Chapter 110 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
Zhang Xiaojia's long-awaited trip to the south of the Yangtze River was finally shattered in March of the following year.
Zhang Xiaojia was sitting on a stone bench in the yard, holding a travel book in his hand, savoring the Jiangnan scenery described in the book.
Her heart was full of anticipation. In a few days, she would be able to set off with He Fei and her mother to the misty Jiangnan region, to see the peach blossoms in full bloom and listen to the gurgling water.
The beautiful expectations were completely shattered by an urgent military report.
"Report!" A guard hurried into the palace, holding a swift document high in his hand. His face was solemn. "Your Highness, urgent news from the border. The small country of Tubo has rebelled. The Jiedushi across the border have been killed or captured. The border is in danger! The emperor orders you to enter the palace immediately."
He Fei was packing his things in his study. When he heard the guard's report, his brows knitted together. He quickly walked out of the study, took the urgent letter, glanced at it, and his face suddenly darkened.
Zhang Xiaojia heard the noise and quickly put down the book in his hand and walked quickly to He Fei: "Brother He, what happened?"
He Fei handed her the urgent report, his tone heavy: "The small country of Tubo is rebelling, and the border is in danger. It seems that my brother wants me to lead the troops to fight."
Zhang Xiaojia took the urgent report, glanced at it quickly, and his heart sank suddenly.
She looked up at He Fei and said, "Go quickly. I'll pack your luggage and prepare supplies for you.
He Fei felt warm in his heart and held her tightly in his arms: "Jia Jia, don't worry, when I pacify Tubo, I will definitely take you to Jiangnan and make it up to you."
Zhang Xiaojia leaned in his arms, nodded gently, and said speechlessly: "Well, you better fight well, I will arrange someone to accompany mother to Jiangnan."
Zhang Xiaojia immediately ordered the servants in the mansion to prepare food, fodder, medicinal herbs and other supplies.
She stood in the yard, looked up at the sky, her heart full of complicated feelings.
Although the Liao and Jin dynasties in the north had been conquered and their territories belonged to the Zhou dynasty, the Jin dynasty had been under the rule for five years, while the Liao dynasty had only been under the rule for half a year.
In order to control these areas and prevent the Liao Dynasty from counterattacking, the Zhou Dynasty had to station a large number of troops and at the same time relocate civilians to the Liao Dynasty to settle down.
This is a huge project, and almost all of the country's financial and human resources are tied up in it.
Now that Tubo has suddenly rebelled, the national treasury is probably stretched to the limit, and this war will probably be even more difficult.
Zhang Xiaojia sighed, feeling vaguely uneasy.
She turned and walked into the study and began writing letters to businesses in various places, mobilizing her private property to prepare to raise more food and supplies for He Fei's army.
After He Fei entered the palace, the emperor had already been waiting in the Chuigong Hall for a long time. Seeing him come in, the emperor went straight to the point: "Jingwen, Tubo is rebelling, and the border is in danger. I need you to lead the troops to fight immediately."
He Fei bowed and said firmly, "I understand and will definitely live up to the emperor's trust."
The emperor nodded, his eyes grim. "This time, the Tibetans are coming with great force, and the frontier governors have suffered heavy losses. I've already ordered the mobilization of food and fodder, but the treasury is empty, and I'm afraid it won't hold out for long. You must make sure you fight quickly and decisively."
He Fei said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will quell the rebellion as soon as possible and will never allow Tubo to have the opportunity to penetrate into the heart of our Great Zhou.
The emperor patted his shoulder, his tone filled with emotion: "Okay, I will wait for your triumphant return."
After leaving the palace, He Fei immediately returned to the prince's mansion and began to deploy troops.
Zhang Xiaojia had already prepared the luggage and supplies. Seeing him return, he hurried forward and said, "Brother He, everything is ready. I have already sent food and medicine to the border. Be careful on your way."
He Fei held her hand, his eyes full of gratitude: "Jia Jia, thank you for your hard work."
————
Her mind raced, recalling the territory of the Liao Dynasty, especially the black soil that would later be known as the "Three Northeastern Provinces." The soil there was fertile and the climate was suitable. If it could be cultivated quickly, it might be able to provide a large amount of food support to the Great Zhou in a short period of time.
It was only March now, and Zhang Xiaojia had an idea and immediately went into the palace.
"Eunuch Mai, where is my brother? I want to see him."
Eunuch Mai brought Zhang Xiaojia to the side hall and said, "Princess Lin'an, please wait a moment. The Emperor, the Prime Minister, and the Three Officials are discussing important matters."
Zhang Xiaojia drank three cups of tea and ate two plates of snacks, and her stomach was very full.
At this moment, the door of the side hall was pushed open, and Eunuch Mai walked in and said respectfully: "Princess Lin'an, the emperor has finished his meeting. Please come over."
