Chapter 110: Signing the Alliance

"Brother Xue, are you truly planning to rise in rebellion? This seems unwise. From any perspective, the time has not yet come for the Sui Dynasty to lose its grip on power. At this juncture, whoever jumps out first to raise the banner of revolt will likely meet a fate no better than Li Gui. One will only end up as a stepping stone for others. You have always been shrewd, Brother Xue; how could you make such a foolish decision?" Upon hearing Xue Ju's words, Li Wenyuan spat the half-chewed piece of Hami melon from his mouth onto the ground, looking at him in astonishment.

"Alas, Brother Wenyuan, there is much you do not know. It is not that I, your brother, cannot suppress the urge to claim the imperial throne, but rather that those standing behind me can no longer restrain themselves. Some time ago, you recommended Zong Luohou to seek me out in Jincheng. That man is loyal and righteous, and he has a knack for leading and training troops. I have stationed him in a strategic location nearby, keeping him as a bandit, waiting only for the day I rise so he can bring his forces to join me. Furthermore, Zhong Lisu, a leader of the Qiang and Hu tribes—a rarity in the Central Plains—contacted me recently, saying that if I rise, he is willing to bring his people along to join my cause.

At first, I was curious how everyone seemed to know that I, Xue Ju, was planning to rise. It was not until recently that a representative of those behind me told me that if I did not act this year, they would replace me with someone else. Though he did not say it explicitly, I know full well that if they were to support someone else, I, who know all their secrets, would be the first to be eliminated. That is why I have come to seek your help. When I eventually rise, the Emperor will surely order you to suppress the rebellion. I ask that you hold back your hand, Brother Wenyuan, and leave me a way to survive. Jincheng is a naturally defensible location; once the worries of the Western Regions are removed, the Central Plains will find it quite difficult to launch an effective attack against me," Xue Ju said, staring straight into Li Wenyuan's eyes.

"Ah, I thought you had simply lost your patience, Brother Xue. It turns out it was those behind you who could not wait. What you say is understandable, but the timing must be carefully considered. Rebellions are erupting everywhere in the Central Plains, and I suspect Emperor Yang Guang is feeling quite anxious. Generally, when an emperor senses such instability, he chooses to go on an inspection tour to see the illusions his officials manufacture, convincing himself of his country's prosperity, his people's contentment, and the might of his armies. Since ancient times, all emperors have had this penchant. The situation within the Great Sui is already rotting; the only places that give Yang Guang a sense of security are the Jiangnan region, which he has long cultivated, and the Northern Frontier, where his elite imperial troops are stationed. I estimate that within this year, Yang Guang will inspect the Northern Frontier, and it is highly likely he will pass through Yanmen Pass. You must know that the Khan of the Eastern Turks has long harbored rebellious intent, and there is also the instigation of the Goguryeo people. News of Yang Guang's tour to Yanmen Pass cannot be hidden; when the time comes, the Eastern Turkic Khan will surely not let such an opportunity pass. He will certainly lead his northern forces to surround Yanmen Pass. However..." Li Wenyuan paused, his tone shifting.

Sensing there was more to Li Wenyuan's words, Xue Ju asked urgently, "If you have something to say, speak it plainly. Teasing me like this is going a bit too far, Brother Wenyuan."

"However, the Khan's wife is Princess Yicheng. Out of blood kinship, she will surely find a way to break the siege of Yanmen Pass. Furthermore, the Turks lack the heavy siege weapons required for a prolonged encirclement, so they will inevitably retreat. Yang Guang will survive. Thus, we return to the initial topic: the two places he feels are safe are the Northern Frontier and Jiangnan. But now that he has been besieged by the Turks in the north, the Northern Frontier is no longer a place he considers secure. Once he is rescued, he will immediately begin plans to move south. He will take his ministers and relocate the imperial court to Jiangnan. If you rise at that time, Brother Xue, the results will be far better. As the capital shifts south, Yang Guang's control over the north, especially the northwest, will weaken significantly. At that point, you can firmly block the connection between the Western Regions and the Central Plains. Even if I wanted to communicate with the Emperor, there would be no way to transmit official documents. Then, my failure to send troops to suppress the rebellion would be a logical consequence. Am I not right, Brother Xue?" Li Wenyuan picked up a piece of melon from the tray on the table, stuffed it into his mouth, and said to Xue Ju slowly.

"If it truly happens as you say, Brother Wenyuan, that would be for the best. But even if I trust you, how am I to explain this to those behind me?" Xue Ju asked, looking troubled.

"That is simple. I can give you a deadline. Before September of this year, Yang Guang will inevitably be besieged at Yanmen Pass. If that does not happen by September, you can rise immediately. This would not violate the demands of those people, would it?"

"Good. I will tell them exactly that when I return. I understand your meaning, Brother Wenyuan. Once I rise, I will immediately cut off all communication channels between your Western Regions and the Central Plains. I will never make things difficult for you." After carefully weighing the options, Xue Ju said with determination.

"It is excellent that you are willing to trust me, Brother Xue. However, I have a favor to ask of you now."

"Oh? You are the Governor-General of the Western Regions, thriving in officialdom. What could you possibly need from a lowly garrison commander like me?" Xue Ju asked with a smile upon hearing Li Wenyuan's request.

Hearing the self-mockery in Xue Ju's voice, Li Wenyuan could only pretend not to notice. He understood Xue Ju's feelings perfectly; after all, only a short time ago, he had been a subordinate officer under Xue Ju's command. Yet, after accompanying him to Liaodong, he had returned as a high-ranking regional official, far surpassing Xue Ju in rank. No matter how close their relationship had been, such a disparity in status would be difficult for anyone to accept. Thinking this, Li Wenyuan shook his head with a secret smile, yet maintained an earnest expression on his face as he said:

"I wish to borrow a quantity of grain from you, Brother Xue. By next year, in addition to returning the full amount, I will pay you an extra fifty percent as interest."