Chapter 1609: Not Bad
Should Shao Yunduan resort to begging the Crown Prince now?
The urgency of the situation weighed on Shao Yunduan’s mind. Delaying any further could plicate matters, making it harder for both him and the Crown Prince. Despite considering the advice nonsensical, Shao Yunduan dismissed it.
The two provocateurs, feeling a sense of acplishment, believed they had touched a nerve in Shao Yunduan. Frustrated by his lack of response, they resorted to plimenting each other and congratulating themselves on their supposed cleverness.
However, they remained concerned that Shao Yunduan might not take the bait. What if he resisted their attempts to provoke him and sought help from the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince held him in high regard, and such a request might receive favorable attention.
To prevent Shao Yunduan from staying in the capital, they devised a plan. A decision was made to dispatch someone to monitor Shao Yunduan closely. If he did approach the Crown Prince for assistance, they would intervene midway, preventing him from proceeding.
Given Shao Yunduan’s scholarly background, they presumed he wouldn’t act shamelessly or retract his decision. If he had requested release, he should follow through.
With a sense of hesitation and worry, Shao Yunduan disclosed this situation to Qiao Xuan. Unfazed, she became even more intrigued. The prospect of an unregulated area with vast territory excited her. Learning about the expansive pools and endless green mountains only heightened her enthusiasm.
The mention of potential dangers from bandits didn’t deter her; on the contrary, it fueled her excitement. While it posed a significant threat to others, for Qiao Xuan, it was an invitation to explore her world, especially within the depths of the forest.
She assured Shao Yunduan, “Don’t be scared, hubby. Ah-Ye, Sun Bai, and Sun Qian are all going with us, right? They are all very capable people. After we leave the capital, we can recruit a dozen individuals and have Sun Bai and Sun Qian assist in their training. Then we can hire twenty or thirty petent escorts. We’ll be able to establish ourselves there.”
“Husband, as a local official appointed by the Imperial Court, those bandits might not dare to act recklessly! Let’s maintain a façade of civility initially. Once we understand their background, we can plan strategically. No need to worry about lacking the capability to deal with them…”
Shao Yunduan chuckled upon hearing her words. He held Qiao Xuan and sighed, “Good wife!”
He had initially worried about her fear, but it was clear that he had underestimated her courage. Now pletely relieved, he continued, “In that case, we’re on the same page.”
After a moment, Shao Yunduan held her and declared, “My wife and I share the same thoughts. Ah-Ye, Sun Bai, and Sun Qian are here, and we can train about 20 servants. That should be sufficient. I’ll write a letter immediately and ask Meng Wanfu for assistance. I’ll borrow a few people from him.”
Qiao Xuan’s eyes brightened, and she remarked with a smile, “You are so thoughtful, husband! General Meng’s men are much more reliable!”
While they could afford to hire an escort, predicting people’s intentions, especially in Anze Province’s mixed environment, posed challenges. In a place where power dictated the final say, money wasn’t always the most trustworthy motivator. Hiring an escort might be futile if someone could be swayed by a bribe.
Despite the favor owed to Meng Wanfu, requesting his assistance ensured reliability from military personnel who understood the gravity of the situation and wouldn’t succumb to bribery by bandits, thus preventing any potential regrets.
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