Compared to the winter chill of the northern lands, the capital already bears some signs of spring.
The palace maids donned spring attire, fluttering through the palace like butterflies, adding some brightness to the solemn imperial palace.
Unfortunately, the emperor had no heart to appreciate this good scenery.
Lu Yunqi stood outside the hall's doors, hearing the emperor inside slapping the table with a memorial to the throne.
"Wasn't it agreed to negotiate peace? What are these Jurchen people still clamoring about? What is Huang Cheng doing?"
"Lord Huang has always been earnestly negotiating with the Jurchen people, striving for more interests for our great Zhou."
"Why are the Jurchen people still clamoring?"
"There have been some recent issues in the northern lands, which the Jurchen people are very displeased with."
"What issues could possibly arise in the northern lands? Is it Zhu Shan causing trouble again?"
A Jinyiwei hurriedly approached, interrupting Lu Yunqi from listening to the emperor's words inside.
"My lord, there is news from the northern lands." He bowed his head respectfully, then stepped forward and spoke softly.
Lu Yunqi took a few steps outward, standing under the corridor columns, looking at the Jinyiwei.
"Where is she?" he asked.
"In Shenzhou," the Jinyiwei replied.
Lu Yunqi frowned slightly.
"Did she really travel from Qingyuan Prefecture to Shenzhou? Why hasn't Eighteenth Jin sent any messages back?" he asked.
The Jinyiwei was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Lu Yunqi.
"My lord, I'm referring to the Duke of Chengguo's heir's news," he said.
Lu Yunqi's brow relaxed.
"His news should indeed have surfaced." He said faintly, "So he went to Shenzhou after all."
You knew already, my lord? The Jinyiwei was somewhat surprised.
Lu Yunqi took a few steps forward, the spring breeze swirling between the palace halls lifted the edge of his crimson robe.
"The Duchess Cheng and Heir's Wife have gone to Bazhou." He said lightly, "As a son and a husband, how can one hide behind and let women suffer interrogation and harassment?"
The Jinyiwei understood, knowing that when the Duchess Cheng and Heir's Wife appeared in Hejian Prefecture, they were the first to know and indeed had to go to Hejian and Bazhou to find them.
Now that Duke of Chengguo's heir has surfaced in Shenzhou, the Jinyiwei naturally no longer need to seek out the Duchess Cheng.
"Moreover, the women have gone to do the great deeds of defending the country and protecting the people, how would the Lord Heir hide and sneak around?" Lu Yunqi said indifferently, "These people loyal to the country and the people, full of courage and righteousness, truly admirable and respectable."
These words seemed heartfelt but were also indifferent and distant, leaving the Jinyiwei uncertain how to react.
They only
"Should we capture him?" the Jinyiwei asked.
"No need to capture." Lu Yunqi said.
Because Zhu Zan is loyal to the country and the people, perhaps to save and protect the people of Baozhou in Shenzhou by moving south? Such a thing is indeed a righteous deed.
A thought flashed through the Jinyiwei's mind.
"Kill him." Lu Yunqi said, turning his back.
The Jinyiwei's heart tightened, he bowed his head in response, turned, and walked away quickly.
Lu Yunqi walked once more towards the hall's entrance, and someone calmly turned around from the side.
"Oh my, Thousand-Man Commander Lu."
A slightly exaggerated voice followed.
Lu Yunqi looked over and saw a man wearing a princely robe, whose eyes were hidden whether from smiling or from plumpness, stepping over.
"Prince Xian." He bowed in salute.
Prince Xian had already reached out and wrapped his arm.
"Commander is too modest." He said, winking with a smile, "No, I shouldn't be calling you Commander anymore."
Lu Yunqi had officially become a Commander of the Jinyiwei at the start of the year, though his status had long been thus.
Lu Yunqi bowed again in salute.
"What is His Majesty doing?" Prince Xian asked quietly with some sneakiness.
"He is speaking with Lord Liu and others in the cabinet," Lu Yunqi replied.
Prince Xian's eyes brightened, but even then they only opened to a slit.
"That's great." He said, "Is it that the Jurchen people are about to pay?"
Saying this, without waiting for Lu Yunqi to respond, he hurriedly walked towards the hall, smiling as he stretched his head inward.
"Your Majesty." He called.
Lu Yunqi did not stop him, hearing the conversation inside being interrupted.
"What are you doing here?" the emperor asked impatiently.
Prince Xian was not frightened by the emperor's attitude, smiling as he walked in.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, when will the Jurchen people pay?" he asked.
The emperor glared.
"All you think about is money." He said, glancing at him and thinking of something, "Have you gone to the Empress Dowager again? Do you want money again?"
Prince Xian sat down in front of the emperor, waving dismissively at the ministers paying salute.
"No." He cried out, looking aggrieved, "Now that the country is at war, the empresses have reduced their expenses, how could I come to ask for money from them?"
The emperor sighed, looking at the ministers.
