Trust and Doubt

He Lanzhi's trip to Pingjing this time wasn't to deliver any particularly urgent intelligence, but was in accordance with the custom of the 'Deep Forest'. Except for those in important positions who could not leave their posts, the members were usually scattered in various places and had to find time to meet Wen Chan at least once a year to discuss future plans. Wen Chan would give advice where advice was needed and money where money was needed, treating these 'migratory birds' who stopped by to good food and drink. After a brief rest, she would send them flying off again to the Nine Provinces and Four Seas.

"According to Your Highness's instructions, the trade route from Jiangnan to the Northern Border has been mostly cleared. However, the road is long and the risks along the way are too great. Aside from the Helan Family and our own people, no other merchant caravans dare to take it." He Lanzhi took a sip of hot tea, hugged a hand warmer, and let out a comfortable sigh, but the words he spoke were far from relaxed. "From Jiangnan to Pingjing and Yi Prefecture, there is a waterway connection via the canal. But north of Pingjing, the canal was abandoned due to the wars of past years, leaving only the official land route. Moreover, the north is a chain of commanderies, each one a heavily garrisoned military town. The amount of silver needed just for bribes and connections is immense. How could an ordinary merchant caravan withstand such exploitation? In my opinion, unless the imperial court restrains the military garrisons from imposing their own private taxes and takes the initiative to maintain the trade routes, this business won't last long."

Since the end of the previous dynasty, with the rise and expansion of tribes like the Tongluo, Hukeyan, and Chuohan, the long-standing stability of the north was shattered. It was frequently ravaged by the flames of war, beginning a long period of turmoil. In the early days of the Great Qi Dynasty's founding, its power waxed and waned against the various forces in the Northern Border. It once drove the foreign tribes to the desolate far north, but also had its defense lines trampled by iron hooves and faced the crisis of an enemy army at the city gates. It was not until three successive emperors adopted a strategy of 'iron wall defense' in the Northern Border that the current stalemate between the various parties was barely formed.

The so-called 'iron wall' referred to the defensive line north of Zhaojing, formed by the six commanderies and one prefecture stretching from west to east: Yanlan, Pingliang, Wuyuan, Tangshan, Jianyan, Fengyi, and Gu Prefecture. Each commandery had a first-rank military governor in charge of commanding the troops and defense. To supply the large border defense armies, the imperial court granted the military governors of these seven places special permission to establish military farms, recruit soldiers locally, and 'levy taxes at the passes'—meaning that for every commandery a merchant caravan passed through, it had to pay a tax to the local authorities. Although the imperial court ordered that the tax should not exceed 'one-thirtieth,' the heavens are high and the emperor is far away. Who would bother listening to what the court says? Naturally, they exploited them layer by layer, squeezing out every last drop of profit before they were satisfied. Only a wealthy and powerful clan like the Helan Clan, with their vast family business and strong connections in the court, had the resources to tackle this tough nut.

Wen Chan said, "The road ahead is indeed difficult, but this situation won't last long. Half of the north consists of military garrisons, making the outer regions strong while the interior is weak. Sooner or later, there will be trouble. Furthermore, the people yearn for stability; they can't endure these kinds of days. In the next few years, the political landscape of the north is bound to undergo a major change, and we must prepare in advance."

She would never say such words lightly unless it was to someone extremely close and trusted. He Lanzhi nodded with a smile and casually glanced at Pei Rusong, noticing that his expression was calm, as if he were accustomed to this kind of atmosphere and discussion, not surprised in the least.

A trace of suspicion couldn't help but rise in his heart, but the smile on his face didn't falter in the slightest as he teased lightly, "I didn't expect that less than a year after the grand wedding, the Prince Consort has already gained Your Highness's deep trust. How rare indeed."

To Wen Chan, she naturally knew Pei Rusong inside and out, so there was no need for any concealment. But in He Lanzhi's eyes, although he had heard of the reputation of the Pei Family's eldest son before, the Princess had never mentioned this person to him, so it was hard to say if they had known each other for long. A Prince Consort chosen by the Emperor—on what grounds did he so quickly win the Princess's trust? Could there be something fishy going on?

Pei Rusong replied with noble indifference, "Thank you for the compliment. Her Highness and I fell in love at first sight, came to know and cherish each other, and have already decided to follow Her Highness to the death for the rest of our lives. Cousin, you can set your mind at ease."

"It's precisely because you say such things that I'm worried, Young Master Pei," He Lanzhi said with a fake smile. "Anyone can say pretty words. I don't think Her Highness is someone who can be easily swayed by a few shouts of 'follow you in life and death,' is she?"

Wen Chan: "..."

Pei Rusong had never actually shouted such things, but whether he had done so in his past life remained a matter of doubt. Wen Chan had always been suspicious of the true cause of Pei Rusong's death and had tried to probe indirectly once or twice, but every time, his tears would fall before a word was spoken, so she didn't dare to provoke him again.

"Although the Prince Consort arrived a bit late, he is very reliable, yes." Wen Chan gave a dry cough, looked at Pei Rusong, and asked for confirmation, "Right?"

Pei Rusong stared back at her in shock, his eyes seemingly saying, "You're asking me?"

"It seems you're not so sure either." He Lanzhi let out a cold snort. "Should I step out first to give you two some space to get your stories straight?"

Wen Chan thought for a moment, then said deliberately, "As the saying goes, 'Some remain strangers even after their hair turns white, while others become fast friends at first meeting.' If two people's aspirations align, it doesn't matter how long they've known each other. Xuechen now drafts edicts by Your Majesty's side and is a trusted courtier of the Son of Heaven. Even if he weren't the Prince Consort, I would have tried to pull him into the 'Deep Forest'. There is no need to question his loyalty."

