Chapter 0039: The Kingdom of Yutian

Chapter 0039: The Kingdom of Yutian

In his heart, he shouted loudly, but in reality, he remained silent.

Qu Yunmie turned to look in the direction Danran had left and then turned back, looking at the remnants of tea and fruit peels on the table.

After preparing everything, he asked Xiao Rong nonchalantly, "Have you met Huang Keji?"

Xiao Rong: "…"

He pretended not to hear.

Xiao Rong was in a decent mood today, so he let it slide. He lifted his robe and sat down again, then moved the teapot aside, glancing at the charcoal burning beneath it.

As he poked at the charcoal with tongs, he replied, "I've seen him. This child has suffered a lot. He's seen how Huang Yanjiong treats him, and he feels resentful. So he doesn't want to leave Huang Yanjiong easily."

Qu Yunmie didn't understand. "What else does he want to do?"

No matter what, Huang Yanjiong is his uncle. He can't possibly harm him.

This is the most distorted point now. A father kills his son, yet the father is blameless. If a son refuses his father's demands, he goes to jail.

Even if the authorities don't throw the son in jail, once this news spreads, "righteous people" will come to teach the son a lesson. At best, they'll beat him up; at worst, they might send assassins from the Breeze Sect to kill him and then boast about their good deed.

Strangely, this is considered normal by everyone, from the royal family to commoners. Although Huang Yanjiong isn't Huang Keji's father, he is his uncle, which still counts as a fatherly figure. Therefore, Huang Keji cannot openly oppose him.

After Qu Yunmie asked this question, only the sound of water hitting rocks from the waterfall and the crisp sounds of charcoal clinking could be heard. Xiao Rong also pretended not to hear the question. Suddenly, he put down the tongs and changed the topic back to Danran: "I made a proposal to Miss Danran. What does Your Majesty think?"

The proposal Xiao Rong mentioned was for the Butuwu clan to provide free medical care. Qu Yunmie was taken aback. He didn't object, but—

"Luo Wu and her people don't like meeting strangers."

Xiao Rong asked, "Is it because they don't like meeting strangers, or because they don't like meeting people from the Central Plains?"

Qu Yunmie pursed his lips. "Both. The Butuwu clan isn't adept at interacting with outsiders, and the people from the Central Plains are… quite hostile towards foreigners."

Xiao Rong smiled. "The people from the Central Plains are hostile towards the Hu people. The Butuwu clan looks different from them, so they lump them together with the Hu. Once we explain it clearly, we can start by sharing their medical knowledge. By establishing a relationship between doctors and patients, we can bridge the gap between the two clans. Let the people in the city get to know the Butuwu clan, and then show them that the Butuwu are not the same as the Hu. The further apart they stay, the more rigid their relationship becomes. Your Majesty wouldn't want your mother's clan to always live outside the city, would you? Watching them being misunderstood all the time must be painful."

Qu Yunmie frowned. Although he was somewhat swayed by Xiao Rong's words, he still felt it was inappropriate. "You're not a foreigner, so you don't understand how difficult it is to step out."

Xiao Rong fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "Your Majesty is right. I can't truly empathize. Then, don't think too much about these difficulties. Treat it as an order to be given to your subordinates. You'll have many such orders in the future. Not everyone will be willing to follow them. As a ruler, you must consider everyone, not just one person or one clan."

Qu Yunmie looked at Xiao Rong, hesitantly.

Xiao Rong met his gaze and spoke softly. "The Butuwu clan is just the beginning. There are too many suffering nations in this world. The Hu are ruthless, but before they bully the people of the Central Plains, they bully other nations. Even within the Hu, not everyone accepts a barbaric lifestyle. Some born into Hu families yearn for the civilization of the Central Plains. Your Majesty has also experienced homelessness. How does it feel to have no home, to always feel like an outsider wherever you go?"

Qu Yunmie didn't answer his question but instead looked at him warily. "Xiao Rong, what exactly are you trying to do?"

His tone grew heavier. "Do you want to shelter foreigners in the capital?! That's a foolish dream. Foreigners cannot be trusted!"

Xiao Rong: "…"

He didn't expect such a strong reaction. Realizing it wasn't the right time, he changed his approach. "Your Majesty, don't worry. I'm not that naive."

Qu Yunmie's tense back relaxed slightly, but he still looked unfriendly. "Then what do you mean by all this?"

