Chapter 0025 The Grand Gift

Chapter 0025 The Grand Gift

Qu Yunmie crossed his arms and turned his head to stare silently at the window pane, as if he were trying to see through it.

No matter how disrespectful Xiao Rong felt towards him, he wouldn't embarrass Qu Yunmie in front of others.

Thus, after a silent second, Xiao Rong smiled again, turned around to close the door behind him, and then quietly nudged Qu Yunmie's back with his knee, urging him to make some room.

Unmoved, Qu Yunmie remained still, forcing Xiao Rong to sit next to him, almost touching.

Mi Jing watched their movements quietly, his dark eyes slightly shifting.

After settling down, Xiao Rong courteously smiled at Mi Jing. "My name is Xiao Rong from Linchuan. I have long heard of the esteemed reputation of the Buddha's Son. Today, meeting you in person, I realize that you surpass the legends. Truly deserving of being the abbot of Zunshan Temple's chosen Buddha's Son."

Zunshan Temple was in Chang'an. In an era without Daci'en Temple or Dabaoren Temple, Zunshan Temple was one of the most famous temples. Its abbots had close ties with the royal family, and some would designate successors, who were respectfully called the Buddha's Son.

Of course... now the title of Buddha's Son was just an honorific without substance. Zunshan Temple had been burned to the ground, and even if rebuilt, it would never be the same place the Buddha's Son knew.

Mi Jing gazed at Xiao Rong and smiled faintly. "Young Master Xiao flatters me. Mi Jing is no longer the Buddha's Son. However, your name is well-known everywhere."

Xiao Rong was taken aback. He didn't know about this himself and wanted to ask where exactly he was so renowned. Then, he saw Qu Yunmie turn his head in confusion. "How renowned?"

Xiao Rong: "..."

You're not looking out the window anymore.

Mi Jing observed them and spoke calmly. "The sixteen-character warning has spread throughout the land. Even in the taverns of Shanshan, people talk about it."

Xiao Rong widened his eyes, and he and Qu Yunmie asked simultaneously.

"How did the Shanshan people know about my sixteen-character warning?" / "As a monk, can you still drink?"

Upon hearing these questions, Mi Jing hadn't responded yet when Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie turned to look at each other.

Xiao Rong glared at him. Is this the time to ask about drinking?!

Qu Yunmie: "..."

But it's strange for a monk to enter a tavern.

Xiao Rong continued to glare at him. Focusing on that is even stranger!

Qu Yunmie: "............"

He shifted his gaze back to the window.

Xiao Rong's smile faltered. His intelligence had leaked, and he had no idea. Being exposed by an outsider, Xiao Rong, who valued face, felt a subtle competitive spirit arise upon seeing the Buddha's Son's serene demeanor.

Mi Jing, understanding the situation, smiled kindly. "With your remarkable foresight, you uncovered the Xianbei's plot instantly. Witnessing such a miracle, no one could resist spreading the news. They meant well, trying to elevate Young Master Xiao's reputation."

Xiao Rong chuckled dryly. "Haha."

The Buddha's Son was truly considerate, turning indiscretion into fame and lack of discipline into goodwill.

While the Buddha's Son could be polite, Xiao Rong couldn't accept it. He said seriously, "Buddha's Son, there's no need to worry about The King's face. The Northern Pacification Army is brave but undisciplined. This is an undeniable fact."

Qu Yunmie: "... What fact?"

Surprised, he looked at Xiao Rong, disbelieving that he would say such things in front of him. But Xiao Rong kept his gaze straight, only looking at the Buddha's Son.

Mi Jing observed them and replied carefully. "Young Master Xiao, there's no need to belittle yourself."

Without using the term "layman," monks usually followed the common address. Xiao Rong found it a bit awkward, feeling the Buddha's Son should chant "Amitabha" instead.

Putting aside his discomfort, Xiao Rong shook his head. "I'm not belittling myself; I'm stating facts. The Northern Pacification Army is undisciplined, and the Northern Pacification King knows only war, not governance. The officials under him are mostly uneducated brutes. Even if they change into civilian clothes, they remain uncouth, unable to form a proper court."

Qu Yunmie: "............"

His face turned green with anger, staring straight at Xiao Rong, fists clenched. After a moment, he slowly turned to the equally shocked Mi Jing, took a deep breath, and endured.

Wait a little longer, wait a little longer.

Mi Jing's face showed shock, and he couldn't help but look at Qu Yunmie, surprised that he remained motionless despite his anger.

At this point, Xiao Rong smiled and asked Mi Jing. "Buddha's Son, do you wonder why I remain loyal to the Northern Pacification King despite knowing his flaws?"

