The Empress’s Gigolo

Although imperial power was paramount in Yun Nation, the position of warlord was inherited. It was passed down from generation to generation and power was consolidated in a region by the family.

Over the centuries, these warlords became more like local tyrants.

That so-called imperial power was only a nominal title.

It was almost identical to Zhou Tianzi and the dukes as mentioned in the history of China.

In the case here, the dukes were replaced by the warlords.

The warlords were divided into different factions, and the relationships among them were extremely complex. Even if the emperor of the Yun Nation had the intention of changing the structure, it was hard to intervene.

However, the tyrannical days of these warlords were over, and they weren’t having a good time now.

This was especially so for those cities facing the frontline of the Dayao army. Most of these city chiefs didn’t even know where their skeletons were thrown to.

A minority of them, upon seeing the unfavorable situation, threw away everything and managed to escape in time.

The deteriorating war situation terrified everyone.

The court officials remaining in the cities were feeling jittery.

It was particularly bad for the warlords who had faced the Dayao army directly. Two of them had fled early on, while the rest had sent their family members away.

However, the warlords who abandoned their cities didn’t fare any better than a drowning dog. They ran to Wang Jing with a glimmer of hope, but were caught by the Prime Minister Zheng Chengmian and had their heads chopped off.

Externally, there was a strong enemy army, and internally, there was a prime minister who was covetous of their wealth.

Even Zheng Chengmian was finally convinced that Dayao was going to exterminate the Yun Nation and was prepared to fight to the end. However, this situation didn’t lead him to soften his stance on these warlords.

They faced death if they ran away, but if they didn’t run, they would also die.

Out of 200 cities, almost half were in the hands of Dayao.

Even the most optimistic people were depressed by the war situation.

This situation was particularly evident to the warlords who knew the military strength of both sides.

Some warlords started to regale themselves with wine and revelry every day as they prepared to enjoy their last days without restraint. Dark clouds seemed to hang over the cities with despair filling the air.

At this critical juncture, a man appeared.

This man was Lin Mengsheng, a scholar who was about 30 years old.

Many warlords were persuaded by his eloquence to surrender to Dayao.

There were a total of 47 cities between the Dayao army and Wang Jing.

Once these 47 cities were neutralized, only three forts stood as a barrier between the army of Dayao and Wang Jing.

Comparing the forces of Dayao and the Yun Nation with the current situation, surrendering seemed to be the wiser choice, but in reality, it wasn’t as simple as that.

It was unknown how many people thought about surrendering, but didn’t follow through with the action.

First, the reputation of the aboriginals was bad in the Yun Nation.

Second, surrendering to a foreign country was a blemish that lasted for a long time and their descendants wouldn’t be able to raise their heads.

Third, some people wanted to surrender before the battle, but Zi Donglai refused to accept this because his army was already at the city gates. Instead, he proceeded to slaughter them.

Fourth, even if they wanted to surrender, they had to consider the expert practitioners in the Yun Nation.

During the war, those people were hiding in some unknown places.

If they surrendered and were castigated by the people, those practitioners might emerge to wipe them out and become the people’s heroes.

Due to these reasons, surrendering was only a thought.

However, this Lin Mengsheng had information about Dayao’s treatment of captives and was aware of the aboriginal’s change in attitude. He managed to persuade dozens of warlords and met with Zi Donglai personally before the onset of the battles.

After listening to the empress, Ren Baqian asked, “What’s his motive?”

The empress looked at him strangely after hearing this question and replied, “It’s said that Zheng Chengmian’s people attempted to assassinate his mentor and some clan members while en route to the capital.”

Ren Baqian was speechless.

If he wasn’t mistaken, that incident was the work of people from the protectorate.

If this was really the case, then those people from the protectorate had made a huge contribution.

Whether the words of this person were real or not, it was fine as long as their surrender was real.

Even if this person intended to use this as a merit to gain acceptance, it was fine because Dayao lacked such talents.

The empress was of a similar opinion and said, “This person may have other motives. I dislike this type of a person.”

Ren Baqian was familiar with her preferences and considered her opinion to be normal.

Nobody liked a traitor.

“Between a loyal official who can’t bring benefits to the people and one who is working for his own interests, but is capable, who would you choose?” Ren Baqian raised this question.

In reality, this was a question that the empress had to face sooner or later.

Previously, there were only aboriginals in the court because not many other people could be used, so the empress didn’t have to consider this question.

The aboriginals were said to be simple, partly because they were upright and partly because they didn’t go through the trial of baptism by fire since Dayao was very poor.

However, people could always change,

Likewise, the aboriginals were the same.

As Dayao changed, every aboriginal court official would be tested more vigorously.

As for the people from the Yun Nation and the Jing Tribe people, the empress had to make use of their services sooner or later.

It wasn’t a good idea to have the aboriginals dominate the rest.

Ren Baqian simply took the opportunity to raise this issue.

The empress considered his question carefully.

“Of course, I prefer loyal people. If both conditions can’t be met, I will consider using the second type. Is this what you mean?” the empress asked.

Ren Baqian applauded and said, “No wonder you are the empress, you understand after just a hint.”

The empress looked at him and declared, “You seem to like using these people. It has been like this ever since the Jing Tribe people came!”

“Your Majesty, although the aboriginals are loyal, in many matters they have the will, but not the ability. Plus, we have more than enough of these loyal and inept officials. We can’t send ordinary people over as officials or else we will create a mess. We have to use these other people for the sake of Dayao and the citizens!” Ren Baqian said.

Frankly, he preferred to use non-aboriginals.

Although the aboriginals were very strong, their power wasn’t constructive in nature, it was destructive

What he wanted to do was to build. The Jing Tribe people and people from the Yun Nation who were intelligent, but weren’t physically strong, were more useful.

Gradually, more non-aboriginals would enter the court and form a group to counter the powerful aboriginals.

As a result, Ren Baqian would be easily misunderstood since he was the person behind this policy and wasn’t an aboriginal.

He understood this very early on.

“I understand. I do not suspect you.” The empress sighed.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand, but Dayao had always belonged to the aboriginals.

The would be a change in eras.

Ren Baqian held the palm of the empress and transmitted his warmth.

The palm of the empress was small and warm. He felt comfortable every time he held it.