Chapter 0044 This Plan Is Feasible

Chapter 0044 This Plan Is Feasible

Xiao Rong's face turned red again.

But he couldn't tell if it was out of embarrassment or anger. ...

Gao Xunzhi and Agusega were like parents to Qu Yunmie. Being ranked first alongside them meant that Xiao Rong had achieved his initial goal—he had become the most trusted person in Qu Yunmie’s heart.

The question was, how long had he even been with the Northern Pacification Army?!

Even counting the time he spent in Pingyang, it wasn't even four months!

In such a short time, you trust someone so much? Are you out of your mind? No wonder those who betrayed you later came in droves like potatoes harvested in autumn! ...

Despite the exclamations in his mind, the real Xiao Rong merely fell silent for a moment before smiling lightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust. However, this is not what I desire. At this moment, I would rather you be more suspicious. There is no one in this world entirely worthy of trust; only oneself will never betray oneself."

Qu Yunmie was taken aback, repeating Xiao Rong's words: "Only oneself?"

Xiao Rong nodded affirmatively.

Qu Yunmie's gaze toward Xiao Rong changed instantly. Although Xiao Rong didn't understand it, he felt distinctly uncomfortable, as if they had suddenly switched roles, and he was now the one being pitied.

Xiao Rong wasn’t foolish; he immediately realized why Qu Yunmie pitied him. But Xiao Rong didn't think that way at all. He believed he was doing well, and being cautious about everything was also good. Because of his vigilance, he could handle matters in Chenliu comprehensively. Since he didn't trust anyone, no one could set traps for him in advance.

Xiao Rong wouldn't get angry over this, let alone turn furious out of shame. So he just took a sip of tea and then calmly changed the subject. "Once Huang Yanjiong delivers the gifts, I intend to go south personally to Jinling."

This was something Xiao Rong had already mentioned to Gao Xunzhi when Huang Yanjiong hadn't left yet. Qu Yunmie had sensed it from their conversation, so he wasn't surprised but nodded. "I'll go with you."

Although the thought of stepping on Jinling's soil again made him want to destroy something, it had been ten years. Besides, times had changed. He was now the Northern Pacification King. Those who had once ridiculed and insulted him, if still alive, would only bow to him now.

Qu Yunmie's thoughts were correct, but he didn't notice the awkwardness on Xiao Rong's face. "Your Majesty, I wish to go alone."

Qu Yunmie silently processed this for a second, then slammed his fist on the table, almost cracking it. The shopkeeper exclaimed but dared not approach.

"Say that again?! Going to Jinling alone, Xiao Rong, are you tired of living?!"

Xiao Rong first checked the table to ensure there were no marks, then frowned and explained to Qu Yunmie. "When I say going alone, it means only I am the official. Of course, guards are necessary. Your Majesty can assign me a general to protect me and everyone else, ensuring no worries."

Seeing Xiao Rong's serious expression, Qu Yunmie's expression froze for two seconds before he suddenly laughed.

"Right, that ensures no worries. How many guards do you want? Five, or ten? Why not take twenty? Take your favorite General Jian Qiao along. More than twenty won't work; it'll be inconvenient for me to collect your remains."

Xiao Rong: "…………"

He pursed his lips before asking, "Does Your Majesty believe that going alone is a death sentence?"

Qu Yunmie crossed his arms and sneered, clearly unwilling to answer.

Xiao Rong gritted his teeth, trying to reason with him. "Today's Jinling isn't a den of tigers and dragons. As the Prefect of Chenliu, I'm a notable figure. Knowing that killing me would offend Your Majesty, why would Jinling's officials do such a thing?"

Qu Yunmie: "Because the court is full of fools! You can't fathom their thoughts with common sense. Seeing you weak, they might kill you without hesitation!"

While this sounded reasonable, Xiao Rong disagreed. "Would going together with Your Majesty prevent this? Two fists can't fight against four hands. Your Majesty would be equally in danger there."

Qu Yunmie suddenly glanced at Xiao Rong and said lightly, "Ten thousand people in Jinling can't match this king alone."

Xiao Rong: "…………"

Your boasts are getting more outrageous!

Xiao Rong felt his back molars grinding. He took a deep breath to calm down. "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Even so, I must go alone. If Your Majesty accompanies me, my plan will fail. I need to give the Grand Chancellor the impression that I am valued by Your Majesty but not overly so. Your presence will make everyone wary. Even if Jinling has ten thousand fools, there must be a few wise ones left. This risk is too great for both of us."

The city defense of Chenliu hasn't been secured yet; they needed money!

Qu Yunmie found Xiao Rong incomprehensible. "Are you willing to risk your life?"

Xiao Rong: "……"

Why does everyone keep thinking he's risking his life? He didn't see it that way at all. He might even return to Jinling in glory!

