Chapter 2100

The number of troops Ya State can support is determined by its economic capacity. To maintain more troops, naturally more base population is needed. But its population base is too low, so external acquisition is the quickest method.

Secondly, thanks to the Imperial Flowing Elixir, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has become even denser, Ya State's originally barren land is gradually becoming fertile, and many regions have begun to be suitable for farming. Du Shan raised his second finger. However, the Ya people's lifestyle is primarily nomadic; most are not skilled at farming, and they mainly form settlements in tribal fashion, with organizational structures unsuitable for agriculture.

Hearing this, Ling Guang understood: "So they captured the Does Bailie people and brought them back to farm?"

"To be used as serfs." Du Shan shook his head. "The Does Bailie people should be fearful; being taken to Ya State would be a tragic fate."

He Lingchuan continued writing without pause: "The lord is incompetent, the commoners suffer. Lu Zhensheng exhausted his efforts to steal the position of clan chief, yet lacks the ability to properly govern Does Bailie. If this continues, Does Bailie will perish within ten years."

Some people excel at internal strife but are inept at governance.

Du Shan, however, was beaming: "Ya State this time sent to raid the Does Bailie not an ordinary general, but Ya State's Third Prince Xiada Ye. He just came of age last year, and the Ya King specially sent him out for this lucrative assignment—one, to temper him in military affairs; two, to increase his credentials.

He Lingchuan then lowered his brush, lifted his head, and looked over.

Seeing his sharp, cold gaze, Du Shan knew the Emperor had seen through his thoughts.

He laid out his idea in full, and then said: "If executed properly, this is a case of killing two birds with one stone—this way, our relationship with Mou State will plummet to rock bottom." Du Shan's idea was simply to stir up trouble,

to stir up big trouble.

The consequences of these operations would require even He Lingchuan to consider carefully.

Du Shan immediately said: "There is gain and loss. Missing this opportunity, I fear it will be hard to find such a good chance again."

He Lingchuan pondered deeply for over two hours before saying:

"This matter, I entrust to you to handle."

Du Shan joyfully bowed: "Yes."

"As for arranging the spy to be sent to Mou State, I have a better candidate." He Lingchuan took a sip of tea. "What is Mr. Dong doing lately?"

"Mr. Dong has recently been obsessed with experiments; it's said he's made some breakthroughs and hasn't come out for a long time."

"I want to make a trip to Ju Lu Port to clear my mind. You go ask Dong Rui whether he'd like to revisit old places?"

"Yes!"

? ￥￥￥￥

Ju Lu Port, Ghost Market.

Although Ju Lu Port had long been actually controlled by the Yang Shan Merchant Guild, and folk custom referred to it as "Yang Shan Port," it was only last year that the Black Armor Army rose up from Ju Lu Port, overturning Peng State's rule, and brought this entire region under Dragon God's territory. From then on, Dragon God's rule over this place became legitimate and proper.

No matter how the Jin Gold Plains fluctuate and change, Ju Lu Port's port business remains prosperous; officials specially preserved the Ghost Market to retain this historic port's market vitality.

The Ghost Market's bulletin board has already been expanded twice, from one side to three, but every day it is still plastered with countless cowhide small advertisements.

The more prosperous Ju Lu Port's trade becomes, the more people come here to make a living, and the more information is exchanged on the bulletin board.

Even around the board, idle people gather and set up stalls.

On this day, the most prominent spot on the old bulletin board had a half-palm-sized red-white note pasted on it, which others' messages could not cover, because someone was specifically watching it nearby.

The note bore only a few characters:

"At noon on the first day, Joy Sound Tower."

Two days later will be the first day.

Joy Sound Tower is a newly opened tea house in Ju Lu Port from last year, with the newest facilities and the most magnificent halls.

Noon is mealtime; Joy Sound Tower also serves snacks, so it is equally bustling at noon.

Many people come and go; among them, one person wore a gray cloak, covering half the face, only discernible as a woman by her figure and eyebrows and eyes.

She entered the tea house, her gaze sweeping over the faces of customers at each table, but she did not see the person she was seeking.

Just then, she heard a voice beside her ear:

"Upstairs."

The second floor is for private seats, tea fees are high, so fewer people come. Each table is spaced far apart, facilitating private discussion.

Before she had even stepped up, she saw two people sitting by the window: one was drinking tea, the other waved at her in greeting.

The woman walked straight over, nodded at him: "Mr. Wei, long time no see."

"Mr. Wei" stood up to pull out her chair: "No trouble, no trouble, please sit quickly."

The woman's gaze then fell upon the other person.

He leisurely sipped a mouthful of tea, allowed her to look him over at will, then set down his cup: "Long time no see, Miss Mai, please sit."

The woman slowly took her seat, back straight, shoulders level, maintaining a finger's distance between her back and the chair's back. This poised and dignified posture is how ladies of noble families sit.

"How should I address you, Mr. He, Emperor, or Dragon God?"

She casually removed her gray cloak, revealing a face that could be either pleasing or displeasing.

The two were instantly bright-eyed.

This woman came in full adornment, eyebrows like distant indigo, eyes like autumn waves, peach-pink moistened vermilion lips—she could be called peerless in beauty.

He Lingchuan smiled, personally pouring her a full cup: "Then should I call you Consort Mei, or Miss Mai?"

"Whatever you like. Anyway, it's all me; names are just labels." The woman softly exclaimed, "The Nine Abyssal Great Emperor personally poured me tea—who would believe that if I said it out?"

She is none other than the former Mei Consort of Chun State, whose given name is Mai Miao, daughter of Chun State minister Mai Lian Sheng. The Chun King killed her father; she hid her name and served her enemy with her body, finally seized the opportunity, and with the aid of Mou State and He Lingchuan, killed the Chun King.

After Yun Guang established Peng State to replace Chun State, she also quietly departed.

This reunion is already three years later, and the Jin Gold Plains have again undergone vast changes.

The last time I saw Mei Consort, she seemed like a supple willow in the wind, rain-soaked Ding Xiang, full of fragile beauty that made one reluctant to harm her; but this time seeing her again, that fragile, delicate feeling is gone. Sitting opposite He Lingchuan and Dong Rui is a beauty like a lotus asleep.

Pink, bright, languidly charming, beautiful to the point of clashing with her surroundings—like a pink lotus blooming in the muddy pond of a dull, gray farmstead.

Clearly the same woman, clearly the same five features, yet her temperament and charm are as different as two people from three years ago.

Dong Rui couldn't help but lightly inhale. This must be her true face? Over three years ago, she acted that pitiful little plum blossom so well.

Mei Consort's tea-drinking posture was also very elegant; He Lingchuan set down the teapot: "Mei Consort kept her promise and came, so naturally she deserves this cup of tea. You traveled from Tu City to here in just two days—no easy feat."

The distance from Tu City to Ju Lu Port is eighty li, not counting the time for news to travel from Ju Lu Port to Tu City,

her actual travel time may be less than a day—truly, upon receiving the news, she jumped onto a carriage immediately, showing her haste.