Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 1366

Chapter 1366: Chapter 1361: Writing a Biography

"Minister Liu... I have said it many times, we, the sovereign and subjects of Zhou, need not be so formal with each other! Let’s eat!" During the meal, Bai Qingyan discussed the envoy from the Tianfeng Kingdom with Liu Rushi, who found nothing to worry about, reasoning that since the Tianfeng Kingdom was coming for peace talks, it’s better to have their demands openly presented rather than concealed.

After Liu Rushi left, Bai Qingyan asked Chun Tao to remove the dinner and sent someone to summon Zeng Shanru.

After the battle with the Tianfeng Kingdom, Bai Qingyan had the weapons and a part of the armor on the giant elephants dismantled and sent to Zeng Shanru, to see if these giant elephant armors and weapons were as indestructible as those Bai Jintong had brought back, crafted from ink powder.

Bai Qingyan assumed that the Tianfeng Kingdom might have had reservations about Cui Fengnian, a foreign merchant, and wouldn’t allow Cui Fengnian to take the ink powder used for military purposes out of Tianfeng. That’s why Bai Qingyan had Zeng Shanru examine the weapons and giant elephant armor from the Tianfeng Kingdom together with the Tianfeng master who crafted the weapons brought back by Bai Jintong.

Just then, before Zeng Shanru arrived, Bai Qingyan’s mentor Guan Yongchong came.

Bai Qingyan quickly set down the pen and personally went to the palace gate to welcome him. Accompanying Guan Yongchong was also Min Qianqiu.

It was heard that lately, Min Qianqiu had been staying at Bamboo Grove Cottage with Guan Yongchong, where the two exchanged knowledge, played chess, and Guan Yongchong spoke of the Bai family’s affairs to Min Qianqiu. Min Qianqiu was busy writing the record for the Bai family, especially Bai Qingyan’s later deeds, which were quite extraordinary and worth documenting.

Bai Qingyan personally invited the two elders into the main hall, taking a seat opposite them rather than assuming the upper position as an emperor might.

Wei Zhong served hot tea to the two scholars and then withdrew, instructing Chun Tao to stay nearby for orders. Wei Zhong himself went to see the long-term coachman of Guan Yongchong and Min Qianqiu, bearing hot tea and snacks.

Upon hearing that the two elders arrived to discuss national gambling, Bai Qingyan didn’t interject, listening quietly until Guan Yongchong finished speaking, and then Bai Qingyan conveyed his own ideas to Guan Yongchong.

Min Qianqiu stared at Bai Qingyan, perceptive to Bai Qingyan’s background and foresight in the matter, and how it wasn’t a pretext concocted to placate Guan Yongchong, but rather an earnest consideration for the lives of the people and soldiers.

Nevertheless, Min Qianqiu still asked Bai Qingyan, "Does His Majesty not fear that if Zhou loses, this splendid Zhou landscape will be handed over to others, and His Majesty will end up as an official of the Yan Kingdom? Even... if the Emperor of Yan or the Regent Prince acts ruthlessly, they might not leave His Majesty as a problem, considering the formidable Bai family army of Zhou is feared by many."

Min Qianqiu recognized Bai Qingyan’s extraordinary vision and insight but hadn’t expected Bai Qingyan to possess such magnanimity in character, truly placing the people first.

Bai Qingyan was transparent with his mentor, Min Qianqiu: "Perhaps everyone believes my desire for a peaceful unification is naive, but I still want to try my best. Things never attempted by others, someone must try them to see if it can succeed!"

"Any long-standing division will lead to unity, any unity leads to division... How can His Majesty guarantee that Yan and Zhou’s unity will ensure perpetual peace for the people?" Min Qianqiu was not pressing relentlessly. If he was to write for the Bai family, certain matters needed detailing.

"Indeed, any long-standing unity leads to division; the division leads to unity..." Bai Qingyan smiled, "But the matter of unity requires someone to act, and division... that is for future generations. Bai Qingyan dares not guarantee, yet as long as Bai Qingyan lives one more day, I will strive for peaceful times. Being born human... and born into the Bai family, having enjoyed wealth, one must bear responsibility."

Guan Yongchong turned to Min Qianqiu, smiling, "So, what do you think? Was I wrong? My direct disciple, since thirteen, aspired to uphold the Bai family’s ancestral teachings in protecting and serving the people. This talk of gambling on national policies... is not for personal wager! Qianqiu, you truly misjudged my disciple."