When Li Qitian received the report from Pang Xiao’s final carrier pigeon, his heart was filled with mixed emotions. After finding the treasure, aside from the first pigeon where Pang Xiao clearly complained about why he wasn’t trusted, all subsequent pigeons had methodically reported the minute details of the treasure.
Even when the treasure was completely excavated and prepared for transport, he still didn’t forget to carefully count exactly how much treasure there was, to prevent any embezzlement during transportation.
Combined with You Meng’s reports, although Pang Xiao was domineering and arrogant, his loyalty was absolutely beyond doubt.
Li Qitian sometimes even began to reflect on whether he had been too harsh in his treatment of Pang Xiao.
However, now that he had finally found this enormous treasure, although the national treasury couldn’t become abundant overnight because of this money, it was enough to solve the urgent crisis. That money was sufficient to support the Huben Army and Dragon Guards for five years.
With such a substantial treasure in hand, Li Qitian could finally breathe easily, even sleep soundly.
Li Qitian walked around the large paulownia wood desk covered with a bright yellow tablecloth, rubbing his somewhat sweaty palms while walking toward the open palace doors.
The extremely clean black marble floor was so polished it could reflect one’s image. Li Qitian made no sound with his footsteps, while the palace attendants at the door bowed even more respectfully, humbly bending at the waist.
Beyond the open palace doors was a spacious courtyard where one could see white stone brick flooring, red walls with bright tiles, and the azure sky dotted with white clouds.
Taking a deep breath, his body and mind were joyful, his spirit refreshed and clear!
“Someone come.”
“Your servant is here.” Li Guanwen immediately stepped forward with a smile and bowed.
Li Qitian smiled: “Summon Minister Qin to see me.”
“Yes.”
Li Guanwen immediately went to relay the decree.
When Qin Huaiyuan arrived, he brought with him a heart full of questions, but facing Li Qitian, he only loyally kowtowed and awaited instructions.
Li Qitian smiled: “Previously, I thought Prince Zhongshun was unruly. Now it seems that with Minister Qin as his father-in-law providing guidance, Pang Zhixi has restrained himself considerably. This shows that Minister Qin’s teaching methods are effective.”
Qin Huaiyuan became suspicious in his heart, but humbly waved his hands and bowed: “Your Majesty truly overpraises me. This old minister hardly deserves such praise. Although Prince Zhongshun is rash and hot-tempered, and has some past grievances with this humble minister, now that we’ve become family, whether out of loyalty to the throne or consideration for my daughter, this old minister must provide appropriate reminders.”
Qin Huaiyuan’s words struck the perfect balance—neither exaggerating his own loyal dedication nor hypocritically claiming to serve only the country. Instead, he mixed truth and diplomacy, which would make people feel he was sincere.
Li Qitian now held Qin Huaiyuan in increasingly high regard, not only because of Qin Huaiyuan’s talents, but also because his appearance was truly pleasing to the eye. Moreover, when Qin Huaiyuan was previously in Great Yan, he had also undermined the foolish ruler of Northern Ji. As Li Qitian was one who had risen in rebellion against Northern Ji, he didn’t entirely dislike Qin Huaiyuan.
Now, looking back on the past, Li Qitian deeply felt that Qin Huaiyuan had been wasted by Great Yan’s foolish ruler, squandering his prime years serving such a person. If he himself had been born decades earlier and Qin Huaiyuan had joined his ranks early on, the current situation would probably be entirely different.
Li Qitian smiled and instructed Li Guanwen to grant Qin Huaiyuan a seat, while he himself came around to sit with Qin Huaiyuan.
Qin Huaiyuan was overwhelmed by this honor and only dared to sit on half the edge of his seat.
Li Qitian then smiled and said: “Today I summoned you not for anything else, but to tell you about an important matter.”
“Please speak, Your Majesty.”
“The treasure has been found. Now we’re just waiting for my decree before it can be transported back to the capital.”
While speaking, Li Qitian carefully observed Qin Huaiyuan’s expression. Seeing him stare in surprise with wide eyes, Li Qitian’s last few traces of suspicion about him disappeared. “It’s that treasure from Great Yan. What does Minister Qin think?”
This question was asked very skillfully—not specifying from which aspect he wanted an opinion, just asking like this. Whether the answer could satisfy Li Qitian would depend entirely on Qin Huaiyuan’s ability to divine the imperial will.
“Your Majesty,” Qin Huaiyuan stood up and bowed respectfully, “That money is called treasure, but in reality it’s just the people’s fat and blood that Yan Dynasty’s Grand Emperor scraped together at the end—evidence of his crime of not giving the people a way to live. That money, whether buried underground or used by some people to satisfy private desires and power lust, is not the most appropriate destination. This minister believes that only by using that money for the people can the sins staining that silver be cleansed.”
At this point, Qin Huaiyuan looked up at Li Qitian, then continued to bow his head respectfully: “This minister believes that Your Majesty’s ability to find that treasure is Heaven’s will. Heaven also knows that Your Majesty is an enlightened ruler who thinks wholeheartedly of the people. At this time when the earth dragon is turning in the south, plague is rampant, and people are displaced, Heaven has opened a path of life for the people. That this treasure was found and will be disposed of by Your Majesty is truly Heaven’s will!”
Qin Huaiyuan’s expression was serious, each word spoken with resounding force.
