Hearing this, Lu Yun couldn’t help but feel anxious. “Your Highness is His Majesty’s sworn brother. If Your Highness is willing to nod in agreement, this matter will certainly succeed!”
Pang Xiao smiled bitterly and waved his hand. “Master Lu is an understanding person—surely you’re not unaware of this prince’s situation?”
At this point, Pang Xiao pondered for a moment and spoke frankly: “This prince went from Grand Marshal of Armies, Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall, to now being idle in this place. Although I still hold the position of cabinet minister, I haven’t been involved in court affairs for a long time. Aside from having the title of Prince of Different Surname, what capital do you think this prince has left? What means do I have to persuade His Majesty?”
Lu Yun knew that what Pang Xiao said was all true, and was also surprised that Pang Xiao would speak so bluntly. But now, looking throughout the court, only Pang Xiao had the strength to make an attempt. He believed that Pang Xiao, having fought for the country for many years, with all his past experiences showing he had a benevolent heart, was definitely not an ignorant brute and would never collude with those people.
Even though he stood in the camp of the Lu faction aristocratic families due to his background and other reasons, Lu Yun trusted Pang Xiao’s character and abilities.
Lu Yun said in a deep voice, “Your Highness, listen to my words. How many years has it been since the Great Zhou was first established? Now it appears the realm is unified, but in reality, hidden troubles abound. Sooner or later there will be another battle—this is the first point.
“Secondly, when our dynasty gradually becomes stable and prosperous, surely we won’t remain content to circle within our own defined boundaries? Won’t we want to look overseas? This old man has carefully studied for many years and knows of overseas products. As the saying goes, ‘Among three people walking together, there must be one who can be my teacher’—regarding some cultural customs of barbarian tribes, our Great Zhou can also learn from their strengths! When that time comes, won’t we need ships?
“Most importantly, ‘dwelling in safety while thinking of danger’ is something we must consider. Who can guarantee that overseas peoples won’t harbor other intentions toward our Great Zhou? If barbarian tribes come by ship, will our Great Zhou sons only be able to stand on shore to resist, letting people approach our coastal borders at will? Let our fishermen starve to death? The importance of these warships is already obvious.”
Speaking with increasing excitement, Lu Yun’s voice had also risen. “We are not those mediocrities—naturally we can think clearly. Unfortunately, after continuous years of warfare, many traditions have already been severed. If there were skilled shipbuilders with descendants still living, we could easily obtain ships when needed in the future, and this old man wouldn’t be so anxiously distressed about dismantling ships.”
“Your Highness has the courage of ten thousand men. The stability of our realm and territory depends greatly on Your Highness’s talents. This matter of protecting warships is to preserve the seeds for rebuilding the navy and prepare for the stability of our dynasty’s coastal defenses. The magnitude of this matter, this old man privately believes, is more important than imperial mausoleum construction!” Cupping his hands toward Pang Xiao, Lu Yun bowed and said, “Please, Your Highness, extend your helping hand. This old man would be infinitely grateful!”
Pang Xiao hastily rose to avoid this courtesy, supporting Lu Yun’s arms with both hands to help him up.
“Master Lu’s far-sighted planning and wholehearted devotion to the country truly earn this prince’s admiration. This prince naturally also hopes our dynasty’s coastal borders can be free from invasion. But…”
“This old man deeply understands Your Highness’s difficult situation, yet still came to request. Please, Your Highness, consider the countless people along the Great Zhou’s coast and the stability of the Great Zhou’s territory!”
“…Very well, let this prince think about it.”
The two sat back in their original places. Pang Xiao turned the lid of his tea bowl in his hand while lowering his eyes in thought.
Lu Yun picked up his tea bowl and drank several mouthfuls to moisten his throat, then looked at Pang Xiao expectantly.
The room was completely quiet. The self-chiming clock standing in the corner made ticking sounds, and outside the azure window screens, birds sang crisply in the flowering trees by the window.
After waiting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Pang Xiao’s low, magnetic voice broke the silence in the room.
“Master Lu, this prince has thought of a method to preserve some of the warships. But this prince also has one condition.”
Hearing this, Lu Yun actually felt relieved. If Pang Xiao didn’t propose any conditions at all, that would seem abnormal.
“Please speak, Your Highness.”
Pang Xiao said, “Regarding preserving the warships, please let Master Lu follow this prince’s ideas completely, cooperate with this prince’s actions, and not make private decisions. Also, please don’t question what this prince plans to do.”
Under Lu Yun’s longevity eyebrows, his wise eyes narrowed slightly, as if considering the pros and cons of Pang Xiao’s words for himself.
After a long while, Lu Yun said, “Can Your Highness guarantee the warships will be preserved?”
Pang Xiao spoke frankly, “I cannot guarantee all will be preserved, but preserving some seeds for future generations to study when building ships is achievable.”
Wasn’t this exactly what Lu Yun sought?
Thinking of this, Lu Yun slapped the armrest of his chair with his aged hand and said, “Good. Please give your instructions, Your Highness.”
“Please lean closer, Master Lu.”
Pang Xiao and Lu Yun drew near each other, and Pang Xiao whispered for a while.
Lu Yun’s expression changed several times. After a long while, he said, “Worthy of being the decisive War God Prince—to think of such a method truly shows great boldness! Good. This matter doesn’t need others involved, which also avoids the greater risk of leaks with more people. This old man can handle it.”
Pang Xiao cupped his hands, “Master Lu truly has a heart for the country and understands righteousness deeply. You are truly a model for us younger generations.”
Lu Yun waved his hand, his expression carrying some fatigue, as if after removing one shackle, he had taken on a new one.
