Chapter 526 — A Deal

Gao Yang felt no stir of emotion: just as he had foreseen long ago, as a founding hero wreathed in halos of glory, the nobles of Ansu did not mind hanging him on a wall, writing him into books, carving him in stone, or even enshrining him on an altar—but they would absolutely mind this founding hero sitting on the throne.

Because the hero on their walls, in their books, and on their stones could be a fiction—but the one on the throne would be real.

Yet he had never counted on that emergency pact from seven hundred years ago being of any use. He had merely mentioned it, and then went on: "Do you think Welsh will make a competent king?"

"He will," Victoria said cautiously, her mind still circling the contents of that mithril oath. "Prince Welsh may not be as dazzling as Edmund, but he inherited his father's steadiness and integrity. Only a king like that can heal Ansu's wounds after the civil war ends and restore the country's vigor as quickly as possible—and after the trauma of war, people will also long for a temperate king. They will support Prince Welsh."

"But that is not enough to change the situation between you and the eastern border. I know what you're thinking—enthrone a king, obtain legitimacy, win over more nobles, give the people courage. Not a bad idea, and it may even have some small effect. But don't forget, the eastern border also has a crown prince of legitimate standing, and for nearly twenty years that prince has been the one rooted deeper in people's hearts. Even if you crown Welsh first, the east can immediately raise up a new sovereign and drag matters right back to where they were."

"But if you would support Prince Welsh as well, then the new king's legitimacy would be greatly strengthened, and more nobles and common folk would swing toward the throne," Victoria could not help saying. "Your attitude is crucial..."

"Publicly support one of Charlie Morn's children in killing another?" Gao Yang rapped the little table between the two armchairs. "You should understand that in this civil war it is very difficult for me to take a stance lightly."

Victoria knew that Gao Yang could not take a stance—he simply did not wish to.

This founding duke was a man in whom caution and boldness coexisted. His present caution came from the fact that he did not trust the royal army at all—yet he seemed not to trust the eastern rebels either.

This was already the best situation they had anticipated.

"Then what you mean is..." The duchess looked into Gao Yang's eyes and ventured.

"I do not oppose Welsh's coronation," Gao Yang said without haste. "But if you want me to acknowledge him as king, he must at least produce achievements worthy of a king."

Here he paused briefly.

"And as for that mithril contract in Winterhold—girl of the Wilder family, you may put it away with an easy mind. I have no intention of using it."

It was only at these words that Victoria Wilder truly breathed a sigh of relief.

Gao Yang Cecil had not explicitly supported either the throne or the eastern border—but at least he had no intention of becoming king himself.

That at least meant Ansu would not have to face yet another civil war.

Having ascertained Gao Yang's attitude, the duchess's heart was set at ease; and according to the plan made before her departure, she began to press Gao Yang for greater support. "Thank you for your understanding—but if you could give the royal army greater support, this civil war might end sooner. As you said just now, merely crowning Prince Welsh cannot fundamentally change Ansu's present situation. The bloody balance between the royal army and the eastern border... must be broken."

"I said it just now—I am merely 'not opposed to the coronation of Wales,'" Gao Yang cut Virodai off. "I will not publicly support either side in this civil war. And frankly, the southern realm has only just come through a war of its own. My soldiers need rest, my people need to recover. We cannot afford to be drained any further."

It was a reasoned, well-grounded argument, and Virodai could think of nothing with which to refute it.

But after a moment of silence, Gao Yang suddenly spoke again: "And yet, as a good friend of Charlie's, I cannot simply stand by and watch his kingdom fall apart like this."

Virodai's eyes widened slightly. "You mean..."

"I am willing to offer help in other areas—anything but troops," Gao Yang said unhurriedly. "Weapons and armor, for instance..."