Chapter 613: Chapter 613

Elder Li was shocked to learn that Fengyu had dispatched a Forbidden Army unit to escort the grain convoy. He was utterly unsettled, having assumed Fengyu would come to negotiate. Unexpectedly, Fengyu defied expectations by sending the Forbidden Army to retrieve the grain during such a vulnerable time for the Imperial City’s defenses.

Nuanyang personally heading to Jiangnan represented Xie Xun’s decree.

"Why would Lin Helin agree to let General Nuanyang lead the Forbidden Army out of the city? The Imperial City’s guards are already spread thin. Didn’t Lin Helin try to stop them?" Fınd the newest release on novel-fire.ɴet

"He did try, but Nuanyang and Feiying, the personal guards, only follow Xie Xun and Fengyu’s orders. Even if Lin Helin tried to stop them, they wouldn’t listen." Mr. Cai was equally troubled. "What do we do now? Fengyu refuses to accept our threats. It’s obvious she doesn’t want to cooperate with us. We can’t just take one step at a time anymore. Now that we’re the only major family left, do we keep resisting? Sooner or later, we’ll have to yield."

Knowing they would eventually have to yield, they had chosen to throw caution to the wind this time, attempting to leverage grain prices to gain greater benefits. Xie Xun’s victory seemed inevitable—retaking Zhongzhou was only a matter of time. If they could stabilize the situation in the Capital City for Fengyu before Xie Xun returned, they could at least claim some credit. However, Fengyu refused to agree to the benefits they wanted.

This young girl was far shrewder than old political foxes who had muddled through decades in court, her resolve even more unshakable.

"The longer this drags on, the more difficult it becomes for us to withdraw gracefully." Elder Li was deeply worried. "How can such a green little girl be so hard to deal with? Maybe we should go all out and..."

"Brother, I advise against rash action. The guards around the Empress were formerly Second Young Master Xie’s personal Hidden Guard unit. They function as an impenetrable shield, impossible to get close to without inviting serious consequences. Otherwise, do you think no one has tried to kill her? It’s simply unfeasible," someone warned.

"How do you know they’re Xie Er’s Hidden Guard?"

The reputation of Xie Er’s Hidden Guard was legendary. Rumored to be capable of defeating one hundred foes single-handedly, they had protected the Second Young Master through countless assassination attempts over the years. With them safeguarding Fengyu, her safety was beyond question. If Xie Xun weren’t absolutely confident, he wouldn’t dare leave Fengyu alone in the Capital City.

"Brother, this plan won’t work. We’d better just... let it go. Follow the prevailing trend. If His Majesty returns, resisting would be like an egg hitting a stone." Their window for action was now limited.

The new policies were already taking shape and would soon unify governance.

"Send someone to inform Fengyu: I have something urgent to discuss with her," Elder Li ordered.

Receiving the message, Fengyu smiled faintly and sent back a reply. If Elder Li wanted to negotiate, he had to show sincerity; the Li Family needed to demonstrate their earnestness before she would consider discussing matters.

"Audacious!" Elder Li was furious but felt utterly helpless. The one who held the upper hand dictated the conversation. Initiating contact with Fengyu placed them at a disadvantage. "A mere child—does she even know when to stop? She’ll face her share of hardships someday."

Despite his complaints, Elder Li opened the grain warehouses and ceased their manipulation of grain reserves in the Capital City. Fengyu also agreed to negotiate with them.

The negotiations proceeded smoothly. Lin Helin and Zhang Boju, who initially predicted that this matter would drag on until mid-September, were surprised when Fengyu swiftly devised a solution within days. She neither accepted their threats nor reached out proactively. Instead, she waited for the Li Family to come to her. Although she didn’t reject them outright, she presented herself as amicable and willing to cooperate.

