Xu Weibei Is Here

"Your struggle for survival is nothing to do with Central Plains, what does it have to do with the Marquis, or with me?"

I didn't ransack your house, nor did I beat you up, so why are you kidnapping me now?

"Furthermore," Gu Wanning didn't give him a chance to speak, "How did Prime Minister Meng determine that I'm worth 100,000 shi of grain? You're giving me far too much credit."

"I believe it's worth it for the lady. After all, the Marquis has spent a fortune on her, even buying a pet for Fifty Thousand Taels of silver. This hundred thousand shi of rice, plus the cost of transporting it to the Northwest, is just about that amount."

Gu Wanning had an urge to strangle Xu Weibei.

This is truly a real-life example of "showing off your love will lead to a quick breakup."

But the problem is, they're not in love!

Besides, it was Xu Weibei who was showing off their affection, not her!

She's so pitiful.

However, she was a little dazed. Fifty Thousand Taels of silver was actually equivalent to so much grain.

That's incredibly extravagant.

The rich feast while the poor freeze to death on the streets; she felt she had become one of the heartless rich, even though she hadn't actually done anything in the process.

Suddenly, a thought struck her: why not give Little Flower to Meng He in exchange for her life?

Alas, Meng He isn't stupid; he won't agree.

One really should be humble.

"Madam, please don't underestimate yourself. I believe you and the Marquis are deeply in love. A mere 100,000 shi of grain is nothing to the Marquis."

Gu Wanning remained silent, but in her heart she thought, "You pretty boy, you look decent enough, but your heart is truly wicked."

If she really has feelings for Xu Weibei, and then Xu Weibei hesitates, a rift will definitely develop between them.

But you didn't expect this, did you? We two are in a bad relationship!

"Let me go," Gu Wanning said after thinking for a moment, "I can give you a precious crop. In the future, you won't have to go to great lengths to obtain food this way; you can grow it yourself."

To survive, she could elevate her ideals, starting with ensuring the people of the Central Plains had enough to eat, then extending her compassion to surrounding countries as well, so that everyone could have enough to eat!

"Madam, you may not know this, but the Oirats, Tatars, Qiang State... are all nomadic peoples who are not good at production."

Gu Wanning: "... You can change!"

Learn from my dad, implement reforms!

Reform will bring you great misfortune!

Meng He, however, was not fooled. "Madam, you should rest well and wait for the Marquis and Chief Grand Secretary Gu."

Gu Wanning fell silent.

Meng He then said, "Madam, there's no need to be so reserved. I've already made my purpose clear to you. Let's change the subject now."

"Other topics?"

"Yes, besides my purpose, does Madam have any other questions?"

You're the one who told me to ask this.

"Yes," Gu Wanning said. "Was the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict a spy planted in the Central Plains by your Qiang State?"

What does the lady think?

"I don't think so. You're too busy running around to conquer the Central Plains, so there's no need for you to go to such lengths to plant spies. If I'm not mistaken, you've found his weakness and are using him to blackmail him?"

After all, Meng He seemed quite adept at kidnapping and blackmailing people.

"Your wife is exceptionally intelligent; it's truly enviable that the Marquis has such a virtuous and capable wife."

"The Marquis may not think that way, so Prime Minister Meng need not speculate on the Marquis's thoughts. I have another question. I didn't bring many guards with me today. Why didn't you just have someone kidnap me instead of going through all this trouble to disguise me?"

"Madam underestimates the abilities of the Marquis's men," Meng He chuckled. "Madam went out today with thirty-two guards. Actually, I originally thought it would be a dozen or so... Does Madam know what this means?"

"What?"

"The Marquis first rose to fame with 700 men, inflicting 20,000 casualties on the Oirat. Although he had a tactical advantage, the Marquis had no weak soldiers. This time, with even fewer men, he stormed straight into the Oirat stronghold, making them even more fearsome."

Looking at the visibly shocked Gu Wanning, Meng He smirked and continued, "Thirty-two men with you are enough to cost me hundreds of lives. Qiang State is a small country, and its brave soldiers are precious; I don't want to waste them. Besides, aren't we Central Plains people always valuing peace above all else?"

What he didn't say was that Xu Weibei was extremely vengeful.

If any of his men are killed or injured today, he will likely fight to the death.

"I have no intention of harming you, madam; that's not a lie. I'm only here on behalf of the Qiang State to sue for peace."

"Such a unique way for the Fang family to seek peace is something I've never heard of or seen before," Gu Wanning said sarcastically.

"It might make you laugh, Madam, but the truth is, a country like Qiang State doesn't even have the opportunity to meet and talk with the Marquis. So I was forced to resort to this tactic."

"You're probably going to be disappointed; the Marquis won't agree to your request."

This is not simply a matter of spending money.

Xu Weibei could afford to send this grain, and probably out of consideration for their friendship, he was willing to contribute generously.

The problem is that the food is to be sent to other countries, which may later become enemy states on the battlefield.

On a grander scale, this could even be considered treason.

Meng He didn't want silver; he wanted grain directly.

Even if he had silver, it would be difficult for him to buy that much grain.

The Central Plains imposed a blockade on the trade of grain on them.

Meng He's conditions were something that not only Xu Weibei wouldn't agree to, but even Gu Wanning herself didn't want to agree to.

She couldn't change others while she was alive; she could only take care of herself.

She was at peace with herself, knowing her limitations.

But to live, she wouldn't have the audacity to harm the country and the people's interests.

I can remain unknown and not be remembered for generations, but I cannot be remembered for my infamy.

I used to think that life was more important than face, but when disaster really struck, I found that I still had some integrity.

Damn it!

What joy is there in living, what fear is there in dying?

Chapter 96 Xu Weibei Arrives