Chapter 118: A Trip to the East Sea with Gu Changxiao
Jinsui always felt that Gu Changxiao was trying to dispel her wariness. Of course, she could understand; if she were in Gu Changxiao’s shoes, she would too.
If she were Gu Changxiao, she would also try her best to keep “Daoist Ji” around, considering what Daoist Ji had done in the border city while impersonating the Li King for the past two months.
Her prestige in the army had thoroughly subdued the Yanzhou gentry and even turned Li Heng, a fence-sitter, into someone who was completely one-sided.
Daoist Ji’s capabilities were evident to all. Gu Changxiao, if he wasn’t foolish, would definitely try to find a way to keep her.
In Gu Changxiao’s eyes, Daoist Ji was as indispensable to him now as Zhuge Liang, the Military Strategist, was to Liu Bei.
Let alone three visits, even thirty or three hundred visits, he would still try to keep Daoist Ji.
Jinsui felt that if it were just herself, she would probably stay in the border city. After all, it was more vibrant than other places and more accepting of women. She also had feelings for the border city.
But she carried other responsibilities. She had to be responsible for Grandpa Ling and Jinsui, as well as Father Ling’s Case.
More importantly, she worried that if she spent too much time with Gu Changxiao, he would discover her secret.
The Ling Clan’s affairs were not much of a secret. Once Grandpa Ling arrived, they would definitely be honest with Gu Changxiao, especially since they needed his help for Father Ling’s Vindication.
What she worried about was the secret of her female identity and her biggest trump card: the secret of her space.
Gu Changxiao was incredibly observant; he even noticed her need to go to the toilet. If she were to take a large amount of items from her space, he would surely become suspicious.
Gu Changxiao was not as easily fooled as Han Xing or Hei Hu, nor was he as casual and open-minded as Cheng Yu, who wouldn’t delve into things he didn’t understand as long as they didn’t harm him.
That was why Jinsui was so wary of Gu Changxiao. However, the more she acted this way, the more Gu Changxiao wanted her to understand that he was being sincere. He only hoped that Daoist Ji would stay in the border city so they could work together to build it up.
Both of them, with their own thoughts, knew they couldn’t rush. At the very least, they had to wait until their identities were swapped before proposing the next step.
Therefore, during this trip to the East Sea, they both focused on reconnaissance. After leaving the cactus area, Jinsui shifted the conversation to the business cooperation with the Yan Clan.
This time, she naturally didn’t mention Miss Yan or matters of romance again. She only spoke of how the border city desperately needed money and that engaging in commerce was essential.
She knew that some powerful people in Chang’an looked down on merchants immensely and worried that Gu Changxiao might feel the same.
Gu Changxiao quickly understood her concerns and said:
“As you said, the border city is poor and blank. Even the border soldiers’ military pay is often in arrears, their weapons and armor are not adequately equipped, and they even lack provisions and supplies for winter.”
“If we don’t engage in commerce and only rely on collecting taxes from the people, the border city will only become a heavy burden on the people of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yandi. The Li King will never gain the support of the people of Yandi.”
Jinsui slapped her thigh on horseback, accidentally hitting her wound. She grimaced in pain and said:
“It’s great that you understand! I was worried you’d blame me for opening up trade routes.”
“The Yanzhou gentry are ostracizing the Li King. If we want to do business in the prefecture city, we must find allies. Currently, the Yan Clan is very suitable.”
The Rouge Shop and the restaurant are just stepping stones. Once others realize that cooperating with the Li King can bring great wealth, we won’t have to work hard to recruit allies; they’ll come to us on their own!”
Gu Changxiao glanced at the wound on her leg. Seeing that there was no leakage, he continued the conversation with relief.
“Speaking of allies, your strategy against Prefect Li was truly brilliant. He is now loyal to the Li King.”
Jinsui tilted her chin up slightly with pride. Since Wei Assistant Secretary left, she hadn’t had anyone constantly praising her, and she wasn’t used to it.
She hadn’t used any particular strategy against Li Heng; she had simply played to his preferences.
What did Li Heng fear the most? He feared unrest in Yanzhou, feared the Li King reporting him, and feared his favoritism towards the gentry being exposed. If the Imperial Court investigated, he might not only lose his position but also his life, let alone be transferred back to Chang’an.
Jinsui gave him an opportunity: the battle against the Tartars in the border city, where Li Heng’s name would also be written in the military merit book.
Prefect Li fully supported this battle for the border city. Before the battle, he prepared supplies for the border city, not hesitating to offend the Yanzhou gentry. He also dispatched three thousand Yan Prefecture Army soldiers to the border city.
After the battle, he helped with the rescue, pursuit of deserters, and the arrest of the Zheng Family members involved in the fighting…
Indeed, words are like two sides of a coin; they can be used to say anything.
Jinsui handed the completed military merit book to Li Heng and asked directly, “Will you sign it?”
At that moment, she could feel Li Heng’s hesitation and pain. If he didn’t sign, he would be foregoing a ready-made political achievement and military merit.
You haven’t achieved any significant merit in Yanzhou for years, and this time the Li King is offering you a monumental achievement.
It’s like being starved for days and having food delivered to your mouth. Would you open your mouth to eat it or not?
However, if he signed this name, he would be on the same boat as the Li King from then on. Not only would the Yanzhou gentry see him as the Li King’s man, but the Imperial Court would also recognize it.
Could you go and explain to the factions of Prince Yu and the Empress that you didn’t genuinely intend to help the Li King and were forced into it?
Do you think they would believe you?
Li Heng cried and asked the Li King at that moment, “Why can’t Your Highness let me go? I only have one year left before I can be transferred!”
Jinsui patted his shoulder and smiled sincerely:
“Because This King took an immediate liking to Prefect Li. I can’t bear to see you leave! What if the next prefect appointed isn’t as capable as Prefect Li?”
Li Heng pleaded, “If I don’t sign, what will Your Highness do?”
Jinsui pointed to the words “Yan Prefecture Army”:
“Nothing will happen, except that it will be reported truthfully that the entire Yan Prefecture Army are deserters. Who knows where the military pay the Imperial Court has given the Yan Prefecture Army over the years has gone? Could it be in Lord Li’s vault?”
She then pointed to the name “Zheng Yun”: “The Zheng Family practiced human sacrifice. Zheng Yun was able to escape during the city’s lockdown in Yanzhou. Could it be that Lord Li condoned it?”
Li Heng suddenly interrupted her loudly, “I’ll sign! I’ll sign, alright!”
Jinsui personally fetched a brush and ink for him, smiling:
“From now on, the border city will rely on Lord Li’s care. Let’s hurry and build this road. As for military pay and supplies, don’t make This King have to urge you; you should urge the Imperial Court more.”
“Oh, right, trade in the border city has never really opened up. Lord Li, please help by encouraging more merchants from Yanzhou to come to the border city.”
…
When Gu Changxiao asked her why she gave away such political achievements to keep Li Heng, she didn’t answer directly. Instead, she told him a story.
“When two armies are at war, the archers on the enemy’s arrow towers have poor aim; nine out of ten arrows miss their mark.”
“But our archers can kill them with a single shot. Do you think we should kill them at this point?”
Gu Changxiao immediately understood: “Of course, we shouldn’t kill them! If we kill this useless one, the enemy might send a master archer, and our army would suffer heavier casualties.”
Jinsui chuckled: “That’s why we absolutely must not let Li Heng be transferred. It’s beneficial for our border city if he, as the Prefect of Yanzhou, can remain stable and serve for a long time!”
It’s November, my dears, please check your monthly tickets. If you have any, please vote for Jinsui.
