The Emperor ordered the Ministry of Revenue to urgently mobilize stored grain from the granaries. Prince Liang, Li Mingrui, and General Shi Panshan would travel day and night, escorting the first shipment to Hushui and Guangling, which were already overflowing with disaster victims.
Minister of Revenue Chu Zhongxing continued requisitioning additional grain supplies.
When Bai Qingyan heard that this disaster relief effort would be overseen by Li Mao’s son Li Mingrui, with General Shi Panshan assisting and Prince Liang serving as the imperial representative, essentially a deputy overseer.
Minister of Revenue Chu Zhongxing, Left Chancellor Li Mao, Prince Liang…
Indeed, they were all entangled together again.
Compared to the Crown Prince, who had already secured the heir apparent position, if Prince Liang could be helped to ascend the throne, Li Mao would be the first among meritorious officials.
She put away her red-tasseled silver spear and wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, flexing her wrists.
The exposure of the Yanwo disaster could divert attention from the imperial examination fraud case, provide an opportunity for Prince Liang to reappear before the Emperor, and allow Left Chancellor Li Mao’s son Li Mingrui to come to the forefront.
Therefore, this Yanwo famine would certainly be handled perfectly by Prince Liang and Li Mingrui.
Thus, Bai Qingyan was not worried that corruption and embezzlement would cause more innocent people to die.
Standing in the corridor, she thought of the disaster victims fleeing to Pingyang City. If… these refugees could be guided to Youhua Road for A’Jue to take charge of, they would constitute a source of troops.
Troops come from the people – the more people, the more troops; the stronger the people, the stronger the troops.
Bai Qingyan returned to her room to write a letter. After sealing it, she had Chun Tao give it to Lu Ping to arrange for swift delivery to General Shen Liangyu of the Bai family army in the Southern Border.
After Chun Tao helped Bai Qingyan bathe, she stood under the lamp braiding her hair when Nanny Tong entered with two maids carrying newly sewn iron sand bags, her face full of distress: “First Miss, these iron sand bags are far too heavy.”
“Once you’re used to wearing them, it’s fine.” She turned a page of her book and smiled at the frowning Nanny Tong. “This is my lazy method – it’s already much easier. Besides, if nothing else, my health improves day by day. Nanny should be happy.”
Seeing Bai Qingyan’s health improve daily, Nanny Tong was indeed happy.
Years ago, Physician Hong had said that Bai Qingyan’s lower dantian was injured, causing a complete loss of martial arts and making her prospects for bearing children dim. Nanny Tong had wept daily – losing martial arts wasn’t important, but how could it make childbearing so difficult?
Now that First Miss grew stronger each day and gradually recovered her former skills, Nanny Tong felt that regarding children… Heaven would not treat First Miss so unfairly.
Early the next morning, Nanny Tong had the carriage prepared and brought a guard escort to accompany Bai Qingyan out of the city to visit Old Master Guan Yongchong’s residence.
The scholars Guan Yongchong and Cui Shiyan lived year-round in the bamboo forests of An Yushan outside the city, finding solace in nature.
Bai Jinzhi had been clamoring to accompany Bai Qingyan to pay respects to Old Master Guan, so today she rode alongside them.
Just after the Duke’s mansion party left the city, they encountered the returning Xiliang peace negotiation delegation by chance.
Li Zhijie’s subordinate spotted the heroic Bai Jinzhi on horseback from afar. He spurred his horse forward to Li Zhijie’s carriage, bending down to report: “Your Highness, Princess Gaoyi is riding out of the city.”
Li Zhijie, who had been resting with closed eyes inside the carriage, opened them and asked: “Only Princess Gaoyi?”
“There’s also a carriage. This subordinate believes it might be the Duke.”
Li Zhijie was silent for a moment before speaking: “Have the delegation stop. This king has words for the Duke.”
“Yes!”
The Xiliang return convoy slowly came to a halt as Li Zhijie was helped down from his carriage by his personal attendant.
Seeing Li Zhijie standing beside the convoy flying Xiliang guard banners, Bai Jinzhi lowered her voice to speak to Bai Qingyan in the carriage: “Eldest sister, that Xiliang Flame King Li Zhijie seems to be waiting for us!”
Remembering how the Xiliang princess had gone mad trying to kill her eldest sister when the Crown Prince married her as a side consort, Bai Jinzhi felt anger welling up inside, fearing Li Zhijie might cause more trouble.
“It’s fine…”
Hearing eldest sister’s calm voice from inside the carriage, Bai Jinzhi steadied herself, sitting high on her horse and looking at Li Zhijie with cold, disdainful eyes.
Seeing Bai Qingyan’s convoy approaching closer, Li Zhijie smiled and had his subordinates stop Bai Qingyan’s party.
“Your Grace, our master, the Flame King, wishes to personally apologize to Your Grace.” The attendant wearing an Xiliang curved sword stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Chun Tao lifted the carriage curtain.
Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on Li Zhijie in the distance: “Apologies are unnecessary. On his way back to Xiliang, the Flame King should think carefully about how to compensate Great Jin for the peace marriage princess becoming an assassin… to avoid war.”
Seeing that Bai Qingyan had no intention of dismounting, Li Zhijie walked toward her carriage and bowed apologetically: “Regarding yesterday’s incident, Li Zhijie should apologize to Your Grace on behalf of our Xiliang princess.”
“The Flame King need not be so courteous. Escorting the Xiliang princess for the peace marriage was a difficult assignment – this journey has truly been hard on the Flame King. Are your injuries… healing well?” Bai Qingyan’s voice carried a faint smile.
Li Zhijie pressed his shoulder wound and touched the fine cotton cloth wrapped around his neck: “Indeed, it was hard. Since negotiating peace with Your Grace’s party until now, injury upon injury – I nearly lost my life. It seems… this king truly doesn’t harmonize with Great Jin’s feng shui! If fortune permits another visit to Jin territory in the future, it would have to wait until Jin’s feng shui undergoes great changes.”
A dark gleam appeared in Bai Qingyan’s eyes: “From the Flame King’s words, it sounds like you’re interested in changing our Jin territory’s feng shui?”
“This king lacks such ambition, but… the people of Jin might be another matter. The imperial family’s feng shui is the nation’s feng shui.” Li Zhijie made a gesture of turning his palm downward. “Changes in imperial power often happen in an instant. Does Your Grace think Li speaks correctly?”
She looked at Li Zhijie with a smile: “The Flame King’s words seem intended to sow discord between our Jin ruler and ministers.”
“Whether it’s sowing discord or what Your Grace truly thinks in her heart, Your Grace understands…” Li Zhijie smiled faintly. “Otherwise, why not inform the Great Jin Emperor that a child of the Bai family still lives?”
“How do you know this isn’t the result of discussions between me and Jin’s future ruler… His Highness the Crown Prince?” Her eyes were steady and determined as she gazed deeply at Li Zhijie. “Let me guess – the Flame King intends to use this to coerce me into speaking for Xiliang. Unfortunately, what you hold in your hands doesn’t constitute leverage at all…”
Bai Qingyan’s words were measured and deliberate, carrying a power that inspired belief.
Perhaps it was because Bai Qingyan’s expression was too composed and calm, leaving Li Zhijie unable to detect any flaws, that he began to doubt his earlier suspicions.
“Rather than worry about other nations’ affairs here, the Flame King should return swiftly to Xiliang to properly assist your Xiliang Empress. After all, following this incident… Xiliang will surely never regain its former glory, and I still have a three-year agreement with Xiliang’s Assistant State General Yun Poxing!” Bai Qingyan’s lips curved in a cold smile. “If he doesn’t come, I’ll have to go myself.”