"If the King of Hancheng requests troops, let someone take troops there. If the King of Hancheng requests troops for rebellion... itâs perfect that our army is there, we can settle the mess right then and there!" Bai Qingyanâs voice fell, and the smile in her eyes deepened, "But, I bet... the King of Hancheng is requesting troops to protect the coastal residents!"
This really shows deep trust in the King of Hancheng. Lu Yuanpeng felt a vague worry in his heart, but seeing Bai Qingyan so determined, being Bai Qingyanâs most valued official, Lu Yuanpeng felt he couldnât say much more, and simply asked, "If so, who does His Majesty plan to send to lead the troops?"
"Iâll go!" Bai Qingyu spoke up.
"A Yu has just returned and should spend more time with Auntie, and A Yuâs injuries are quite severe and have just healed! Itâs better if I go..." Bai Qingqi said steadily, "Moreover, A Yu is the full brother of the Eldest Young Lady, going there would inevitably give the impression of using his identity to override the King of Hancheng."
"If third brother goes, wouldnât it also be an impression of using his identity to override the King of Hancheng?" Bai Jinzhi realized as she spoke that she was blocking her own path to request to go to Daliang, so she pursed her lips, clasping her hands together, and said to Bai Qingyan, "Eldest Young Lady, why not... let General Cheng and the others go to redeem themselves?"
Bai Jinzhiâs remark instantly resonated with Bai Qingyanâs intentions...
After all, stripping Cheng Yuanzhi and the others of their positions was just a minor punishment for major caution. These few people still need opportunities to be used, and this time is a very good opportunity.
However, neither Bai Qingyan nor Bai Qingqi nor Bai Qingyu expected this remark to come from Bai Jinzhi.
"Usually, where thereâs a fight, little fourth always rushes there? Today... unexpectedly doesnât fight for it?" Bai Qingqi couldnât help but chuckle quietly.
"Iâm not a fool!" Bai Jinzhi puffed out her chest, "If the King of Hancheng, as the Eldest Young Lady says, doesnât intend to rebel, then upon arrival, weâll follow the King of Hanchengâs command. Iâm a dignified prince! Still a prince overtaken by the King of Hancheng! Why should I listen to his command? If the King of Hancheng does want to rebel... the Imperial Court will definitely recruit troops, and then itâs time to fight the King of Hancheng! At that time, when I go... Iâll beat him so hard he wonât recognize his own mother, so hard heâll call me ancestor!"
Lu Yuanpeng observed Bai Jinzhi and discovered she was not as simple-minded and rash as rumors suggested; she was actually quite smart, but... this talk of fighting and killing, calling mother and ancestor, was overly blunt, much like a rough fellow in a military camp.
He suddenly recalled hearing from his son that Mrs. Li, the third lady of the Bai family, seemed to be looking for a marriage for Bai Jinzhi, and Lu Yuanpeng couldnât help but feel sympathy for the future in-laws of Gaoyi King, having such a daughter-in-law, it seems... just like having a Lu Yuanpeng at home, itâs bound to be lively.
Bai Qingyan cleared her throat, indicating to Bai Jinzhi to restrain herself before Lu Yuanpeng. Bai Jinzhi realized and sheepishly smiled, clasping her hands towards Lu Yuanpeng, "Commandant, Iâve been in the military camp for too long, all because General Cheng led me to become like this. My mother is pressing me to change recently, please donât mind, Commandant!"
"Not at all!" Lu Yuanpeng hurriedly extended his hands towards Bai Jinzhi, "Gaoyi King is straightforward, bold... and has a chivalrous spirit, all of Dadu City knows this, how could an old minister mind! If I may speak boldly, Gaoyi King is about the same age as my granddaughter. If my granddaughter at home has half of Gaoyi Kingâs liveliness, it wouldnât be as quiet as it is after Lu Yuanpeng departed!"
Lu Yuanpeng, having served the Emperor of Jin for a long time, crafted compliments that are both genuine yet polite, leaving Bai Jinzhi even happier and prouder after hearing them.
"Commandant Lu is too courteous! Commandant Lu being the Imperial Master of the Eldest Young Lady, if in the future Lu Yuanpeng isnât around... if Commandant Lu finds the house too quiet, just have Fenglang send invitations to me and cousin Tingzhen!" Bai Jinzhi said with loyal enthusiasm.
Since returning from southern Jiang, Bai Jinzhi has already become close friends with Lu Fenglang and Dong Tingzhen.
Lu Yuanpeng repeatedly expressed gratitude.
"Then itâs settled. Tomorrow morning, Commandant Lu will be the bad guy, leading the opposition against sending troops, directly questioning the King of Hanchengâs ulterior motives!" Bai Qingyan saw Lu Yuanpeng nod in agreement and then turned to Bai Qingqi, "Propose the idea of sending Cheng Yuanzhi and the others to redeem themselves, this will be brought up by A Qi!"
Saying this, Bai Qingyanâs gaze fell on Bai Jinzhi: "Although the idea was proposed by little fourth, little fourth is usually not very reliable, proposing it might lead to disbelief among court officials!"
"I listen to the Eldest Young Lady!" Bai Jinzhiâs eyes and brows were all filled with sweet smile.
After leaving Bai Qingyanâs place, Bai Jinzhi caught up with Commandant Lu, inquiring about Lu Yuanpengâs injury, then took out a bottle from her pocket, saying, "This is medicine prepared by Doctor Hong, based on my experience of being hit with the army stick before, the medicine sent last time should be finished in two days. It just so happens that I ran into Commandant Lu, Iâll give this medicine for Lu Yuanpeng to take home, I still need to deliver medicine to General Cheng, General Shen, and Sima Ping!"
"Thank you, Gaoyi King, for your concern!" Commandant Lu quickly saluted.
"Commandant Lu, please donât be so polite!" Bai Jinzhi returned the salute to Commandant Lu before taking her leave to catch up with her third and fifth brothers.
Commandant Lu looked at the bottle of golden sore medicine in his hand, and at Bai Jinzhi catching up with Bai Qingqi and Bai Qingyu in the distance with a smile on his face. This Bai familyâs kind soul in the Imperial Family is strangely the least imperial-like group of the Imperial Family, yet somehow fills the hearts of us officials with warmth.
The Bai family really knows how to raise its children!
After Bai Qingyu and Bai Qingqi left, Bai Qingyan wrote a secret letter, attaching a medallion, and called out, "Xingchen..."
Xingchen responded, appearing in the grand hall, "Master!"
"Have someone deliver this letter and medallion to the King of Hancheng, ensuring it arrives before the army reaches the coast. After delivering, leave without saying anything!" Bai Qingyan pointed to the wrapped medallion and letter on the desk.
"Understood!"
Xingchen stepped forward to take the medallion and letter, ready to depart when he heard Bai Qingyan say, "Once this task is completed, take a few days to rest. Youâve worked hard coming back from southern Jiang, there will be plenty of work for you in the future, recover well before returning to duty wonât delay anything."
Xingchen was stunned, instinctively glancing at his chest, not knowing how Bai Qingyan knew he was injured, could it be the scent of the medicine lingering?
Seeing Xingchen unmoved, Bai Qingyan dipped the brush in ink, saying, "Go!"
"Understood!"
Bai Qingyanâs letter to the King of Hancheng detailed the resistance he would face from the court regarding his request for troops, but stated that troops would indeed be sent to him. However, the official reasoning must change to say the troops are being sent to test the King of Hanchengâs intentions, to eliminate if he plans to rebel, or otherwise follow orders if his aim is truly protecting coastal residents.