Dong Sheng opened his mouth, paused for a moment, then said in a low voice: “The court’s reduction of Yan Bei Army’s military pay, followed by plans to send people to incite unrest within the Yan Bei Army, is nothing more than an attempt to shake military morale and provoke incidents, using this as an excuse to achieve the goal of reducing the Yan Bei Army’s combat effectiveness. The Yan Bei Army has always been a thorn in the court’s side, and the Yan clan believes that now the political situation in the court has stabilized, the time to weaken the Xiao family has also matured.”

Xiao Jingxi smiled, somewhat carelessly picking up a white chess piece and playing with it while saying: “If I remember correctly, your master is surnamed Li?”

Dong Sheng nodded with an unchanged expression: “That’s correct. This servant’s master is surnamed Li, but not surnamed Yan. Moreover, this servant’s master wants to stay alive even more. If the Yan Bei Army is defeated by the court controlled by the Yan family, the first to suffer would be this servant’s master. So this servant hopes more than anyone for the Yan Bei Army to be strong and prosperous.”

Xiao Jingxi’s lips curved in an ambiguous smile: “Which of your masters said this?”

Dong Sheng lowered his head and remained silent.

Xiao Jingxi didn’t mind, smiling and saying gently: “Since ancient times, when the sovereign demands a minister’s death, the minister cannot refuse to die. Otherwise, your master wouldn’t have fled far to Yan Bei in those days. If the court orders military reduction, Yan Bei can only comply with the sovereign’s will.”

Dong Sheng naturally wouldn’t believe half a word of what Xiao Jingxi said, so he said gravely: “But when generals are away from court, they need not accept all military orders. Does Yan Bei want to repeat that catastrophe from decades ago? Though this servant is without talent, I know that although the Liao people were driven out of Yanbei by the Yanbei Army decades ago, they still covet this land. The northwestern border also suffers harassment from the Tangut tribes. Without the Yan Bei Army guarding Yan Bei, what would become of Yan Bei’s people? So the Yan Bei Army cannot be defeated and absolutely cannot retreat.”

Only then did Xiao Jingxi focus his attention on Dong Sheng, looking at him seriously for several moments before suddenly smiling: “Then what method do you have to resolve the court’s military reduction order targeting Yan Bei?”

Hearing this, Dong Sheng glanced at the young servant Tong He standing beside Xiao Jingxi.

Without waiting for Xiao Jingxi’s order, Tong He lowered his head and withdrew, closing the door behind him.

Xiao Jingxi looked at Dong Sheng with gentle eyes, smiling as he waited for him to continue.

Dong Sheng said: “My master enjoys listening to opera, so we servants can sing a few verses. This servant remembers a piece of opera singing about the story of ‘openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing at Chencang.'”

Xiao Jingxi sat in the place of honor, his deep eyes flickering slightly, but he said nothing.

“This servant knows that the current Ningxia Commander Wu Xiaohe is Prince Yan Bei’s brother-in-law. When the old Prince Yan Bei arranged for the princess to marry into the Wu family, perhaps he intended for the Xiao and Wu families to watch out for each other at crucial moments. Therefore, if the court ever orders military reduction, what Prince Yan Bei’s mansion would most likely do is find a way to transfer part of the Yan Bei Army to Ningxia, to divert the court’s attention.”

Hearing this, the surprise in Xiao Jingxi’s eyes flashed and vanished. This was a chess move arranged by the late Prince Yan Bei when he was alive. Although he didn’t think much of it, his father, the prince, agreed with it.

But how had the person before him guessed this?

When Prince Xian entered Yan Bei years ago, the people around him had already been thoroughly investigated by Prince Yan Bei’s mansion. So Xiao Jingxi knew that the opera troupe Prince Xian now harbored hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

However, since Prince Xian had no conflicts of interest with Prince Yan Bei’s mansion, and those people couldn’t stir up much trouble, Prince Yan Bei’s mansion turned a blind eye. Moreover, his grandfather believed that keeping Prince Xian in Yan Bei might not be without use in the future.

Even so, both Prince Xian and the Prince Xian heir were of unambitious, idle dispositions. Even if this idleness was just a facade, he didn’t believe they could guess the old Prince Yan Bei’s strategy.

The rain outside grew increasingly urgent, while inside remained quiet and oppressive.

Dong Sheng’s voice gradually became steadier and confident: “But this servant doesn’t think this is a good solution. Only what’s held in one’s own hands truly belongs to oneself. Once it changes hands, it changes surnames—this is the ancient principle of ‘new emperor, new ministers.’ To speak unpleasantly, even though Wu Xiaohe is Prince Yan Bei mansion’s son-in-law, he doesn’t bear the surname Xiao. No matter how good the relationship between the Xiao and Wu families, ultimately, it cannot overcome the word ‘profit.’ Over time, who can say for certain? Taking ten thousand steps back, even if the Wu and Xiao families always advance and retreat together, with the Wu family always following the Xiao family’s lead, what could be done if the Wu family found themselves unable to control their fate? Though military positions in our dynasty can be inherited, Wu Xiaohe’s commander position was inherited from his father Wu Houchun, but unexpected events can happen to anyone. Hereditary positions don’t guarantee eternal security. Rather than placing hope in allies, it’s better to keep power in one’s own hands.”

