Chapter 63 Bao Si (XI) Stability

As the morning light filtered through the windows of Qiongtai Palace, Lin Jiaojiao was awakened by an electronic voice in her head: "Jiaojiao, Marquis Shen has entered the palace to meet with King You of Zhou at dawn. He's pleading for an important official to assist the Crown Prince in defending the borders, claiming the border crisis requires him to be there. In reality, he's trying to seize control of the Crown Prince's military power. King You of Zhou is showing signs of wavering."

She sat up suddenly and saw a light blue shadow floating in front of the desk - Ling had not rested all night, and the light and shadow were a little dimmer than usual. It was obvious that a lot of energy was consumed in monitoring Shen Hou's movements.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Lin Jiaojiao reached out and touched the light and shadow, feeling a slightly cool touch on her fingertips, with a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.

"I want you to sleep a little longer." Ling's voice was lower than usual. "But the situation is urgent right now. Lord Shen has a clear plan. He knows the Crown Prince will ascend the throne sooner or later. If he wants to take power, he must first seize control of the military. This time, he proposed 'assisting in guarding the border' so that the Crown Prince can rely on him. Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he can use this opportunity to undermine his power. I have compiled a list of the confidants that Lord Shen has secretly planted in the army. Have Ajing send it to Yijiu immediately so he can prepare in advance."

As the light and shadow flickered, a piece of paper covered with handwriting fell beside the pillow, which clearly marked the names and positions of Shen Hou's confidants who were placed in the imperial guards and border defense forces.

Lin Jiaojiao quickly scanned the content, her heart tightening. "He doesn't intend to harm Yijiu, but he's trying to tie Yijiu to his side everywhere. If this continues, even if Yijiu ascends the throne, he'll become his puppet."

"After all, Lord Shen is the Crown Prince's grandfather. He wouldn't really harm the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince's ascension to the throne is the only prerequisite for him to hold power." Ling's light and shadow gently rubbed the back of her hand, as if to comfort her. "But his desire for control is too strong. If we don't expose his schemes in advance, it will be difficult to check and balance the Crown Prince once he ascends the throne. Yijiu volunteered to guard the border alone. This was both to avoid Lord Shen's control and to accumulate independent military merits so that the other princes would recognize his ability, rather than as 'Crown Prince assisted by Lord Shen'."

Lin Jiaojiao nodded and immediately asked Ajing to deliver the note to the East Palace while she quickly washed up. She wore a dark grey cloth skirt today to deliberately reduce her presence. After all, it was not appropriate for women in the front and back palaces to show up too often before and after court meetings, so she could only rely on Yijiu and the old ministers to charge forward.

As soon as she had straightened her dress, Ah Jing hurried back, her face a little excited. "Madam, after His Royal Highness the Crown Prince received the note, he immediately went to the palace and said that he wanted to personally ask the King for permission to 'guard the border alone.' He also said, 'As the Crown Prince, I should take the responsibility independently and don't need Grandpa to worry about it.'"

Lin Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief and was about to sit down when Ling's voice suddenly became alert. "Marquis Shen's men are lingering outside Qiongtai Palace. They're not ordinary patrolling guards, but his close confidants. They're probably trying to find out if you're assisting the Crown Prince behind the scenes. I've activated consciousness interference to make them think you're just resting in the palace. But don't go out for the time being. I'll have Old Zhou send reliable people to protect you."

"Don't push yourself." Lin Jiaojiao watched the light dimming, feeling a little worried. "If it really doesn't work, we can slow down temporarily and ensure safety first."

"Don't worry, I can handle it." Ling's voice was firm, and the light and shadows were slightly brighter. "I've asked Lao Mu to bring the newly made waterproof paper rolls to Qiongtai Palace. His workshop is close here and can help you block those people's sight. Besides... I don't want your efforts to be in vain. Yijiu's initiative to fight for independent border defense is the first step to breaking the control of Shen Hou."

Not long after, Lao Mu's voice came from outside the hall, with a bit of urgency: "Madam Si, Lao Mu has been ordered to deliver the paper roll!" A'mo opened the door of the hall, and Lao Mu walked in carrying a wooden box, followed by two burly craftsmen. They were the people arranged by Ling to protect Lin Jiaojiao.

"These scrolls are waterproof, so they can transmit military intelligence even on rainy days. Your Highness, the Crown Prince, will need them while guarding the border." Lao Mu placed the wooden box on the table and said in a low voice, "Just now, I saw a few unfamiliar guards on the palace road, staring at the Qiongtai Palace. I heard they were Marquis Shen's men. Madam, you must be careful these days."

Lin Jiaojiao nodded and asked Ah Mo to take some small change to Lao Mu. She also reminded him, "Be careful in the workshop too. If strangers come to ask about it, just say you're just repairing ordinary farm tools. Don't reveal the true purpose of papermaking. Lord Shen is keeping an eye on the Crown Prince now, and he might also keep an eye on our movements."

As Lao Mu left, Ling's voice rang out again, "Yijiu has already met with King You of Zhou at the palace. Marquis Shen is also present. The two are arguing over whether Marquis Shen should assist in defending the border. I will pass on the border defense plan you compiled earlier to Yijiu. He can demonstrate his ability with a specific tactical plan and convince King You of Zhou."

