Summoning from Another World: A Grand Ambition

Chapter 13 Nurturing Bandits for Self-Importance, the Chief Secretary of the Prince's Palace

Tian Heng turned around and looked at Ji Dan.

The morning light streamed in through the window, illuminating his young face. In his eyes, there was no more hesitation, only determination.

"Sir," he began, his voice as steady as a mountain.

"I approve of the reform. However, it must be done step by step and not rushed. After I have arrived in Youzhou and established a firm foothold, we can proceed slowly."

Ji Dan bowed deeply: "Your Highness is wise."

"Sir, reform requires prestige, prestige requires military merit, and military merit requires war. Youzhou is close to the Eastern Yi; do you know any way to subdue them for me?"

Ji Dan calmly got up, walked to the simple map of Youzhou that Tian Heng had just drawn, took a fine brush, and sketched a few strokes at the border between Dongyi and Youzhou.

"Your Highness, please look. Although Dongyi claims to be unified, there are still many tribes within it. Wudang tribe is just one of them. Anachi rose to power through intrigue, and his foundation is unstable. There are many tribal leaders who outwardly submit but inwardly do not."

He pointed his pen to the locations of three tribes: "The Huli tribe, the Guifang tribe, and the Helan tribe—a three-way power struggle!"

"What do you mean, sir?" Tian Heng asked thoughtfully.

"We can secretly contact these tribes," Ji Dan said in a low voice, "promising them trade benefits, and even... hinting that we can help them become independent in the future."

Tian Heng's eyes lit up: "This plan is brilliant! We can divide the Eastern Barbarians without losing a single soldier!"

"That's not all," Ji Dan continued. "When the Eastern Yi army truly arrives, we won't need to fight to the death. We only need to fight a few brilliant defensive battles at the strategic pass of Beique Pass, severely damaging their vanguard. Then..."

He paused, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Then we can send envoys to negotiate peace."

"Peace talks?" Tian Heng was taken aback.

"Yes, negotiate peace." Ji Dan nodded. "Your Highness can submit a memorial to the court, stating that the Eastern Yi are powerful, and Youzhou has few soldiers and food supplies, making it difficult to hold out for long. In order to ensure peace on the border, we are willing to negotiate peace with the Eastern Yi temporarily and allow them to trade."

Tian Heng listened quietly, his heart churning with emotions.

He recalled the history books he had read in his previous life. Emperor Wu of Han exhausted the nation's resources to defeat the Xiongnu, but depleted the reserves accumulated during the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing; Emperor Taizong of Tang also spent several years preparing and proceeding step by step to destroy the Eastern Turks, while those who were eager for quick success and fantasized about deciding the fate of the world in one battle often achieved the opposite result.

"The sixteen words you spoke, sir," Tian Heng said slowly, "rectify the bureaucracy, strengthen the army, develop patiently, and wait for the opportune moment... every word is precious, the essence of governing the country and bringing peace to the world. I have learned a great deal."

He took a step back, straightened his clothes, and bowed solemnly to Ji Dan.

Ji Dan quickly stepped aside, saying, "Your Highness is too kind!"

"No," Tian Heng straightened up, his gaze sincere, "As the ancients said, 'There is a sequence to learning, and each profession has its own expertise.' Your insights into strategy and politics far surpass mine. Today, receiving your guidance is like seeing the sun after the clouds have parted. I..."

He paused, then suddenly raised his voice:

"I believe you possess extraordinary talent and strategic vision to govern the country and save the nation! Now that the Prince's Palace has just opened and everything is in need of rebuilding, with the two princes watching closely, this is precisely the time when talent is needed!"

He walked to the desk, took the Qin King's golden seal that he had just used, held it up with both hands, faced Ji Dan, and said loudly:

"I wish to appoint you, sir, as the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Qin's Palace, to oversee all affairs of the palace, advise on military and political matters, manage documents and files, and command all staff within the palace. Within the palace, apart from myself, you shall be the most respected!"

After he finished speaking, the study fell silent.

The position of Chief Secretary is no small matter.

In the princely fiefdoms, the chief secretary was the head steward of the prince's residence, whose status was second only to the prince.

