The second was the Great Jin’s founding Emperor Mingzhao. Emperor Mingzhao and the Bai family ancestor Bai Yi joined hands to conquer the realm, their ruler-minister relationship as close as brothers. Moreover, Emperor Mingzhao dared to delegate power to Bai Yi, granting him the authority to act first and report later. Whenever it benefited the nation, Emperor Mingzhao never blamed him. That Emperor Mingzhao could tolerate such powerful ministers showed his broad-mindedness.

Third was the Great Jin’s Duke Zhenguo. The Bai family army, led by Duke Zhenguo, was an undefeated force. The spirit and loyal soul of the Bai family army earned even his opponent’s deep admiration.

Now, Xun Tianzhang was resorting to insulting the Bai family to force Bai Jinzhi into rash attacks. Could it be that something had happened in the Great Liang court, forcing Xun Tianzhang to such measures?

After much deliberation, Bai Qingyan summoned Steward Liu and had him send people to inquire through Xiao Rongyan’s contacts about whether something had occurred in the Great Liang court.

After all, Bai Qingyan’s available personnel were limited, while Xiao Rongyan’s shops spread across all nations, naturally making his intelligence more extensive than hers.

“What does Uncle Liu think of Zeng Shanru?” Bai Qingyan asked Steward Liu.

Steward Liu nodded with a smile in his eyes: “He’s someone who does real work, just a bit quiet. But whenever he speaks, he hits the mark! This has its advantages too, making people think he’s steady and reliable!”

“Before Lu Ping left, he hastily gave this old servant a list, asking me to test the loyalty of those on it to see if they could be useful in the future! A few days ago, this old servant took the liberty of also testing Zeng Shanru’s loyalty, and he proved unexpectedly loyal. If First Miss wants Zeng Shanru to take over the mine affairs, he would be an excellent choice!”

When the Bai family was still in the capital, Bai Qingyan had discussed with Lu Ping about cultivating useful people. That list was probably the people Lu Ping had selected.

Bai Qingyan nodded: “Then please trouble Uncle Liu to mentor Zeng Shanru further. When the time is right, entrust this matter to him.”

“First Miss, rest assured. This old servant knows what to do!” Steward Liu said.

Before evening, Steward Liu brought Wang Jiuzhou from Xiao Rongyan’s side to the Bai Mansion, saying there was urgent business requiring an audience with the Duke’s Daughter.

Bai Qingyan set down her bamboo scrolls, changed clothes, and went to the front hall.

Seeing Bai Qingyan enter the main hall supported by Chun Tao, Wang Jiuzhou quickly set down his teacup and bowed: “Greetings to Your Grace!”

Wang Jiuzhou already knew his master’s feelings for Bai Qingyan, so his attitude toward her was exceptionally respectful.

“Manager Wang need not be formal. I heard from Uncle Liu that Manager Wang has urgent business?” Bai Qingyan sat in the main seat, looking at Wang Jiuzhou.

“Indeed, there is an urgent matter to discuss with Your Grace…” Wang Jiuzhou glanced at Chun Tao standing beside Bai Qingyan.

Understanding, Bai Qingyan turned her head to signal Chun Tao to leave first.

After everyone had left, Wang Jiuzhou said: “Your Grace, Western Liang sent people this time to deliver reparation silver and apology gifts for you and the Crown Prince to Jin. However, hidden among the escort party for the reparations and gifts were more than ten assassins. This humble one obtained this information early on but didn’t know why Western Liang would hide assassins in the Jin-bound party, until yesterday, when these ten-plus assassins disguised themselves and entered Shouyang City. They’ve been asking around about Your Grace’s troop training and bandit suppression activities. They seem to be targeting Your Grace, so this humble one came to inform Your Grace to be prepared.”

Bai Qingyan’s expression didn’t change much – this was probably Li Tianfu’s handiwork.

“Your Master Xiao… truly has excellent intelligence!” Bai Qingyan chuckled softly, then asked, “I wonder how many years Master Xiao has been building his network for Great Yan to have such an intelligence system.”