Mi Jing thought, No, no, no. That's not what I'm wondering.

Xiao Rong breathed lightly and relaxed. "This is because everything has two sides. Despite the Northern Pacification King's flaws, he also has unique advantages. For example, The King and the Northern Pacification Army have shared hardships. Yanmen Pass has been ravaged multiple times, and its reconstruction was thanks to the Northern Pacification Army. The King understands the cruelty of war, the struggles of the people, and the desires of the brutes. Buddha's Son, do you think scholars or brutes are more worthy of salvation?"

Mi Jing paused, then answered. "All beings are equal, regardless of scholars or brutes."

Xiao Rong laughed directly, not politely but coldly. "Buddha's Son, that's hypocritical."

Mi Jing didn't change expression but stared at him intently.

Qu Yunmie relaxed his shoulders. Good, vented.

Xiao Rong met Mi Jing's gaze without hesitation. "The concept of equality is your slogan or belief, but it's not your principle. Salvation has conditions. Whether reciting scriptures or offering incense, one needs to afford books and recognize characters, and pay money and visit temples. True brutes cannot read those obscure texts to gain merit. Have you seen people who work from morning till night? I doubt you have, as they have no time to listen to your sermons, no chance to appear before you, and thus no opportunity for your compassion."

Mi Jing was silent for a moment. "All beings suffer. Buddhism is a place of purity, not bliss. Monks can only do their best, unable to save everyone."

Xiao Rong chuckled. "Doesn't that contradict the concept of equality? Who decides whom to save and whom to ignore? In making that decision, saving one life while ignoring another—does that count as harming a life?"

Mi Jing pursed his lips, not answering immediately, but his hand began to fiddle with the prayer beads.

Xiao Rong maintained his composure, inwardly smiling.

Stumped, right? Such a world-class dilemma might never find an answer, even if humanity perished.

Xiao Rong sighed, his expression reminiscent of the past: "Once, I left home to study abroad."

Qu Yunmie had been frowning as he listened to their conversation. Upon hearing this, his ears perked up, and he turned his head toward Xiao Rong. He had almost never heard Xiao Rong talk about his past.

Xiao Rong: "...During those eight years of studying abroad, I met many people, including several of my mentors. One of them once asked me a question: A startled horse is galloping through a crowded market, and the road is narrow with children playing on both sides. At this moment, I must choose a direction; otherwise, children on both sides will be trampled. The situation now is that there are three children in fine clothes on the left and one child in coarse clothes on the right. If you were a Buddhist disciple, how would you choose?"

This modified trolley problem posed by Xiao Rong made Mi Jing pause. Children are innocent, and choosing either side would be wrong. Choosing the left would make Xiao Rong say he disregarded the common people, while choosing the right would make him appear to neglect more lives.

Mi Jing could see that Xiao Rong was intentionally making things difficult for him, but he was someone who couldn't bear to be stumped.

Mi Jing's brows furrowed slightly, and his face showed a serious expression. He was genuinely thinking about how to respond.

But he never imagined that Xiao Rong didn't want him to answer at all. As soon as he seemed to have some thoughts, Xiao Rong interrupted him: "It seems this question is indeed difficult. The Buddhist disciple can't think of an answer for now. The King, if it were you, how would you choose?"

Qu Yunmie was taken aback, not expecting himself to be involved. He blinked and blurted out, "Stand up and snap the horse's neck. No need to choose any direction."

Xiao Rong smiled knowingly. He knew Qu Yunmie would say something like that.

Lifting his eyes, he looked back at the Buddhist disciple: "Did you hear that? This is the King's answer. In front of a rampaging horse, only a stronger force can stop it. Today, whether it's you or me, the King, or anyone else, standing in the middle of the market of our times, some think about saving the children on the left, others think about saving the children on the right. But I believe that a Buddhist disciple who believes in equality should agree more with the King's solution—saving everyone."

Mi Jing: "..."

So that was what he was waiting for.

He lowered his gaze and said softly, "Saving the children in the market is easy, but rescuing the suffering people of the world is not so simple. Xiao Gongzi used a question to replace another, but Mi Jing cannot use this answer to deceive himself."

Xiao Rong: "..."

He pursed his lips, knowing that Mi Jing was hard to persuade. He had to use his trump card.

Staring at Mi Jing, he straightened his back and declared, "By the end of next year or early the following year, Sun Renluan will be dead."

Mi Jing's eyes widened in shock.

Qu Yunmie was also shocked but, looking at Mi Jing, he tried to act as if it wasn't a big deal.

Mi Jing looked at the calm faces of Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie and couldn't help asking, "Is Xiao Gongzi joking?"

