The capital city, Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Ah Huan, rest assured—Gu Mingning is a cunning one. He’d never let himself suffer a loss."
Upon receiving news of Yu Fan’s safety, Song Shihuan finally let go of the anxiety that had been weighing on her heart. The next moment, she heard Song Yu’s sly voice.
"Father seems to know General Gu quite well?"
Song Shihuan’s eyes sparkled with mischief. Back when her father was still the notorious playboy prince, the idea of a rogue prince and a shrewd young general teaming up...
"During that autumn hunting competition, His Highness lost to General Gu," Shen Qingping interjected with a faint smile, causing Song Yu’s face to instantly darken.
"So, Your Highness, you’ll rarely hear His Highness speak well of Gu Mingning."
"Ohhh—" Song Shihuan drew out her tone teasingly, making Song Yu squirm in his seat.
"I let him win on purpose," Song Yu retorted weakly, though his excuse sounded feeble even to his own ears. "That boy is sharp as a tack. This time, Daqi is about to strike gold."
"Father is so certain?"
Song Shihuan was surprised. She had met Gu Mingning once in Laijin Prefecture and thought him a righteous, people-loving general. But now, hearing her father’s words... it seemed he was just as shrewd as their strategist.
"Let’s make a bet."
Shen Qingping suddenly stood up. "Come, come—Your Highness and the Princess, place your bets."
Collecting silver was his specialty.
......
Meanwhile, at the Gu Family residence.
"Elder Sister, Brother-in-law is safe!"
Gu Mingzhu, having received word from Song Shihuan, burst into Gu Mingliu’s room like a cannonball, her back damp with sweat despite the freezing winter weather.
"You’re still so reckless at your age," Gu Mingliu chided gently, her voice softer than ever now that she was with child. She took a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Gu Mingzhu’s forehead. "Of course your brother-in-law is fine. He’d never leave me and the child."
"And the Princess said Brother-in-law is a hero who’s about to earn military merit! They disguised themselves as bandits and hid in Dayue, waiting to coordinate with Daqi’s forces when the war starts next spring." Gu Mingzhu’s face shone with admiration. As a daughter of the Gu Family, she understood the weight of Yu Fan’s decision better than most.
"Excellent."
Gu Mingliu glanced down at her slightly rounded belly. "When the child learns of this, they’ll surely be thrilled."
"Mingzhu, come with me to see Father."
Half an hour later, Gu Zheng rose hastily as his daughter entered. "You should’ve sent for me instead of coming yourself in your condition!"
"Father, I’m not made of glass," Gu Mingliu replied, both touched and amused by his concern.
"The Princess mentioned that Elder Brother only demanded grain from Dayue. I suspect... the food shortage in Mobei has worsened again." A shadow of worry flickered in Gu Mingliu’s eyes. "I’d like to donate half of our family’s grain reserves to Mobei."
Gu Zheng paused, staring at his exceptionally clever daughter.
"Very well. We’ll do as you say."
......
For the officials of Dayue, the past two days had been sheer torment.
Never had they encountered such an outrageous demand—no grain from the common folk, only from the officials, meticulously recorded in ledgers.
What?
Did they expect it to be returned someday?
Even more infuriating was their emperor’s lack of opposition. Instead, he ordered them to expedite the process, threatening punishment if they failed to gather the amount Gu Mingning demanded within two days.
What injustice...
The entire Dayue bureaucracy sighed in despair, while the commoners, upon hearing the news, praised the Daqi general as a righteous man.
Through sheer serendipity... Gu Mingning had won Daqi another wave of goodwill.
Two days later.
Cheng Guang arrived with the grain as promised.
"General Gu, this should suffice to demonstrate Dayue’s sincerity."
Before Cheng Guang could finish, Gu Mingning sighed. "The grain is enough, but my brother-in-law..."
"The departed..."
Cheng Guang’s words died in his throat under Gu Mingning’s sharp glare.
His brother-in-law was very much alive!
"Chancellor Cheng, what of the child in my sister’s womb?"
"Dayue has rare medicines beneficial for expectant mothers. I’ll have them delivered at once." Under normal circumstances, Cheng Guang might’ve stood his ground, but with Dayue in turmoil, a direct conflict with Daqi would be disastrous...
"And my elderly father—Yu Fan was his most treasured son-in-law."
At this, Cheng Guang’s eyelid twitched violently.
Since when was Gu Zheng "elderly"?
And "most treasured son-in-law"? Did Gu Zheng even have others?
"Dayue also has medicines for chronic injuries..." Cheng Guang forced out through gritted teeth.
The surrounding officers watched in awe as their general reduced the silver-haired Dayue chancellor to near tears.
"Fine. This will do for now."
Gu Mingning exhaled dramatically. Extorting concessions was exhausting work.
Relief washed over Cheng Guang like a tidal wave.
"Then... I shall return to prepare the items..." Cheng Guang, looking years older, muttered weakly. "Once everything is delivered, we ask that you withdraw your troops promptly."
With that, he fled like a man escaping hell.
"General, do we truly retreat?" one officer asked cautiously. According to the terms just agreed upon, they were bound to withdraw after receiving the goods.
"We retreat," Gu Mingning said, a smirk playing on his lips. "But not entirely."
"Leave half our elite forces hidden. Come April, they’ll claim their military merits."
"And you, General...?"
Gu Mingning gazed toward Mobei. "I must go. My duty lies not here, but in Mobei."
......
On the eve of the New Year, an urgent dispatch arrived in the capital.
The Purple Palace.
"All this was squeezed from Dayue’s coffers by Gu Mingning?" Emperor Yuanyou asked in disbelief.
This was an absolute windfall.
Not only had they gained prestige, but they hadn’t lost a single thing!
Clearly, to ensure the emperor enjoyed his New Year, the list of spoils had been sent ahead while the goods were still en route.
"Your Majesty, every word is true."
Seeing the emperor’s delight, Wu Qi allowed himself a smile.
"This servant believes it is Heaven’s sign—a promise that Daqi will crush Dayue in next year’s war."
"Rewards!" Emperor Yuanyou beamed. "You’ve a silver tongue, Wu Qi. You deserve them."
Not to be outdone, Song Yu stepped forward. "Father, I too believe this is Heaven’s blessing! Victory is assured!"
He expected praise, but instead received a glare.
"My private treasury is empty."
"Since when am I the type to fish for rewards with flattery?"
Song Yu grumbled, shooting Wu Qi a resentful look.
"Wu Qi, tell me—am I that kind of man?"
