Chapter 2159: Next Target

Everyone present felt much more at ease, seeing his amiable demeanor.

He Lingchuan immediately announced the governance plan for Bailie to address the Deer family’s concerns. He knew that Bailie was undergoing drastic changes, and people’s hearts were bound to be unsettled. Taking practical action now was far more effective than making flowery promises. People needed reassurance, and the best way to provide it was through concrete written agreements and tangible benefits.

While governing Yangshan, He Lingchuan had become exceptionally familiar with Bailie's administrative, economic, and agricultural systems. He had also continued to observe Bailie closely even while conquering Shanjin. Therefore, the plan he presented was timely and addressed the current problems, covering several key areas:

First, Bailie’s local administrative system required reform and renewal, with an attached list of new appointments. Many existing officials belonged to the Lu Zhensheng father-son faction, whom He Lingchuan would naturally not retain. The appointment of new officials would facilitate the better implementation of the new patriarch’s decisions.

Second, Bailie’s cash crops needed updating. Bailie’s local soil and water were fertile and abundant, allowing virtually anything planted there to thrive. He Lingchuan provided Bailie with new seeds from the Upside-Down Sea, requesting that their cultivation be promoted immediately after the spring harvest. These new varieties included textile fibers, oil crops, and grains, as well as several new cash crops suitable for Bailie’s hydrology and soil. Amidst the resurgence of spiritual energy in the world, their yield and quality would significantly improve.

Third, establish trade routes, expand investment, and promote trade between Bailie and Shanjin Plain. This point was also logical. After all, Shanjin and Bailie were now both under the jurisdiction of Emperor Jiuyou and should naturally exchange goods and resources. Shanjin Plain was currently poor but had limitless potential, and the people of Bailie understood that early establishment would lead to early rewards. He Lingchuan also intended to guide Bailie's capital, grain, and population into Shanjin Plain.

Fourth, Shanjin Plain would dispatch 4,000 Dragon God soldiers to be permanently stationed in Bailie. Bailie’s geographical location was unique, surrounded by numerous national powers, and it was also Emperor Jiuyou’s ancestral home, so stationing troops there was perfectly reasonable. The people of Bailie welcomed this wholeheartedly, believing that with troops from a powerful nation stationed there, no one would dare to exploit Bailie again.

Anyone with discernment could immediately see that the new patriarch’s decrees were beneficial to Bailie, thus the Deer family ate with great satisfaction. However, after taking Bailie, He Lingchuan did not celebrate boisterously through the night. Instead, after dinner, he summoned Xun Yu and handed him a document:

“You are to immediately dispatch someone to the capital of Qing Kingdom and deliver this document to King Qing.”

This matter had been delayed for a long time; now that the time had come, it was due to be resolved. Afterward, he whispered a few more instructions. Xun Yu respectfully received the document, then walked backward to the doorway before turning and leaving.

He originated from the Yuanxiang Society and had been a strategist under Situ He. During the Dragon God War, he strongly advised Situ He not to oppose He Lingchuan. After He Lingchuan established his state, he rewarded merits and recruited talents. Due to his eloquence and steady temperament, Xun Yu was appointed Deputy Director of the Right Bureau of Qinghong Division, overseeing over 200 people. The Qinghong Division’s primary function was to dispatch envoys and handle diplomatic correspondence; in special circumstances, it even handled foreign affairs arbitration. The Emperor did not ask Xun Yu to personally go on an embassy to Qing Kingdom but rather to dispatch someone else. This was because diplomatic interactions highly emphasized "matching ranks." Clearly, the Lord of Cangyan believed that Qing Kingdom was not worthy of a personal visit from the Deputy Director of the Right Bureau of Qinghong Division.

After that, He Lingchuan summoned Wanqifeng. Wanqifeng was in the process of assigning troops to be stationed in Bailie. The Emperor’s commands, naturally, had to be carried out immediately. He rushed over upon receiving the order. Just as he bowed, He Lingchuan personally placed a seal into his hand.

“Emperor?” Wanqifeng looked at the seal, then sharply raised his head.

“Afohai has been reclaimed,” He Lingchuan said, patting his shoulder. “I promised you that the Bailong clan would return to their homeland. From now on, Afohai will once again be the home of the Bailong people, and you may move your clan back.”

Wanqifeng had followed him through many campaigns, north and south, and had long been tempered by battle, becoming a man of steel. Yet at these words, his eyes reddened, and he immediately knelt with a thud. Afohai had been the ancestral home of the Bailong people for generations. In former years, the Ya Kingdom had expelled them, forcing tens of thousands of Bailong people to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. Ever since, day and night, the Bailong people longed for their homeland. Even the windswept sands of their home became endearing.

When He Lingchuan subdued Wanqifeng in the Yangshan Archipelago, he had promised him that one day, the Bailong people would surely return to their homeland. Five years had passed. The Island Lord of Yangshan had transformed into Emperor Jiuyou, Lord of Cangyan, but had not forgotten his promise to the Bailong people. Wanqifeng could well imagine the exultant cheers of his clansmen upon hearing this joyous news.

“Your Majesty is benevolent!” Wanqifeng prostrated himself three times with loud thuds. “I, Feng, am willing to give my life for the Emperor, and the Bailong clan vows eternal loyalty to Your Majesty!”

“Rise,” He Lingchuan said, personally helping him up. “The Bailong clan’s task is also not light; west of Afohai lies the border of Mou Kingdom.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Wanqifeng was also very clear about the Bailong clan’s mission after returning to their homeland. “The Bailong clan will certainly protect Bailie and keep the Ya and Mou armies outside our borders.”

South of Afohai was the Ya Kingdom. Therefore, the Bailong clan would form the first line of defense for Cangyan’s western border. They would both guard the southwestern frontier and watch over Bailie, the Emperor’s ancestral home, directly facing the pressure of two nations’ armies in the future. The Bailong clan bore a heavy burden. However, Wanqifeng was not worried; instead, he was pleased. Afohai’s crucial geographical location and the Bailong clan’s vital mission signified the Emperor’s increasing regard for the Bailong clan.

“Alright, go about your duties,” He Lingchuan said, as he still had military affairs to attend to. “Before evening, prepare for another military dispatch.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Blade Edge Port, 3:45 AM.

The harbor was enveloped in a dense fog, peaceful. Wu Tiju was sound asleep, dreaming of promotions and titles. Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed outside his door. Not long after, he was shaken awake:

“The King urgently summons you to the palace for an audience!”

“Huh?” Wu Tiju mumbled groggily. “When? What time is it now?” He glanced outside; the sky was still dark.

“They said it was an extremely urgent matter!”

The words “extremely urgent” startled Wu Tiju. Since he became an official, he had only once received a midnight summons from the palace, which was when the Queen of Qing Kingdom had been besieged by the Ya Kingdom’s army in Qingqi City. Moreover, what major domestic event could possibly concern Blade Edge Port? Otherwise, why would they seek out him, the head of the Maritime Trade Commission? Wu Tiju had a strong sense of foreboding.

Fortunately, Qing Kingdom was not vast, the distance from Blade Edge Port to Qing Kingdom’s capital was not long, and the imperial road was straight and easy to travel. Although Wu Tiju spurred his horse hard through the night, he eventually reached the palace by Chen Shi (7-9 AM). What he saw upon entering was alarming. Almost all of Qing Kingdom’s close ministers were crowded into King Qing’s council hall, and every person’s expression was grave.

“You’re here.” King Qing had no time for pleasantries. Seeing Wu Tiju, he stated directly, “The ruler of Cangyan has sent a state letter, demanding Blade Edge Port. He also claims to possess the original lease agreement!”