Xiao Rong smiled, "Who would dare joke about such a matter? Sun Renluan is considered a hero in these troubled times, but unfortunately, he is in Southern Yong and has too many concerns. Besides, not everyone is grateful to him."

The last sentence sounded strange, as if emphasizing something. Mi Jing looked at him with suspicion, unsure whether to believe him or not.

If Sun Renluan died, Southern Yong would immediately plunge into chaos. The young emperor was supported by Sun Renluan, and his legitimacy was questionable. Many people were unwilling to recognize him as their ruler. Mi Jing had originally intended to support the young emperor, given his age and potential to become a wise ruler with proper guidance.

But the regent cannot die. Without him, Mi Jing doubted he could protect the young emperor.

While Mi Jing was deep in thought, he didn't notice Xiao Rong taking out several items from his sleeve. When he finally regained his composure, he saw a row of strange objects on the table. What were these?

Xiao Rong was unwrapping a paper package and noticed Mi Jing staring at him blankly. He smiled and introduced, "This object is called coal. It's a stone dug from the ground that can burn. A fist-sized piece can burn for two hours, and a coal ball can burn for six hours. The Northern Pacification Army has mountains of coal, enough to last several lifetimes."

The coal he brought was only the size of a baby's fist, delivered just a few days ago from Pingcheng. Xiao Rong turned to Qu Yunmie and extended his hand, "The King, may I borrow your fire starter?"

Qu Yunmie: "..."

He silently took out a bamboo tube from his sleeve.

Placing the coal in a clay bowl at the inn, Xiao Rong lit it and watched as the black stone emitted a red glow. Mi Jing's pupils constricted.

Qu Yunmie glanced up casually, seeing the Buddhist disciple's lack of knowledge, and felt somewhat disdainful, forgetting how he had burned one piece after another, waking up in the middle of the night due to the heat.

Xiao Rong continued pointing to the next item: "This is a blueprint for a heated bed. Both Liaodong and Liaoxi provinces already have heated beds, but this design is more refined, with better smoke channels and no need for constant burning. Cooking dinner at dusk provides enough residual heat to sleep until morning."

Next: "This is a method for composting, which can increase crop yields."

"This is a method for salt production. With unlimited salt from the sea, prices can drop further."

"And when salt prices drop, pickling becomes more useful. Current pickles are mostly preserved vegetables, which are edible but not as good. Vegetables pickled with salt retain their original appearance and taste better."

Mi Jing opened his mouth slightly, stunned and speechless. At this moment, Xiao Rong handed him the paper package he had unwrapped. He told Mi Jing, "Please feel this powder."

Mi Jing paused, raised his hand, and lightly touched the dark substance in the paper package.

Upon touching it, he was startled because the powder was warm.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Rong laughed, "This... let's call it 'heat powder.' It's cold when wrapped, but warm when unwrapped, ready to use anytime. I don't plan to publicly release or sell this. Ordinary people wouldn't need or know how to use it, and the formula is expensive. Therefore, I intend to reserve it for the Northern Pacification Army. Carrying a packet of this, even in the coldest winter, they won't freeze. An army unafraid of the cold is unstoppable."

At this moment, Qu Yunmie and Mi Jing had the same expression, staring blankly at Xiao Rong. Mi Jing reacted first, asking anxiously, "If this isn't sold or released, what about the rest..."

Xiao Rong: "Except for coal, I will release the rest. Once coal production increases, I'll try selling it. Rough coal balls will be cheap, while high-quality coal blocks will be expensive. You understand my intention."

Mi Jing nodded, more concerned about another issue: "Can these benefit the people of Southern Yong?"

Xiao Rong paused for a moment before answering, "I can't control the exchange of information between North and South, but I have more than just these items. Given the conditions, I naturally prioritize the people north of the Huai River."

At this point, Xiao Rong turned to Qu Yunmie: "The King, do you agree?"

Qu Yunmie, holding the warming paper package, looked up blankly, having missed their conversation entirely.

Xiao Rong: "..."

Mi Jing fell silent.

The items Xiao Rong presented could improve both civilian life and military equipment. Although Mi Jing didn't know where he got these innovations, he could see that the Northern Pacification Army would undoubtedly rise to new heights with them.

Choosing Southern Yong meant opposing the Northern Pacification Army, while choosing the Northern Pacification Army meant bearing the stigma of usurpation.

Mi Jing was a monk from Zunshan Temple and had received the benefits of the Yong Dynasty in Chang'an. Given his past experiences and the hopes of the people, he preferred going to Southern Yong to showcase his talents.

Moreover, he did not have much faith in the Northern Pacification King.

