Winds Rising at the Border
While the Yunshang Pavilion incident had subsided, its aftershocks continued to reverberate within and beyond the imperial court. Minister Liu was suspended and investigated, and the Third Prince's influence was dented. However, Xiao Jingche, known for his decisiveness and refusal to be framed, earned him the admiration of some upright and neutral officials. While the Emperor didn't explicitly state his position, he did, during a small court meeting, take the rare step of asking Xiao Jingche for his views on the situation on the northern Di border, a move that was highly significant.
Lu Qinglan knew this temporary advantage wasn't a safe haven. The Third Prince and Prince An, having lost a crucial source of income and a chess piece, would never let this go. At Yongquan Monastery, had the substitution of medicinal herbs been discovered? And how would the "noble lady of the palace" react when her access to the medicine was blocked? Everything hung like a sword overhead, ready to fall at any moment.
She tightened her grip on the situation. After Yunshang Pavilion reopened, its business flourished thanks to the fame it gained from the unexpected disaster. Chen Xing, tempered by this experience, became more composed and capable. Lu Qinglan seized this opportunity to covertly shift Yunshang Pavilion's business towards information gathering and personnel liaisons, and Shen Chong's caravan was assigned more secret missions.
However, just as undercurrents were surging in the capital, an urgent military report sent over 800 miles broke the apparent calm like thunder - the Northern Di invaded the border, broke through two military towns in a row, and the border was in danger!
The news shocked the entire court. The emperor summoned his ministers overnight for consultation. In the court, the pro-war and pro-peace factions engaged in a heated debate. The pro-peace faction, citing the depleted treasury and the newly established grain transport system as reasons for not resorting to drastic action, advocated sending envoys to negotiate peace, offering gold, silver, and silk in exchange for peace on the border. The pro-war faction, represented by border commanders like Wei Zheng, argued that the Northern Di had ruthless ambitions and that if they were not dealt with head-on, their arrogance would only intensify, leading to a perpetual border crisis.
Xiao Jingche was naturally a key figure in the pro-war faction. He understood that the border conflict presented both a crisis and a tremendous opportunity. If he could achieve something in this matter, it would not only greatly enhance his prestige but also allow him to extend his influence to the Ministry of War and some border troops, which had long been controlled by the Third Prince and his mother's family.
"Your Highness, this battle must be fought, and it must be won." Late at night, Lu Qinglan and Xiao Jingche were conversing privately in their study. "This is not only about national prestige, but also about Your Highness's cause. The Third Prince and his mother's family have been active in the military for many years, and this Northern Di invasion is a blow to them. If Your Highness can demonstrate courage and ability far superior to their own in this battle, it will surely shake their foundation within the military."
Xiao Jingche frowned: "I also know the key to this battle. However, the national treasury is indeed not rich, and the transportation of food and grass is also a big problem. Moreover, those people in the Ministry of War may not fully cooperate." The Minister of War is the uncle of the third prince, and he will definitely create obstacles in this matter.
"Perhaps we can find another way to deal with the grain supply." Lu Qinglan pondered, "With the new grain transport system, the route for transferring grain from the south to the north is now open. Perhaps... we can let Yunshang Pavilion and Shen Chong's caravans, in the name of private businesses, help transport some non-core military supplies. This will not only ease the pressure on the court, but also allow us to extend our reach to the border." This is a risky move, but if handled properly, the benefits will be huge.
A hint of surprise flashed across Xiao Jingche's eyes, and then turned into deep thought: "Princess, this plan... is bold! But it is indeed possible. However, the risks are also not small."
"Risks and opportunities coexist." Lu Qinglan said firmly, "And this move is not just for Your Highness, but also for the soldiers on the border and the stability of the country. I will have Shen Chong select the most reliable personnel and carry out the operation in the most covert manner."
Xiao Jingche stared at her for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright! I'll leave this matter to the princess to handle in secret. I will publicly push for the military deployment and negotiate with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to ensure the supply of food, fodder, and weapons."
