139: Chapter 0139 Unexpected Attack

The next morning.

Su Chang, wearing a thick coat and bundled up tightly, arrived at the inn where Official Luo Wenfeng was staying, looking very cautious.

"Senior Brother Luo, I've asked around and got to the bottom of it for you!"

Su Chang took a large gulp of tea, caught his breath, and said, "Lin Xiao is indeed concerned about Western Qiang, but the key issue lies with you in the Western Territory yourselves!"

"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Official Luo Wenfeng was taken aback.

"Did you not send an army of eighty thousand to Liang Province?"

"That's right," Official Luo Wenfeng said, puzzled. "What's the problem with that? It's to guard against raids from Western Qiang..."

"Of course there's a problem! Think about it, who are the opponents Lin Xiao fears the most?" Su Chang asked.

"Naturally, it's Prince Bai and the Northern Barbarians." Official Luo Wenfeng answered immediately.

"Exactly, and that is precisely why Lin Xiao has befriended Western Qiang to join forces against the Northern Barbarians."

"But the problem is, His Highness Prince Qing has a total of over two hundred thousand troops, and placing eighty thousand in Liang Province is equivalent to hanging a sword over the heads of the people of Western Qiang, isn't it?!"

"Furthermore, it's winter now; it's too late for Western Qiang to raid for food, yet you are still stationing heavy troops on the border of Liang Province. How do you expect Western Qiang to view this?"

Official Luo Wenfeng frowned and thought for a moment. "Could it be that Western Qiang believes... His Highness Prince Qing wants to expand his territory?"

"Of course! Who doesn't know that Western Qiang's iron mines are of extremely high quality? Plus, with the Prince of Nanling having just taken Western Shu not long ago, how could Western Qiang not be nervous?"

Su Chang sighed. "That's why Western Qiang is currently very wary of His Highness Prince Qing."

"Naturally, they don't want to see Lin Xiao doing business with you. After all, the money Prince Qing earns will turn into swords and spears to kill the people of Western Qiang!"

Official Luo Wenfeng narrowed his eyes. "No wonder... Lin Xiao couldn't easily bring this up, so he could only drag it out..."

"Alright, alright, I must go now. You must not let this spread; just pretend I was never here!"

Su Chang put on his cloak hood, looking very cautious.

"Many thanks, Junior Brother. I will surely reward you handsomely another day!"

After seeing Su Chang off, Official Luo Wenfeng returned to his room and immediately picked up his brush to write a letter.

After finishing, he summoned a trusted guard.

"Deliver this to the Western Territory immediately and hand it to His Highness!"

Two days later.

Qin Province, Western Territory.

Inside the Prince Qing Mansion, a man with a vigorous physique moved like a dragon with his spear, stirring up snow across the sky.

After finishing a set of spear techniques, the man, wearing a jade crown and a blue-black brocade robe, walked back to the nearby pavilion.

A man with disheveled hair and rugged features had warmed a pot of wine, wearing a smile.

"His Highness's spear techniques have become increasingly refined. Among the current imperial family, I fear no one is His Highness's match."

Li Siqing smiled. "Master, please stop teasing me. Before a grandmaster of the spear path like you, my skills are far from sufficient."

This slovenly man was none other than one of the five great iron cavalries, the Great General of the Azure Dragon Guard, Jiang Wanli, known as the "Spear King"!

As the premier fierce general of the Western Territory and Prince Qing's martial arts teacher since childhood, Jiang Wanli's status was self-evident.

"His Highness is of noble status and has too many things to worry about; why compare yourself to a martial brute like your subject?"

Li Siqing shook his head with a smile. "With Official Luo Wenfeng away recently, I have indeed been troubled; there are too many things with no one to discuss them with."

"Speaking of which... that old camel has been gone for nearly half a month, hasn't he? I hope he hasn't run into mountain bandits and gotten himself hacked to death, haha..." Jiang Wanli teased.

"I also don't understand. It was clearly Lin Xiao of the Zhenbei Army who took the initiative to propose trade; it should have been a natural progression, so why drag it out for so long?"

Just as Li Siqing was puzzled, someone came to deliver a message, saying it was an urgent report from Official Luo Wenfeng.

