Chapter 2737: Night Tread in Wind and Snow

The bitter cold north wind collided with the tent, creating a muffled, thunder-like sound. It was like the low roar of a huge, ferocious beast in a cage.

Whoosh whoosh!

The curtain flapped open, and wind and snow surged into the tent.

Jin Tandu, sitting on the commander's chair, lifted his eyes slightly and looked out of the tent.

In the boundless wind and snow stood a woman dressed in simple clothes and plain shoes, holding a horse whip in her hand.

Her simple clothes and shoes indicated she had come in haste. Her lips were cold and blackish-blue, revealing traces of shock and hatred.

She gripped the horse whip tightly, yet there was an unyielding sternness about her.

She stepped through the snow. Her situation was urgent, and she burst in hastily, yet she still used the horse whip to knock on the side of the door. "Great Commander Jin, I wonder if you would mind allocating a little time to chat with me?"

The master of the world-renowned Tie Fulu, Jin Tandu, was born imposing. His body was like an iron tower, and his face like a vajra. Even when alone in the tent, he was fully armored.

His helmet, adorned with a cold, forest-like spear tassel, was placed on the long table within reach.

But his voice was gentle.

Standing up, he stroked his chest armor and performed a courtesy. "Your Highness Yunyun, please enter the tent and avoid the wind and snow."

Helian Yunyun then walked in, going directly to Jin Tandu's commander's table.

She didn't sit down immediately but used her horse whip to poke the red tassel on the helmet and said casually, "This red tassel is also called 'blood evasion'."

Behind them, the tent curtain fell, and the harsh wind sound whimpered away.

Jin Tandu stood there and said respectfully, "Sometimes it inevitably gets stained."

Helian Yunyun held the horse whip and used it again to sweep away the snow she had brought in on her shoulder. "Occasional staining is not important, as long as you remember to clean it. What comes from purity can still return to purity."

She had no order or decree, wore only simple clothes, and held a horse whip, yet she alone burst into the Tie Fulu great camp. This was inherently not a simple matter; it was a display of strength. At this moment, her words carried even more pressure.

Jin Tandu sighed, "A general who dies after a hundred battles, how can he have a clean life?"

Helian Yunyun stopped sweeping snow and looked at Jin Tandu with her pair of cyan eyes. "Great Commander Jin should be a person famous for ten thousand generations."

This Great Shepherd's princess, Your Highness, did not sit down, so Jin Tandu also could not sit. But he was very tall standing, which wasn't very respectful, so he could only keep his head lowered.

Your Highness Yun is truly domineering!

Entering the military tent alone today was clearly seeking help, but she wanted to seize the initiative everywhere and not show any weakness.

In comparison, the feeling Your Highness Zhao Tu gave people was much more gentle and warm.

Jin Tandu analyzed the two imperial heirs quite leisurely and said calmly, "This Jin cultivates only this life; one lifetime is ten thousand lifetimes. Famous when born, empty when dead."

"Then this lifetime needs to be even more cautious," Helian Yunyun said slowly.

The main commander of the Tie Fulu lowered his eyes and said firmly, "Jin Tandu swears to be loyal to the Great Shepherd Emperor until death. Whatever His Majesty tells me to do, I dare not be slack in the slightest. What His Majesty does not tell me to do, I dare not do in the slightest."

Facing this true lord in armor who seemed impervious to oil and salt, and also seemingly immune to knives and spears, Helian Yunyun was silent for a moment.

During the silence, the wind and snow outside the tent grew fiercer. The wailing sounds of cattle and sheep were clear.

She seemed to hear the mournful howl of the entire grassland.

Her competition with Helian Zhao Tu had been going on for many years, and she had always been at a disadvantage. After all, she was born several years later, a weakness that time could not erase.

But the husband she found far surpassed the wife Helian Zhao Tu found.

Helian Zhao Tu's wife was the direct daughter of the Wanyan family, Wanyan Qing Frost, Wanyan Du's sister.

Helian Zhao Tu married a woman from the Wanyan family, naturally to gain the support of this true-blooded family. She, on the other hand, found a consort from outside the true-blooded tribes... At that time, this was not seen as a smart choice.

But as Zhao Ru Cheng's talent gradually became known, his influence within the Shepherd Court continuously rose. Whether in personal cultivation, governing politics, or commanding the army, he was a first-rate existence among the younger generation.

For example, in important departments like the Min He Temple, it was previously controlled by the divine crown priest Tu Hu, but now it has been taken over by him. Li Ya is a major yamen, involving all aspects of the country, and is of too great a benefit to the expansion of power of Yi Yang Palace.

This was seen as a major victory!

