Isolated town in northern border region

Xiao Lie waited for three days.

Over the course of three days, the smoke from the chimneys in Liushugou grew stronger each day, as Xu De's Si Ni Tang (a traditional Chinese medicine formula) saved the last batch of critically ill patients.

Every day, Bisu would distribute salt and sugar water at the entrance of the camp. The people would line up, and after receiving the water, they would not leave but would squat by the roadside and watch the soldiers of the Trapped Camp pack their belongings.

Someone muttered to themselves.

"Is the prince leaving?"

"I heard they're leaving, heading south."

"That won't do, we haven't properly thanked His Highness yet..."

Xiao Lie stood under the old locust tree at the entrance of Liushugou Village, looking towards the distant Cangshan Mountains.

Iron Bow did not come down the mountain, nor did he hand over anyone, nor did he reply, nor did he even bring down a message.

The three-day period has passed; silence is the answer.

Xiao Lie withdrew his gaze and said to Bi Su.

"Let's go to Qingzhou City."

"From this day forward, I, the King, and the Panlong Guard are sworn enemies!"

The Mu family mansion is located east of Qingzhou City.

The Mu family had been operating in Qingzhou for three generations. Their mansion occupied half a street, and the stone lions at the entrance were even larger than those at the prefectural government office.

Xiao Lie was not wearing royal robes, but only casual clothes, and was accompanied only by Bi Su.

After Bisu presented the visiting card, Xiao Lie even made a special trip into the Mu family through a side door.

As soon as Xiao Lie entered, Mu Cheng'an, the eldest son of the Mu family, came to greet him.

Mu Cheng'an was a young man in his early thirties, dressed in a brocade robe. He did not kneel before Xiao Lie. Although he had a smile on his face, the arrogance in his eyes was not diminished at all.

Xiao Lie's lips curled up slightly, but he didn't react.

These aristocratic families have always been like this; dynasties come and go, but aristocratic families remain. It's not surprising that they're a bit arrogant.

"Your Highness, what brings you to my humble abode?"

Xiao Lie gently swirled the teacup.

"Simply put, I wish to cooperate with your Mu family."

"A commercial city is under construction in the northern border region and needs medicinal herb merchants to supply it. If the Mu family is interested, they can invest in it."

Upon hearing this, Mu Cheng'an's arrogance intensified.

Hmph! What Northern Frontier King?

They're just asking me for it, aren't they?

But the political situation in the Great Chu is still undecided, and you want my Mu family to take sides?

Do you really think my Mu family is stupid?

Mu Cheng'an muttered to himself, but a smile remained on his face, and his words were perfectly tactless.

"Your Highness flatters me."

"The Mu family is but a humble household; how could we dare to aspire to marry into the noble family?"

"Besides, Qingzhou has just been hit by an epidemic, and the entire clan is busy protecting itself, so there's really no spare energy..."

Xiao Lie listened without interrupting him.

After he finished speaking, Xiao Lie took out a memorial from his pocket and placed it on the table.

Mu Cheng'an picked it up and looked at it with suspicion, his expression immediately changing.

The memorial stated that the Mu family contributed money, food, and manpower to treat the disaster victims in Qingzhou. They not only provided their family's traditional medicines but also helped the victims rebuild their lives. Every single act of theirs was a great act of merit!

Most importantly, it also states that these things were done "voluntarily" by the Mu family.

If these things could reach the ears of the Emperor?

What about the Mu family's official career?

"Your Highness, this is..."

Mu Chengan's voice was somewhat hoarse.

Xiao Lie smiled.

"My cooperation with the Mu family is a gift of reputation."

"I will have Du Ming, the prefect of Qingzhou, submit this memorial in his name."

"In the capital, all we'll see is the Mu family saving countless lives during the plague, displaying great benevolence and righteousness, which has absolutely nothing to do with me."

"What Your Majesty fears most right now is that I will win over the hearts of the people."

"If someone could take credit for my work, he would be more than happy to reward them lavishly!"

"Your Mu family has wasted many years in your official career, and what you lack is this kind of merit."

Mu Cheng'an was stunned.

He wanted to argue, to say that this was against the rules, and that the Mu family should not waste time in such a mess!

But when he opened his mouth, he found he couldn't find a reason to refuse.

Xiao Lie is right!

The Chu Emperor would not sing praises to Xiao Lie, but if the credit belonged to the "Mu family," the Chu Emperor would happily extol it to the heavens.

At that time, the Mu family's reputation in Qingzhou and their standing in the imperial court...

Then you'll have everything!

"Your Highness is so hospitable!"

Mu Cheng'an lowered his voice.

"My Mu family is willing to offer 50,000 taels of silver to support the livelihood of the people in the northern frontier..."

Xiao Lie smiled and waved his hand.

"No need. All we need is for the Mu family to genuinely help the people of Qingzhou escape their predicament!"

"I will leave a team to help the Mu family settle the people. As soon as the rice seedlings sprout in the fields of Qingzhou, I will have Du Ming present this memorial to them!"

Mu Cheng'an chuckled softly, leaned back in his chair, and slumped into the chair.

"They are merely lowly commoners; why should Your Highness trouble yourself with them?"

