked Xu Zhiqing on the other side.

Xu Zhiqing softly sighed, and spoke faintly, "Your Majesty, Lin San is innovative and good at thinking, and I, a common woman, am ashamed to be inferior. This method of local conscription is indeed a novelty. As long as it is properly implemented, it can add fresh forces to our great Great Hua in no time."

The Emperor laughed heartily, "Well done, Lin San! You really thought this through. Listening to you today is better than ten years of studying the classics. If anyone dares to say you cannot govern the country, I will be the first not to forgive them. The Great Hua Loyal and Brave Army, loyal and courageous, protecting the homeland; this name is well chosen, ha ha ha ha!"

Li Tai and Xu Wei looked at each other. This Little brother Lin was truly unfathomable, capable of coming up with any kind of idea. His absence from the army was indeed a great pity.

"Can Zhi'er persuade him to join our army?" Li Tai frowned deeply, "This kid's ideas pop up like beans. Having him would be worth a hundred thousand strong soldiers."

"Zhi'er?" Xu Wei shook his head with a bitter smile, whispering, "That foolish girl is deeply involved but unaware of it. Who will persuade whom, I am not sure."

Li Tai furrowed his brow, "Deeply involved?" He glanced at Lin Wanrong and nodded with a smile, "So that's how it is. I was wondering why Zhi'er has been spending more time in her room lately. Lin San is not bad, possessing character and ability. Aside from being a bit thick-skinned and fancy, he lacks nothing."

Prince Cheng's brows were tightly furrowed, and he cautiously said, "Your Majesty, I have one more concern. Even if we form the Loyal and Brave Army locally with these untested recruits to aid Goryeo and fight against Dongyin, will it be effective? I have seen the swordsmanship of the Dongyin warriors with my own eyes, and it is incredibly formidable!"

"Oh, so the prince knows the Dongyin people?" Lin Wanrong chuckled, "The Dongyin warriors' swordsmanship is indeed powerful, but don't forget, they are fighting on land, so how much of their sword skills can be utilized? There's another essential point. Once our great Great Hua sends troops to Goryeo, showing our unwavering resolve, would Dongyin still dare to challenge us? Dongyin is like a spring; the weaker you are, the stronger they are. As soon as they show up, we must firmly strike them, and never show mercy."

"That settles it then," the Emperor said with a smile. "Draft the edict at once, and conscript soldiers from both inside and outside the passes. Select capable officers from the capital's imperial guard to be responsible for training the Loyal and Brave Army. Since this plan was conceived by Lin San, Dear Minister Lin, I appoint you as the commander of the Loyal and Brave Army—"

Commander of the Loyal and Brave Army? Everyone was taken aback. Though this army was newly established, its focus was on guarding the security of Goryeo beyond the borders. With the Emperor's word, Lin San held military power in his hands, becoming the uncrowned King of Goryeo. How could this not astonish people?

Lin Wanrong waved his hand and laughed, "I am but a humble servant of the Xiao family, dedicated to serving the Eldest Miss and the Madam. The Emperor's handwritten honorific title of 'First Talent Under Heaven' is an encouragement for me to be loyal and do my duty. As for other matters, Lin San's ambitions are small, and I've never considered them. I ask Your Majesty to retract the command."

To be content with the status of a servant and not accept a title of nobility, Lin San was probably the first in history. People looked at him with burning eyes, filled with admiration, jealousy, mockery, and a hundred different thoughts.

The old Emperor seemed unsurprised, as though he had expected this response. He smiled, "The Xiao family is indeed fortunate to have such a loyal servant as you. However, I have heard that you have a significant connection with the Xiao family's second daughter. It seems suspicious, as if guarding one's stolen property. Haha!"

Many had heard something of this matter, and when the Emperor mentioned it, everyone laughed heartily. Lin Wanrong, looking helpless, replied, "Your Majesty, as you can see, with my outstanding character, it's impossible not to be liked by women! Could Your Majesty teach me how not to stand out? I am genuinely perplexed!"

From national affairs to personal matters, Lord Lin was always the pioneer, and the ministers laughed heartily.

The third matter was the previously planned campaign to the north against the nomads. Li Tai explained the routes and distribution of troops in detail, with Xu Zhiqing supplementing from the side, speaking for more than half an hour. The woman behind the curtain listened quietly to the conversation, without any movement.

Lin Wanrong's gaze fell on the quiet figure behind the curtain. As he calmed his mind, that familiar feeling grew stronger. As everyone's eyes focused on the military map, he approached the curtain, reaching the bottom of the stairs. He heard a soft sigh, a choking voice, quietly reciting, "Mountains beyond mountains, towers beyond towers, when will the songs and dances of West Lake end? The warm breeze intoxicates the traveler, mistaking Hangzhou for Bianzhou!"

"Qingxuan?!!!" Lin Wanrong's mind went blank with a loud thud, and he knew nothing more.

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