Chapter 230 - Chapter 230: Chapter 176: The Sum Emperor's Ulterior Motives_3

Chapter 230: Chapter 176: The Sum Emperor’s Ulterior Motives_3

Translator: 549690339

Although he was unwilling to do so, the Sum Emperor had no choice but to stop the fighting. Continuing the battle would deplete the reserves he had accumulated with great difficulty.

In the following two hours, they discussed the matter of negotiations. Zhao Wenhan and some officials were somewhat confused; if they were to discuss negotiations, it should be done in the Great Court.

Why had the Sum Emperor today only called the officials who were related to the frontline warfare to discuss the negotiations, while other officials were not involved in the discussion?

As the discussion went on, Zhao Wenhan noticed a detail: nearly all the officials in the study were from the Aristocratic Families of the South.

The Military Generals and the officials from the South had completely different attitudes towards the negotiations.

The Military Generals in the study were strongly opposed to the negotiations, whereas the officials from the Aristocratic Families of the South were wholeheartedly in favor. They could gain more benefits from the Sum Emperor’s compromises only if the negotiations happened.

By bringing these two parties together, the officials from the Aristocratic Families of the South would find excuses to describe how the warfare at the front was of a certain nature, insisting that they should prioritize the people, and attacking the Military Generals for only seeking to achieve military merits.

The Military Generals believed that His Majesty’s suggestion of negotiations was forced by these officials from the Aristocratic Families of the South, which invisibly sparked the discord between the Military Generals and the Aristocratic Families of the South.

The Military Generals certainly sought to achieve military merits—who among Generals would not wish for that? Especially since most Generals of Great Sum were recently promoted and had little to no military achievements.

The result was that the Aristocratic Families of the South insisted on negotiations, making it impossible for the Military Generals to be happy about it.

In the end, the matter of negotiations was discussed for a long time without reaching any concrete results. Then, the Sum Emperor decided to discuss it again at the Great Court Assembly.

After leaving the study, the officials from the Aristocratic Families’ faction all gathered around Zhao Wenhan. Chu Qinwu asked curiously, “Master Zhao, why would His Majesty discuss the matter of negotiations with us and a bunch of Military Generals? Shouldn’t this be discussed at the Great Court Assembly?”

Touching his beard, Zhao Wenhan’s eyes revealed a light as if he had seen through everything. He said, “In my opinion, His Majesty plans to stir up conflict between the Aristocratic Families of the South and the Military Generals.”

Upon saying this, Zhao Wenhan turned his head to glance at the officials following him, then continued, “Look who came today among the Civil Officials besides Lin Gaoyuan. How many are from factions other than ours? Most of you are officials from the Aristocratic Families of the South, aren’t you?”

Upon hearing Zhao Wenhan’s words, everyone immediately came to their senses. It turned out the Sum Emperor knew the war could not continue much longer, so he set a trap for the Aristocratic Families of the South in advance.

Not long ago in the study, they had been arguing with the Military Generals, insisting on putting an end to the war.

In their view, the war had reached an adequate stage, and if it continued, it might corner the Sum Emperor into a tight spot, possibly undermining the interests of the Aristocratic Families of the South.

War is just an extension of politics; it is not always beneficial for them if the battle drags on.

Chu Qinwu was about to say more when Zhao Wenhan, still touching his beard, said, “Let’s not discuss this matter for now. Better you have your people investigate whether the fifty thousand Heavy Cavalry of North City were truly annihilated.”

“If the Heavy Cavalry of North City are indeed gone, His Majesty’s subtle maneuver today won’t have much effect.”

Without the fifty thousand Heavy Cavalry of North City, even stirring up conflict between the Aristocratic Families of the South and the Military Generals would be futile. Could it be that the Sum Emperor is planning to act against the Aristocratic Families of the South after the war between Great Wu and Great Sum ends?

Zhao Wenhan did not believe the Sum Emperor would dare to do that. The more the Sum Emperor engaged in petty actions, the more it showed his insecurity and reluctance to directly confront the Ancient Families.

After listening to Zhao Wenhan’s reminder, the officials from the Aristocratic Families of the South immediately returned to their respective Families to convey the day’s news and then utilized their various resources to investigate whether the Black Cavalry of North City had indeed been annihilated.