Zhang Xiaojia nodded and quickly followed Eunuch Mai to the imperial study. The emperor was sitting at his desk, his brow furrowed, clearly still worried about the war on the border and the plight of the treasury.
Xiao Jia stepped forward and saluted, saying anxiously, "Brother, I have something urgent to report."
Zhang Xiaojia took a deep breath and got straight to the point: "Brother, the Tubo rebels, the border is in crisis, and the shortage of food and fodder is a top priority. I have an idea that may be able to solve this urgent problem."
When the emperor heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Oh? What ideas do you have? Tell me quickly."
Zhang Xiaojia walked to the desk and pointed to the Daliao region on the map. "Brother, this land of Daliao, especially this area, has been the granary of the Great Zhou in my dream. The soil is fertile and the climate is suitable, making it very suitable for growing crops. If we can reclaim this land quickly, we may be able to provide a large amount of food for the Great Zhou in a short period of time."
The emperor frowned, his tone filled with doubt: "Jia Jia, although this land is fertile, the Liao Dynasty has just surrendered, and the people's hearts are still unsettled. If we rashly open it up, I am afraid it will cause dissatisfaction among the local people and may even trigger a new rebellion."
"Your Majesty, my fiefdom is in Lin'an, but I don't want Lin'an anymore. Please issue an imperial decree to change my fiefdom to here, this northeasternmost piece of land. After I develop it, I remember that the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty stipulate that those who open up wasteland are exempt from paying taxes for five years. If this is my fiefdom, I can ask the local people to work, and they will be protected."
Zhang Xiaojia continued, "I'll go. This is my fiefdom. He Lin is in charge of the Liao and Jin dynasties. I'm He Lin's mother, the Princess of Prince Jing, and the only sister you acknowledge. I carry a lot of weight and I have a say. Whether it's the army of the Zhou dynasty or the people of the Liao dynasty, no one will deny me respect."
The emperor frowned slightly when he heard this: "No, Jiajia, the Liao Dynasty has just surrendered and the situation is not stable. It is too dangerous for you to go there."
Zhang Xiaojia shook his head and said firmly, "Brother, I am not afraid of danger. Jingwen is fighting on the frontier. What I can do for him is to ensure that there is an adequate supply of food and grass. Only in this way can he fight with peace of mind and put down the rebellion as soon as possible.
I have a lot of weight and I have full authority over where to go. I don't need to ask for permission. I don't care. I must go. Brother, if you don't agree, I... I will cry in front of you..."
The emperor looked at her with a complicated expression in his eyes. He knew that Jiajia was always stubborn and it was difficult to change her mind once she made a decision. It was indeed as she said. Only if she went could the situation be calmed down, whether it was the front or the back.
He sighed and nodded. "Okay, I promise you. However, I will give you a thousand Dragon Guards to ensure your safety."
A hint of joy flashed in Zhang Xiaojia's eyes, and he nodded quickly: "Thank you, brother. I will definitely be careful."
The emperor waved his hand, his tone somewhat helpless: "Go, I will send someone to assist you."
The emperor agreed, and Zhang Xiaojia was no longer anxious. Some things should be explained first, so he quickly said, "Brother, you can't get rid of me like this. I exchanged the rich Lin'an for this broken place. Where is the compensation? Even if this land grows high-yield crops and the land is large, the tax revenue will definitely not be as much as Lin'an in the south of the Yangtze River! In the future, this high-yield grain will be of great significance to the Great Zhou, but it will be meaningless to me. In my hands, it will be disadvantageous to me.
For five years, the imperial court cannot ask me for tax revenue. Similarly, after five years, my fiefdom will be returned to me, and I will also want Lin'an. I will exchange the reformed Northeast for the imperial court."
The emperor looked at Jia Jia's chattering and didn't listen to her, so he continued to listen without saying anything.
"The Dragon Guards are too few. We need 2,000 men. They're all skilled fighters, and digging mountains and rivers is no problem. Also, there's a branch of the Wude Division set up over there. Lend it to me. I'll get all the information about those ministers so I can threaten them into submission. Brother, give me some of the craftsmen from the Ministry of Works and the officials from the Ministry of Agriculture."
After hearing this, the emperor smiled and said, "I'll give you another three provinces and six ministries!"
Zhang Xiaojia was not happy with this. "Brother, don't you feel guilty about saying this? Why would I go to the Northeast for no reason? It's all for you. Do you have food? What if the Tubo army keeps fighting for another five or eight years? What will happen to the soldiers' silver and food?"
The Emperor knocked her on the forehead and said, "Silly girl, don't push your luck. You knew in your dream that the granary was there, and you asked for five years. Wasn't it for Lin'er's sake that you could manage it? Do you really think I don't know?"
