Chapter 532
Bai Qingyan tapped her fingers on the desk. “If the Emperor does not approve, Cousin Changlan should stay deep in the Nanrong territory with the troops to train them. Keep in constant communication with you, Uncle, under the guise of military drills. If you lose the drills, then ask the Imperial Court for silver taels and provisions.”
Dong Changlan frowned deeply. “Cousin, if we penetrate deep into Nanrong territory, how will we get the provisions in time?”
“The Rong people can pillage our Jin Kingdom citizens. Can we not do the same to them?” Bai Qingyan’s words were reasonable. “The Dengzhou Army can capture Nanrong people and turn them into usable troops. Teach them how to farm, secretly open mutual markets, gradually turning the Nanrong people into Jin people. Whether Rong or Jin, what the people seek is merely to be well-fed and warmly clothed! When the Empress of Yan governed, the reason she could quickly conquer small states and win over their people without resistance was primarily by ensuring the people were well-fed and warmly clothed! That is why the people willingly submitted!”
“Common people only care about having enough to eat to keep them alive and clothes to keep them warm. Only then do they start to consider literacy, the quality of their food, and the fabric of their clothes. In this regard, the Rong people are the same as our Jin people!” Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell upon Dong Changlan. “This path may not be easy, but it can gain the support of the Rong people. If we, like Yan, station troops in Nanrong, the people will surely resist because… Yan was invited by Beirong, but we… fought our way in!”
Dong Qingyue let out a long breath, leaning against his cushion. He picked up the teacup in front of the desk, gently stirring the tea leaves, deeply feeling the immense talent of his niece.
“Uncle, the power of winning hearts is immeasurable. The land… must be taken! Hearts… must be won! Only then can we minimize wars and killings,” Bai Qingyan said.
“Changlan, what do you think?” Dong Qingyue raised his eyes to look at his eldest son, a glimmer of darkness in his gaze.
Dong Changlan, as Dong Qingyue’s eldest son, had been raised and taught by his father. Dong Qingyue was eager to hear his son’s opinion on this matter.
“Father, I believe Cousin’s words are very reasonable! I will lead the Dengzhou Army to Nanrong, and all subsequent matters can be entrusted to Changmao! I promise to handle this matter properly!” Dong Changlan saluted Dong Qingyue, filled with excitement and eagerness to achieve great things.
Previously, Dong Changlan had always believed that the Rong people and the Jin Kingdom were irreconcilable. But today, after hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, he suddenly understood.
This world should not be divided into Jin Kingdom and Rong people. If the Rong people are well-fed, who would risk their lives to raid the Jin Kingdom?
If we look beyond immediate interests and aim for the unification of the world, teaching the Rong people to farm, weave, and learn Jin’s writing… they will eventually become unified, and the Rong people will not cause trouble.
As a descendant of a family of generals, who does not have the ambition to accomplish the great feat of uniting the world with a wise Monarch? However, the Jin Kingdom’s court is currently in confusion, and generals can only protect themselves wisely.
Bai Qingyan’s words gave hope for future unification, making Dong Changlan passionate and excited.
Dong Changlan couldn’t help but feel grateful that his cousin came. Otherwise, he might not have thought so far and would not have been able to persuade his father. This made Dong Changlan admire his Bai family cousin even more.
Dong Qingyue nodded, placing his teacup on the desk. “This matter requires a more detailed plan and deployment. You and Changmao will handle it. After the autumn harvest, I will arrange the evacuation of the Dengzhou people!”
A decision was made.
Bai Qingyan’s lips curled into a smile. She always knew… her uncle’s great ambitions had never been extinguished. It was just that the Monarch was not wise enough, and her uncle, no matter how great his ambitions, could not act on them.
Previously, when her grandfather was alive… her uncle still had hope. After her grandfather passed away, her uncle’s passionate heart must have cooled down.
“When evacuating the Dengzhou people, there might be chaos. Uncle… I came under the pretext of bringing my grandmother to Shuoyang for a visit. Why not let me take Grandmother and the women of the Dong family back to Shuoyang to avoid trouble. When Dengzhou is stable, I will bring Grandmother back.”
Dong Qingyue shook his head. “Just take Grandmother. If all the Dong family women leave Dengzhou, the people will think that the Dong family got advanced notice and sent the women away first, which may cause dissatisfaction and chaos among the people.”
Bai Qingyan understood Dong Qingyue’s concern and agreed.
“Second Young Master, Aunt Luo has requested to stop by. The Master and the Eldest Young Master are discussing matters in the study.”
Dong Changmao and his birth mother, Aunt Luo, brought his maternal uncle to see Dong Qingyue but were stopped by Dong Qingyue’s trusted guard outside the courtyard.
Qiu Huan, seeing Dong Changmao’s unruly uncle, became pale with fear. Standing beside Chun Tao, she quietly stepped back, hiding behind Chun Tao.
Chun Tao, surprised, looked back at Qiu Huan. Then, she met Luo Fugui’s teasing gaze, which made her uncomfortable. She frowned and lowered her head, standing obediently.
Luo Fugui was thirty-one this year. He had been engaged before, but due to his gambling and frequenting brothels, he ruined his engagement.
Later, Aunt Luo had no choice but to beg Dong Qingyue to send Luo Fugui to the military to reform him. She didn’t expect him to become a corporal or a sergeant, just hoped he would quit gambling and staying in brothels.
The Dengzhou Army’s discipline was strict. Dong Qingyue had asked Aunt Luo to bring Luo Fugui over to see him. If he was lazy and undisciplined, even if Aunt Luo and Dong Changmao knelt and begged together, Dong Qingyue would not accept him.
Aunt Luo knew that Dong Qingyue was unwavering in his decisions and had delayed bringing Luo Fugui to see him.
Today, Dong Qingyue’s favorite niece, Princess of Zhen, came to Dengzhou. Aunt Luo thought it was an opportunity for Dong Qingyue to meet her brother. Maybe in a good mood, Dong Qingyue would accept him.
“The Master asked me and Changmao to bring my brother to see him! Don’t worry… the Master knows!” Aunt Luo smiled and stepped forward but was pulled back by Dong Changmao.
“Aunt, Father is discussing important matters with my brother. We can come back later!” Dong Changmao frowned.
Aunt Luo wanted to speak but saw her son shaking his head at her. She nodded, “Alright, we’ll come back later…”