Chapter 170: The Complete Atlas - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 170: The Complete Atlas
Before he could think too much, Bai Siruo suddenly became excited. "Ah Yao, look at the gold ornaments they're wearing. They must weigh over ten taels each. Aren't their necks tired?"
Following Bai Siruo's direction, she saw the delegation from the Pusi Kingdom in the west.
Pusi Kingdom was rich in gold mines. Hence, from the royal family down to the commoners, wearing gold was a matter of pride. The people had rugged features and were stockier than those from Xuegu Kingdom.
Both men and women wore large quantities of gold and gemstone ornaments on their heads and bodies, enough to make anyone's head ache from just looking at them.
"Zz, look at them, now you know what it means to be truly wealthy. That hairpin Miss Bai gave last time is nothing in comparison," Su Cheng took the opportunity to jab back.
Bai Siruo was about to retort when the sounds of a roaring crowd reached them.
A handsome man was approaching on a pure white horse. His long hair was tied with a red jade band. His features were refined and his figure was upright. Dressed in red, he looked neither frivolous nor arrogant, but rather added a touch of nobility.
Countless unmarried girls threw handkerchiefs and flowers at him, yet his horse remained undisturbed, showing his skill in horsemanship.
"Prince Yan is as flamboyant as ever."
Xiao Mu Qian had never seen him in person but had heard of him. The prince had a penchant for red, yet few could wear red so strikingly.
"Prince? Is he the future crown prince of Jiaoren?" Su Cheng asked curiously, and Xiao Mu Qian nodded.
There was a time when Nan Yue was the largest neighbor in the south. During such grand ceremonies, it often took the lead.
Unfortunately, a misstep ten years ago led to Prince Ding's military campaign against them, severely weakening their strength. Over the years, they never fully recovered, and now they were suppressed by Jiaoren, reduced to a third-rate country.
The Prince of Jiaoren, who came to pay tribute this time, had helped Prince Ding subdue Nan Yue in the past.
It was said that the two were very close, but unfortunately, after the battle Prince Ding had to return to his country to recover from his injuries, and the Prince of Jiaoren expanded his influence by annexing many of Nan Yue's territories. Naturally, they had no time to meet.
Now that he was here, it was heard that his invitation had been sent to Prince Ding’s mansion ten days in advance to show their closeness.
"He's really good-looking. I think the young men in Dongdu City are going to be outshone." Bai Siruo said admiringly. Although it was true, it was also a bit demoralizing. Su Cheng wanted to refute but felt that his own looks couldn't compare, so he said instead.
"Who says we can't compare? I think Prince Ding is ten thousand times more handsome than him!"
Their own master was naturally the best. Even in terms of looks, he had to be unmatched!
Bai Siruo pouted but couldn't refute. Indeed, if it was just about looks, few men in the world could compare to Prince Ding. After all, his mother was known as the most beautiful woman in Da Jin back then. How could her child be any less?
Unfortunately, being ill for many years, even the best looks and temperament were eroded by medicine.
At this moment, the Prince Ding they spoke of was sitting upright in his mansion, a complete atlas laid out before him.
This map was the result of over ten years of intelligence gathering by Prince Ding's spies in various countries. Every mountain, river, street, and military camp was meticulously detailed.
It was far more accurate than the atlas treasured in the palace. Emperor Qi had no knowledge of this. If he did, it could very well be the cause of the Prince Ding Mansion's downfall.
Yang Zhao, holding the invitation from the Prince of Jiaoren, said, "My lord, if the military report from the prince is accurate, it seems that Nan Yue is once again harboring thoughts of war. Could it be related to that strategist from Di Rong?"
The northern side incited Di Rong to attack the northwest Liangzhou, while they themselves were raising troops and gathering grain and building ships. They were truly restless.
"Luo Hong? He doesn't have that capability yet."
Luo Hong was the strategist's name, but his true identity was unknown. His background was so well hidden that even Prince Ding's army couldn't trace it.
"Jiaoren and Nan Yue are divided by the Xishui River. However, Jiaoren has repeatedly crossed the river in recent years. The king of Nan Yue must be furious. It's impossible for him to wage war against Da Jin again, but retaliating against Jiaoren is likely. After all, in recent years, the small countries in the south have all tried to take advantage of it. If the king of Nan Yue continues to endure, being annexed is only a matter of time."
Yang Zhao nodded. The prince's analysis was spot on. "Then should we respond to the prince's request?"
"Why should we? Over the years, he has acted like my closest friend, using my name to gain benefits. Not holding it against him is already repaying a past favor. Instead of letting Jiaoren dominate the south, it would be better to let Nan Yue give them some trouble. Pass my order: if the time is right, we can assist Nan Yue."
Xiao Tingyi's eyes were full of calculated schemes. A neighboring country becoming too powerful was never a good thing.
Giving them some trouble was fine; it would keep their eyes off Da Jin, preventing them from looking at it with greedy eyes.
Yang Zhao, having followed him for many years, naturally understood the meaning behind his words. He couldn't help but feel sorry for the prince.
Greed knows no bounds. It seemed that Jiaoren had been too smooth in recent years, forgetting the principle of not allowing others to sleep soundly beside your bed.
Xiao Tingyi looked expressionlessly at both sides of the Xishui River, then revealed a smile full of iron-blooded determination.
Jiaoren, so this is where your calculations lie.
He instructed Yang Zhao again, "Tell Mochun and Hongtao to dredge the upper reaches of the Xishui River thoroughly and see what's there!"
"Does the lord mean that the conflict between Jiaoren and Nan Yue is because of the Xishui River?"
"The upper reaches of the Xishui River are in the Lingzhu Eighteen Peaks, a series of treacherous mountains that even the Prince Ding's army couldn't climb. The lower reaches are at least twenty to thirty zhang wide. Jiaoren neither built ships nor bridges. How have they crossed the river all these years? If there's nothing hidden in the river, I'd be surprised!"
Yang Zhao suddenly understood. Their border with Jiaoren was marked by the Luo River, which was turbulent and full of rapids. Otherwise, they might have used the same method to cross the river.
"I will go now and tell them to be more vigilant."
The battle of Nan Yue ten years ago was too tragic, with countless soldiers buried in foreign lands. If possible, Xiao Tingyi hoped for a world without wars, where the people could live in peace.
Yet some people, for the sake of their so-called grand ambitions, always sought conflict.
He was not a warlike person but would not allow anyone to trample on Da Jin's land. Nan Yue was like that back then, and Jiaoren is like that now.
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