Chapter Twelve: Questions and Answers in the Study
In the winter of the 139th year of Zhenguo, fallen leaves fluttered in the courtyard of Guanghe Palace, carrying a touch of desolation. News of the war in the north frequently reached the palace; remnants of the Xiongnu were constantly invading the border, seemingly impossible to completely eradicate. With constant fighting at the front, the national treasury was depleted, and starving people begged in the streets. As a result, rumors spread among the people that if the northern border was not pacified, the fate of the nation might be in danger, and the atmosphere in the palace became even more somber.
That afternoon, Huairou and Yunji were practicing calligraphy in the study as usual. The cold wind was blowing outside the window, making the Xuan paper on the table rustle.
"Your handwriting is getting better and better." Huairou stood beside Yunji, admiring the elegant characters under his pen.
Yunji put down his pen, a wry smile on his face. "Practicing calligraphy can calm the mind, but it can't solve the predicament in the north." These days, the court is embroiled in endless debate over the war in the north. Huairou's father, Minister Guo, and his elder brother, General Qi Yu, have been stationed at the border year-round, with frequent battle reports, but these are always intertwined with good news and bad. The court is deadlocked between the pro-war and pro-peace factions, while the Xiongnu tribes in the north seem like weeds that cannot be eradicated, springing up again with the spring breeze.
Huairou poured him a cup of hot tea, and as the aroma wafted through the air, she softly asked, "Yunji, what do you think is needed to quell the chaos in the north?"
Yunji recalled their conversation at Qingtian Pavilion that night and couldn't help but smile: "Marriage alliance is indeed a good strategy, but it's far from enough. If we want stability on the border, we must use both kindness and force to recover lost territory." He paused, his tone softening, "You understand this best. You haven't seen General Qi Yu and Minister Guo for a long time."
Huairou didn't reply immediately. She walked to the window, gazing at the ginkgo leaves falling in the courtyard, and remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Since I entered the palace, it has indeed been a long time since I saw my father and brothers." Her voice was soft, tinged with longing, "But precisely because of this, I understand even more the key to the war in the North."
She turned to look at Yunji, her eyes clear: "Since ancient times, an army's supplies must precede its march. Our army has been running out of food for years, and the people are suffering. The Xiongnu are naturally skilled in riding and archery. Although they are scattered soldiers, they can always keep the border from being peaceful, whether we advance or retreat.
Yunji had only given a casual reply, but seeing how seriously Huairou was analyzing the situation, he couldn't help but say seriously, "What you say is true. The Xiongnu are a nomadic people who leave when the grass is dry and return when the grasslands turn green again. It is common for them to be unable to conquer the border for a long time by relying solely on the long line of defense set up by the garrison."
“That’s right.” Huairou walked back to the table, dipped his fingertip in the tea, and drew a curve on the table. “Look, this is the terrain of the northern border. The Xiongnu people live by following the water and grass, and their whereabouts are unpredictable. When our army goes on a campaign, they flee to the desert; when the army retreats, they come back again.”
Yunji stared thoughtfully at the gradually drying watermarks on the table: "So, what does Miss think we should do?"
Huairou looked up at him, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Have you ever heard the saying, 'All the world's hustle and bustle is for profit'?"
“The famous saying of Sima Qian,” Yunji nodded, “is that all living beings in the world are striving for their own interests, coming together and parting ways.”
"Have you ever thought about this?" Huairou's voice was gentle yet clear, "that the northern Xiongnu trampled underfoot only because they envied the wealth of my Central Plains? We have silk reeling, cloth weaving, brocade and satin, glazed tiles under our heads, golden houses, fragrant fruits by our side, good weapons, and countless jewels and jades?"
Upon hearing this, Yunji seemed to have a sudden realization. He couldn't help but take two steps closer to Huairou: "Yunji is dull-witted, please enlighten me, young lady."
The winter sun shone through the window, casting dappled shadows between the two. Huairou continued, “The climate in the north is vastly different from that of the Central Plains. Although the grasslands are expansive, they are overgrown with grass but have almost no arable land. Herds of cattle and horses may seem prosperous, but all that's left are animal hides and bones. Production capacity here is weak, and the variety of products is limited. There's no such thing as the luxurious life of the Central Plains. Nomadic life is simply relying on the weather.”
Yunji bowed, still somewhat puzzled: "The young lady's analysis is correct, but what does this have to do with pacifying the northern border? Those cavalrymen who can draw bows and shoot arrows can grow fat and strong by eating mutton, and can wear armor by wearing animal skins."
Huairou smiled, picked up a piece of white paper, dipped his brush in ink, and said: "Therefore, the long-term plan to pacify the north may not lie in fighting each other, but in taking advantage of the situation and promoting trade."
"Trade?" Yunji suddenly realized. Border trade would allow for the exchange of goods! The Northern Barbarians could exchange cattle and horses for the Central Plains' supplies. Compared to the costs of burning, killing, and looting, after trade, everyone's interests would be intertwined, and the cost of money would always be less than the cost of bloodshed.
Seeing that he understood immediately, Huairou's eyes showed approval: "That's right. And..." she lowered her voice, "Father and brother should be back soon, it's time for you to take the lead."
"What? It's my turn to take action?" Yunji stood up in surprise and took a few steps closer to Huairou, asking, "Huairou, what do you mean by that?"
Huairou smiled at him, her eyes filled with encouragement: "Border trade is intended to appease Huairou. As a prince, you have a large army by your side but do not directly command troops. This allows you to demonstrate the majesty and sincerity of our dynasty, as well as to uphold fairness and justice in trade, showcasing your magnanimity towards foreign tribes. The other princes are all busy vying for the position of crown prince, and none of them are willing to leave the capital. If you are willing to ask your father to go there, it will be a paradise for you, where you can soar freely."
For the first time, Yunji felt he could be of such importance to the country, and his heart pounded. He gazed at Huairou; this girl was more than just a ray of sunshine to him; she was radiant with light. Since ancient times, men have been known for their lofty ambitions, and for the first time, Yunji felt not as if he had flown to the heavens, but as if his feet were firmly planted on the ground.
Huairou was very satisfied with his reaction. As a mother, she knew that if she wanted to help the white egret transform into a soaring eagle, this child couldn't be confined to the deep palace forever. She had to find an opportunity for him to go out and establish his own power. The chaos in the north was a perfect opportunity. His father and brother had already stabilized the war at the front and laid the groundwork for trade. The court's current problem was that the war was too long and the battle lines were too stretched, leading to officials at all levels embezzling funds and depleting the national treasury. Recommending Yunji to go to the north now would not only be a good opportunity for him to make meritorious contributions but also fulfill his desire to break free from his confinement.
Seeing Yunji's bright and determined eyes, Huairou felt she had done the right thing. But for this to succeed, she would need the help of two more people.
Just then, it started raining outside the window. Huairou was looking out when Yunji warmed her cold hands in his arms.
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