Chapter 831

Zhou Ruiyuan's heart was greatly shaken; although Qiqi was young, her words hit the mark every time. The choice of crown prince was never something they should worry about. Indeed, they had claimed they were acting for Dakang's future, insisting on supporting Long Yelin's ascension; it's hard to say there was no self-interest involved. If Long Yelin weren't my student, would I still support him so firmly? Why choose him over Long Yelin Qing? Partly because I feared that if Long Yelin Qing took power, my own political interests would suffer. Everyone has selfish motives; Dakang's decline cannot be said to have nothing to do with us officials.

Wen Chenghuan was genuinely shocked; at first he thought the old emperor had changed temperament after this setback, which is why he had chosen Qiqi to come out and assist him in handling state affairs, but Qiqi's few words had already summed up the reasons for Dakang's current situation. Wen Chenghuan certainly would not regard Dakang as his homeland; deep down he hoped for Dakang's defeat to come soon, so that he could openly regain his former status, restore his ancestors' glory, and comfort his father's spirit in heaven. Long Xuan'en is certainly not a wise ruler, let alone Long Yelin; by the time of Long Yelin's reign, Ji Feihua held power over court and countryside, and Dakang's foundations were already tottering. Wen Chenghuan almost saw Dakang's day of destruction. Yet this palace coup unfolded silently and unnoticed; before he even realized it, Dakang had already completed this political upheaval.

The retired emperor regained the throne, but at the outset he did not launch the bloody slaughter and revenge they had anticipated; instead he showed unprecedented leniency, even pardoning those officials who had previously supported the new emperor. It seems the old emperor, after this setback, actually achieved great enlightenment. To Wen Chenghuan this is not frightening; what is truly frightening is the wisdom displayed by Qiqi, whom he had never paid attention to before. Today he finally received his first proper lesson from her—this little girl is truly clever to the point of being uncanny. Fortunately she is only a girl; if she were born male, who knows what could happen? Dakang might truly achieve a revival under her hand.

Such a thought flashed and vanished; Wen Chenghuan immediately dismissed this near‑absurd assumption. Dakang is already past saving. Even immortals could not help; even if Qiqi had extraordinary talent, what could one person change? Thinking this, Wen Chenghuan's mind settled.

Qiqi said: "Both of you are indispensable ministers of Dakang. Ji Feihua has brought chaos to the state; Dakang has been riddled with wounds by him, and restoring it will be a long road. Wen Taishi, I have discussed this with His Majesty. The task of repairing relations with neighboring states will be planned and carried out by you."

Wen Chenghuan bowed and said: "This old servant obeys your order!"

Qiqi said: "The most crucial link in this is Xichuan. Li Tianheng is a former Dakang general; because he resented my third imperial uncle, he raised troops, declared himself the King of Xichuan, and under the banner of 'loyalist king' he repeatedly denied my father's legitimacy, claiming my father was not the emperor appointed by His Majesty. Now His Majesty has returned to power, so the loyalist claim no longer exists. His Majesty prepares to issue an edict to persuade him to surrender, and this task is also entrusted to you, Wen Taishi."

Wen Chenghuan felt this was no small matter. If Li Tianheng led his troops back to Dakang, Dakang would shift from division to unity, and its strength would surely rise by a great leap—something certainly unfavorable to Da Yong. Yet Li Tianheng, though he once flew the loyalist banner, now reigns as king; once a person has tasted the benefits of being a king, how could he willingly bow again and serve another? Wen Chenghuan said: "This old servant will do his utmost."

Qiqi said: "Taishi, you have worked hard; please hurry to plan and arrange this matter. Draft the letter persuading Li Tianheng to surrender and bring it to me for review first."

"Yes!" Wen Chenghuan heard that Qiqi was issuing a dismissal; it seemed she still had matters to discuss privately with Zhou Ruiyuan, so he rose and took his leave.

After Wen Chenghuan left, Qiqi rose from the dragon throne, walked slowly toward Zhou Ruiyuan, and said softly: "Minister Zhou, you have saved my life; when I was in Xiezhou, it was thanks to Chancellor Zhou's intervention that the crisis was resolved."

Zhou Ruiyuan hastily rose and said respectfully: "Your Highness, please do not say that; protecting the princess is a duty every official ought to fulfill."

Qiqi said: "I am not someone who forgets kindness; I keep in mind every little favor shown to me, and likewise I remember clearly anyone who has wronged me."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "I will wholeheartedly assist His Majesty and share Dakang's burdens."

Qiqi said: "In my eyes you are not merely a Dakang official; I regard you as kin and elder. I know how much my father relied on you, and I know all that Chancellor Zhou has done for Dakang. Since my father ascended the throne, Dakang has been plagued by constant warfare, and it has always been Minister Zhou who has been busy putting out fires."