He Lanzhi narrowed his eyes, half-believing and half-doubting.

"Cousin is right. It's impossible for me to win Her Highness's trust with just a few sweet words," Pei Rusong said frankly. "But if proof is required, I'm afraid it can only be considered sufficient when I accompany Her Highness to the final moment of this life."

He Lanzhi seemed to have his teeth set on edge by the saccharine words. He clicked his tongue and looked at Wen Chan. "Isn't this still just sweet talk?"

"What else? What do you want, for him to go dig me a thirty-li canal on the spot?" Wen Chan shot him a look that said 'that's enough,' and also took a moment to soothe Pei Rusong. "That was pleasant to hear, very touching. Keep it up to this standard from now on."

It was just that this comfort was a little too blunt, and Pei Rusong looked as if he had choked on a large flatbread.

He Lanzhi looked from one to the other, and for some reason, the corners of his eyes curved into a slight arc. With a sly, mischievous smile, he reminded her softly, "Your Highness, be careful not to let beauty cloud your judgment."

Wen Chan: "..."

Having had his fun teasing, He Lanzhi changed the subject, remembering a serious matter. "Speaking of which, that 'Black Eagle'—"

Wen Chan took the opportunity to whisper an explanation to Pei Rusong, "That's Lu Shuo."

"Mm."

He Lanzhi slammed the table and shot up. "Can you not act like he's about to become my superior!"

Wen Chan, trying to put out one fire only to have another flare up, quickly smoothed his ruffled feathers. "An acquaintance, just an acquaintance. Don't overthink it, that's not what I meant."

Pei Rusong offered false pleasantries, "How could we dare? How could we dare? Cousin will always be our cousin."

He Lanzhi: "...I'm so mad!"

"What's wrong with Lu Shuo?" Wen Chan asked. "Did something happen in Wuyuan?"

"Not only is nothing wrong, but he has also repeatedly performed meritorious deeds. You could say his rise is meteoric, his future path smooth." He Lanzhi raised a finger and wagged it. "Your Highness must have seen the military reports at court, right? According to the rumors I've heard, he's only been in his post for a year, but his military achievements are already more distinguished than many of the generals under Xiao Dingfang. Moreover, General Lu is valiant in battle, often leading light cavalry deep into enemy formations. His reputation as a skilled warrior has spread throughout Wuyuan, and even the foreign tribes know of his deeds."

Wen Chan's and Pei Rusong's expressions turned grave at the same time, and He Lanzhi's heart stirred again. Wen Chan intended to protect Lu Shuo and had specifically instructed him to help keep an eye on Lu Shuo's movements, so it wasn't strange that her expression soured. But for Pei Rusong to immediately grasp his underlying meaning—either he was incredibly shrewd or he had foreseen this. Whichever it was, this man was definitely not as innocent and harmless as he appeared on the surface.

Lu Shuo being sent to Wuyuan by the Emperor was equivalent to driving a boundary stone into a city that Xiao Dingfang had managed for many years. What's more, Xiao Dingfang's own hands weren't clean; it was impossible for him not to harbor resentment. And Lu Shuo was already a lone tree. Coupled with these rumors of charging recklessly into enemy lines, if someone wanted to use the opportunity to do something to him, it was a ready-made excuse, a path already paved. With the slightest carelessness, the Lu Family's 'entire clan of loyal martyrs' would have a new name added to its list.

Wen Chan's brows knitted tightly, her expression darkening. She felt an unnamed fire scorching her patience. "Those three words, 'survival is paramount'—I wish I could break them apart, crush them into pieces, and pour them into his head. Why can't he listen at all? What is his status? Does he really have to show off in this manner?"

Seeing that she was truly angry, He Lanzhi quickly tried to placate her. "Your Highness, calm your anger. It's hard for outsiders to say for sure what the situation in the army is like. Perhaps General Lu has a plan and it's not as simple as we think. When I return to Wuyuan, I will convey Your Highness's message to him and ask him to be more careful."

Wen Chan let out a breath, forcibly suppressing her anger. "I'll have to trouble you."

"I, on the other hand, think he might really have a plan," Pei Rusong said suddenly. "Lu Shuo isn't such a rash person. Perhaps he knows someone wants to take his life, so he deliberately let these rumors spread, using himself as bait. When the other party makes a move, he can catch all his enemies in one fell swoop. The method is dangerous, but it solves the problem once and for all. After all, compared to guarding against a thief for a thousand days, it's more thorough to pull up the weeds by the roots."

That... seemed to make sense?

The three of them looked at each other, momentarily at a loss.

Wen Chan was considering the current Lu Shuo, young, impetuous, and eager for revenge. Pei Rusong was making a judgment based on his understanding of Lu Shuo's character. He Lanzhi, on the other hand, was purely recounting what he had heard from an outsider's perspective. At this moment, none of them knew what Lu Shuo was truly planning.

On the thirteenth day of the second month, an urgent military report arrived from Wuyuan. The Tongluo Khan, Bo Hanshan, was drilling his troops on the border between the Chuohan Tribe and Wuyuan. The Military Governor of Wuyuan, Xiao Dingfang, dispatched Lu Shuo as the vanguard. Lu Shuo led elite light cavalry and charged into the enemy formation, slaying a thousand men. However, he was outnumbered and, after being severely wounded, was trapped in the formation. His whereabouts are unknown. The other generals seized the opportunity to launch a major offensive, repelling the Tongluo and returning with a great victory.