Chapter 376: 376. Changed mind

Translator: 549690339

The news of Duanmu Chen cancelling the bounty spread quickly.

Upon learning about it in Xuanbei City, Qiao Cong couldn’t understand, “Situ Xie didn’t cancel the bounty on you, so why did we cancel the bounty on his grandson first?”

Qiao Jing thought about it and said, “There must be something happening that we don’t know.”

Qiao Cong frowned, “What could it be?”

“For example…” Qiao Jing pondered, “Situ Xie caught someone who could threaten Su Liang and Gu Ling.”

“What about yours then? I’m not afraid, but it’s annoying to be on edge every day!” Qiao Cong’s brow remained furrowed.

Qiao Jing shook his head slightly, “Grandfather need not worry. I think when the news reaches Liang Country, Situ Xie will probably also cancel the bounty on me, just a little later. Otherwise, it will be endless. I might not die, but the chances of his precious grandson being caught or killed are greater.”

Qiao Cong snorted lightly, “I hope so!”

Outside the window in the courtyard, a few more heads appeared on the tree.

There was something to be happy about that day, as letters and things from the capital city came again. However, these were sent before Duanmu Chen canceled the bounty, so they didn’t mention it.

The letter from Su Liang only urged them to be very careful.

There was also a letter from Cen Man to Qiao Cong, which talked about some trivial matters at home, such as what interesting weapons Old Muhu and Gu Ling made, how Zhengzheng caught a fat fish, and how Nangong Qian learned a few new dishes.

In addition to the winter clothes and cold medicines that Su Liang had prepared for them, there were also two cloaks that Nangong Qian had made by hand for Qiao Cong and Qiao Jing. Although the stitches were not very fine, Qiao Cong was very happy and put it on immediately.

Qiao Jing also tried it and thought it was fine. Nangong Qian’s sewing skills needed improvement, but if she was interested in it, she could do it or not do it at all.

Although the clothing prepared by Su Liang was all top-quality from Yang Family’s Embroidery Workshop, the handmade ones by Nangong Qian made the grandfather and grandson even happier. It wasn’t about the cloaks themselves, they felt relieved about Nangong Qian’s current physical, mental, and living conditions.

Qiao Cong looked around, feeling like something was missing.

After a while, he slapped his forehead, “Why did no one mention if Xiaoliang is having a boy or a girl? This is so important, shouldn’t they tell us?”

“This is a matter between Su Liang and Gu Ling, and they definitely don’t think they should tell me. However, since they didn’t tell grandfather, I think they probably want to give grandfather a surprise.” Qiao Jing analyzed.

Qiao Cong scoffed, “If it’s a surprise, then I have to be able to go home before the New Year. With the current situation, it’s difficult.”

Qiao Jing obediently said, “It’s all my fault.”

Qiao Cong sighed, “Just hurry up and fight the war, and it’ll be over.”

Qiao Jing came here to seek redemption through merit; he needed “merits” to count. Qiao Cong had to wait for the Situ Family of Liang Country to be eliminated before he could relax his protection of Qiao Jing.

Qiao Jing shook his head, “Liang Country won’t start a war in this season.” In winter, there was no advantage for Liang Country, where the climate was extremely cold, because the weather had much less impact on Qian Country. The lack of food and supplies made it impossible for Liang Country’s army to travel far unless there was a solid and reliable alliance with Yin Country.

However, based on past experience, if the Yin Country’s Royal Family said to the Liang Country’s Royal Family: “Let’s fight! Fight now! We’ll provide all the food and supplies.” The Liang Country’s Royal Family would certainly think that the Yin Country was trying to trick them again.

Qian Country was located in the central plains. If Yin Country really wanted to transport food and supplies to Liang Country, it would be impossible to avoid Qian Country’s eyes. Disguising as a merchant convoy would not work either, as the scale of food and supplies needed for war was completely different from that of a normal merchant convoy.

“So we have to wait until next spring at the earliest?” Qiao Cong furrowed his brows.

Qiao Jing nodded, “I think so.”

Qiao Cong sighed, “When will I be able to see my disciple then!”

“It will be sooner than me giving grandfather a great-grandchild.” Qiao Jing said.

Qiao Cong kicked him away irritably.

