Chang'an Street.
Both sides were bustling with markets and taverns.
People were moving, and traffic was flowing like a river.
There were women dressed in simple clothes, carrying bamboo baskets on their backs.
There were innocent children with their hair tied in topknots, full of youthful exuberance.
There were also peddlers pushing carts, with smiles on their faces.
Samuer looked at them like a curious child.
She had changed into a ruqun, and her long hair flowed freely.
A faint scent of orchids emanated from her.
She looked more like a Princess of Great Feng.
When she was in Western Liang, she often heard people speak of Great Feng.
It was said to be rich in resources, and its people lived in peace and prosperity.
Unlike the harshness of the grasslands.
Everyone seemed to have a face that had never been bullied.
Western Liang emphasized a wolf-like culture.
The strong preyed on the weak, and only the fittest survived.
The strong and healthy were valued, while the old and weak were despised.
The strong ate the best food, while the old ate the leftovers.
This was completely opposite to the filial piety culture of Great Feng.
Because Great Feng was about living, while they were about surviving!
"Your Highness."
"What is it?"
Ning Que slowed his pace.
He was also dressed in casual clothes today.
He occasionally greeted the merchants.
"Are other prefectures in Great Feng also this prosperous?"
"More or less."
Ning Que smiled and nodded.
"During the reign of the previous Emperor, Great Feng prioritized agriculture over commerce."
"After Emperor Feng ascended the throne, he vigorously developed industry and commerce."
"All regions have benefited from this, and the people live in peace and prosperity."
"Without the support of national strength, how could we repeatedly wage war?"
Ning Que's words were half-true, half-false.
Of course, Great Feng also had poor areas.
It was impossible for every place to be as prosperous as Chang'an.
But he was on official duty and could not speak carelessly.
This was also an opportunity to showcase the nation's strength.
To intimidate Western Liang, and subdue them without battle.
Emperor Feng now clearly intended to arrange a marriage between them.
Through a marriage alliance, he could secure the alliance with Western Liang.
This way, Emperor Feng could free up his hands.
To reduce Other surname Princes and destroy Goguryeo!
To conquer the south and the north, and launch East Expeditions and West Expeditions!
Emperor Feng was not a monarch who merely maintained the status quo.
He was ambitious and vowed to expand his territory.
Therefore, he chose to negotiate peace with Western Liang.
"That's good."
Samuer murmured softly.
"Our Western Liang is much more miserable."
"Every winter, people starve and freeze to death."
"I truly envy you Feng people, being able to live so well."
Samuer turned around.
Her bright eyes stared directly at him.
Making Ning Que feel a little uneasy.
What was this little wildcat trying to do?
"Your Highness, I heard people say that you are very good at doing business."
"You operate many businesses across Great Feng."
"Many merchants among the common folk call you the Sage of Commerce."
"So, I want to do some business with you."
"Oh?"
Ning Que immediately became interested.
He waved his hand.
Iron Bull wisely walked ahead.
Leading his retainers to secretly protect them.
"Tell me."
"During the Battle of Yumen Pass, the Old Prince Ning's personal guards were completely annihilated. You must know that someone informed our Western Liang and revealed the Prince Ning's whereabouts. So, do you want to know who betrayed the Old Prince Ning?"
"What do you want?"
Ning Que's demeanor suddenly changed.
Even if Samuer didn't say it, he would ask.
His Senior Sister had investigated in Western Liang for several years but found no clues.
Many of those who knew the inside story had already died.
It was as if someone deliberately wanted to silence them.
Western Liang also remained silent about this matter.
After all, what they admired most were warriors.
Although the Old Prince Ning was a sworn enemy, he was also greatly respected.
To eliminate him, Western Liang chose to set a trap and ambush him.
This already went against Western Liang's way of doing things.
"Two conditions."
"Please."
"Since the two countries have decided to establish a mutual market in Jiuquan, the distribution of benefits must be well thought out. From now on, Great Feng must provide 100,000 piculs of grain annually as the cost for Western Liang's garrison in Jiuquan. In addition, this time, an additional 200,000 piculs of grain must be given."
