Chapter 689: Vassal State
Editor: Atlas Studios

The courtiers were shocked. It was only then that they noticed the rebellion in Dali. Some people felt that it was a sign of prosperity to be able to take Dali as a vassal state after just two years of establishment, but others felt that this move was too rushed. Moreover, Prince Rong actually went to Dali without an edict and even hooked up with the Crown Prince of Dali. It could not help but make people’s imagination run wild.

Someone vaguely reminded Qi Xiuyuan to be careful of Qi Haoran, that he could dote on his brother, but not trust him too much.

In response, Qi Xiuyuan reprimanded him and demoted him for sowing discord between the royal brothers.

It was not that he wouldn’t let anyone badmouth Haoran, but he did not allow anyone to use the relationship between the two brothers to advance. If he did not show any response this time, more and more people would mention this in the future. Some people might even lure Haoran to do something or set a trap for him in order to make the Emperor believe their words. Since ancient times, there had been countless such cases.

Many royal fathers and sons had had their relationship ruined by the ministers’ “suggestions”.

After being delayed by these matters, Qi Xiuyuan’s secret letter finally reached Qi Haoran. Qi Haoran immediately ordered Liu Dahei to lead 50,000 soldiers of the West Camp for Duan Siwen to command. He then sent troops to the northwest border to guard against West Xia.

When Qi Xiuyuan’s reward decree arrived, they split into two groups. Qi Haoran brought the decree to High Sage Temple to look for the Emperor of Dali. Meanwhile, Duan Siwen headed west to lead the army to seize back the cities that had been occupied by the Gao family.

When Mu Yangling and Little Bear went to send Qi Haoran off, Qi Haoran kissed Little Bear and whispered to Mu Yangling, “Pack up first. We might have to return to the capital after I come back.”

“Back to the capital?”

Qi Haoran nodded. “Little Treasure is already over three years old and can be considered to have temporarily gained a foothold among the commoners. In addition, Dali just became our vassal state and Princess Dali is going to enter the palace. Big Brother wants to finalize Little Treasure’s status. That’s considered three pieces of good news all at once. We can choose not to return to the capital for Dali and Princess Dali’s matters, but Little Treasure is related to the country’s foundation. Not only me, but Zijin and the generals above Grade 2 are also going to the capital to celebrate. This is the biggest event since the founding of the Great Qi Dynasty, so you have to prepare more things.”

Qi Haoran hugged his wife and child and said with a smile in a low voice, “Father-in-law happens to be Grade 2.”

Mu Yangling’s eyes lit up. “My father will enter the capital too?”

“Of course. I just don’t know if Father-in-law will bring Mother-in-law along.”

Mu Yangling spun around happily. “I’ll write a letter to my father and ask him to bring my mother and younger siblings along.”

“Don’t.” Qi Haoran hurriedly grabbed her and said in a low voice, “Big Brother only told me and Zijin about this. Even Big Brother Rong doesn’t know yet. For Little Treasure’s safety, don’t spread it.”

Mu Yangling nodded repeatedly. “Don’t worry, I know. When the imperial edict comes, I’ll write to Father and borrow your military pigeon, okay?”

Qi Haoran waved his hand readily. “No problem.”

Meanwhile, Duan Siwen was also bidding farewell to Duan Yuqing. The siblings had only been together for a few days, but they were going to be separated again. Duan Yuqing was very reluctant, and Duan Siwen already knew that Duan Yuqing was seriously injured and would never be able to get pregnant in the future. For a moment, he felt such vehement hatred for the Gao family that he gritted his teeth. Hence, he was not emotional about parting with his sister. Instead, his entire mind was focused on making the Gao family suffer a fate worse than death after the rebellion was quelled.

The next morning, the army set off.

Qi Haoran only brought 2,000 troops in from the east. Most of the officials and generals from the east to the High Sage Temple supported the Emperor of Dali. Although they did their own things, Qi Haoran held the Great Qi Emperor’s imperial edict and the Dali Crown Prince’s seal and arrived outside the High Sage Temple unimpeded.