Although the bounty on Situ Jing had been removed, the one on Qiao Jing had not. However, those who had been drawn by the reward knew that targeting Qiao Jing would result in a dead end, so most of them chose to go to Yao City to find a chance to kill Situ Jing.

These masters, who would rather “die for wealth,” did not worry about becoming the targets of Liang Country’s Royal Family’s revenge. In worst-case scenarios, after collecting the rewards in Qian Country, they would receive protection from the Royal Family there, and they might even receive promotions and titles.

To protect Situ Jing, Situ Xie hid him for several days, not allowing him to show his face. He was not in the Imperial Palace nor in the original Yue Wang Mansion.

This was somewhat useful but also somewhat humiliating. Qiao Jing could not be hidden as he was the leader of Qian Country’s Northern Army, responsible for managing Xuanbei City. Although the reward had been in place for a long time, no one had been able to do anything to him, nor were there any reports of him being injured.

This made people understand why Situ Xie had once valued Qiao Jing so much. In terms of strength, Qiao Jing was unmatched by the princes. In terms of wisdom, the fact that he was entrusted with important tasks by the Emperor Qian already spoke volumes.

But this was even more ironic. The best prince of Liang Country’s Royal Family was wholeheartedly supporting Qian Country, treating Liang Country as an enemy. This matter was worth the deep reflection of the Liang Country’s ministers.

Finally, on this day, Situ Xie received a message. Within the expected time frame, Duanmu Chen had canceled the bounty on Situ Jing.

Situ Jing could finally come out of the dark treasure vault in Liang Country’s Imperial Palace. After being bored for several days, his face was somewhat pale, and his mood was extremely bad. Hearing the name “Qiao Jing,” he gritted his teeth with hatred. The second person he hated most was Gu Ling.

“It seems that Gu Ling really cares about the lives of Liang Zhen’s entire family.” Situ Jing’s eyes were cold as ice. “In that case, if he doesn’t bring Qiao Jing’s head to us, we will not be polite!”

Situ Xie’s face was calm, “He won’t kill Qiao Jing. Neither for Liang Zhen nor for anyone else.”

Situ Jing blurted out, “If we catch Su Liang, won’t Gu Ling kill Qiao Jing to exchange for her?”

Situ Xie nodded, “No.” This was the principle of Gu Ling and Su Liang’s personalities, and it didn’t matter who was more important.

“Why did our imperial grandfather propose such conditions to them?” Situ Jing was puzzled.

“Just to tell them that Qiao Jing must die.” Situ Xie said coldly, “In three days, we will cancel the bounty on Qiao Jing.”

Situ Jing failed to understand this even more, but then he heard Situ Xie say, “Let this issue end on the surface.”

The truth was that Qiao Jing was not afraid of the bounty, but Situ Jing was.

“What about Liang Zhen’s family?” Situ Jing asked.

Situ Xie said to keep them for the time being as they might be useful later.

When Situ Jing personally told Liang Zhen that Gu Ling had chosen to compromise for his sake, Liang Zhen cried relentlessly and repeatedly said that he was sorry for Gu Ling.

If Liang Zhen hadn’t revealed Gu Ling’s secret to Situ Xie back then, many things might not have turned worse and would have been different from now.

Looking back at what he had once said to Gu Ling, “Your grandfather truly cares about you,” it now seemed to be utterly ridiculous.

Three days later, Situ Xie announced in court that since Emperor Qian had shown sincerity in seeking peace, Liang Country would also cancel the bounty on Qiao Jing, severing all ties between Qiao Jing and the Situ Family.

Although Qian Country had canceled theirs first, the officials of Liang Country still felt somewhat aggrieved, as Qiao Jing was still alive, which was an embarrassment to the Royal Family of Liang Country.

However, observant people believed that just because the bounty was canceled, it didn’t mean that the Liang Country’s Royal Family would stop trying to assassinate Qiao Jing.

Two days later, Situ Xie finally met the guest he had been waiting for: a secret envoy sent by the Crown Prince of Yin Country. The leader was the master of Ji Yuebai, a man named Lai Hong.

Lai Hong and his team moved into the original Yue Wang Mansion. Situ Xie did not entertain them with a grand feast, mainly to conduct secret negotiations to avoid being detected by Qian Country’s spies, which would ruin their plans.

“My master only wishes for peace and well-being of the common people in the world.” Lai Hong said seriously, “It’s time to break the current situation. Nothing can be achieved without breaking it.”

