Chapter 370: Chapter 10: Smoke of War Rises (First Update)
The war came unexpectedly, yet it was anticipated.
Early winter of the thirteenth year of Kangping, a small group of Tartars conducted arson, murder, and plunder in the border villages, quickly fleeing afterwards. By the time the Border Patrol Soldiers noticed the fire and rushed to investigate, there were no survivors.
The Forensic Doctor examined the wounds of the deceased and found no traces of Tartar or Wala weapons. Although the case was ultimately classified as banditry, when the report reached Hong Sheng, Susu was also in the military camp.
Upon hearing this, she knew that what was destined to happen had finally come.
Batraj hadn’t anticipated that Great Chu had a "Prophet," so when this small group of Tartars attempted another border incursion, they were caught in the act.
However, Susu didn’t expect the Tartar border military leader to be so shameless. Not only did he shirk responsibility by claiming these Tartars, who came to the border purportedly to thresh crops, were refugees, but he also demanded that Great Chu return the possessions they allegedly plundered from "tribesmen."
The refugees of Tartar are quite similar to those of Great Chu, all being displaced people without tribes.
Perhaps Great Chu’s refugees could receive government aid, but in Tartar, refugees are seen as forsaken by the gods, even newborns are scornful of them.
But who has seen refugees riding tall horses, wielding precious Central Plains swords, and wearing fur coats?
Nothing more need be said, suffice it to know that weapons like swords are strategic resources, like salt, iron, and grain.
If someone is caught smuggling such goods across the border, that’s an unforgivable crime warranting the annihilation of nine families.
This group of refugees, numbering fifty, each carried either a large knife, an iron sword, or even daggers, all manufactured in the Central Plains. These weapons alone are worth thousands of silver in the Central Plains, not to mention their value in Tartar.
Hong Sheng firmly refused to acknowledge this, urgently reporting to the Northwest Governor. Simultaneously, the Hami Guard deployed troops from five households to train and hunt bandits on the border.
Upon receiving this information, Governor Liu ordered a full lockdown, yet the Capital relayed an imperial edict from the Emperor.
It stated that Prince Yong had already confessed his guilt to the Emperor and would strictly deal with the border refugees.
This autumn and winter, continuous disasters befell Tartar, and the Emperor had ordered a reduction of Tartar’s tributes by thirty percent.
Our Great Chu must uphold the prestige of a Celestial Country, avoid reacting to every minor threat, and certainly not proactively instigate war.
No matter how frustrated the Northwest leaders were, they had no choice but to withdraw. Governor Liu could only increase the number and frequency of border patrols.
Hong Sheng nearly vomited blood because Prince Ke sent him a secret message.
He mentioned that Prince Yong was negotiating their partnership terms, as the previous dynasty’s underground palace had been opened and Prince Yong hadn’t received his share, which meant he wouldn’t take action.
He also mentioned that with Tartar’s disasters this year, Batraj’s agreement to trade warhorses for grain and salt must increase by thirty percent.
Prince Ke possessed many precious items but lacked money. Now, no matter how many treasures he possessed, they seemed useless since he dared not convert them into silver right under the Emperor’s nose.
He "borrowed" five hundred thousand silver taels from the Song Family and twenty thousand from Hong Sheng. However, with the letter came two chests filled with jewelry and antiques to Hong Sheng.
Hong Sheng naturally knew of the cooperation between Prince Ke and Prince Yong. The Yangwei Escort Agency used large quantities of grain and coarse salt to transport many warhorses, all while Hong Sheng secretly ensured their safe passage.
But now, it’s evident to everyone that Batraj intends to renege, having actually agreed to the increased demand by thirty percent, making Hong Sheng suspect whether Prince Ke was overwhelmed by the treasures in the previous dynasty’s underground palace.
And where would he find the twenty thousand silver taels now? His only personal savings were the fifty silver taels Susu gave him each month.
Besides, half of this month’s amount was already spent, leaving only twenty-five taels left.
Nowadays, Hong Sheng possessed a little foresight; the "collateral" sent by Prince Ke, packed in two chests, was worth a substantial thirty thousand silver taels.
But now these items weren’t edible, wearable, or salable for immediate cash. Prince Ke was well aware that Hong Sheng was broke and intended for him to borrow from Susu.
Since Susu initiated the fur trade, even Ruan Shiniang and Fourth Miss Song held passive stakes, yet irrespective of what Prince Ke proposed, Susu refused to allow the Yangwei Escort Agency to join.
Prince Ke could only watch the silver flow past his eyes, yet he was still a penniless prince, shamelessly relying on the Song Family to "survive"!
Prince Ke, unlike his father, wasn’t petty-minded, but he bore grudges. Susu had offended him greatly.
If it weren’t for Hong Sheng outright refusing multiple beauties gifted by Prince Ke, the Hong Mansion would probably already have many illegitimate children.
Now, even the "collateral" had been sent by the Prince. Hong Sheng knew Susu would have to agree even if she disagreed!
...
In the bedroom, Susu looked at the two half-person-high chests, casually picked up a fist-sized pink pearl, and spoke coldly, "Such grand offerings, just this one pearl alone is worth ten thousand white silver taels; what are you hiding from me?"
Hong Sheng remained silent for a long time, "Susu, knowing too much is harmful!"
Susu felt troubled in her heart, appearing even colder on the surface, "The Yangwei Escort Agency, coming to the Northwest at this critical moment, brings large quantities of grain, salt, cotton clothes, and even a small amount of ironware. Which tribe from the Western Regions are you exchanging thousands of warhorses for this time?"
Hong Sheng looked at Susu in shock, "How do you know? Who else knows?"
Susu curled her lips slightly, unsure whether she was mocking his ignorance or her own underestimation of human greed.
"You and Prince Ke trust the people from the Yangwei Escort Agency too much. Mark my words, once this batch of supplies reaches the border, the Border Patrol Soldiers will definitely jump out.
Then you will be charged with treason, and Mantou and I will be beheaded in public along with you. Prince Ke might be imprisoned.
He certainly won’t be willing, and he might even imitate his father, cleansing rebellious officials from the emperor’s side.
Then Batraj will take advantage of the internal chaos in Great Chu and invade southward."
Hong Sheng was dumbfounded by his wife’s words, wife, when did you become a prophet?
And need it be told so terrifyingly, even with sound effects!
Susu wasn’t a prophet, but she knew the plot.
Although a promising romance had been transformed into a mutual betrayal and murder drama by the butterfly effect, the direction hadn’t changed.
Susu had always utilized the Youye Twelve Guards to relay messages, even beyond Shu Xin, who became Mantou’s martial arts tutor from the Rat Guard. Other Rat Guards and the most straightforward Niu Wei had infiltrated Upper Capital.
Batraj’s secret orders to mobilize Batulus from various tribes had been issued, and all tribes awaited his command to advance southward.
As for Bai Lili, who entered the Capital with Prince Ke, Susu inherently distrusts the concept of "replacement" turning into "true love." The Song Family’s Dark Department sent information indicating Bai Lili was attempting secret contacts, proving the Capital wasn’t safe either!
Susu had informed Prince Ke of these matters through Seventh Sister, but he was so blinded by the treasures of the previous dynasty that he suspected the Ruan Family instead.
This left Susu not only disappointed but increasingly intolerant of Hong Sheng’s blind loyalty.
"If I say that your blind loyalty will be the death of our family of three, will you still continue?"
