Chapter 852: First Volume, Chapter 852: Princess Qianqiansui

First Volume, Chapter 852: Princess Qianqiansui

This wine-tasting gathering held great significance, and even for the King of Di, it sent a clear signal: Qin Feng cared about only two things.

One was trade, the other was returning Jing Qianying to the imperial family.

The first benefited the state and its people; the second was a catastrophic blow to the King of Di.

The King of Di deeply agreed with Qin Feng's view that authority flows upward, and gave it high praise, yet his resolve to eliminate Qin Feng grew even stronger.

He could never surrender this glorious realm to another!

Beside him, Li Yu whispered: "Your Majesty, the Princess has reached an agreement with Qin Feng—should we go warn her?"

The King of Di waved his hand: "No need. Commerce is commerce; politics is politics."

"That girl Jing Ci has her heart set on the nation—whether for me or for the countless lives under heaven, she brings nothing but benefit."

"Though I value authority, I am not so foolish as to persecute the realm for my own selfish interests."

"Let commercial matters unfold naturally; as for Sangzhou's arrangements, proceed steadily and methodically."

Li Yu nodded, outwardly obeying, yet inwardly sighed with relief.

After all, anyone with eyes could see that Great Di now needed this trade.

Through Qin Feng's threats of open war and his heartfelt appeals, commercial affairs had finally begun to stabilize.

At the same time, under Li Zhang's governance and others', Sangzhou flourished.

Though Sangzhou remained part of Di territory, and even its county magistrates drew salaries from Di, the entire atmosphere now regarded Qin Feng as its leader.

Just after the "rebellion funds" allocated to Lü Ci and Li Chou had been dispatched, Li Zhang and Jing Qianying personally escorted a convoy along the wasteland, distributing winter grain to villages.

Upon reaching Heishitou Village, the massive convoy halted.

The village chief, over fifty years old, leaned on a cane and trembled at the village entrance.

Seeing the large troop, he swallowed repeatedly, his legs shaking uncontrollably.

When the troops stopped at a distance and only a few horses approached, the chief knelt down, bowing three times, then cautiously asked the lead man.

"This humble old man dares to ask: which general is passing through?"

"If you are marching, simply proceed—this village has only dozens of households, all hardworking, law-abiding common people; we dare not hide enemy spies. Please, General, spare us the search."

For ordinary common people, a village search meant total destruction.

This winter was already unbearable; if this happened, the whole village would face death.

The man in the white fur coat at the front was Prince Li Zhang.

He sat tall on horseback, one hand gripping the reins, and said softly: "Rise. If you are law-abiding, why fear?"

The old village chief, timid, remained kneeling, unwilling to stand.

The burly Deputy General beside him barked sharply: "The Prince ordered you to rise—how dare you defy him!"

That roar nearly scared the soul out of the village chief.

Li Zhang waved his hand, signaling the Deputy General to step back—these soldiers carried too much martial aura; they simply didn't know how to speak gently, and it wasn't their fault.

"Elder, don't be afraid. We come from Xiongying Ridge, sent by Lord Qin to assist Sangzhou's people through winter."

Though Prince Li Zhang was of noble birth, he took orders from a Marquis without the slightest hesitation—indeed, in his heart, he had long regarded Qin Feng as his sole pillar of support.

The old village chief naturally knew Xiongying Ridge had been seized by Liang forces, yet he felt no alarm.

These Liang people were nothing like the Liang people he remembered; they were said to be under Qin Feng's command.

Since entering Sangzhou, though they had fought many battles, they had never harmed the local people, winning considerable goodwill.

Gathering courage, the village chief rose, still feeling as if in a dream: "General, you truly came to deliver winter grain? How could such a thing exist in all of heaven?"

In his memory, whenever winter came, the court collecting grain was already a blessing—how could the court ever give grain freely?

Li Zhang, being an administrator rather than a warrior, always wore a gentle smile.

"Elder, I am not a general—I am the Prince."

Prince?

The old village chief was baffled—he was a mountain peasant; how could he distinguish official ranks and noble titles? All he knew was this man was a mighty figure.

Li Zhang didn't press further; he waved his hand, and his soldiers pushed forward a cart of grain—though it was only millet still in its husk, coarse at best, to these starving people it was timely assistance, priceless beyond measure.

The old village chief couldn't believe his eyes; he rubbed them twice, confirmed it was real, then turned and shouted excitedly toward the village.

"Come out, everyone! These aren't soldiers on the march—they're Lord Qin's men delivering winter grain!"

As he spoke, the old chief collapsed to his knees again, bowing repeatedly.

For common people, kneeling was the most direct way to express gratitude.

The village buzzed with activity; the elderly, weak, and women supported each other as they emerged. At first, the men dared not show themselves, fearing conscription—until they confirmed these were truly Qin Feng's men, then seven or eight strong men gathered courage and stepped forward.

Seeing the cart of grain, the villagers leapt with joy.

"Wonderful! Grain—real grain! We'll survive this winter!"

"I… I can't be dreaming, can I?"

"Just as the rumors said—Lord Qin's men never harm the people, and they enrich them. No wonder no one resisted since Lord Qin came to Sangzhou."

"Lord Qin is our savior—why resist him?"

Seeing the villagers so joyful, Li Zhang felt it deeply—if he had clung to his princely pride, he would never have understood how simple the people's hearts truly were.

As long as they had enough to eat, they were content.

Yet Li Zhang, following Qin Feng's instructions, added: "You need not thank Lord Qin—thank your own Princess instead."

As he spoke, Li Zhang turned and pointed to Jing Qianying, dressed in a white velvet undergarment and a bright red cloak.

"This is your Princess, Jing Yushu—though now she goes by the name Jing Qianying."

The villagers in this remote region were isolated; they had no idea what "Jing Yushu" meant.

Upon hearing "Princess," all the villagers knelt and bowed, even more moved than before.

To them, the Princess and a fairy were no different—both were beings they would never see in a lifetime.

Now they had not only seen the Princess, but she had come personally to lead the grain delivery—how could they not be stirred?

"Princess Qianqiansui."