The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1077: Chapter 1053: Honor Amid Chaos 121

Xiao Ying emerged from Fengqi Palace and returned to his own quarters. Just as he sat down, the maid presented him with a tray of kumquats.

”Your Highness, these are from below. Your Majesty had some sent to Your Highness to have a taste.”

Xiao Ying took a kumquat, peeling it thoughtfully while pondering Anning’s words.

He murmured, ”Ren Zhi, rule by man, with people at the core.”

The more he thought about it, the more Xiao Ying felt something was amiss.

If true love for the people means wanting all the people under heaven to live well, the best way might be to swiftly attack Jiangbei, conquer the Da Qi territory, unify the realm, then implement Jiangnan’s policies for the true benefit of the people.

Although casualties are unavoidable, if done quickly, they can be minimized.

But supplying grain to Jiangbei like this now seems a bit unreasonable.

If this continues long term, does it mean we will have to supply Jiangnan’s grain to Jiangbei every year for their monarchs and officials to consume?

When will this end?

Xiao Ying frowned, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, year after year...

Suddenly, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up: ”I understand now, indeed, it is so, indeed so.”

Unable to sit any longer, he hurried excitedly to Qingzheng Hall to find Xiao Yuan.

”Father Emperor.”

Xiao Ying jogged over, entering without wiping sweat, and eagerly said, ”Father Emperor, I understand now.”

”Sit.”

Xiao Yuan smiled and gestured to the chair opposite.

Xiao Ying immediately sat down.

Xiao Dezi, who was beside Xiao Yuan, handed Xiao Ying a cup of water.

Xiao Ying took it and drank a sip: ”Father Emperor, I have thought it through. Queen Mother is sending grain to Jiangbei, first because she cannot bear to see the people go hungry, and second, to make Jiangbei’s monarchs and subjects dependent on us in Jiangnan.”

Our Jiangnan has abundant grain nowadays. Jiangnan has just emerged from chaos, with heavy casualties among the people and a declining population. We cannot consume so much grain, and if grain is too abundant, its price will fall, which would harm the people.

Jiangbei is in dire need of grain now. Sending Jiangnan’s grain over solves the problem of Jiangnan’s surplus grain, preventing its price from plummeting.

Secondly, it allows Jiangbei’s people to survive.

Xiao Yuan nodded with a smile: ”Yes, you’re right, continue.”

Xiao Ying felt some confidence and smiled: ”There’s a third point. I’ve heard that Jiangbei’s grain is very expensive, so transporting our Jiangnan grain over will impact Jiangbei’s market, encouraging some grain merchants to willingly buy our grain from Jiangnan. Gradually over time, Jiangbei will become dependent on Jiangnan’s grain. For a year or two, it’s fine, but if they rely on our grain for years on end, if one day we cut off supply...”

Xiao Ying paused and looked at Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan got up, walked beside Xiao Ying, and patted his shoulder: ”It’s not easy to think of these things already. Very good. In the future, consider the deeper meaning behind everything you do.”

”Hmm.”

Xiao Ying nodded firmly, feeling proud of earning Xiao Yuan’s approval and praise.

When Xiao Yuan sat down again, he organized the memorials aside. Xiao Dezi added some snacks to the Imperial Case.

He grabbed a handful of dried fruit and leaned sideways on the wide chair: ”There’s one more point you didn’t mention.”

”One more point?”

Xiao Ying was a bit perplexed.

Xiao Yuan ate a few dried fruits: ”Xiao Dezi, send some candied fruits to Pingyang, and the newly arrived candied dates to Zhaoyang. Split these thin-skinned walnuts and Jiangbei hazelnuts among Chu Yang and Le Yang, and Fengyang.”

Xiao Dezi responded with a smile and went down to have someone deliver items to each palace.

Xiao Yuan saw Xiao Ying couldn’t figure it out and, not wanting him to ponder too hard, hinted: ”This last point is the most important—it’s public sentiment. Your mother does this to accumulate goodwill for me. We send grain year after year, stabilizing Jiangbei’s grain prices. Wouldn’t Jiangbei’s people be grateful? Over time, as public sentiment shifts, what do you think Emperor Jingqing will do then?”

Xiao Ying broke out in a cold sweat.

Indeed, accumulated public sentiment over time, Emperor Jingqing is truly helpless.

Jiangbei relies on Jiangnan’s grain. If Emperor Jingqing refuses to accept Jiangnan’s grain, he can only wait for Jiangbei people to starve. If he accepts, he’s afraid the people’s hearts would lean toward Jiangnan, causing him great dilemma.

Xiao Ying thought, just a small matter of transporting grain hides such complexities, yet he could only think of three points and feel smug, oblivious to the most crucial point, considering himself quite clever—this won’t do.

He thought he must learn well in the future, not letting Father Emperor and Queen Mother down.

”It’s late; go and rest.”

Xiao Yuan, upon waiting a while, urged Xiao Ying to leave.

Xiao Ying rose and exited Qingzheng Hall.

Just as he was about to leave, he unexpectedly ran into Princess Fengyang.

”Brother.”

Fengyang greeted Xiao Ying with a smile.

Xiao Ying raised his hand, intending to pat Fengyang’s head, but realizing his sister had grown up—not like the old days—he put his hand down: ”What are you up to, Fengyang?”

Fengyang smiled, ”I missed Father Emperor and came to chat with him.”

Xiao Ying held Fengyang back: ”Father Emperor is resting now; he handled many state affairs today and is probably tired. Come see him tomorrow.”

”Alright.”

Fengyang responded with a smile: ”Did Brother also come to speak with Father Emperor?”

Xiao Ying answered with a nod, carrying a thoughtful expression as he walked ahead.

Fengyang followed beside him, asking, ”What did Brother discuss with Father Emperor?”

Xiao Ying didn’t keep it from Fengyang, recounting word for word the conversation in the hall.

Fengyang listened and was silent for a long time: ”Indeed, Mother’s action carries deep meaning; I hadn’t thought of it before.”

She walked a few steps, then suddenly laughed: ”Indeed, it should be this way.”

”What?”

Xiao Ying was momentarily puzzled.

Fengyang said, ”I’ve thought about it. We must alter the newspaper sent to Jiangbei. Tomorrow, I’ll have it typeset, specifically crafting an edition to promote Father Emperor and Mother’s benevolence, boosting the impact of Mother’s grain actions.”

Xiao Ying was stunned, then after a while, he bitterly smiled and shook his head: ”If Sister were male, it would be good, the kingdom would have an heir.”

Fengyang pursed her lips: ”What’s wrong with being a woman? I simply don’t wish to shoulder this burden and live a dreary life. Otherwise, I would indeed compete. Brother, don’t say if only I were male anymore. Do you think Father Emperor cares about gender? He cares about character.”

She continued: ”Father Emperor won’t choose his successor based on male or female; he selects the suitable person, Brother, who is suitable, that’s why he chose you.”

Xiao Ying laughed: ”Indeed, Sister is right. I won’t speak of male or female anymore. What does Sister wish to do in the future?”

Fengyang held Xiao Ying’s hand and said as they walked: ”Me? I hope Father Emperor or Brother will build a magnificent Princess Mansion for me, and I’ll be a pampered soul there, eating whatever I wish, doing whatever I wish. Besides, I’ll keep a few handsome men in the Mansion, chat about love and life during leisure—that would be delightful.”

Xiao Ying laughed again.

He didn’t say his sister’s idea was bad nor scold Fengyang for speaking a bit out of decorum.

”Alright, then Brother will work hard to build a splendid Princess Mansion for Sister and select the most beautiful men from under heaven for you.”