The conflict began from within.
Consort Chen looked at Sikong Zhao and said, "Ah Zhao, you have a more comprehensive understanding of the situation in Jianzhang City, so you can speak."
Sikong Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, it depends on the situation. Most of them are local Hu people who have settled in Jianzhang for two or three generations and have been registered in the household registration." She looked up and glanced sharply at A Qiu before saying, "In fact, Lord Sile also belongs to this category."
A Qiu immediately felt ashamed. Indeed, her identity as a musician was that of Shi Changqing, the former musician of the Northern Qiang. She herself had forgotten this detail. According to Mu Huaying, even she would have to be expelled from the city.
The deeper meaning behind Sikong Zhao's words is that A Qiu's background has already been investigated by the palace. It's just unknown how far they've gone.
Logically speaking, the identity that Lanling Hall prepared for A Qiu should be foolproof and absolutely appropriate.
Before A Qiu could react, Si Kongzhao continued, "However, this is also the most common situation among all the Hu music troupes in the Music Bureau, whether they are dancers or musicians. Most of them migrated to Jianzhang from the previous generation to serve in the palace, and the current musicians and craftsmen are all children of the previous generation. There are also some who were scattered into the common people during the palace turmoil of the previous generation, married and had children, or even intermarried with Han people. This is one situation."
Mu Huaying snorted and said, "The possibility of him becoming a spy is naturally very small."
A Qiu felt secretly ashamed again. She thought to herself that if they knew that Shi Changqing was the current Northern Qiang National Preceptor Tuoba Han, and also the current master of Lanling Hall, Mu Huaying would never make such a guarantee again.
Sikong Zhao spread his hands and said, "There is another type, similar to these people, who moved to Jianzhang since the previous dynasty. However, they do not engage in court music and dance, but sell camels, spices, naan bread, or even acrobatics on the streets. In short, they do some business passed down from generation to generation, and they have all become Han Chinese."
Mu Huaying said, "Then let's stipulate that any Hu people who have settled in Jianzhang for more than two generations can be cleared of suspicion and treated as good citizens without being expelled. What do you think?"
Sikong Zhao smiled wryly and said, "That's what they say, but if there really are spies, even if two generations have settled in Jianzhang, it's hard to avoid some slipping through the net. No one can guarantee that."
A Qiu felt ashamed, realizing that she herself was the one who had slipped through the net.
Mu Huaying said calmly, "It's alright. To drive out thousands upon thousands of people who have been operating in Jianzhang for generations just for one or two who have escaped the net, especially now during wartime, would surely leave them destitute and displaced. This is not something a wise and prudent ruler should do."
She added, "Moreover, this group of people should have been entirely screened by me personally through the list of Northern Qiang spies provided by Lady Huachi on her deathbed when the Great Yan Kingdom was first established."
A Qiu immediately recalled that Mo Yi Bi Shuang had indeed given Mu Hua Ying a list of Northern Qiang informants within the Southern Dynasty's territory. However, judging from later events, she had not given a complete list; she had only given the list of Hu (non-Han) spies and had not mentioned the names of Han people, namely, the names of Shuang Hua Tang's old friends.
Therefore, Mu Huaying had indeed, at the very beginning of the establishment of the Dayan Kingdom, followed the map and removed all the Northern Qiang spies from the country.
However, Master Wanqiqing's name was clearly not on that list. There is only one possibility: Master Wanqiqing held a very high position in the Northern Qiang and would not be subject to the control of Mo Yi Bishuang, so her name was not under her jurisdiction.
Sikong Zhao said with a sigh of relief, "Then there is only one type of people left: the Hu people who came to Jianzhang to speculate and do business in the nearly ten years since the founding of Dayan Kingdom. This group is mainly concentrated in the West Market. However, I must point out that even among these people, there are not many true Northern Qiang people. Most of them are Jie and Di people from near our border, and there are also people from Gaochang, Kucha, and Persia from the Western Regions."
Judging from Sikong Zhao's expression, she was probably worried that, according to Mu Huaying's principle of "better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free," all the Hu people of the Southern Dynasty would really be expelled from the country. Therefore, when she heard Mu Huaying say that some Hu people could be spared, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Exacerbating internal conflicts before war is not a good choice. Politicians must always make trade-offs.
Mu Huaying frowned and said, "No wonder the Hidden Moon Clan assassin that Lord Si Le mentioned was hiding in the West Market's Hu Ji Dance Hall."
Pei Yu immediately said, "Actually, as Aunt Zhao said, most of the Hu people in Jianzhang are concentrated in the West Market, so it is not difficult to monitor them. The security of the West Market has always been the responsibility of our Divine Hound Battalion. It seems to be lax and without any trace, but in fact, all four gates are strictly guarded, and there is a sentry every ten steps and a guard every hundred steps inside. It is not difficult to put everyone here under surveillance, no matter who they come in or go."
Mu Huaying sized up Pei Yu and calmly said, "You mean, from this moment until the start of the great battle, you can guarantee that nothing will happen in the West Market?"
Pei Yu gritted his teeth and said, “Since I was a child, I have been going to the West Market with my father to buy warhorses from the Di people. Even Huan’er was given to me by the Di gang boss at that time. The West Market is a place full of vitality. Although dangers are always lurking, and gangs and gangs fighting for territory and business are commonplace for these Hu people, I can say that I have watched the West Market grow from scattered and dilapidated stalls all over the streets into the bustling port that occupies half of Jianzhang today. I cannot bear to see it destroyed by our ruling hand because of a single doubt.”
From Pei Yu's words, A Qiu couldn't help but recall the night scene when Gu Yi took her to stroll through the West Market. The dazzling array of goods, the mature and steady shop owners, the exotic beauties of the Hu Xuan tribe... it was not only a land of gold and silver, but also a land of hope for countless people who traveled from the north to the south, striving and making a living all their lives.
