Thank you so much Yuki for the kind donation huhu This chapter is for you <3
Shen Yu nudged him with his elbow. "Your Majesty should think about something more practical. No matter how hard you try, this kind of thing won't come true."
Shang Junlin grabbed his hand, holding his wrist tightly. "I know."
Shen Yu struggled a bit but couldn't break free from the man's restraint. Fortunately, he let go on his own. "How's the situation in Beimo now?"
"Beimo has been reluctant to compensate. After hearing that Fang Jiayi was the negotiator, several officials feigned illness one after another. The Emperor of Beimo threw a fit in the court, and forcibly selected a few people."
"The ones selected must have looked very unhappy."
"Of course. The day after the matter was settled, they openly criticized those officials who feigned illness in the court, even the Beimo Emperor wasn't spared."
Shen Yu could understand their thoughts. Fang Jiayi was too formidable in battles, and this kind of task was clearly not a good job. No matter how it was handled, they would only bear the blame. Moreover, they would also suffer inner torment. Not many people would be willing to take it.
Although there were officials who put their personal interests aside for the sake of their positions, they were few and far between. Obviously, those officials in Beimo did not belong to this category.
Upon hearing the news in Subei, He Chengyu, Jiang Huaiqing, Fang Jiayi, and others gathered together, and someone couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Beimo really thinks that we, under Da Huan, are easy to bully. Let's see how they'll fare this time. We might as well strip them of a layer of skin."
They were all newly appointed officials sent to Subei, mostly young and ambitious. In Subei, they had countless opportunities to make a name for themselves. They were willing to do anything that would make the people of Beimo unhappy.
"Official Fang is truly remarkable. I must confess, I had some reservations about her at first and couldn't understand why His Majesty made an exception to allow a woman to enter the court as an official. Now I realize how narrow-minded I was in the past. Here's to you, Official Fang." With these words, the man raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.
"Actually, I also..." One after another, many people apologized for their past prejudices.
"What I did was indeed unconventional, so it's understandable that you couldn't comprehend it at first," Fang Jiayi said with a smile as she finished her drink. "It's my honor to work with all of you."
"Please don't say that, Official Fang. Regardless of how you put it, it should be our honor," another person interjected.
The atmosphere at the table became even more lively, and Jiang Huaiqing also clinked glasses with He Chengyu.
The negotiation was scheduled to take place before the New Year. The Da Huan court intended to complete the negotiation before the New Year so that the people of Linyuan could have a good New Year.
Linyuan was inhabited by many people who were pure-blooded Beimo natives. There had been several rounds of arguments within the court about whether to accept these people. Some believed that since they were not of their kind, their hearts must be different, and there was no need to bother with them. After occupying Linyuan, these people should become slaves. Another faction argued that since they belonged to Da Huan now, they should be treated as Da Huan citizens, and there should be no excessive punishment.
Both sides held firm to their positions, and the debate became intense.
However, this matter would not affect the acquisition of Linyuan from the hands of the Beimo people.
With everything prepared, Fang Jiayi changed into her official robe and, accompanied by her entourage, headed to the negotiation site with the Beimo officials.
As expected, the negotiation went smoothly this time.
The people ofBeimo did try to play some tricks, but with the Subei Army watching closely, they dared not make any moves. On the negotiating table, Fang Jiayi was like a fish in water, pushing the Beimo officials back step by step.
When the negotiation ended, the officials from Da Huan were in high spirits, while Fang Jiayi showed signs of wanting more. On the other hand, the Beimo officials had pale faces and looked defeated.
On the spot, Fang Jiayi made the officials from Beimo sign the agreement. From that day on, Linyuan belonged to Da Huan!
Jiang Huaiqing went to Linyuan with the Subei Army. Before the official appointment of officials by the court, this piece of land would be temporarily managed by the officials from Subei.
Many of the people who originally lived in Linyuan had left, and those who stayed were mostly ordinary herders and abandoned slaves.
Among these slaves, some were originally from Da Huan. After Jiang Huaiqing's team arrived, the first thing they did was to identify the Da Huan people among them. After verifying their identities, those who were willing to return to Da Huan were sent back. Those who were unwilling to leave could continue to stay in Linyuan and work.
Shang Junlin did not hide his intentions. Soon after, Linyuan would become a dedicated horse ranch for Da Huan. When Jiang Huaiqing and others went over, they needed to deal with potential issues in Linyuan in advance.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on achieving your goal," Shen Yu said, putting down the documents handed over from Subei and leaning back, supporting himself on the table.
"There are still many issues to address in the future. Jiang Huaiqing is meticulous, and he has considered many problems in Linyuan," Shang Junlin commented while reviewing the documents.
"What about the Beimo people who remain in Linyuan? Your Majesty, what are your plans for them?" Shen Yu asked.
"We will observe for a while. If they remain loyal, I don't mind them living in Linyuan," Shang Junlin replied.
"Linyuan is close to Subei," Shen Yu mused with lowered eyes. "Is there a precedent for intermarriage between the two sides?"
"There is indeed," Shang Junlin replied, intrigued by Shen Yu's line of questioning. "Why do you bring this up?"
"The nobles are constantly debating the fate of these people, fearing various problems that may arise. Ultimately, it's all because these people identify as Beimo. But what if, one day, they sincerely recognize themselves as part of Da Huan?" Shen Yu proposed.
