The Huns did not give up as expected, and returned a few days later.
The vast cavalry of the Huns appeared in front of Shanhai Pass once again, like a tidal wave.
Seeing that the city gate of Shanhai Pass remained tightly shut, the Great Khan of the Huns finally despaired, and this time they truly retreated.
...
Although the Huns retreated and the matter of Shanhai Pass was settled, the external troubles of the Great Han Empire had subsided.
However, the internal troubles of the Great Han Empire were far from over, so the hundred thousand defending troops within Shanhai Pass could also be considered a force that could change the fate of the world.
...
Within Shanhai Pass, undercurrents surged. Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, was ambitious and intended to lead the hundred thousand defending troops south to occupy the capital of the Great Han, to help his brother-in-law, the Third Prince, contend for the throne of the next emperor.
However, Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, was wary of Prime Minister Li Ning, a powerful and cunning minister, and thus dared not act rashly.
Fortunately, Li Ning was gravely ill and appeared to be on his last breath.
Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, only needed to be patient and wait a few more days to control the hundred thousand defending troops within Shanhai Pass.
Marquis Huaiyang's plan was excellent, but how could Li Ning, who was old and cunning and had been in politics for decades, be easily outwitted? He had long seen through Marquis Huaiyang's little schemes.
The Great Han Empire was already in enough chaos, with rebels emerging constantly from all directions. If the imperial princes were to wage war over the succession, the Great Han Empire would surely perish.
Li Ning would naturally not stand by and let such a thing happen.
As Prime Minister, Li Ning had many ways to deal with Marquis Huaiyang.
However, the reason Shanhai Pass could be defended this time was due to the joint efforts of all the civil and military officials, as well as the common people and soldiers within Shanhai Pass, which naturally included Marquis Huaiyang.
In Li Ning's eyes, apart from the ambition that made him uneasy, Marquis Huaiyang could even be considered a competent commander.
Compared to the corrupt nobles in the capital of the Great Han Empire, Marquis Huaiyang, who did not fear death, was much stronger.
Therefore, Li Ning did not intend to do anything drastic to Marquis Huaiyang; he only wanted to suppress him.
...
The next day, at the victory banquet.
Just as Marquis Huaiyang was establishing his prestige, Li Ning, under the guise of discussing strategies to quell the internal unrest, unceremoniously reprimanded him.
He immediately gave him a warning, causing Guan Xiang to lose face in front of numerous civil and military officials.
However, Marquis Huaiyang was not a fool. He decisively conceded defeat, but then kicked the ball back.
Seeing this, Li Ning sighed, and could not help but secretly praise Guan Xiang for his ability to bend and stretch, recognizing him as a smart person.
Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, clearly understood that face was ultimately a minor matter; there would always be opportunities to regain it in the future. But as long as they waited for Prime Minister Li Ning's death, he would be the de facto controller of Shanhai Pass.
With control over the hundred thousand troops of Shanhai Pass, he could not only help his brother-in-law, the Third Prince, ascend the throne but also covet the positions of Grand General and the esteemed Three Dukes.
Therefore, he did not care about Li Ning's reprimand at all; the longer it dragged on, the more advantageous it would be for him.
On the other hand.
Li Ning, knowing his time was short, naturally wanted to quell the internal troubles of the Great Han Empire before he died.
After taking a deep look at Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, he slowly said, "I do have some methods, and the execution of the matter will be handed over to you, Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang."
Upon hearing this, Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, frowned deeply. What trick was this old man playing? With the country in such widespread rebellion, how could it be easily quelled?
If it could be quelled so easily, it would have been done long ago and they wouldn't be waiting until now.
But the higher official's rank crushed the lower. Moreover, Prime Minister Li Ning was not just one rank higher.
Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, had no choice but to quickly bow and salute, saying, "What are you saying, Prime Minister? How can such an important matter be entrusted to a mere brute like me!"
Li Ning chuckled, shook his head, and said, "In times of chaos, those who wield military power hold the initiative. You understand this, don't you, Guan Xiang? You're being a bit dishonest!"
Hearing this, Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, broke out in a cold sweat. This old man was trying to push him to his death!
...
Seeing that he had made his point, Li Ning turned his attention to his disciple, Minister of State Yu Shan.
Minister of State Yu Shan naturally had his own hidden agenda at this time.
Li Ning's actions against his disciple, Minister of State Yu Shan, were also out of a sense of public duty.
He wanted to accomplish everything he could before he died.
