Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 344 - 341: Competing for the Central Plains_1

Chapter 344: Chapter 341: Competing for the Central Plains_1

They continued their journey to Jinghe, where they sensed something amiss and wanted to turn back to protect Bai Qingyu, but they encountered an ambush...

Bai Qingjue’s loyal steed died while protecting its master, and Bai Qingjue himself was severely injured. He urged Bai Qingyun to abandon him and escape, but Bai Qingyun insisted that their grandfather had commanded them to protect the legitimate heir at all costs. Since they couldn’t return in time to protect their fifth brother Bai Qingyu, Bai Qingyun would risk his life to protect his seventh brother, the legitimate son, Bai Qingjue.

As the battle grew dire, Bai Qingyun hastily helped Bai Qingjue change into ordinary soldier’s armor and pushed him into the Jinghe River, giving him a slim chance of survival.

Later, Bai Qingjue was rescued by slave traders who, after taking all the valuable items from his body, still called for a doctor to treat him. This act of kindness saved Bai Qingjue’s life.

During this period, despite several attempts to leave and return to the southern battlefield, Bai Qingjue couldn’t even stand, let alone run due to his weakness.

It wasn’t until Bai Qingjue attempted to rescue a girl at Mengcheng Market that Xiao Rongyan saved him in turn.

"Mr. Xiao?! Is it Mr. Xiao from Wei, the wealthy merchant?" Bai Jinzhi’s eyes lit up.

Bai Qingjue could tell that Bai Jinzhi seemed unaware of Xiao Rongyan’s true identity, so he did not reveal it, simply nodding.

"Eldest Sister, Mr. Xiao is truly a great benefactor to our Bai family, helping us multiple times!" Bai Jinzhi genuinely admired Xiao Rongyan, having already considered him a future brother-in-law in his heart.

Bai Qingyan remained silent, thinking about the famine crisis in Yanwo. She told Bai Qingjue, "Regarding the famine in Yanwo, I’ve already written to Uncle Shen, asking him to send reliable people during King Liang’s disaster relief to divert some refugees who have not yet entered Pingyang City to Youhua Road for you to take care of. Uncle Shen and General Wei will arrange for food to be delivered to you in advance."

"Eldest Sister... I have already started working on it," Bai Qingjue said. "Our soldiers come from the people. Grandfather once said... I remember it all."

The aspirations of the Bai family were deeply ingrained in the blood of every Bai descendant.

So, he understood what his eldest sister intended to do, what she was planning for the future, even if they hadn’t met. He knew exactly how to proceed.

Training troops in Tonggu Mountain, Zhongshan City, and Bailong City areas required a source of soldiers.

"However, it seems that Yan has already started leading the refugees into their territory," Bai Qingjue said slowly to Bai Qingyan.

Yanwo was close to Pingyang City, also near Yan.

This time, Yan made significant efforts, sending people to spread the word among the refugees that those who entered Yan would benefit from the new policies. Everyone who settled in Yan would receive good land and houses and be exempt from taxes for three years.

The Empress of Yan’s new policies encouraged farming, allocating farmland based on headcount, allowing every household to have land to cultivate. Those who provided effective farming strategies to increase yields would be granted titles, ensuring that every household in Yan had surplus grain.

The nobles across the countries were well aware of these policies, but the commoners knew little of them. Even if they knew, as long as they could get by, who would want to leave their homes?

However, now, with the famine in Yanwo, the lives of the disaster victims were at stake. Yan extended a helping hand to save the people, naturally drawing the refugees into their territory.

Subsequently, once the people experienced the benefits of the Empress Ji’s new policies, they would be reluctant to leave Yan, becoming its citizens.

In truth, all common people wanted were four things: to have enough food and warm clothing.

Bai Qingyan pursed her lips. It seemed that Yan and Xiao Rongyan had received news of the famine in Yanwo far earlier than both the Jin Imperial Court and herself.

