Cai Ziyuan seemed to have finally found a place to pour out his grievances, speaking earnestly to Bai Qingyan that Bai Jinzhi still needed to read more military treatises. It wasn’t that Cai Ziyuan thought Bai Jinzhi lacked strategy in battle, but he believed Bai Jinzhi should study properly to temper her disposition.

Moreover, Bai Jinzhi’s path of growth had been too smooth, causing her to be somewhat arrogant and underestimate enemies in battle. If this continued, she would likely suffer losses when facing formidable opponents in the future.

Originally, Cai Ziyuan had planned to teach Bai Jinzhi chess to temper her disposition, which would also count as learning military strategy through chess.

But Bai Jinzhi’s enthusiasm lasted only three minutes. At first, she said she would study hard with Cai Ziyuan… so she could return and play several games with her elder sister, but after just two days of learning, every time Cai Ziyuan brought the chessboard to find Bai Jinzhi, she would run away, faster than anyone else.

Yesterday, Cai Ziyuan had gone early to block Bai Jinzhi’s path, but she climbed over a wall to escape!

Cai Ziyuan knew Bai Qingyan had placed him beside Bai Jinzhi, hoping he would become her strategist and also teach her along the way, but this Bai Jinzhi… was simply unteachable!

If not for Cai Ziyuan’s strong inner fortitude, he probably would have coughed up three liters of blood from anger long ago.

But these weren’t the main issues. After finishing these complaints, Cai Ziyuan carefully spoke to Bai Qingyan: “Your Majesty… Prince Gaoyi is already a grown young lady, constantly mixing with men in military camps. Has Your Majesty never thought… that Prince Gaoyi might have someone she fancies?”

“Who?” Bai Qingyan looked up at Cai Ziyuan. She had always thought her sister was still young and had never considered this direction.

Seeing Bai Qingyan’s surprised expression, Cai Ziyuan bowed to her before saying: “I’ve startled Your Majesty, it’s Ziyuan’s fault! Originally, Ziyuan planned to report this matter immediately upon returning, but Your Majesty has been constantly busy, so Ziyuan didn’t come to disturb Your Majesty.”

“Tell me first…” Bai Qingyan calculated the letters Bai Jinzhi had sent back previously, wondering if it might be Lu Yuanpeng.

“Your Majesty, Ziyuan observes that… Grand Commandant Lu’s legitimate grandson and General Sima Ping of the Sima family both seem to have feelings for Prince Gaoyi, but Prince Gaoyi is used to being carefree and treats everyone as brothers, probably not paying attention.” Cai Ziyuan lowered his eyes modestly. “Ziyuan is not Prince Gaoyi’s elder, nor am I a woman, so some things are inappropriate for Ziyuan to say to Prince Gaoyi. It requires Your Majesty’s attention.”

Bai Qingyan was stunned, then heard Cai Ziyuan continue: “Regarding this matter… Ziyuan believes that Grand Commandant Lu’s family is indeed loyal, but Grand Commandant Lu is now second only to one person and above ten thousand others. Grand Commandant Lu’s eldest son is already Minister of Personnel, controlling official appointments, and Grand Commandant Lu’s grandson, Lu Yuanqing, is an outstanding talent among the new generation with unlimited prospects! Ziyuan privately thinks… if there is to be a marriage alliance, Your Majesty might consider Sima Ping, whose father was convicted and exiled but who has talent without showing it off. This way… Sima Ping could better depend on Your Majesty!”

Cai Ziyuan truly considered himself a private minister of the Bai family, which was why he dared risk saying these words to Bai Qingyan.

“Ziyuan knows that Your Majesty is unwilling to use the marriages of the Bai family children as chips for political balance. Ziyuan feels that currently, Prince Gaoyi hasn’t developed romantic feelings for either of them, but Ziyuan can see that both have genuine feelings for Prince Gaoyi. Your Majesty… could have people guide things along, making it a natural development!” Cai Ziyuan spoke carefully. “Naturally, if in the end Prince Gaoyi has no feelings for either of them, that would be another matter!”

After a moment of silence, Bai Qingyan seemed to slowly come back to her senses. She said, “This matter troubles Master Cai. Like this… I’ll ask Little Four’s thoughts later.”

“Yes…” Cai Ziyuan responded.

“This coastal matter is entrusted to Master Cai.” Bai Qingyan said.

“Your Majesty can rest assured, Ziyuan will certainly handle this matter properly.” Cai Ziyuan bowed to Bai Qingyan.

·

Far away at the coast, Prince Hancheng first received a letter from his wife.

In the letter, his wife told Prince Hancheng about how Cheng Yuanzhi, Shen Liangyu, Liu Pinggao, and Grand Commandant Lu’s grandson, Lu Yuanpeng, had knelt at Wude Gate requesting the withdrawal of military authority from Prince Hancheng, only to be scolded and beaten by the emperor.

She also wrote in detail about what His Majesty had said to Cheng Yuanzhi and the others, expressing how much he trusted Prince Hancheng.

Upon reading the letter, Prince Hancheng became even more determined to follow Bai Qingyan, letting out a long breath and bowing deeply toward the direction of the capital.

Actually, from the expedition until now, what Prince Hancheng feared most was Bai Qingyan not trusting him!

Especially these past days, with these former Great Liang generals surrounding him, constantly telling him that even though the Great Zhou emperor sent him here, it was only because the Great Zhou had no generals skilled in naval warfare. Once they trained generals skilled in naval warfare, Prince Hancheng would immediately be replaced. The Great Zhou emperor didn’t trust him, but merely wanted to use him.

Prince Hancheng felt quite uncomfortable in his heart. Initially, it was to protect the coastal border people that he sent the secret letter to Bai Qingyan. When Bai Qingyan said she was willing to give him trust and let him command troops, he was truly impressed by Bai Qingyan’s magnanimity. But… now with these former Great Liang people around him saying this, Prince Hancheng reflected that there were indeed no capable naval generals around Bai Qingyan, and couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

He had originally thought that as long as he fought for the coastal people, that would be enough.

Even this time, when he submitted a memorial requesting troops out of concern for the people, he had thought Bai Qingyan probably wouldn’t grant them.

Now, his wife’s letter arrived at just the right time, stabilizing Prince Hancheng’s heart.

When he thought of how Bai Qingyan had argued against all opposition in court, shielding him from court gossip and pressure, he suddenly felt guilty and also grateful that he had followed the right wise ruler, one who could see his ambitions.

One letter was like giving Prince Hancheng a reassuring pill, making his entire spirit different from the past few days, visibly lifting his spirits.

He knew that Bai Qingyan using him was already bearing pressure from court ministers. This time he sent a memorial back requesting troops – if he couldn’t get them… he wouldn’t blame Bai Qingyan. After all, he had just arrived at the coast and was already urgently requesting troops from the court. Others didn’t know he had spies in Dongyi and would naturally be suspicious.

And to protect the spies and secret agents, Bai Qingyan naturally couldn’t announce this matter in court.

So he had to prepare for the possibility that Bai Qingyan had no way to send him troops, and plan and arrange anew.

Prince Hancheng stood before the sand table for a long while, then turned and shouted to the guards outside: “Go… invite all the generals to the tent to discuss important matters.”

·

The next day at morning court, regarding Prince Hancheng’s memorial requesting troops, the court argued endlessly without a conclusion.

In court, led by Grand Commandant Lu, there was fierce opposition to sending more troops to the coast.