Zhou Ruiyuan felt somewhat moved; although Qiqi is young, she actually understands my difficulties. He sighed: "I am incapable; despite my utmost effort, I cannot stop Dakang's decline."

"Even a clever housewife cannot cook without rice! Dakang's decline is not accidental; it is the accumulation of long‑standing malpractices. I have heard some of the Chancellor's ideas on reform; if they could be implemented, Dakang's revival might not be impossible."

Zhou Ruiyuan's eyes brightened; it was undoubtedly gratifying to him that his policy proposals received approval.

Qiqi added: "Regarding Dakang's current situation, Chancellor, do you have anything you wish to say?"

Zhou Ruiyuan pondered, then bowed and said: "As the Princess just said, Dakang's present predicament stems from long‑accumulated malpractices, as the saying goes, ice three feet thick does not freeze in a day. To remove the ice one must not chop at it with axe or knife, lest both sides suffer; patience is required. Even the sharpest tool may not be suited for dealing with ice, yet the spring wind of February can easily melt it."

Qiqi smiled: "Chancellor, you are saying that reform should not be rushed."

Zhou Ruiyuan nodded: "Exactly; the most pressing issue for Dakang today is to settle the people's hearts, for only when the populace is at ease can the continual downward trend be halted."

Qiqi said: "To live in peace and contentment, the people's desire for stability cannot be solved by merely issuing one or two edicts; I can advise His Majesty to lighten taxes, but even that would not produce immediate results."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Dakang has suffered year after year from natural disasters; the treasury is empty, domestic harvests are short, and the populace faces famine, while stored grain everywhere cannot feed so many people."

Qiqi said: "The people are the foundation of the state; the people are water, we are fish. Without water, water remains water, but fish without water have only a dead end."

Zhou Ruiyuan was again shaken by Qiqi's words; although what she said was not some earth‑shattering grand truth, it is truly rare for a member of the imperial family to maintain such a clear mind and possess such understanding.

Qiqi's clear, beautiful eyes met Zhou Ruiyuan's as she said: "I know your greatest worry is the empty treasury and lack of funds; you need not worry about this—what you must do now is find channels to purchase grain." She paused, then said: "The money problem—I will solve it!"

Taking the route through Cangmu was a reluctant decision; to evade the troops sent by Zhao Dengyun, Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan went west along the small river, abandoning the shortest path to Kangdu. Hu Xiaotian also gave up his plan to meet Long Xi Yue in Haizhou as soon as possible; from Wuxing Jun to Kangdu, the two most frequently used and easiest routes would surely be lined with Zhao Dengyun's pursuers, and he did not want to take the risk. Naturally he also abandoned the idea of meeting Wu Jing Shan in this area, for having caused such a disturbance in Wuxing Jun, Wu Jing Shan would surely hear the wind of it.

He also dared not enter Cangmu County; he bypassed Cangmu and went straight into Fenglin Valley. Recalling the attack by the Hunshui Gang there a few months ago, which remained vivid in his mind, Hu Xiaotian involuntarily remembered fighting side by side with Sumitian to retake the Hunshui Gang. Gazing at the loess pillars rising in the morning sun, a faint knowing smile touched his lips.

Because of the wind, loess filled the air; both wore masks over their faces. Huo Shengnan narrowed her eyes, looking at the labyrinth‑like Fenglin Valley, and asked: "If we go in, will we get lost?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "No, I have a map, though this place is exactly where the Hunshui Gang frequents."

Huo Shengnan blinked her beautiful eyes and asked: "Are there bandits?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Such a superb terrain, if not used for banditry, would be a terrible waste."

"Will we encounter bandits?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Running into them would be great!" He spurred his horse into Fenglin Valley, with Huo Shengnan following behind. Although he had been there once before, returning now still felt confusingly complex; fortunately he remembered the method Liang Yinghao had told him: Fenglin Valley is windy year‑round, but the wind direction is mostly the same; over the years, wind and rain have left erosion marks on each loess pillar, forming a series of patterned paths. These patterns follow a fixed rule, and by following their direction one can determine the correct route.

At noon, the two took shelter in the shadow of a loess pillar, rested a while, ate some dry rations to replenish water, and Hu Xiaotian said: "Once we leave Fenglin Valley we must have a good, hearty meal."

Huo Shengnan rinsed her mouth; much loess clung to her long black lashes. She sighed: "All I want is a hot shower; after just half a day's walk I've become a mud monkey."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Even if you are only a mud monkey, in my eyes you are still the most beautiful monkey."

Huo Shengnan spat: "You're the monkey!"

Hu Xiaotian made a gesture toward her; in the distance the Palace Bell rang. He looked up and saw a knight riding a black horse moving slowly under the scorching sun, appearing already exhausted, both man and horse spent.

The update at midnight today is the third one; Zhangyu won't play those little tricks—continue to seek monthly ticket support.

Please follow Zhangyu's public account **Stonesquid (to be continued~^~)