Chapter 2771: Night Treading Wind and Snow

The bitter cold north wind slammed against the tent, emitting a muffled, thunder-like sound, like a huge, fierce beast roaring low in its cage.

Whoosh, whoosh!

The tent flap billowed open, and the wind and snow rushed towards the tent.

Jin Tandu, sitting on the commander's seat, slightly raised his eyes and looked outside the tent.

In the boundless wind and snow stood a woman dressed only in a single garment, with plain shoes stepping in the snow, and a horse whip in her hand.

Her single clothing and shoes indicated that she had come in haste. Her lips were cold and blackish, showing a hint of shock and hatred.

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

She came through the snow, the situation urgent, bursting in hastily, yet she still used her horse whip to knock against the side of the door: "Great Commander Jin, I wonder if you would mind sparing a little time to chat with this palace?"

Jin Tandu, the master of the world-renowned Tie Fulutu, was born with an extremely imposing presence. His body was like an iron tower, his face like a vajra. Even alone in his tent, he was fully armored.

His feathered spear and cold helmet were placed on a long case, within reach.

But his voice was gentle.

He stood up, smoothed his chest armor, and performed a salute: "Your Highness Yunyun, please enter the tent to avoid the wind and snow."

Helian Yunyun then walked in, going directly to the front of Jin Tandu's commander's case.

She did not immediately sit down, but used the horse whip to poke the red plume on the helmet and spear, saying seemingly casually: "This red plume is also called 'blood avoider'."

Behind, the tent curtain hung down, and the harsh sound of the wind whimpered away.

Jin Tandu stood there and said respectfully: "Sometimes it is also inevitably stained."

Helian Yunyun grasped the horse whip and used it again to sweep away the snow that had fallen on her shoulder: "Occasional staining is not important, as long as you remember to clean it. What is originally clean can still be cleaned."

She came without order or decree, dressed only in a single garment and holding a horse whip, bursting alone into the Tie Fulutu great camp. This was originally not a simple matter, it was a manifestation of strength. At this moment, these words carried even more pressure.

Jin Tandu sighed: "A general who dies in a hundred battles, how can they remain clean their entire life?"

Helian Yunyun stopped sweeping the snow and looked at Jin Tandu with those pale blue eyes: "Great Commander Jin should be a figure famous for ten thousand generations."

Since this princess of the Great Herd did not sit down, Jin Tandu also could not sit. But he was standing very tall, and not very respectful, so he just kept his head lowered.

Your Highness Yun is truly overbearing!

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

In comparison, the feeling given by Your Highness Zhao Tu was much warmer and gentler.

Jin Tandu analyzed the two imperial heirs quite leisurely, and calmly said: "Jin only cultivates this life; one lifetime is ten thousand generations. Born with a name, die then empty."

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

The main commander of Tie Fulutu lowered his eyes and said in a firm voice: "Jin Tandu swears death loyalty to the Great Herd Emperor. What Your Majesty tells me to do, I dare not slack even a bit. What Your Majesty does not tell me to do, I dare not do even a bit."

Facing this armored true lord who was impervious to oil and salt, and seemed impervious to blades and spears, Helian Yunyun was silent for a moment.

During the silence, the wind and snow outside the tent grew fierce again. The mournful sound of cattle and sheep was clear.

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

Her competition with Helian Zhaotu had continued for many years, and she had always been at a disadvantage. After all, she was born a few years later, a weakness that time could not erase.

But the husband she found was far superior to the wife Helian Zhaotu found.

Helian Zhaotu's wife was Wanyan Qingfeng, the direct daughter of the Wanyan family and sister of Wanyan Du.

Helian Zhaotu married a woman from the Wanyan family naturally to gain the support of this true-blood family. She, however, found someone outside the true-blood tribes as a consort... this was not considered a smart choice at the time.

But as Zhao Rucheng's talent gradually emerged, his influence within the Herd 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, the important department of Minhe Temple was previously controlled by the divine crown priest Tu Hu, but now he had taken over. The Ministry of Rites is a large office, involving all aspects of the country, and it is of great benefit to the expansion of Yiyang Palace's power.

This was considered a major victory!

The day Zhao Rucheng formally took charge of Minhe Temple, Yiyang Palace still celebrated properly.