Xiao Rong saw the struggle in his eyes and, after some thought, understood what was troubling him. He looked at him and decided to administer another strong dose of persuasion.

He stood up directly, raised his hands, and, just as he had bowed to Qu Yunmie before, he gave a deep bow to the Buddhist disciple.

"Please, for the sake of the common people, stay with the Northern Pacification Army. The stronger the army is, the less suffering the people will endure. When two tigers fight, the earth shakes; when wolves and tigers fight, chaos ensues. Only when it comes to a conflict between a tiger and a mouse will the world finally be at peace."

Mi Jing did not dare to accept Xiao Rong's bow and quickly stood up as well. Qu Yunmie watched Xiao Rong lower himself so much before Mi Jing, and suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

He abruptly rose and pushed Xiao Rong behind him, then spoke to Mi Jing in a solemn voice: "As Xiao Rong said, the King and the Northern Pacification Army have many shortcomings, but I have made up my mind to move the capital. For the sake of the army and those who follow me, I will act as the Northern Pacification King should. I do not believe in Buddha or Tao, but since the people believe in the Buddhist disciple and Xiao Rong believes in the Buddhist disciple, I must ask you to return. If you have any grievances against me, speak them openly. I will correct my faults if they exist, and improve myself if they do not."

Never expecting Qu Yunmie to say such words, Xiao Rong was stunned. Mi Jing, seeing Qu Yunmie's impatient yet serious demeanor, sighed deeply.

He placed his hand holding the prayer beads in front of him and gave a single-handed salute to Qu Yunmie: "Then Mi Jing will impose upon Your Majesty."

...

Half an hour later, they set off on their journey back. Xiao Rong sat in the carriage, glancing repeatedly at Qu Yunmie riding outside.

Though Mi Jing was slender, he was muscular, which was why he could retrace the pilgrimage route. He rode behind them, unaware of the commotion.

Qu Yunmie had noticed Xiao Rong's gaze long ago. After enduring it for a while, he could no longer bear it and asked, "Why are you looking at me?"

Xiao Rong smiled, "I'm wondering if someone has possessed your body."

Qu Yunmie was puzzled, "What do you mean by possession?"

Xiao Rong thought about how to explain it, "It means the body is still the same, but the soul inside has changed."

Qu Yunmie: "...I am not possessed by a wild ghost!"

Xiao Rong shrugged, realizing that possession was called being possessed by a wild ghost in this era.

Teasing the King was quite amusing, but Xiao Rong was getting tired. He leaned against the carriage and yawned softly. As he quieted down, Qu Yunmie looked at him, frowning deeply. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "From now on, you are not allowed to bow deeply to anyone."

Xiao Rong turned his head, "Why?"

Qu Yunmie: "...There are no so many whys, just do it."

Xiao Rong blinked at him, "Not even to Prime Minister Gao?"

Qu Yunmie: "No."

Xiao Rong asked again, "What about to the King?"

Qu Yunmie: "No need, I don't have so many formalities."

Xiao Rong responded with an "oh," almost lying back down, but then he turned around curiously, "If we meet the Emperor in the future, can I not bow deeply either?"

Qu Yunmie: "..."

He turned to Xiao Rong with a blank expression and said sternly, "If you dare, I'll chop off his legs!"

Xiao Rong stared at him, but then burst out laughing, nearly rolling over from it.

Qu Yunmie: "......"

Was it really necessary?

Xiao Rong laughed while speaking, barely catching his breath, "No, no, if you're going to chop off legs, it should be mine! What does it have to do with others!"

Qu Yunmie's face darkened from his laughter, but Xiao Rong had a point. Why was his first reaction to chop off someone else's legs? He couldn't answer and could only glare at him, which only made Xiao Rong laugh harder.

Soon, Xiao Rong's laughter reached Mi Jing, who listened silently from behind. ...Why did he feel like he had made a wrong decision?

...

The journey back was leisurely, and it took two days to reach the palace.

Gao Xunzhi heard they had returned and immediately came out to greet them. The Buddhist disciple's distinctive appearance and conspicuous bald head were instantly recognized by Gao Xunzhi.

Gao Xunzhi was incredibly enthusiastic, bowing and showing concern. Xiao Rong watched from the side, feeling a bit unhappy.

You old man, so quick to forget the old and welcome the new!

The Buddhist disciple was used to such enthusiasm and thanked him modestly before finding a place to settle in.

Once he left, Gao Xunzhi's cheerful smile vanished. He sighed heavily, turned to Xiao Rong, and pointed at him, "You, knowing your health is poor, why must you always take everything upon yourself! Look, you've lost weight! Luckily, I had the kitchen prepare your favorite jujube chicken soup, all for you, no one can take it away."

