Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 211 - 209 Know Your Role_1
Chapter 211: Chapter 209: Know Your Role_1
Chapter 211: Chapter 209: Know Your Role_1
He turned his head and looked at Bai Qingyan. “General Bai, what do you mean by this?”
The Crown Prince frowned. Previously, when the military achievements were attributed to him, Bai Qingyan returning to Shuoyang was certainly excellent. But now that Bai Qingyan’s military achievements were so outstanding, if she returned to Shuoyang… how would the world perceive the Jin Imperial Family?
Furthermore, he had spent a great deal of manpower and resources over the past month, using the war against the Shu Kingdom and this Wengshan battle to promote Bai Qingyan’s name as the God of Slaughter across various nations. This was in order to exchange for Bai Qingyan’s loyalty. He also wanted the world to see that even the God of Slaughter was subservient to him. Moreover, he wanted all the countries to know that although Bai Weiting was dead, the Jin Kingdom still had a more ruthless and decisive general than Bai Weiting. It was not for Bai Qingyan to withdraw to Shuoyang after the war.
Moreover, the Bai family’s reputation was already too illustrious in the Jin Kingdom, almost surpassing the Imperial Family. However, burning and killing surrendered soldiers was not in line with the natural law. Only by elevating Bai Qingyan to a high position and letting her accept this glory could her bloodthirsty nature be known to all and darken the Bai family’s reputation for benevolence.
But if she did not seek credit after a great victory and instead retreated to Shuoyang, her bloodthirsty reputation might not be cemented.
Old Fang was also quite surprised, his fingers trembling slightly.
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The idea of promoting Bai Qingyan as the God of Slaughter in various countries was proposed by Old Fang. The Emperor and the Crown Prince had created such a huge commotion for this and even used their covert agents in enemy countries. If Bai Qingyan really withdrew to Shuoyang, not to mention the Emperor’s blame, the Crown Prince might no longer listen to him in the future.
Old Fang suddenly thought of the words Qin Shangzhi had used to try to dissuade the Crown Prince when he proposed this plan. He said that even though Bai Qingyan had beheaded Pang Pingguo in the Shu Kingdom battle and achieved a great victory in Wengshan, she did not deserve the title of God of Slaughter. Furthermore, Bai Qingyan had burned and killed surrendered soldiers in the Wengshan battle, committing an act that defied moral law. If the Crown Prince exalted Bai Qingyan like this, Bai Qingyan might not continue her loyalty toward the Crown Prince knowing his real intentions.
At that time, Old Fang had mocked Qin Shangzhi, but now the situation proved Qin Shangzhi’s words right. This man’s intelligence was unparalleled. If the Crown Prince really employed Qin Shangzhi, how would he still have a place to stand?
Old Fang’s slightly cloudy eyes looked at Bai Qingyan, as if assessing how much truth was in her words.
Bai Qingyan noticed that Qin Shangzhi appeared to breathe a sigh of relief, and she already understood in her heart.
These days, her warmongering and bloodthirsty name had been growing in various countries… to an extent that even surpassed her grandfather. This was due to her horrifying act of burning and killing surrendered soldiers. But if she thought that no one was fueling the flames behind the scenes, she would never believe it.
As for who was behind it, could she not figure it out? Placing the prominent title of God of Slaughter on her head, in the name of praise but in reality to destroy her, who else could it be but the Crown Prince and the Emperor of Jin?
She was a descendant of the Bai family, known for their upright and benevolent family tradition. If the name of being bloodthirsty fell on her alone, it would be fine, but she feared it would damage the Bai family’s reputation.