She finally couldn't help but interject, "If we narrow our focus to just the Hidden Moon Clan and the old Frostflower Clan, this matter will be much easier to handle, and we won't have to let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch. Of course, this probably doesn't align with Madam Pei's principle of 'better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free.'"
Ah Qiu's last words were spoken with a bitter smile. This was because she had already seen the disapproving look on Mu Huaying's face.
Sikong Zhao, who had always been in charge of the security of the entire capital, had more authority to speak on the matter than anyone else. She concluded, "The problem is that even if we want to expand the scope of our crackdown, the only people we can definitively identify as suspicious are the Hidden Moon Clan and the old Frostflower Clan. We can't just grab anyone off the street and interrogate them to see if they're a spy, or indiscriminately expel all the Hu people from the country, but that would inevitably cause a major upheaval. I'm afraid the conflict will start from within before the Northern Qiang army even reaches the city walls."
Everyone fell silent, waiting quietly for Sikong Zhao's conclusion.
Sikong Zhao concluded, "It would be better if the Grand Master of Music continued to investigate the identified enemies: the Hidden Moon Clan and the old Frostflower Clan; while Yu'er's Divine Hound Camp needs to strengthen its comprehensive surveillance of the West Market, arresting and interrogating anyone whose recent actions are suspicious. This is an extraordinary measure for extraordinary times. As for Sister Huaying,"
She made an apologetic gesture: "I'm afraid we'll have to ask you to come out of retirement again. The Court of Justice's Heavenly Eye and the prison must be fully restarted, and surveillance of all people in the capital must be strengthened. After all, turmoil is imminent, and besides the Hidden Moon Clan, the Frostflower Old People and the West Market, there is a possibility that traitors or spies may emerge from other places."
Mu Huaying remained as cold as ever, but her silence indicated her acquiescence.
In fact, everyone felt that Sikong Zhao's suggestion was the most appropriate solution at present.
Xie Lang, who was leaning against the couch, finally opened his eyes and said in a muffled voice, "We will do as General Sikong says."
At this moment, everyone could see that Xie Lang was already exhausted. Just as Shangguan You was about to suggest that they disperse, a clear and beautiful voice suddenly came from outside the hall: "Yuqi is late because she was in seclusion in the family's forbidden area. Please forgive her, Your Majesty."
A Qiu was suddenly struck by a bright light. It was Shangguan Yuqi, dressed in white like snow and with a serene and divine aura, who entered carrying a sword. Judging from her complexion and eyes, she showed no signs of dejection after being trapped and in danger. On the contrary, she seemed to have gained more insight and wisdom.
Even Xie Lang, who was on his sickbed, felt a surge of energy upon seeing her, as if his condition had improved considerably, not to mention Xie Tiao, who had been standing at the foot of the bed the whole time.
A Qiu knew this was a sign that Shangguan Yuqi's Dao heart had broken through again. Those who are born with immortal bones are those who can transform all adversity into resources for progress on their path of cultivation.
Shangguan Yuqi first bowed to Xie Lang and Consort Chen according to etiquette, and the third person she looked at was A Qiu.
Her gaze fell on A Qiu's hand, and she asked suspiciously, "May I ask what that is in Si Yue's hand? You are already Si Yue, have you been promoted to Si Nong as well? In ancient times, the Three Dukes were Si Yue, Si Nong, and Si Ma. A Qiu, you, a woman, have obtained the positions of two dukes. You are so noble that you cannot be more distinguished than this!"
Shangguan Yuqi's uninhibited banter also exuded the elegance and charm she inherited from her aristocratic family, making one feel as if they had returned to the leisurely and carefree era of the Shangguan family, filled with the refined and elegant atmosphere of a time of quiet conversation.
A Qiu had a feeling that the former Shangguan Yuqi was like a fairy who did not eat the food of mortals, but after experiencing these hardships and worldly affairs, she was not bound by reputation or face. Instead, she seemed to have shed an invisible shackle, showing a free and easy attitude.
For some unknown reason, Xie Lang was about to speak when his eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and then he coughed violently.
Xie Tiao, who hadn't had a chance to speak until now, finally mustered up the courage to smile and say, "This is no ordinary wood, but a frost vine that was planted in the Frost Flower Hall of the Mo Yi family, a century-old residence in Luoyang. It is also a token of the disciples of the Frost Flower Hall. I'm afraid even Miss Shangguan, with her extensive knowledge, may not have seen it before."
His words were somewhat boastful, hoping to attract Shangguan Yuqi's attention. But they were also true. Anyone who had grown up in the Southern Dynasty had never had the chance to see the Frostflower Vine. Even he himself, living deep within the palace and having seen many rare and exotic plants, had never seen the Frostflower Vine.
That was something that had long since vanished with the destruction of the Mo Yi family.
To everyone's surprise, Shangguan Yuqi's eyes suddenly brightened upon hearing these words, a fleeting look of astonishment crossing her face.
A-Qiu knew her very well; she rarely showed such strong interest in external things, so A-Qiu noticed this expression.
Having fought side by side many times, she had almost developed a telepathic connection with Shangguan Yuqi. Without her even asking, she immediately handed over the Frost Vine in her hand for her to see.
Shangguan Yuqi stared intently at the delicate leaves of the Frostflower Vine, her eyes shining brighter, as if she wanted to etch every single leaf's vein into her mind.
Besides A Qiu, the person in the hall who was most perceptive at this moment was Mu Huaying, because she was most skilled at questioning prisoners and had rich experience in reading people's expressions.
She said calmly, "Has Chief Shangguan seen similar vines somewhere before? Judging from your expression, you seem to be trying to remember."
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