Liu Rushi did not know that the Rongdi were now entirely under Bai Qingyu’s control and had already become Great Zhou’s possession. For Liu Rushi, as a minister of the Great Zhou, having such thoughts was not strange.

But A’Yu’s identity—Bai Qingyan could not yet reveal it to Liu Rushi. Bai Qingyan only said: “The reason I asked Master Liu to delay Xiliang’s Prince Yan Li Zhijie is because our people gathering intelligence in Xiliang have been captured. But it’s currently unclear whether they were caught due to exposed identities or for other reasons! Bai Qingqi has already departed for Xiliang. Whether to sign the alliance or not… is entirely at Bai Qingqi’s discretion. But… before everything is settled, Li Zhijie must remain in the capital.”

Liu Rushi was startled, then nodded: “Since Your Majesty puts it this way, I understand. But… Xiliang’s Prince Yan Li Zhijie entered the capital to congratulate Your Majesty on your ascension. To rashly detain Li Zhijie in the capital might invite criticism.”

“Li Zhijie absolutely will not leave the capital before the alliance is finalized. He has only three paths: either form an alliance with Great Zhou, or he will choose to join hands with that masked prince from Rongdi to resist stronger nations together, or… ally with Great Yan’s Ninth Prince. Once Rongdi and Xiliang go to war, he will have Yan constrain our Great Zhou!”

Liu Rushi was about to speak when he saw Bai Qingyan wave her hand, indicating for him to listen completely: “Our Great Zhou’s goal is to unify the world, so we absolutely cannot allow Xiliang and Rongdi—either nation—to destroy the other and form a three-way balance with us. Otherwise, the difficulty of unifying the world would be far greater than today!”

Liu Rushi was straightforward. He knew Bai Qingyan spoke from a strategic perspective, but… Liu Rushi believed that even for the greater good, one could not abandon righteousness.

“This minister has not stood at Your Majesty’s height, so I don’t understand Your Majesty’s overall strategic control. But I do understand what Your Majesty is saying.” Liu Rushi’s attitude was very serious. “Even so, this minister must still counsel Your Majesty: if others were to prevent Xiliang’s Prince Yan from leaving the capital… that would be one thing! But we are the Great Zhou, a grand nation. If we detain visiting congratulatory envoys and prevent them from leaving our national capital, word would surely invite criticism! Losing righteousness toward Xiliang—how could we then win Xiliang? Please, Your Majesty, think thrice before acting!”

Just as Liu Rushi finished speaking, someone outside reported that Minister of Revenue Wei Bugong requested an audience.

Liu Rushi rose and walked to the center of the great hall, bowing deeply to Bai Qingyan: “This minister takes his leave first.”

“Master Liu, there is one more matter I wish to entrust to you.” Bai Qingyan’s brow bore a slight smile as she looked at Liu Rushi. “Starting next month, every three days, the court will dispatch an important official to discuss national affairs with the students at the Imperial Academy. Master Liu should go first… and discuss with the students whether we should form alliances with Xiliang and Rongdi.”

Liu Rushi had not expected Bai Qingyan to have him discuss major national affairs with students, but he still agreed and took his formal leave.

Outside the great hall, Liu Rushi encountered Wei Bugong. The two exchanged courtesies and had just exchanged a few pleasantries when they saw Bai Jinse bringing soup and pastries to see Bai Qingyan. They quickly stepped aside from the entrance to let Bai Jinse enter first.

Wei Bugong had returned much darker and thinner from disaster relief. As soon as he returned to the capital, he learned of Bai Qingyan’s plan to establish schools throughout the land—something Bai Qingyan wanted implemented quickly.

For matters requiring expenditure, the Ministry of Revenue, which handled the money, was first to take action. Wei Bugong had spent these past days sleeplessly calculating precisely, working out all the required silver costs, and had come specially to seek audience with Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan intended to establish both male and female schools in every county, but the national treasury currently had difficulty producing so much silver at once. Wei Bugong wanted to discuss with Bai Qingyan about reducing the number of schools by half.

After hearing Wei Bugong’s meaning, Bai Qingyan suddenly remembered something her grandfather had said when he was still alive. When he returned from securing compensation for fallen soldiers of the Bai family army, he had angrily struck his riding crop and said such words…

Grandfather had said that while ministers of revenue in various nations controlled their countries’ purse strings, if you asked who was best at crying poverty, ministers of revenue would claim second place, and no one would dare claim first.

Father had served tea to console Grandfather, saying that ministers of revenue also had their difficulties. Managing a nation’s purse strings was not so easy to manage—these were words Grandfather himself had once taught them. How was it that the older he got, the more he regressed, appearing more childish than even A’Bao, a mere child?

Grandfather was left speechless, angrily pointing at Father, saying Father’s elbow bent outward.

Recalling past events, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Wei Bugong, kneeling on the soft couch facing Bai Qingyan with lowered head, was at a loss and looked up toward Bai Qingyan.

Bai Jinse noticed and placed the soup beside Bai Qingyan’s hand, saying to Wei Bugong, “Elder Sister probably remembered Grandfather’s words… that ministers of revenue are best at crying poverty.”

Seeing Bai Qingyan nod, Wei Bugong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and could only say to Bai Qingyan: “Your Majesty, establishing schools is not such an urgent matter after all. It can be delayed slightly. This is why this official dared to counsel Your Majesty. Please reconsider.”

“Share half of these pastries with Master Wei and bring him the soup as well.” Bai Qingyan’s expression held a smile. “Master Wei hasn’t eaten yet. First, make do with some pastries to tide us over hunger, and we’ll talk while eating.”

Wei Bugong had never seen such an easygoing emperor and quickly kowtowed, saying he dared not.

“Master Wei need not be so formal. Though this is official business, you cannot abandon sleep and food… If you truly exhaust your health, where would I find another Minister of Revenue? Let’s eat together. Though ruler and minister should observe propriety, we need not be too harsh!”

Bai Qingyan had not rested since returning from the Imperial Academy and had not eaten either, which was why Bai Jinse had come to bring food to her elder sister.

Wei Zhong carried pastries and soup to the table before Wei Bugong, who quickly expressed thanks. Seeing Bai Qingyan use silver chopsticks to pick up a pastry and eat while reviewing his detailed accounts, only then did he use chopsticks to take small bites of pastry.

Before long, Bai Qingyan finished reading the detailed cost estimates Wei Bugong had submitted. She set down her teacup: “Mm, I’ve finished reading…”

Wei Bugong, who was eating pastries, quickly set down his chopsticks upon hearing this and bowed to Bai Qingyan. Before he could speak, he choked on a pastry, swallowed hard, then said: “Your Majesty, these calculations were made most economically after borrowing people from the Minister of Works. Great Zhou has just been established with countless things needing attention—we should prioritize the most important matters first.”

Bai Qingyan nodded and unrolled a bamboo scroll beside her: “What does Master Wei think—comparing establishing schools with constructing the imperial mausoleum… is constructing the imperial mausoleum the top priority?”

Wei Bugong looked up at Bai Qingyan, his face full of confusion. This was naturally the top priority…