Iron Dynasty Chapter 996

“What exactly are you implying? Who owns this realm anyway? Must His Majesty seek approval from you and me to name the Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet? Recall His Majesty's words: whatever he bestows upon us, we may accept; whatever he withholds, we dare not seize.”

Luo Quan shot a fierce glare, his beard bristling in anger. Both Luo Hong and Luo Xin were his sons, cherished equally in his heart.

Despite the empire's ongoing transformations, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate heirs lingered stubbornly. As relics of Xiao Wenxuan's time, they found it utterly impossible to shed lifelong beliefs so readily.

The new doctrines pushed by the empire were taking root far swifter among youngsters just entering primary school.

Luo Hong staggered upright, his gaze tinged with red. “Father, from Chang’an all the way to Qingzhou, I trailed after you, battling King Wei, then King Yan, followed by King Zhao. Even without great achievements, my toil counts for something. What feats has Zhu Sansi claimed? He merely clashed in one fight at Yakutsk. Wouldn't you agree I'm suffering injustice? I'm past forty now. Without rising to military region commander, my path stalls right here.”

Luo Quan parted his lips as if to respond, yet ended with a heavy sigh. He spoke, “This mess is on me, son. I ought to have brought you to Qingzhou sooner. Had that happened, the military region command would have been yours. As the Luo family's firstborn, I, your father, truly owe you far too much.”

Luo Hong froze in shock, his drunken haze lifting sharply. He bowed his head in deep thought for a stretch, then let out a profound sigh. “Father, shall we simply abandon this issue? Doing so would only embolden Pang Yukun's faction in court to dismiss us further.”

Luo Quan creased his brow. He cautioned, “So what course do you plan to take?”

“Just days back, Fei Tong shared drinks with me, your son, and hinted his heir remains unwed, suggesting a union with our Luo clan. I figured Susu, my girl, has reached sixteen this year—prime age for betrothal. Should it work out, it'd prove beneficial,” Luo Hong declared boldly.

“Fei Tong? You mean Fei Ge’s kin, Fei Tong?”

“Precisely. A marriage tying the Luo and Fei houses, leveraging our combined might, would force His Majesty to regard us with gravity, Father. It's for the future of our Luo lineage too. We once battled alongside His Majesty for the realm, unity served us well then, but with stability now reigning, we must consider our own stakes. His Majesty might harbor old affections, yet Pang Yukun and his allies likely won't spare us.”

Luo Hong pressed on. Luo Quan had grown elderly, and the Luo patriarch role would pass to him shortly. Already, he viewed matters through the lens of the entire Luo household.

Luo Quan wavered briefly. He grasped full well that Xiao Ming differed from Xiao Wenxuan, proving far harder to predict than past rulers.

Nor could he foresee the fallout from this move, though history showed fitting alliances always proved wise. His Luo descendants wouldn't wed mere commoners' daughters. Linking with the Fei family appeared entirely proper.

Noting Luo Quan's doubt, Luo Hong urged outright, “Father, why the delay? Chief Grand Secretary Pang outsmarts you by miles. Word is, he's set to wed his boy to General Niu Ben’s granddaughter.”

At those words, Luo Quan shut his eyes. Current events validated Niu Ben's foresight. That's why the pair opted for seclusion at this pivotal moment, stepping back from palace intrigues.

Deep down, he recognized court rivalries would inevitably explode, surging quicker in the empire's peace—especially post the barbarians' crushing loss, erasing the age-old northern peril.

Yet unity's drive to forge the empire had vanished too. Lingering were the grudges hidden amid the last decade's explosive growth.

Today, key officials sought their footing: staying impartial, forging pacts, or going solo.

“The Luo patriarch seat belongs to you. Chart your own path, but heed this: court thrives on clashing ambitions. Rivalries among officials please His Majesty, bolstering his rule's safety. One line you must never cross: challenging imperial authority,” Luo Quan intoned gravely.

“Father, such boldness eludes me. If military region command slips away, can't I secure a fine union for my daughter at least?”

Luo Hong pulled a cigarette pack from his coat, ignited one, and began exhaling clouds of smoke.

Luo Quan's frown deepened at the sight. Authority's sway could twist souls, a truth now etched starkly in Luo Hong.

He knew his elder boy fixated on trifles, gripped fiercely by ambition's lure. For years, he'd waged wars across north and south to rival his sibling, only to see labors fruitless. That might explain his core bitterness.

From this angle, he grasped why His Majesty favored Luo Xin over Luo Hong for the command.

Imperial spies blanketed the realm. The Emperor couldn't ignore insights on vital commanders. Likely, Luo Hong's power hunger prompted Xiao Ming's pick of Luo Xin.

This realization struck; he eyed Luo Hong once more and advised, “Bear in mind, countless Luo lives rest on you. Never endanger them over personal wins or woes.”

Finishing, he wheeled away. Youth's age had dawned; elders like him must yield ground. He couldn't shadow these juniors eternally.

Imperial Study.

Xiao Ming pored over dispatches. Since the wired telegraph's debut, he'd dedicated a chamber in the adjacent side hall for telegraphy.

Thus, secret guard reports reached him instantly whenever needed.

Lately, telegraph wires spread at breakneck speed. Routes now linked Qingzhou eastward to Dengzhou, southward to Youzhou, westward to Jizhou, and further south to Xuzhou. By year's close, most northern Yangtze cities should connect via telegraph.

Naturally, he'd promptly entrusted this swift intel network to the secret guards.

“Your Majesty, here's another. All six military region commanders have gathered at Lu Fei’s home,” Qian Dafu presented a decoded message to Xiao Ming.

“These fellows lack subtlety. Soon enough, memorials accusing them will flood in,” Xiao Ming remarked with resignation.

Qian Dafu nodded along, “Indeed. Six commanders assembled? Folks could mistake it for an uprising.”

“No such risk. Zhu Sansi merely transited through,” Xiao Ming replied, grasping another dispatch where it plainly stated as much.

Next, he seized yet another wire. “Reports indicate Zhu Sansi and Luo Xin exchanged sharp words. Confirms my choice of Zhu Sansi was spot on.”

“But doesn't that leave five still?” Qian Dafu queried.

Xiao Ming chuckled. “Exactly. Their meeting raises eyebrows, yet skipping it signals seamless coordination.”