While Xiao Rongyan was still choosing his words carefully, the Crown Prince noticed that Xiao Rongyan seemed reluctant to speak, fearing that Bai Qingyan might think Xiao Rongyan looked down on women and couldn’t let them participate in business matters, potentially developing resentment toward Xiao Rongyan. He quickly said, “It’s not a big matter. Currently, Great Yan and Beirong are jointly attacking Nanrong to avenge Great Yan’s Princess Mingcheng. Rongyan had heard about this matter early on, so he bought grain at high prices from various countries, preparing to sell it to Great Yan and Beirong at a substantial profit…”

Bai Qingyan just smiled without speaking, looking at Xiao Rongyan: “Then I imagine Master Xiao must have earned quite a lot! I congratulate Master Xiao here.”

The Crown Prince waved his hand: “Rongyan hasn’t gotten the money yet. The grain is still on the road. Rongyan’s idea is to pass through Jin and wants me to provide some convenience! However, I just told Rongyan that Jin has already sent envoys to Great Yan and Beirong, demanding they immediately stop attacking Nanrong.”

Speaking thus, the Crown Prince looked at Xiao Rongyan with a slight smile: “Rongyan is worried right now, afraid that Great Yan, Nanrong, and Beirong won’t fight anymore… He doesn’t know who to sell this high-priced grain to, so he wants to ask a favor, to let… Jin’s envoys delay for a few days, so he can transport the grain first and get the money in hand before anything else. I think… It’s not a big deal.”

Xiao Rongyan’s excuse… was quite reasonable. Temporarily delaying the envoys… wasn’t asking the Crown Prince to change his orders overnight, and he promised to share substantial profits with the Crown Prince. If she hadn’t come, the Crown Prince might have already agreed!

But both Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan knew clearly that as long as Xiao Rongyan could secure this brief moment from the Crown Prince, Great Yan would certainly mobilize the entire nation’s strength to destroy Nanrong, encircling Jin within.

“Has Your Highness agreed?” Bai Qingyan’s expression darkened as she looked at the Crown Prince.

Seeing Bai Qingyan’s expression darken, no longer showing the cheerful smile from moments before, quite puzzled, he only said: “Not yet. I was originally thinking of delaying for a month or so until Rongyan completes his grain transactions, which wouldn’t be impossible. Does Princess Zhenguo feel there’s something improper about this?”

“There’s no need for a month or so, half a month would suffice…” Xiao Rongyan quickly said.

“Half a month would also be enough for Great Yan and Beirong to capture Nanrong, allowing Yan to form an east-west pincer attack on our Jin!” Bai Qingyan’s expression was solemn.

“Princess Zhenguo overestimates Great Yan and Beirong too much. Great Yan’s Kingdom is broken, and people are impoverished. I haven’t been there myself—they’re all driven mad by poverty! When the Rong barbarians had internal strife, their elite fierce soldiers were all in Nanrong, not to mention that Nanrong now has a Ghost-faced General who is invincible in battle… Even Great Yan’s fierce general Xie Xun is no match for him!”

Xiao Rongyan’s voice was measured, composed, and gentle, very persuasive.

Seeing the Crown Prince nod in agreement, Bai Qingyan stood and bowed solemnly to the Crown Prince: “Your Highness, Great Yan must not be underestimated. In earlier years, Great Yan could indeed be said to have a broken Kingdom and impoverished people, but in recent years, Great Yan has secretly strengthened itself and is no longer the Great Yan we once knew. If Great Yan were truly as poor as Master Xiao claims, with barely enough for self-preservation, how could it subdue Nanyan? How would it dare send troops to assist Beirong?”

Xiao Rongyan’s grip on the chair armrest tightened slightly: “How does Princess Zhenguo know that Great Yan isn’t at the end of its strength? If Great Yan were truly already powerful, why would it need to send its legitimate son as a hostage to Jin?”

“Now that ritual has collapsed and music is ruined, people’s hearts are not what they once were—it’s no longer the ancient times when honor and trust were respected. Great Yan says they sent their legitimate son… so he’s their legitimate son? Whether this prince currently in the capital… is truly Yan Emperor’s legitimate son is entirely up to Yan to decide. Who… could prove that this Yan Emperor’s legitimate son in the capital is truly Murong Li?”

