Lin Rushu's eyes reddened slightly. "How did Your Highness know that I wanted to investigate my uncle's affairs...?"
Xiao Zhixing sighed helplessly, "You routinely browse through books about the North and the Northern Barbarians in the Gentleman's Courtyard; I'm not blind."
Lin Rushu suddenly realized, "Thank you, Your Highness, for letting me go to Mengzhou."
It was close to the Northern Barbarians, and she couldn't help but want to go there immediately. One day she would find out the truth and not let her uncle die in vain.
Xiao Zhixing patted her shoulder, "Silly girl, how can a weak woman like you investigate? I promised Song Xiaolian that I would save his 20,000 men, and I have been investigating the whole story of the Guixiong Pass mutiny. I already have some clues, so let's not rush."
“You go to Montreal first and get involved. I really need Montreal, and I will send you there first to find out what’s going on there.”
Mengzhou was the largest prefecture in Dasheng. It was almost entirely plains, fertile land for thousands of miles. Unfortunately, due to the threat from the northern barbarians, it was sparsely populated and underdeveloped, resulting in a huge waste of land.
She wanted to use it as a granary for the north to supply the army's provisions.
There are also abundant mineral deposits, with the largest reserves in Beizhou and Mengzhou, all waiting to be developed.
Lin Rushu nodded, "I know what's important."
No one was a fool; they could all see that Xiao Zhixing was urgently making moves in the north.
Perhaps the emperor and his officials just thought she was being delusional.
But these people held her in the highest esteem and trusted her completely, and they would carry out her ideas and commands without any hesitation.
They knew how broad her mind and how far she could see.
No arrangement is a joke; she must have her own purpose.
Needless to say, Li Wenxiu will come with me. In the future, she will be my personal assistant and financial manager, but she still needs some training.
Then there's Zhao Xianyin, this clever and shrewd girl. Zhao Kun taught her to be quick-witted, eloquent, and adept at social maneuvering, with a mind full of wisdom.
If he were a man, he would be the best candidate for diplomat.
"Your Highness, I thought you weren't planning to summon Yinyin." She pouted coquettishly as soon as she arrived, striking first with her small lips.
Xiao Zhixing smiled and said, "Here, I'll personally pour you tea to apologize. Will you accept it?"
Zhao Xianyin smiled and gracefully walked over to sit opposite her, accepting the tea with both hands. "Of course I'll accept it. It's rare to drink tea personally poured by the Prince."
Xiao Zhixing sized her up. This girl was slippery and impartial, just like her grandfather. It would take some effort to win her over.
Sending her to Suzhou was based on two reasons: first, her abilities, and second, whether she was one of their own. They wouldn't be too upset if she ended up in the hands of the Feng family.
Of course, she also wanted to see how the Zhao family would treat the Feng family.
Thirdly, sending a neutral party would make the Feng family less wary. With Zhao Xi following along and Xiong Chumo nearby, Zhao Xianyin might create some surprises.
Zhao Xianyin held the cup and let her look her over, smiling, "Why is Your Highness looking at me like that? It's making my heart flutter."
Xiao Zhixing chuckled, "Once you've drunk my tea, you're not allowed to give me any evasive answers. Tell me, are you satisfied with sending me to Suzhou?"
Zhao Xianyin tilted her head and winked playfully, "What if Yinyin says she's not satisfied?"
Xiao Zhixing served tea with a perfunctory smile, "It's too late then, or perhaps I misjudged you."
Zhao Xianyin's eyes sparkled as she put down her teacup, cupped her face, and smiled sweetly. "I'm not lying to you, Yinyin has no complaints. I just need Your Highness to give me some pointers on what you need me to do."
The implication was that he wouldn't do more or less than expected, just fulfill his duties and expectations, and he would also remind her not to make unreasonable demands.
Xiao Zhixing put down his teacup and smiled lightly. "Suzhou is beautiful. It has the water towns of Jiangnan and majestic hills. It's just that the people there are a bit cunning. You, a young woman, should be careful. Xiong Chumo next door is very reliable. If you encounter any difficulties, just contact him."
Zhao Xianyin continued to smile, her eyes flickering with a hint of seriousness. "May I ask Your Highness a question: were your actions for personal gain or for the public good?"
Was it to deal with the Feng family or to guard against the Southern Barbarians?
Xiao Zhixing's smile deepened slightly, "Both exist and are not contradictory."
The Feng family has a deep-rooted alliance with the Southern Barbarians; dealing with the Feng family is tantamount to dealing with the Southern Barbarians.
Zhao Xianyin lowered her eyes and pondered for a few moments before raising her eyelids and regaining her charming smile. "Alright, although I am a woman, I am willing to do my part for this world. I will keep in touch with Young Master Xiong."
Xiao Zhixing respectfully cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you!"
Zhao Xianyin twirled her hair with her fingertips, feeling a little embarrassed. "Your Highness is too kind. I don't even know if I'll be able to do my best when I get there."
Xiao Zhixing's smile became more genuine. "How could a disciple personally taught by Minister Zhao not be capable?"
Zhao Xianyin covered her mouth and giggled, "If Your Highness were a man, this mouth of yours would surely make a girl so happy that she would give her her life for you."
Xiao Zhixing teased, "Did I make you overjoyed?"
Zhao Xianyin couldn't help but laugh out loud again, her laughter melodious and charming. "Yes, Your Highness, why don't you say a few more sweet words to me?"
After seeing Zhao Xianyin off, she saw Mu Zixi one last time.
"Huo Baijun is going to Yangzhou, where you are neighbors. Brother Mu, you should look after him." Xiao Zhixing got straight to the point.
Mu Zixi smiled gently, "Your Highness is too kind. Bai Jun is also a good friend of mine, and I will naturally stand shoulder to shoulder with him."
Talking to smart people is so easy.
Xiao Zhixing smiled and said, "Alright, then let's put everything into this tea."
The two clinked glasses of fragrant tea.
Xiao Zhixing recalled the follow-up information Yingyi had found about the casino owner; that person might be a secret agent from Nanfan.
However, further investigation revealed a vague connection to Mu Zixi.
It's unclear whether that person deliberately infiltrated Mu Zixi's circle or was actually one of Mu Zixi's people.
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