Bai Qingyan tapped her fingers on the desk. “If the Emperor doesn’t approve, Cousin Changlang should lead troops to remain deep in Nanrong territory to train independently, maintaining constant communication with Uncle. Under the pretext of military exercises… war games where Uncle retreats in defeat, then continues requesting silver and provisions from the court.”

Dong Changlang frowned deeply. “Sister, but if we penetrate deep into Nanrong territory and provisions can’t be delivered in time, what should we do?”

“The Rong Di raid and plunder our Jin people—can’t we raid and plunder them in return?” Bai Qingyan spoke as if this were perfectly natural. “Dengzhou forces can capture Nanrong people and convert them into usable troops, teach them how to farm, privately open trade markets, and gradually turn the Nanrong people… into Jin people! Whether Rong Di or Jin, what the common people seek is nothing more than four words: enough food and warm clothing! Years ago, when Empress Ji of Great Yan held power, the reason she could rapidly destroy small nations and win over their people without resistance was primarily because she ensured the people had enough food and warm clothing! This is why people willingly submit!”

“For ordinary people living in this world, the most important things are food that fills the belly and prevents death, and clothing that covers the body and protects from cold. Only after that comes literacy, caring about the quality of food, or whether clothing materials and furs are superior. In this regard, the Rong Di people… are the same as our Jin people!” Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on Dong Changlang. “This path may not be easy to walk, but it can gain the support of the Rong Di people. If we were like Great Yan, stationing troops in Nanrong, the people would certainly resist, because… Great Yan was invited by Northern Rong, while we… would be attacking them!”

Dong Qingyue exhaled deeply, leaned back against the cushion behind him, picked up the teacup from the desk, and gently stirred the tea leaves, deeply feeling that his niece possessed extraordinary talent for governing heaven and earth.

“Uncle, the vast power of popular sentiment cannot be underestimated. Territory… must be taken! But hearts and minds… must also be won! Only thus can conquest and killing be minimized to the greatest extent.” Bai Qingyan said.

“Changlang, what do you think?” Dong Qingyue looked up at his eldest son, his eyes also gleaming with hidden light.

Dong Changlang was Dong Qingyue’s legitimate eldest son, raised from childhood in his father’s arms with careful instruction. Dong Qingyue very much wanted to hear Dong Changlang’s views on this matter.

“Father, your son believes… Sister’s words make perfect sense! If your son leads Dengzhou forces to Nanrong, all subsequent matters can be entrusted to Changmao. Your son will certainly handle this matter properly!” Dong Changlang cupped his hands in salute to Dong Qingyue, his heart still surging with passionate blood, wanting to achieve great deeds.

Previously, in Dong Changlang’s mind, the Rong Di and Jin were irreconcilable enemies, but today… Hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, he suddenly understood.

This world should not be divided into Jin and Rong Di. If the Rong Di people had enough to eat… who would willingly risk their lives to raid Jin?

If one didn’t focus only on immediate interests but took a long-term view with aspirations set on pacifying all under heaven, teaching the Rong Di to farm, to weave, to read Jin characters… achieving gradual unification would prevent the Rong Di from causing chaos.

What person born to a military family doesn’t harbor the ambition to follow a wise ruler in achieving the magnificent feat of unifying all under heaven? It’s just that Jin’s imperial court is incompetent, so military generals can now only focus on protecting themselves wisely.

But Bai Qingyan’s words made one see hope for future unification—how could Dong Changlang not be deeply stirred?

Dong Changlang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly that fortunately Sister had come this time. Otherwise, he feared he wouldn’t have thought so deeply, nor been able to persuade Father. This made Dong Changlang admire his Bai family sister even more.

Dong Qingyue nodded and placed the teacup on the desk, speaking seriously. “This matter requires more detailed planning and deployment. I’ll entrust it to you and the Changmao brothers. After the autumn harvest, I’ll arrange for the evacuation of Dengzhou’s people!”

The final word was spoken.

Bai Qingyan’s lips curved in a smile. She had always known… Uncle’s heroic ambitions had never died, but the ruler was not enlightened enough, so even with the greatest aspirations, Uncle had no way to implement them.

Before, when Grandfather was alive… Uncle could still see hope. Later, when Grandfather was gone, Uncle’s passionate heart must have cooled along with him.

“When evacuating Dengzhou’s people, there may be unrest. Uncle… I came under the banner of taking Grandmother to Shuoyang for a temporary stay. Why not let me take Grandmother and the Dong family women back to Shuoyang to temporarily avoid trouble? When Dengzhou is stable, I’ll send Grandmother back.”

Dong Qingyue shook his head. “Taking your grandmother away is fine, but if all the Dong family women leave Dengzhou, the people will be watching… they might think our Dong family received advance notice and sent the women away first, causing dissatisfaction and easily triggering disorder.”

Bai Qingyan understood Dong Qingyue’s reasonable concerns…

“Second Young Master, Concubine Luo, please wait. The master and eldest young master are discussing important matters in the study.”

Dong Changmao and his birth mother, Concubine Luo, brought Dong Changmao’s maternal uncle, came to pay respects to Dong Qingyue, but were stopped outside the courtyard gate by Dong Qingyue’s trusted guard.

Qiu Huan, seeing Dong Changmao’s disreputable uncle, was so frightened that her face went pale. Originally standing shoulder to shoulder with Chun Tao, she now quietly moved backward, hiding behind Chun Tao.

Chun Tao looked back at Qiu Huan with some surprise, and when she turned back, she met the appraising gaze of Dong Changmao’s uncle Luo Fugui. An inexplicable discomfort rose in her heart, her brow furrowed as she lowered her eyes and stood there properly.

Luo Fugui was already thirty-one this year. He had been engaged once before, but his gambling addiction and indulgence in pleasure quarters had ruined the good match himself.

Later, Concubine Luo had no choice but to petition Dong Qingyue, asking to let Luo Fugui train in the army. She didn’t expect Luo Fugui to become a squad leader of five or ten, just hoped he could break his gambling habit and stop frequenting pleasure quarters.

Dengzhou’s military discipline was quite strict. Dong Qingyue told Concubine Luo to bring the person to see him first. If he appeared scattered and lazy, even if Concubine Luo and Dong Changmao knelt and pleaded together… he absolutely wouldn’t accept him.

Concubine Luo knew Dong Qingyue always meant what he said, so she had been hesitating and not daring to let Luo Fugui meet Dong Qingyue.

Today, Dong Qingyue’s most beloved niece, Princess Zhenguo, had come to Dengzhou. Concubine Luo thought to take this opportunity to let Dong Qingyue meet her brother, hoping that if Dong Qingyue was in a good mood, he might accept her brother.

“The master asked me and Changmao to bring the elder brother to pay respects! Don’t worry… the master knows!” Concubine Luo said with a smile, about to step through the gate, but was pulled back by Dong Changmao.

“Concubine Mother, Father is discussing important matters with the elder brother. We can come back later!” Dong Changmao frowned.

Concubine Luo wanted to speak again, but seeing her son shake his head at her, she thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright, coming back later is fine too…”