Xiao Rong, fearing another provocation, took a moment to respond. "We can discuss the future later. Sheltering foreigners is a significant move. I won't even consider it until Your Majesty solidifies your position. My goal is to introduce the Butuwu clan to the world, showing their peaceful nature and their medical skills. Their reputation improves, and so does Your Majesty's. Moreover, it's a friendly signal. Do you know the Rou Ran, who are enemies of the Xianbei? And Shanshan, with whom we signed a non-aggression pact? These countries are struggling, and many people are becoming mercenaries. But what security do mercenaries have? One step forward, they're mercenaries; one step back, they're bandits."

When Xiao Rong mentioned the Rou Ran, Qu Yunmie's expression became complicated.

The Rou Ran and the Xianbei were originally the same people. After internal strife and division, they became separate nations. During the Xianbei's strongest period, they forbade others from calling the Rou Ran by their name, instead referring to them as "creeping worms," implying they weren't human. The Xianbei were truly despicable, and the Rou Ran, unable to defeat them, had to endure silently. Later, when the Xianbei weakened, the Rou Ran immediately reclaimed their name.

The Rou Ran did not join the invasion of Yanmen Pass because the Xianbei still despised them and didn't include them. However, Qu Yunmie didn't have any particular fondness for the Rou Ran. They just hadn't invaded the Central Plains en masse, but they committed the same atrocities as other Hu tribes.

But Qu Yunmie understood Xiao Rong's point. "Because I have Butuwu blood, and my subjects accept the existence of the Butuwu, it gives the impression that I am more friendly towards foreigners. Thus, these fleeing foreigners might choose to serve me first."

Xiao Rong smiled. "Indeed. When hiring them, Your Majesty can negotiate lower prices. Those truly motivated by money will find higher-paying employers, which serves as a screening process. Those who value life and want to live well will come to Your Majesty, while the reckless ones will go elsewhere. Future battles will require help, and the Northern Pacification Army is Your Majesty's greatest strength. Don't use them lightly. Instead, these foreigners can assist with minor tasks."

Qu Yunmie looked at Xiao Rong and suddenly laughed ambiguously.

Placing a hand on the stone table, he played with an intact fruit, murmuring, "Perhaps the Northern Pacification Army used to be my strength, but not anymore."

"My strength now is you."

Xiao Rong: "…"

Receiving such high praise so suddenly, Xiao Rong felt uncomfortable. He blinked rapidly and tentatively said, "Thank you, Your Majesty?"

Hearing the uncertain tone in his voice, Qu Yunmie chuckled again. He usually kept his emotions hidden unless he was angry.

Xiao Rong felt uneasy, finding it hard to handle this side of Qu Yunmie. Deciding to break the mood, he blurted out, "I'm still curious. What exactly is Your Majesty afraid Miss Danran might tell me?"

Qu Yunmie: "…………"

The effect was immediate. The strange atmosphere vanished, and Qu Yunmie looked like he wanted to lash out but couldn't. He grumbled, "I'm not afraid!"

Xiao Rong's expression shifted slightly. He thought he had concealed it well, but Qu Yunmie saw right through him. His face clearly read, "If you say so."

Rolling his eyes, Qu Yunmie suddenly came up with an idea. "Danran is my brother's posthumous child. I'm not afraid of what she might tell you, but rather what you might tell her."

Xiao Rong was confused. "What could I possibly tell Miss Danran?"

He wasn't like Qu Yunmie. He was kind, cute, and strong, and he wouldn't bully a child!

Qu Yunmie could read Xiao Rong's expressions, but sometimes, he missed the nuances. For example, now, he only saw that Xiao Rong was praising himself, not realizing how far he had gone.

"Danran was raised by Luo Wu. After Ah Xiong passed away, Ah Xiao personally handed Danran over to Luo Wu, telling her to become a Butewu tribeswoman for life. If she were to change her mind and want to return to being a Central Plains person because of your influence, what would we do?"

Xiao Rong's eyebrows immediately shot up. "That would still be Danran's own choice! If a few words from me could change her mind, it only proves that her original thoughts weren't firm. How could that be my fault?"

Xiao Rong wasn’t pleased, as he had a similar experience himself. When he was young, he wanted to learn dance, and his parents agreed, but his grandfather did not, which delayed him for two years. Whenever he encountered similar situations now, he felt angry on others' behalf. Children may be young, but they aren't stupid; they know what they truly want!

Xiao Rong was ready to have a heated argument with Qu Yunmie, but Qu Yunmie looked away, secretly relieved.

—He believed it, he actually believed it.

—Ha ha ha, Xiao Rong isn't that smart after all...

Thinking the day would pass quietly, another unexpected situation arose before bedtime. Zhou Liang had run away.