“The Crown Prince knows about my health condition. Bai Qingyan does not dare to deceive Your Highness. This time I joined the expedition only because the Jin Kingdom was in dire straits. Bai Qingyan dared not shrink from it. After the battle in the southern border, Xiliang will no longer have the strength to invade Jin. From now on, the southern border of Jin will be safe and secure, and Bai Qingyan should return to Shuoyang with my mother.” Bai Qingyan cupped her fists toward the Crown Prince. “However, my father once said that if the people are in distress or the country is at war, the Bai family members cannot shirk their duty. As long as the Crown Prince and the people need Bai Qingyan to don armor and enter battle again, Bai Qingyan will not hesitate, even to death! Your Highness, rest assured!”
The Crown Prince’s heart was greatly moved. Did this mean Bai Qingyan listened to his orders?
Actually, thinking carefully… Bai Qingyan retreating to Shuoyang had its benefits. Even though he planned to ask for a title for Bai Qingyan upon her return, he was still afraid that Bai Qingyan would become another Bai Weiting, holding military power in her hands.
This way, she would come when needed and stay aside when not. She would not hold military power or seek authority. What ruler would not want such a loyal and obedient minister?
Bai Qingyan, after all, was a woman and would not crave power and position like men. This was likely the advantage of having a woman as a general…
Very well, he would secretly request his father to issue an extremely gracious Imperial Edict to award Bai Qingyan. He would then persuade Bai Qingyan to decline on health grounds, and then personally request his father to grant Bai Qingyan a title of County Lord or Commandery Princess. This way, outsiders would see the bond between ruler and subject, and Bai Qingyan would be more wholeheartedly devoted to him.
“I heard that my father intends to bestow great rewards on General Bai. If General Bai really does not wish to stay in the court, I’m afraid my father would think that General Bai harbors dissent, and that would not be good.” The Crown Prince posed thoughtfully.
Old Fang’s eyes brightened a bit, and he immediately stepped forward and bowed. “Your Highness, the Emperor in Dadu may not know General Bai’s loyalty and courage, but you do. You can vouch for General Bai. The Emperor will surely approve. But… for such a great merit, General Bai retreating to Shuoyang after victory…”
Old Fang left his sentence unfinished, leaving it to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince nodded, displaying a look of regret. “Yes, for such great merit… you don’t want the honor and plan to return to Shuoyang. Isn’t that unfair to you?”
“It is my duty as a citizen of Jin to contribute to the country; Bai Qingyan does not dare to claim credit!” She lowered her gaze.
“Let’s do this. I will request an edict from my father to confer the title of Commandery Princess on General Bai…” The Crown Prince moved closer to Bai Qingyan and lowered his voice. “I have heard about what the Shuoyang Clan did during the Duke’s mourning in the Bai household. With the identity of Commandery Princess, they won’t dare to act rashly!”
Understanding that the Crown Prince was showing goodwill, she cupped her fists and knelt on one knee. “Thank you, Your Highness, for your great kindness.”
“General Bai, please rise quickly! We are family, why speak like strangers…” The Crown Prince hurriedly bent down to help Bai Qingyan up. “You and I are cousins. Your great victory also honors me!”
After speaking, the Crown Prince turned his head to look at the peace envoy sent by the Emperor. “This time, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Liu Rushi, brought you a family letter…”
After the Crown Prince spoke, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Liu Rushi, frowned and stepped forward, giving Bai Qingyan a deep look filled with dissatisfaction. He handed Bai Jinxiu’s handwritten family letter to Bai Qingyan.
The Emperor dispatched Liu Rushi to negotiate peace because the peace envoy from Xiliang included King Yan, Li Zhijie, who was known for his indulgent and unrestrained nature, particularly favoring people of handsome and exquisite appearance. Thus, the Emperor’s chosen envoys for this negotiation were all young and refined scholars.
“Thank you!” Bai Qingyan took it with both hands.
Liu Rushi, however, snorted coldly, turned around with a flick of his sleeves, returning to stand behind the Crown Prince. Proud and arrogant, he didn’t look at Bai Qingyan again.
Liu Rushi, a Confucian scholar, had long harbored resentment upon learning that Bai Qingyan had burned and killed tens of thousands of surrendered soldiers from Xiliang.
