Chapter 198
“My Lord, I believe what you said is very true!” She clasped her hands and saluted the Crown Prince.
With the matter settled, the Crown Prince, in a joyful mood, went to inspect the camp. He commended Bai Qingyan in front of the soldiers and drank with them, affirming Bai Qingyan’s military achievements.
Since he wanted to win this person over, the Crown Prince would naturally handle things elegantly, much like the Emperor.
Bai Qingyan presented the Crown Prince with the trophy sword and respectfully saw him off from the military camp.
Just before boarding the carriage, the slightly intoxicated Crown Prince, supported by Quan Yu, said earnestly to Bai Qingyan, “The Commander’s Seal is in your hands; I… trust you! No matter what others say… I trust you! Command the troops as you see fit, just ensure that the border people of Jin Kingdom do not suffer again!”
Bai Qingyan solemnly clasped her hands and said, “I will not fail Your Highness!”
Watching Quan Yu help the Crown Prince onto the carriage, Bai Qingyan said to Quan Yu, “Thank you for taking care of His Highness.”
“It is my duty!” Quan Yu quickly saluted Bai Qingyan, “General Bai is not in good health; please take care of yourself while outside!”
After saying this, Quan Yu felt his words were inappropriate and hastily added, “So… His Highness can be at ease!”
The two masked the situation… the general outside not doubting the sovereign, showing loyalty and trust.
As the carriage moved, the Crown Prince, who had just exhibited signs of drunkenness, opened his eyes and glanced at the sword Bai Qingyan had given him inside the carriage.
They say that drunken words speak the truth; hopefully, Bai Qingyan would believe his words before boarding the carriage.
After sending off the Crown Prince, Bai Qingyan was about to return to the command tent when Xiao Ruojiang approached and whispered in her ear, “Miss Bai, Mr. Xiao’s guard has arrived, saying he is here to deliver something to you.”
Without turning her head, Bai Qingyan asked, “Where is he?”
“He has been waiting by Jinghe for a while now,” Xiao Ruojiang said.
“Let’s return to the command tent first. I will go see him later!”
With that, Bai Qingyan turned and headed back to the command tent.
·
Xiao Rongyan’s guard had been blowing in the cold wind by Jinghe for quite some time. Sitting on horseback, holding the reins of the white horse, he saw Bai Qingyan and Xiao Ruojiang approaching, carrying torches, and immediately dismounted.
From a distance, seeing Bai Qingyan in her armor, Xiao Rongyan’s guard was surprised. He had seen Miss Bai in Dadu City before; though delicate and frail, she had an aura of resilience. She was stunningly beautiful.
But now, Miss Bai wore armor, her hair tied back, holding a black gold whip, emanating a fierce aura that made people hesitate to look directly at her.
As she approached the guard by the river, Bai Qingyan reined in her horse and asked, “Are you Mr. Xiao’s guard?”
“Yes, I am Mr. Xiao’s guard. I have been ordered to deliver this horse to Miss Bai! Our master saw this horse at the Mengcheng Market in Nanyan! He also instructed me to bring a letter for Miss Bai!”
With that, the guard quickly took a sealed letter from his chest and respectfully raised it.
Xiao Ruojiang dismounted and took the letter from the guard, carefully examining it to ensure there were no problems before handing it to Bai Qingyan.
She opened the letter and read it by the light of Xiao Ruojiang’s torch.
In the letter, Xiao Rongyan informed Bai Qingyan of his use of the Bai family army’s black sail and white mamba flag to seize Nanyan’s grain, apologizing for not notifying her beforehand and expressing his thanks for her care along the way, offering a fine horse as an apology.
He also detailed how he thought of Bai Qingyan riding her swift white horse with a fluttering cloak when he first saw this white horse at the Shu Kingdom’s Imperial Palace. He, therefore, sent the horse to Bai Qingyan.
He mentioned that the horse was spirited and had yet to be tamed, believing that Bai Qingyan could certainly subdue it.
The letter was simple, with bold and imposing handwriting, likely written by Xiao Rongyan himself.
Did Xiao Rongyan go to Nanyan?
It seemed that Xiao Rongyan intended to take advantage of the turmoil in Jin and Xiliang to reclaim Nanyan, which had separated from Yan.
Yan endured continuous natural disasters last year, leaving it riddled with problems. Everyone thought Yan could barely survive this winter, but who would have thought Xiao Rongyan harbored such ambitions, with a far-sighted view… and took action?
The timing was indeed perfect.
If it were her… she would do the same!
She would first borrow the Bai family army’s black sail and white mamba flag to seize grain, likely at Yao Pass. After seizing the grain, she would lay an ambush at Yao Pass, waiting for the Nanyan Army to return, and then annihilate Nanyan’s elite at Yao Pass.
Yao Pass was the easiest place to set an ambush, not utilizing that geographical advantage would be a waste.
But could Yan still muster the troops?
Xiao Rongyan must have his own motives for saying and doing things. His candidly revealing his whereabouts in the letter was like placing Yan’s plans before her, and it was even written in his own hand. How was this different from giving her leverage?
Glancing at Xiao Rongyan’s guard, who was staring at her intently, she did not blink as she burned the letter in front of the guard.
“Thank your master for me!” She watched the flames gradually consume the letter, letting go as the fire consumed it completely. “I accept the horse! Is your master… intending to borrow something from me?”
Xiao Rongyan’s guard looked at Bai Qingyan, slightly surprised.
The torch flickered in the strong wind by the river, casting Bai Qingyan’s stunning features into light and shadow.
The guard mulled over Bai Qingyan’s tone and expression, confirming she was not being sarcastic or displeased, but seriously asking. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and said, “Master did not say.”
Bai Qingyan nodded, her gaze falling on the white horse, and said, “Then please thank Mr. Xiao for me.”
After respectfully saluting, the guard left the white horse in place, mounted his own horse, and was about to leave when Bai Qingyan’s voice called out again…
“Taking Nanyan is not just about winning battles. Nanyan has followed Yan’s old customs for over ten years, treating the people like cattle. Experiencing Empress Ji’s new policies, the people must already harbor resentment towards Nanyan’s court!” Bai Qingyan suggested lightly.
The power of the people was immense. If the Yan army arrived at Nanyan’s city gates and the people welcomed them with open arms… wouldn’t it mean winning without a fight?
Hence, Yan could reclaim Nanyan with minimal losses amidst the chaos.
This would also spare Nanyan’s people some suffering…
Wars always cause suffering for the people.
Xiao Rongyan’s guard was astonished, his scalp tingling. How did Miss Bai know their master intended to reclaim Nanyan?!
Could it be… that their master had mentioned such things in the letter to Miss Bai?
Or perhaps their master had long since reached some agreement with Miss Bai, but they, the guards, were unaware?