Xiao Rong: "..."

I was wrong; please go back to caring for the newcomer.

Despite saying no, Xiao Rong was still forced to drink a bowl of chicken soup. Finally returning to his room, he stretched and wanted to rest, but saw Ah Shu following him closely, pouting.

Xiao Rong: "..."

One problem after another.

He paused, then smiled, "Ah Shu, what's wrong? Your mouth looks like it could hold a wine jug."

Ah Shu: "..."

Embarrassed, he pursed his lips and said after a moment, "Why didn't Master take me along? With me there, I could have taken care of you."

Xiao Rong: "It wouldn't have taken more than a few days, and bringing an extra person would have been inconvenient."

Ah Shu's eyes immediately welled up, "Does Master think Ah Shu is useless?"

Xiao Rong: "…No."

But Ah Shu didn’t believe him, only lowering his head in grievance. …Teenagers really were hard to deal with.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Rong waved Ah Shu over, "Ah Shu, I have an important task for you."

Important matters were always the most pressing. Ah Shu quickly wiped his eyes and walked to Xiao Rong’s side.

Xiao Rong said, "Later, I’ll report to The King and ask him to send some troops with you to New Peace. You will bring my grandmother and Yi Er here and settle them in Chenliu. You’re careful and capable; you’ll surely take good care of them."

Xiao Rong thought Ah Shu would be particularly excited about this, and indeed, Ah Shu’s eyes brightened for a moment, but soon that light faded. He frowned and asked Xiao Rong, "If I go to fetch the matriarch and the young master, who will serve Master?"

Unexpectedly, this was his main concern. Xiao Rong couldn’t help but smile, "I won’t lack for servants in the palace, and besides, I don’t need anyone to serve me. I know what you mean; you’re worried that if I fall ill again, no one will notice. Don’t worry, I’ll just find a guard to come in."

Although still a bit uneasy, ever since Master was abducted by Li Xiuheng, the palace guards had become much stricter. Chancellor Gao also cared deeply for Master and wouldn’t let anything happen to him.

Ah Shu nodded slightly and then asked, "When will Master depart?"

Xiao Rong thought for a moment, "Soon, within ten to twenty days. I must leave with The King. With all our supplies and belongings, we can’t travel fast, so there’s no need for you to rush."

Ah Shu took note and turned to gather his things, but Xiao Rong stopped him, "Wait, there’s another matter I need your help with."

Ah Shu turned around, looking at him in confusion.

Having arranged everything with Ah Shu, Xiao Rong lay down and slept for a while. After waking up and drinking a cup of hot tea, he went out in his outer robe.

In April, when the peach blossoms had all bloomed, it was naturally warm. Even the occasional breeze carried warmth. People who had suffered through the cold couldn’t wait to bask in the sun and enjoy the warmth. For Xiao Rong, however, this weather could only be considered barely comfortable.

Xiao Rong had been frequently seen around Qu Yunmie recently, and now everyone knew him, whether they should or not. No one questioned his comings and goings anymore, unless The King was in a meeting. Otherwise, he could enter whenever he wanted.

Passing the guards who kept their eyes straight ahead, Xiao Rong thought that once they reached Chenliu, he would definitely change these rules. They were aiming to conquer Central China; how could they still live like nomads?

As soon as Xiao Rong entered, he heard Qu Yunmie’s slightly angry voice, reprimanding someone.

"Why do all the major and minor events in the army spread throughout the world so quickly? Are you a general or a messenger? No, even messengers aren’t as bad as you. Now, the warnings Xiao Rong gave have already reached Shanshan!"

Jian Qiao felt wronged, "Your Majesty, it wasn’t me—"

Qu Yunmie: "If not you, then who?! Didn’t you deliver Xiao Rong’s letter?!"

Jian Qiao: "…"

"It was delivered to me, but I didn’t tell anyone else. I only told Chancellor Gao, General Yuan, General Gongsun, and General Wang. Oh, and my wife and her brother. They are all trusted people, so they wouldn’t tell anyone!"

Seeing Jian Qiao’s wide-eyed, earnest expression, Qu Yunmie suddenly doubted himself.

With such intelligence, why did he make him the right general?

Xiao Rong also felt a headache. The first few people could be considered trustworthy colleagues, but the last two…

Actually, Xiao Rong understood that in Jian Qiao’s mind, military secrets were the top priority, which he would never reveal. As for Xiao Rong’s supernatural abilities, that wasn’t a secret. He had even publicized it himself in Pingyang, so telling others wasn’t a big deal.

Xiao Rong felt similarly. He didn’t mind others knowing about his affairs, but he did mind others spreading it without his consent.