After another round of warnings and admonishments, and seeing that even Minister of State Yu Shan had become submissive, Li Ning stated his plan to the civil and military officials of Shanhai Pass: "In my opinion, to quell the rebellion, we must first expand the army. We should recruit twenty thousand able-bodied young men from the surrounding provinces and increase the troops in Shanhai Pass to three hundred thousand."
"To expand the army, we first need military pay and provisions. We should first petition His Majesty to allow the taxes from several provinces inside and outside Shanhai Pass to be directly given to Shanhai Pass as military pay, instead of going to the national treasury."
"Secondly, the national treasury still has a final reserve, which can be used for army expansion."
"With external threats pacified, internal unrest is inevitable. We must use thunderous means to resolve the widespread rebellion as quickly as possible."
Minister of State Yu Shan, Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, and other civil and military officials, after hearing Li Ning's plan, their expressions changed drastically.
This decision proposed by Li Ning, while seemingly the quickest way to resolve the rebellion, would actually cause an uproar in the court, spark disputes among officials, and even greatly displease the Emperor if implemented.
Not only that, but more frighteningly, with twenty thousand able-bodied men drafted, farming in the surrounding provinces would undoubtedly be delayed, leading to widespread public resentment.
Not only would it offend various powers above, but it would also not earn them a good reputation among the common people below. Even if the immediate crisis was resolved, it would be easy to be held responsible and become a scapegoat later.
Anyone with clear eyes could see how serious this was and what consequences it would entail!
In the end, if anything went wrong, the person who carried out this task would suffer misfortune!
Prime Minister Li Ning was dying and naturally did not fear this, but they were still young and had a long road ahead of them.
Therefore, upon hearing Li Ning's words, Minister of State Yu Shan and Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, who were at the forefront, felt immense pressure and sweated profusely.
If they followed this plan, there was a high probability that the rebellions across the country could be resolved in the shortest possible time.
After all, might made right, and with a blade at their throats, who would not be afraid!
However, if they proceeded, it would mean offending the officials, nobles, and the imperial family of the Great Han Empire simultaneously. The common people in the surrounding provinces would also very likely become scapegoats later.
At that time, let alone having any hidden agendas, their very lives might be in danger. If the Emperor were to ruthlessly order the extermination of their entire clans, it would not be impossible.
However, faced with Li Ning's relentless pressure, Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, suddenly had a spark in his eyes and turned to look at the always low-key Minister of State Yu Shan.
Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, was a general of the third rank, while Minister of State Yu Shan was a civil official of the second rank. Although Marquis Huaiyang's influence and power were stronger within Shanhai Pass, and he usually did not pay much attention to Minister of State Yu Shan,
Minister of State Yu Shan's overt rank was ultimately higher than Hong Zhengshuo.
Therefore, Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, intended to have Minister of State Yu Shan take the fall.
However, was Minister of State Yu Shan an easy person to deal with?
At this moment, seeing the expression on Marquis Huaiyang's face, Minister of State Yu Shan instantly guessed his intentions.
He naturally declined.
Before Marquis Huaiyang could speak, Minister of State Yu Shan had already preempted him and blocked his words.
Both Minister of State Yu Shan and Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, clearly understood that the Great Han Empire had indeed entered its final stage.
To treat a serious illness, one must use potent medicine.
When the entire court was at a loss, and Li Ning had presented a clear method, it was highly probable that the court would ultimately adopt Li Ning's plan.
However, while Li Ning's proposals could indeed resolve the rebellions, the person responsible would undoubtedly face a thankless and tragic end.
It was like the saying, "when the cunning rabbit dies, the hounds are cooked; when the birds are gone, the good bow is put away."
Prime Minister Li Ning, with his status and position, commanded respect from everyone, so neither Minister of State Yu Shan nor Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, dared to disregard his words. Thus, they both tried to shift the responsibility and burden onto the other, arguing fiercely but failing to convince each other, and thus dragging their feet.
In this way, Minister of State Yu Shan and Marquis Huaiyang, Guan Xiang, argued for a full hour, yet there was still no resolution.
However, Li Ning, seated at the main table, let out a long sigh upon seeing this scene. He had long anticipated this situation.
He knew that no one would be willing to undertake this task. After so many years in office, who was foolish enough to do so?
Therefore, he had already prepared an alternative plan.
Compared to the previous plan, this one would naturally be slower in resolving the rebellion, but it carried less risk.
Politics was often like this.
The best plan could not be implemented due to various reasons, while the plan that could be implemented was often one that all parties could accept.