Chapter 223: Chapter 221: Leverage_1 Chapter 223: Chapter 221: Leverage_1 The Crown Prince looked at Bai Qingyan, feeling more and more at ease. He nodded and took the Commander’s Seal, saying, “Quan Yu, help General Bai up!”

“General Bai, please get up!” Quan Yu hurriedly made a gesture of offering support to Bai Qingyan, then knelt beside her to prepare tea for her.

“Eunuch Quan, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I won’t drink any tea. I’ve come to see His Highness for three matters. Besides returning the Commander’s Seal, the second matter concerns the remaining ten thousand soldiers of the Bai family army…”

Upon hearing Bai Qingyan mention the Bai family army, the Crown Prince adjusted his posture, lightly rubbing his fingers, and made a show of listening intently.

The meaning of the Crown Prince and Elder Fang’s discussion was to have the Bai family army take over the cities ceded by Xiliang in the recent negotiations. Of course, the farther away these cities were from Bai Qingyan and the Bai family, the better. This way, Bai Qingyan would have no reliance and could wholeheartedly follow him.

“My intention is to have the remaining Bai family army stationed at Tonggu Mountain.”

Hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, the Crown Prince, who was thinking about how to persuade Bai Qingyan to have the Bai family army guard Tonggu Mountain, was momentarily stunned.

“After this negotiation, the land north of Tonggu Mountain now belongs to the Jin Kingdom. Only the Bai family army can guard Tonggu Mountain to deter Xiliang.” Bai Qingyan slowly explained, her thoughts evidently for the benefit of the Jin Kingdom and the Crown Prince. “Wei Zhaonian, Gu Wenchang, Shen Kunyang, and Cheng Yuanzhi each have their strengths. General Wei Zhaonian and General Gu Wenchang are both excellent in training troops. We could have General Wei Zhaonian guard Bailong City and General Gu Wenchang guard Zhongshan City. If the Jin Kingdom can recuperate for a few years, these two generals will surely train more elite soldiers for the Jin Kingdom and the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince could then dispatch trusted commanders to guard these two cities along with the two generals. General Wei Zhaonian and General Gu Wenchang would be responsible for training, while the Crown Prince’s trusted commanders would command the troops. This way, in the future, when the Crown Prince aims to conquer the world, these elite soldiers will follow wherever the Crown Prince commands.”

The Crown Prince’s heart began beating wildly at Bai Qingyan’s words.

The candlelight flickered inside the carriage. The Crown Prince looked at Bai Qingyan, who was calmly and methodically arranging the generals of the Bai family army, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

He had been very wary of Bai Qingyan. But Bai Qingyan’s every thought and consideration seemed to be for him, even wanting to train troops for him.

She looked at the change in the Crown Prince’s eyes, silently spoke in a low voice, “General Shen Kunyang and General Cheng Yuanzhi leading the Bai family army to guard Tonggu Mountain can prevent Xiliang’s counterattacks. With these two most battle-proficient generals, Tonggu Mountain will be secure. If the Crown Prince thinks it feasible, then I will send someone on a fast horse back to Fengcheng to call for Generals Shen Kunyang, Cheng Yuanzhi, Wei Zhaonian, and Gu Wenchang. This will also put pressure on Xiliang… so that our Bai family army can take over the city defenses from them, ensuring our defense is solid.”

She suggested the Crown Prince have Generals Shen Kunyang and Cheng Yuanzhi lead the Bai family army to guard the distant Tonggu Mountain and have Wei Zhaonian and Gu Wenchang respectively guard Zhongshan City and Bailong City. This appeared to disperse the generals of the Bai family army, but in reality, it was to transform this region into a base for raising and training soldiers for the Bai family.

The Crown Prince listened to Bai Qingyan’s analysis and nodded continuously, “General Bai’s words are very reasonable. Immediately send someone to invite the four generals.”