In comparison, the choice of Wanyan Qingfeng was simply much inferior. It's not that she wasn't excellent. Her problem was that she was overly excellent, and also equally ambitious, unwilling to just be a link between the Wanyan family and Helian Zhaotu, but wanting to control the Wanyan family and become the head of the Wanyan family!

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

Helian Zhaotu was still not convenient in supporting Wanyan Qingfeng, because if Wanyan Qingfeng competed independently, according to the conventional tacit understanding on the grassland, that would still be considered an internal matter of the Wanyan clan. Once Helian Zhaotu, the husband, intervened too much, this would be the Helian royal clan swallowing the Wanyan clan, which would arouse a fierce reaction from all the true-blood tribes!

So the wife Helian Zhaotu married could not temporarily bring him too much help. The consort Helian Yunyun recruited, however, made Yiyang Palace grow stronger day by day.

Only Helian Yunyun originally thought that this balance would continue for a long time. Because the emperor's political fortune was still very long, once she won the current key game, she would have more qualifications to overlook the six directions.

She was very willing to compete fairly with her elder brother. She was very confident in herself, in her husband Zhao Rucheng, and even in their future child. Even under the pressure of Wanyan Qingfeng, Wanyan Du showed a tendency to approach her.

Not to mention iron rods like Yuwen Duo, whose voice in the family became increasingly important.

For the future, she and Zhao Rucheng were both full of hope.

But the wind and snow suddenly changed in one night.

She never expected that her elder brother, who had always fought with her in a gentlemanly manner, would actually strike suddenly when the emperor personally went to the heavenly country, and the entire grassland suffered disasters everywhere, just when the Herd country needed to unite from top to bottom to overcome the calamity... strike suddenly!

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

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

The current Great Herd emperor had only one son and one daughter.

Now in the Herd country, no one could stop the struggle between the brother and sister.

There was no need to discuss the 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 Zhaotu, then give birth to several more, and then see if there were any useful ones?

Helian Zhaotu was originally only excellent enough; it was only because of her, Helian Yunyun, that the important position of Crown Prince had a choice.

One step slow, every step slow. There was no longer any opportunity for a turnaround within the Supreme Royal Court, so she was decisive, escaping from Yiyang Palace and leaving all her close aides in the palace to delay. And she stepped into the wind and snow alone at night, bursting into the Tie Fulutu great camp.

She knew that this was the only place of opportunity.

But the emperor could not lose decorum, and the heir could not be without authority. Although she sought help from Jin Tandu, it was the monarch using the minister, not a lowly person making an offer to a superior! She could not let Jin Tandu arbitrarily set conditions.

This old fox Jin Tandu was far from as easy to deal with as his son Jin Ge.

He was evasive and did not get straight to the point.

Helian Yunyun was silent for a moment, then moved forward. She moved forward, placing both hands on Jin Tandu's military case. The horse whip fell on the military case with a light sound.

She said: "Great Commander, please sit."

Jin Tandu then sat on the commander's seat.

He was also sitting in Helian Yunyun's overlooking view.

Helian Yunyun's hair, covered in snow, fell on the military case of the Tie Fulutu commander-in-chief and did not melt away for a long time.

"The divine power 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: "Your Majesty's journey to the heavenly country was not as smooth as imagined. What was originally supposed to be an endgame accomplished in one breath has evolved into a tug-of-war. My Yiyang Palace worked day and night without rest, rescuing and soothing the grassland people, to the extent that I did not prepare myself—you have seen all of this, and the grassland people have eyes to witness it."

"My elder brother, Helian Zhaotu, however, suddenly struck 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 that Great Commander believes can hold the grassland for the next hundred years?"

"You have reached the absolute peak, holding the Tie Fulutu in your hand. Although your family has enjoyed honor for generations, presumably you are not just satisfied with galloping across the grassland."

Her voice gradually rose: "Is it following an emperor with a heart that embraces the common people and ambition for the world, or following a short-sighted person who only sees what is in front of them, a thief's heart sort... who can lead the Herd country forward, who can push Great Commander further, you should see clearly!"

