Chapter 4, Night Talk

The father-in-law hopes that the grandfather will pressure Zhao Xin to expedite the delivery of the necessary items to Yanmen. In just over a month, it will be the wheat harvest season, and there is fear that the Xianbei will come to seize the grain Zhao Ping's tone was calm, yet his brow was slightly furrowed with concern

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lin pondered carefully for a moment before nodding and saying: "If that is the case, let Zhao Kuan go. He shall set out after the Dragon Boat Festival"

If Bingzhou is occupied by the Xianbei, then the Central Plains will be in peril! The two individuals are naturally acutely aware of the stakes involved, seeing them with utmost clarity. ... However, the current situation in Bingzhou ...

The family was enjoying a harmonious time together. After dinner, it was already the hour of the rabbit.

Zhao Lin glanced at Zhao Ping, who was looking down in silence, then turned his gaze to Zhao Ye and gently nodded, "Alright"

Zhao Ye, with his hand stroking his beard and a book in hand, appeared completely absorbed, exuding an air of calm and composure that stood in stark contrast to his wife's urgency. Zhao's mother cast a somewhat reproachful glance at her husband, about to voice her complaints, when she saw her son and daughter-in-law entering the hall together. She hurriedly went to greet them, stopping the two who were about to perform a formal bow, and said with a beaming smile: "We are all family, so why bother with such formalities?"

Zhao Ye and his wife, Cui, were waiting in the side hall for their son and daughter-in-law. Zhao's mother wore an anxious expression; a mother worries for her child even when he travels a thousand miles. Although Jinyang is only a little over a hundred miles from Yanmen, a mother's feelings are as if they were a picture of worry. After receiving a report from the family warrior, Zhao's mother instructed the kitchen to prepare dishes that her son particularly liked.

Let fate take its course! Zhao Ye sighed deeply as he spoke

Therefore, Zhao Lin believed it was necessary to conduct an investigation in the capital. He then said to the contemplative Zhao Ye: "After the Dragon Boat Festival, I wish to send someone to the capital to observe the situation in the court, so that we can prepare in advance. In your opinion, who should be sent?"

As subjects of the dynasty, we must eliminate internal strife and resist external insults. We seek only to have a clear conscience; even in death, we shall have no regrets, Zhao Lin said softly. Although his words were not particularly impassioned, they carried a sense of desolate grandeur, truly embodying the spirit of a martyr in his twilight years, with unyielding ambition.

Zhao Ping and his wife bowed and took their leave. After watching them depart, Zhao Lin let out a gentle sigh, his mood slightly heavy as he made his way to his study. Although Zhao Lin had been away from the power center of the Later Han Dynasty for over ten years, he was never out of touch with the developments in the capital. As an old minister of the Later Han Dynasty, despite its evident decay, his unwavering loyalty compelled him to remain vigilant about the precarious state of the Later Han Dynasty.

Zhao Ping bowed and replied, "However, the Xianbei are engaged in multi-front warfare. They not only need to defend against the Turks in the northwest and the Ding in the north, but also suffered a defeat when they invaded Yanmen last year. It is likely that they will be unable to launch large-scale offensives for the next three to five years. This is indeed a favorable aspect. However, due to Zhao Xin's interference, the Yanmen forces are quite lacking in military supplies, especially arrows. Additionally, several crossbows used for city defense have been damaged, and Zhao Xin has yet to replenish them. " Saying this, Zhao Ping looked towards his grandfather. However, due to Zhao Xin's interference, the Yanmen forces are quite lacking in military supplies, especially arrows. Additionally, several crossbows used for city defense have been damaged, and Zhao Xin has yet to replenish them. " Saying this, Zhao Ping looked towards his grandfather.

The current domestic situation is on the brink of eruption, and the rule of the Later Han Dynasty is already precarious. Moreover, foreign tribes are eyeing the situation with hostility. Under the dual pressures of internal strife and external threats, those knowledgeable individuals who are concerned for the country and its people find it difficult to eat and sleep, filled with anxiety and worry

"Cang Shu, you have been busy all day; you should return first," Zhao Lin said in a deep voice. "You need not worry about the matters at Yanmen; I have my own arrangements."

Hmm, Cang Shu is very perceptive; this matter cannot be concealed from him! Zhao Ye displayed a hint of appreciation and relief on his face, nodding as he spoke

Upon hearing Zhao Ye's words, Zhao Lin's figure trembled slightly, and a trace of mixed worry and hesitation flashed in his eyes. His unwavering loyalty to the Later Han Dynasty could very well lead to the ruin of his entire family. Yet, in just a moment, Zhao Lin regained his initial resolve. Unlike those officials from prominent families, Zhao Lin, as a low-born old minister, did not prioritize family interests above all else. His loyalty to the dynasty had already become ingrained in his very blood, unshakeable by any external forces.

