I am the villain in the book

The next day, the fifth day of the eleventh month of the first year of Taichu.

Shu Prefecture City, Weiyang Palace.

After the morning court, You Wenzong was left behind by Ning Yuke to re-discuss the "Eastern Expedition" strategy of the Shu Kingdom for the next period of time.

“.”

“Your Majesty, now that Ning Wenjun has ascended the throne, it is not advisable to attack Cangzhou again.”

You Wenzong sat upright opposite Ning Yuke and said earnestly, “The prince will definitely talk with Ning Wenjun in detail about the division of governance in the future. In the old minister's opinion, the twelve southern states will sooner or later belong to the Shu Kingdom, so it is better to seize the time to train new soldiers and recuperate.”

“Well, Prime Minister You is right.”

Nodding, Ning Yuke's voice was cold: "Since this is the case, then we will temporarily stop the Eastern Expedition, which can be regarded as giving Ning Wenjun some face."

“However, Ning Yongnian still has tens of thousands of soldiers stationed in Anzhou, so we may be able to send troops to annihilate them.”

“This matter…”

Looking at Ning Yuke's serious expression, You Wenzong hesitated.

As the former said, the imperial army that had previously failed to attack Shu Prefecture still had 60,000 remnants stationed in Anzhou in the north, facing Guanghan County from afar.

This army has been staying in Anzhou since the end of the Battle of Shu Prefecture, and it is estimated that Ning Yongnian wanted to use it as the vanguard for the second "suppression of the rebellion."

Of course, now that the political situation has changed drastically, Ning Yongnian's top priority must be to regain the throne first.

So these 60,000 people are estimated to not stay in Anzhou for too long, and should soon be transferred to deal with Ning Wenjun.

Ning Yongnian and Ning Wenjun are fighting among themselves, which should be a welcome thing for the Shu Kingdom.

But at this time, Ning Yuke proposed to take the initiative to send troops to annihilate these 60,000 people…

“Your Majesty, do you know what the prince plans to do next?”

Frowning slightly, You Wenzong asked softly, “Isn't the prince going to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight?”

“I don't know.”

Shaking her head, the intricate and luxurious hair ornaments on her head swayed slightly.

Ning Yuke paused, and then replied calmly: “However, as long as they are Ning Yongnian's soldiers, it is always right to kill them.”

“…”

As long as they are Ning Yongnian's soldiers, it is always right to kill them.

You Wenzong was stunned when he heard this, but he didn't refute anything.

Although it seemed like a decision mixed with strong "personal hatred", it was also reasonable from another perspective.

Anyway, these 60,000 people would either be used to deal with the Shu Kingdom or to deal with Ning Wenjun.

The latter is now in alliance with the Wei family, so it is not impossible to help.

“This matter is entirely up to Your Majesty, I will obey.”

Cupping his hands, You Wenzong responded, and after saying some other things, he said goodbye and left the hall.

Ning Yuke was still sitting behind the wide desk, constantly recalling what Wei Changtian had said to her before going to Huailing.

“Don't worry, nothing will happen to me.”

Obviously, the "accident" that Wei Changtian was referring to was not "losing the throne", otherwise he would not have needed to go to Huailing at all, and he could have done all this by staying in Shu Prefecture.

So… Does Master want to kill Ning Yongnian?

But how can this be done?

Ning Yuke pursed her lips, stopped thinking about it, and thought of the two things Wei Changtian had finally instructed her to do.

“After I leave, the court will be in chaos soon. Remember to immediately send troops to wipe out the 60,000 remnants of the imperial army in Anzhou.”

“Now there are nearly 100,000 Dali reinforcements in Shu, so it shouldn't be difficult to do.”

“Remember, after finishing this matter, don't rush to withdraw your troops. Let Liang Zhen lead the troops north to Yuanzhou and wait for my orders there…”

Lead troops to Yuanzhou.

What exactly is Master going to do?

Could it be…

A guess suddenly arose in Ning Yuke's heart, and her gaze simultaneously turned to Liang Zhen, who was walking hurriedly outside the hall, and the half-round of morning sun behind him.

The red sun passed through the heavy morning mist from the east and was slowly rising.

Si Shi, Yingfengsheng Main Branch.

Inside the small accounting room, Xu Qingwan was discussing the next grain distribution with Wei Yan Yu.