Lin Jiaojiao walked over to the table and looked at the palace scene projected by light and shadow. Yijiu was holding a piece of paper and explaining the tactics to King You of Zhou. "Father, I have formulated a plan. I will use new paper to quickly transmit military intelligence so that the defenders of each city can communicate with each other. At the same time, I will unite the princes loyal to the royal family to stabilize the border defense. I don't need your personal assistance. I am an adult and should independently assume the responsibility of protecting the Western Zhou Dynasty!"

Marquis Shen stood aside, his face grim, unable to find a reason to refute. Yijiu's detailed plan, including the usefulness of the new paper, brightened King You's eyes. "Your Majesty, while the Crown Prince is ambitious, the border situation is complex. As his grandfather, it is my duty to assist him!" Marquis Shen continued to struggle, his tone firm and unyielding.

"Lord Shen is wrong!" Yijiu retorted immediately, "I understand Grandpa's intentions, but if I continue to rely on you, when will I ever be able to truly stand on my own? Furthermore, the government needs Grandpa's assistance to my father. How can we allow the court to be in turmoil over border issues?"

King You of Zhou took the plan handed over by Yijiu, looked at Shen Hou again, and finally made the final decision: "Let's follow the Crown Prince's advice. The Crown Prince will lead the army to guard the border alone, and Shen Hou will stay to assist in government affairs. You are not allowed to mention the matter of 'assisting in guarding the border' again!"

Hearing this, Lin Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the light and shadow in front of the case: "It succeeded. Yijiu can guard the border alone. The Lord Shen's plan has failed."

Ling's shadow flickered slightly, and a hint of relief lingered in his voice. "But Lord Shen won't give up. I've discovered he's secretly withheld some of the military rations—not to harm the Crown Prince, but to force him to beg him, to make him understand he can't leave him. When the Crown Prince runs out of food at the border, he'll use the excuse of 'delivering food' to pressure the Crown Prince into placing his trusted aides in his place."

"They even have this trick up their sleeve?" Lin Jiaojiao frowned. "Yijiu has just taken command of the army. If he runs out of food, it will not only affect morale, but will also make the other princes think he's incompetent. Lord Shen is trying to use a combination of kindness and force to force Yijiu to rely on him."

"I've discovered that the military rations are stored in the granary west of the palace, guarded by Marquis Shen's trusted aides." Ling's light and shadow fell on the table, projecting the granary's security situation. "Lao Zhou and Xiao Tao can help. Lao Zhou will distract the guards, while Xiao Tao will seize the opportunity to open the granary and transfer the military rations to Yijiu's transport team. This will help Yijiu resolve the food shortage while also saving him from owing Marquis Shen a favor."

Lin Jiaojiao nodded and immediately asked Ajing to contact Xiaotao and Lao Zhou to arrange for action tonight.

After arranging everything, she sat at the desk, looking at the waterproof paper roll on the desk, her heart full of emotion. Although Shen Hou's calculations were deep, he never crossed the bottom line of "protecting the prince's ascension to the throne". It was just that behind this "good for the prince", there was too much desire for power.

What she and Ling have to do is to help Yijiu break free from control and truly grasp the real power without destroying family ties.

As night fell, the candles in the Qiongtai Palace lit up.

Lin Jiaojiao sat at the desk, with Ling's light and shadow accompanying her, and the two waited for news together.

"Remember when we dealt with the drought together in Weishui?" Lin Jiaojiao whispered. "Back then, you helped me calculate irrigation routes, and I led the people in digging canals. In the end, we were able to save our crops. Back then, we had no idea we'd be faced with such a complex power struggle."

"Of course I remember." Ling's voice was filled with nostalgia. "You also said that you would plant locust trees along the Wei River. When the flowers bloomed, it would look like a white ocean. Now that I think about it, the peace and stability of that time has become the time I miss the most."

The interplay of light and candlelight creates a warm and peaceful atmosphere in the hall.

At that moment, Ah Jing hurried in, her face filled with excitement. "Madam! It's a success! Lao Zhou distracted the guards, and Xiao Tao opened the granary. The military rations have been successfully transferred to the Crown Prince's transport team. The Marquis Shen's confidants haven't noticed yet. His Royal Highness sent someone to say that once he reaches the border, he will use new paper to promptly convey military information so that Madam and the ministers won't worry!"

Lin Jiaojiao and Ling both breathed a sigh of relief, their shadows shimmering, as if they were smiling. "That's great! Yijiu no longer has to worry about Lord Shen's face and can now work peacefully on the border," Lin Jiaojiao said with a smile, her eyes filled with relief.

Ling's shadow gently fell on her shoulder, and his voice was filled with reassurance: "We have broken the plan of Lord Shen, and Yijiu has successfully guarded the border independently. From now on, as long as he makes meritorious contributions on the border, he will be able to completely break free from Lord Shen's control and win the recognition of the princes. Once he ascends the throne, we can truly rest assured."

Lin Jiaojiao nodded and looked at the moonlight outside the window.

She knew that Lord Shen would not give up power easily, and there would be more games in the future, but at least now, Yijiu had taken the first step towards independence, and that was enough.

As long as Ling is by his side and with the support of Yijiu and the old ministers, he will be able to find a balance between "protecting the crown prince's ascension to the throne" and "checking and balancing the power of Lord Shen", safeguarding the stability of the Western Zhou Dynasty and this hard-won independence.