Fundamentally, it was because his status wasn’t high enough, and the people below didn’t take him seriously.

Thinking this, Xiao Rong didn’t step in to persuade. He listened to Qu Yunmie’s continuous reprimand, humiliating the mighty general. Jian Qiao might not fully understand the severity of the unintentional leak, but he certainly understood how angry Qu Yunmie was.

When Jian Qiao was about to leave, Xiao Rong quickly found a place to hide. As someone who valued face, he knew how to respect others’ dignity.

After Jian Qiao left, Xiao Rong slowly walked in. Qu Yunmie, facing away from him, tensed up at first, then relaxed.

He tensed because someone entered, but relaxed upon recognizing Xiao Rong’s footsteps.

Turning around, having spoken too much to Jian Qiao, he now felt lazy to talk and simply looked at Xiao Rong silently.

Xiao Rong truly found Qu Yunmie easy to read. Without words, he could see what he meant.

Smiling, he said, "This matter may not be General Jian’s fault. Apart from his wife and brother-in-law, the other people are those Your Majesty trusts. And those two wouldn’t have the chance to contact the people of Shanshan. In my view, this isn’t his fault."

Qu Yunmie frowned, "The wife might not, but Zhang Biezhi might."

Xiao Rong: "…Zhang Biezhi?"

Hearing the peculiar tone in which he spoke the name, Qu Yunmie hummed in acknowledgment and looked at him curiously, "Do you know him?"

Xiao Rong shook his head, "No, no, I’ve never met him."

But he remembered the name. Among those who betrayed Qu Yunmie, Zhang Biezhi ranked near the top. This person had some talent in warfare and had a brief period of glory, but his situation was similar to a low-budget version of Qu Yunmie. If the real Qu Yunmie was defeated, this version wouldn’t fare well either.

Xiao Rong was shocked that this person was Jian Qiao’s brother-in-law. Historically, Zhang Biezhi died in internal strife, and Jian Qiao had no connection with him. Who would have thought they were relatives?

He wondered if Mrs. Zhang was still alive when Zhang Biezhi betrayed. If she was, it must have been bitter.

Xiao Rong paused and asked curiously, "May I ask, Your Majesty, what position does Zhang Biezhi hold now?"

Qu Yunmie looked at him strangely, wondering why he was asking so much about someone he claimed not to know.

But he answered, "He is a deputy under Jian Qiao."

Xiao Rong responded with an "oh," keeping an eye on him but not overly concerned. His position could vary based on his superior’s trust, but even if Jian Qiao trusted him, he couldn’t command the Northern Pacification Army directly.

Shifting focus back to the leak, Xiao Rong said, "Your Majesty shouldn’t blame only General Jian. A military order should be issued to inform everyone of the seriousness of this issue. If anyone violates it again, they should be punished severely as an example."

Qu Yunmie thought about it and agreed. Though he believed Jian Qiao was the culprit, those who spread the information shouldn’t be spared.

Suddenly realizing something, Qu Yunmie turned to Xiao Rong, "Did you come here just for this?"

Xiao Rong smiled. "Not exactly. I came here to ask The King for a favor."

Qu Yunmie found this interesting. "What kind of favor?"

Xiao Rong: "Your Majesty may not know, but my grandmother is elderly and suffers from dementia. My younger brother is the only one taking care of her at home. He can manage daily life, but he cannot handle going out. I want Ah Shu to go back and bring them to Chenliu. This journey might encounter bandits, so—"

Hearing this, Qu Yunmie already understood and interrupted Xiao Rong. "Understood. Let Jian Qiao take some men to fetch them."

Xiao Rong: "…………"

You're sending the esteemed commander to fetch an old lady?!

Xiao Rong waved his hands in surprise. "No, no! How could we make General Jian go through all that trouble? It's against protocol!"

Qu Yunmie didn't understand. Jian Qiao had brought Xiao Rong here initially, and this was Xiao Rong's grandmother, someone even Xiao Rong himself revered. Why couldn't Jian Qiao fetch her?

Seeing how strongly opposed Xiao Rong was, Qu Yunmie paused and changed his mind. "Alright, let Zhang Biezhi go."

Xiao Rong: "…………"

I'm afraid he'll sell the old lady halfway through.

In the end, Zhang Biezhi was still assigned the task because Qu Yunmie had lost patience. He had some affection for Jian Qiao and wanted to save him the trouble, but Zhang Biezhi didn't get such treatment.

Xiao Rong felt uncomfortable about it, but he knew that as long as nothing happened, Zhang Biezhi wouldn't betray them. After all, he had no grudge against Xiao Rong and wouldn't harm his grandmother.

