Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 386 Talking under the Light

Chapter 384

Xue Sui remained silent, having discerned Lu Jing's intentions.

"Your insight is profound, sir."

Lu Jing looked away from the map, his face full of worry.

"The Yunling Mountains are strategically important, easy to defend and difficult to attack. The wise prince has always prioritized self-preservation and would not take risks easily. Besides, he has been stationed in Dianzhou for many years and has been estranged from the crown prince, with no close relationship between them..."

Xue Sui raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Given the old master's past kindness, how could the wise prince refuse?"

Lu Jing stroked his beard, giving her a meaningful look. "Everyone says that Sixth Miss is exceptionally intelligent, but today I've truly witnessed it firsthand... These old stories and subtle human nature, you seem to know them even better than I do..."

Xue Sui lowered his eyes slightly: "You flatter me, sir. It was merely a matter of chance that I heard and thought more. The Wise Prince is no easy opponent. The elite troops of Dianzhou are his foundation for survival. To ask him to mobilize all his forces would be tantamount to gambling with his life. Without sufficient incentive and a high probability of victory... I'm afraid it would be difficult to shake him... This matter can only be handled by you, sir!"

Prince Xian was the eldest son of Emperor Chongzhao, but because of his mother's lowly status, he was melancholy and taciturn from a young age, cautious and reserved, rarely interacting with others, and thus displeasing the emperor. Back then, if Lu Jing hadn't risked his reputation to protect him, he wouldn't have been able to leave the capital safely and live a peaceful life in Dianzhou.

"Does the old master already have a plan in mind?"

Lu Jing nodded and said, "I have indeed sent a trusted confidant with a secret letter to Dianzhou to plead my case and explain the advantages and disadvantages. I wonder if Your Highness is willing to get involved in this mess..."

Xue Sui said, "In my opinion, General Lu is trapped in the enemy camp. If the Prince has any conscience at all, he will remember the past kindness and lend a helping hand..."

“Gratitude cannot withstand the vicissitudes of time,” Lu Jing sighed. “Whether he acknowledges this favor is one issue. Secondly, with the nation in peril, whether he is willing to risk sending troops to contain a powerful enemy is another. I am merely giving it a try and leaving the rest to fate…”

Xue Sui remained silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his eyes.

"I'm afraid the old master summoned me here today for more than just to discuss the war situation in the Western Frontier, right?"

Lu Jing met her gaze, his brows furrowing with even greater worry.

"Sixth Miss is very perceptive and has probably already guessed it. I have something to ask of you."

Xue Sui smiled gently, "If you need anything, please feel free to give your orders, sir."

Lu Jing pondered for a moment before saying, "His Highness the Crown Prince is worried about the western frontier defenses and has decided to personally lead an expedition to Yongding..."

"Personally lead the expedition..." Xue Sui repeated softly, his heart sinking.

No wonder Li Zhao promoted Lu Jing to the position of Prime Minister, giving him control of the government.

It turns out that he had the intention of entrusting the rear to his own troops and personally leading the expedition to the western frontier.

"With the Crown Prince gone, turmoil is bound to ensue in the court. The remnants of the Xiao clan have not yet been eliminated; if anyone seizes the opportunity to cause trouble, the burden on the Prime Minister's shoulders will become even heavier..."

Lu Jing raised his head slightly, a surge of righteous indignation rising within him, his tone resolute, "Since His Highness the Crown Prince treats me as a pillar of the nation, I will certainly safeguard the court and stabilize the rear for him. As long as I have a breath left, the capital will not fall into chaos. However... the war situation is ever-changing and unpredictable. Your Highness's life is of paramount importance, and the safety of the nation rests on your shoulders; you cannot risk your life..."

He looked at Xue Sui with eager eyes.

"His Highness is stubborn, and the advice of the officials in court may backfire. I have thought long and hard, and I believe that in this world... only the young lady's words are of any use to His Highness. Could you... please ask the young lady to persuade His Highness to reconsider his actions?"
-
When Xue Sui left the Lu residence, it was nearly dusk.

As the carriage traveled along Zhuque Avenue, a group of imperial guards were dispersing the crowd gathered in front of the notice board. The newly posted notices to reassure the people on the wall had been torn to shreds, and the leading captain, gripping his scabbard, impatiently pounded the ground and shouted sternly.

"Disperse! Disperse! Don't gather here and disturb people's peace..."

Xue Sui lifted the carriage curtain.

Several disheveled refugees huddled in a corner, whispering among themselves.

"They're really going to attack the capital..."

"Oh God, how am I supposed to live like this..."

Ruyi watched this scene with a worried expression and looked at Xue Sui.

"Has the young lady figured out how to persuade His Highness the Crown Prince?"

“I can’t convince him.” Xue Sui slowly shook his head. “Once he’s made up his mind, not even nine oxen could pull him back. You can’t persuade him otherwise.”

"So, are we still going to the East Palace?"

"I'm not going." Xue Sui lowered the curtain, leaned back on the cushion, and closed her eyes.

Xiao Zhao gave a soft "Oh," and said, "Then let's go back to the other courtyard..."

Silence fell over the carriage.