Wang Jiuzhou smiled awkwardly. Matters concerning Great Yan were not suitable for honest disclosure, yet this was his master’s beloved.

If he told the truth-that this intelligence network had been secretly established since Empress Ji’s lifetime – what if his master and this Duke’s Daughter didn’t work out in the end?

Just as Wang Jiuzhou hesitated about how to respond, he heard Bai Qingyan speak first: “That Master Xiao and Manager Wang informed me of this matter – I’ll remember this friendship. Thank you!”

“This humble one dares not!” Wang Jiuzhou bowed deeply. “If Your Grace has no other instructions, this humble one will take his leave.”

“Is there any unusual movement in the Great Liang court? Can Manager Wang inform me?” Bai Qingyan’s gaze fixed on Wang Jiuzhou.

“In response to Your Grace, news from the Great Liang court hasn’t arrived yet, but the last message reported that… after Great Liang’s Fourth Prince returned to the capital, he advised the Emperor to cease hostilities and stop military action! The Great Liang Emperor has always doted on the Fourth Prince, so he might listen to the Fourth Prince’s counsel.”

She nodded: “If there’s definite news, please trouble Manager Wang to inform Steward Liu promptly. My fourth sister is at Chun Mushan, and I’m uneasy.”

“Your Grace, rest assured. Once there’s definite news, this humble one will certainly inform Steward Liu!”

“Much obliged!” Bai Qingyan looked at Steward Liu. “Uncle Liu, please see Manager Wang out.”

Watching Steward Liu escort Wang Jiuzhou out, Bai Qingyan lightly stroked the edge of the table. She hadn’t been to the drill ground for several days. Today, hearing Wang Jiuzhou say those ten-plus assassins intended to infiltrate the drill ground, she would appear there more frequently, making them think it would be easier to succeed once they entered the drill ground.

Those assassins were probably sent by Li Tianfu!

The people Li Tianfu could send would certainly be elite assassins. Having them teach some talented civilians skills would not waste Li Tianfu’s kindness in sending people from a thousand li away.

On May 23rd, the Western Liang’s apology gifts sent by the Crown Prince to Shouyang were robbed, shocking the court and Kingdomside.

Duke’s Daughter Bai Qingyan, upon hearing the news, led the Bai family guards to Kongtong Mountain but only rescued the Crown Prince’s guards – the Western Liang’s apology gifts were completely stolen.

The Crown Prince, pained by the loss of those treasures from Western Liang, angrily issued another decree ordering local Shouyang officials to assist Bai Qingyan in bandit suppression without error.

However, training civilians as soldiers required time, and they couldn’t immediately confront the fierce bandits.

With the battle at Chun Mushan intensifying and the court unable to divide forces for bandit suppression, the Duke’s Daughter recruited bandit-suppressing personnel from among the people for the second time. Even those from neighboring counties who heard the news traveled far to register their names, making Shouyang City exceptionally lively.

Following Bai Qingyan’s instructions, Shen Yancong and Bai Qingping carefully observed outsiders, separately recording the names of anyone with a martial arts foundation. Anyone who could withstand ten moves against Bai family guards could become a squad leader of ten, and those who could defeat Bai family guards could be promoted to instructor, teaching alongside the Bai family guards.

Soon, Shen Yancong and Bai Qingping delivered the list of outsiders with martial arts foundation to Bai Qingyan.

“Did you discover any martial artists hiding their skills?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Just as Bai Qingping was about to speak, Shen Yancong said: “In response to Your Grace, any martial artist absolutely cannot escape my notice.”

Bai Qingyan studied the list without looking up, noticing several names circled, and asked: “What’s the significance of these circled names?”

“These are people I consider problematic!” Shen Yancong continued. “They have exceptional skills and strange accents. They all claim to be from Nan Jiang, saying they heard about Your Grace training troops to suppress bandits and came specifically to serve.”