And these words, without exception, struck right at Li Qitian’s heart, hitting his most sensitive spot.
Only after truly becoming emperor could one understand what it meant to feel the cold of high places.
Standing in this elevated position, he had to be responsible for everyone who followed him—all people, his ministers, his subjects, including his mother—all constantly demanded things from him, yet no one could truly understand him.
However, these words that most touched his heart were spoken by his minister.
Moreover, it was a surrendered minister from Great Yan, the most awkward existence in Great Zhou’s court.
Perhaps because he had obtained the treasure and the heavy stone that had been pressing on his heart could finally be set down, Li Qitian also had more thoughts of understanding others and was even more moved by Qin Huaiyuan’s words.
“Minister Qin.” Li Qitian helped Qin Huaiyuan up with both hands and patted his arm emotionally. “I haven’t misjudged you. In obtaining this treasure, I also plan to take from the people and use for the people. This can be considered adding some merit for those people who once suffered disaster.”
Qin Huaiyuan nodded emphatically. When he looked at Li Qitian, his eyes and expression perfectly displayed a loyal minister’s obedience to his ruler and subtle admiration.
Such a gaze, seen just once, was more comforting to the heart than listening to an hour of flattery.
“Minister Qin, now that this treasure has been found, what do you think I should arrange next?”
Hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan considered carefully for a moment before saying: “This minister believes there are three things that should be done immediately. First, order Prince Zhongshun, the Princess Consort, Prince Yan, and Minister Gu to await commands in place, and arrange for people to garrison and guard them to prevent information leaks. Second, command Prince Consort Ji’s people to leave the city to provide support, to prevent any mishaps along the way. Third, begin planning how to use the treasure and appropriately release news to create momentum.”
Qin Huaiyuan presented his suggestions very clearly, but also left each suggestion incomplete, giving Li Qitian sufficient space for thought.
This way of offering suggestions best showed sincerity and was least likely to make people feel he was trying to influence their choices.
Li Qitian nodded repeatedly, already able to sense Qin Huaiyuan’s sincerity.
After thinking for a moment, he asked again: “You say to have Prince Zhongshun’s group await commands in place—await until when?”
Qin Huaiyuan spoke directly: “Until Your Majesty’s people receive the treasure.”
Li Qitian pondered for a moment, but ultimately didn’t immediately ask the question he wanted to ask.
He actually wanted to say: Pang Xiao and Qin Yining are your son-in-law and daughter—don’t you care that they’re suffering in that place?
But thinking it over carefully, Li Qitian also understood.
Qin Huaiyuan was a perceptive person. This approach would not only ensure no information leaks but also clear all suspicion from the Pang Xiao couple, serving to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
Li Qitian shook his head with a mixture of laughter and tears, but felt no aversion to Qin Huaiyuan’s approach. If Qin Huaiyuan appeared too selfless, showing no favoritism toward his own children, Li Qitian would instead suspect this person’s loyalty. The current Qin Huaiyuan felt more genuine.
Li Qitian quickly ordered someone to send a message with eight-hundred-li urgency.
When Qin Yining, Pang Xiao and the others received the news, they were gathered around a campfire roasting meat with Huzi, Ji Yun, Bingtang and several others.
Qin Yining had truly survived in the mountains and endured hardships, so she actually preferred this kind of return-to-nature lifestyle. Especially her wilderness survival skills truly made Pang Xiao and his guards admire her greatly.
In the mountains, she could always choose the best paths, knew which fruits were delicious, which wild vegetables were edible, and when hunting was no less skilled than professional hunters—even more capable than the guards around Pang Xiao.
Qin Yining’s skin had long since renewed itself completely, showing no traces of the wind and rain damage from before.
But seeing Qin Yining like this only made Pang Xiao feel more heartbroken.
“Your Highness, someone is coming up from the foot of the mountain,” a guard said quietly.
Pang Xiao nodded: “I heard.”
The three hundred Dragon Guards stationed at the foot of the mountain had already established scheduled guard rotations. They now escorted the messenger up the mountain to see You Meng.
Not far away, the bound Yuchi Yan and Gu Shixiong, along with the twenty-some followers they had brought, all looked nervously toward the messenger.
You Meng stepped forward to receive Li Qitian’s secret decree and read it twice before turning back with a smile.
“His Majesty’s decree: Prince Zhongshun, his consort, and their attendants are to await commands in place. Prince Yan and Gu Shixiong are also to await commands together. As for the others…” You Meng made a throat-slitting gesture.
The guards beside him immediately went to drag Gu Shixiong and Yuchi Yan to where Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s group was.
Those who had followed Yuchi Yan, including Xiao Luzi, all began screaming in terror and despair: “No, no!! Your Highness, save us!”
“We haven’t done anything wrong! We’re innocent!”
“Help us!”
…
But these people’s screams were all muffled by the executing Dragon Guards who covered their mouths and dragged them away.
Soon, those soldiers returned to stand behind You Meng. If one looked carefully, each of them had blood stains on their bodies and faces.
“No, no no…” Yuchi Yan shook his head, painfully closing his eyes and murmuring: “It shouldn’t be like this, it shouldn’t be like this. They were all innocent!”
“Innocent?” You Meng sneered. “Can’t stand watching? Then why don’t you think about your wife you left in the capital?”
Yuchi Yan’s eyes widened with complete despair: “No, it won’t… no…”