Zhang Xiaojia blinked and said, "Brother, I haven't hidden anything from you. Lin'er is your biological son. You agreed to let him call me mother, but you didn't adopt him to me. Even if I'm doing this for Lin'er, isn't it also for you?"
The emperor looked at her, a flicker of approval and a smile in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He said slowly, "Alright, I'll trust you this once. I can give you two thousand Dragon Guards, a branch of the Wude Division, craftsmen from the Ministry of Works, and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture. But remember, if the Northeast doesn't become the granary of the Great Zhou in five years, I will not let you off lightly, and you won't even have Lin'an."
Zhang Xiaojia said excitedly, "Brother, you are the best. Just watch as your sister builds a big granary for you. I'll go back first." Zhang Xiaojia bowed and left, then turned to leave the imperial study.
————
The Wudesi Envoy came out from behind the screen.
"Your Majesty, you really gave the Princess of Lin'an such great power."
The Emperor: "Lin'er is good, and now it seems he is worthy of being the next monarch. Jiajia has selfish motives, but I believe that as long as I am on the throne, she and Jingwen will never betray me, even if Lin'er betrays me, they will never betray me."
The Martial Virtue Envoy bowed slightly, his tone cautious, "Your Majesty, although the Princess of Lin'an is loyal, she commands two thousand Dragon Guards, and is supported by officials from the Martial Virtue Division, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Agriculture. If she manages the Northeast properly, she might become a powerful lord in five years, making her difficult to control."
The emperor chuckled, his eyes deep. "Jia Jia wanted the Northeast, so I gave it to her. She wanted the Dragon Guards, so I gave them to her. She wanted the Wude Division, so I gave it to her. She is my only cousin, Jing Wen's wife, Lin Er's mother, the child my mother raised from childhood. Ten years ago, she risked her life to pave the way for me in exchange for my trust."
She and Jingwen have never betrayed me until now. They regard me as their leader, respect me, and follow my will. I am willing to trust them."
The Martial Virtue Envoy bowed his head in thought for a moment, then nodded, "Your Majesty is wise. She and Prince Jing share a deep bond and friendship, and would never do anything that would harm the Great Zhou."
The emperor stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the palace wall in the distance. His tone was filled with emotion. "Jia Jia, this girl, has always had her own ideas. She wants to go to the Northeast, and I will grant her wish. First, she is indeed capable of developing that land. Second, if she goes to the Northeast, she can also share my worries and reduce the pressure on the border. Third, she and Lin'er have a deep mother-son relationship. With her in the Northeast, Lin'er will be able to govern the Liao and Jin dynasties more smoothly.
Only with the support of the monarch and his ministers can the people of the Great Zhou be prosperous and strong. Having enough food and clothing is the greatest honor for every emperor."
The emperor turned around, his eyes sharp. "However, you must also keep a close eye on her. Although the Wude Division branch has been given to her, the core intelligence must remain in my hands. If she makes any unusual movements, report them immediately."
The envoy of Wude nodded solemnly: "I understand, and I will definitely live up to the emperor's trust."
The emperor waved his hand, his tone somewhat weary: "Go, I'm tired."
The Wudeshi envoy bowed and left the imperial study. The emperor stood alone at the window, gazing at the distant sky, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. He murmured softly, "Jiajia, please don't let me down..."
————
Five days later, Zhang Xiaojia finally received the emperor's order.
She stood in the hall of the palace, holding the bright yellow imperial edict in her hands, a look of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
The imperial edict clearly stated: the two thousand Dragon Guards, the branch of the Wude Division, the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works, and the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture were all under her command. She would have independent jurisdiction over the Northeast for five years without having to pay taxes.
In addition, the emperor also specially allocated a batch of silver and materials from his private treasury as start-up capital for her development of the Northeast.
Zhang Xiaojia put away the imperial edict and turned to the steward beside him, saying, "Pass the order down. We will set off for the Northeast early tomorrow morning. All accompanying personnel must be fully prepared and there must be no mistakes."
The housekeeper nodded respectfully: "Yes, County Master."
The next morning, Zhang Xiaojia led a mighty force on their journey to the northeast. Two thousand Dragon Guards lined up in neat formation, their armor gleaming coldly in the morning light. Craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry carried various tools, while officials from the Department of Agriculture carried seeds and implements. Spy officers from the Department of Martial Virtue had already set out in advance, deploying to the northeast.
Zhang Xiaojia sat in the carriage, opened the curtains, and looked out the window at the gradually receding capital, her heart filled with complicated emotions. She knew that this trip to the Northeast was not only to solve the problem of food and grass, but also to help He Fei and the Great Zhou overcome the current difficulties.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
