Chapter 585 – Wasteful Daughters, Where Did the Money Go? (Part 2)
Cangzhou Meng Clan?
The four major noble families of Dongqing: Shangyang Feng Clan, Langya Wang Clan, Huanling Xie Clan, and Cangzhou Meng Clan.
Shangyang Feng Clan mostly upholds integrity, with only three or four thousand subordinates at home. Langya Wang Clan is also a respectable family that mysteriously withdrew from the limelight over a decade ago, with few family members openly promoting their lineage. Huanling Xie Clan boasts both literary and martial talents, rising to prominence since the Day Xia dynasty and remaining influential to this day.
Only the Cangzhou Meng Clan holds military might and enjoys the Emperor’s trust.
The Northern Town Marquis’s accomplishments overshadowed others, but he was gradually weakened by the Dongqing Emperor through various schemes that stripped him of power. Years ago, the Northern Town Marquis led troops to aid the Nan Sheng Kingdom, but the supervising general bore a grudge against him, resulting in heavy casualties among the soldiers. Now, the Northern Town Marquis’s house has long fallen into decline, its family dwindling.
To stabilize the border situation, the Emperor relied heavily on the Cangzhou Meng Clan, making their already considerable power even more arrogant and unyielding.
To what extent have they become arrogant?
In recent years, during the unrest in Cangzhou, the Emperor not only failed to reprimand the Meng Clan but instead condoned their slaughter of the common folk, resorting to violence for control.
Logically, this Meng Clan should be the Emperor’s foremost confidant, so why would they come here on their own?
Changshou Wang mulled over this with the remnants of his wits, his anger cooling slightly. He straightened his attire and took his seat at the head.
“Quick, welcome the envoy.”
A middle-aged strategist responded eagerly, and soon, the sound of swift footsteps came from outside, accompanied by the rustling of clothing.
As the curtain lifted, a plain-looking man entered—a figure so unremarkable he’d vanish into a crowd, clad in patched garments.
Changshou Wang feigned solemnity, maintaining his posture for a time before finally asking, “Speak, what exactly are you Meng Clan plotting?”
As they say, paths that differ aren’t meant to be shared; after being tricked by Yang Si, Changshou Wang was no longer easily swayed by a scholar’s tongue.
The Cangzhou Meng Clan was a trusted ally of the Dongqing Emperor, a fact known throughout Dongqing.
Could he really believe that the Meng Clan would suddenly turn against the Emperor?
The Meng Clan’s secret envoy, bowing respectfully, rasped, “My lord, as the saying goes, a wise man doesn’t speak in riddles. I won’t beat around the bush. My master wishes to discuss significant matters with you. Are you interested in a detailed conversation?”
Changshou Wang felt a jolt in his heart, a mock smile creeping onto his face.
Why are there always people trying to fool him into being the village idiot?
He retorted sharply, “Who doesn’t know that your master is a loyal dog of my good second brother? Who would believe your words?”
The envoy’s face shifted dramatically, like ashes at the bottom of a pot.
Now that the aristocratic families hold such power, even with the four major noble families having retreated, the political situation in Dongqing remains under their control, with the Emperor and royal family appearing more like puppets in their hands. Not only did Changshou Wang fail to treat him with respect, but he also dared to call the Meng Clan the Emperor’s dog, inciting justifiable outrage.
However, the envoy was on a mission and certainly wouldn’t tear their masks off so easily.
Feeling heavy-hearted, he began, “As the wise choose their trees to roost, and the virtuous choose whom to serve, my master seeks to discuss great matters with you for your benefit. The Emperor is foolish and incompetent; externally, the northern wolves eye us hungrily, while internally, there are bandits wreaking havoc upon the people. Instead of striving for progress, he indulges in pleasure, carelessly slaying loyal ministers and allowing treacherous advisers to control the court. Such a deluded person is not worthy of being called an emperor.”
Initially indifferent, Changshou Wang’s interest gradually piqued as he listened to the envoy’s words.
