Chapter 754

After court was dismissed, the Emperor had Xiao Yuanhang remain alone.

In Zichen Hall's study, Eunuch Cheng served tea and stood quietly at the side.

Xiao Jieyun lifted his teacup, took a sip, looked up at Xiao Yuanhang: "Yuanhang, what do you think of those civil officials' remarks in court today?"

Xiao Yuanhang replied: "Although Jingcheng has just been stabilized, their advocacy of rest and recuperation is not entirely without reason."

"But you were still the first to step forward and request to go to war."

"I have no choice but to request." Xiao Yuanhang's expression calm, "The Yin-Yang masters of Dongying could infiltrate Jingcheng, and now they have helped the great army destroy Goryeo."

"If we do not send troops this time, once they gain a foothold in Goryeo, the next target will be our Lie Kingdom."

The Emperor fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly: "I kept you back because I wish to discuss an important matter with you."

"Those grand principles spoken in court are meant for the officials to hear and for the scribes to record."

"Now that only you and I, brothers, remain, I will speak plainly."

He paused, his gaze falling toward the window.

"The uncle and nephew kneeling in the hall begging for aid— their plight is genuine, and my compassion is also real."

"But compassion alone is not enough for me to risk the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers on such a great peril."

He withdrew his gaze, looking at Xiao Yuanhang: "This war I intend to wage is not merely to aid Goryeo."

"Dongying is but a tiny country; I never regarded it seriously."

"But they dare to collude with the Ni Ze, sneak into my Jingcheng, and even plot to harm Tuan Tuan— this I absolutely cannot tolerate."

"This matter, whenever I think of it, feels like a thorn in my back."

"I want Dongying to know that whoever dares to reach out to my Lie Kingdom's guardian princess must prepare for national annihilation."

Xiao Yuanhang smiled slightly: "Your Majesty's words are indeed correct."

The Emperor leaned back in his chair: "However, for this expedition, there are several matters you must attend to in advance on my behalf."

He raised one finger: "First, this war must have a just cause."

"Since I am sending troops this time to aid Goryeo's restoration, that young prince must first become the legitimate king of Goryeo."

"Let him, in the name of the new king of Goryeo, issue a proclamation, summon the old troops, and announce it to the world."

"Let everyone know that I am going to assist; after winning the war, I will not take even an inch of land from Goryeo."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded: "I understand. As long as the Goryeo royal bloodline remains, the people's hearts will not scatter; only after restoration will the Goryeo populace feel grateful for Lie Kingdom's favor."

Xiao Jieyun nodded and raised a second finger.

"Second, the military expenses will not come from the state treasury."

Xiao Yuanhang was slightly taken aback.

Xiao Jieyun laughed: "There are still many treasures in the Luoying Jing treasure trove; selling them all for silver will be enough to fund this expedition."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded: "Your Majesty is wise; only by announcing a three-year tax exemption for the people can we ensure they suffer no loss."

Xiao Jieyun shifted tone: "But even close brothers must keep clear accounts."

"This expedition, I am advancing the military funds for Goryeo."

"After we win the war, they will still have to repay it."

He raised a third finger.

"This is the third point: go discuss with Wang Cheng'an and sign a treaty with him."

"After Goryeo's restoration, it must open all its ports to my Lie Kingdom."

"Henceforth, any Lie Kingdom merchant ships entering or exiting will be exempt from taxes and levies regardless of cargo or quantity."

A gleam flashed in Xiao Yuanhang's eyes: "Goryeo controls the maritime chokepoint; if its ports are fully opened and trade taxes abolished, Lie Kingdom's silk, porcelain, and tea can flow directly into Goryeo."

"Exactly." Xiao Jieyun set down his teacup: "I have advanced the military funds for Goryeo; although they need not pay up front, they must still repay it gradually."

"Moreover, as long as the ports remain fully open and merchant ships travel ceaselessly, within a few years the advanced military funds will be returned manifold."

"Your Majesty's calculations are even more precise than the Ministry of Revenue's," Xiao Yuanhang chuckled, "I never realized before that war could also be profitable."

The ruler and minister exchanged a glance and both laughed.

Xiao Yuanhang rose: "I will attend to this immediately."

