Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 264 Offering Advice
When Li Zhao's recent situation was mentioned, Xue Sui's cold gaze flickered slightly.

"This is precisely why I invited Your Highness here."

She raised her hand to indicate, "Your Highness, please take a seat and let me explain in detail."

Li Huan adjusted the jade belt at his waist and sat down at the head of the guest seats.

"I postponed the Ministry of Revenue's meeting and rushed here at breakneck speed, hoping to hear your strategies for maintaining peace. Speak."

"Your Majesty, please take a look."

Xue Sui walked to the table, quickly unfolded a simple map that had been prepared beforehand, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and with a steady and powerful wrist, outlined and marked the map.

"The first strategy is to provide work relief, turning displaced people into reinforcements."

Her fingertips traced the official roads and valleys marked on the map.

"The imperial court will conscript able-bodied men from the capital region, with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works working together to provide them with rations and promises of land after the war, dividing them into three groups..."

"One route cleared the official roads blocked by snow disasters and war, restoring vital lifelines. Another route built simple fortifications and dug trenches near the front lines in western Xinjiang, serving both as defense against the enemy and as a place for resettlement. Yet another route rushed to the disaster-stricken prefectures and counties in western Xinjiang to clear the ruins, repair houses, rebuild homes, and stabilize the hearts of the people in the rear. The elderly, weak, women, and children were provided with porridge by the government and resettled in a unified manner, exchanging work for food, and entrusted with tasks such as spinning, weaving, and repairing farm tools. It was imperative that everyone had something to do and food to rely on, so that no trouble would arise."

Li Huan's breath hitched, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

This is not just empty talk; every point hits the nail on the head regarding the current critical issues.

"The second strategy is to secretly transport grain and supplies."

Xue Sui then turned his pen to the area on the map.

"On the surface, they organized a large-scale caravan, escorting 'grain' mixed with sand and straw along the official road to provide reinforcements, attracting the attention of Ashina's cavalry and forcing them to divide their forces. Secretly—"

Her fingernails dug heavily into several hidden mountain paths and frozen valleys.

"Secretly, select border soldiers familiar with the terrain and mountain hunters to form several lightly armed squads. Carrying precious food and medicine, as well as the most essential oil, crossbow bolts, knives, and axes, they will cross the Black Wind Pass in multiple routes, entering the canyon through the rarely visited cliffs or frozen riverbeds on both sides! If His Highness the Crown Prince receives supplies, even if he cannot break through the encirclement immediately, he can hold his ground and wait for reinforcements, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy!"

This was a risky move, but it was also Li Zhao's only ray of light in his desperate situation.

Xue Sui put down his pen and said in a deep voice, "I once saw a kind of ice sled in the Old Mausoleum Marsh. The front end was slightly upturned and covered with tanned, tough animal hide. It was pulled by a person or a dog and could glide on the snow at a speed much faster than walking. It could also carry heavy loads. Most importantly, it was not easy to attract the attention of the enemy..."

After saying that, she took out a piece of plain silk.

The drawing of the sled is already on it, with simple and clear lines, clear dimensions, and even details of the traction rope loop. It is by no means a figment of imagination.

Li Huan was slightly surprised, "Ping An, you..."

"The herders on the western border also have similar methods, which can be slightly modified."

Xue Sui looked at him with clear eyes, "If we can find a guide familiar with the terrain, make an ice sled, disguise ourselves as local herdsmen, and raid at night with warm clothes and medicine to treat the epidemic, we might be able to solve the problem of Black Wind Pass."

Li Huan's pupils contracted slightly, and his heart suddenly raced.

“The third strategy—” Xue Sui slowly raised his gaze, looking at Li Huan with a clear and sharp understanding of the world.

"The embezzled funds confiscated by the imperial court should be taken from the people and used for the people!"

She tapped the blueprints and raised an eyebrow.

"The huge sums of silver and grain seized in the military supplies corruption case, after deducting the national treasury deficit and the compensation for fallen soldiers, should be used for disaster relief. There are two measures: First, establish stabilization granaries in the affected counties. Second, open public pharmacies."

Li Huan glanced at her with a complicated expression, his lips just beginning to curve into a smile, when he was suddenly frozen by her cold and sharp gaze.

"Your Highness, the well-being of the people is the foundation of the nation."

Xue Sui's eyes were sharp as he traced the silk painting with his fingertips.

"The 'Pingzhun Granary' was managed by officials appointed by the imperial court, with the assistance of respected local gentry. Grain was sold to the people at 70% or less of the market price, in limited quantities, based on household registration, to stabilize soaring rice prices and combat hoarding. At the same time, the granaries were opened to distribute grain to the poor, and porridge was provided daily..."

"The Huimin Pharmacy will widely recruit doctors from the capital and local areas, especially those skilled in typhoid fever, frostbite, and epidemic diseases. They will carry medicines allocated by the imperial court and go to areas where refugees gather, as well as various disaster-stricken counties in the western frontier, to provide free medical treatment and medicine, and eradicate the source of the plague! These two measures, taken in parallel, can quickly stabilize the people's hearts, cut off the chaos caused by the refugees, and also consolidate the rear base for the army at the front..."

The candlelight flickered, casting shimmering shadows on her smooth head.

Li Huan stared intently at her.

Deep within those cool, clear eyes, it seemed as if a silent flame was burning.

"Also, this is a prescription for preventing and treating the epidemic." She suddenly took out a neatly folded piece of plain paper from her sleeve and pushed it in front of Li Huan.

"This prescription can treat cold pathogens entering the body and control epidemics. The medicine is relatively mild and the required medicinal materials are also relatively common. It may provide some relief for the epidemic spreading in western Xinjiang."