Taming people cannot rely solely on violence; it requires breaking down the barriers in their hearts. They need to be bound to Da Huan, where their fortunes rise and fall with theirs. Only when their interests are completely aligned can they truly prevent certain situations from occurring.
Shen Yu slowly articulated his thoughts: "Your Majesty can encourage them to intermarry with Da Huan citizens, encourage them to speak the Da Huan language in their daily lives, and send Da Huan scholars to educate their children. As this generation ages and the next generation, raised with Da Huan values, grows up, will they still recognize themselves as Beimo?"
Shang Junlin pondered Shen Yu's words. "Over several generations, they will completely discard their Beimo identity and truly integrate into Da Huan."
"Exactly. This method may take some time, but it's gentler than any other approach," Shen Yu concluded.
The court had resolved the issue that had been causing arguments for several days, and as the New Year approached, there was still no movement from the King Yue's side. In the Subei army, generals who were preparing to report back to the capital were getting ready to depart.
Among them was Gu Huai.
They should have set off earlier, but they had been delayed for some time dealing with matters in Beimo. By the time they were ready to depart, it was already late, and time was somewhat pressing.
Accompanying Gu Huai on his return was the officer who had befriended him, now serving as his deputy.
"I've never been to the capital even though I've been around for so long. General, is the capital really as prosperous as they say?" the deputy couldn't help but ask as they traveled.
"It's very bustling. You'll see for yourself when we arrive," replied Gu Huai, but as they drew closer to the capital, his emotions became increasingly difficult to calm.
After the war with Beimo ended, he wrote a long letter to Physician Gu, explaining some of the reasons for his enlistment and detailing what had happened in Subei.
When he had left initially, it had seemed like he was leaving without a word, and although he had sent a letter later, Gu Huai still worried that Physician Gu would be angry.
The capital was lively, filled with shops and stalls selling items for the upcoming New Year.
Every street was crowded with people, bustling with activity.
After news of the negotiations with Beimo reached the capital, it became a hot topic among the people.
"Have you seen the recent reports? Those people from Beimo really think we're easy to bully. They keep delaying, saying they can't gather enough supplies. I bet they just want to avoid paying up."
"Maybe they're hoping that if they delay long enough, we'll forget about it."
"But no matter how nice they talk, we won't be fooled. What's rightfully ours, why should we give it up?"
"That Subei official, Lady Fang, is really something. After so many encounters, those Beimo people must have shivered at the mention of her name."
"Hahaha, they're getting a taste of their own medicine! Official Fang's actions really resonate with the people!"
"We don't need to show mercy to our enemies."
"I heard a rumor. Did you know that the people of Beimo wrote a letter to our Emperor, asking him to recall Lady Fang back to the capital and not leave her in Subei? They can't bear it anymore, hahaha."
"Is that true?"
"My cousin works at Duan-daren's mansion, and the information comes from there. Can it be fake?"
As Physician Gu walked through the streets, he heard various discussions. When it came to Beimo, many people talked about the battles Gu Huai had participated in. The Gu Huai they described didn't seem quite like the person who had spent several years with him. He always felt a sense of unreality.
Physician Gu stopped at a small stall, which was filled with lanterns of various styles. In the past, Gu Huai had been busy with these preparations, but this year, with Gu Huai absent, the house had been quiet.
"Would you like to buy a pair, sir? Although my stall is small, the lanterns I sell are of top quality," the vendor said enthusiastically.
After pausing for a moment, Physician Gu bought a pair under the vendor's warm recommendation.
Families were all preparing for the upcoming New Year, and even the palace began to decorate.
Without needing instructions from the Emperor or Shen Yu, Meng-gonggong had already arranged for the palace to be well decorated.
In Yu Zhang Palace, Shen Yu leaned on a soft couch, watching the eunuchs bustling in and out.
"Young Master, take a look and see if there's anything that needs changing," Mu Xi brought in a hot drink and placed it beside Shen Yu.
"What is this?" Shen Yu asked, looking at the cup.
"It's a newly developed milk pudding from the small kitchen, made with fresh fruits and milk. Young Master, please try it and see if you like it," Mu Xi explained.
Accustomed to the occasional new dishes from the small kitchen, Shen Yu took a sip. The combination of milk and fresh fruits blended perfectly, with a sweet but not cloying taste, just to Shen Yu's liking.
After finishing the milk pudding, Shen Yu stood up and looked around. "You've arranged everything quite well. There's nothing that needs to be changed."
As he spoke, Shang Junlin, who had finished morning court, walked in.
"Something happened in court today regarding the Zhenbei Marquis. Would you like to hear about it?" Shang Junlin untied his cloak and tossed it into Meng-gonggong's arms.
"What happened with the Zhenbei Marquis?" In this lifetime, Shen Yu hadn't paid much attention to his family. Initially, he had people outside keep an eye on Zhenbei Marquis' estate and report to him from time to time, but later he simply handed the matter over to Mu Xi. If nothing important happened, he couldn't be bothered to deal with it.
"Today, the Zhenbei Marquis requested a person to be recognized in court as his legitimate heir," Shang Junlin's voice was slightly solemn.
"Legitimate heir? Besides me and Shen Qingran, does the Zhenbei Marquis have other children?"
