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The atmosphere in Bianliang changed the day after Guo Rong led his army north.

The people who had come to see him off gradually dispersed, and the streets returned to their usual bustling state, but everyone's face carried an indescribable mix of anticipation and unease...

The 200,000-strong army launched a northern expedition against Yan and Yun, the largest battle fought since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

If you win, the hearts of the people will be with you; if you lose...

No one dared to think further.

In the palace, Su Ning sat in the chair that originally belonged to Guo Rong in the imperial study, with a mountain of memorials piled up in front of him.

This was his first day as regent.

Wei Renpu stood at the lower end, holding a stack of documents in his hands. "Your Highness, this is a list of grain supplies sent today by various prefectures in Hebei. Please take a look."

Suning took it and flipped through the pages one by one.

Hebei, Hedong, Henan, Huainan, Jiangnan...

The amount of grain and fodder reported by each prefecture filled more than a dozen pages.

These must all be transported to the front lines; not a single grain can be missing, and not a single day can be delayed.

Where has the grain from Hebei gone?

"Your Highness, the first batch has already passed Zhen Ding and will arrive at Youzhou City in seven days."

"What about the second batch?"

"It's still in the preparation stage. People in Hebei say that the harvest is not good this year, and it's difficult to collect food and supplies."

Su Ning raised his head dismissively, "Difficulties?"

Wei Renpu lowered his head, not daring to look at him.

Suning remained silent for a moment, then put down the inventory list in his hand.

"Send an order to the Honest Merchants Company to send their people to Hebei."

"Your Highness, Chengxin Trading Company..."

“The people from the honest merchants are more knowledgeable than the government officials. Let them collect the grain; the price can be a little higher than the market price, but they must collect the second batch within ten days.”

Wei Renpu was taken aback for a moment, then he understood.

Chengxin Trading Company is an enterprise owned by the King of Qin.

Over the years, Chengxin Trading Company has opened branches all over the world, from the Khitan to the Southern Tang, from Western Shu to Wu and Yue, their people can be found everywhere.

I've heard that overseas merchants have large fleets of reputable businesses, and vast amounts of wealth are flowing in from them.

It is no exaggeration to say that the King of Qin was the richest man in the world.

In terms of business networks, they are far superior to the government.

"I will take care of it immediately."

Wei Renpu withdrew from the Imperial Study.

Suning picked up the inventory list again and continued to turn the pages one by one.

Being a regent is not just about sitting in the palace reviewing memorials.

The purpose of the regent is to ensure that the 200,000 men on the front lines have food, clothing, arrows, and horses.

Before an army moves, its supplies must be ready.

This saying has been around for hundreds of years, but probably very few people have actually put it into practice.

The efficiency of honest businesses is indeed much faster than that of government agencies.

Five days after the order was issued, the second batch of grain supplies from Hebei set off.

The escorts weren't government laborers, but a caravan from a reputable trading company...

Hundreds of carts and thousands of mules and horses headed north in a grand procession.

No one in the prefectures and counties along the way dared to stop them.

The flags on the caravan wagons bore a large character for "trust".

That was the symbol of the King of Qin.

When the news reached Bianliang, it caused a great deal of discussion in the imperial court.

"Is it in accordance with regulations for the Honest Merchant Company to transport grain for the imperial court?"

“What’s wrong with the rules? The grain was bought with money from the imperial court, and the transportation was also hired by the imperial court. The honest merchants provided the people and vehicles, and the imperial court paid them. It’s a clean break.”

"But that's the King of Qin's property..."

"What happened to the King of Qin's assets? Isn't the King of Qin acting as regent for His Majesty?"

Su Ning sat on the throne, listening to the discussions below, but remained silent.

After they finished arguing, Su Ning finally spoke up, "The matter of the grain supplies is settled. The Chengxin Trading Company will transport the first batch, and the Ministry of Revenue will organize the second batch. Anyone with objections can submit a memorial to impeach them."

No one spoke anymore.

After all, the regent King of Qin had already given them a lot of face, and at the same time emphasized the issue of efficiency, so everyone inside and outside the court understood their respective roles.

Despite Guo Rong having 60,000 Longjie troops, the most powerful one is still the King of Qin.

……

Beneath the walls of Youzhou, in the Zhou army's main camp.

