Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 1365

Chapter 1365: Chapter 1360: Concern

After listening to this, Liu Rushi sensed something unusual in Bai Qingyan’s words. However, seeing Bai Qingyan dining as usual, he refrained from asking further. He pondered for a moment, then straightened up, as if energized: "Your Majesty’s words... seem to have deeper meaning?"

Bai Qingyan’s lips curled into a smile, and she said to Liu Rushi: "During this period, don’t show any emotion. Just continue negotiating with the Yan Kingdom as usual to settle those cities. Don’t let them dictate all of our Zhou Kingdom’s cities; we should decide on their Yan Kingdom’s cities as well. If they argue fiercely against our decisions... just pretend to compromise and point to a more prosperous neighboring city!"

"What does Your Majesty mean by this?" Liu Rushi could tell Bai Qingyan had a plan, and his eyes lit up with excitement.

"Once everything is settled, and the details of these cities are clearly outlined, when it’s time to stamp the imperial seal, tell the Yan Kingdom... since it’s a battle of national policies, then we should implement Yan’s policies in our Zhou cities, and we should implement Zhou’s policies in their Yan cities. Only then is it a true contest!" Bai Qingyan took a spoonful of porridge and sipped, "Let’s see if Yan is truly earnest. If Yan chooses poor cities for our Zhou Kingdom, let them worry about it! But remember one thing... never show any hint in front of the Yan envoys! That Wang Hanbing from Yan is no fool! Minister Liu... after you return, study the situation of those Yan cities carefully!"

"Your Majesty is truly removing the firewood from under the cauldron!" Liu Rushi stood up, walked to the center of the great hall, and bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan, "I will take my leave to arrange this matter!"

"No rush, Minister Liu... finish your meal before you go!" Bai Qingyan said with a smile to Liu Rushi, "Don’t waste food."

"Yes!" Liu Rushi, beaming, sat down and drank porridge with Bai Qingyan, "Now we are the cutting board, and Yan is the fish. I believe when we propose this method, they will have to agree even if they don’t want to! If they don’t agree, it means they have something to hide!"

Bai Qingyan picked up a piece of milk bun, tore off a small piece, and put it to her mouth. After chewing and swallowing, she continued, "I also have a purpose... to let the people of Yan experience Zhou’s new policies. Once they see the benefits, they’ll naturally want to become citizens of Zhou. By then, the merger of the two nations will avoid many complications. When the Yan people spread the word among themselves... it’s far more convincing than us trying hard to explain to them the benefits of Zhou."

Bai Qingyan’s biggest worry is that in the future, the people of Yan may not wish to become Zhou citizens, leading to frequent disturbances. Sending soldiers to suppress would be easy, but it would also incite fear and resistance against Zhou.

Liu Rushi nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty has thought of everything!"

"Keep this matter to yourself for now, especially don’t tell Fan Yugan, who can’t hold his tongue. It might alert the Yan envoys." Bai Qingyan took a sip of porridge, lowered her gaze, and looked at Liu Rushi, "Keep an eye on this Wang Hanbing. Initially, when Yan hadn’t decided on sending the Regent Prince to Zhou, their Emperor and the Regent Prince sent Wang Hanbing to take charge in Zhou. When the two countries sit down to negotiate, we dig traps for Yan, and naturally, Yan will do the same for us. It’s all expected."

Bai Qingyan chuckled at the mention of traps, which also eased Liu Rushi’s tension. Watching Bai Qingyan eat behind a desk stacked with memorials, discussing national policies in such a casual manner made him feel the Emperor wasn’t quite as distant as he seemed, untouched by worldly matters.

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