After a long time, Zhao Lin let out a deep sigh and said in a low voice, "It is futile to overthink; let us do our best instead"

Zhao Lin nodded and said, "I will send someone to find him tomorrow. At this moment, Zhao Xin is not yet at the point of tearing our faces apart." After saying this, he let out a long sigh and continued, "However, this is not a long-term solution!"

Zhao Lin gently nodded and said, "It is of no concern, I have my own plans."

Grandfather is waiting for Father in the study Zhao Ping said softly to his father

Zhao Ye sighed and said in a low tone: "The current emperor is weak and the court is in decline, which has allowed the Xianbei to grow stronger, ultimately leading to this situation"

Cang Shu seemed to be aware of it! With a heavy expression, Zhao Lin picked up the teacup on the table and sighed

The decay and downfall of a dynasty often begin from within. Corruption in governance, lax military preparedness, and a fundamental loss of control over localities are common characteristics of such declining dynasties. When certain ministers and noble families, who wield significant power, lose their fundamental reverence for the dynasty, and the waning imperial authority is unable to impose constraints on them, the disintegration of a dynasty becomes imminent

With a soft creak, the study door was closed by Zhao Ping, whose tall and slender figure was obscured by the door

Zhao Ye nodded in agreement, stroking his beard and pondering. He said to Zhao Lin: "Zhao Kuan has accompanied his father in battles for several decades and has also lived in the capital for six years with his son. He is well aware of the situation in the capital. We can send someone to Meng County to bring him back, allowing him to proceed to the capital."

"Alright." Zhao Ye did not waste any words; after listening to Zhao Ping, he took the lead and left. After Zhao Ping greeted his mother, he also departed.

Zhao Lin had been waiting for quite some time. The study was brightly lit, with eight candles as thick as a child's arm illuminating every detail of the room. After the maidservant served hot tea to the three of them, Zhao Ping first explained the matter regarding Yi Louzhen to his grandfather and father. Both Zhao Lin and Zhao Ye acknowledged Zhao Ping's handling of the situation. Zhao Lin nodded and said, "This matter has been handled quite maturely by Cang Shu. Although it may not necessarily yield results, it is better to be prepared than to be caught off guard, which is very good." He then inquired in detail about Zhao Ping's situation at Yanmen.

At this point, Zhao Lin suddenly turned around, a hint of anger visible in his eyes, "The ambition of a wolf! Truly deserving of punishment!"

The current situation of the Later Han Dynasty is precisely this: for various reasons, the aristocratic families have firmly grasped the political power of the provinces and commanderies, and the emperor has lost control over these regions, retaining only nominal authority. In such a context, internal strife is merely a matter of time, and the ability to resist external threats is likely to become nothing more than a hollow term.

Observing his father's slightly weary demeanor due to aging, Zhao Ye sighed inwardly but did not say much

Zhao Ping lowered his head in contemplation, remaining wisely silent. Zhao Ye slightly furrowed his brows, exchanged a glance with his father, and said, "Leave this matter to me."

Zhao Lin is currently worried about the precarious state of the Later Han Dynasty. Although the imperial authority of the Later Han has lost its ability to control the localities, it is undeniable that the capital, Luoyang, remains the political center of the Later Han Dynasty, serving as the central stage for the interplay between the aristocratic families and the imperial power, as well as among the various families themselves. Any event that occurs here, no matter how trivial, has the potential to become a decisive incident that determines the future direction of the Later Han Dynasty

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ping quickly stood up, bowed to his grandfather and father, and said, "Thus, I take my leave."

Zhao Ping furrowed his brow slightly and said in a deep voice: "The situation at my father-in-law's place is relatively stable. Currently, the garrison at Yanmen has been restored to over 60,000 troops, including 30,000 cavalry and over 30,000 infantry. With the advantage of the passes and terrain, they should be able to cope with the incursions of the Xianbei. However, without reinforcements, they will be unable to sustain this for long." At this point, Zhao Ping let out a light sigh, looking at his grandfather and father.

"Let us set this matter aside for the time being." Zhao Lin placed the teacup in his hand down, clasped his hands behind his back, and slowly walked to the window, gazing at the gloomy night outside. "At present, the noble families in various states and counties are taking advantage of the court's inability to attend to matters, striving with all their might to seize control over different regions. The Lü and Zhao clans are both determined to secure Bingzhou..."