An Shichong and Xu Huaizu had now become capable of leading independently. When they heard about this expedition to ally with Wei against Song, they rushed over quickly, arriving at Yushan Pass very early. It was out of consideration for their relationship that Ye Yuqin had them retreat first.
Hearing Yin Gezhi’s tone now, Ye Yuqin lowered his eyes, his attitude suddenly softening: “The three nations’ great victory and cooperation has been pleasant. Song likely won’t dare to invade again for some time. Wei contributed significantly, and Wu will reward generously.”
“Oh?” Yin Gezhi didn’t even lift his eyelids: “What does the Crown Prince think this generous reward should be?”
“Hasn’t Wei had a poor harvest this year? There must be many disaster victims. The imperial granaries probably don’t have enough grain either, right?” Ye Yuqin said: “As it happens, Qi has had a good harvest this year. The grain collected for military provisions hasn’t all been used. Why not make it an even number – 100,000 shi of rice and 100,000 shi of flour, all sent to Wei for disaster relief? How’s that?”
The numbers sounded tempting, but Yin Gezhi still didn’t look up: “Your Highness is too kind. Qi’s contributions weren’t small either. If Wu doesn’t reward them but uses their grain to aid Wei’s disaster victims, won’t Qi’s ruler be unhappy?”
Qi would certainly be unhappy – that was exactly what Ye Yuqin was counting on. As long as Yin Gezhi agreed, he would use Qi’s grain to curry favor. What would Qi do when angered? They couldn’t attack Wu, but they could attack Wei. Would they still be so united against a common enemy then? No, they might even turn against each other.
Benefits were the most important bonds between nations.
“Wu doesn’t have much else to offer,” Ye Yuqin said with complete sincerity: “As long as you find this gift acceptable, I will handle the rest of the matters. You need not worry at all.”
Light flickered in Yin Gezhi’s half-closed eyes as he lightly tapped the table, thinking for a while before nodding: “Very well.”
Feeling relieved, Ye Yuqin smiled: “That’s good then.”
“Now that we’ve settled the matter of gifts, let’s discuss Wu’s accidental injury of Wei’s reinforcements.” Taking out a document, Yin Gezhi’s face was cold as water: “Three thousand of our soldiers were injured by your country by mistake, including over 500 deaths and over 700 serious injuries.”
At the mention of this, Ye Yuqin turned his head away: “We’ve already said it was accidental.”
Looking utterly shocked, Yin Gezhi stared at him in disbelief: “No compensation for accidental injuries? So many dead and wounded soldiers and Your Highness thinks two casual words will suffice?”
Ye Yuqin frowned: “Then what does Your Majesty want? In last night’s battle, our casualties were likely even higher.”
“Last night’s battle?” Yin Gezhi looked bewilderedly at Fengye beside him. She swallowed her preserved fruit and said indignantly: “There indeed was a battle last night, but it was because Song troops sneak-attacked our camp, so General Yin joined forces with Qi troops to resist! Our soldiers fought bravely and wisely, defeating the enemy! The front lines have already sent news of victory.”
“We were wondering why fighting had suddenly broken out again,” turning back to look at Ye Yuqin, Yin Gezhi said: “Does Your Highness want to blame the casualties from fighting Song troops on Wei as well?”
Ye Yuqin: “…”
How shameless! They knew they weren’t fighting Song troops – who were they putting on this act for?!
What was more infuriating was that he couldn’t say they were fighting Wu troops. Otherwise, this cunning old fox Yin Gezhi would ask why Wu was attacking Wei’s camp, and then he would be even more in the wrong!
Taking a deep breath, Ye Yuqin swallowed this loss whole and asked through gritted teeth: “What compensation does Your Majesty want?”
“Every soldier is a warrior who has given their all for Wei. After this battle, they should have been able to return home to promotions and family reunions. Now they’ve inexplicably died by friendly forces’ swords!” His tone suddenly became heavy with grief as Yin Gezhi said: “We are not a ruler who sells soldiers’ lives, but their families need compensation. According to Wei’s rules, each family should receive ten taels of silver.”
Ten taels? Ye Yuqin wanted to spit in his face! Many people couldn’t earn ten taels in their entire lives – since when did fallen soldiers’ families all receive ten taels in compensation?