Just as the two were making a plan, Lin Wanru hurriedly asked for a meeting with a rare excitement on her face.
"Princess, Your Highness!" She saluted and spoke impatiently, "I just received a secret letter from my brother. The Northern Di invaded the border this time, and their vanguard commander is none other than the enemy who murdered my maternal grandfather and nearly wiped out my Lin family's branch—Left Wise King Hu Yanzhuo! My brother's letter said that in this battle, he will fight to the death, eliminating this scourge for the country and avenging the shame of our family!"
Lu Qinglan and Xiao Jingche exchanged a glance, each seeing the solemnity in the other's eyes. Lin Wanru's military background was particularly important at this moment. Her connections with the border commanders, especially her brother, were a force to be reckoned with.
"Concubine Lin," Xiao Jingche said in a deep voice, "This battle concerns the fate of our nation, as well as the personal vendetta of your Lin family. I intend to lead the charge, and I hope you can lend me a helping hand."
Lin Wanru immediately knelt on one knee and gave a standard military salute, her eyes burning with the flames of revenge and a resolute will: "Although I am a woman, I also understand the righteousness of my country and family! If Your Highness commands, my brother and I will not refuse even if it means death!"
With the unequivocal support of Lin Wanru and the Lin family behind her, Xiao Jingche felt even more confident. The next day, at court, he shed his usual composure and fiercely refuted the pro-peace arguments, citing classic texts and laying out the pros and cons. He then volunteered to coordinate the supply of food and supplies to the front lines. His passionate and courageous attitude resonated with many military commanders and pragmatic officials.
The emperor ultimately decided to send troops to fight, appointing the experienced and prudent General Wei Zheng as commander-in-chief to oversee the war. He also ordered the seventh prince, Xiao Jingche, to assist in the management of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, responsible for logistics support.
As soon as the imperial edict was issued, all parties sprang into action. Although the Third Prince's faction was unwilling to accept the outcome, they could not openly obstruct the war, so they could only create obstacles in secret, especially by delaying the allocation of food and fodder and the supply of military equipment.
Lu Qinglan also sprang into action. Through Chen Xing, she issued instructions to Shen Chong. Soon, caravans bearing the banners of various trading companies, laden with military supplies like grain, medicinal herbs, and leather, quietly headed north along the newly opened canal transport routes. These supplies were not transported directly to the military camps, but rather dispersed to several important border cities. They were received by liaison points secretly established by Yunshang Pavilion and, depending on the situation on the front lines, were then delivered to Wei Zheng's army through various channels.
Meanwhile, Lu Qinglan continued to monitor the capital, especially the Yongquan Temple and Prince An's Mansion. She had a hunch that the Northern Di invasion might be connected to a conspiracy within the capital. Perhaps the conflict on the border was an opportunity for someone to disrupt the situation and take advantage of the situation.
As expected, as the border war intensified and the imperial court's attention was largely drawn there, Zhao Tieshou reported: Prince An's Palace seemed to have relaxed its vigilance recently. Steward Hu had become active again, and was in frequent contact with several unidentified Western Region merchants. Meanwhile, at Yongquan Temple, the replacement of medicinal herbs seemed to have gone unnoticed, and the alchemy room was bustling with activity day and night, as if the alchemy process had reached a critical juncture.
The storm is about to come, and the beacon fires at the border and the undercurrents in the capital are intertwined at this moment.
Lu Qinglan knew that the real test had just begun. She had to maintain stability on both the border and the capital. A mistake in either area could have fatal consequences.
She stood on the highest watchtower in the palace, gazing northward. There lay the battlefield where Wei Zheng and Lin Wanru's brother had fought bloody battles; beneath her feet lay the capital, shrouded in countless demons and monsters.
The wind came from the border, carrying the breath of blood and fire, and also brought the torrent of the times that determined the fate of countless people.
And she will surely cut through the waves in this torrent and cross the vast ocean!
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