Ling Mohan lowered his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the gift list. "Your Western Liang people are truly numerous. Just the palace maids and eunuchs alone number three thousand..."
"His Majesty wishes to alleviate the princess's homesickness."
"Eastern Chu cannot compare to Western Liang in terms of vast territory and abundant resources. I fear it cannot accommodate so many people. Everything should simply be handled according to protocol."
"General Ling, this was established by my Emperor. How can you change it simply because you deem it better?"
"Currently, my Eastern Chu does not possess the resources to house so many people from Western Liang. I am doing this for your own good. It would be best to take them back."
With so many people from Western Liang arriving in Eastern Chu today, there were no doubt spies among them. Once they integrated into Eastern Chu, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"You are inviting war between the two nations!"
Baili Xuan's attitude was firm, showing no signs of compromise.
"Since that is the case, there is no room for further discussion. Take all the items back and have your Emperor reconsider the arrangements carefully."
"You... Ling Mohan, do you truly believe you can represent your Eastern Liang Emperor? If this matter leads to war between the two nations, you will be the greatest sinner!"
Ling Mohan curled his lips into a cold smile, utterly unconcerned. "My words have been spoken. Whether you stay or leave, the choice is yours!"
Baili Xuan's expression grew even more displeased, a chilling aura enveloping his face as he clenched his fists.
His Majesty had instructed him upon departure to ensure the dowry was delivered to Eastern Chu. Had this been any other time, he would never have tolerated such treatment.
But today was different. For the sake of Western Liang's grand undertaking, he could only step back.
"According to custom, a princess marrying abroad requires one hundred accompanying maids, fifty eunuchs, thirty musicians and dancers, and... altogether, these personnel amount to six hundred."
Ling Mohan's brow furrowed slightly. How could there still be so many people?
"General Ling, the total headcount has been confirmed." Baili Xuan had indeed expended considerable effort to barely secure these eight hundred individuals. Moreover, these people had undergone over a month of training and preparation, all to facilitate their entry into Eastern Chu.
Ling Mohan's gaze swept over them. The palace maids were indeed quite comely. Based on their looks alone, he felt an unsettling premonition.
He would have to deal with these people entirely on the way back to the capital.
"Lu Shi, conduct the inventory. Inspect them carefully before escorting them into the city."
"Yes, Young General."
Lu Shi conducted the inspection with meticulous care, leaving no corner unchecked. Hundreds of chests of dowry were thoroughly screened, and even the palace maids were subjected to searches by experienced matrons.
Only after confirming there was no danger were they permitted entry. By the time night fell, half of the dowry remained uncounted.
Ling Mohan rose leisurely. "It is late now. I must trouble Lord Bai Li to take the items back and resume the counting tomorrow morning."
If the counting had proceeded at a normal pace, all the dowry could have been accounted for. However, Ling Mohan was deliberately delaying the process.
His intention was to wait for Chu Chenyi's forces to arrive before taking action to resolve these matters.
"Tomorrow morning, General Ling, please do not break your promise."
Baili Xuan suppressed his rising anger, his voice hushed.
During the dowry inspection, they were constantly creating minor issues, deliberately delaying the process. However, Baili Xuan could not fathom Ling Mohan's true intentions.
"Naturally. Lord Bai Li, please proceed. Each nation has its own laws, and this General will not escort you out."
After Baili Xuan departed, Ling Mohan finally entered Yun City.
"General Ling, where should these dowry items and the palace maids and eunuchs be settled?"
These palace maids and eunuchs alone were filling his residence to the brim, leaving no space to even stand, let alone the hundreds of dowry chests. Where should they be placed?
"The posting station is simple and lacks sufficient space. I believe Lord Fan's residence is quite spacious. It would be better to house them there temporarily. As for the dowry, it is a matter of national importance. Only Lord Fan's residence in Yun City has the most stringent security. I will have to trouble Lord Fan with this as well."
"This... Lord Fan, this is absolutely not permissible. My residence... my residence truly cannot accommodate..."
"Lord Fan, the Young General trusts you enough to entrust this important matter to you. Does Lord Fan perhaps have no wish to undertake this task?"
Lu Shi interrupted Fan Shun, his words trapping Fan Shun in a precarious position. Refusing now would be inappropriate.
"Since Lord Fan has no objections, why aren't you all quickly moving the items to Lord Fan's residence? These are the dowry of the Western Liang princess. You must handle them with utmost care. If any mistakes occur, ten of your heads would not be enough to pay for it!"
Lu Shi busily instructed the others to carry the dowry chests to Fan Shun's residence, not forgetting to subtly admonish Fan Shun.
"Slow down everyone, you at the back, hurry up..."
Lu Shi directed the people in an orderly fashion. Hundreds of chests instantly blocked the entire courtyard, making even exiting difficult.
Although Fan Shun was filled with immense anger, he was powerless and could only watch as they carried the dowry chests inside.
This dowry was a hot potato. Leaving it in his residence was like a time bomb. With the slightest mishap, even with a thousand mouths, he would be unable to explain himself.
This was a deliberate attempt to shift the blame onto him, to find a pretext to attack him.
"Lord Fan, all the dowry items are here. I trust Lord Fan will take good care of them."
"I dare not speak of trouble. This is what this subordinate should do. I hope Lord Lu will speak favorably of this subordinate to the Young General."
Lu Shi offered a disingenuous smile. "That goes without saying. The Young General has observed all that Lord Fan has done these past few days and will naturally recognize Lord Fan's efforts."
These words made Fan Shun's heart tremble slightly. The words felt peculiar, as if carrying a hidden meaning.
Fan Shun forced an awkward smile, trying his best to maintain a placid demeanor.
"Lord Fan, I shall take my leave now."
Lu Shi led his men away, leaving Fan Shun alone to face the mountain of chests. A fire raged within his chest, yet he had no outlet for it.
Especially Lu Shi's meaningful words, which made his heart tremble.
The people Zhang Kun had sent out days ago were all dealt with, leaving no survivors. He had already planned how to respond when Ling Mohan made his move.
However, Ling Mohan's calm demeanor over the past two days was what worried him more. This man's schemes ran deep, and he truly couldn't fathom his intentions.
"Sir... Sir..."
Zhang Kun's voice echoed from outside. After a while, the man squeezed through a gap between the dowry chests.
"Sir... are you moving house?"