In the camp, Qin Yining and Pang Xiao were receiving Liao Zhibing and Meng Qin and several others in the main tent.

“So the alliance leader’s meaning is that you wish to command this subordinate to make a trip to Japan to investigate the news of this righteous warrior?”

“Yes.” Qin Yining lowered her eyes, sighing as she spoke, “I know this task is not easy—it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are language barriers, and it would require leaving home and spending a great deal of time handling this matter. Moreover, I’ve heard that Japan is not peaceful and is also at war. There would be certain risks in this journey. If Sir Liao finds this difficult, I can think of other methods.”

Liao Zhibing hastily shook his head, “This subordinate has no such intention. The alliance leader’s gratitude and repayment of kindness is a good thing. Moreover, there are many brothers in the alliance, all coming from the four corners of the world. From what I know, there are indeed several brothers from the southern coastal areas in the alliance who can speak simple Japanese, and their character is also trustworthy. If the alliance leader trusts me, let me arrange this matter.”

Qin Yining was greatly pleased, smiling as she said, “The alliance truly has talented people in abundance. Since this is the case, I can also be at ease.” As she spoke, her expression revealed some sadness, “I keep thinking about sending Sakurai’s ashes back to Japan. I imagine he wouldn’t want to wander in a foreign land either. On this journey, have those brothers carry Sakurai’s ashes along, to avoid extra trouble. If they can find his hometown, they should bury him there and investigate clearly what family members he has who need support. He died to save me, so I naturally must care for his family.”

“The alliance leader speaks correctly, but what if we cannot find them…”

“If they cannot be found, then bring him back. I will bury him.” Qin Yining lowered her head and sighed again, “It’s just that if we don’t try our best to attempt it, my heart truly cannot bear the guilt.”

Liao Zhibing and Meng Qin were both moved and nodded.

Meng Qin said, “Alliance leader, please be at ease. Our alliance is full of hot-blooded men who most value repaying kindness with kindness and vengeance with vengeance. That Sakurai saved the alliance leader, which means he showed kindness to our Blue Sky Alliance. It’s proper for the brothers to search for his past.”

Pang Xiao said approvingly, “They truly are all hot-blooded good men. Rest assured, for this journey to Japan, this prince will also arrange reliable personnel to accompany them. Regardless of the circumstances, at least there will be an additional layer of security.”

Liao Zhibing and Meng Qin were overjoyed, both bowing to Pang Xiao, their hearts gaining even greater understanding of the alliance leader’s position in the prince’s heart.

“Thank you, Your Highness, for thinking so thoroughly.”

Pang Xiao smiled and waved his hand, looking at Qin Yining and asking, “Say his name once more—what was it called? Preferably the Japanese pronunciation, lest they go there and cannot find the person.”

That day, Sakurai’s pronunciation was quite amusing, and Qin Yining’s memory of it was very deep. Moreover, he had later written down his name.

Qin Yining rose to find brush and ink, copying from memory exactly as she remembered. After blowing the ink dry, she handed it to Liao Zhibing, saying, “His name is ‘Sa-ku-ra-i…’ followed by a string of sounds that Qin Yining didn’t understand the meaning of.

Liao Zhibing carefully tucked the paper close to his body, saying solemnly, “Alliance leader, please be at ease. This subordinate will certainly do his utmost to handle this matter properly. This Sa… this Sakurai is a benefactor of our Blue Sky Alliance. The brothers will absolutely not neglect his affairs.”

Qin Yining said gratefully, “Thank you.”

Liao Zhibing and Meng Qin felt embarrassed being thanked by Qin Yining and repeatedly shook their heads.

“Your Highness.” Tang Xiu arrived outside the tent.

Liao Zhibing and Meng Qin then knew that Pang Xiao had business and hastily took their leave tactfully.

Qin Yining personally saw them off, instructing, “When you reach Japan, prioritize your own safety. Take these bank notes with you as expenses for the journey. When you’ve found suitable people, come tell me, and then His Highness will also hand over his arranged personnel to you. At that time, you can discuss strategies together.”

“Yes, alliance leader, please be at ease.” Liao Zhibing put the bank notes in his bosom and bowed again with Meng Qin.

Qin Yining watched until they had gone far before turning back to the tent, just in time to hear Tang Xiu saying, “…so those common people nearly surrounded and attacked the yamen again. However, later Magistrate Cheng explained what happened that day, telling the people that His Highness had already submitted a memorial requesting the Emperor’s mercy to save lives. The people had just been persuaded by Magistrate Cheng and were about to withdraw when the eunuch from the palace arrived. His Majesty sentenced Magistrate Cheng to execution after autumn, but the common people were not mentioned.”

“Is this truly so?”

“Naturally. Our people witnessed it with their own eyes. Your Highness can rest assured—the scene was chaotic, and our several brothers mixed in the crowd would not be discovered. When Magistrate Cheng received the edict, he appeared quite composed.”

Qin Yining walked to sit beside Pang Xiao. “Magistrate Cheng should calmly accept reality. He might even feel some joy, since everything has been developing according to his plan. However, I’m quite surprised that he would speak on your behalf.”

Pang Xiao’s expression was somewhat heavy.

Although Magistrate Cheng’s methods were extreme and he would stop at nothing to succeed, his starting point was ultimately for the Great Zhou Dynasty. Compared to those who harm others for personal gain, Magistrate Cheng was much more noble.

Moreover, although the treasure was now hidden among the materials for constructing the imperial mausoleum, his own perspective had already changed. He wanted the treasure, and the treasure was important to him, but as Qin Yining had said, there would always be things more important than silver in this world.

Magistrate Cheng was willing to give up his life for these more important things. Pang Xiao held a trace of admiration for his actions.

After a long while, Pang Xiao said, “Perhaps he can also slightly understand my way of doing things.”

Qin Yining lowered her eyes, nodding in agreement. It was just a pity that their positions had been different from the beginning. Now that the imperial edict had been issued, there was no other way to save him.

Pang Xiao continued to claim he was severely injured. Ma Cheng, carrying the imperial edict and leading three thousand troops back to the capital, came to bid farewell, and Pang Xiao still “weakly” received him.

Only after the three thousand troops of the Five Military Camps left, escorting Magistrate Cheng together, did the people who had been watching in the city finally completely set their hearts at ease.

The common people who had gathered that day carrying scythes, hoes, and other weapons to threaten Pang Xiao were now discussing how to invite Pang Xiao into the city.

“Although over a hundred of us died that day, first, this matter had nothing to do with Prince Zhongshun. Second, Prince Zhongshun didn’t hold grudges about being wounded by us and even spoke for us. Such a benevolent and righteous person—if we let him continue recovering in tents, when word spreads, people will say we Danfu County folk are unreasonable.”

“Yes, but if we go invite His Highness into the city to recuperate, His Highness might not be willing to come. After all, we once surrounded the yamen like that. If His Highness worries we have ill intentions, what should we do?”

“His Highness originally came from Huichuan. Won’t he be returning to Huichuan now?”

“Then what about our corvée labor situation…”

All the common people fell into a dilemma.

The people hadn’t even figured out a solution when Li Qitian’s imperial edict arrived again, only this time it was directly transmitted to Lu Heng, who was still in Huichuan County. For Pang Xiao, only a eunuch was arranged to convey an oral decree.

“Your Highness, His Majesty has already arranged the position of Imperial Mausoleum Construction Supervisor to Magistrate Lu of Huichuan County. From now on, all matters large and small regarding the imperial mausoleum construction need not concern Your Highness. Your Highness’s injuries are severe, so please focus on recuperating well from now on.”