“Your Highness need not praise this old man so. Although this old man is aged and doesn’t participate in court affairs, I’m not a fool. Your Highness should take care and think more of the people—this would be a blessing for all under heaven.” Standing up, Lu Yun cupped his hands and bowed to Pang Xiao, “Regarding protecting the warships, please keep your promise, Your Highness.”
Pang Xiao rose and returned the courtesy, “Master Lu, rest assured. This prince’s word is his bond and will never go back on it.”
“Good, then this old man will go first to Jingang to await Your Highness’s news. Farewell.”
Pang Xiao personally escorted Lu Yun to the main gate. Lu Yun appropriately stopped Pang Xiao’s steps and left the prince’s mansion alone.
Pang Xiao returned to the inner residence and told Qin Yining about this matter.
Qin Yining hadn’t turned a page of the “Zuo Zhuan” in her hands for a long time. After a long while, she slowly put it down and said softly, “It’s truly difficult for that great scholar. He avoided the world for half his lifetime, yet in the end must involve himself in court affairs.”
“Living in the human world, even if one wants to avoid complications, how can everything go as one wishes?” Pang Xiao sat beside Qin Yining, stretched out his long arm to hold her on his lap, encircled her arms with both arms, and nuzzled her neck with his cheek. “Now that you and I have the opportunity to rest peacefully here without having to participate in outside affairs, this is already extremely fortunate.”
“Yes. I’ll take advantage of this time to make you several more sets of clothes.”
“Just have others make them. Be careful not to tire your eyes.”
“Would you want to wear undergarments made by others?” Qin Yining smiled and pinched Pang Xiao’s arm. Taking advantage of his surprise, she turned and escaped his embrace, rose to get a bundle from the redwood cabinet, looked back with a smile, “Come try this on to see if the size fits properly. If anything doesn’t fit well, I can alter it.”
Pang Xiao stood up, his phoenix eyes looking directly into Qin Yining’s large, limpid eyes. His slender fingers with distinct joints slowly and methodically loosened his clothes, gradually revealing his snow-white undergarment and sturdy chest.
Qin Yining looked away in confusion, then felt a warm body press against her back.
“Sister Yining, didn’t you want me to try on clothes?”
Qin Yining’s cheeks flushed, and she snorted, taking out an inner garment and shaking it open, turning to help him dress.
“You’re just being mischievous. Be careful—I might have hidden a needle inside to prick you.”
Pang Xiao obediently extended his arms, raised his hands, and lifted his neck. Hearing this, he couldn’t help but laugh loudly, “If that were true, wouldn’t you be the first one to feel sorry?”
Qin Yining glared at him angrily and spat, “Truly shameless.”
The days of recuperation in Danfu County passed very comfortably. The two only needed to receive news from various sources and analyze the situations. Pang Xiao and Qin Yining truly began to take good care of their health.
Pang Xiao had fought for years and had countless major and minor injuries. Now, being young and strong, naturally there were no problems, but Qin Yining worried that ailments would find him when he grew old, so she had reliable physicians properly care for Pang Xiao.
Her own physical foundation was also good, but later wanderings and hardships had damaged her health. Now with leisure time, Qin Yining followed the medicinal meal recipes Bingtang had left, and daily practiced martial arts and archery with Pang Xiao. Her days were carefree and comfortable, and even her complexion became more rosy than before.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Qin Yining received a letter from Bingtang.
After reading the letter, Qin Yining’s relaxed good mood of over a month completely disappeared, replaced by worry.
Pang Xiao sat across from her studying military texts. Seeing her delicate brows furrow, he asked with concern, “What’s wrong? What did Bingtang say?”
Qin Yining handed the letter to Pang Xiao. “Boss Qiu was actually misdiagnosed by a quack doctor. After Bingtang examined him, she said Boss Qiu doesn’t have malaria, but with her medical skills, she can’t immediately determine what Boss Qiu’s actual condition is. Now Boss Qiu has constant headaches that prevent him from sleeping. Looking at these symptoms, it’s not much better than malaria.”
Pang Xiao quickly scanned the letter and also became worried. “Who knows how anxious that fool Mutou has become. I just hope Boss Qiu will be all right.”
“Their family of three has often been separated due to our affairs. Yan Ge’er is still young—boys need to be with male elders to excel. I think if there’s nothing major happening, it would be good to have Young Master Mu stay home more.”
Pang Xiao smiled and nodded. “Good. I’ll listen to you in everything.”
Qin Yining also smiled.
At this moment, only tranquility surrounded them both. Neither wanted to mention those troublesome matters, because some things would still come to pass even if not mentioned.
After several more days, Pang Xiao’s people brought news, and Pang Xiao invited Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi to the main hall of the inner residence, calling Qin Yining to discuss important matters together.
“Your Highness, is there news from Earl Zhongyi?” As soon as he sat down, Xie Yue went straight to the point.
Pang Xiao nodded. “Earl Zhongyi is finally about to make his move.”
Xu Weizhi put down his tea bowl. He had caught a cold these past two days, so his voice was always quite hoarse when speaking.
“These days we’ve been hearing that Earl Zhongyi is purchasing new materials and also seeking buyers for those unwanted defective products to be replaced. I imagine His Majesty’s funds aren’t abundant either—being able to convert defective products to cash is also a good thing.”
Everyone could hear the sarcasm in Xu Weizhi’s words, and they all couldn’t help but smile slightly.
But thinking of the Great Zhou’s current situation, everyone couldn’t laugh anymore.
It was harvest season, but the south had continuous heavy rains for two seasons. Who knew whether the granaries in various places were actually full and how long they could sustain.
Qin Yining thought the same as everyone else.
Perhaps the things Magistrate Cheng worried about were approaching step by step.