After a moment of silence, Xiao Rong smiled at Qu Yunmie. "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'm actually quite likable. I believe the officials in Jinling won't have the heart to kill me."

Qu Yunmie: "…………"

He suddenly remembered a phrase Xiao Rong had muttered once: scholar's talent, hero's courage, and a face as thick as a city wall.

Xiao Rong had used this phrase to describe someone, but Qu Yunmie couldn't remember whom. Now, he felt it perfectly described Xiao Rong himself.

No matter what Xiao Rong said, Qu Yunmie refused to agree. Irritated, he got up and left. Xiao Rong watched him stride out of the teahouse and sighed. He then took out a small piece of silver from his sleeve.

Xiao Rong handed the silver to the shopkeeper, who gratefully accepted it, saying, "Too much, too much."

Xiao Rong smiled at him. "The extra is a tip. This teahouse isn't big, so I assume the shopkeeper heard our conversation."

The shopkeeper's face paled, thinking Xiao Rong wanted to settle accounts. But Xiao Rong reassured him with a smile. "Don't be afraid, shopkeeper. I don't eat people."

In another era, this might be a simple joke, but in this era, it was inappropriate.

Indeed, there were instances of cannibalism among the starving populace and the barbarians outside. Qu Yunmie had once blurted out that he would cut off Xiao Rong's head for wine, though neither took it seriously. Still, such remarks reflected societal norms.

Rumors about the Northern Pacification Army were rampant, both good and bad. One was that they drank blood and ate people, similar to the barbarians.

The shopkeeper's forced smile made Xiao Rong feel awkward, but he couldn't show it, or the conversation would end.

So he continued, pretending not to notice the shopkeeper's discomfort. "Both Your Majesty and I are new to Chenliu. We'll need your understanding in the future. Don't judge Your Majesty by his temper; he's actually very loyal. Without his permission, I can't proceed with anything. Your tea is excellent. Perhaps we'll come back in a few days, maybe even with the Chancellor, General Jian, and General Gongsun. Treat us as ordinary customers; after all, we're neighbors."

With a final smile, Xiao Rong left the teahouse. Standing at the door, he looked around and saw Qu Yunmie lingering at the intersection ahead.

If he really stormed out, by the time Xiao Rong came back, he would have already returned to the Wang Manor.

He suppressed his petty sense of triumph with a slight pursing of his lips, then hurriedly went to find Qu Yunmie.

Meanwhile, the teahouse owner was still dumbfounded, holding onto that bit of silver.

Seeing the owner unmoving, the server thought he had been scared stiff and called out several times before the owner finally reacted, looking at the server as if waking from a dream: "This young master, he was actually so polite to me."

The server sympathetically agreed: "Yes, this young master is very approachable."

The owner asked him: "By the way, what's this young master's surname?"

The server didn't know. Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie hadn't mentioned their names when they were talking. But hearing the commotion from Huichuntang, the server suddenly leaned close to the owner, eyes brightening: "Could it be surnamed Xiao? The good young master Xiao those Bute Wu people were talking about!"

The owner slapped his hand, saying with certainty: "It must be him!"

Good, good, although the Northern Pacification King looks just like the rumors, making one feel hopeless, he has a great benefactor, Young Master Xiao, by his side. Chenliu is saved.

Xiao Rong returned to the Wang Mansion and rested in his quarters.

As for Qu Yunmie, that stubborn bull, he came back and immediately led his horse to the military camp, with a stern face, seemingly going there to vent his anger.

Xiao Rong didn't care whether he planned to rough up a few soldiers or chop down a few more wooden stakes. Whatever he decided, Qu Yunmie couldn't stop him.

Adding a few more notes to Qu Yunmie's character profile and improvement plan, Xiao Rong just put it away when Gao Xunzhi ran in happily, "Ah Rong, I heard the situation at Huichuntang today was quite good?"

Xiao Rong smiled at Gao Xunzhi: "Indeed, most of the people were curious and came to inquire about information. Few actually came for treatment. However, tomorrow should be different; the news will likely spread throughout Chenliu."

Gao Xunzhi exclaimed "good" several times. If the Bute Wu people could live harmoniously with the people of Chenliu, it would greatly benefit the King.

Just as he was about to sit down and praise Xiao Rong, Xiao Rong stood up first and asked: "Prime Minister, is there anyone skilled in carving within the Northern Pacification Army?"

Gao Xunzhi was taken aback and shook his head: "No."

Xiao Rong probably expected this, as carving requires considerable talent. So he asked again: "Then, is there anyone skilled in painting or calligraphy?"

Gao Xunzhi hesitated for a moment, then guiltily shook his head: "No."

Xiao Rong: "... Then, surely there must be someone skilled in carpentry within the Northern Pacification Army?"