On the day Zhao Ru Cheng formally took charge of the Min He Temple, Yi Yang Palace even properly celebrated.

In comparison, the choice of Wanyan Qing Frost was much inferior. It's not that she wasn't excellent. Her problem was being overly excellent and equally very ambitious. She was unwilling to only be a link between the Wanyan family and Helian Zhao Tu but wanted to control the Wanyan family and become its head!

But her excellence did not completely eclipse Wanyan Du, to the extent that the Wanyan family now had a slight tendency to split.

Helian Zhao Tu was still not convenient to support Wanyan Qing Frost, because if Wanyan Qing Frost competed independently, according to the conventional understanding on the grassland, that would still be considered an internal matter of the Wanyan clan. If Helian Zhao Tu, as her husband, intervened too much, that would be an encroachment of the Helian royal clan against the Wanyan clan, which would arouse a fierce reaction from all true-blooded tribes!

So the wife Helian Zhao Tu married for this purpose temporarily couldn't bring him much help. The consort she, Helian Yunyun, recruited, however, made Yi Yang Palace gradually stronger.

Just that Helian Yunyun originally thought this balance would continue for a long time. Because the Emperor's political tenure was still very long, and once she won the current key game, she would have more qualifications to look down on the six directions.

She was very willing to compete fairly with her elder brother. She was very confident in herself, in her husband Zhao Ru Cheng, and even in her and Zhao Ru Cheng's future children. Even under the pressure of Wanyan Qing Frost, Wanyan Du had a tendency to lean towards her.

Not to mention tough guys like Yu Wen Duo, whose internal family discourse power was also increasing.

They were both full of hope for the future.

But the wind and snow suddenly changed overnight.

How could she have expected that her elder brother, who had always fought her like a gentleman, would suddenly launch an attack at this key time when the Emperor personally went to Heaven Country, the entire grassland suffered disasters everywhere, and the Shepherd Country needed to unite from top to bottom to overcome the disaster...

When she detected the wrong, everything was already too late.

No matter how angry she was, she had to admit—this was bad timing in terms of great righteousness, but it was the best opportunity in terms of real benefit.

The current Great Shepherd Emperor had only one son and one daughter.

In the current Shepherd Country, no one could stop the struggle between the brother and sister.

There was no need to discuss overall strategy or the strength of both sides... If she died, the Emperor would have no choice.

Her mother was the Emperor, not just her mother.

Could she still kill Helian Zhao Tu, then give birth to several more, and then see if they were useful?

Helian Zhao Tu was originally excellent enough; it was only because she, Helian Yunyun, was there that the important position of Crown Prince was open to choice.

One step slow, step by step slow. There was no opportunity for turnaround within the Supreme Royal Court, so she was decisive, escaping from Yi Yang Palace and leaving all her close ones in the palace to delay. And alone she stepped into the wind and snow at night, bursting into the Tie Fulu great camp.

She knew this was the only place of opportunity.

But the Emperor could not lose face, and the heir could not be without authority. Although she was seeking help from Jin Tandu, it was a monarch having use for a minister, not a subordinate making an offer to a superior! She couldn't let Jin Tandu arbitrarily set conditions.

Jin Tandu, this old fox, was far from as easy to handle as his son, Jin Ge.

He kept circling around, not saying a single straightforward sentence.

Helian Yunyun was silent for a moment, then moved forward. She moved forward, her hands resting on Jin Tandu's military table, and knocked the horse whip on the military table with a light sound.

She said, "Great Commander, please sit."

Jin Tandu then sat on the commander's seat.

He also sat within Helian Yunyun's overlooking view.

The snow on Helian Yunyun's hair fell on the military table of the Commander-in-Chief of the Tie Fulu and did not melt for a long time.

"The divine aura in this white-haired wind is getting heavier and heavier," Helian Yunyun said.

"Great Commander, I will speak frankly now."

She gazed at Jin Tandu. "His Majesty's trip to Heaven Country is not as smooth as imagined. What should have been completed in one go has evolved into a stalemate. My Yi Yang Palace has been working day and night without rest, rescuing and comforting the common people of the grassland, to the extent of not preparing for ourselves—you have all seen this, and the people of the grassland have witnessed it."

"My elder brother, Helian Zhao Tu, however, suddenly launched an attack at this time. Although he acted viciously and seized the opportunity, he completely disregarded the overall situation of the grassland! How can this be the Emperor who can hold the grassland for the next hundred years in his heart, Great Commander?"

"You have ascended to the absolute peak and hold the Tie Fulu in your hand. Although you have enjoyed glory for generations, presumably you are not only satisfied with galloping across the grassland."