She spoke at a steady pace, clearly and logically, each word sounding as if it had been carefully crafted, striking Li Huan's heart.

Li Huan subconsciously took the plain paper that seemed to still carry her warmth. Looking at the delicate yet powerful handwriting, his throat felt choked up.

The woman before me was no longer a reclusive nun, but a patriot who deeply understood the hardships of the people and possessed keen insight into the intricacies of military and political affairs…

"Peace." Li Huan didn't realize that his voice was tight and slightly hoarse.

"You mean, this prescription can cure the current rampant epidemic? Even the imperial physicians say that this epidemic originated from a plague-like pathogen, with cold toxins invading the lungs, making medicine ineffective..."

"It's just an attempt; it still needs to be verified." Xue Sui rolled up the plain silk. "His Highness Prince Duan is familiar with court regulations and enjoys His Majesty's deep trust. If you report to His Majesty, perhaps... we can have a glimmer of hope."

Li Huan stared at her intently, as if he were truly getting to know the woman before him for the first time.

How did Ping An come up with this idea?

"Observe the timing of the heavens, examine the advantages of the land, and have compassion for the people." Xue Sui's answer was concise and powerful.

"What I learned in the old mausoleum was nothing more than finding a way to survive in desperate situations. The method of using ice sleds also originated from this. As for medicines, the Imperial Hospital can immediately prepare some urgently needed medicines and send them over by fast horse..." She said without a trace of emotion, as if stating a fact that she had already deduced a thousand times.

The cold wind stung Li Huan's face.

Those deep-seated resentments and grievances were, at this moment, overwhelmed by a grander, heavier shock and complex emotions...

Xue Sui, however, seemed oblivious, his voice calm and composed.

"These three strategies are interconnected, and moving one will affect the whole situation. As for success or failure, we can only leave it to fate."

After saying this, she lowered her eyes, put her hands together, and looked like a meditating Buddha.

"The key to implementation lies in speed, accuracy, and, more importantly, whether Your Highness can persuade His Majesty and the court officials to set aside factional strife and personal gain, and work together to save the people from suffering!"

Li Huan held the prescription and the map covered with markings, his fingertips trembling slightly.

How could she think so deeply in order to save Li Zhao?

Or perhaps... what she held in her heart was never just romantic love?
Such a woman, with profound wisdom and noble character, was missed by him...

"Your Highness." Xue Sui seemed unable to see the emotions surging in his eyes, her clear voice pulling him back to reality.

"The people are weeping and waiting to be saved. Will you make your move in this game?"

The night wind swept through the hall, causing the lamplight in the living room to flicker violently, and casting long shadows of the two men facing each other onto the wall where the Buddha statue hung, like two sharp swords about to be drawn...

Outside the meditation room, the mountain wind howled, like the lament of countless lost souls, or like the thunder of clashing swords and galloping horses breaking through the icy river.

"I can."

Li Huan's Adam's apple bobbed violently as he stared intently at Xue Sui, his eyes churning with turbulent emotions.

Ultimately, it culminated in a resolute determination to burn one's bridges and sink one's boats.

He practically spat out the three words through gritted teeth, then strode forward and grabbed the map covered in markings from the table.

I took a deep breath.

"I will go to the palace immediately and present this to His Majesty!"

Xue Sui's gaze was like lightning, piercing straight into Li Huan's eyes.

"Then this poor nun will stay in the nunnery and wait for good news."

Li Huan remained silent, gave Xue Sui a deep look, and then turned and left.

As darkness fell, the sound of horses' hooves rang out again, shattering the silence of the mountains.

Jinshu and Xue Sui stood on the cliff, watching the retreating figure rush away, and finally couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"Miss, do you really think His Highness Prince Duan will go to great lengths to aid the Western Frontier? I think this is inappropriate. To put it bluntly, if His Highness the Crown Prince were to meet with misfortune, Prince Duan would be the one to reap all the benefits..."

Rivals are always locked in a life-or-death struggle.

Many will kick someone when they're down, but few will offer help when someone is in need.

Jinshu couldn't understand why Xue Sui would hand over the weapon that could turn the tide to Li Huan.

Xue Sui smiled knowingly: "It would be good if he did it; with the power of the imperial court, it would be the fastest way to see results. If he doesn't, it won't affect our subsequent arrangements..."

After saying that, he turned to look at Jinshu.

“I called him here only to borrow his hand.”

Only by using Li Huan's hand can the whole thing be made reasonable, allowing him to remain behind the scenes and smoothly proceed without arousing suspicion...

As for how far Li Huan takes her strategies, she will not stand idly by.

Upon hearing this, Jinshu suddenly understood and, with heartfelt admiration, bowed deeply.

“Your Excellency has a heart set on the greater good and a far-sighted plan. I am far inferior to you.”

The March wind blows through the bamboo forest, carrying the fragrance of new bamboo shoots and the chill of distant lands.

The codonopsis plant in the corner, its tender new shoots buried by winter snow, stubbornly broke through the frozen soil again in spring...

This vitality reminded her of a land thousands of miles away, shrouded in ice, snow, and the smoke of war.

"The world is vast and complex, and someone has to cross it."

Xue Sui chuckled softly, slowly climbed the steps, and stepped into the threshold of the meditation room, shutting out the howling mountain wind and the boundless twilight.

　Li Zhao: Did you see that? Peace loves me.

　　Xue Sui: ...

　　Li Huan: Do you even know what it means to have the world in your heart?

　　Li Zhao: What does it mean to have the world in your heart? Does it mean that she brought me medicine but gave you a letter of divorce?

　　Xue Sui: It's the end of the month, please vote, please vote, please double the votes...

　　(End of this chapter)