Jin Tandu sat there, still maintaining a humble expression of respect, and only said with his mouth: "The Jin family has been loyal to the Helian clan for generations. This old minister is loyal to Your Majesty from the bottom of his heart, and I respect both Your Highnesses. In this old minister's view, Your Highness Zhaotu is also not as bad as Your Highness Yunyun says..."

"My elder brother Helian Zhaotu is extremely talented, his military strategy surpasses others, he respects the wise and is humble, he respects elders and gods. He is naturally not a bad sort. In the world of the six directions, if we only talk about talent, he does not lose to any family's crown prince."

Helian Yunyun slightly raised her head: "But does his heart contain his own power, or the future of the Herd country? Just look at his current choice and you will know!"

Jin Tandu, however, slightly lowered his eyelids: "So, in other words, your temporary setback, your trapped dragon in the chess game, is instead your winning point?"

"Indeed it is!" Helian Yunyun raised her voice and said: "Striking when my emperor is far away in the heavenly country, stealing a hand when the whole country is overcoming a calamity, is nothing but breaking the pot and throwing it away, fighting fiercely behind closed doors. Can I not have the strength to overturn the table? Can I not smash all the resources saved for rescuing the world's people these days on him, Helian Zhaotu, fully mobilize the rouge cavalry, and fight him until blood splashes five paces?!"

"It is I who will not do so!"

"Flesh and blood killing each other is a common matter of the imperial family. Although I cannot bear it, I am not unable to bear it. However, killing each other in the world and harming the country's foundation, although beneficial to me, is harmful to the country, and I will not take it."

She said with exceptional pride: "Because what I seek is not just victory over him, Helian Zhaotu. But victory over 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 Herd empire from top to bottom."

She placed the horse whip on Jin Tandu's military case, and at this time, she sat opposite him. Although she was in a single garment and single shoes, her noble power was boundless, just like an emperor holding court: "I want to walk a further road, so I do not look at this shortcut in front of me."

She asked: "Is Commander Jin intent on ten thousand miles, or are you already satisfied with what is before your eyes?"

"Your Highness's grand sentiments move this old minister." Jin Tandu sat there. After all, he was a minister tempered by a strong lord like Helian Shanhai. Although he was moved, he did not go so far as to kowtow and bow. He slowly said: "However, disaster arose from Yiyang Palace, and Your Highness already has to strive. You see this as a shortcut, but someone is already killing their way from this path. With short weapons meeting, blood cannot be avoided. This road must be walked to the end."

Helian Yunyun said: "So I came here on a snowy night. I desire to accomplish an unprecedented feat for Commander Jin! Pull the heavens and tilt them here, then who can compare their merits with yours?!"

Although these words made people's blood boil, saying and saying, it was still one sentence: mobilize troops! Mobilize people! Even Jin Tandu still needed to put on his armor and charge personally as the vanguard of Yiyang Palace.

Jin Tandu lightly sighed: "Unprecedented merit is hard to record in history books. The former Jing-Herd great war, the shame of the grassland, is known to the whole world."

Helian Yunyun said directly: "I will tell Commander Jin now—when he ascends the great throne, there will surely be a time for a southern expedition, and I will call upon Commander Jin to wash away the previous shame!"

Jin Tandu said: "A great war cannot be lightly moved. This minister also knows that this matter is very far away."

Helian Yunyun looked at him: "Are there any relatively close matters? Commander Jin, please speak frankly."

"Dare I ask Your Highness, Your Majesty personally went to the heavenly country, and the divine crown great priest is still guarding Qiong Lu Mountain. Between you and Your Highness Zhaotu, what is the great priest's attitude?" Jin Tandu asked.

Helian Yunyun was quite certain: "The great priest and the Cangtu Divine Church will maintain neutrality."

"But Tu Hu killed Bo'er Zhijin Eoklie, and Your Highness Zhaotu saved Huyan Jingxuan. The joint elders group has almost all entered his bag, and Cangyu is unfolding for him..." Jin Tandu shook his head: "The great priest is only neutral now, perhaps not too neutral."

Helian Yunyun said methodically: "This joint elders group represents the interests of many true-blood tribes on the grassland, of course including the Jin clan. Whether the chief elder died, the joint elders group just all entered his bag, Great Commander Jin should be clearer than this palace, there is no need to boost his prestige."

