Chapter 800:  The Winner Is the King and the Loser Is the Bandit

Translator: Atlas Studios    Editor: Atlas Studios

Yu Youyao drafted the letter and handed the Empress Dowager a memorial. She sent someone to send it to the capital as soon as possible.

After that, she ordered someone to go to the county office to borrow a map of Liancheng. She prepared a sand table and fiddled with it according to the mountain terrain on the map.

When Yin Huaixi entered the courtyard, he saw her studying the map and fiddling with the sand table. He couldn’t help but stop in his tracks. His eyes were filled with shock.

Even generals who had been through hundreds of battles in the army might not be proficient in maps.

During a war, the main general who was proficient in maps would draw the terrain alone and review it on the sand table. He would explain it to the generals who led the troops. The generals who led the troops were all experienced in battle. Although they did not know how to read maps, after simplification, review, and explanation, they would naturally understand. Soon, they could set their tactics through the terrain review.

He had never taught Yu Youyao to read maps.

The first time Yu Youyao came into contact with the map was when he went to Shandong to quell the rebellion. He used the map to fiddle with the sand table in his room. Coincidentally, Yu Youyao came over to look for him. Seeing that he was serious, she did not disturb him. She only rested her chin on her hand and sat at the table to watch.

Yu Youyao fiddled with it for a while before looking up to see Yin Huaixi standing not far away and looking at her. She quickly said, “Nineteenth Brother, come over and help me take a look. Is the sand table set up properly?”

After coming to the North, she did not know what to call Yin Huaixi.

She couldn’t call him her Cousin. Brother Jingzhi was too unruly, and King Yue Fei was too distant. She couldn’t call him by his name. After hesitating for a long time, she might as well call him Nineteenth Brother.

She was on the jade plate of the imperial family as an adopted daughter. Yin Huaixi was ranked 19th in the imperial family’s generation, so it was appropriate to call him Nineteenth Brother.

Yin Huaixi agreed happily. He took the map and looked at it for a moment. “So it’s the terrain of the mountains north of Liancheng. It roughly matches the map.”

Then, he helped make subtle adjustments. As he made the adjustments, he explained to her how to accurately map and set up sand tables.

Since she had talent, regardless of whether she had the chance to use it in the future, he had to teach her carefully.

When the terrain of the entire northern mountain area appeared in front of Yu Youyao, her eyes widened. “It’s as if the entire northern mountain area has shrunk and is placed in front of me. I can see everything.”

Yin Huaixi asked her, “Why did you suddenly set up a sand table?”

As Yu Youyao observed the terrain on the sand table, she said, “I want to see which places in the northern mountains are suitable for settling down and raising silkworms. Everyone says that one should help others to the end. Since I’ve interfered in the refugees’ matters, I have to settle this matter well.”

Yin Huaixi was not surprised.

Yu Youyao focused on Fuzhen and Lianzhen, which her grandfather had recommended, and asked Yin Huaixi for his opinion.

Yin Huaixi smiled. “A few days ago, I brought someone who’s proficient in soil and forestry to the northern mountains to investigate. Lianzhen and Fuzhen both have natural forests which are advantageous for raising silkworms. It’s also because there’s a small population. Thus, raising silkworms hasn’t been developed there, and it’s not controlled by the four families. It’s suitable for the refugees to settle down. After the matter is settled, I’ll personally bring people to the mountains to chase away the wild beasts and plan for a silkworm farm. Then, the refugees will be moved over in batches.”

Since Yin Huaixi had already made arrangements, there was no need for her to worry. Yu Youyao was completely relieved. “I’ve sent a letter to the Yu Clan. The Yu Clan values fame and fortune, but they have the pride of Duke Zhonglie in their bones. They’re considered one of the few people in the court who’s willing to stand up for the commoners. With the premise that they won’t harm their own interests, they’ll definitely make a move.”

Even a greedy and shameless person like Yu Zongzheng did it himself when he went to Zhejiang to relieve the disaster. He spared no effort and was even injured by the mob.

A clan that had been pa.s.sed down for hundreds of years not only inherited culture, but also the mental will of a family.

The human heart was easily changed, but the spirit was immortal.

It had only been three months since she left the Yu Residence, but Yu Youyao had already learned to control the Yu Clan. On the premise that she did not offend the other party’s interests, she made it her own. It was obvious that she had broadened her horizons and breadth of mind.

Yin Huaixi nodded. “The va.s.sal lord’s every move will be controlled by the Imperial Court. To deal with the n.o.bles, you have to rely on the Yu Clan behind you and the Xie Residence’s huge channels.”

This was a contest between scholars and n.o.bles.

Fortunately, both the Yu Clan and the Xie Residence had the ability to compete with the n.o.bles.

Yu Youyao nodded. “Liaodong is a military town. There’s an official road that leads straight to the capital to ensure that the information between the two places is interconnected. The news can be sent to the capital in three days at the earliest. I even sent an invitation to the Empress Dowager to come to the North to help promote the planting of sweet potatoes at your invitation. In addition, I mentioned some of the current situation in the North and didn’t mention anything about Quanzhou.”

After the Xie Residence fled Quanzhou, Quanzhou was already on full alert. All the merchants who pa.s.sed by the Quanzhou dock were not allowed to enter the city. Outside, they only knew that thieves were killing and setting fires in the city, but they did not know the exact situation.

The matter in Quanzhou involved the va.s.sal lords who were about to rebel, and it was not something a princess like her could get involved in.

She had no evidence that the Liangzhou army had disguised themselves as bandits.

Yin Huaixi’s gaze suddenly darkened. “The King of Liang will rebel sooner or later. Not just anyone can stop him.”

Yu Youyao understood that rebellion would implicate the entire family. The King of Liang was not a fool. He had been hiding his strength for many years and thought that he had made full preparations. By attacking the Xie Residence, he was increasing his chips for his hegemony. Even if the Imperial Court found out about this in advance, the King of Liang would not sit back and do nothing. He would just rebel in advance.

The winner was king, and the loser was a bandit.

History books were written by victors.

—-

In February, there were still fireplaces burning in the Longevity Palace.

Auntie Shen was wearing a gray coat dress with a collar inlaid with rat fur. She held a memorial and lifted the curtain to enter the inner hall.

The hot air in the hall mixed with the lingering smell of medicine rushed into her nose, making Auntie Shen dizzy. She felt as if something was blocking her heart.

She frowned slightly. “The Empress Dowager is resting in the inner room. Don’t fully close the windows in the inner hall. Leave a thin crack so that there is air circulation. Don’t burn the fireplaces too brightly either. Instead, it’ll be suffocating. If the room is cold, you can add charcoal cages and add a few more foot warmers.”

The palace maids in the inner hall quickly bowed in agreement.

Auntie Shen was worried and instructed sternly, “The Empress Dowager’s health is not stable. All of you, serve her carefully. You can’t be careless.”

After knocking on the palace maid’s door, Auntie Shen bypa.s.sed the door and entered the inner room.

The Empress Dowager got up and wore a bright yellow inner robe. She leaned against the pillow and closed her eyes to rest.

Auntie Shen walked to the bed without saying anything. The Empress Dowager had removed her high and mighty phoenix crown. After untying her hair, it revealed the gray and white strands that had been hidden in her bun in the past. Her face looked sickly and she looked much older.

Auntie Shen’s heart felt a little bitter. She bowed and was about to call her the Empress Dowager.

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager’s eyelids twitched and she slowly opened them. She rebuked, “Why don’t you make a sound when you walk?”