Situ Xie nodded, “What Lord Lai said is reasonable.”

“Cooperating with Emperor Liang to exterminate Qian Country is the fastest and the only choice to promote the unification of the world,” Lai Hong said.

Upon hearing this, Situ Xie’s face brightened with joy, “The idea of the crown prince of Yin Country coincides with mine!”

“My master has not been involved in the past entanglements between Yin and Liang countries. If Emperor Liang doubts our sincerity in cooperating this time, there is no need to talk,” Lai Hong said neither arrogantly nor humbly.

“No!” Situ Xie said decisively, “I believe in the sincerity and credibility of the crown prince of Yin.”

Lai Hong then mentioned that Ji Yuebai’s intention was to set the start of the war in early spring next year, at the beginning of March, when the cold weather would no longer be a hindrance. During the remaining half-year period, they should carefully plan how Yin Country would send the supplies to support Liang Country.

Upon hearing this, the expression on Situ Xie’s face became even more relaxed, “Good! I will also order my men to prepare the finest warhorses as soon as possible and present them to Yin Country.” The supplies sent by Yin Country would not be sent for free, of course.

As for the date of the start of the war set by Ji Yuebai, Situ Xie was very satisfied because that was his plan as well. If the Yin Country said they wanted to start the war within the year, Situ Xie would definitely suspect that they were trying to deceive Liang Country.

Next, the urgent issue to be addressed was how to transport the supplies from Yin Country to Liang Country and how to send the warhorses from Liang Country to Yin Country.

Even if the war was to start in early spring, when it was no longer cold, Liang Country’s supplies would still not last very long. Most parts of Liang

Country were cold and barren, with a perennial shortage of food. This was why successive rulers of Liang Country had to wage wars, as winning wars was the only way to improve the lives of the people.

The fertile land of Yin Country provided an abundance of food, which was one of the reasons why the royal family of Yin Country did not want to engage in a war. They already occupied the best regions and had no need to wage wars against others to rob the people of their wealth; it was best for them to defend their borders and watch the fires from across the river.

Although it was feasible to form an alliance with Liang Country to get rid of Qian Country, what would happen afterward? If Liang Country, as a wolf, was assisted in its expansion, would it truly be beneficial to Yin Country? To shake the status quo meant taking risks.

Unless the ruler of Yin Country wanted to unify the world.

Now, Ji Yuebai had shown such a desire, which was something Situ Xie wanted to see.

Although Situ Xie didn’t fully trust Yin Country, based on his understanding of Ji Yuebai’s past actions, he believed Ji Yuebai to be a man of great ambition.

The Liang royal family had been waiting for a truly ambitious person to take control of the Yin royal family. Only in this way could Liang Country have a chance to use Yin Country to take an important step in breaking the deadlock.

Regarding how Yin Country and Liang Country would complete the “transaction” before the start of the war across Qian Country, Lai Hong conveyed Ji Yuebai’s intention: to listen to Situ Xie’s arrangements.

Following the battle at the beginning of the year, it had become a public secret that Situ Xie had been planting spies in Qian Country and Yin Country for many years.

Ji Yuebai’s intention was simple: there was plenty of food in Yin Country, and they were willing to provide it, but Situ Xie had to find a way to transport it back to Liang Country himself.

This was something Situ Xie had long planned, and it was not impossible to achieve, but it required the use of his critical chess pieces and channels, with the utmost caution, so as to cover the eyes and ears of Qian’s royal family.

This was absolutely confidential and could not be casually revealed to the people of Yin Country, especially at the beginning of the cooperation when trust was very limited.

Situ Xie invited Lai Hong and his party to rest in the King Yue Mansion. They would discuss other matters another day, as he needed time to think.

Lai Hong had no objections, but said he must leave in five days. He had always heard about the beauty of Wolong Snow Mountain and wanted to visit it since he was already here.

Situ Xie immediately agreed. Learning from past experience, he did not arrange for his grandson to accompany them but instead assigned a team that was very familiar with the terrain of Wolong Snow Mountain.

Lai Hong and his entourage were all skilled martial artists, and no accidents occurred.

Upon returning from the mountain, Lai Hong mentioned an unreasonable request to Situ Jing, who hosted him: his grandson was unwell, and the doctor said he needed Snow Lotus for his treatment. Lai Hong intended to try his luck to see if he could find any, but unfortunately, his luck was not good.