"Impossible."
Ning Que turned away coldly.
Public matters were public, and private matters were private.
If he compromised on this, he would surely be impeached.
Even Emperor Feng would not support him.
Ning Que narrowed his eyes and said indifferently, "I can provide you with an additional 200,000 piculs of grain in my personal capacity, but it's impossible to provide annual garrison expenses. Moreover, I don't believe the Princess has any clues."
"Alright."
Samuer also knew when to stop.
After all, she knew very little.
Even her father knew very little.
"Then it's settled, another 200,000 piculs of grain."
"First, tell me what you know."
"Okay." Samuer also trusted Ning Que, and then said, "Although the Old Prince Ning was our Western Liang's sworn enemy, he was also a greatly respected hero. My grandfather always wanted to defeat him honorably on the battlefield. Until one day, an unexpected event occurred..."
"What?!"
"An arrow flew into the Western Liang camp, and by the time we went out, the person was nowhere to be found. The arrow had a silk cloth attached, which contained the Old Prince Ning's marching route and battle plan. Our Western Liang still has that arrow; it's a unique three-edged arrow from your Great Feng, with a barb, and the character 【Gu】 carved on its tail."
"Gu?!"
Ning Que's eyes instantly turned cold.
"Mm."
"The current First Rank General Gu Yuan, who was then a subordinate general under Prince Ning, was responsible for the logistical support troops. During the Battle of Yumen Pass, the 50,000 reinforcements he led were blocked at Gaoque. For a full twenty days, they did not advance an inch. The Old Prince Ning, trapped in Hulu Valley, was ultimately besieged to death. If only Gu Yuan had arrived earlier, the Old Prince Ning would not have died."
Ning Que's eyes turned cold.
His breathing became rapid at this moment.
He exuded a chilling killing intent.
Under the scorching sun, it made people feel as if they had fallen into an ice cave!
Could it be Gu Yuan's doing?!
Yes, Gu Yuan had a motive.
He himself had a close relationship with Prince Qi.
The Gu Family's current standing relied entirely on Tian Zhongxun's support.
At that time, he was only the lowest-ranking subordinate general.
He basically had no opportunity to gain merits on the battlefield.
If he wanted to gain military power, the Old Prince Ning had to die.
However, another problem arose...
Why would he use his own family's arrows?
Wasn't that leaving a handle for others?
As for the blocking at Gaoque...
Ning Que also knew about this.
Gaoque belonged to the Yinshan range, easy to defend and difficult to attack.
At that time, the forces blocking Gu Yuan were not many.
Logically speaking, Gu Yuan should have been able to break through quickly.
But he was trapped for a full twenty days!
Gu Yuan had also provided an explanation upon returning to the capital.
Western Liang was extremely cunning, setting up flags in multiple places.
Making him believe that there were heavy troops guarding them.
Moreover, Gaoque had also built a fortress, which was easy to defend and difficult to attack.
He had organized dozens of charges.
All of which were repelled by Western Liang from their elevated positions.
The 50,000 reinforcement troops he led were mainly responsible for logistics and supplies, and their combat capability was inherently not strong, nor did they have heavy siege equipment. After twenty days of stalemate, over 20,000 casualties were incurred. Could he be blamed for this?
Emperor Feng had asked many people.
It was proven that Gu Yuan's words were not false.
So in the end, he was only demoted by one rank.
And then punished to guard the Western Border to atone for his mistakes.
Ning Que was about to ask for more details.
But he saw many people approaching from a distance.
The one at the very front was Lin Chao.
Behind him, someone was holding a white banner.
Large characters were written on it in a flamboyant style.
"Our Great Feng does not engage in marriage alliances, nor does it pay indemnities!"
"The Son of Heaven guards the nation's gate, the monarch dies for the state!"
Led by Lin Chao, the common people were filled with righteous indignation. They shouted with all their might, waving poles, hoes, and bamboo sticks in their hands...
Ning Que frowned upon seeing this.
Not good!
They were probably coming to cause trouble for Samuer!