He turned his head to look at Bai Qingyan: “General Bai, what do you mean by these words?”
The Crown Prince frowned deeply. If previously the military achievements had been attributed to him, then Bai Qingyan’s return to Shouyang would naturally be excellent. But now with Bai Qingyan’s military achievements so magnificent, if she returned to Shouyang… how would the world view the Great Jin imperial family?
Moreover, over the past month, he had expended enormous manpower and resources, using the Shu campaign and this Wengshan battle to promote and establish Bai Qingyan’s reputation as the God of Slaughter among all nations. This was to sell Bai Qingyan a favor in exchange for her loyalty! It was also to show the world… that even the God of Slaughter submitted at his feet! Furthermore, it was to let all nations know that although Bai Weiting was dead, Jin still had such a general who was even more decisive and ruthless than Bai Weiting! But it was not so that Bai Qingyan would retreat to Shouyang after the war.
Besides, the Bai family’s reputation within Jin was now too prominent, already showing signs of surpassing the imperial family. But burning and killing surrendered prisoners was intolerable by heaven’s principles—only by elevating Bai Qingyan to a high position… and having Bai Qingyan accept this honor with peace of mind could her bloodthirsty nature become known to all, thus tarnishing the Bai family’s reputation for benevolence. But if she didn’t covet achievements after victory and instead retreated to Shouyang… the reputation for bloodlust would likely not stick to her.
Old Fang was also quite surprised, his fingers trembling slightly.
The idea of having all nations elevate Bai Qingyan as the God of Slaughter had been Old Fang’s suggestion. The Emperor and Crown Prince had made such a big commotion over this, even using spies planted in enemy nations. If Bai Qingyan retreated to Shouyang, not only would the Emperor blame him… the Crown Prince might not obey his every word in the future!
Old Fang suddenly remembered the words Qin Shangzhi had spoken when he strongly opposed the Crown Prince during that planning session. He had said that although Bai Qingyan had beheaded Pang Pingguo in the Shu campaign and achieved great victory at Wengshan, she couldn’t be called the God of Slaughter! Moreover, in the Wengshan battle, Bai Qingyan had burned and killed surrendered prisoners for Jin, committing acts that defied universal condemnation. If the Crown Prince promoted and elevated Bai Qingyan this way, Bai Qingyan would likely realize the Crown Prince’s intentions and would no longer continue serving him loyally.
At that time, Old Fang had mocked Qin Shangzhi, but the current situation was exactly proving Qin Shangzhi’s words correct. This person’s wisdom was unparalleled… if the Crown Prince truly employed Qin Shangzhi, where would he have any standing?!
Old Fang’s somewhat clouded eyes looked at Bai Qingyan, as if trying to judge how much truth and how much falsehood were in her words.
From her peripheral vision, Bai Qingyan saw Qin Shangzhi looking relieved, and her heart already understood.
During these recent days, her reputation for being warlike and bloodthirsty had grown daily among all nations… the magnificence even seemed to surpass her grandfather’s momentum. While the cause was certainly her shocking act of burning and killing surrendered prisoners, if she believed no one was fanning the flames and adding fuel to the fire behind the scenes, she would never believe it.
As for who was stirring up these waves, could she not figure it out? Crowning her with the great reputation of God of Slaughter—nominally high praise but meant to destroy through elevation—besides this, Crown Prince and Emperor of Jin, who else could it be?
She was a descendant of the Bai family. The Bai family’s character was upright and benevolent. It didn’t matter if the reputation for bloodlust fell on her alone, but she couldn’t implicate the Bai family’s reputation.
“Your Highness knows my physical condition. Bai Qingyan dares not deceive Your Highness. This time, accompanying the army on campaign… was truly because our Jin faced a national crisis, and Bai Qingyan dared not refuse to come! After the Nan Jiang battle… Western Liang no longer has the strength to invade our Great Jin! From now on, the Great Jin can be peacefully secure! Naturally, Bai Qingyan should return to Shouyang with my mother!” Bai Qingyan clasped her fists to the Crown Prince. “However… Father once said that if the people face hardship or the nation faces war, the Bai family cannot shirk their duty! As long as Your Highness and the people need Bai Qingyan to don armor and take the field again, Bai Qingyan will certainly face ten thousand deaths without refusal! Your Highness can rest assured!”
