“Moreover, it can also earn a reputation for… emperors and court officials having the world in their hearts and thinking of the people. Which nation’s court officials wouldn’t be moved? You and I… can guide the court officials and royal family toward this direction as much as possible!”

She looked at Xiao Rongyan’s confident appearance and smiled softly. What he said was correct – taking down another strong nation without bloodshed while also gaining a reputation for thinking of the people would naturally be appealing!

Xiao Rongyan’s method was excellent, and she approved of it.

“As for Great Yan, if this matter is proposed by A’Li, the young emperor, the Yan court officials will certainly have those who oppose and those who support it. Those who oppose… needless to say, will naturally come to find the young emperor’s arch-nemesis, Great Yan’s Ninth Prince Murong Yan. Thus… the Ninth Prince Murong Yan would naturally also express agreement, using the reason that… the Great Zhou Female Emperor is a halfway emperor, how could she compare to Great Yan’s legitimacy, to persuade the court officials!”

“This would be a perfect opportunity to seize power under the pretext that the emperor is young… and the matter of comparing national policies concerns Great Yan’s fate, arranging the main positions in court with ministers under the Ninth Prince, who oppose the young emperor. Instruct these people that they must strive to succeed – Great Yan’s national fortune is in their hands. If they truly lose… and lose Great Yan, they would be sinners for all eternity!”

“Thus… the entire Yan court would instead work toward the same goal, set aside past grievances, and strive for the same objective. Just like when you once established the goal of unifying the realm for those officials and scholars, they would work toward it, and minor details would become unimportant.” Xiao Rongyan curled his fingers and lightly tapped the table. “I learned this from A’Bao. A’Bao should be my teacher…”

Bai Qingyan was amused by Xiao Rongyan’s words. She looked into his calm, ink-black eyes and asked: “This matter… You also made a great decision, didn’t you? Was it because your heart wavered and you compromised that you told A’Li about what I said to you… about determining victory through the two nations’ policies?”

She lowered her head to look at her abdomen: “Because of me… and the child?”

Xiao Rongyan didn’t want to deceive Bai Qingyan. He rested his elbow on the hidden armrest behind her, gently stroking her spine, and nodded, saying in a low voice: “Indeed… you and the child are both reasons that made me waver, but what finally made me determined was A’Li.”

Xiao Rongyan was not unaware of how much his sister-in-law cared about A’Li’s throne.

Xiao Rongyan also knew that what his brother worried about most before leaving was his sister-in-law. At that time, Xiao Rongyan hadn’t agreed to Bai Qingyan… partly out of the Yan royal family’s selfish possessiveness over Yan Nation, and more out of consideration for his sister-in-law and the young A’Li who had already ascended to the throne.

But Murong Li’s reaction was indeed beyond Xiao Rongyan’s expectations. He hadn’t expected that Murong Li could be even more open-minded than he and could also understand Xiao Rongyan. He said… If Xiao Rongyan proposed this matter, it would probably anger his mother to death, but if Murong Li proposed it… His mother wouldn’t think that this was Murong Yan trying to seize power from Murong Li.

Murong Li also instructed Murong Yan to definitely go find his mother and have her persuade A’Li to withdraw the order. This way, his mother would instead persuade Murong Yan to agree in order to maintain the emperor’s dignity.

“A’Bao, I was born into the Murong royal family, so on some matters… I cannot agree with your thoughts.” Xiao Rongyan’s voice was extremely low.

“But you also acknowledge that this is indeed the best way to avoid war between the two nations…” Bai Qingyan said with a smile.

Xiao Rongyan nodded: “Setting aside the selfish motives of being Great Yan royalty, completing unification… this method is indeed the best for the people and the soldiers!”

She nodded and adjusted to a very comfortable position leaning against the hidden armrest: “Initially, when your brother came to find me and asked me… if only two nations remained in the future, how should I choose – war or peace? I had been thinking about this question ever since. Later… after annexing Great Liang and establishing the dynastic name as Zhou, and Great Yan also destroyed Wei Nation, I kept thinking about how to avoid civilian casualties and complete the great unification endeavor as soon as possible! I’m very happy that you and A’Li agree with my proposal.”

“Good, then let’s settle on this general plan!” Xiao Rongyan smiled as he looked at Bai Qingyan. “Tomorrow morning I’ll return to Great Yan, find an opportunity for A’Li to propose this matter, then send a peace alliance document to Great Zhou… This way, you can directly tell the Great Zhou court officials that this is an opportunity to take down Great Yan without bloodshed. Tell the ministers they should have confidence in your new policies, and you won’t be in a difficult position.”

No matter what, things were still developing according to Bai Qingyan’s original solution, which made her very happy – it would neither subject the people to the suffering of war nor require soldiers to make unnecessary bloody sacrifices.

Bai Qingyan thought for a moment and said: “This matter… I think it should be handled quickly! Even if there’s temporarily no opportunity to propose the matter of the two nations competing through national policies, we should first establish the alliance.”

“Are you worried about… Tianfeng Nation’s elephant army?” Xiao Rongyan asked.

Bai Qingyan nodded: “Tianfeng Nation’s elephant army has been lingering in Xiliang for a long time. Now Tianfeng Nation has already treated Xiliang as its territory. The next step… will certainly be to test their strength. Uncle in Dengzhou will never let Tianfeng Nation touch Rongdi, so only Yan Nation remains. If at this time, the emperors of Yan and Zhou come forward to ally, Tianfeng Nation will certainly tremble.”

Since the two nations had decided to ultimately determine victory through national policies, they should work together and face external enemies together.

The candlelight on the table was stirred dim by the wind, then brightened again.

Xiao Rongyan nodded thoughtfully: “Thus… the matter of the two nations determining victory through national policies needs to be delayed a bit more. Let’s establish the alliance first! If we propose this matter now, I’m afraid the court officials in both nations with ulterior motives would prefer to see… Tianfeng Nation’s elephant army entangled with one of the nations, weakening the other nation’s strength, which would instead be unfavorable for allying against the elephant army.”

Bai Qingyan also had these concerns, which is why she suggested to Xiao Rongyan that they could first establish the alliance.

“Good, then tomorrow I’ll return to Great Yan and first establish an alliance to jointly repel the elephant army! After repelling Tianfeng Nation’s elephant army, I’ll perform a play with A’Li… and settle this matter as quickly as possible!”

“Good, after repelling the elephant army, when Great Yan’s invitation arrives, I’ll also perform a play with the Great Zhou court officials.” Bai Qingyan smiled in agreement.

Xiao Rongyan grasped Bai Qingyan’s hand, gently stroking her wrist, and drew her into his embrace, filled with guilt: “I’m sorry I can’t stay by your and the child’s side…”

“The child is very well-behaved…” Bai Qingyan leaned in Xiao Rongyan’s embrace, gently stroking her abdomen and speaking to him in a low voice. “Since conceiving this child, I haven’t had morning sickness, haven’t felt uncomfortable, and my appetite is still good. Sometimes, if it weren’t for Mother and the aunts constantly reminding me, I would even forget that I’m carrying a child. You don’t need to worry too much.”