Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 195 - 193 Winning People Over_1
Chapter 195: Chapter 193: Winning People Over_1
Chapter 195 -193: Winning People Over_1
“Absolutely not!” Qin Shangzhi cupped his hands towards the Crown Prince. “Your Highness, burning and killing surrendered captives… The various nations are already dissatisfied with you. If you now request an imperial edict to execute General Bai, they will surely believe that you are trying to shirk responsibility by blaming everything on a woman!”
The Crown Prince nodded almost imperceptibly, his eyes thoughtful.
“Moreover… General Bai fought bloodily alongside the Jin Army. If Your Highness does this, it will also dishearten the soldiers! This will make Your Highness into someone disliked both inside and outside. Lord Fang, think carefully—is this not the truth?”
Qin Shangzhi knew the importance of Lord Fang to the Crown Prince. Thus, when offering this advice, he showed great respect to the person he usually despised, only hoping the Crown Prince would heed his words… If he could save Bai Qingyan’s life, it would be worth it.
Lord Fang glanced at Qin Shangzhi. Stroking his goatee, he probably thought that even the always unyielding Qin Shangzhi had learned to yield. His eyes carried a hint of condescension as he said slowly, “What Mr. Qin said does… have some reason.”
“I have a plan! The Crown Prince could petition the Emperor for commendation for General Bai, highlighting her contributions in the recent battle. Openly announce to the world that General Bai burned and killed surrendered captives because our Jin Army’s fifty thousand soldiers feared a rebellion by the Xiliang captives! In this way, the nations will know that after the King of Zhen, there is still Bai Qingyan, a general of unparalleled strategy and prowess, guarding Jin! Secondly, Your Highness can earn a reputation for trusting capable people unconditionally. In the future, there will be no lack of followers for Your Highness!” Qin Shangzhi bowed deeply, touching the ground. “Generals are the weapons of the nation and must be fierce and ruthless to deter other nations! The Crown Prince, as the cornerstone of the country, must be virtuous, righteous, and upright to ensure peace and stability! Therefore, Your Highness should not strive for military merits, but for virtue, righteousness, and the hearts of the people!”
Lord Fang squinted his eyes, pondering Qin Shangzhi’s words…
Indeed, the Crown Prince was already the heir. Unlike when his position was unsecured and he needed military merits to strengthen his claim. Looking at other princes… King Xin and King Liang were deposed. King Wei was only a five-year-old child, not necessarily very smart. Consort Luo’s unborn child was still uncertain whether it was male or female. For now, the Crown Prince’s position seemed secure.
Despite his reluctance to admit it, Qin Shangzhi’s strategy was indeed excellent. Instead of killing Bai Qingyan and admitting guilt to other nations, it would be better to push all the blame onto Bai Qingyan. Then, the Crown Prince could publicly defend Bai Qingyan, thereby gaining her loyalty—a win-win situation.
“Your Highness, I believe Mr. Qin’s plan is feasible!” Lord Fang said slowly.
Seeing Lord Fang’s approval, the Crown Prince felt more confident. Although he was somewhat reluctant to forgo the military merits, the prospect of gaining Bai Qingyan’s loyalty was not a bad exchange.
The Crown Prince nodded: “I also think Mr. Qin’s words are very correct. I am the heir, not a general. Military merits are useless… Gaining the people’s hearts is what matters!”
Qin Shangzhi, hearing the Crown Prince’s words, finally breathed a long sigh of relief. In this way… Bai Qingyan’s life was saved, right?
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Bai Qingyan camped at the Xiliang border with thirty thousand Jin soldiers and ten thousand Bai family soldiers along with the Huying Camp. The two armies faced each other across a Jinghe River, but neither made a move.
The Xiliang army feared the black flag with white pythons flapping in the wind across the camp, while Bai Qingyan was waiting for news from her seventh and ninth brothers and Shen Qingzhu, hence she did not act impulsively.
The Crown Prince planned to attribute both the military merits and the crime of burning and killing captives to Bai Qingyan. Qin Shangzhi had already sent a message by fast horse to Bai Qingyan.
Of course, to avoid detection by the Crown Prince’s people, Qin Shangzhi’s letter, written from the Crown Prince’s perspective, explained how the Crown Prince magnanimously refused to claim her military merits and how he would protect her innocent in front of the Emperor.
This was Qin Shangzhi’s effort to save her life, and she understood and appreciated it.
Bai Jinzhi took the letter from her hand and read it quickly, furious, “This Crown Prince is so shameless! If not for the incident at Wengshan Canyon, he would surely have seized the military merits! Now that this happened… he has the audacity to say he won’t claim the merits to avoid responsibility for burning and killing captives!”
“It’s expected behavior, why get angry?” She saw it calmly, knowing this kind of thing was not uncommon for the Imperial Family.
Bai Qingyan might not be a gentleman, but she was not one to break her word. She had genuinely intended to give the military merits to the Crown Prince, having already exchanged military merits for Bai Jinxiu’s special honor.
Therefore, in the Wengshan battle, having the strategy to defend the Crown Prince from the consequences of burning and killing captives was part of her plan.
But… since the Crown Prince was so impatient, she would genuinely accept his favor and thank him, showing her so-called loyalty in return.
Standing by the Jinghe River, looking at the turbulent, unfrozen winter water, her mind was all about her possibly still alive seventh and ninth brothers.
Before long, Xiao Ruojiang rode urgently towards the Jinghe River.
Without waiting for his horse to stop, Xiao Ruojiang jumped off, cupped his fists, and said: “Eldest Young Lady! Miss Shen… just sent word that Liu Huanzhang had set an ambush. The seventh and ninth young masters were intercepted before reaching Xiliang’s capital. She discovered that they were injured but managed to escape under the Bai family army’s protection. Their current whereabouts are unknown, but Miss Shen is searching for them.”
A few days ago, Xiao Ruojiang received news that the army led by the seventh and ninth young masters was completely wiped out while assaulting Xiliang. He had been holding back, fearing to tell the Eldest Young Lady, worried she couldn’t handle the blow! But today’s news… it was like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!
Hearing this, she turned suddenly, her heart pounding. They escaped?! This meant… her seventh and ninth brothers were likely still alive!
Even Bai Jinzhi nearly jumped in excitement, her eyes bright: “Seventh Brother and Ninth Brother escaped! That means… they’re still alive?! Really?!”
Xiao Ruojiang clenched his hands inside his sleeves, unable to contain his joy, and nodded vigorously, “Really!”
She suppressed her overwhelming joy and asked Xiao Ruojiang, “Where exactly were the seventh and ninth brothers intercepted? Where is Shen Qingzhu now? What about the messenger? Do we need to send someone to help?”
“Back to Eldest Young Lady, the messenger from Miss Shen did not say. The messenger has already left!”