In order to help Ning Wenjun quickly win over the hearts of the people, Yingfengsheng naturally had to lower the grain price to highlight the new emperor's ability to govern the country.

However, this time the grain distribution must not be "indiscriminate", but must achieve "precise administration."

In simple terms, the prefectures that recognized Ning Wenjun's succession had to lower the grain price, while the prefectures that did not recognize it not only could not lower the price, but had to炒it even higher.

Yingfengsheng had previously hoarded a massive amount of grain at all costs, so it was not difficult to manipulate grain prices in various places.

The real difficulty was how to distinguish which states were "friends" and which were "foes."

“Madam Wei, do you have any good ideas about this matter?”

Rubbing her forehead with some distress, Xu Qingwan muttered softly: “My husband sent a letter back saying that I should do this well, but he didn't say how to do it.”

“I'm worried that something will go wrong and ruin his big plans…”

“You are really a good daughter-in-law of the Wei family.”

Wei Yan Yu covered her mouth and smiled, teasing: “It's Wei Changtian's good luck to be able to marry you.”

“Hu、Madam, please don't make fun of me…”

Lowering her head, a blush appeared on Little Comrade Xu's face.

However, she also knew that since Wei Yan Yu would joke at this time, she must already have an idea.

“Madam, do you already have a solution?”

“Solution? What if I said I didn't?”

Wei Yan Yu shook her head deliberately seriously: “There are thirty-six states in Da Ning, how would I know which ones are on Ning Wenjun's side and which ones are on Ning Yongnian's side?”

“Ah?”

Xu Qingwan was stunned when she heard this, and became a little anxious: “Then、then what should we do?”

“Puchi~”

Seeing Xu Qingwan's anxious appearance, Wei Yan Yu couldn't help but laugh again.

In the former's puzzled eyes, she finally stopped laughing, stopped teasing Little Comrade Xu, and slowly pointed out:

“Think carefully, why did Wei Changtian ask you to lower the grain price?”

“Naturally, it's to help Ning Wenjun win over the hearts of the people.” Xu Qingwan replied quickly.

“Hmm.”

Wei Yan Yu nodded and asked again: “Then why win over the hearts of the people?”

“Is it so that the people can recognize Ning Wenjun as the new emperor?”

Xu Qingwan seemed to understand a little: “Madam Wei, do you mean that my husband actually wants to use the grain price to force the prefectures to express their stance?”

“That's what I mean.”

Smiling and nodding, Wei Yan Yu looked at Little Comrade Xu with eyes quite like a loving mother: “To be more precise, Wei Changtian actually wants to force the prefectural yamen to express their stance through public opinion.”

“For most of the prefectures today, they definitely don't want to say clearly whether they will stand on Ning Wenjun's side or Ning Yongnian's side, and they all want to see more of the situation later.”

“And at this time, if we spread the word and tell the people in various places that as long as their prefectural yamen are willing to support Ning Wenjun's succession, we will distribute grain… What do you think the people will do?”

“Will they petition the yamen?”

Xu Qingwan widened her eyes: “In this way, all the states will stand on Ning Wenjun's side!”

“Yes, after all, public opinion cannot be violated.”

Wei Yan Yu nodded slightly in agreement: “Even if it's not all of them, those wavering prefectures will definitely compromise.”

“And this may be Wei Changtian's true purpose when he first established Yingfengsheng.”

“The true purpose of establishing Yingfengsheng…”

Little Comrade Xu opened her mouth in surprise, as if she was frightened by Wei Changtian's "foresight".

Could it be that my husband was already preparing to support Ning Wenjun's succession a few months ago?

How amazing.

“Madam Wei, why do you think my husband went to Huailing?”

Suddenly, Xu Qingwan asked: “If it's just to help Ning Wenjun usurp the throne, he doesn't need to run to Huailing at all.”

“…”

“That's natural.”

Slightly stunned, Wei Yan Yu's expression suddenly became a little complicated.

She looked at Xu Qingwan, who was full of confusion, hesitated for a long time, and still told the truth:

“Miss Xu, do you know that if Ning Wenjun wants to successfully ascend the throne, it is not enough to have the approval of court officials, the approval of various prefectures, and the approval of the people. At least one thing must be satisfied.”

“That is, Ning Yongnian cannot come back too early.”

“And if I'm not mistaken, Wei Changtian's trip to Huailing this time should be for this matter.”