Could it be that the Cangzhou Meng Clan truly intends to abandon the darkness for the light, assisting him in seizing the throne?
But why would the Meng Clan help him?
To coax self-interested families into allegiance must necessarily involve mutual benefit.
What could Changshou Wang offer the Meng Clan that the Dongqing Emperor couldn’t provide?
No matter how loudly they cursed the Emperor’s incompetence outside, he remained the legitimate ruler. Changshou Wang was branded a “rebellious minister” aiming to usurp the throne under the guise of purging traitors… Or perhaps the Meng Clan, now less illustrious than before, sought to reclaim former glory?
Changshou Wang’s gaze flickered, slowly inclining toward possible agreement.
“Let’s not beat around the bush. Your master is no fool; what’s in it for him if he aids me in turning against the Emperor?”
Contributions worthy of being called merit?
No matter how significant those contributions might be, could they elevate the Meng Clan further?
The legendary war god, Meng Jing, is their ancestor, paving the way for future generations and making the Meng Clan prominent.
Where is the horse farm that rears war horses?
It’s a national treasure, yet the Emperor entrusted the southeastern horse farm—Cangzhou—to the Meng Clan’s stewardship.
What remarkable trust that is!
What unparalleled glory!
Even if the Meng Clan achieved this merit, there was little more to gain unless Changshou Wang just hands over the throne he is about to claim.
With that thought, the fleeting joy in Changshou Wang’s heart dissipated, replaced by heavy wariness toward the Meng Clan’s secret envoy.
The envoy declared, “My master means no harm; he simply wishes to help you reclaim what is rightfully yours. Of course, should we succeed, it would be splendid if you offer him the heads of the Liu Clan…”
Changshou Wang exclaimed in astonishment, “The heads of the entire Liu Clan?”
The Meng Clan switching sides to approach him—was their ultimate aim the extermination of the Liu Clan?
Was there some deep-seated enmity between the Meng and Liu Clans?
The envoy smugly responded, “Indeed, the Liuzhi Clan of Hejian!”
Changshou Wang’s heart thudded as he probed further, “The Liuzhi Clan being Yan Si’s family?”
The envoy retorted, “Aside from this Liu Clan, are there any others in Hejian?”
It was clear they were gunning for Liu Zhi and his kin.
Changshou Wang’s mind raced as he quipped, “Your master desires to help me, intending to deliver the heads of Liu Zhi’s entire family?”
What grave injustice had the Liu Clan inflicted upon the Cangzhou Meng Clan to warrant such immense enmity?
“Naturally.” The envoy maintained his haughty demeanor. “If you don’t believe it, you can consider this negotiation as nothing ever happening.”
To preserve Chenzhou, the Dongqing Emperor requested military aid from the Cangzhou Meng Clan, issuing nineteen edicts in total.
Clan head Meng Zhan agreed to send troops and transfer military authority, but he had conditions: after repelling Changshou Wang, the royal family needed to pay with the Liu Clan’s heads. Unfortunately, the Emperor had a heavyweight figure in Hui Jun, the beloved royal consort, and when he lured the Meng Clan’s twenty thousand troops, he vagueled the demands presented by Meng Zhan. Thus, the envoy had come to negotiate with Changshou Wang.
Changshou Wang sensed this was an opportunity to truly grasp the throne.
Yet, he still sought clarity on the grudge between the Meng and Liu Clans; understanding this was key to assessing the Meng Clan’s sincerity.
Unfortunately, the envoy was tight-lipped, like a gourd with its mouth sawed shut, keeping everything under wraps.
Changshou Wang could only superficially agree, placating the envoy while secretly dispatching his subordinates to investigate the feud between the two clans.
However, after much digging, aside from the fact that the Meng Clan’s original wife had become Liu Zhi’s stepmother and the two had once been close friends before cutting ties, there was no other relevant information… This led Changshou Wang to speculate about the love-hate entanglements among Meng Zhan, Liu Zhi, and stepmother Gu Zhen.