Her voice gradually rose. "To follow an Emperor who has the common people in his heart and ambition for the universe, or to follow a person who only sees what is before his eyes, a short-sighted thief heart... who can lead the Shepherd Country forward, and who can push Great Commander one step further forward, you should see clearly!"

Jin Tandu sat there, still indicating respect with a humble expression. His mouth only said, "The Jin family has been loyal to the Helian clan for generations. This old minister is loyal to His Majesty from the heart and respects both Your Highnesses. In this old minister's view, Your Highness Zhao Tu is not as bad as Your Highness Yunyun says..."

"My elder brother, Helian Zhao Tu, is extremely talented, his military strategy surpasses others, he respects the wise and is humble, and respects elders and gods. He is naturally not a bad person. In the six directions of the world, judged solely by talent, he is not inferior to any family's crown prince."

Helian Yunyun raised her head slightly. "But what is in his heart is his own power, or the future of the Shepherd Country? Look at his current choice and you will know!"

Jin Tandu lowered his eyelids slightly. "So you mean that losing temporarily, the trapped dragon in the chess game, is instead the place where you win?"

"Indeed so!" Helian Yunyun raised her voice and said, "Launching an attack while my Emperor is far away in Heaven Country, and stealing a hand while the whole country is undergoing disaster, is nothing more than breaking the pot and starting a brutal family fight behind closed doors. Do I not have the strength to overturn the table? Can I not smash all the manpower and resources used to save the world's people these days onto him, Helian Zhao Tu, fully mobilize the Rouge Cavalry, and fight him until blood splatters five steps?"

"It is I who did not do so!"

"Flesh and blood killing is a common matter in the imperial family. Although I cannot bear it, I can bear it. However, if the world kills each other, it will harm the foundation of the country. Although it would be beneficial to me, it would be harmful to the country, and I will not take it."

She said exceptionally proudly, "Because what I seek is not only victory against him, Helian Zhao Tu. But victory against the countless heroes of the various countries in this world!"

"The former might only require one sword across the neck, one of my elder brother's heads rolling on the ground. The latter, however, requires a complete, united Great Shepherd Empire from top to bottom."

She put the horse whip on Jin Tandu's military table and at this point sat down opposite him. Although she wore simple clothes and plain shoes, her noble power was boundless, just like an Emperor holding court. "I want to walk a farther road, so I don't look at this shortcut in front of me."

She asked, "Commander Jin intends for ten thousand miles, or is already satisfied with what is before your eyes?"

"Your Highness's grand sentiment moves this old minister," Jin Tandu sat there. After all, he was a minister tempered by a strong lord like Helian Shanhai. Although his heart was moved, it wasn't to the extent of kowtowing and bowing. He said slowly, "However, disaster has arisen from Yi Yang Palace, and Your Highness already has to strive. You view this as a shortcut, but someone is already killing their way from this path. In close combat, blood cannot be avoided. This road has to be walked."

Helian Yunyun said, "So I came here on a snowy night, desiring to become an unprecedented merit for Commander Jin! If you rescue the heavens tilted here, who can compare with you?"

Although these words were stirring, they ultimately meant mobilizing troops! Mobilizing people! She even needed Jin Tandu to personally put on his armor and go into battle, leading the vanguard for Yi Yang Palace.

Jin Tandu sighed lightly and said, "Unprecedented merit is hard to record in history books. The previous Jingmu great war, the shame of the grassland, is known throughout the world."

Helian Yunyun said directly, "I will speak to Commander Jin now—on the day I ascend the great treasure in the future, there must be a time to go south and call upon Commander Jin to wash away the previous shame in the snow!"

Jin Tandu said, "A great war cannot be lightly moved, and this minister knows this matter is very far off."

Helian Yunyun looked at him. "Which are the relatively nearby matters, Commander Jin, feel free to speak frankly."

"May I ask Your Highness, His Majesty personally went to Heaven Country, and the divine crown great priest is still guarding Qiong Lu Mountain. Between you and Your Highness Zhao Tu, what is the great priest's attitude?" Jin Tandu asked.

Helian Yunyun was quite certain. "The great priest and the Cang Tu God Religion will maintain neutrality."

"But Tu Hu killed Bo Er Zhi Jin E Ke Lie, and Your Highness Zhao Tu saved Hu Yan Jing Xuan. The joint elders group has almost all fallen into his hands, and the Qing Yu is unfolding for him..." Jin Tandu shook his head. "The great priest is just neutral now, perhaps not too neutral."

Helian Yunyun said methodically, "This joint elders group represents the interests of many true-blooded tribes on the grassland, including the Jin clan, of course. Whether or not the chief elder dies, the joint elders group will fall into his hands. Great Commander Jin should be clearer about this than I am, and there is no need to boost his prestige."