They were in charge of important matters, managed documents, commanded their subordinates, and could even act on behalf of the king.

By granting this position to Ji Dan, Tian Heng was essentially entrusting the entire Qin Prince's domestic and foreign affairs to him.

Ji Dan stood there, momentarily dazed.

He recalled his years of wandering and hardship: studying diligently in Yingchuan, being looked down upon in the capital, politely declining a government appointment in front of the Prince of Qi's mansion, turning away in front of the Prince of Jin's mansion, being chased by assassins on a snowy night, and feeling as lost and helpless as a stray dog.

He once thought that his life's ambitions would come to naught, and that he could only live out his remaining years in seclusion in the mountains.

But the prince, who was only fifteen years old, told him: You have extraordinary talent.

Not only that, but they also wanted to entrust the entire palace to him.

"Your Highness..." Ji Dan's voice was slightly hoarse, "This subject... what virtue or ability do I possess?"

"Sir, there's no need for such modesty." Tian Heng held the golden seal in both hands, his gaze intense.

"The wise rulers of old, when they had virtuous ministers, were like fish in water, like tigers with wings. Though I am unworthy, I wish to emulate these sages and treat you, sir, as a national treasure. I hope you... will lend me a helping hand!"

He spoke sincerely, his eyes showing no probing, no scheming, only pure sincerity.

Looking into those eyes, Ji Dan suddenly recalled a question he had asked his mentor many years ago when he was still studying in his hometown of Yingchuan: "Master, what is an enlightened ruler?"

My mentor was brewing tea at the time. Upon hearing this, he remained silent for a long time before slowly saying:

"A wise ruler is not necessarily one with great talent and strategy, but one who has a sincere heart, can recognize people, can use people, and can trust people. Even if he is in a dangerous situation, he will dare to entrust his heart to him. Only in this way will there be virtuous and talented people willing to give their lives for him."

Ji Dan at that time did not understand. He thought that a wise ruler should be like Emperor Ling of Yan in the history books, decisive in killing and as majestic as a mountain.

until now.

Looking at the young prince before him, who held the imperial seal in both hands and looked sincere, he suddenly understood his mentor's words.

"Your Majesty..." Ji Dan took a deep breath, straightened his faded blue robe, and then...

He lifted his robe, bent his knees, and knelt down.

This was not a casual bow, but a solemn salute befitting a subject.

"Your Highness, I, Ji Dan, am deeply grateful for your kindness in entrusting me with this important task." His voice was steady, each word as clear as metal striking the ground.

"From this day forward, I am willing to serve Your Highness with utmost loyalty, to advise on important matters, to manage government affairs, to organize internal affairs, and to maintain relations with all sides. Whatever Your Highness desires, I will desire; whatever Your Highness's enemies, I will be your enemies."

He raised his head and looked directly at Tian Heng:

"Your Majesty, I hereby swear: I will serve Your Highness with utmost loyalty and devotion until my dying breath. If I break this oath, may Heaven condemn me, Earth forsake me, and all people punish me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he solemnly kowtowed.

Tian Heng quickly stepped forward and helped Ji Dan up with both hands: "Please rise, sir! From this day forward, we, ruler and subject, shall work together to achieve great things!"

Ji Dan stood up, and the two smiled at each other.

At this moment, an invisible contract has been reached. It is not a master-servant relationship, nor an employer-employee relationship, but a trust and promise between like-minded individuals.

Tian Heng solemnly handed the golden seal to Ji Dan: "I entrust this seal to you, sir. You are in charge of all matters of the royal palace. If there is anything important, you may come to see me at any time."

"Your subject obeys." Ji Dan accepted the golden seal with both hands, feeling its weight. This was not only power, but also responsibility.

Tian Heng then remembered something else: "By the way, since you are the Chief Secretary, you should have an official residence. I will have the west wing prepared and used as your residence. All servants and expenses will be in accordance with the highest regulations of the Prince's Mansion."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness." Ji Dan cupped his hands in greeting. He had accepted the position of Chief Secretary, and he was determined to do his best.