After receiving Situ Xie’s instructions to try to meet Lai Hong’s demands, Situ Jing said that he could provide Lai Hong with some high-quality Snow Lotus.

Lai Hong appeared very pleased and repeatedly expressed his thanks.

After reporting to Situ Xie, Situ Xie asked him to prepare more Snow Lotus and also took an extra thousand-year-old Snow Lotus petal from his limited supply to send to Ji Yuebai.

Lai Hong gladly accepted the precious items given to him, appearing quite materialistic.

Situ Xie enjoyed dealing with people with such flaws, so he sent many treasures to please Lai Hong.

Regarding the supply of grain and warhorses, Situ Xie still had no concrete plan when Lai Hong put it into practice. He would inform Ji Yuebai later, after the plan was ready. In the meantime, Lai Hong should request that Yin Country start preparing to support Beiliang Country with grain.

Lai Hong agreed with everything, and the guests were entertained pleasantly.

The next day, Lai Hong set out early, leaving Yao City with his people.

Situ Jing asked Situ Xie, “Can we really trust Yin Country this time?”

Situ Xie’s eyes were deep and mysterious, “It’s worth taking a gamble. As long as Yin Country hasn’t allied with Qian Country, even if they break their promise at the last minute, the situation won’t be worse than before.”

Situ Jing frowned, “What if… Yin Country secretly allies with Qian Country? Although this possibility is small, many things have changed since Duanmu Chen became the emperor and Ji Yuebai took power. However, I heard that the Princess of Yin Country fell ill as soon as she arrived in Qian Country, and she remains sick. The only person who makes Duanmu Chen look twice is his younger sister.”

Situ Xie thought for a moment, “The affairs of Duanmu Chen’s palace prove nothing. There is no reason for Yin Country to ally with Qian Country, as their safety relies on Liang Country’s restraint. If Liang Country were to disappear, Yin Country would face extinction.”

“Your Royal Grandfather speaks wisely,” Situ Jing agreed wholeheartedly.

In the capital city of Qian Country.

Yuanming Pavilion was renovated and had underfloor heating installed before winter started. As usual, it was Su Liang’s idea, and Gu Ling put it into practice. He only gave people surprises and never disappointed them on such matters.

Su Liang’s belly grew larger, and Gu Ling looked at it daily, occasionally revealing a faint hint of worry.

Su Liang found this amusing, asking him what he was thinking about.

Gu Ling sighed lightly, “Why is it that only women can give birth? It would be nice if couples could choose who gets to bear the child.”

He just thought that Su Liang was going through a lot, and he couldn’t empathize or shoulder any of the burdens himself.

Su Liang thought Gu Ling’s idea was fascinating. In the world of her previous life, it might have been possible with the advance of technology.

Looking serious, Su Liang told Gu Ling, “If our positions were switched and you were the one giving birth, I’d worry about you too.”

Gu Ling paused for a moment, “True. It would be great if our baby could just pop out of a stone crevice.”

Su Liang couldn’t help but laugh, “That’s the Monkey King.”

Some more days passed, and there was still no news from Lao Bai and Ying Ying. Lai Hong returned from Liang Country, stopping by to secretly visit Su Liang and Gu Ling.

“The Master has instructed that whatever gifts Emperor Liang sends, they should all be given to your child,” Lai Hong handed over the Snow Lotus flowers and other treasures brought back from Liang Country to Su Mansion, clarifying that they were for the unborn baby, not Su Liang and Gu Ling.

Gu Ling gave Lai Hong a prepared box, “This is a gift for Ji Yuebai’s son. Please pass it on.”

Lai Hong accepted the gift with a smile, and after informing them of his conversation with Situ Xie, he left.

Curious, Su Liang asked Gu Ling, “When did you prepare a gift for Ji Yuebai’s son? What is it?”

“A wooden sword,” Gu Ling replied, “Ji Yuebai had asked for his son to become my disciple, but I had refused. Now, I’ve changed my mind and decided to accept him.”

Su Liang laughed, “Aren’t you afraid he’ll kidnap your precious daughter?”

“That’s why I need to keep an eye on him, teach him well, and train him to be a good brother to our baby,” Gu Ling said.