Chapter 263: Chapter 195 Opportunity in the North Countryi

After hearing his father’s words, Lin Xiuming felt like he understood, but not quite.

He was just a military general who normally spent most of his days training troops, rarely getting involved in politics, so he didn’t understand many things. However, he believed his father’s choice was correct. His father wouldn’t likely lead the Lin Family into an abyss.

Lin Xiuming continued, “Father, there’s another thing. I suspect that the North Country’s heavy cavalry has not been annihilated.”

“Instead, it’s possible that the North Fre King was wiped out by the North Prince.”

Hearing this, Lin Gaoyuan laughed and said, “I’ve never believed from the start that North Country’s heavy cavalry was annihilated. If the heavy cavalry of the North Country had truly been obliterated, the North Prince wouldn’t have the opportunity to reform North Country.”

At this point, Lin Gaoyuan looked at Lin Xiuming, “Tell me about what you saw in North Country, and why you suspect the heavy cavalry hasn’t been annihilated.”

Lin Xiuming then recounted what he had seen and heard in North Country to Lin Gaoyuan. After listening to his son, Lin Gaoyuan fell into deep thought.

It took a while before Lin Gaoyuan came back to his senses and said, “The North Prince’s approach is faultless; now is indeed the time to conceal strength. Those barbarian cavalrymen you saw in Tianguang City are likely real barbarians, but they’re not from the North Fre King’s tribe, instead, they belong to the Sky Wolf King’s tribe.”

“The North Prince intends to blur the lines, making you believe that the North Fre King still exists.”

As a cunning old fox who had spent decades in the court, Lin Gaoyuan immediately grasped the actual situation in North Country.

At that moment, Lin Xiuming spoke, “Father, if we can discern that the North Country’s heavy cavalry might still exist, other people probably can too.”

“By concealing North Country’s military strength at this time, won’t people become aware of the North Prince’s intentions?”

Lin Gaoyuan replied indifferently, “Even if they become aware, what can they do? With so many unresolved matters within Great Sum, the Sum Emperor would not possibly focus his attention on him.”

“Right, for the time being, you should stay at home. If there is no assignment, try not to interact with outsiders, especially those from aristocratic families.”

“Lately, quite a few large ships have been heading south. I reckon the emperor is almost ready.”

Hearing Lin Gaoyuan’s words, Lin Xiuming asked curiously, “Almost ready for what?”

Lin Gaoyuan glanced at Lin Xiuming and then said, “The Southern aristocratic families sparked this war, causing the emperor to lose so much land. Do you think the emperor would just tolerate that and do nothing?”

Lin Xiuming instantly understood, then said, “If the emperor sends troops South, then the Southern aristocratic families should have noticed by now, no?”

Lin Gaoyuan snorted and said, “The officials from the Southern faction are still immersed in the joy of victory. They think that the emperor has compromised and don’t have time to pay attention to the merchant ships at sea. If it weren’t for my responsibility in managing the grain prices, I probably wouldn’t have noticed the sudden increase in merchant ships either.”

“Of course, concealing these merchant ships must require the cooperation of some Southern aristocratic family. Otherwise, the sudden appearance of so many merchant ships would likely have been noticed by other families. As for who is helping the emperor, we will only find out after everything is over.”

“All right, let’s not talk about this anymore. You must be tired from the journey, so rest well today.”

With that, Lin Gaoyuan stopped discussing further with Lin Xiuming. Meanwhile.

North Country.

Winter had passed and spring had arrived. The ice and snow began to melt, and the weather grew increasingly warmer.

It was yet another sunny day. Lu Chen stood in the yard, basking in the sun while looking at the ledger in his hands.

At that moment, Mu Zixuan, dressed in a purple cotton garment, came to Lu Chen’s side.

With a smile, Lu Chen said to Mu Zixuan, “Consort, I never expected that in just one winter’s time, you’ve earned me ten million taels of silver.”

Compared to a few months ago, items like perfumed soaps were no longer profitable. The true earnings came from coal and stoves; the carbon balls made by the North Prince Mansion this winter sold as many as were made.

Mu Zixuan also established a commercial guild during the winter, allowing any caravan that joined the guild to buy goods from the North Prince Mansion at low prices to resell to other countries or domains.

Because of the guild’s establishment, the North Prince Mansion’s earnings accelerated, and caravans from Yan County kept coming in droves. Now, the roads leading to North City were firmly packed by the wheels of carriages.

Mu Zixuan replied, “It’s all thanks to the Prince’s methods of making money, not so much due to me.”

Embracing Mu Zixuan’s delicate body and caressing her slightly swollen belly, Lu Chen said, “How can it not be related to you? Even with the ways to make money, someone has to know how to use them.”

“With so much silver, North Country can finally thrive in construction.”

Seeing Lu Chen so happy, Mu Zixuan felt very joyous inside as well. Being needed by the North Prince brought her great satisfaction.

Just then, a maid entered the courtyard and said, “Prince, Commander Wu is looking for you.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen immediately let go of Mu Zixuan, “Consort, you rest well; I must be going.”

