Lu Qing’s words left Lin Kun and Chang Yu montarily stunned.
Both of them knew that nothing in this world cos without a price, so they had speculated and calculated in their hearts. They expected that so demands would be made for Lan Country to sacrifice so interests in exchange for their help. Instead, all the other party wanted was for them to reclaim the borderland that rightfully belonged to them and then hold their positions?
Such terms were undoubtedly favorable, but the problem was... too favorable.
Faced with such a good deal being handed to them, Lin Kun couldn’t help but harbor so doubts, while Chang Yu, because his trusted Uncle Lin didn’t speak, dared not blindly express his position.
"Is that all?" Lin Kun asked.
Lu Qing nodded: "What we need you to do is just that.
As long as you reclaim the land that belongs to you and hold all the passes adjacent to Bhutan, you will be helping us, and more importantly, helping the Holy Emperor and the people of the world."
Hearing this, Lin Kun pondered for a short while. After all, being a martial artist, he was unaccustod to hesitation and fuss, so he readily nodded: "Alright! It’s a deal!"
That night, with the ingredients brought by Lu Qing and his group in their carriage, although the amount was not large, it slightly enriched the als in the stronghold.
Coupled with the long-cherished wish of everyone—to have the legitimate grandson of Prince Lan inherit the title of Vassal King and revive the ravaged Lan Country—now there was finally hope, making everyone exceptionally excited. A few jars of muddy wine were particularly refreshing to consu.
Chang Yu instructed the guards from the Prince Lan Mansion who followed him to arrange the most comfortable room in the stronghold for Lu Qing and his group, vacating the room he usually slept in for Lord Imperial Censor. However, this warm gesture was politely declined by Lu Qing.
Ultimately, it was Lin Kun who vacated the room that was originally close to Chang Yu and convenient for looking after, giving Lu Qing and his group the highest courtesy.
This ti, Lu Qing did not refuse further.
After a satisfying al, despite Lin Kun’s room being spacious enough for the four of them, Fu Lu still chose to stand guard outside the door.
The rooms suitable for living in this mountain stronghold, which had stood for many years, were never enough for everyone to have separate rooms. The guards from the Prince Lan Mansion never had the habit of insisting on sleeping alone. A few brothers squeezing into one room was normal.
Since everyone was on equal footing as brothers, this was naturally unperturbing.
But Lord Imperial Censor, with his aura of dignity, had two guards strictly enforcing rules, insisting on staying outside the room at night.
The Chief Historian Yu, who accompanied him, did not make any pretense or excuses, readily accepting the room to sleep in...
Perhaps they felt that cooking and eating together was enough to form a bond of acquaintanceship, coupled with the fact that these guards were not the type to keep things bottled up, so soone privately sought out Fu Lu to inquire secretly.
"The Chief Historian Yu around your lord... he looks young, with a pale face and no beard, appearing frail, yet he seems to have so standing. Could it be he has so extraordinary skills?
We noticed your lord seems to value him highly," a guard found an opportunity, leaned in close to Fu Lu, and quietly asked.
Fu Lu cast him a sideways glance, thinking to himself that she was, after all, his wife, the mistress of their ho, both clever and capable, a rare find in the world, the person for whom his lord would not trade even for the Nine Heavens Goddess, let alone re "standing"!
But of course, he wouldn’t say any of this to an outsider, so he snorted arrogantly: "Our Chief Historian is exceptionally skilled, if I told you, it might just scare you to death."
"Oh? That amazing? What kind of skills are those?"
Fu Lu eyed him sideways: "I said it might scare you to death if I told you, are you seeking your own demise by prying into this?"
The man, being told this, felt chagrined, pursed his lips awkwardly, and dared not press further.
anwhile, inside the room, Zhu Yu and Lu Qing were unaware and unconcerned about the curiosity of the people outside.
Because Zhu Yu was busy writing confidential letters together with Lu Qing at the dimly lit desk.
Lu Qing’s letter was addressed to Situ Jing, as the situation in Lan Country could not be changed solely by the force of these guards. This matter required help from soone trustworthy, capable, and with disciplined subordinates.
In comparison, the Third Prince Lu Yan was fiery and impulsive, lacking in calmness and restraint, while the Fourth Prince Lu Jun was overly cautious, lacking decisiveness, fearful he might hesitate at critical monts.
So the best candidate for this task was naturally Situ Jing.
Situ Jing not only conducted himself with orderliness, calmness, and restraint, but his subordinates were disciplined, so there was no worry of any mishaps occurring.
At the sa ti, Zhu Yu was writing a confidential letter to her father, Zhu Cheng.
The Shuo Land and Lan Country shared a wide border, and for decades, there had been no conflicts between the two vassal states, making the border a relatively peaceful area, where water sources did not interfere with each other. Moreover, Zhu Cheng’s past obsession with forging weapons led to neglect in managing his people, causing the officials and soldiers of Shuo Country to pay little attention to Lan Country.
This ti, she intended to write to her father, requesting him to assign her second brother to personally lead troops to guard the border, always prepared to provide support.
Zhu Yu initially thought Lu Qing would write all the letters, but Lu Qing pushed the paper in front of her instead.
"You ntioned before that I need not consider your father’s great favor," Lu Qing’s tone was earnest, but the flicker of mischief in his eyes betrayed him. "So I figured that having you write this letter this ti is the best course of action. If your father handles it appropriately, it shows that he has found his way and recognizes who among his children should be prized and treated with care.
If he once spoke grandly but changes his tune when the ti cos to act, then I will co to understand my father-in-law better."
Zhu Yu smiled and glanced at him askance.
Though he presented his words as if they were light-hearted banter, his intention was sincere—he had always rembered the neglect she endured at her maiden ho, thus harboring so discontent and disdain towards Zhu Cheng.
So this ti, instead of writing the confidential letter himself, he entrusted her with the task. It was not only a significant expression of trust in her but also a chance to let Zhu Cheng realize the importance of the concubine’s daughter he once disregarded, now holding considerable sway with Lu Qing.
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