Novel Full Chapter 1182 - 172: The Deep Pit
Chapter 1182 - 172: The Deep Pit
In those years, it seemed that the Xie family sought a collaboration with the Zhao family, but in fact, it was all a scheme by the Zhao family.
At that time, not only the Zhao family was building a realm, but there were other forces as well, although these were far inferior to the Zhao family. By then, the Zhao family had conquered two-thirds of the territory, enough to be eligible for the throne. However, the Zhao family was not in a hurry to become emperor.
Though the Zhao family did not become emperor, they led their army into the capital. Under their control, everything in the capital was dictated by the Zhao family.
Those who followed the former emperor and the current emperor in building the realm urged them to ascend the throne swiftly, yet both emperors delayed, as if waiting for something.
The former emperor’s excuse was the presence of rebellious ministers and traitors, stating they had not completely conquered the realm, thus peace hadn’t thoroughly prevailed. Once they dealt with the remaining rebels, they would ascend the throne.
The truth is, another reason for not rushing to establish the throne was the shortage of weapons and provisions.
The Xie family noticed Zhao family’s lack of provisions and weapons, and seized this opportunity, proactively proposing cooperation with the Zhao family.
The Zhao family had long occupied the capital, but the aristocratic families within the capital hesitated to cooperate with them. Superficially, they sent gifts to maintain good relations, yet in reality, they looked down upon the Zhao family.
The aristocratic families despised farmers the most. In their eyes, farmers were lowly. The Zhao family’s origins as farmers made them nothing but lowly in their view.
Cooperating with lowly people would damage their status. Yet, for their family’s safety, they still delivered gifts to the Zhao family.
They believed their initiative in sending gifts was a favor to the Zhao family, thinking the Zhao family should be grateful with tears.
The messengers sent with gifts acted arrogant, with a condescending manner and a tone of charity, only to be executed on the spot. Subsequently, many soldiers stormed these aristocratic families who looked down their noses at others.
Despite having retainers, the aristocratic families in the capital were no match for the Zhao family’s soldiers. Many from the aristocratic families died, leading them to realize that the Zhao family was not to be trifled with. If they dared to maintain their noble posture before the Zhao family, they would not be spared.
After being dealt with by the Zhao family, the aristocratic families became very compliant, eagerly trying to ingratiate themselves with the Zhao family, seeking cooperation.
After witnessing the Zhao family’s tough tactics, the Xie family did not hesitate and promptly sought to negotiate collaboration with the Zhao family. Had they delayed further, the future Empress position could have gone to another family.
The Duke Zhen and his son personally went to discuss cooperation with the Zhao family. They adopted a humbling attitude, without a trace of haughtiness before the former emperor and the current emperor.
The Xie family went through war and transformed from a camel into a horse, yet the old saying goes, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. The Xie family remained the top aristocratic family in the capital.
Regarding the Xie family’s proactive approach for cooperation, the Zhao family father and son were not surprised at all.
The Xie family’s cooperative attitude was extremely sincere, providing the Zhao family with weapons and provisions vigorously, but with conditions. The condition was for the Zhao family and Xie family to become kin, with the Xie family marrying its daughter into the Zhao family.
At the time, the Xie family’s legitimate daughter was too young to be married into the Zhao family, so only the concubine’s daughter could be married. Before marrying into the Zhao family, she was transferred to the name of the legitimate mother of Xie family, becoming the legitimate daughter.
The Xie family valued this marriage very highly. When the former Empress married the emperor, the Xie family prepared red dowry that stretched for ten miles, a lavish occasion.
The wedding of the emperor and former Empress was extraordinarily grand, still widely discussed to this day.
Back then, the marital alliance between the Zhao family and Xie family reassured other aristocratic families. Previously, the Zhao family chastised many of them, creating the impression that the Zhao family was disdainful of collaborating, making them uneasy.
On the surface, with the assistance of the Xie family, the Zhao family quickly dealt with half of the remaining one-third of rebellious forces, thereafter, peace reign largely, avoiding the outbreak of large-scale wars.
Despite this, the Zhao family was still not in a hurry to establish the throne, but the Xie family was impatient. The primary reason for Xie family’s collaboration with Zhao family was to enable their daughter to become Empress, restoring their status as imperial kin.
Under the urging of the Xie family and their subordinates, the former emperor finally agreed to establish the throne.
After ascending the throne, the former emperor immediately designated his only son Zhao Zheng as Crown Prince and appointed Xie Wan as Crown Princess Consort.
Prior to ascending, the former emperor’s health was not great. Having fought numerous battles, he suffered injuries multiple times, some nearly claiming his life. In youth, the sequelae from these injuries were inconsequential, but as age progressed, they became fatal.