The next day, Zhang Biezhi, completely unaware of how he had been assigned this task by The King, set off with twenty light cavalry and Ah Shu, looking utterly bewildered. ...

Through this incident, Xiao Rong realized another issue: Qu Yunmie was too unconcerned with trivial matters, both his own and those of his subordinates.

Previously, he had been unreasonable with Yuan Baifu, and now he treated Jian Qiao like a guard. Although Xiao Rong rarely saw Gongsun Yuan and Wang Xinyong, he guessed Qu Yunmie treated them similarly. Qu Yunmie didn't have the airs of a general or prince; if he could personally chase enemies over a thousand miles, he believed others should also be able to do things themselves.

Unbeknownst to him, not everyone maintained their integrity. Some people worked hard to climb up just to enjoy the privileges of the upper class.

Xiao Rong was alarmed, always worried that this attitude would eventually force loyal people to rebel.

But suggesting changes to Qu Yunmie's personality wasn't easy; it could easily backfire.

Xiao Rong shook his head and headed to the meeting hall.

The Buddhist monk had arrived, and the advance team for the relocation was about to depart. Gao Xunzhi summoned everyone to discuss internal affairs.

When Xiao Rong arrived, most people were already there, including the Buddhist monk, who somehow managed to secure a seat and was smilingly talking to the advisory group.

Xiao Rong: "……"

He took his usual seat beside Gao Xunzhi, and the monk bowed to him upon seeing him.

One doesn't strike a smiling face, so Xiao Rong returned the bow. Seeing that everyone was present, Gao Xunzhi presented today's challenges.

In summary, they lacked money, manpower, and land.

Everyone was full of ambition for the relocation, but ambition required material support. When they made plans, they were excited, but Gao Xunzhi later realized they had overestimated their resources.

The Northern Pacification Army's assets were mostly spoils from victories against the Hu people who dominated north of the Huai River and small factions that behaved like bandits. Unfortunately, these groups were poor, leaving the army with limited assets.

They couldn't touch the food supplies, which were reserved for the army during battles against the Xianbei. Selling jewelry could help, but it would barely cover expenses for a month in Chenliu. Taxation seemed a good idea but was difficult to implement. North of the Huai River, few cities were prosperous, and each city had its own governor or prefect, who paid homage to the Northern Pacification King but refused to pay taxes.

Forcing taxation would hurt the common people more than the governors.

The advisory group favored forced taxation, believing the governors wouldn't dare oppose The King due to his reputation.

Before Xiao Rong could speak, Yu Shaoxie got angry. "These governors are incompetent and should be replaced with our own people, not left to continue exploiting the people!"

Someone countered, "Easier said than done. Replacing them won't change anything, and it won't solve immediate problems. By the time new governors take office, the treasury will be empty, and we'll still need to tax."

Gao Xunzhi was concerned. "Taxing during this lean period could lead to unrest."

Xiao Rong agreed. "We're relocating, and our foundation isn't stable. Such drastic actions could cause unnecessary trouble."

Mi Jing looked at them and asked, "What does The King think?"

Gao Xunzhi was taken aback. He didn't understand why Mi Jing was involved in their meetings, assuming he was invited to build a temple. But Mi Jing seemed to enjoy living in the palace.

"Um, The King dislikes dealing with these trivial matters and usually leaves them to the advisors."

As he spoke, Gao Xunzhi felt increasingly uneasy. At least now they had capable advisors like Xiao Rong and Yu Shaoxie. A year ago, the entire hall would have been filled with unreliable people, making Qu Yunmie seem less of a wise ruler.

Even so, Mi Jing's expression faltered slightly. Seeing this, Xiao Rong quickly said, "Prime Minister, such important matters require The King's decision. Please invite him next time."

Gao Xunzhi: "……"

Is it that easy to invite him?

Still, he agreed in front of everyone.

To shift focus, Xiao Rong quickly added, "Brother Yu is right. Since the Yong Dynasty's southward migration, the officials north of the Huai River are of mixed quality, mostly supported by aristocratic families or former war leaders who settled down after the peace. These governors must be replaced, but not now."

Yu Shaoxie frowned. "Then what about the taxation?"

Xiao Rong blinked and asked Gao Xunzhi, "Prime Minister, do we lack food or money?"

Gao Xunzhi: "Both."

Xiao Rong: "……"

Gao Xunzhi added, "More money."

Actually, they weren't that desperate. The problem was that The King was eager to fight the Xianbei, and they needed to tighten their belts to ensure his victory.

Xiao Rong sent the guards out to gather hematite. He himself burned activated charcoal and then found an ironworker to get a pile of iron powder. Only then did he manage to create a crude version of a hand warmer. With these hand warmers, there was no longer such a pressing need to attack the Xianbei. Even if they delayed it a bit, it wouldn't be a problem. However, given Qu Yunmie's temperament, even if they postponed it, they couldn't wait until next year.

