Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 396 - 393: Intent_1

Chapter 396: Chapter 393: Intent_1

Qin Shangzhi nodded, deeply agreeing.

"General Zhang Duanrui’s reaction already informed the Liang Kingdom that our Jin Kingdom is no longer as strong as it once was, even to the point of not daring to engage in a battle! The Emperor sending General Zhang Duanrui to lead troops at Chunmu Mountain is nothing more than an empty threat to scare off the Liang Kingdom." Bai Qingyan turned to look at the Crown Prince, "If the Crown Prince sends another order for the Liang soldiers to return to their camp, the day General Zhang Duanrui returns those men will be the day Liang attacks our Jin Kingdom."

"Commandery Princess, your words are an exaggeration." Elder Fang still maintained an aloof demeanor, "Since we’ve already returned their men, shouldn’t the Liang Kingdom owe us an explanation?"

"Elder Fang, if you have such capabilities, why not personally take the Liang soldiers back to their camp at Chunmu Mountain and demand an explanation from them?" Qin Shangzhi, unable to bear Elder Fang’s comments any longer, couldn’t help but retort.

Elder Fang clenched his teeth: "Mr. Qin, is this directed at an old man like me?"

"I wouldn’t dare. I just think Elder Fang might be an agent sent by the Liang Kingdom specifically to destroy our Jin Kingdom!" Qin Shangzhi finally released the anger that had been simmering for days, his words were harsh.

"You... you..." Elder Fang trembled as he pointed at Qin Shangzhi, "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated! Your Highness, will you just stand by and watch him insult me, an old man?"

The Crown Prince cleared his throat: "You are all my counselors. Offering strategies and voicing opinions is your duty. Mr. Qin, Elder Fang is the elder. Has Mr. Qin forgotten his manners?"

Elder Fang, hearing the Crown Prince take his side, smugly flicked his sleeve at Qin Shangzhi.

Qin Shangzhi closed his eyes to suppress his anger, then asked Bai Qingyan, "If His Highness sends an order now for General Zhang Duanrui to send those Liang soldiers’ heads back to their camp, will it still be in time?"

Bai Qingyan silently lowered her gaze. After a moment, she said, "Your Highness, immediately send an order to General Zhang Duanrui while also dispatching a commander with troops to Chunmu Mountain for further intimidation. However, this will likely require drafting more soldiers. Both the Xiliang and Liang borders need heavy defenses."

"Sending the order while dispatching troops... If we do not have enough time to muster new troops, we’ll have to draw from Dadu City’s military force. But doing so will leave the Capital defenseless!" The Crown Prince frowned deeply.

"Priorities must be set! If we don’t send troops, we cannot show Liang our resolve to fight. This battle will be inevitable. Once war breaks out, the forces will still need to be dispatched to Chunmu Mountain! If His Highness is worried about the Capital’s safety, he can deploy some of the troops stationed at the Rong border. Currently, the Rong are embroiled in internal conflict and are unlikely to invade Jin Kingdom!"

The Crown Prince nodded and hesitantly said two words: "It’s feasible!"

Elder Fang’s slightly clouded eyes looked at Bai Qingyan, his fists clenched slightly. His Highness had once again taken Bai Qingyan’s advice.

"Your Highness, the Emperor is unlikely to agree to withdraw the troops stationed in the Capital." Elder Fang straightened his back.

Bai Qingyan had said everything she needed to say. Whether the Crown Prince would heed her advice was another matter.

Seeing that Bai Qingyan had fallen silent, Qin Shangzhi knew she did not intend to persuade further. He stood and respectfully bowed to the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, since you can deduce that the Emperor does not wish to go to war and understand that Jin Kingdom needs to recuperate and avoid war, please follow the Princess of Zhen’s proposal. The Commandery Princess fought alongside the King of Zhen, and the Battle of the Southern Territories has fully demonstrated her talent and capability in military strategy! Your Highness should trust her. She has always aimed for your best interest. This, Your Highness should be aware of!"

Qin Shangzhi’s words awakened the Crown Prince from his daze. He remembered Bai Qingyan arranging for the sacred deer without seeking credit, even to this day. A warm feeling surged through his heart.

"If Your Highness truly wishes to use the Princess of Zhen’s plan, why not first go to the palace to seek the Emperor’s judgment before giving the order? It won’t take much time and will prevent being blamed for any mishandled matters." Elder Fang suggested.

For years, Elder Fang believed he knew the Emperor better than the young Bai Qingyan, aiming to show the Crown Prince that he was the best link to winning the Emperor’s favor.

Bai Qingyan picked up the teacup beside her and quietly sipped her tea without speaking further.

"I will immediately go to the palace to seek my father’s opinion and promptly issue a decision!" The Crown Prince turned to Quan Yu and ordered, "Prepare the carriage!"

Going to the palace for the Emperor’s opinion hardly constituted a decision.

The Crown Prince hurried to leave but seemed to remember something and returned to Bai Qingyan: "I heard the convoy from the Princess of Zhen’s residence to Shuoyang was robbed? Were the losses severe?"

Bai Qingyan bowed and replied: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Those are just material possessions."

"Recently, the local officials of Shuoyang also submitted reports requesting suppression of the bandits. However, with external threats prevalent, the Imperial Court is quite powerless at the moment..."

"I intended to inform Your Highness of this. I plan to use the silver coins embezzled by the clan leaders of the Bai Clan throughout the years to train the people as soldiers and suppress the bandits, as a form of compensation for the Shuoyang people and to mitigate potential threats for the Imperial Court," Bai Qingyan said.

The Crown Prince, having heard from Quan Yu about the embezzlement by the clan leaders of the Bai Clan, nodded: "I will discuss this with my father. On the first day of May, troops will be dispatched to escort the Bai family back to Shuoyang, and thereafter... the local officials will assist you in training soldiers and suppressing the bandits."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Bai Qingyan respectfully replied.

After the Crown Prince left, Qin Shangzhi escorted Bai Qingyan out of the residence and sighed: "Elder Fang still understands the Crown Prince. His Highness fears the Emperor greatly. The moment Elder Fang mentioned the Emperor’s blame, His Highness immediately went to the palace. Hopefully, the Emperor... will be rational."

Shen Qingzhu held the reins of a horse, standing by and waiting for Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan gazed at the stone steps in front of the Crown Prince’s residence and spoke softly to Qin Shangzhi: "In the end, the Emperor will likely order General Zhang Duanrui to send the Liang soldiers’ heads back to their camp but will not redeploy the Capital’s guard troops to Chunmu Mountain."

"If that happens, can the war be avoided?" Qin Shangzhi asked cautiously.

Bai Qingyan shook her head: "Even if we pressure Xun Tianzhang with troops, he may not stand down. Moreover, Jin Kingdom has shown no intent otherwise, and within the Liang Court... the most militant is Xun Tianzhang. Liang Court sent Xun Tianzhang as the Commander this time, making their intentions clear."

"If the Princess of Zhen faces Xun Tianzhang, can she guarantee victory?" Qin Shangzhi asked.

"War is ever-changing. Before it begins, no one dares to claim certain victory."

After speaking, Bai Qingyan descended the high steps and leaped onto her horse.

She gripped the dark gold whip and said to Qin Shangzhi: "On the first day of May, I will return to Shuoyang. Take care, Mr. Qin!"

Qin Shangzhi respectfully bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan without saying another word.