It took Kong Yi a long while to recall that he had indeed heard Emperor Yan had a daughter raised in Yinshan Temple.
He couldn't help but furrow his brows. Could someone be supporting her from behind? Using the emperor's name to command the nobles?
Regardless, he simply could not believe that a young woman who hadn't even reached her coming-of-age ceremony could conquer a city and become its lord.
Huo Chun shook his head. What can the title of a princess accomplish?
The royal bloodline possessed a natural rallying power. Just like the First Prince—most of those in the Yan State who had the ability to flee to Sizhou had already gone there.
But there was no precedent in this world for a woman to rule. Although Princess Jinyang was of legitimate royal descent, she was still a woman after all.
There were more of Emperor Yan's sons still alive than just the First Prince. No matter what, a prince's title was much more useful than a princess's.
Huo Chun frowned and added, Besides, if someone is using Princess Jinyang as a figurehead, why has Gefeng never used Princess Jinyang's name?
Kong Yi pondered, Could it be that the time isn't right yet?
Sheng Chi thought deeply for a long time before turning to the servants outside and instructing, Go and call for Madam.
He had to clarify Princess Jinyang's identity first.
As a prominent aristocratic family, the Sheng family had many clansmen serving as court officials. His clan uncle, Sheng Wei, held a high position as the Minister of Ceremonies, one of the Nine Ministers.
As the head of the family, he would bring his family to the capital to pay respects to Emperor Yan and maintain relationships, if not every year, then at least every few years.
Therefore, he paid attention to Emperor Yan's children, though his focus had always been on the princes, especially the Crown Prince.
Shortly after, his wife, Fang Yajun, hurried over. Sheng Lang, what is the matter?
Do you know the title of the Sixth Princess born to Empress Jile?
Fang Yajun was a bit surprised by his sudden question, but she remained composed and asked softly, Is Sheng Lang referring to Princess Jinyang, who was raised in Yinshan Temple?
About three years ago, she had paid her respects to Empress Jile when she went to Dingyang.
However, she hadn't seen the Sixth Princess who lived at Yinshan Temple. Speaking of which, she hadn't seen Princess Jinyang for many years.
Thinking of Empress Jile, she let out a sigh in her heart. It was truly a pity for such a person.
Thinking again of her own current situation, her heart sank further. How much better off was she now? It was entirely possible the city could be breached any day.
Sheng Chi asked a few more questions about Jiang Jin, and Fang Yajun answered everything she knew.
Soon, Sheng Chi confirmed that the woman Sheng He and the others spoke of was indeed Princess Jinyang.
He felt a complex mix of emotions for a moment, never expecting that the Jinyang of the Jinyang Army actually referred to Princess Jinyang.
After Fang Yajun left, Sheng Chi finally said, Regardless of whether there is someone behind Princess Jinyang or not, let's discuss her terms of cooperation for now.
Huo Chun said, Since Gefeng is now Princess Jinyang's territory, as subjects of the Yan State, shouldn't she come to support us out of righteous duty?
Sheng Chi smiled bitterly. She probably anticipated this day, which is why she hasn't used her title as a princess.
Kong Yi sighed with emotion, This Princess Jinyang truly seems extraordinary. However, she is asking for too much grain; we still need to think of a solution.
Sheng Chi nodded and ordered, Go and call the heads of the families over to discuss important matters.
Inside a wooden cabin on Baba Mountain.
An old man looked at the youthful-faced Jiang Jin and asked, Are you the Lord of Gefeng?
Jiang Jin nodded. I am. How may I address you, sir?
She hadn't expected that Nan Wen would agree to bring her up the mountain after thinking for less than half a breath.
She seriously suspected that he had deliberately put on a thoughtful expression just to make himself look a bit profound.
Nan Wen hurried over to introduce him, This is our military strategist, Strategist Qiu Liao.
Qiu Liao cast a sidelong glance at Nan Wen.
Nan Wen: ...
He shrank his neck and took two steps back.
So, which army did you belong to before? Jiang Jin was very curious.
Logically speaking, within the borders of Fengzhou, it should be the Northeast Army.
But according to Yun Ci, the Northeast Army had basically been wiped out back then, making it highly unlikely for a troop of hundreds or even a thousand men to suddenly appear.
Qiu Liao felt helpless. He always felt that Nan Wen's ability to survive this long was entirely based on luck.
He was somewhat surprised that Gefeng was ruled by a woman, but he didn't show it on his face. Stroking his beard, he said, Let's not mention the past. Now we are just a group of mountain bandits, and those living on the mountain are all ordinary people driven into a corner.
Jiang Jin smiled faintly. She didn't press him on his lack of trust but got straight to the point: Would you consider coming with me to Gefeng?
To be honest, she was quite greedy for these soldiers and civilians.
She had made clear inquiries along the way: Baba Mountain had over a thousand soldiers and more than three thousand civilians.
She was soon going to attack Shanguan County and Chunrong County, so naturally, the more people, the better.
Moreover, Nan Wen's soldiers were all veterans; they could be put to use with just a little training.
It was just a pity that this reckless fellow Nan Wen looked reckless—and well, he truly was reckless—but when asked which army he came from, he absolutely refused to say.
I can't guarantee anything else, but as long as you work, you will have enough to eat, Jiang Jin added.
Nan Wen, however, didn't believe it. Just relying on the grain you robbed?
Jiang Jin waved her hand. What do you mean by robbed? That's just a petty trick. We don't rely on robbing for our grain.
She looked Nan Wen up and down. With your physique, you could join the army. Our ordinary soldiers get 200 copper coins a month, with room and board included. It's all-you-can-eat, the kind where you can actually get full.
In this era, even in the regular army, everyone's rations were fixed, and for the most part, they actually couldn't eat their fill.
Nan Wen's eyes instantly lit up. Is that true?
Ahem, ahem. Qiu Liao coughed twice, his inner self already crumbling. This team was truly too hard to lead.
Receiving Qiu Liao's death glare, Nan Wen laughed awkwardly. I, I was just asking out of curiosity, no other meaning, ha, ha.
Excuse the embarrassment, Qiu Liao showed Jiang Jin a smile that was as natural as possible.
It's nothing, very... genuine. Jiang Jin could completely understand his feelings. After all, what family didn't have a few unruly children?
Since you were once soldiers of the Yan State, I respect your choices.
However, I still hope you can join us at Gefeng. We Han people should unite together to resist the enemy, drive the barbarians out, and reclaim our Han rivers and mountains.
Right, drive the barbarians out! Nan Wen became excited and couldn't help but shout along.
Qiu Liao didn't scold him this time. He stared fixedly at Jiang Jin for a few breaths before asking solemnly, May I know the lady's name?
Jiang Jin, Jiang Jin stated her name directly.
Qiu Liao's heart skipped a beat. This was the national surname!
In the Yan State, aside from the royal family, there were also many ordinary commoners surnamed Jiang. But could a woman who had taken over Gefeng be an ordinary commoner?
He kept his composure and politely declined, We are living quite well on Baba Mountain, so we won't go and disturb City Lord Jiang.
Jiang Jin raised an eyebrow slightly at his refusal. Just now, when he asked for her name, he clearly had a trace of initial trust in her, yet now he refused so flatly.
It seemed he had guessed her royal identity from her name. Obviously, Qiu Liao didn't have a good impression of the royal family, or perhaps he was just afraid of trouble?
Jiang Jin's expression didn't change much as she smiled and said, Mr. Qiu, why don't you visit our Gefeng first? If you feel it's suitable, you can then bring the civilians and soldiers down the mountain.
