"Actually, besides seeking medical treatment, I also wanted to discuss a collaboration with you during my trip to Beijing."
The "you" he was referring to were naturally Xiao Qingyin and Yi Shuihan.
"What kind of cooperation?"
"You send someone to escort me back to my country, and I'll help you recover the twenty million taels of silver my elder brother swindled away. How about that?"
Xiao Qingyin stared at him intently for a moment.
"Why should I believe that a border general who can't even protect himself can recover the silver?"
Helian Ye showed no embarrassment whatsoever.
"This assassination attempt was due to my negligence; it will never happen again."
The border army was officially authorized to have 50,000 men, but in reality, I also maintained a private army of 50,000 to 60,000 men. These men were mixed in with the border army and all obeyed my command.
While 100,000 men might not be enough to sweep through the Northern Jin, they could certainly carve out a territory amidst the chaos.
My father is currently bedridden, and my elder brother and the other brothers are fighting fiercely. If I can return to the country smoothly, I can create some chaos first, then unite with the forces that are attached to me to cleanse the court of corrupt officials and launch an attack on the capital.
"Once we capture the capital and confiscate my elder brother's property, we can naturally recover those twenty million taels."
It sounds like it has some merit.
Xiao Qingyin remained noncommittal.
He simply asked him, "Your elder brother is incredibly intelligent; surely he can handle your simple tricks?"
Helian Ye smiled broadly.
The next moment, he gasped in pain as the wound on his abdomen was pulled.
“He can handle it, but he’ll probably be too busy taking care of himself to help me.”
Xiao Qingyin raised an eyebrow: "How come he can't even take care of himself?"
"I will reveal his biggest secret."
Xiao Qingyin showed a hint of curiosity.
"What secret?"
Before Helian Ye could speak, Meng Zhu said, "I'll go out first."
The secrets of important figures are not something a nobody like her can hear.
After she left, Helian Ye chuckled, "This young lady is quite self-aware. May I ask who she is?"
Xiao Qingyin replied, "The daughter of our Minister of Rites is also my student."
"I see."
Helian Ye suddenly realized.
"No wonder she brought you here. I thought this was your estate."
Xiao Qingyin smiled slightly.
Helian Ye then revealed the biggest secret of his good older brother.
“My elder brother is not my father’s bloodline, but was born to his mother and his cousin.”
Xiao Qingyin wasn't too surprised.
The only thing that could threaten a prince's survival and status was impure blood.
Can you prove it?
"Yes," Helian Ye nodded. "I have solid evidence."
"But if he has enough power to force you to step down, even if you expose him, it might not do him any good."
Helian Ye shook his head.
“We in the Northern Jin value bloodlines very much. If his true identity is exposed, the ministers who previously supported him will definitely switch to another camp, and my father will not let him and his mother off the hook.”
He had no military power, only a large group of secret guards and assassins, so even if he tried to extract confessions, it would be difficult to win people's hearts.
"It would be good enough if they could get out unscathed."
Xiao Qingyin felt that things were definitely not as optimistic as he thought.
However, the 20 million taels of silver must be recovered, otherwise the people involved will be driven to despair and collapse.
The silver is currently within the territory of Northern Jin, making it difficult for them to pursue it.
Having an inside contact would definitely make things much easier.
He then said to Helian Ye, "I will speak with Yi Shuihan. Whether or not it is appropriate depends on him. You should rest here at the manor for now. We will send people to protect your safety."
Helian Ye secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He had very few men left after traveling this far, and if Xiao Qingyin and the others were unwilling to cooperate, he certainly wouldn't live much longer.
"Okay, I'll wait for your decision."
Xiao Qingyin then went to Meng Zhu and said, "We will temporarily requisition this estate. I will send someone to talk to your father. As for the people in the estate, we will evacuate as many as possible."
Helian Ye is currently unable to move easily, and the assassins chasing him probably wouldn't expect him to be in such a place.
Staying here is better than moving elsewhere.
Meng Zhu was stunned.
"Should I leave too?"
Xiao Qingyin: "???"
"Do you intend to stay? There might be assassins coming from here."
Meng Zhu gave a wry smile.
"Actually, I didn't just stay here because I played too late with my cousins. I also had a fight with my parents and didn't want to go back home."
"Did you have a fight?"
"Um."
Mengzhu nodded.
“My parents have always been against me going to medical school, saying that it is not good for girls to show their faces in public, especially when they are seeing a doctor and will have to come into contact with patients.”
They recently found me a marriage partner and hope to marry me off as soon as possible.
I didn't want to drop out of school, nor did I want to get married so early. I was afraid of being confined in the manor, so I ran away to the estate.
Xiao Qingyin was not surprised at all that the Meng family could break off the engagement immediately after the Bai family's incident, and that they could raise a daughter like Meng Qi who would do anything.
She patted Mengzhu on the shoulder: "I understand your situation. Don't worry, the imperial court will soon promulgate a marriage law. If your parents dare to force a marriage, they will be punished by law."
Mengzhu's eyes widened.
"Does the new law not allow forced marriages?"
"Yes. Whether it's your parents or someone else who finds a partner for you, you don't have to get married if you're not willing."
Mengzhu was overjoyed.
"Very good!"
She no longer needs to worry about waking up to find herself tied to a bridal sedan chair.
When will this law be promulgated?
"Maybe it will take another two weeks?"
Xiao Qingyin was not entirely sure.
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