In Fengyi Palace.

Murong Jing sat upright at the table, smiling as he watched his Fengyi Palace grow lively again.

Tuan Tuan was happily chasing Xiao Feifei together with Xiao Lin and Xiao Jin in the courtyard.

But Xiao Feifei, upon seeing Snow Tuan, became even more interested and pursued relentlessly.

Snow Tuan, annoyed by Xiao Feifei's pursuit, climbed a large tree, lay on a high branch, lowered its head and meowed at Xiao Feifei.

Xiao Feifei, anxious, ran in circles around the tree below.

Watching this, the three little ones stopped and burst into laughter.

Xiao Lin asked: "Tuan Tuan, why can't your fox climb trees?"

Tuan Tuan thought: "Because it's still small! It will be able to when it grows up!"

"Oh," Xiao Lin asked again, "how old is it, Tuan Tuan?"

Tuan Tuan shook his head: "I don't know either!"

Xiao Jin felt pity for Snow Tuan, looked up and shouted: "Snow Tuan! Come down!"

Snow Tuan regarded him with doubtful eyes, clearly not believing him at all.

Tuan Tuan lifted Xiao Feifei: "Be good, don't chase Snow Tuan, okay? I'll call it down, then you can play nicely with it."

Xiao Feifei made two soft sounds, as if agreeing.

Tuan Tuan lifted his little head, about to call out.

Eunuch Cheng led a little girl into Fengyi Palace.

He glanced and saw Tuan Tuan: "Little Princess is also here? Oh dear, look at my memory—now I must call you Princess."

"Old servant has seen the Princess, the Eleventh Prince, the Twelfth Prince."

Tuan Tuan placed the snowball on the ground and pounced: "Uncle! Why did you come?"

"Old servant, I am here by His Majesty's decree, to escort Princess Jingning."

"Princess Jingning?" Tuan Tuan looked behind him.

The girl was about five or six years old, wearing a plain clean dress, with two plain white ribbons tied to her braided hair.

Her chin was pointed, her two eyes deep and black, timidly following Eunuch Cheng, her fingers clutching the hem of her skirt tightly.

Tuan Tuan walked up to her: "I am Tuan Tuan! Your name is Jingning, right?"

Wang Jingning lifted her eyelids, cautiously gave Tuan Tuan a glance, and in a thin, weak voice said: "Um, I… I am called Wang Jingning."

Tuan Tuan was puzzled: "You are a Princess, shouldn't you be Xiao Jingning?"

She looked at Eunuch Cheng: "Uncle, which palace is she from? How come I never saw her before?"

Eunuch Cheng let out a gentle sigh: "Princess, old servant first took her to see the Empress, and will tell you when I return."

Tuan Tuan grabbed Wang Jingning's hand: "Uncle, I'll go with you, so you don't have to say it a second time!"

Eunuch Cheng smiled: "Princess, you are truly clever!"

Tuan Tuan waved toward Xiao Lin and Xiao Jin: "Come together!"

The two nodded, and walked together into the hall.

Eunuch Cheng slowly recounted the matter of Goryeo: "Empress, His Majesty's decree is that Princess Jingning, before setting out on the campaign, shall temporarily reside here, under your personal care."

Mu Rong Jin nodded, rose, walked to Wang Jingning's front, and gently clasped the girl's hand: "What a pitiful child, has suffered."

Wang Jingning lifted her head, looked at the gentle‑smiling woman before her, and softly said: "Th‑Thank you, Empress."

Mu Rong Jin gave a faint smile: a child who had just endured such fright and arrived at an unfamiliar place—truly hard on her.

Still, she must be gently persuaded.

Tuan Tuan's mouth puckered high as she heard: "Those Japan villains again!"

Xiao Lin and Xiao Jin had just experienced Father Emperor's absence and Mother Consort being threatened, and were filled with righteous anger: "Exactly! They are too wicked!"

Wang Jingning looked at the three companions before her, angry on her behalf, and a feeling of grievance surged in her heart at once.

Her mouth twisted, tears streamed down, and her sobbing grew louder.

Mu Rong Jin, bewildered by her crying, didn't know what to do.

Tuan Tuan had never cried at all while living here!