Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 99: Yunding Mountain
In the northwest direction of the Great Xia Kingdom, on the outskirts of Wuyang County, there is a mountain range called “Tianfeng Ridge.” Tianfeng Ridge is regarded as the first mountain range of the Great Xia Kingdom. Within this mountain range lies the tallest mountain in the Great Xia Kingdom—Yunding Mountain!
No one has specifically measured the height of Yunding Mountain, as it rises straight into the clouds and is covered in snow year-round. Currently, Li Xian is leading a thousand guards provided by the Great Xia Kingdom to Yunding Mountain, preparing to excavate a cave and construct an imperial tomb beneath the peak.
Li Wei has also been busy recruiting refugees and craftsmen. Even though Li Xian has reduced the scale of the project significantly by using the mountain peak to build the imperial tomb, the workload is still substantial and requires many people to assist.
However, once they enter the mountain range, there is little for Li Xian to do. Professional individuals are responsible for exploring feng shui and determining the location for the excavation. And the person in charge is a familiar face—Ge Zhengfeng! This is the same geomancer who assessed Li Xian’s destiny before.
With nothing else to do, Li Xian took out the imperial decree to read it over and over again. Although he had read it more than once, each time filled him with joy. Why? Because having received the position of Eastern General, Li Xian can now wage war on others with “justified reasons.” Moreover, holding the title of Minister of Rites means that—Li Xian does not have to pay taxes!
Li Xian’s first order from the Minister of Rites is—exemption from taxes for the Brilliant Star Group! Previously, Anyang was tax-exempt, but that did not mean the Brilliant Star Group was exempt—although it seems Li Xian has not paid much tax anyway!
Additionally, a large number of craftsmen have already begun producing gunpowder, with basket after basket being created. Although the Great Xia Kingdom has declined, it can still gather enough saltpeter and sulfur; after all, it is a centralized state, not something Anyang can compare to.
While Li Xian was preparing to excavate and construct the imperial tomb, the Grand Prince Xia Xu in the northwest received news that filled him with excitement—Li Xian had gone to build the royal tomb and had actually left Anyang in the care of Xia Qingqing!
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Without hesitation, the Grand Prince immediately ordered Yuan Cai to travel to Anyang.
Watching Yuan Cai and his party depart, the Grand Prince smiled and said, “This time, don’t just bring me 200,000 sets of bearings and 300 jin of sea soul silk. Even if it’s 2 million bearings and 3,000 jin of sea soul silk, you must get it for me! If possible, I want all the secrets Li Xian possesses!”
And what about Anyang?
Xia Qingqing remained seated in her original position, while Li Xian’s seat was vacant. Below her, the officials from Anyang took their places in order.
At this moment, several bound wealthy merchants were kneeling on the stage. These individuals had come to wholesale goods from the Brilliant Star Group, but they were quite bold—just as Xia Qingqing began to take control of Anyang, these people were preparing to engage in unscrupulous deals! They even robbed some weaker merchants.
With a fierce expression, Xia Qingqing issued her first order since taking charge of An Yang: “According to the laws of the Great Xia Kingdom, robbers shall be executed.”
“Your Highness, we were wrong. We are willing to ask for your forgiveness. We are willing to give all our wealth to Anyang. We vow to the heavens to be slaves of Anyang forever…”
Xia Qingqing coldly interrupted their pleas for mercy: “Take them away and behead them in public. For the rest of the merchant convoy, all captains and above will also be executed publicly; the attendants will be reduced to slaves and sent to Yunding Mountain to build the imperial tomb!”
In less than a moment, a guard entered to report: the heads have already been chopped off.
The hall fell silent, and everyone looked at the somewhat unfamiliar Xia Qingqing. The Xia Qingqing of the past had given the impression of a beautiful magnolia, always wearing a happy smile; however, the current Xia Qingqing was a cold ruler. Her first order since taking charge of Anyang had resulted in the execution of hundreds and the reduction of thousands to slavery.
Xu Ren became nervous this time, looking at Xia Qingqing’s calm expression and suddenly realizing—she is still a princess, not some delicate flower! Surely she wouldn’t… take the opportunity to retaliate, would she?
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Xia Qingqing turned to look at the few disheveled merchants standing nearby, the ones who had been robbed. She glanced at them and then turned to the equally sweating Fang Shijing. “Mr. Fang, have the losses of these people been calculated?”
“It has been calculated. A total of 173 people died, and the losses exceeded 300 taels of gold.”
Xia Qingqing turned her gaze back to the disheveled merchants. “Is that correct?”
The first merchant, mustering his courage, replied, “Yes.”
Xia Qingqing then looked at Fang Shijing. “Mr. Fang, compensate them with 500 taels of gold and send them to rest. They may leave when they have healed.”
Several merchants were immediately stunned. After a long moment, the earlier merchant finally exclaimed with joy, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Once all the outsiders had left, Xia Qingqing turned to Xu Ren, who seemed somewhat stiff. “Sir, do you think my methods are too ruthless?”
“This…” Xu Ren found himself at a loss for words.
Xia Qingqing slowly stood up. “If you had lived in the palace, you would understand my methods. Backing down will only make people see you as weak and easy to bully. In the past, I was a princess; now, I must protect this family business for my husband!”
Watching Xia Qingqing’s back, Xu Ren suddenly sighed and was about to stand up and leave.
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Suddenly, a guard entered to report, “Madam, the negotiators from the Cai Kingdom have arrived and are at the border of Anyang.”
Just as Xia Qingqing was about to leave the hall, she immediately halted her steps and calmly walked back to her position to sit down. “Thank you for your trouble, sir.”
Xu Ren promptly stood up and headed towards the border. The journey from Anyang to the border was only a few miles, and he arrived quickly. The Cai Kingdom’s delegation consisted of over a hundred people, all of whom were at the foundational stage of their cultivation, making for a quite luxurious appearance.
Xu Ren stood with the pride of a victor: “Who goes there?”
A Golden Core expert strode forward with an imposing presence. “I am Ye Mingquan from the Honglu Temple of the Cai Kingdom.”
“Please, follow me,” Xu Ren said, leading the way. However, he did not head directly to the Anyang government office; instead, he first went to the prisoners’ camp. Here, the people from the Cai Kingdom were surprised to discover that the prisoners’ camp was not as terrible as they had imagined. In fact, it was quite clean, with no emaciated figures or cries of despair, and no inhumane torture.
Many of the prisoners seemed to accept their fate; even without guards, they worked diligently and lined up to receive food.
Xu Ren observed the astonished expressions on Ye Mingquan and the others from the Cai Kingdom and spoke in a low tone, “We have over thirty thousand prisoners, all of whom are here. You may enter and inquire.”
Before Xu Ren could finish, Ye Mingquan rushed into the prisoners’ camp, grabbing people to ask questions. The responses were completely unexpected; many prisoners expressed a desire to “turn over a new leaf.” They wanted to become part of Anyang and had no intention of returning to the Cai Kingdom. Thus, they were striving to improve themselves!
Some individuals, upon seeing Ye Mingquan, were excited and expressed a wish to return to their homeland.
After a thorough search, Ye Mingquan’s expression grew serious. After questioning many, he learned that more than half of the prisoners wanted to stay! Among them were even several prisoners whose families had already settled in Anyang.
Moreover, Anyang was doing well in this regard, and the prisoners had not suffered any abuse.
When Ye Mingquan saw Xu Ren again, he opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words—this situation was completely different from how various nations treated their prisoners.
Ye Mingquan remained silent, but Xu Ren coldly snorted, “I’ve heard that many of our prisoners in the Great Xia are living worse than death?”