The Crown Prince fell into deep thought after hearing Bai Qingyan’s words.

“Of course, this might be me judging a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s mind, but Your Highness… this vast Jin empire will surely be handed over to Your Highness by His Majesty in the future! If today, Your Highness, allows Master Xiao out of loyalty and righteousness! After half a month, when Great Yan and Beirong occupy Nanrong, would Your Highness have to send troops to campaign against them again? At that time… the cost in provisions and supplies would probably exceed Master Xiao’s profits from this venture by a hundred or thousand times!” Bai Qingyan bowed deeply to the ground. “Your Highness must think thrice, don’t agree to this matter out of excessive regard for loyalty and righteousness, only to have our Jin pay a hundred times the hardship in the future. In all matters… national affairs should take precedence!”

The Crown Prince nodded, clearly convinced by Bai Qingyan.

“Your Highness, Princess Zhenguo’s words are rather alarmist… taking Great Yan too seriously while underestimating Nanrong. When Nanrong attacked Dengzhou… wasn’t the battle in Dengzhou City tragic enough? Even Minister Dong’s legitimate eldest son from Dengzhou… Brother Changlang died in that battle. How could Great Yan and Beirong possibly capture Nanrong in just half a month?” Xiao Rongyan maintained his elegant and composed appearance, his tone measured, but his words were sharp.

“So what Master Xiao is saying… is that you want to use your friendship with our Crown Prince to gamble with our Jin’s future? Today, if Master Xiao were a person of our Jin, such words might be worth listening to, but Master Xiao is from Wei. Such arguments… I cannot help but suspect that Master Xiao is exploiting our Crown Prince’s loyalty and righteousness to harm Jin for the benefit of your mother Kingdom.”

Bai Qingyan’s words were razor-sharp. The Crown Prince quickly intervened: “Enough, enough, let’s discuss the matter at hand, we mustn’t judge people’s hearts! Princess Zhenguo’s dedication to the Kingdom is something I have never doubted. Master Xiao is a businessman who doesn’t understand national politics, which is why he made such a request. It’s not to the extent of harming Jin for the benefit of his mother Kingdom.”

The Crown Prince hoped Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan would become a couple, so he couldn’t let the two of them become antagonistic.

Xiao Rongyan’s palms tightened, but he only smiled: “Princess Zhenguo speaks directly, which I naturally know, but I still must defend myself somewhat. I am from Wei, and Wei’s territory doesn’t border Jin—there has been no warfare between us for a hundred years! Moreover, Great Yan and Xiliang, which border Jin, also border my Wei. If I truly had the heart to benefit my mother Kingdom, I should naturally hope for warfare between Jin and Great Yan or Xiliang. When neighboring countries are weak… then my Kingdom grows strong. This would be the true path.”

Bai Qingyan chuckled softly but didn’t respond to his words, only looking at the Crown Prince: “Your Highness just said Master Xiao is a businessman who doesn’t understand national politics, but Master Xiao’s words… show he’s hardly ignorant of national politics!”

The Crown Prince, who had originally wanted to smooth things over, felt quite melancholy. Why couldn’t these two just take a step back and let things be harmonious?

“I’m just discussing the matter at hand!” Xiao Rongyan maintained his refined and elegant appearance.

Bai Qingyan nodded seriously: “Then I’ll discuss the matter at hand with Master Xiao. Doesn’t Master Xiao know that Yan has already completely controlled Beirong’s natural pastures? Moreover, Jin’s terrain borders the Rong barbarians to the east and the Great Yan to the west. Now, Great Yan uses revenge as an excuse, but in reality, wants to forcibly occupy Nanrong to lock down Jin’s eastern and western flanks? When the Rong barbarians’ swift and strong horses are controlled by Great Yan… Great Yan will become powerful in troops and horses, devouring our Jin from both east and west. Without war horses… how could our Jin be a match for Great Yan?”