Hearing this question, Gao Xunzhi breathed a sigh of relief and said cheerfully: "Yes, yes, there is! Does Ah Rong need something made?"

Xiao Rong also smiled: "I need to make some things, but I'll be leaving Chenliu soon, so I hope you can help supervise them and get a prototype done quickly."

It seemed Xiao Rong was up to something new again. In the past, Gao Xunzhi would always be curious and eager to know what it was, but today he completely missed it. Instead, he asked in surprise: "Where are you going, Ah Rong?"

Xiao Rong repeated what he had told Qu Yunmie earlier to Gao Xunzhi.

He thought Gao Xunzhi, being reasonable, would accept it better than Qu Yunmie. If he explained the pros and cons, Gao Xunzhi might even help persuade Qu Yunmie. But he was too optimistic.

Upon hearing this, Gao Xunzhi reacted even more strongly than Qu Yunmie, repeatedly telling him it was impossible, almost alarming Xiao Yi who was studying next door.

In the evening, in the meeting hall closest to the front yard, everyone gathered once again.

But this time, it wasn't to discuss business, but to collectively criticize Xiao Rong's fanciful and overly naive idea.

Qu Yunmie returned after dusk, drenched in sweat. After bathing, he heard that Gao Xunzhi wanted to hold such a meeting, so he didn't even bother to dry his hair, stepping in with a spring in his step.

Xiao Rong: "..."

He looked at Qu Yunmie's half-dry, wet hair with resentment. Qu Yunmie noticed his gaze but didn't offer any help, instead smirking at him arrogantly.

Xiao Rong: "............"

Gao Xunzhi believed his plan was too risky, and Yu Shaoxie shared the same opinion. One had spent a year in Jinling, while the other grew up there. They both thought Xiao Rong would be extremely endangered in Jinling, but for reasons different from Qu Yunmie's.

They didn't think officials in Jinling would kill Xiao Rong out of stupidity, but they feared someone might discover his intelligence and the threat he posed to Southern Yong, leading to attempts to detain him or stage an accident.

After all, news of Xiao Rong's prediction about Yizhou had spread far and wide. Even if ordinary people didn't know, how could those in Jinling not?

Moreover, Xiao Rong hinted that he wanted to use his words to deceive and convince the officials in Jinling. How could that be possible?! Sun Renluan was no pushover, and Yang Zangyi was no fool. Even if Xiao Rong had excellent eloquence, Gao Xunzhi didn't believe he could fool both of them.

Xiao Rong silently stared at them, sitting in a position of opposition for the first time, nearly turning into a pufferfish from anger. Yet, he couldn't reveal his entire plan to everyone. Each person had their own stance, and his plan might touch on some people's bottom lines. They might not show objections now, but dissatisfaction accumulates. Those sitting in this room were the Northern Pacification King's advisors, crucial figures. If they betrayed him, it could cripple the Northern Pacification Army.

The only ones he could tell were Qu Yunmie and Gao Xunzhi. However, the former wouldn't listen, and the latter would still oppose him even if told.

His plan was even riskier than what Gao Xunzhi described. Gao Xunzhi thought he was going to debate with the scholars of Southern Yong, but in reality, he planned to bypass the court and directly meet the young emperor.

This was even more nerve-wracking for the officials. Although the young emperor's identity was questionable, his existence kept many people in check. He was Sun Renluan's support and Yang Zangyi's target. Xiao Rong's intention to meet him was akin to courting death.

But fortune favors the bold. Xiao Rong had a plan and was confident he could leave Jinling unscathed. Even if someone truly wanted to harm him, the only person who could do so was Qu Yunmie.

He felt a surge of confidence, yet these reasons were unspeakable. Thus, he sat there, feeling frustrated, listening to Gao Xunzhi's earnest persuasion.

But didn't Gao Xunzhi understand him? He was a stubborn mule, even more stubborn than Qu Yunmie.

Gao Xunzhi talked until he was parched, but Xiao Rong remained silent, head lowered. Gao Xunzhi sighed, disappointment showing on his face. When he stopped speaking, Yu Shaoxie began, using his younger brother as an example. His brother had just defected from Southern Yong, and relations between Southern Yong and the Northern Pacification Army were already strained. Going to Southern Yong now would invite their wrath upon Xiao Rong.

Xiao Rong looked utterly dejected, while Qu Yunmie, pursing his lips, was almost laughing out loud.

Watching Xiao Rong being "abandoned" by everyone, Qu Yunmie sat contentedly, enjoying the show. He relaxed, about to pick up his wine cup, when a calm voice rang out.

"I think Young Master Xiao's plan is feasible."

Qu Yunmie immediately stopped reaching for the wine cup, instead staring intently at Mi Jing's serene face, illuminated by the candlelight.

Damn monk, no wonder I've never liked you!...