“I can verify this,” Fengye raised her hand and said: “When I led troops before, I distributed compensation silver.”
For troops led by the Guan family, whenever there were casualties, Guan Canghai would give compensation. The Wei Literary Emperor wouldn’t have given any at the time – this rule only existed in the Guan family army. However, using it now as a compensation standard was quite clever.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Yuqin glanced at Fengye, saying with evident regret: “I shouldn’t have trusted you back then.”
Her heart had always been with Yin Gezhi, yet she had pretended to help him control Yin Gezhi and deal with Yi Guoru’s influence. If he hadn’t been careless, this woman wouldn’t have survived until now, let alone become Wei’s Empress.
Seeing Yin Gezhi’s current state of fulfillment made him so dissatisfied.
“Your Highness, what did I do wrong?” Fengye blinked innocently and said: “If it wasn’t for me back then, you couldn’t have accomplished many things.”
Yin Gezhi stood up, blocking her from view, his expression slightly displeased.
Withdrawing his gaze, Ye Yuqin smiled: “Your Majesty needn’t be nervous. I was just feeling somewhat emotional. Zhu’er in Buyin City still thinks of you often. When she heard you had established an Empress, she was so upset she couldn’t eat for days.”
Yi Zhangzhu? Yin Gezhi said: “Hasn’t she married?”
Such well-informed intelligence? Ye Yuqin gave a low laugh: “Indeed she has married. But she still thinks of you constantly. When she heard I might meet you this time, she insisted on having me bring a letter.”
“Where is the letter?”
“Lost it during the journey’s bumps,” carefully observing Yin Gezhi’s expression, Ye Yuqin smiled and said: “But I read it and vaguely remember some lines. No need to mention the scattered trivial matters, but this one line Your Majesty must remember – ‘The lord lost his bright pearl, tears falling two by two. The bright pearl also longs for her lord’s return.'”
You must be heartbroken having lost me, and I’m also waiting for you to return.
How deeply emotional, how sorrowful – it moved Fengye to wipe her eyes with a handkerchief: “To still pine like this after marriage. It must be difficult.”
He Chou, who had been playing dead all this time, couldn’t help speaking softly: “Miss Yi married a top scholar who treats her very well, but she’s still melancholy all day, causing scenes from time to time. Your Majesty needn’t mind these words – it’s just her one-sided feelings.”
“Of course, I won’t mind,” raising her voice slightly, Fengye said with a smile: “If His Majesty had written such lines to her, I might be angry. But when she writes such lines to him, I’m not angry at all. I’m happy.”
Ye Yuqin narrowed his eyes.
Happy? What was there to be happy about? Happy that someone else was pining for her husband? They say women are petty – they would usually make a fuss over such tricks. He just wanted to cause some trouble, to make Yin Gezhi less comfortable. But why wasn’t she following the usual pattern?
“Your Highness has never truly loved someone,” looking down at Ye Yuqin, Yin Gezhi said: “How I feel about the Empress, she knows in her heart. Knowing this, she won’t doubt me at all. I give her my feelings, she returns my trust – it’s not something Your Highness can drive apart with two or three sentences.”
Feelings are something one knows for oneself – whether the other person likes you, or how much they like you, you can feel it. Someone who is truly loved wholeheartedly won’t harbor doubts. Even if she caught him in bed with another, Fengye would first wonder if someone was framing him rather than think he had strayed.
This was his achievement over the past half year.
Giving a light laugh, Ye Yuqin stood up and swept his sleeve, saying: “I was merely delivering a message. Whether you listen or not is up to you.”
He lifted his foot to walk toward He Chou, but someone blocked his path. Looking at the person’s black boots embroidered with silver dragons, Ye Yuqin sighed: “The compensation will be sent to Wei.”
Hearing this, Yin Gezhi was finally satisfied and stepped aside.
He Chou frowned, watching him approach step by step. Instinctively, she moved to stand behind Fengye.
“Where else do you plan to hide?” his voice suddenly turned cold as Ye Yuqin said: “Come back with me.”
After a moment of silence, He Chou asked in a small voice: “Can this slave not return?”