Xiao Rongyan continued to guide Murong Li: “Think carefully…”

Murong Li lowered his eyes and contemplated quietly for a moment, then suddenly looked up at Xiao Rongyan: “Ninth Uncle means that… we cannot send troops to aid Dongyi, but should instead go to support Great Zhou?”

The young man was teachable. Xiao Rongyan nodded: “Continue!”

Gaining his Ninth Uncle’s affirmation, Murong Li found confidence and continued: “We go to support Great Zhou in destroying Dongyi. If the Great Zhou later wants to swallow Dongyi completely, they would naturally have to give Yan some benefits. If they want to install a puppet emperor, we can use this opportunity to sign an alliance treaty to ensure this puppet emperor cannot wage war against our Yan, at least during the national war between the Great Zhou and Yan!”

Xiao Rongyan looked at Murong Li with satisfaction, curling his fingers and tapping heavily on the table: “Exactly so!”

“We don’t need to send too many troops. After all, Dongyi is just a small nation. We don’t have the Great Zhou’s grand ambitions to destroy Dongyi. Our Yan is just going through the motions, sending some soldiers to support our ally Great Zhou! Naturally, the movement of grain and supplies would also be minimal—we’d mobilize from the national treasury and buy grain! There’s no need to levy grain from the entire nation.”

Knowing that Xiao Rongyan was right, Murong Li asked anxiously: “Then who should go this time? Should we immediately mobilize troops and prepare supplies?”

“No rush. When we Yan go, we’re just there to cheer and support—we’re not the main force! Let Great Zhou do the hard work!” Xiao Rongyan spoke slowly. “When Great Zhou and Dongyi start fighting, Great Zhou will attack from the south… When Dongyi moves their forces south to resist Great Zhou, then we’ll enter Dongyi from the west. This way, our Yan can win this battle easily with fewer sacrifices.”

Murong Li nodded.

Xiao Rongyan continued: “Have the Minister of Revenue mobilize grain and send it to Yuyin City according to the normal schedule. Departing from Yan’s Yuyin City to Dongyi would be faster than from Great Zhou. I’ll depart early tomorrow morning for Yuyin City and mobilize five thousand naval soldiers from Yuyin Camp to accompany me on the expedition!”

Although Yan was going to cheer and support, the Great Zhou’s emperor had personally gone to Dongyi. Yan should at least send the Regent Prince to be able to fight for more benefits for Yan when the outcome is decided—whether installing a puppet emperor or dividing Dongyi’s benefits. This was for public interest.

Privately, October 29th was Bai Qingyan’s birthday. Xiao Rongyan had once said he wanted to accompany Bai Qingyan for every birthday!

This time he could combine public and private interests, so Xiao Rongyan would make this trip no matter what.

Moreover, although Murong Li was young, he already had the bearing of an emperor. While some matters still had shortcomings, he was indeed performing excellently. This defeat was truly because his opponent was Bai Qingyan.

“Then A’Li wishes Ninth Uncle success on this journey!” Murong Li smiled at Xiao Rongyan. “Ninth Uncle’s success is our Yan’s success!”

Xiao Rongyan nodded, his gaze looking toward the direction of the Yan Empress Dowager’s sleeping quarters…

Previously, when her sister-in-law heard that Great Zhou was going to fight Dongyi, she was very pleased. Now, if she knew he was leading troops to Dongyi to participate in the war, she would probably misunderstand.

After all, A’Li no longer discussed state affairs with his sister-in-law. She didn’t understand the current Dongyi situation. His going to Dongyi now would certainly be misunderstood by his sister-in-law as being for personal feelings.

“On your mother’s side… You don’t need to tell her too much, but what should be explained still needs explaining, lest she worry excessively and do something inappropriate.” Xiao Rongyan lowered his extremely long eyelashes, concealing the emotions in his eyes.

Murong Li knew that Ninth Uncle’s heart had long been wounded beyond recognition by his mother. He pressed his lips together and assured Xiao Rongyan, “Ninth Uncle, rest assured. I will explain to my mother and ensure she is properly watched so she absolutely won’t cause trouble for Yan or Ninth Uncle.”

Xiao Rongyan didn’t respond, only gently blew on the hot air in his teacup and sipped his tea slowly.

Yue Shi, standing outside the octagonal rain-viewing pavilion, heard that his master was going to Dongyi, and his eyes and brows were full of joy. This trip meant his master could see Miss Bai!

In all his years, Yue Shi had never seen a more pitiful couple than his master and the Bai family’s eldest miss. They were a proper married couple who had bowed to heaven and earth and even had children, yet they could only see each other a few times throughout the year.

That evening, as soon as Xiao Rongyan returned to the Regent Prince’s mansion, Yue Shi happily went to pack.

Seeing his master sitting by the soft couch, taking out the unfinished pair of lotus jade hairpins, he smiled and said, “Master, you’ve practically become a jade carving master now!”

Xiao Rongyan’s brows carried a very faint smile: “In the future, after settling in Bai Wo City, opening a jade shop wouldn’t be bad!”

“Better forget that, Master! If you opened a jade shop and worked as a carving master yourself, that would be too wasteful. Just look at that paired lotus jade hairpin in your hands—calculate how many fine jade stones you’ve ruined! How much silver would this hairpin have to sell for in a shop to break even? If it sold that expensively, only wealthy people could afford it. Those who could truly pay such prices would have already sought out famous master craftsmen—it wouldn’t waste jade stones!”

Murong Yan looked up at Yue Shi: “How is it that I never noticed before… Yue Shi talks more and more now?”

Yue Shi chuckled and wrapped up the small bundle: “It’s because Master is magnanimous!”

The news that the Regent Prince was departing for Dongyi the next day to assist Great Zhou in destroying Dongyi was only announced by the Emperor to the court officials after the Regent Prince had already departed.

The Emperor didn’t explain in detail during the court session, only giving a general overview. Some Yan court ministers felt that since the Great Zhou was now promoting government bonds, they naturally weren’t afraid that war would affect the national wager. But Yan did not need to get involved—Yan’s involvement would only drag down Yan’s finances.

The Emperor said, “With Great Zhou’s current strength, destroying Dongyi is not difficult. But if Great Zhou destroys Dongyi and then installs a puppet emperor, having Dongyi’s puppet emperor constantly trouble our Yan, do you think this won’t cause problems for our Yan’s national wager? The Regent Prince leading troops to Dongyi now is not to support the Great Zhou, but to seize benefits for our Yan! This matter… was decided jointly by me and the Regent Prince! Once decided… it is decided. This is not a discussion, but informing you of this matter so you can do your utmost to prepare for it!”

What happened in Yan’s court was only delivered to Bai Jintong two hours after the court session ended.

Now Xiao Rongyan had Bai Jintong watch so closely that there was almost no room for maneuver. Getting messages in or out was extremely difficult.