Guo Rong stood before the map, staring intently at the city marked "Youzhou."

"Have the supplies arrived?"

"Your Majesty, the first batch has arrived. It was escorted by people from the Chengxin Trading Company, and there were no problems along the way."

Guo Rong was stunned for a moment, "What? A trustworthy business?"

"Yes. His Highness the Prince of Qin sent them to transport it, saying it would be faster than the official transport."

Guo Rong remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

He didn't say anything more.

But something inside me stirred slightly.

A reputable business.

The business that the third brother started running when he was a teenager has now become the number one business behemoth in the world.

From the Khitan to the Southern Tang, from Western Shu to Wu and Yue, their people were everywhere.

Now, they even transport military rations.

Even as the emperor, he relied on his brother's business to transport grain for his wars.

It's hard to say whether this feeling stems from reliance or something else entirely.

"Send the order to the three armies." Guo Rong immediately snapped out of his thoughts, "Once the second batch of supplies arrives, we will begin the siege."

"promise!"

……

In Bianliang City, Su Ning's days flew by.

Every morning at dawn, I would get up and first read the battle reports sent from the front lines.

Then came the Ministry of Revenue's grain inventory, the Ministry of War's transfer orders, the Ministry of Personnel's appointment and dismissal of officials, the Ministry of Justice's case review, and the Ministry of Rites' sacrificial arrangements...

Every single matter had to be reviewed and decided upon by him.

Sometimes, even when I'm busy until late at night, the memorials on my desk are still piled up like a small mountain.

Zhao Pu brought in ginseng soup and said softly, "Your Highness, please rest for a while."

Su Ning shook his head and continued reviewing the document in his hand. "Any news from the north?"

"Yes. His Majesty has already begun the siege. The first batch of provisions has been delivered, and the second batch is on its way."

Suning nodded without looking up. "What did the people from the Honest Merchants say?"

"They said that Your Highness should not worry about the provisions; with them here, the soldiers at the front will not go hungry."

Su Ning put down her pen and looked up.

The night outside the window was deep, with the lights of Bianliang City twinkling.

It is well known that the throne is very tempting to people; otherwise, the Central Plains would not have been plunged into chaos for a century.

Although Guo Rong had promised Guo Wei that the position would be passed down from brother to brother, the birth of Chai Zongxun clearly changed Guo Rong's mindset.

Therefore, Guo Rong trained the Longjie Army, intending to launch a northern expedition and prove himself.

Furthermore, the fact that Guo Rong named his son Chai Zongxun instead of Guo Zongxun suggests that he didn't really want to change his surname.

If it weren't for Guo Wei having his own son, Guo Rong might have already changed his name back to Chai Rong.

Suning picked up the ginseng soup and took a sip.

Having already made one sacrifice for the Great Zhou, there is absolutely no way there could be a second.

Moreover, Guo Rong's lifespan was limited, and he probably never imagined that he would be a short-lived emperor; otherwise, Guo Rong would never have continued his turmoil.

After all, the Great Zhou Dynasty should be handed over to truly strong men; orphans and widows will only be targets for others to bully.

After putting down the soup bowl, Su Ning picked up her pen again.

Half of the memorials on the table have not yet been approved.

As night deepened outside, the candlelight in the imperial study burned for a very long time.

……

News of the Northern Expedition spread rapidly, and the atmosphere in Bianliang (Kaifeng) grew increasingly tense each day.

Suning was stationed in the study of the Prince of Qin's mansion, where the memorials he reviewed every day piled up like a small mountain.

The Ministry of Revenue was responsible for allocating grain and fodder, the Ministry of War for replenishing troops, collecting taxes from various prefectures and counties, and compiling and summarizing battle reports from the front lines...

Every single matter had to pass through his hands.

That afternoon, a palace attendant came to report: Empress Fu has arrived.

Su Ning looked up and paused for a moment.

Empress Fu? At this time?
He put down his pen, got up, and went out to greet them.

In the main hall of the Prince of Qin's mansion, Empress Fu sat upright, with a five- or six-year-old child standing beside her.

The child was wearing a bright yellow robe, with delicate features. He hid behind Empress Fu somewhat shyly, but couldn't help peeking out to look at Su Ning.