Li Siqing hurriedly opened it and took a look; his brows immediately locked together, and his eyes flickered uncertainly.

"What is it? It didn't really go wrong, did it?" Jiang Wanli frowned.

Li Siqing shook his head and handed the letter to his teacher.

After reading it, Jiang Wanli was greatly astonished. "I really couldn't tell; to think that Lin Xiao could actually get together with Western Qiang? This is troublesome!"

"Lin Xiao is a mortal enemy of the Northern Barbarians; it is not strange for him to be on good terms with Western Qiang."

Li Siqing narrowed his eyes and said, "What I didn't expect was that Official Luo Wenfeng would give the Northern Trade Alliance such a high evaluation..."

"It seems that once this trade route is opened, the benefits brought will far exceed previous expectations."

"However, if we withdraw forty thousand troops from Liang Province, will it be somewhat dangerous?"

Jiang Wanli laughed heartily. "Your Highness, it is now deep winter; the people of Western Qiang cannot cross over."

"We can just withdraw them first, open the trade route, and then wait until before spring to consider whether to send reinforcements back, can't we?"

Li Siqing was waiting for exactly these words. "Since Master has said so, then that is what we shall do!"

Five days later.

Early in the morning, at the Generals Mansion, Lin Xiao signed an agreement with several merchant representatives of the delegation led by Official Luo Wenfeng.

To celebrate, Lin Xiao took everyone to Baiyu Pavilion for a hearty meal.

On the surface, both sides had successfully negotiated the business, but Official Luo Wenfeng knew clearly in his heart that it was because forty thousand troops had been withdrawn from Liang Province!

The people of Western Qiang breathed a sigh of relief, and Lin Xiao naturally gained room to negotiate.

After seeing off the Prince Qing delegation, that same night, two "acquaintances" arrived at Lin Xiao's mansion.

Princess Meng Xi, with her jet-black braided hair and skin so tender it could be pinched to extract water, arrived at the mansion once again with Diplomat Zhong Lang.

In fact, Princess Meng Xi had been living in the border trading area for some time recently and would come to visit Baishui Prefecture from time to time.

She especially liked the West City Guild Hall, where new things kept popping up, and she loved it very much.

"Lin Xiao, how did you convince Prince Qing to withdraw forty thousand troops?" Princess Meng Xi felt it was inconceivable.

Last time, Lin Xiao called Diplomat Zhong Lang over, saying he had a way to make Prince Qing "obedient" and stop being so confrontational toward Western Qiang.

Princess Meng Xi didn't believe it after hearing it; after all, you hadn't even met Prince Qing, so how could you dare to make such a big claim.

But now, news had come from within the tribe that the army in Liang Province had indeed drastically decreased, and even the Azure Dragon Guard had left; it was simply miraculous!

You must know, all these years, Prince Qing's troops in Liang Province had never been lower than fifty thousand; this time it was absolutely unprecedented!

"Princess, how Prince Qing and I negotiated is not important. What is important is... it is time for you to fulfill your promise." Lin Xiao smiled. "You won't let me down, will you?"

Princess Meng Xi's eyes flashed with a hint of playfulness as she said, "Lin Xiao... are you planning to take them by surprise?"

"No comment."

Princess Meng Xi gave a light huff, sighed, and said, "This Princess will go back now and ask for instructions from my father; General, just wait for the news!"

After the two from Western Qiang left, Xiao Qingxuan walked out from behind.

"Husband, your layout over these past few days has been to make Prince Qing withdraw his troops, reduce the burden on Western Qiang, and increase the pressure on the White Kings Army."

"Then you make Western Qiang send reinforcements to the border of the Northern Barbarians to tie up their energy..."

"Could it be that you intend to make a move on the other prefectures of Cang Province?"

Xiao Qingxuan had also observed for quite a while before she figured out her man's thoughts.

"That's right. Actually, Princess Meng Xi has also figured it out; I intend to take over the entire Cang Province!"

"But it is winter now..."

Xiao Qingxuan said subconsciously, then her eyes immediately lit up. "What Husband wants is to be unexpected! How could Prince Bai ever imagine that you would send troops to swallow up the entire Cang Province in such cold weather?!"