The court officials initially paid little attention to this prospective Empress, focusing their scrutiny on the new Emperor Xie Xun. However, during Xie Xun’s absence from the Capital City, they gradually began to see Fengyu’s capabilities, finally understanding why West State had thrived so remarkably in the last three years.

Fengyu agreed to almost all the conditions proposed by the Li Family, except for a few key demands. Elder Li wasn’t surprised; he had anticipated Fengyu rejecting all of their terms. Instead, she showed considerable willingness to negotiate, accommodating anything that didn’t undermine Xie Xun’s authority.

If that was the case, why hadn’t Fengyu approached them initially? Why send the Forbidden Army to escort grain supplies? If she had come to them in the first place, they would have likely negotiated nearly the same terms.

Elder Li felt utterly baffled!

What Fengyu wanted was a statement—a demonstration for everyone in the Capital City. If anyone desired something, they needed to approach her; she wouldn’t succumb to coercion. Negotiating calmly might result in mutual satisfaction, but forcing her hand would only invite retaliation.

This tactic proved highly effective. Whenever the major families had any issues, they sent their wives to approach Fengyu, both to establish connections and demonstrate their respect.

After grain prices had stabilized, the major families gradually adapted to Fengyu’s modus operandi. They had no choice but to adjust to her approach.

They understood one thing with increasing clarity:

Times had changed. Previously, the imperial family accommodated the clans. Now, the clans were compelled to lower themselves and adapt to the new ruling pair—or else face inevitable demise.

Though the clans possessed hundreds of years of accumulated influence and resources, Fengyu didn’t intend to obliterate them completely.

Under the new policies, it would be nearly impossible for any new clans to establish that level of dominance again. Over time, Fengyu and Xie Xun would gradually decentralize the existing clans’ power.

When the next Emperor ascended the throne, the entire Beining region would likely reach a renaissance, and the imperial power would face no opposition.

On September 10, Zhongzhou brought another triumphant report.

Xie Xun’s army had arrived at the gates of Zhongzhou City, leaving only one isolated city remaining in Zhongzhou. General Chen and General Gao were both trapped inside the city. Zhongzhou City’s terrain was complex; to the north lay the Bei River, which connected to twelve states. To the south, Xie Xun’s army camped outside the city.

As Xie Xun encircled the city, Jiaozhou’s forces blocked the Bei River, severing supply routes. Xie Xun’s siege of Zhongzhou City depended on how long the city could endure without food and reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Jiangnan also sent word of victory. The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry and Jiangnan’s stationed troops had finally won a decisive battle, repelling Sannan’s troops three times in their poison-based attacks, killing nearly ten thousand enemy soldiers. The group of renowned medical experts gathered in Jiangnan successfully developed a method to counter the Sannan poison formations. With this defensive breakthrough, the end of the Jiangnan war seemed near.

The Capital City simultaneously received news of victories from both Zhongzhou and Jiangnan, lifting spirits and evoking euphoric celebration. Fengyu herself was elated.

Holding the war reports, Fengyu sought out Dugu Jing.

Though Xie Xun had not granted Dugu Jing freedom, he hadn’t imprisoned him either. After Xie Xun left the Capital City, Dugu Jing was sent to an inn under the watch of Jinyi Guards. His movements weren’t restricted, but as Xie Xun had specified, Dugu Jing could only roam within the Jinyi Guards’ surveillance. He was free to go wherever he liked within their sight.

Had the Zhongzhou war not erupted, Xie Xun might have allowed Dugu Jing to travel freely throughout Beining to witness how its citizens lived.

Dugu Jing sat with a composed yet solemn demeanor. Seeing Fengyu again after three years, his perspective had entirely shifted. He now admired Xie Xun deeply, especially for having such a virtuous and capable wife.

"Zhongzhou has triumphed. Jiangnan has also triumphed. Both war reports have arrived in the Capital City!"

In the courtyard, Fengyu sat across from Dugu Jing and handed over the war reports. "Ninth Prince, shall we now discuss Beiman’s surrender?"