Suddenly, Xue Sui sighed softly, her voice low and filled with tenderness and helplessness, "Let's go to the East Palace first... to see my mother."

Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi exchanged a glance, both seeing the understanding in each other's eyes.

"Yes, young lady..."
-
The study in the side hall of Chongwen Hall in the East Palace.

The candlelight flickered, elongating the shadow of Li Zhao as he hunched over his desk.

The military reports piled up on the desk were as high as two feet.

An invisible pressure weighs heavily on people's hearts.

"Your Highness, a secret message from the Western Frontier!" Guan Ya entered with a brisk pace and a solemn expression, holding a thin bamboo tube in both hands.

"The Black Bird risked its life to deliver it—"

Li Zhao suddenly looked up.

The bamboo tube was stained with dark red blood. When I took it and squeezed it hard, it shattered.

He pulled out a tightly rolled strip of paper from it.

The hasty handwriting reveals the writer's urgency and danger.

"Xiao Yan's important grain storage location, Yingchoujian... The garrison commander, Zhao Kui, is the son of Zhao Meng, a fierce general under General Xiao Chong. Five years ago, he was demoted by Xiao Yan for speaking out against him. Also, in the Shaquan Fort prison, many are former subordinates of Xiao Chong..."

In the past, the powerful and deeply rooted Xiao family had Xiao Chong as the eldest son and Xiao Song as the youngest son.

If Xiao Chong hadn't died with regrets in the Old Mausoleum Swamp, there would have been no rise of Xiao Song's lineage.

This connection has great potential.

Li Zhao's gaze swept quickly across the note, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips.

Eagle's Sorrow Gorge, Zhao Kui...

"Issue the order!" His voice was firm and decisive. "Have Yu Qianshan gather eight thousand elite Xuanjia cavalry, lightly armed and with enough provisions for five days' worth of dry rations and oil... They will accompany me on the expedition at midnight tomorrow."

"Eight thousand?" Guan Ya's heart skipped a beat. "Your Highness, that's venturing deep into the tiger's den. Aren't eight thousand men too few...?"

"Speed ​​is of the essence in warfare, but quality is even more crucial!" Li Zhao interrupted him, his words leaving no room for argument: "A surprise attack on Yingchoujian, burning their supplies and cutting off their retreat—eight thousand elite cavalry will suffice. More men will only be a burden—"

He brought the note close to the candle flame, lit it, watched it turn to ashes, and continued to give orders.

"Once I leave the capital, you will follow General Qi Mingyang and the army will advance in full force as reinforcements... Remember, you must send men to keep a close watch on Ma Kun. If he makes any unusual moves, or fails to provide adequate reinforcements... execute him on the spot!"

"Here."

Guan Ya clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, his voice booming.

At that moment, hurried but deliberately soft footsteps came from outside the hall.

Lai Fu entered, bowing slightly, his voice tinged with surprise.

"Your Highness! Miss Xue has arrived. She says she's come to visit Lady Xue."

Li Zhao's eyes narrowed slightly, and a hint of warmth unconsciously crept into his expression.

"Please!"

He almost immediately straightened his robes, walked around the desk, and strode out to greet them.

Xue Sui, wearing a plain cotton cloak, stood quietly at the foot of the steps.

Beneath the light veil of her veiled hat, a soft silhouette was faintly visible...

"Why are you here?" Li Zhao walked up to her in a few steps. Seeing the weariness in her eyes, he subconsciously reached out to touch her forehead.

"It's so cold. Are you feeling unwell again?"

Xue Sui smiled and slapped his hand away, then took out an oil paper package from his wide sleeve.

"I just came from the Lu residence and passed by that old shop at the West Market. I saw freshly dried beef..."

Her voice, veiled by the thin gauze, sounded somewhat ethereal. "I remember Your Highness mentioning before that this is the perfect accompaniment to wine, as it's excellent for relieving fatigue and refreshing the mind. I bought some on a whim; Your Highness, please try it and see if it tastes the same."

Inside the oil paper package were several pieces of dried beef, sprinkled with fragrant sesame seeds, emitting an enticing salty aroma.

Li Zhao was slightly taken aback, as if something had gently bumped into his heart, making him inexplicably soft-hearted.

"Why are you suddenly being so nice to me? Why are you being so solicitous out of the blue? Is it a trick or a theft?"

Xue Sui glanced at him quickly.

"Your Highness is extremely perceptive. So, this dried meat... will you eat it or not?"

Li Zhao chuckled softly, his laughter exceptionally pleasant.

He said no more, led her into the warm pavilion of the study, waved away the palace servants, and personally picked up the flower water that was warming on the small stove and poured her a cup.

"Take a sip first to ward off the chill."

He pushed the teacup to Xue Sui's side with a natural gesture, "We've made progress on the poisoning."

Once the main topic was addressed, Xue Sui's expression turned serious.

"how?"

"The main ingredient of Boiling Blood Powder grows on the southern slope of Yunling Mountain. That area is shrouded in miasma and teeming with poisonous creatures, making it extremely difficult for ordinary people to go and thus very difficult to procure. We followed this lead and found that a batch of medicinal herbs entered the capital through Shuozhou last winter, handled by a herbal medicine dealer named Scarface Zhang..."

(End of this chapter)