Su Ning naturally recognized the child.

Chai Zongxun, Guo Rong's son, is five years old this year.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty the Empress." Su Ning bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness, there's no need for such formality." Empress Fu rose to return the greeting, a gentle smile on her face. "I apologize for my intrusion." "Your Majesty is too kind," Su Ning said. "Please take a seat."

The three sat down, and a maid served tea and snacks.

Chai Zongxun sat beside Empress Fu, behaving himself properly and not daring to move.

But those eyes would occasionally steal a glance at Su Ning across from him.

Su Ning glanced at Chai Zongxun, who immediately lowered his head and pretended to be playing with the hem of his clothes.

"Zongxun heard that His Highness had returned and insisted on coming to see him." Empress Fu smiled and patted her son's head. "He asked, 'What does the Imperial Uncle look like? Is he like Father Emperor said, capable of fighting?'"

Su Ning looked at the child who was pretending to play with the hem of his clothes with his head down, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

“Your Majesty, I am just an ordinary person. We fight together.”

Chai Zongxun secretly raised his head, then quickly lowered it again.

Empress Fu smiled but did not reply.

After several rounds of tea, Empress Fu instructed her maid to take Chai Zongxun out to play.

The atmosphere in the hall changed as soon as the child left.

"Your Highness," Empress Fu began, lowering her voice, "I have come today to ask you a question."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Empress Fu looked at Su Ning with a complicated expression, "Your Highness, what do you think of Zongxun's future?"

Suning remained silent for a moment.

The question was phrased subtly, but the meaning couldn't be clearer.

Chai Zongxun was Guo Rong's only son.

What will the future hold?

In the future, will he become the crown prince or the emperor?
Or should he remain an ordinary member of the imperial clan, enjoying a life of wealth and peace?
Suning did not answer immediately.

He simply picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down. "What Your Majesty wants to ask is not Zongxun's future. What Your Majesty wants to ask is my attitude."

Empress Fu's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Your Highness is indeed intelligent."

“It’s not about being clever,” Su Ning said. “It’s about this matter, which I, your humble servant, have thought about.”

"Have you thought about it?"

"I've not only thought about it, but I've thought about it many times."

Su Ning stood up, walked to the window, and looked outside.

The sun was shining brightly outside the window. In the courtyard, Chai Zongxun was chasing a butterfly, with palace maids following behind, laughing and calling out, "Slow down, slow down!"

Su Ning looked at it for a while before turning around. "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."

"Your Highness, please speak."

"Your Majesty, I was appointed Crown Prince by my father before his death. The succession of the throne to the younger brother was also personally agreed to by Your Majesty."

"But Father Emperor never imagined that His Majesty would have a son, and that His Majesty and the Empress's mindset would change."

Empress Fu remained silent.

“Zongxun is five years old this year. When my younger brother is forty, he will be twenty-two. When my younger brother is fifty, he will be thirty-two.”

“At that time, my brother was old, while he was still young.”

Su Ning looked at Empress Fu before him and said, "Your Majesty, what do you think I should do then?"

Empress Fu opened her mouth, but could not utter a word.

Yes! What should we do?
Giving way to his nephew? What about all of Suning's decades of hard work?
Not giving up your place? What will happen to the child then?
"Your Highness..." Empress Fu's voice suddenly became somewhat hoarse, "What do you intend to do?"

Su Ning was silent for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, do you remember what I once said?"

"What?"

“When we were choosing the principal wife, my brother said that she should come from an ordinary family.”

Empress Fu was stunned.

Of course she remembers.

At that time, she praised Su Ning for her foresight, saying that since the principal wife came from a humble background, there would be no threat from maternal relatives.

But now she suddenly understood.

That wasn't just to protect against maternal relatives.

That was for...

"Your Highness," Empress Fu's voice trembled slightly, "you mean..."

“Your Majesty,” Su Ning suddenly interrupted Empress Fu, “Your subject has no other intentions.”

"Your Majesty, I only have one thought in mind—the empire that Father Emperor conquered must not be ruined. This is also the reason why I agreed to Your Majesty's succession in the first place."

“I will protect Zongxun.”

Empress Fu looked at Su Ning with a complicated expression.