Whether it was coal briquettes or some new gadgets for sale, they wouldn't recoup their costs anytime soon. Even with a few months of leeway, they definitely couldn't earn enough money to support an entire army.

Thinking about this, everyone fell silent.

Xiao Rong looked at their solemn faces and suddenly asked, "If we could get others to pay for our attack on the Xianbei, wouldn't our financial situation ease up?"

Everyone: "..."

That would certainly be the case.

The question was, who would be so foolish and wealthy to fund such a losing proposition?

Xiao Rong smiled slightly at their puzzled faces without explaining further.

He figured that since the Northern Pacification Army still maintained a superficial peace with Southern Yong, after the capital relocation, he would find an opportunity to ally with Southern Yong. Attacking the Xianbei was the responsibility of all Central Plains people. Why should only the Northern Pacification Army bear both the manpower and financial burden? Other forces should also contribute!

Xiao Rong had a good plan, but he didn't realize that Southern Yong's attitude towards them had already changed.

When news first broke that the Northern Pacification King was relocating the capital, the entire Southern Yong palace was in panic for a day. Later, they managed to calm down and sent many spies to gather information, only to become increasingly desperate as they learned more. The relocation was real; the people of Yanmen County were already packing their bags.

In the palace, Sun Renluan, over forty years old, had just persuaded the frightened young emperor to leave when a eunuch outside informed him that Prime Minister Yang had arrived.

Prime Minister Yang, Yang Zangyi, was nearly sixty years old. He was the head of the Yang family. Before the He family ascended to the throne, the Yang family was the top noble family. After the He family took power, the Yang family became second-tier, while the Sun family, due to their contributions during the founding and producing two empresses, rose to the top tier.

The stubbornness and wealth of noble families were unimaginable to ordinary people. However, the founder of the He dynasty was exceptionally strong-willed. He accomplished what no previous emperor had achieved. This is why the people considered the sixty-five-year-old Yong Dynasty as the legitimate dynasty, solely because of this emperor's greatness, whom they regarded as their only enlightened ruler.

However, this same enlightened ruler began causing trouble in his later years, almost bringing the once-prosperous court to its knees. He nearly lost the empire he had built, and after his death, the Yong Dynasty never experienced another peaceful year.

Yang Zangyi and Sun Renluan represented the old and new nobility respectively. Their backgrounds, statuses, and ideologies often put them at odds. But when faced with external threats, they set aside their differences and discussed matters calmly.

They both knew the Northern Pacification King, and he wasn't someone known for deep scheming. His sudden decision to relocate the capital caught them off guard. While the purpose of the relocation was secondary, they were more wary of how the Northern Pacification King had suddenly become clever.

The governor of Jinning was foolish and tactless but had a certain reputation. Sun Renluan pressured him and secretly sent someone to persuade him to join the Northern Pacification King. As expected, he barely arrived before offending the Northern Pacification King and losing his life.

When this news reached Southern Yong, almost all scholars verbally condemned the Northern Pacification King, ensuring no more scholars would join him.

As for Xiao Rong... his reputation was still spreading in the north and hadn't yet reached the south.

They couldn't figure out the answer, but they weren't as panicked as others. At least the Xianbei were still there, and as long as the Xianbei remained, Southern Yong was safe.

So they didn't plan to be overly cautious but couldn't do nothing either. In the end, Yang Zangyi suggested strengthening the vigilance along the Huai River and sending troops there, assigning a capable person to oversee the matter and report any unusual activities.

Sun Renluan agreed and issued the orders.

In the Jinling military camp, a young general with rosy lips and white teeth, looking very clean-cut, sat in his quarters reading a letter. The curtain outside was lifted, and his superior came in to inform him, "Yu Shaocheng, Grand Marshal has ordered you to lead six thousand troops to garrison Huaiyin. The order has been issued; you must depart immediately."

Yu Shaocheng looked up, blinked at his superior, and then smiled happily. "Yes, thank you for the Grand Marshal's and General's trust!"

His superior looked at him with satisfaction. Although this young man came from a noble family, his character was genuinely good, unlike other officials' sons who always acted arrogantly. Now he had finally made a name for himself, being remembered by the Emperor's brother-in-law, ensuring a bright future.

The superior left, and Yu Shaocheng lowered his head, put away the letter, and quickly packed his belongings.

Six thousand troops... wonderful! With this gift, the Northern Pacification King surely wouldn't mind that he used to be a Southern Yong officer. Hehe, let's go!