At this moment, Duan Siwen had already brought people to take down two cities of the Gao family on the west road. Then, he issued an edict to Dali, announcing that the Gao family had gone against the law and forced the Dali Emperor to abdicate. In addition, they slandered the Eldest Princess and plotted against the Crown Prince. They even dared to publicly surround and desecrate High Sage Temple. Guilty of a heinous crime, they had to be punished severely.

The Duan family’s forces, which were originally scattered like sand, instantly gathered together and surrounded the Gao family from the east and west. Worst of all, the Gao family’s action of surrounding High Sage Temple had angered the commoners. The Gao family became chaotic, helping Duan Siwen advance even faster.

Qi Haoran stationed his troops outside High Sage Temple and confronted the Gao family soldiers who surrounded High Sage Temple. He did not take the initiative to attack. After roughly estimating Qi Haoran’s military strength, the other party did not dare to attack him. However, as Duan Siwen approached, the general of the Gao family, Gao Yuan, became more and more anxious.

The High Sage Temple, which had been silent all this while, finally reacted. The door opened, and four teams of martial monks ran out. They lined up on both sides and looked at the Gao family’s soldiers warily.

The abbot of the High Sage Temple, Master Yuan Guang, and the Emperor of Dali walked out hand in hand. Seeing this, Gao Yuan’s face immediately turned pale.

The High Sage Temple was the national temple of Dali and was worshiped by more than 90% of the people of Dali. Previously, although the commoners were dissatisfied with the Gao family’s actions, everyone only stood by and watched because the High Sage Temple did not say anything. Even the forces of the Duan family had split up because the High Sage Temple had not spoken. Now that the High Sage Temple had appeared, it helped to double the combat strength of the Duan family.

Having seen all this, Qi Haoran said in a low voice, “High Sage Temple is really influential.”

Advisor Qian said, “The people of Dali believe in Buddhism. In the past, the Emperors of Dali would become monks in the High Sage Temple when they were old. The temple no doubt enjoys a prestigious reputation. In addition, the High Sage Temple has always treated and delivered medicine to the poor people. When disasters happen, they often provide relief to the people. As such good deeds accumulated over time, it’s only natural that the temple has such a reputation.”

Advisor Qian did not find this strange. This had always been the case in Dali.

However, Qi Haoran thought to himself that he would never allow a person or organization in Great Qi to surpass the Imperial Court and the royal family. If that happened, would Great Qi still be the Qi family’s Great Qi?

Due to the appearance of the High Sage Temple, the Gao family’s rebellion was quickly suppressed under the combined efforts of the three parties. The Emperor of Dali sent an envoy to fetch Qi Haoran into the temple.

When Qi Haoran entered High Sage Temple with the imperial edict, the Emperor of Dali and Master Yuan Guang were waiting for Qi Haoran in the main hall. The two of them calmly received Qi Xiuyuan’s imperial edict.

What Master Yuan Guang cared about was the Duan family’s bloodline. After knowing that the Crown Prince was safe, he retreated in peace and handed the hall to Qi Haoran and Emperor Dali.

The Emperor of Dali was feeling extremely complicated. The month and a half he had spent in the temple felt like a year. After knowing that the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess had fled to Qiannan, he heaved a sigh of relief. But at the same time, he could not help but feel sad.

Their father had betrayed the Great Zhou Dynasty for the throne, and their brothers had killed each other to the point that only he and his nephew were left. Now, Dali had become the vassal state of the Great Qi Dynasty again. It had only been two generations. Dali did not seem to be able to last long.

The Dali Emperor sighed and squeezed out a smile at Qi Haoran, welcoming him warmly.

Although he felt a little uncomfortable, Qi Haoran still had to please him now that Dali had become a vassal state of Dali. According to past practice, Dali had to send a princess over for a marriage alliance. He could have conferred the title of princess to a minister’s daughter or someone from a side family branch, and send the newly-conferred princess over. However, after his daughter fled to Qiannan and was saved by the Prince’s estate, she was undoubtedly the best candidate.

Having heard that this Prince and the Emperor were very close, he only hoped that he would take care of his daughter in the future on account of his warm and friendly attitude.