Xiao Jingxi’s eyes held unfathomable depths with a hint of deeper meaning, but his lips still carried a faint smile. He neither spoke nor took a stance.

Speaking to this point, Dong Sheng secretly observed Xiao Jingxi’s expression but could read nothing from it, making him feel uneasy again.

At this moment, a breeze blew through the open window, bringing moist water vapor. Xiao Jingxi frowned and began coughing lightly.

Dong Sheng noticed that even when coughing, the young man before him had a leisurely, elegant bearing that ordinary people lacked.

Only then did he remember that Second Young Master Xiao had always been in poor health. When he last left the capital, he was said to be near death from illness. Though his health had improved considerably after returning before the New Year, he still needed periodic rest and recuperation.

But since entering and seeing him, Dong Sheng seemed to have forgotten he was an invalid. Xiao Jingxi possessed an indescribable radiance—this radiance could capture all of one’s attention, making others overlook his weakness.

Now as Dong Sheng observed him, he realized that Xiao Jingxi’s appearance was indeed outstanding, though not as “devastatingly beautiful” as the world proclaimed. Rather, it was his every gesture, his gaze, his voice and tone that emanated Xiao Jingxi’s unique charm—this was what made it impossible to look away.

Dong Sheng stared blankly for quite a while before snapping back to himself, somewhat embarrassedly averting his gaze and silently cursing his bewitchment.

Though Xiao Jingxi was outstanding, it was the kind of excellence belonging to men, and he was certain he had no strange proclivities. So Dong Sheng felt rather depressed about being mesmerized by looking at another man.

After Xiao Jingxi coughed for a while, the servant Tong He, waiting outside anxiously, asked: “Young Master, do you need this servant to come in and attend you?”

Xiao Jingxi’s coughing gradually subsided. He put away his handkerchief and said calmly: “No need.”

The outside fell silent.

Seeing the window still open, Dong Sheng couldn’t help saying: “Shall I help you close the window? Rain is blowing in.”

Xiao Jingxi looked outside with a calm, peaceful expression, his gaze as tranquil as deep flowing water. He smiled and shook his head: “No need. It’s more uncomfortable when stuffy.”

Dong Sheng retreated and stood properly again.

Xiao Jingxi turned his attention back to him, saying gently: “My apologies. Please continue.”

Dong Sheng thought for a moment, then continued: “So this servant believes that Yan Bei’s army can only exert its greatest power and effectiveness by staying in Yan Bei. Divide and conquer is an extremely risky strategy.”

Xiao Jingxi looked at Dong Sheng and smiled quietly: “Perhaps you’re not wrong, but I still say the same thing—the sovereign’s commands cannot be disobeyed.”

Dong Sheng thought for a moment and spoke directly: “Does Young Master mean that Yan Bei currently has no intention of directly confronting the court?” This statement was extremely blunt, completely exposing Xiao Jingxi’s high-sounding reasons.

Xiao Jingxi showed no anger, just smiled without speaking.

Dong Sheng also smiled: “This is the purpose of this servant’s visit to see Young Master today. Though this servant wants to seek the Young Master’s protection, this servant won’t accept your kindness for nothing. It’s the same principle as paying for food.”

Xiao Jingxi chuckled softly, his voice still low, soft, and slightly hoarse: “Speak freely. If you can convince me, I’ll ensure you and your master remain safe and sound.”

His tone was cordial and casual, like joking words, yet gave one a sense of assured peace of mind.

Dong Sheng couldn’t help but feel delighted. He had naturally heard of Xiao Jingxi—whatever he promised, he would keep his word, possessing the gentlemanly bearing of one whose word was worth nine bronze tripods.

He had been going around in circles for so long just to hear this one promise.

So Dong Sheng said without hesitation: “Young Master is right—when the court orders military reduction, Yan Bei shouldn’t clash head-on with it. Otherwise, it would stand in opposition to all those scholars who constantly speak of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. Though scholars’ rebellions don’t succeed in three years, when these scholars combine their criticisms, no one can withstand it. So Yan Bei should act according to circumstances.”

Without waiting for Xiao Jingxi to ask, Dong Sheng voluntarily said: “Young Master, who do you think is the wealthiest in our Yan Bei now?”

Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi was slightly stunned.

Dong Sheng smiled: “This servant thinks it’s not the Su family, Ren family, Lin family, Yun family… or any other noble house, but—” Dong Sheng pointed to the ground beneath his feet, then pointed skyward.

“But these pure Buddhist lands. Common people often say: ‘Of ten parts of worldly wealth, Buddha claims seven.'”

Xiao Jingxi tilted his head slightly in thought, then smiled faintly, clearly not disagreeing with this assessment.

“There are approximately eight hundred large and small temples throughout Yan Bei. Take this White Dragon Temple for example—its recorded landholdings, donated lands from pilgrims and believers, plus cultivated wasteland not reported to authorities, could feed at least two to three thousand people annually, not including other income. There are about twenty temples of similar size to White Dragon Temple throughout Yan Bei.”