Chapter 683: It’ll be an eventful autumn (2/2)

Despite his inspection tour, the Northern Li emperor had still brought along his battle map. Now he spread it on the table to point at Fenglin Prefecture while discussing its current conflicts with Bai Yanqing.

“Heheh, after all those twists and turns, General Chu went back to Western Zhou again,” the Northern Li emperor sighed with feeling. “What a shame, what a shame!”

If not for the heavy losses of the three horse farms, his cavalry forces could have entered the battlefield themselves and forced their way into Western Zhou and Tianning. He never expected Tianning’s internal strife would lead to the country splitting up and developing into this mess in the western regions. Northern Li had truly lost a golden opportunity!

“Your Majesty, have you heard of this story from Tianning?” Bai Yanqing smiled as he stroked his beard. He was dressed in ash gray robes and looked very calm, like some sort of mysterious, lofty expert.

“What story?” the emperor asked.

“The old man lost his mare, but it all turned out for the best,” Bai Yanqing said, while Jun Yixie hastened to explain.

“Your Majesty, these three countries are bound to be caught in a long struggle. Thus, Your Majesty still has chances to send troops south once the battle horses are ready. Then you’ll be the sitting fisherman reeling in all the fish.”

“Hmph. Judging from our current battle horse numbers, even two years won’t be enough to ensure victory! Zhen won’t fight an uncertain war. Don’t forget, the Duke of Qin’s naval forces are still eyeing us from the Eastern Sea.” Without a doubt, the emperor’s greatest enemy in his mind was Long Feiye.

“Your Majesty, do you doubt this old man?” Bai Yanqing smiled coldly. Compared to Jun Yixie’s air of respect, he was neither servile nor weak before the Northern Li emperor.

“Bai Yanqing, how is Zhen supposed to have faith in you? The most fertile lands in all of Cloud Realm Continent are all under the Duke of Qin’s command. It’s already close to summertime weather in the south. A few months later, it’ll be harvest season! The fires of war can’t reach down there. When the time comes, Western Zhou and Tianan will be asking him for grain. He wouldn’t miss out on taking Ning Cheng’s territory then!” the Northern Li emperor said coldly.

Both Western Zhou and Tianning were barren countries with limits on their crops. If war broke out, all agriculture and livestock raising would halt. Tianan Country wasn’t in the center of the fighting and had reasonably good land, but they’d definitely lose more manpower for the fields to fund their war campaigns. Thus, their harvest yields would drop as well. Once all of the grain reserves were gone, both sides would seek it from external sources. That would be the moment the south central regions profited from the fray.

Knowing Long Feiye’s personality, he wouldn’t want money for grain, but seize the chance to send out his own troops and split up Tianning territory with Western Zhou and Tianan. Despite these truths, Bai Yanqing ignored the emperor’s words with a smile.

“Your Majesty, please trust this old man. This will be an eventful autumn for the Duke of Qin! As long as the crown prince can hurry up and expand the horse population, this old man will fulfill the promise I once pledged to Your Majesty.”

Seeing the Northern Li emperor hesitate, Bai Yanqing added, “Your Majesty originally trusted this old man. If you don’t believe me now, then this old man will be disappointed.” His eyes were still pools of mystery that remained unperturbed in spite of everything.

The Northern Li emperor recalled Bai Yanqing’s first vow. He had said that the Wind and Black Clans would remain loyal to the Northern Li imperial family and unite Cloud Realm Continent together. Because of that, the Northern Li emperor had conferred Jun Yixie his title as Duke of Kang and given him endless authority. Bai Yanqing was considered his distinguished guest and given endless respect. He looked at the man for a long time in thought before coming to a decision.

“Someone come, issue orders to the second imperial prince. He’s to cross the snow mountains and buy large quantities of horses. Zhen will give him three months’ time to complete the task. If he can’t get enough animals, he doesn’t need to come back!”

Beyond the lofty snow peaks of Northern Li laid Cloud Realm Continent’s northernmost borders. It was the last piece of undeveloped land on the entire continent, the home of a savage tribe that devoured raw meat and fowl, the Wintercrow Clan.

Three years ago, the Northern Li emperor had sent his first expedition beyond the mountains and ran into this clan along with the best horse breeds they’d ever seen: Wintercrow horses. By now, construction had finished on a mountain road that led directly to the clan. But the clansmen there were tough as nails and never acted in good faith. It was difficult to strike any deals with them, and even simple business deals could turn fatal. Buying large numbers of horses was even less likely. Northern Li had already sent out ten special envoys, but none of them had ever returned.

Thus, the emperor had never held out much hope for getting his horses. But with the western regions embroiled in conflict down below, he had to give it one more try. If Bai Yanqing had the confidence to curb Long Feiye, then attacking during autumn when the armies were short on provisions would be the best time to catch them unawares. No matter what, he had to get enough horses before the time came.

Bai Yanqing’s eyes flashed craftily before resting his hands on both shoulders to express his well-wishes. “May His Second Highness have the best of luck!”

“Imperial father, erchen1 is willing to go along and protect the second imperial prince,,” Jun Yixie volunteered.

The Northern Li emperor looked at him with hesitation…

1. erchen (儿臣) – a self-referential pronoun reserved for sons (or adopted sons) of the emperor.