She even speculated that the disaster was never reported to the imperial capital in the previous life, possibly because the imperial examination scandal hadn’t been exposed, and the majority of the disaster victims were led into Yan, preventing any riots.

However, this time, the imperial examination scandal urgently needed a significant event to divert the public’s attention, providing Wen Zhenkang with a chance to survive. Thus, Li Mao allowed the famine in Yanwo to surface.

"Along my journey, I found many of our Bai family soldiers in obscure villages on the border, ordering them to bring some refugees to the selected hidden campsites. With Uncle Shen and General Wei’s help, they are building houses and opening fields."

This was indeed good news for Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingjue didn’t tell Bai Qingyan that he continued searching not only to find the scattered Bai family soldiers but also to seek any surviving members of the Bai family. He couldn’t believe that, besides him and Bai Qingyun, there were no other survivors among the Bai family’s seventeen sons.

With the loyalty and courage of the Bai family soldiers, they would surely risk their lives to protect the young generals of the Bai family.

Bai Qingjue’s return this time was simply to bring peace to the Bai family. He couldn’t recklessly return to the Bai family in Dadu. Hence, he rushed overnight to Anyu Mountain a day before Guan Yongchong’s birthday to wait for Bai Qingyan.

Knowing that his eldest sister was mourning, she wouldn’t attend Guan Yongchong’s birthday banquet, but would definitely come the day before to pay her respects.

After a brief reunion, Bai Qingjue needed to hurry back to the southern border to prepare for the future.

Despite the reluctance of Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi, they still saw Bai Qingjue off.

During their return, the sun was blazing at noon.

Bai Qingyan lifted the curtain of the carriage, gazing at the beautiful scenery of the clear water and green lake outside. Her mind gradually calmed down.

Xiao Rongyan’s actions and information were indeed swift. This was likely the advantage of having shops all over the world...

The Xiao’s shop networks in various countries were the primary sources of intelligence for Yan.

With Xiao Rongyan as a farsighted minister aiding the country and Murong Yu as its monarch, it was no wonder that Yan eventually became a powerful nation surpassing the others. Not even the united three countries could shake it. Instead, it gave Yan a pretext to mobilize troops and conquer.

She lowered the curtain and closed her eyes in thought.

The world’s situation was about to change. In future contests for supremacy, who would ultimately dominate the Central Plains?

As soon as Bai Qingyan and her party returned to the mansion, they saw Yue Shi, who was about to leave.

Upon seeing Bai Qingyan step down from the carriage, Yue Shi hurriedly called out to Xiao Rongyan, who was about to get into his carriage, "Master, Miss Bai is back!"

Xiao Rongyan turned around, seeing Bai Qingyan holding Chun Tao’s hand as she got off the carriage. He also turned around and walked over, saluting Bai Qingyan, "Commandery Princess, County Lord..."

"Mr. Xiao!" Bai Jinzhi was delighted to see Xiao Rongyan.

"Mr. Xiao." Bai Qingyan greeted politely, "Mr. Xiao just came from the mansion?"

"Indeed..." Xiao Rongyan approached Bai Qingyan, "Yesterday, the Commandery Princess left the iron sandbag at the Crown Prince’s mansion. Today, I specially brought it over, not expecting that you went to Anyu Mountain."

"Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Xiao." Bai Qingyan nodded slightly to Xiao Rongyan.

"I also have a favor to ask the Commandery Princess..." Xiao Rongyan looked deeply at Bai Qingyan, "Recently, my men purchased white tea from Shuoyang intending to transport it to Daliang, but it was intercepted midway. Currently, the Imperial Court is preoccupied with the famine in Yanwo and the military situation in Hongque Mountain. The Crown Prince mentioned that he might not have time to deal with bandit issues. However, the business in Daliang is urgent and cannot afford any mistakes, and I need a large amount of white tea this time. Shuoyang is the Commandery Princess’s ancestral home. Are there any families experienced in managing tea plantations?"