"During the central escape meditation, the Emperor quietly left the palace and personally went to the Cang Tu Heaven Country to take advantage of the chaos. The chief elder, at a key moment, caught a glimpse of the secret and did not think of concealing it for the country. He chose to link various sides and scheme for himself, to the extent that the matter of Heaven Country is no longer a secret at the high level, and various sides are stirring. I respect his past merits, but in this matter, he committed confusion, making it impossible for him to be pardoned. The great priest killed him out of compulsion and also acted for the country, not biased towards anyone."

"Hu Yan Jing Xuan is a good minister of the Great Shepherd. No matter who is in position, they will save him. Whether it is Helian Yunyun acting or Helian Zhao Tu acting, it only depends on who is more convenient. I serve the affairs of the country with the thought of saving the world. All the subjects of the Shepherd Country are on the must-save list and will not be picked by identity. The Qing Yu Patrol Yamen is an important yamen of the country. Receiving the clamping down of the joint elders group is for the public heart of the world! Moreover, let's not discuss whether Hu Yan Jing Xuan has completely leaned towards my elder brother. Can he, the master of this yamen, truly make the Qing Yu unfold entirely for my elder brother? Commander Jin knows this in his heart!"

So-called negotiation is nothing more than the process of suppressing prices and raising prices.

Suppressing prices requires pointing out its flaws, while raising prices requires highlighting its value.

Helian Yunyun clearly analyzed Helian Zhao Tu's momentum and could see that although the matter was sudden, allowing Helian Zhao Tu to gain the upper hand, she did not fall into a completely irreversible situation.

"Now it is better to speak clearly with Great Commander. Further suppressing the joint elders group and strengthening the imperial power is an inevitable measure. After cutting down the divine power, His Majesty will surely grasp the entire grassland in one hand. The only difference is that if we can wait for His Majesty to return from the Cang Tu Heaven Country, the action does not need to be so intense. It is a pity that the great elder cannot wait—"

She said slowly, "I think the joint elders group is the governing body of the grassland. The position of chief elder cannot be held by someone who does not deeply understand the great righteousness and have the country's affairs in their heart. There are voices in the Supreme Royal Court saying that Tu clan head Tu Yun Fu can hold this position. In my view, he is far inferior to Great Commander!"

First, she painted a picture, then analyzed the situation, and finally carved out interests and threw out a heavyweight condition.

This Princess Your Highness, stepping into the snow at night, showed urgency, but after entering the tent, her posture was truly elegant, already the posture of a mature politician.

Jin Tandu pondered for a moment. "My son, Jin Ge, has always admired Your Highness, which Your Highness also knows. Although the little one has foolish delusions, a humble earth hard to connect with heaven's blessing, seeing him unable to think of tea and rice, worrying thin and gaunt, as a father, I cannot avoid suffering."

Helian Yunyun raised her head slightly, like a proud swan, lifting her chin. Her cyan eyes seemed hidden behind cloud shadows, showing no emotion as she said, "I already have a husband."

Jin Tandu said, "The world has divorce letters, and it should not only be set for wives. If a wife is not virtuous, the husband divorces her. If a consort is not virtuous, how is a princess different?"

Helian Yunyun looked at him. "But this palace's husband is both virtuous and handsome."

Jin Tandu was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Of course. This dynasty's consort is truly a first-rate romantic figure. Your feelings are very good, and the court and people alike sing your praises. This old minister is also happy for Your Highness."

Helian Yunyun said firmly, "Actually, marriage alliances are not important. Unexpectedly, both you and I will live longer than Jin Ge. Relying on him cannot maintain the relationship between us."

For the first time, Jin Tandu made eye contact with this Princess Your Highness in a true sense, as the master of the Tie Fulu. "What Your Highness said is indeed the ultimate truth. But His Majesty has no clear decree, how dare this old minister rashly move troops? If one is not careful, it is the heavy crime of rebellion, harming the entire clan! Only young people like Jin Ge, whose heads are muddled by love, might risk stealing military tallies and dying for a beauty. This old minister has spent half his life in the military. In my heart, besides loyalty to His Majesty and loyalty to the empire, there is only left responsibility to the clan. I will no longer take risks for myself. Although the chief elder was good, he died just like that. Although the military camp is bitter, how much can this military tent avoid wind and snow!"

"You have also exchanged hearts with me," Helian Yunyun said slowly. "Stepping into the wind and snow tonight, I burst into the camp alone. Although I did not gain a single soldier, I saw this truth from Great Commander! I have no resentment, only respect."

She picked up the horse whip, rose, pulled open the curtain, and stepped out into the wind and snow again.

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