Naturally, Huang Yanjiong was the first to notice Zhou Liang’s escape, but he found it embarrassing and didn't immediately inform Qu Yunmie and the others. When he couldn't find him anymore and couldn't hide it any longer, he returned with a dark face, vowing to tear Zhou Liang apart if he ever saw him again.

Xiao Rong was already in bed when he heard the guard report this news. He jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes, and hurried out, just as Gao Xunzhi approached him.

With an anxious look, he asked, "When did Zhou Liang run away?"

Gao Xunzhi frowned. "Around the seventh hour, he ran away. Ah Rong, The King went after him."

Xiao Rong nodded absentmindedly at first, but then realized what Gao Xunzhi meant and was shocked. "The King chased after Zhou Liang?!"

Gao Xunzhi furrowed his brows even more. "Yes, one of Huang Yanjiong's men defected. Why should The King chase him personally? It's unnecessary."

Xiao Rong: "…………"

He vaguely understood Qu Yunmie's thoughts. After all, Qu Yunmie had been abstinent for so long; finally getting a chance to indulge, he wouldn't let it slip away.

Qu Yunmie was the best tracker in the Northern Pacification Army. With him on the case, no one else could help. Eventually, Xiao Rong and Gao Xunzhi decided to go back to sleep.

At dawn, Qu Yunmie returned, drenched in dew.

Xiao Rong had slept well the previous night and was back to his normal routine. He woke up early and was already awake when he heard the commotion outside.

When he came out, Qu Yunmie was talking to Jian Qiao. Xiao Rong quickly walked over and asked, "Did you catch him?"

Qu Yunmie replied unhappily, "No, I didn't see Zhou Liang anywhere along the way. He couldn't have run that fast alone; he probably changed his appearance and hid."

Xiao Rong wasn't surprised by this answer. Historically, Zhou Liang had successfully escaped from Huang Yanjiong's custody, and this time he escaped earlier. No one knew where he might go—would he end up under He Tingzhi?

Even if he did, Xiao Rong couldn't do anything about it.

Thinking this, Xiao Rong shook his head. "Forget it, if he ran, we'll just be more vigilant in the future. The King, Zhou Liang is just a small fry; there's no need for The King to chase him personally, especially since you came back empty-handed."

Jian Qiao looked at Xiao Rong in astonishment. In just a few days, Mr. Xiao had become even more arrogant.

Yet, Qu Yunmie didn't object to his attitude. He simply started removing his armor. "I had nothing better to do anyway."

Xiao Rong raised an eyebrow. "Nothing better to do? The King hasn't slept all night. Shouldn't you go back and rest? By the time you wake up, your paperwork will pile up."

Qu Yunmie: "… I'm not tired."

Xiao Rong looked at the dark circles under his eyes without saying a word.

Do you think you're still fourteen or fifteen? You're twenty-four! In this era, you could have six children by now!

Shaking his head again, Xiao Rong turned around, rolled his eyes, and waved as he walked away. "Rest well, Your Majesty. I'll handle your paperwork."

Soon, Xiao Rong disappeared behind the archway. Qu Yunmie paused while removing his arm guards, subtly smiling before continuing.

After finally taking off the arm guards, Qu Yunmie was about to hand them to a guard when he noticed Jian Qiao looking at him strangely.

Qu Yunmie: "… What is it?"

Jian Qiao didn't know why he felt this way. Watching Qu Yunmie and Xiao Rong interact, he suddenly envied their relationship.

A thought crept into his mind: Why can't his wife help him with his duties?

At the third hour of the morning, Xiao Rong put down the accounts, rubbed his stiff neck, and, seeing no one around, stood up to stretch.

Being a dancer, he knew how to stretch properly—pressing his legs and bending backwards.

As he leaned backward, his hands touched the ground. Suddenly, he heard the door of the meeting hall open. Startled, he straightened up like a carp leaping, so quickly that Mi Jing was amazed.

In Heavenly India, he had seen a monk who could place his foot behind his ear while meditating, but the monk did it slowly, unlike Xiao Rong, who changed positions instantly.

Mi Jing watched him in shock, worried that Xiao Rong might have broken his back.

Xiao Rong: "……"

He maintained a calm face and lied, "I’m practicing qigong. After frequently falling ill, I met a hermit who taught me a set of exercises. Practicing daily can extend one's life. Would you like to try it, Master?"

Mi Jing: "…………"

No, thank you. He feared he might meet Buddha directly if he tried.

Feeling awkward, neither mentioned it again. Xiao Rong invited Mi Jing to sit down and offered him tea.

