Chapter 407: Separation is imminent
After hearing this, Xiao Yanci's eyes flashed with surprise.
It's not surprising that he has such a private army under his command.
People like Gu Qishan always have to leave some bargaining chips and retreat routes for themselves.
Now, he has revealed his trump card and handed it to himself.
Xiao Yanci felt his sincerity and looked at him with a bit more respect.
"General Gu, these people are your bargaining chips and your amulets in the capital. This king cannot accept them."
To be honest, if the emperor wants to take his life, with this private army, Gu Qishan can still protect himself.
But he gave his private soldiers to himself, so how much leverage does he have in his hand?
Gu Qishan smiled and said, "Everything is peaceful in the capital, why would I need a talisman? If that day ever comes, a mere thousand men would not be able to protect me."
Xiao Yanci's expression paused, and there was a hint of strangeness in his eyes.
"Your Highness, nothing is more important than protecting southern Yunnan right now. There is no need to refuse."
These words made Xiao Yanci put away the last bit of hesitation in his heart.
He solemnly put the token into his arms.
"This king will do his utmost to help southern Yunnan overcome this difficult time."
Gu Qishan nodded, said no more, and stood up to say goodbye.
He came quietly and left without disturbing anyone.
Xiao Yanci watched his figure pass over the courtyard wall and disappear completely, and a sense of melancholy arose in his heart.
He should have been an eagle that could soar freely, but now he is locked in a cage and becomes a house sparrow. It's such a pity.
If one day he really takes that position, he will definitely have the opportunity to soar again.
This also made him alert that when employing talented people, one should not bury a rare talent because of personal suspicion.
When he returned to the room, Lu Zhiran was not asleep. She was waiting for him.
The two of them lay down on the bed, and without waiting for her to ask, Xiao Yanci told her the whole story.
Lu Zhiran said, "General Gu cares deeply about southern Yunnan. This is his intention. Your Highness, making good use of these 1,000 men will be the greatest reward for him."
Xiao Yanci nodded in agreement.
The two stopped talking, just held hands and did not separate until they fell asleep.
Xiao Baozhu tossed and turned tonight and couldn't fall asleep.
The news that Sun Muzhi was going to Jiangnan to provide disaster relief was like a heavy hammer that knocked her unconscious and completely disrupted her recent peaceful and comfortable life.
"Father is so abusive. Why does he make you do all the dirty and tiring work? If you mess up, you won't get any reward. If you do well, you won't be given any official title or nobility. What's the point?"
Xiao Baozhu wanted to rush into the palace to ask her father for permission to revoke his decision.
Sun Muzhi stopped her again.
"Baozhu, the emperor's order is difficult to disobey. If I rely on your relationship to shirk my duties, I'm afraid the emperor will be unhappy and may even be angry at you."
Xiao Baozhu cried, "I'm not afraid of being pissed off. I just want you to stay."
Sun Muzhi held her in his arms and did not let go for a long time.
"I'm also reluctant to leave, but... I'm of humble status and unworthy of you. I also want to earn more credit for myself so that when others mention you, they won't regret that you married an incompetent person. I don't want you to suffer any injustice."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Baozhu cried even louder.
"I don't care about that."
If she really cared, she wouldn't have married him.
Sun Muzhi said firmly, "I care. Baozhu, this is one of the few things I can do for you. I promise you, I will come back safely."
Xiao Baozhu knew that he had made up his mind, so she stopped trying to persuade him. She just packed his luggage with red eyes.
When going to bed at night, Xiao Baozhu was still very confused and tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Sun Muzhi reached out to embrace her, but she turned over in anger, with her back facing him.
Sun Muzhi held her from behind, his tone gentle with a hint of pleading.
"Baozhu, don't be angry."
Xiao Baozhu ignored him, so he moved closer to her neck and nudged her, his dense stubble making her feel itchy.
Xiao Baozhu couldn't hold it any longer and had to push him back.
"Are you a dog?"
Sun Muzhi shamelessly rubbed her, "As long as you pay attention to me, I don't mind being a dog."
Xiao Baozhu was so annoyed by his shamelessness that she lost her temper.
Sensing that her attitude had softened, Sun Muzhi's hands began to become dishonest.
Xiao Baozhu pushed him away, feeling somewhat embarrassed and annoyed. "We're leaving tomorrow, don't you need to rest?"
"I'm not tired."
Xiao Baozhu was annoyed, "I'm tired!"
Sun Muzhi said in a low voice, "Princess, just lie down. I will serve you."
Xiao Baozhu's face turned red.
In bed, he always liked to call himself "humble minister" and reverently called her "princess", which always made Xiao Baozhu feel quite ashamed, and at the same time, a strange emotion spread in her heart.
The next day, all the troops were ready to go and rushed to their respective battlefields.
Although the people in Beijing did not suffer from the disaster, some of them were inevitably panicked.
Everyone started hoarding food, fearing that food prices would soar.
Lu Zhiran ordered people to post a notice that Taicang Trading Company had sufficient surplus grain and that the price of grain would not rise.
The Luo family's business also posted a notice, and many other businesses followed suit.
In just two days, the food prices, which had been fluctuating, returned to normal, and the people were no longer panicked.
There is endless praise for Taicang Trading Company and Luo Trading Company.
When Emperor Defeng learned about this, a smile appeared on his face.
"I made the right choice to marry Princess Aci."
Feng Youcai also echoed.
But Emperor Defeng's good mood did not last long. Early that morning, urgent news came again.
This urgent news came from southern Fujian.
Southern Fujian is close to the sea, and this rainstorm was accompanied by a hurricane. Houses in several counties were overturned by the hurricane and soaked by floods. Countless people were killed and injured, and people's livelihood was unsustainable. The prefect of southern Fujian tearfully begged the emperor to send troops for support.
Upon hearing the news, the ministers were shocked.
The heavy rain in the south has been going on for more than a month and there is no sign of it stopping. I am afraid that the situation in southern Fujian is much more tragic than they have heard.
Emperor Defeng's body swayed slightly and he almost couldn't sit still.
Since he ascended the throne, there has been good weather and good harvests in all places, which will leave a significant mark in future history books.
But now disasters occur frequently and the people are in dire straits.
Could it be that this is God's punishment for him as an emperor?
Everyone was talking about it, and the atmosphere in the court was a little low and depressing.
At this moment, the Eighth Prince Xiao Yanlin stepped out and said in a loud voice, "Father, your Majesty, I am a humble servant, but I wish to lead people to southern Fujian to provide disaster relief. I beg for your permission."
Xiao Yanlin was born with a young face, but now his serious expression made him look even more mature. At first glance, Emperor Defeng felt that his son had grown up overnight.
However, disaster relief is a very serious matter, and Emperor Defeng would not trust Xiao Yanlin, who had just entered the court to take charge of government affairs.
He dismissed it lightly.
"You are still young and inexperienced. Disaster relief is no small matter. Don't get involved."
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