This young man, at the age of twenty-three, destroyed the Southern Tang, pacified Jingchu, conquered Minyue, and took over Later Shu in thirty-six days.

The 300,000-strong National Defense Force obeys only the orders of Su Ning.

If Suning has other ideas, who can stop them?
But Suning doesn't have that.

Suning has been keeping its promises, while she and Guo Rong want to break their vows.

"Your Highness," Empress Fu asked softly, "what do you think of Zongxun's appearance?"

Suning did not answer, but simply looked out the window.

Outside the window, Chai Zongxun finally caught up with the butterfly.

Chai Zongxun carefully held it in his hands and ran carefree towards the palace maid.

The butterfly flew away from Chai Zongxun's hand. He was stunned for a moment, then chuckled.

Looking at that smile, Su Ning remained silent for a long time. "Your Majesty, this child has a good face! He will have a life of plenty, wealth, and good health."

Empress Fu was stunned.

May you live a life free from worries about food and clothing, and enjoy wealth and good health.

This is……

Does this mean that Zongxun will not become emperor in the future?

Empress Fu looked at Su Ning, trying to glean something from his face.

But that face was so calm that you couldn't tell anything from it.

"Your Highness," Empress Fu's voice trembled slightly, "what you're saying..."

“Your Majesty,” Su Ning said, “one must keep one’s word! Breaking a vow will not only be condemned by history, but will also bring trouble upon the family.”

Empress Fu fell silent, then suddenly remembered what Guo Rong had told her before he left: "This time I'm not just going to fight the Khitan. I want the world to see that the emperor of the Great Zhou is not secured by his younger brother."

Empress Fu didn't think much of it at the time, but now she understands.

Actually, the couple were both afraid of the same thing.

He feared the King of Qin, his younger brother, and the Crown Prince.

They feared that the King of Qin would not be willing to give up the throne, and that Zongxun would end up with nothing.

But the King of Qin has already decided Chai Zongxun's future today...

May you live a life free from worries about food and clothing, and enjoy wealth and good health.

This doesn't sound like a promise! What exactly is this...?

It is a threat.

They threatened Guo Rong and Empress Fu that they must keep their promise, or not only would the Chai family be wiped out, but the Fu family would also suffer the same fate.

"Your Highness," Empress Fu, now enlightened, stood up and bowed deeply to Su Ning, "On behalf of the Emperor, I thank Your Highness for your kindness."

Su Ning stepped aside and did not accept Empress Fu's bow.

"Your Majesty need not do this."

He looked out the window and saw that Chai Zongxun had run off again, with the palace maids following behind, their laughter faintly audible.

"This child is my younger brother's nephew."

"Your Majesty will not let him suffer any injustice."

Empress Fu nodded and said nothing more.

Then, Empress Fu left the Prince of Qin's residence with Chai Zongxun.

The carriage rumbled away into the distance, and Su Ning stood at the gate of the mansion, watching the carriage gradually disappear around the street corner.

Zhao Pu stepped out from behind and said softly, "Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress is here today..."

“I know,” Su Ning said. “She’s here to test my attitude, to see if I will retaliate if she breaks her promise to His Majesty.”

"Then Your Highness..."

“I gave her an answer.”

Zhao Pu was taken aback. "What reply?"

Su Ning did not answer; he simply turned and walked towards the study.

Zhao Pu stood there, watching the King of Qin's back, and suddenly understood something.

May you live a life free from worries about food and clothing, and enjoy wealth and good health.

That means...

Chai Zongxun will not be the emperor in the future, and the entire Chai family will even stay away from imperial power.

If Chai Zongxun and his family were to try to seize imperial power, the consequences could be far more severe than simply being exterminated.

But the King of Qin would not kill Chai Zongxun.

I won't kill him, I won't cripple him, and I won't let Chai Zongxun suffer any injustice.

Let Chai Zongxun live a peaceful and stable life.

At the same time, it allows the Chai family to pass down their legacy for generations, sharing the fate of the nation.

This is probably the best possible outcome.

Zhao Pu did not ask any further questions, but simply followed behind the King of Qin into the mansion.

Zhao Pu knew in his heart that Guo Rong and Empress Fu would not be willing to accept this, mainly because the position of the emperor was too tempting.

...(End of this chapter)