Mu Zixuan replied softly, “Mhm, take care, Prince.”

Lu Chen then headed to the study, where Wu Yuan was already waiting at the doorstep. Upon seeing Lu Chen, Wu Yuan first saluted, then handed over the intelligence report he was holding.

Lu Chen took the report and, after a glance, couldn’t help but reveal a hint of a smile.

“Indeed, I guessed right, the war has truly ended.”

“Three counties’ lands, my imperial father is indeed generous.”

At this point, Lu Chen said to Wu Yuan, “Immediately gather Li Rui and the officials of Yan County, since the Hall of Political Affairs has been built, it should be put to use.”

Wu Yuan immediately replied, “Yes, Prince.”

About one and a half hours later, the officials of Yan County were all present in the newly built Hall of Political Affairs.

The Hall of Political Affairs was very large, spanning hundreds of square meters, and currently, there were very few officials in North Country, with most of them holding several positions at once. Thus, the hall seemed very spacious.

After Lu Chen sat down on the throne at the top, the officials immediately performed a salutation and said, “Greetings to the Prince, long live the Prince, long, long live!”

Lu Chen “hmm”ed, then said, “Everyone, please sit.”

Lu Chen did not follow the customs of the Great Sum’s court. At the Great Court Assembly, officials had to stand, but they could sit when discussing state affairs, of course, they would kneel as they sat.

After the officials had taken their kneeling seats, Lu Chen directly said, “The imperial court has already negotiated a truce with Great Wu. To my knowledge, the conditions include the two counties currently occupied by Great Wu plus Xiwu County.”

Upon hearing this, the officials in the hall immediately started discussing among themselves.

Many of them had thought that the war between the two great dynasties would continue, and were surprised that it had ended so quickly.

At that moment, Li Rui said, “Prince, this is good news for North Country!” Hearing this, Lu Chen asked, “Lord Li, why do you say that?”

Li Rui replied, “Xiwu County has been Great Sum’s land since its creation. Its population consists mainly of Great Sum’s common folk, and they hold deep affection for Great Sum. Moreover, with Great Wu engaging in war year after year, their soldiers looting and plundering without restraint, the moment Xiwu County’s common folk learn that the imperial court plans to cede them to the Great Wu Dynasty, many will surely seek to migrate eastwards!”

“But there is no spare land in the east for them, and once they leave their homeland, they will become refugees.”

“And it just so happens that North Country is in need of more people!”

At this point, Mu Changtian also said, “This is indeed a good opportunity for North Country to attract more people.”

“However…”

“I believe North Country should not be overly eager to take in refugees.”

“Xiwu County will undoubtedly experience a massive eastward exodus, putting tremendous pressure on other Seigniors’ lands. When that time comes, Seigniors will naturally beseech North Country to take in refugees.”

Then, Lu Chen looked towards Qin Yushan and asked, “Commander Qin, what is your opinion on this matter?”

Now that there were too few civil officials, with only a handful able to speak up, Lu Chen had no choice but to involve Qin Yushan as well.

Qin Yushan pondered and then said, “Prince, your servant thinks what General Mo said makes sense. We need not be overly hasty in taking in refugees, but we can first send people to the three counties soon to be ceded to Great Wu to spread the benefits of joining North Country.”

“For instance, if they join North Country, they can receive land and seed grain. Your servant believes that upon hearing they can get land for joining North Country, the common folk of those three counties will definitely choose to come to North Country.”

Lu Chen said, “Very well, let’s do as Commander Qin suggested.”

“Additionally, I have convened you for some matters regarding reform that need discussion.”

At this point, Lu Chen looked towards Mu Changtian, “General Mo, I have reviewed your military reform proposal, and I have made some additions and adjustments to your suggestion. The military officers present should listen to my reform proposal, and if there is anything unclear, feel free to raise questions…”

Then, Lu Chen spoke to a Jinyiwei Guard by his side, saying, “Read.”

Immediately afterward, the Jinyiwei Guard took out a scroll and began to read.

For the following hour, they discussed several issues concerning North Country’s reform.

Meanwhile.

In Yan County, a tavern opened by Mysterious Moon Palace.

In a private room by the window, a man clad in coarse clothes was drinking and waiting for someone.

In a short while, a man wearing a bamboo hat entered the room.

After closing the door of the private room, the man in the bamboo hat walked straight over and sat down across from the man in coarse clothes.

The man in the bamboo hat then spoke up, “There’s more than one Grandmaster in the North Prince Mansion. Today, I saw two Grandmasters entering and leaving the North Prince Mansion. Although they were deliberately concealing their aura, I still detected them.”

“It might be difficult to make a move.”

Upon hearing the bamboo hat man’s words, Su Teng finished the cup of wine in his hand and then chuckled, “Since I, the Pavilion Master, have personally arrived, the mission cannot fail. Just two Grandmasters, they are of no consequence.”

“The Wang Family can hardly wait anymore. We must take action tonight.”