Before she could ponder further, Bai Siruo beside her suddenly became excited, "A'yao, look, the gold ornaments on them, they must weigh over ten taels, isn't it tiring to hang them around their necks?" Following Bai Siruo's gaze, they saw the envoy delegation from the Pusi Kingdom to the west.
The Pusi Kingdom was rich in gold mines, so from royalty to commoners, wearing gold was a source of pride. Their faces were rough, and their physiques, though not as tall as the Xueyu people, were sturdier.
Both men and women were adorned with numerous gold and gemstone headdresses and jewelry, which were dazzling to behold.
"Tsk tsk, seeing them makes you realize what true wealth and arrogance look like. The hairpin Miss Bai gave me last time isn't even worth mentioning," Su Cheng seized the opportunity to retort.
Just as Bai Siruo was about to retort, she heard the roar of a crowd from below.
It turned out that a handsome man was pacing on a pure white steed. His long hair was tied with a crimson jade belt, his face was handsome, and his figure was tall and straight. He wore a red robe, which did not appear frivolous but instead added a touch of nobility.
Countless unmarried maidens threw handkerchiefs and flowers at him, yet his steed remained unfazed, indicating he was skilled in horsemanship.
"Jiao Ren, this Third Prince is as high-profile as ever."
Although Xiao Muqian had never met him in person, he had heard of him. He was fond of red, but few people in the world could wear red so vibrantly.
"Third Prince? Is he Jiao Ren's future Crown Prince?"
Su Cheng asked curiously, and Xiao Muqian nodded.
Once upon a time, Nanyue was the largest neighboring kingdom to the south, and it was the primary focus of such grand ceremonies of tribute from various nations.
Unfortunately, due to a series of missteps, ten years ago, King Ding led an army to conquer it. Severely weakened, it had not fully recovered over the years and was now suppressed by the Jiao Ren Kingdom, relegated to a third-rate minor state.
The Third Prince of Jiao Ren, who came to pay tribute this time, had helped King Ding considerably in dealing with Nanyue back then.
It was rumored that the two had a very close relationship. It was a pity that King Ding had been severely injured after the Nanyue campaign and returned home to recuperate for many years, while this Third Prince had made great strides in Jiao Ren, annexing many of Nanyue's former territories, and naturally had no time to meet.
Now that he had arrived, it was heard that his visiting card had been sent to King Ding's mansion over ten days ago, to highlight their closeness.
"He's truly handsome. I think the young men in Dongdu City will be outshone," Bai Siruo sighed, looking at the Third Prince. Although it was the truth, it also somewhat undermined their own prestige. Su Cheng opened his mouth to retort, but realizing that his own appearance couldn't compare, he said instead,
"Who says they can't compare? I think King Ding is ten thousand times more handsome than him!"
Their own master was undoubtedly the best, even in appearance, he had to be peerless!
Bai Siruo pouted at this, unable to refute. Indeed, in terms of appearance alone, few men in the world could match King Ding. After all, his mother consort was once known as the most beautiful woman in the Great Jin dynasty. How could her son be inferior?
It was just a pity that he had been seriously ill for many years, and even his excellent appearance and demeanor had been diminished by those medicinal pots.
At this moment, the King Ding they were discussing was sitting upright in his mansion, with a complete map of the realm spread before him.
This map was compiled over ten years by spies from King Ding's army stationed in various countries. The mountains, rivers, streets, and military fortifications were all meticulously depicted on it.
It was far more accurate than the complete map treasured in the palace. Emperor Qi was completely unaware of it, and if he knew, it would likely be the cause of the downfall of King Ding's mansion.
Yang Zhao, standing beside him, held the visiting card of the Third Prince of Jiao Ren and said, "Your Highness, if the military report from the Third Prince is accurate, it seems Nanyue is once again contemplating war. Could it be related to that strategist from Di Rong?"
The north was instigating Di Rong to attack Xiliangzhou, and he himself was mobilizing troops, stockpiling grain, and repairing ships within his subordinate states. He was truly restless.
"Luo Hong? He doesn't have that capability yet."
Luo Hong was the name of the strategist, but whether it was true or not was unknown. His past was so well concealed that even King Ding's army could not find any trace of him.
"Jiao Ren and Nanyue are separated by the Xishui River, but in recent years, Jiao Ren has repeatedly crossed the river. It is likely that the King of Nanyue is also furious. Fighting against the Great Jin again is impossible, but retaliating against Jiao Ren is possible. After all, these years, the small southern kingdoms all want to pull it down a notch and gain some advantage. If the King of Nanyue continues to tolerate it, he will be annexed sooner or later."
Yang Zhao nodded. His Highness's analysis was thorough. "So, should we accept or reject the Third Prince's request?" "Why should we accept it? For years, he has acted as if he and this prince are close friends outside, and he has gained enough benefits using this prince's name. Not bothering with him is just repaying a past favor. Instead of letting Jiao Ren dominate the south, it's better to let Nanyue cause him some trouble. Convey my order: if the time is right, we can lend Nanyue a hand."
Xiao Tingyi's eyes were filled with the calculation of a master strategist. It was not good for a neighboring country to become excessively powerful.
It would be good to cause them some inconvenience, so they wouldn't spend all their time focusing on the Great Jin, eyeing it covetously.
Yang Zhao had followed him for many years and naturally understood the implications, feeling a sense of pity for the Third Prince.
Human greed knows no bounds. It seemed that Jiao Ren had prospered too smoothly over the years, having forgotten the principle that one cannot sleep soundly with a neighbor who is plotting against you.
Xiao Tingyi looked expressionlessly at the left and right banks of the Xishui River. After a moment, a bloodthirsty smile appeared on his lips.
Jiao Ren, so this was their scheme.
He instructed Yang Zhao again, "Tell Mu Chun and Hong Tao to dig out all the silt from the upper reaches of the Xishui River when they return, and investigate thoroughly what's inside!"
"Your Highness means that Jiao Ren's dispute with Nanyue this time is because of the Xishui River?"
"The upper reaches of the Xishui River are the eighteen peaks of Lingzhu. This continuous mountain range is treacherous, and even no one in King Ding's army has managed to climb it. The downstream river is at least twenty to thirty zhang wide. Jiao Ren has neither built ships nor bridges. How have they crossed over these years? It's strange if they haven't hidden something in the river!"
Yang Zhao suddenly realized. They were also bordered by the river with Jiao Ren, but the Luo River was rapid and had many rapids. Otherwise, they might have followed suit and crossed the river.
"I will go and tell them to increase their vigilance immediately."
The Nanyue campaign ten years ago was too brutal, with countless soldiers' bones buried in that land. If possible, Xiao Tingyi wished for no more wars in the world, and for the common people to live in peace and prosperity.
Yet, some people, for the sake of so-called grand ambitions, always had to wage wars everywhere.
He was not a warlike person, but he would not allow the Great Jin's land to be trampled upon. Nanyue was like that ten years ago, and Jiao Ren is like that now.