The Crown Prince’s heart stirred greatly. This meant… Bai Qingyan would obey his commands?!
Actually… it would be good for Bai Qingyan to retreat to Shouyang. Although the Crown Prince planned to petition for her enfeoffment upon return, deep down he still feared Bai Qingyan becoming another Bai Weiting who held troops and wielded excessive power.
Coming when the master needed her, obediently staying aside when not needed… not controlling military power, not seeking authority—what ruler under heaven wouldn’t want such a loyal and obedient minister?
Bai Qingyan was, after all, a daughter and wouldn’t cling to power and position like men would! This was probably the advantage of having a woman as general…
Very well, he would send a secret memorial requesting Father Emperor to issue an extremely gracious imperial edict to enfeoff and reward Bai Qingyan. Then he would persuade Bai Qingyan to submit a memorial declining due to her health, and he would petition the Father Emperor to enfeoff Bai Qingyan as a county princess or commandery princess. This way, outsiders would see that the ruler-minister relationship was preserved, and it would make Bai Qingyan even more devoted to him.
“I have heard that Father Emperor intends to issue an edict to properly reward General Bai! If General Bai truly has no intention of remaining in court, I fear… Father Emperor might think General Bai has developed different intentions, which would not be good!” The Crown Prince put on a thoughtful expression.
Old Fang’s eyes brightened slightly. He immediately stepped forward and bowed: “Your Highness, General Bai’s loyalty and courage… His Majesty, far away in the capital, cannot know, but Your Highness understands very clearly! Your Highness can vouch for General Bai, and surely His Majesty will approve! It’s just… General Bai has such tremendous achievements, yet after victory, she wants to retreat to Shouyang…”
Old Fang stopped mid-sentence, leaving the words for His Highness the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince nodded with a regretful expression: “Yes, such great achievements… yet you don’t want rewards or glory and plan to return to Shouyang. It’s unfair to you!”
“Being born as Jin people, contributing to the nation is our duty. Bai Qingyan dares not claim credit!” She lowered her eyes.
“How about this! I will petition Father Emperor to enfeoff General Bai as a commandery princess…” The Crown Prince moved closer to Bai Qingyan and lowered his voice: “I have heard about what the Shouyang clan did to the Bai family during the Duke’s funeral. With your status as commandery princess, surely they won’t dare to act presumptuously again!”
Understanding that the Crown Prince was showing goodwill toward her, she clasped her fists and knelt on one knee: “Thank you for Your Highness’s great grace.”
“General Bai, please rise quickly! We’re family, so why speak as if we’re strangers…” The Crown Prince quickly bent down to help Bai Qingyan up. “You and I are cousins. Your great victory this time… I also share in the glory!”
After speaking, the Crown Prince looked back at the envoy the Emperor had sent for negotiations: “Minister Liu from the Court of Judicial Review, who is responsible for negotiations this time, brought you a family letter…”
After the Crown Prince finished speaking, Liu Rushi, the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, frowned and stepped forward, looking deeply at Bai Qingyan with undisguised displeasure, casually handing over the family letter written personally by Bai Jinxiu to Bai Qingyan.
The reason Liu Rushi was chosen for these negotiations was that among the Western Liang negotiation envoys was Prince Yan Li Zhijie. Li Zhijie was known for being romantic and unrestrained, famously favoring those with handsome and refined appearances. Therefore, for these negotiations, the Great Jin had deliberated and sent all young men with elegant and gentle appearances.
“Thank you!” Bai Qingyan received it with both hands.
Liu Rushi, however, snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and turned to stand behind the Crown Prince, aloof and proud, not even glancing at Bai Qingyan.
Liu Rushi was a Confucian scholar. Upon learning that Bai Qingyan had burned and killed over a hundred thousand Western Liang surrendered soldiers, he had long harbored displeasure.