Xiao Rong brewed tea with more formality than others, preferring steeping over boiling. He liked adding decorative items to the tea tray, calling them tea pets. Although no one understood why he insisted on brewing tea this way, it looked quite pleasant. His movements were fluid and graceful.

Watching the water pour over the tea pet, Mi Jing suddenly said, "Mr. Xiao has met many wise people."

Xiao Rong: "……"

Holding the teapot, he smiled. "Most people never meet one in their lifetime; a few meet ten. I am among the fewest of the few. Such experiences are rare but not impossible."

Mi Jing nodded, smiling. "Indeed, Mr. Xiao seems destined to encounter such fortunate encounters."

Everyone's benefactor?

Xiao Rong was taken aback. He found the phrase somewhat novel, but he did not dwell on it. Instead, he handed the freshly brewed tea to Mi Jing and asked, "Did the Buddhist disciple come to see me for something?"

Mi Jing: "It's nothing major. When Mi Jing returned from the Western Regions, the kings of various countries there bestowed some gifts upon me. As a monk, I have no need for such worldly possessions. Since Lord Xiao might find them useful, I brought them all here."

Xiao Rong's eyes widened as he watched Mi Jing untie the bundle he had brought in. In just a few moments, the cloth was unwrapped, revealing a dazzling array of treasures that nearly blinded him. Holy shit!!!

Punch-sized gemstones! Bright green jade bracelets! A string of 108 luminous white prayer beads, each as large as an eye! Wait, is this a crown?!

Seeing Xiao Rong's eyes glued to the crown, Mi Jing couldn't help but chuckle. "This is the crown of the Queen of Khotan. The King and Queen invited me to their royal banquet, and the Queen insisted on giving this to me, so I had to accept it."

Xiao Rong: "…………"

With a numb expression, he looked at Mi Jing, thinking, you lucky bastard!

From what you're saying, it sounds like you think this crown is a bother!

This is truly... comparing people can be depressing. Mi Jing wasn't the first person to go on pilgrimage to Heavenly India; thousands of monks have traveled that route in recent decades. But most either died along the way or returned looking like beggars. How could anyone compare to Mi Jing, who only grew richer?

Xiao Rong couldn't imagine how popular Mi Jing must have been abroad, receiving a crown as a gift! If he were willing, would he instantly become the national protector and great master there?

This also cleared up a lingering question in Xiao Rong's mind. When his scouts reported that Mi Jing seemed wealthy, he wondered where the wealth came from. Now, he had a good idea.

"When the Northern Pacification Army first encountered the Buddhist disciple, did the disciple think they wanted a toll?"

Mi Jing was surprised. "How did Lord Xiao know?"

Xiao Rong: "……" Indeed.

With a slightly weary smile, Xiao Rong said, "Thank you for your kindness, but these are gifts given to the Buddhist disciple by others. You should keep them well. Chenliu City may not be wealthy, but we don't need to use these items to fill our coffers."

Mi Jing: "I understand that these material things are just a drop in the bucket when converted into gold and silver, but this is my small token of appreciation for the Northern Pacification Army and Chenliu City. Building the capital cannot be neglected, and Lord Xiao is kind-hearted, unwilling to exploit the people. However, the shortfall needs to be addressed. Please accept these, or else Mi Jing will feel uneasy."

Xiao Rong blinked, seeing his persistence, and finally agreed: "Alright, but I won't use these unless absolutely necessary, especially this crown. It symbolizes the friendship between Khotan and the Buddhist disciple."

Mi Jing smiled, and Xiao Rong smiled back at him. But halfway through the smile, he suddenly exclaimed, "There are many Khotanese merchant caravans in the Central Plains. If we took this crown to them, wouldn't they offer us many gifts?"

Mi Jing: "……"

His smile froze. Seeing this, Xiao Rong burst out laughing without any decorum: "Don't worry, Buddhist disciple, I'm just joking."

Mi Jing breathed a sigh of relief, but then he heard Xiao Rong say, "How could we ask for gifts outright? We should frame it as an investment. First, invite their caravan leaders to Chenliu as guests. Show them the crown and persuade them to establish a Khotanese station here. This way, all future trade and rest stops will be in Chenliu. If they want to do business in Southern Yong, it's simple. We'll send some people to help them with transactions. We have more manpower and are familiar with the geography of the Central Plains, saving them a lot of trouble. All they need to do is give us a fair price."

Xiao Rong smiled and asked Mi Jing, "What do you think of this plan?"

Mi Jing: "…………"

I think, Lord Xiao, it's a shame you didn't go into business.