"During the escape from meditation in the center, the emperor quietly left the palace and personally went to the Cangtu heavenly country, it was for seizing the opportunity in chaos. The chief elder, at the key moment, glimpsed the secret and did not think to hide it for the country, choosing to link various sides and scheme power for himself, to the extent that the matter of the heavenly country is no longer a secret at the high level, and various sides are eager to move. I respect his past merits, but in this matter, he made a mistake that made it impossible for him to be pardoned. The great priest killing him was forced, and it was also acting for the country, not biased towards anyone."

"Huyan Jingxuan is a good minister of the Great Herd, no matter who is in power, they will save him. Whether it is Helian Yunyun acting, or Helian Zhaotu acting, it just depends on who is more convenient. I serve the country's affairs, with saving the world as my thought. All subjects of the Herd country are in the list of those who must be saved, and I will not pick identities. The Cangyu Patrol Office is an important national office, subject to the constraints of the joint elders group, for the public heart of the world! Moreover, not to mention whether Huyan Jingxuan has completely leaned towards my elder brother, can he, the master of this office, truly make Cangyu all unfold for my elder brother? Commander Jin also knows this in his heart!"

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

To suppress the price, you need to point out its flaws, and to raise the price, you need to highlight its value.

Helian Yunyun clearly and logically cleared away Helian Zhaotu's momentum. It can be seen that although the matter arose suddenly, making Helian Zhaotu gain the upper hand, she did not fall into a state of complete inability to confront him.

"Now I don't mind speaking clearly with Great Commander. Further suppressing the joint elders group and strengthening imperial power is an inevitable measure. After reducing divine power, Your Majesty is bound to grasp the entire grassland in one fist. The only difference is, if we can wait for Your Majesty to return from the Cangtu heavenly country, the action does not need to be so intense. It is a pity that the great elder could not wait—"

She said slowly: "I think that the joint elders group is the governing office of the grassland. The position of chief elder cannot be held by someone who does not have a deep understanding of great righteousness and a heart for the country's affairs. There are voices in the Supreme Royal Court saying that Tu clan head Tu Yunfu can hold this position. In my view, it is not as good as Great Commander!"

First draw a pie, then analyze the situation, and finally carve out interests and throw out a heavyweight condition.

This princess came on a snowy night, showing 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, and Your Highness also knows this. Although the little one is foolishly infatuated and delusional, it is hard for humble earth to connect with heavenly blessings, but seeing him unable to think about tea and rice, and worrying himself thin, I, as a father, cannot avoid torment."

Helian Yunyun slightly raised her head, like a proud swan, lifting her chin. Her pale blue eyes seemed to be hidden after a cloud shadow, and she said without emotion: "I already have a husband."

Jin Tandu said: "Divorce letters exist in the world, and they should not only be for wives. If the wife is not virtuous, the husband divorces her. If the consort is not virtuous, how is the princess so?"

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 indeed a first-rate romantic figure. Your feelings are very good, and the court and the wilds all sing praises. This old minister is also happy for Your Highness."

Helian Yunyun said firmly: "Actually, the marriage alliance is not important. Not unexpectedly, I and you will both live longer than Jin Ge. Relying on him is unable to maintain the relationship between us."

For the first time, Jin Tandu made true eye contact with this princess, with the identity of the master of Tie Fulutu: "What Your Highness says is indeed the ultimate principle. But without a clear decree from Your Majesty, how dare this old minister rashly move troops? If it is not done well, it is the grave crime of rebellion, harming the whole clan! Only a young person like Jin Ge, who is driven by love, might still risk stealing a military tally and die for beauty. This old minister has spent half his lifetime in the military. Besides my loyalty to Your Majesty and loyalty to the empire, only responsibility to the clan remains. I will no longer take risks for myself. Although the chief elder was good, he died when he was told to die. Although the military camp is difficult, how much can this military tent avoid the wind and snow!"

"You have also exchanged hearts with me," Helian Yunyun said slowly: "Stepping into the wind and snow tonight, bursting into the camp alone. Although I did not get a single soldier, I saw Great Commander's sincerity! I have no resentment, only respect."

She picked up the horse whip, stood up, pulled open the curtain, and stepped back into the wind and snow.