Chapter 1443: Advancing Regent

He didn't finish his sentence, but He Lingchuan understood. The Bu family had been stealing and swapping grain for years. How could the official in charge of storage have been completely unaware?

The Regent Qingyang chose this moment to report them, which was also a calculated move. Qingyang had made her move, and she hadn't disappointed him. Xue Zongwu's death presented a perfect opportunity. The Qingyang He Lingchuan knew was swift, steady, precise, and ruthless; she wouldn't let such an advantage slip away.

"I don't just do business with the Bu family, so setting it aside for now is fine," He Lingchuan said, comforting Fan Shuang. "You've had a long and tiring journey. Rest well for a few days first."

However, over the next two days, Qingyang continued her offensive, successively reporting five officials and two military generals! The charges were varied and extensive, involving public land irrigation, ordnance manufacturing, official recommendations, misuse of public assets, and more. Some of these offenses were entirely new to the residents of Tianshui City. Both the court and the public were shaken.

Qingyang's approach had changed from her previous gentle style; it was now aggressive and sharp. Yet, all the evidence she presented was irrefutable, each accusation proving accurate upon investigation. This showed that Qingyang had been meticulously preparing for over half a year, gathering detailed evidence, just waiting for the opportune moment to play her cards one by one.

Naturally, the common people applauded, vehemently cursing the corrupt officials, but a dark cloud hung over the royal court, signaling an impending storm.

Dong Rui then said to He Lingchuan, "You went to great lengths to kill Xue Zongwu, only to allow Qingyang to demonstrate her abilities and steal the limelight."

"Do you think Qingyang is happy about it?" He Lingchuan chuckled.

"Isn't she?" Dong Rui insisted. "With Xue Zongwu, that big tree, felled, his subordinates scattered, couldn't Qingyang pick them off one by one?"

"If killing Xue Zongwu had such a good effect, why didn't she act sooner?" He Lingchuan asked. "Do you think she couldn't think of this, or that she doesn't know how to kill?"

"Well..." Dong Rui insisted, "It wouldn't have been easy for her to kill Xue Zongwu either, would it?"

"Both Qingyang and Shuangye like to be in control of the overall situation," He Lingchuan explained. "Especially Qingyang, as Regent here, she would have her own pace. Xue Zongwu's death must have disrupted her original rhythm. She wouldn't have liked that. He Lingchuan killing Xue Zongwu was like giving Qingyang a forceful push, making her rush forward whether she wanted to or not. Who likes to be forcibly pushed?"

"Then why did she act so decisively and swiftly?" Dong Rui asked.

"Given the circumstances, a smart person knows how to seize the opportunity. This has nothing to do with whether she likes it or not," He Lingchuan slowly added. "This is also what we wanted to see. Qingyang's actions would inevitably intensify the conflict between herself and the State of Jiao, and with the Jiao King. This was also He Lingchuan's calculation."

"Couldn't Qingyang see that?" Dong Rui asked.

"Of course, she knows perfectly well," He Lingchuan smiled. "But the bait was too tempting; she had to swallow it. Just like when the Jiao King invited me to Tianshui City, I knew it was a trap, but I had no choice but to come."

The mirror in his arms also asked curiously, "What will happen next?"

"Killing Xue Zongwu was like opening Pandora's Box," He Lingchuan mused. "It's difficult to predict the subsequent reactions of Qingyang and the Jiao King. Haven't you noticed that the officials Qingyang reported are all in low-ranking positions?"

"Why is that?" Dong Rui asked.

"It shows she still has boundaries and hasn't played all her cards," He Lingchuan replied. "An experienced official like Qingyang constantly weighs her relationship with her opponents and controls the intensity of the conflict; she wouldn't play all her good cards at once. To fight without breaking off relations is a strategy that truly tests one's skill. That's why I said Qingyang most disliked being forcefully pushed. It would disrupt her original rhythm. Conversely, there's still room for escalation in the struggle between her and the Jiao King. So, whatever she dislikes, that's what we'll do."

"We can give them another push," He Lingchuan yawned. "Isn't the place where she lives called Tranquil Lake Retreat?"

"Oh yes," Dong Rui replied, "it's supposedly a scenic spot in the outskirts of Tianshui City. Since Qingyang took a liking to it, no other visitors have been allowed in." Dong Rui chuckled. "What mischievous plan do you have in mind now?" He knew that He Lingchuan, when he finally made a move, would aim to destroy his opponent.

"Let's help the King a little."

That very day, He Lingchuan paid a visit to Yuwen Xu.

A few days prior, at the King's instruction, Yuwen Xu, Gu Xuan, and others had gone to Ju City to get acquainted with He Lingchuan and discuss business, concluding several large deals at that time. Now that He Lingchuan had arrived in Tianshui City, it was only proper for him to return the courtesy. In social interactions, a visit received implies a visit to be returned.

Yuwen Xu was not merely the son of an official; the Yuwen family had been deeply rooted around the capital for over ninety years, and he was a legitimate descendant of a prestigious clan. As a fourth-generation official, his temperament was not as cautious and reserved as that of ordinary officials; instead, he was open and direct, preferring bold and assertive actions. Therefore, He Lingchuan chose to visit him first.

Upon hearing that the Master of Yangshan Island had arrived, Yuwen Xu greeted him warmly. This showed He Lingchuan's capability. Previously, when Yuwen Xu went to Ju City to negotiate with He Lingchuan, it was at the Jiao King's behest, and he had no choice but to comply. After that trip, with the superior's instructions fulfilled, Yuwen Xu might not necessarily have greeted the Master of Yangshan with such a welcoming smile again. The arrogance of the Jiao State's nobility was well-known. However, He Lingchuan's demeanor, conduct, and conversation still left an excellent impression on Yuwen Xu.

Next to him was another man, taller than Yuwen Xu, whose appearance bore a slight resemblance to Yuwen Xu's. Yuwen Xu pointed to the man and said, "This is my elder brother, Yuwen Yong. He just happened to return home today." Both parties exchanged polite greetings with smiles. Although Yuwen Yong was a military general, his demeanor was even more composed than his younger brother's. After greeting He Lingchuan and exchanging a few pleasantries, he left in a hurry. Yuwen Xu said, "My brother still has military duties, and he's been especially busy these past few days."

During their last business discussion in Ju City, He Lingchuan had intentionally left some room for maneuver, allowing them to continue negotiations this time. This was his philosophy: business shouldn't be concluded all at once; it's better to leave room for further interactions. As the saying goes, "a little goodwill goes a long way." With a few back-and-forths, wouldn't they naturally become more familiar? Indeed, after a brief negotiation, with no major disputes, the deal was smoothly concluded. This time, He Lingchuan had actually conceded a small profit, which made Yuwen Xu happy, and he invited He Lingchuan to stay for a meal. Master He was someone who knew when to advance and when to retreat; when cooperating with intelligent people, there was no need to spell everything out.

The prominent families and wealthy merchants in Tianshui City all employed their own chefs, and each household had its unique signature dishes. The chef at the Yuwen residence specialized in making various pastries and preparing unique alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Yuwen Xu pointed to the crispy pastries on the table and said, "Brother He, these are made with palm oil from your archipelago. My chef always praises your oil, saying it's excellent for making flaky pastry." He Lingchuan took a sip of the sweet wine. "Hmm, isn't this concocted with cocoa beans?" It was his first time tasting such a light, cocoa-flavored wine. It had a delicate color, was quite novel, and very palatable. "Yes," Yuwen Xu smiled, "it's the only one of its kind in all of Tianshui City, with no other branches. Even in the royal palace, you wouldn't find this."