"In the past, they knew not what was right, now, at such a time, they all understand." He said with a hint of frustration, "In the past, everyone spoke reasonably, now they are still messing with me."
This naturally referred to the Duke of Chengguo.
The ministers nodded in agreement.
"So now the Jurchen people are very angry." A minister continued, "Asking whether we sincerely want peace, if not, then forget it..."
Forgetting it would naturally mean continuing the fight, the emperor immediately grew nervous, just about to speak when Prince Xian leaned in first.
"I heard that troops from Hejian Prefecture are escorting civilians south in Bazhou and other places." He said, gesticulating with excitement, "Beating the Jurchen people to a hasty retreat."
The ministers nodded.
"Yes, clearly the ceasefire had been agreed, yet the Duke of Chengguo allowed his wife to stir the troops and officials in Hejian to act like this, it's really..." they said, shaking their heads with worry.
Prince Xian huffed.
"This is a good thing." He clapped and said, "It shows how formidable we are."
Formidable? The formidable act of the Duke of Chengguo it seems, for not even listening to the emperor's words, indeed making the emperor appear weak.
The ministers had expressions that were somewhat amused.
"Enough, at this time, it's not about being formidable or not." The emperor said, annoyed.
"Your Majesty." Prince Xian waved his hand and said, "That's not it, at this time, it's negotiation time, if we seem formidable, won't the Jurchen people be more fearful, thus the conditions would naturally be more favorable to us..."
Saying this, he grinned and leaned closer to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, why not let your minister's younger brother also negotiate with the Jurchen people, it doesn't matter about other things, just ask for more annual tribute."
This Prince Xian only had eyes for money.
The emperor snorted.
"Turns out you're thinking of hitting the Jurchen people for money." He said, "Truly ridiculous."
He spoke and pressed his forehead.
"Money is not the major issue, the safety and peace of the realm and the people's enjoyment of tranquility is what's most critical." He said solemnly to the ministers, "Tell Huang Cheng that if the Jurchen people have sincerity, we should also be a bit sincere and quickly resolve this matter."
With sincerity, it would be manageable.
The ministers bowed and responded affirmatively.
As they walked out of the palace hall, the ministers joked and laughed as they left, Prince Xian with hands clasped, smiling cheerfully, was last.
"Lord Lu hasn't left yet?" he called out to Lu Yunqi.
Lu Yunqi bowed his head in salute.
Prince Xian walked past him, the smile on his face faded as he looked at the towering palace.
"Safety and peace of the realm, people's tranquility." He murmured, his squinted eyes slowly widened, revealing a slow ridicule.
.....................…
"Of course it's for the safety of the realm and the people's tranquility!"
Within the government office in Shenzhou, Zhu Zan declared, gesturing at the assembled officials.
"This is what you all are here for."
He then gestured towards himself.
"As for me, of course, it's to redeem myself through meritorious service."
He said this with a shrug.
"Everyone knows, I'm currently a wanted man, and I know I'm guilty, but I think instead of wasting grain in the capital, I should do something useful, even if it means dying at the hands of the Jurchen, killing a few more Jin thieves would be atonement."
The people in the hall exchanged glances, having observed for a long time and seeing the troops from Hejian Prefecture victorious in Bazhou, and with the grand words of the Duchess Cheng circulating, everyone's thoughts were stirred, they just needed an opportunity.
This opportunity naturally needed someone to take charge and thus bear any consequences that arise.
After all, the Duchess Cheng had not yet come here to give orders.
Now it was set, with the Duke of Chengguo's heir indeed coming, and also suggesting they go to Baozhou to rescue and evacuate the people.
As for the heir being a wanted man by the dynasty, well, extraordinary times called for extraordinary measures.
The guard of Shenzhou, Jiang Cheng, solemnly nodded.
"We are just about to take such actions." He said, "Since the Lord Heir is willing to redeem himself through service, let us act together, but you must follow our command, do not act on your own, for you are now waiting for punishment, waiting for us to report to the dynasty and await orders."
It was now extraordinary times, and delays in reporting were understandable.
Zhu Zan nodded.
"I shall comply with your arrangements." He said formally.
Jiang Cheng's expression softened slightly, then he turned to Zhu Zan, seemingly remembering something.
"So Lord Heir is now betrothed?" he asked.
Zhu Zan laughed heartily.
"Indeed." His laughter faded, his expression earnest, "I am betrothed."
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Thanks to Huayan Sanmei for the platinum alliance leader reward. Thank you, thank you.
Thanks to the southern Ice One for the reward of the celestial fate flower. Thank you.
Thanks to Ye Sanmo Ricardo, lilian820, Ling Cangyun, Her Sujin Years, Three Visits to Sanming, Foxmaking Fei Wei, MAX Rock, Jing Sanshao, josephine11, ?Last Shot?, Mu Mou2004, Bookworm of Green Vegetables, and a finger of incense for rewarding He's Bi.
Thanks to everyone, thank you all.