After speaking, the Crown Prince looked up at Bai Qingyan and said in a low voice, “But it wouldn’t be impossible for you to personally command the Bai family army. I said… I trust you as much as I trust myself.”

The last sentence from the Crown Prince was somewhat hesitant.

Bai Qingyan lowered her serene eyes and spoke solemnly, “Your Highness, you know the state of my health. You aim to conquer the world, and I… can only do my best to arrange things for Your Highness. Once we return to Dadu, I must go back to Shuoyang. Leaving the Bai family army in Your Highness’s hands is the only way it can serve Your Highness’s grand ambition. Of course… as I always say, whenever Your Highness or the people need me, I will go through fire and water without hesitation.”

Such loyalty from a subject moved even the Crown Prince, let alone Quan Yu, whose eyes were already red with emotion.

“General Bai, your loyalty is deeply moving. I am sincerely grateful.” The Crown Prince bowed to Bai Qingyan.

“This is merely my duty. I cannot accept your bow, Your Highness!” Bai Qingyan quickly returned the salute.

Seeing that the time was right, she then said, “The third matter is to ask Your Highness for forgiveness.”

“What do you mean by this, General Bai?” The Crown Prince sat up straight.

“Today, in the negotiation tent, King Yan of Xiliang, Li Zhijie, first wanted to send the Princess of Xiliang back to Qiushan Pass. Seeing that it wouldn’t succeed, he then proposed to negotiate another day. When Your Highness didn’t permit it, he falsely accused Your Highness of arranging for a maid to infiltrate the negotiation tent to kill their soldiers, intending to delay the negotiations. Just as Your Highness said… the appointment time today was set by King Yan of Xiliang! But Xiliang’s continuous changes require caution. So, I sent my fourth sister, Bai Jinzhi, with a few elite soldiers from the Huying Camp, to Qiushan Pass to scout Xiliang’s movements.”

The Crown Prince frowned. Thinking of this matter also seemed quite odd. Considering Bai Qingyan’s loyalty, the Crown Prince didn’t suspect anything, “General Bai was looking out for my safety, and I won’t blame you! But… considering the alliance has just been signed, if Fourth Miss Bai is caught spying at Qiushan Pass by Xiliang, it would be disadvantageous for our Jin Kingdom!”

She frowned, showing a look of self-blame, and said, “Your Highness is correct! However… the Princess of Xiliang and King Yan will soon be traveling with you back to Dadu City. For Your Highness’s safety, it is still best to be clear about this. Only then can I be at ease!”

Hearing that Bai Qingyan was concerned for his safety, the Crown Prince felt moved and reassured.

“This matter was my overzealous concern… a recklessness. To make amends, I hope Your Highness will allow me to lead a small team to quietly go to Qiushan Pass to meet and call back my fourth sister, to avoid giving Xiliang any leverage over us!”

The Crown Prince pondered for a moment and eventually agreed, “Very well, General Bai. Go quickly and return promptly! Do not delay on the road! Gaining intelligence is best, but it’s alright if you can’t gather any. Just make sure you all return safely.”

“Rest assured, Your Highness. I will take a dozen elite from the Huying Camp. We’ll enter quietly to find my fourth sister and leave quietly, without causing any trouble for Your Highness,” Bai Qingyan said.

Having received the Crown Prince’s approval, Bai Qingyan left the carriage, mounted her horse, and galloped to the front of the troop. She reined in her horse and said to General Zhang Duanrui, “The Crown Prince has issued an order. Quickly summon Generals Shen Kunyang, Cheng Yuanzhi, Wei Zhaonian, and Gu Wenchang to come to Youhua Road immediately! General Zhang… I have other duties and must leave first. Please escort the Crown Prince back to Youhua Road!”

General Zhang Duanrui clasped his fists and acknowledged, immediately ordering the messenger to ride swiftly to Fengcheng.

Bai Qingyan set off first to the Huying Camp, selecting sixty elite warriors and a command messenger, and rode swiftly to Qiushan Pass to support Shen Qingzhu and the others.