"These peasants have cheap lives and will keep dying. Even if my Mu family doesn't spend a single penny, they'll still be working in the fields like livestock in less than half a month."

"Instead of wasting this money on this lowly commoner, we'd better treat Your Highness to the fine wines and delicacies of Qingzhou!"

Xiao Lie looked at him, his face still full of smiles, but his eyes were chillingly cold.

"Brother Mu's level of skill is indeed extraordinary!"

"The masses are like ants, the common people are like weeds—this display of arrogance and superiority over all living beings!"

Mu Cheng'an sensed something was off about Xiao Lie's words and was about to ask him something when Xiao Lie raised his teacup and smashed it directly on his head!

In an instant, Mu Cheng'an's screams echoed throughout the Mu residence.

Xiao Lie tilted his head and spread his hands.

"I'm sorry, I developed a bad habit on the battlefield."

"No one is allowed to be so arrogant in front of me!"

Just then, a soft sound came from the back room, and an elderly man with white hair walked out, leaning on a cane.

Mu Cheng'an covered his head, his hands covered in blood.

"Grandpa!"

"We must stand up for our grandson!"

The patriarch of the Mu family, Mu Zhonghe, was over eighty years old, yet he was still sharp of hearing and sight.

Xiao Lie looked at Mu Zhonghe with great interest.

Damn! How can these bloodsucking bastards survive?

Mu Zhonghe walked to the table, picked up the memorial, read it carefully, and then looked up at Xiao Lie.

"Your Highness,"

The old man's voice was a little hoarse.

"What are you after by giving the Mu family such a generous gift?"

Xiao Lie looked at him.

"My northern frontier needs to open up trade routes and connect with the Great Chu."

He paused.

"We had some unpleasantness with the major families because of the war, so we would like to ask the Mu family to make a start."

Mu Zhonghe remained silent for a moment.

"Alright, the Mu family accepts!"

"I guarantee that within seven days, the people of Qingzhou who have suffered from the disaster will receive what they want."

Xiao Lie turned around, looked at Mu Cheng'an, and still had a bright smile on his face.

"Young Master Mu, you should learn from your grandfather. No matter how old you are, you still have to act like a grandson!"

He patted Mu Cheng'an on the shoulder, not hard, but Mu Cheng'an's shoulder subconsciously hunched over.

"Remember, don't be so arrogant in front of me!"

Xiao Lie left.

Mu Cheng'an stood there, clutching his head, his expression extremely distorted.

Mu Zhonghe looked at his grandson and sighed.

"Cheng'an, do you know what you did wrong today?"

Mu Cheng'an lowered his head and remained silent.

Mu Zhonghe, leaning on his cane, slowly walked back to the back hall, his voice drifting over.

"What makes a noble family a noble family is its intelligence, surpassing that of the vast majority of people in the world!"

"If he can gain a future by spending some money and grain, what harm is there if Xiao Lie uses it to feed his dogs?"

Mu Cheng'an covered his head, looking at his hands covered in blood, and gritted his teeth!

"Xiao Lie!"

"How impressive!"

"This is such a humiliation, I'll settle the score with you slowly!"

After leaving the Mu family, Xiao Lie went to the Qingzhou government office.

Du Ming was guarding the door. When he saw Xiao Lie arrive, he quickly went to greet him.

Xiao Lie skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point.

"Lord Du, do you know how many people have died in the seven towns and five counties in eastern Qingzhou?"

Du Ming's hand trembled.

"This humble official... roughly estimates, over two thousand households."

"More than two thousand households?"

Xiao Lie repeated it.

"Do you know what it looks like when more than two thousand households are piled up together?"

"To prevent an even more terrible plague, I didn't even have time to bury those people properly, so I could only dig a large pit and bury them..."

"Do you know how big that pit was?"

"Do you know how heartbreaking it was for those who survived, kneeling before the pit and weeping?"

"They are the people under your jurisdiction! You are their benefactor!"

"If you send me more men, even just a hundred or a few dozen!"

"Perhaps many of them will survive!"

Du Ming's face turned pale, and his lips trembled a few times.

"Your Highness, I...I have my reasons...My family..."

Xiao Lie looked at him, without getting angry or slamming his fist on the table, and simply spoke calmly.

"Lord Du, there's no need for further explanation; I understand..."

"It's nothing more than family interests; they insist on waiting for the situation to become clear before taking sides and expressing their opinions."

"But what I don't understand is, Lord Du, why must the common people pay for your suffering with their lives?!"

Du Ming froze completely.

Xiao Lie just watched him quietly, watching his eyes redden, watching him beat his chest in regret, watching him wail like a child.

Xiao Lie didn't know what Du Ming was thinking, but at least he could tell that this person knew right from wrong.

After a long while, Du Ming finally composed himself and bowed to Xiao Lie as if he had lost his soul.

"Your humble servant, Du Ming, on behalf of the people of Qingzhou, pays his respects to Your Highness!"

Xiao Lie raised an eyebrow and asked casually.

"What? Judging from Lord Du's appearance, does he intend to atone with his death?"

Du Ming did not deny it, but instead let out a long sigh.

"Du's momentary lapse of judgment led to the suffering of the people, who, though not killed... why?"