Dong Shulan knew about her father's situation in the Yu Dynasty.

Yan Xiaolou also had the same concerns as her.

Although Yan Qingyi married Yu Wendao and became the queen of the Yu Dynasty, the Yan family's position in the Yu Dynasty was also extremely embarrassing.

Yan Shidao was the prime minister, but his words were not as effective as Zhuo Liuyun's.

Yan Xiaolou's father, the Minister of War Yan Haochu, was also in an even more awkward situation. Although the position of Minister remained unchanged, the half of the Tiger Talisman for mobilizing troops in the Ministry of War had been taken back by Yu Wendao.

Both Dong Shulan and Yan Xiaolou wrote letters to Jinling, but in their reply letters, they did not mention whether they would come to Wu Dynasty or not.

The night wind was slightly chilly. Dong Shulan was silent for a long time before she spoke: "I'll write another letter to ask my father's opinion."

Both the Dong and Yan families had many people serving as officials in the Yu Dynasty.

Almost all the people from the two families who came to the Wu Dynasty were women and children from their families. None of the men serving in the court were able to leave.

The relationship between the two countries is quite strange now. The two rare letters between the brother-in-law and the brother-in-law were about business and trade, but there was no mention of reminiscing about the past.

Back in Jinling, these two were close brothers who could drink and talk together at night and even fought side by side.

Of course, the two countries appear quite calm on the surface, at least there is no tension like a showdown.

Even in border towns, merchants from the two countries were extremely friendly, and the trade of goods became increasingly prosperous.

"Father has a lot of concerns. If I really insist on staying here..." Dong Shulan looked up at Fu Xiaoguan, "Father said he's worried you'll attack the Yu Dynasty again. That would inevitably cause a large number of casualties among the people, and ultimately, both sides would suffer losses."

"Xiaolou's father wrote back saying the same thing, so they're now... they're just bearing the humiliation. They've all submitted their resignations to Yu Wendao, but he hasn't approved them yet. I think Yu Wendao's reason for keeping them here is to guard against you."

The night wind was blowing gently, and Fu Xiaoguan stood with his hands behind his back.

He sighed in his heart, but smiled and said, "Let's leave it like this for now. We will return to Jinling sooner or later."

Dong Shulan was shocked. This was the second time Fu Xiaoguan said this!

The first time he said that the peach blossoms on the West Hill had already bloomed, and we couldn’t go back for the time being—for the time being, sooner or later… “Are you really going to attack the Yu Dynasty?”

Yu Dynasty is also Dong Shulan’s hometown!

She also did not want the two countries to go to war, especially Yu Wenjun. In order to reassure Yu Wenjun, her husband canonized her as queen, but Yu Wenjun was a princess of the Yu Dynasty after all, and her inner worries were heavier than Dong Shulan's.

The two of them were close friends who could talk about anything, so they naturally talked a lot about this matter in the harem.

Yu Wenjun knew that her father had once stabbed her husband. She resented her father, but he was her father after all, and her husband was fine after all. What she hoped was that her husband could forgive her father and let go of Yu Chao.

Now after hearing what Fu Xiaoguan said, Dong Shulan understood that she had not let go of her husband's heart.

What they didn't know was that Fu Xiaoguan didn't hate the Yu Dynasty. If he did, with the mountain of gold in his hands and his 300,000-man Divine Sword Army, he could have directly attacked the Yu Dynasty.

He did not do so because he did not want to have a Yu Dynasty that had suffered from war.

He deeply loved that land and the people on that land.

So he used another method, which was gentler and took longer.

"There's no need to attack the Yu Dynasty. At most, we can scare Yu Wendao a little. Don't forget, I was born and raised in the Yu Dynasty. Let's go. The meat is ready."

…

…

Jinling City of the Yu Dynasty, Yan Prefecture.

The light in Yan Beixi's study was still on, and the wind blowing in from the open window caused the candlelight to sway slightly.

"Father, this position is extremely boring. I would like to submit my resignation to His Majesty." Yan Haochu looked up at Yan Beixi cautiously and said, "Xiaolou said... If you want to leave, I will send Zhou Tongtong to meet you. What do you think, father?"

Yan Beixi put down his teacup and thought for a moment, then turned to look at Master Yan and asked, "Do you think so too?"

Master Yan was silent for a few breaths. "My son is different from my second brother. Qingyi is now the Empress of the Yu Dynasty, and Xiwen is now the Governor of Linjiang. Even if I resign as Prime Minister... I'm afraid it would be difficult for me to leave Jinling."

Yan Beixi nodded slightly and looked at Yan Haochu, "Wait a little longer."

"Waiting for what?"

"Wait for Dong Kangping's decision."

Yan Haochu looked confused, not knowing what his resignation had to do with Dong Kangping's decision.

"He's the Minister of Revenue. Don't think that his power has been hollowed out by Chang Huan. After so many years of running the Ministry of Revenue, this old fox has hidden himself very well."

"The reason I asked you to wait a little longer is that I don't understand Dong Kangping's purpose in enduring humiliation. Logically, it would be easier for him to leave the Yu Dynasty than for you, but look at him. He still attends court as usual and does his work as usual. Even when Emperor Yuan summoned him to the Imperial Study, he would at most ignore it and not express his opinion..."

"I have a clear understanding of the current national policy. Yu Chao is learning, but I am afraid that he will end up with nothing after all his efforts. If that is the case... it explains Dong Kangcheng's inaction. He is waiting, waiting for the day when this edifice will collapse."

Master Yan was shocked. "Could this be a strategy of mine?"

"I can't say for sure. I don't understand it right now. But according to my wisdom, if he wants to plot against the Yu Dynasty, this chess game will be very complicated, shrouded in clouds and mist, and I'm afraid no one will be able to see clearly."

"Will he plot against the Yu Dynasty?"

Yan Beixi shook his head again. "Father doesn't know either. Anyway, since you've been deliberately excluded by His Majesty in the court, then learn from Dong Kangping and take it easy with a cup of tea. Remember, keep contact with Xiaolou as little as possible. When it comes to policies regarding the Wu Dynasty, don't speak unless His Majesty asks."

"A few days ago, my father went to Dong's house for a short visit and saw a calligraphy piece there that was quite interesting."

"The bamboo is half a curtain, but my heart is as clear as water;

It's just a dream, let the world be as cold as ice."

Yan Beixi slowly stood up and walked to the window. The breeze blew his white hair. He sighed leisurely, "This was written by a humble official. It makes a lot of sense."

He turned around and looked at his two sons, his expression extremely serious and his tone extremely low: "Remember, those three new nobles from the Wu Dynasty, you must never have any private dealings with them!"

Yan Shidao and Yan Haochu both nodded in agreement. The three tribes were forced into a desperate situation by Fu Xiaoguan in the Wu Dynasty and finally defected to the Yu Dynasty.

The Chen family stole the method of refining white salt from the Muyang Salt Field and is now deeply favored by His Majesty. Just two days ago, His Majesty summoned Chen Shi, the head of the Chen family, and his eldest son Chen Linshen, and granted Chen Linshen the status of a Jinshi and awarded him a fifth-rank doctor - exactly the same as what Emperor Xuan did to Fu Xiaoguan back then.

There is naturally a deeper meaning behind this. Your Majesty wants to use Chen's white salt to turn the tables.