Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 176

Chapter 176 -175: Domination Over the World_1

From a distance, Xiao Rongyan, who appeared composed and serene, saluted in Bai Qingyan’s direction.

Bai Qingyan stopped in her tracks and returned the salute, watching Xiao Rongyan as he boarded the carriage.

Today’s parting might be long before they could meet again, and she hoped that when they did, they would not be enemies.

“Eldest Sister, aren’t you going to say a few words to Mr. Xiao? He is about to leave!” Bai Jinzhi whispered.

She shook her head.

At the end of the fourth watch, when the army set out according to Bai Qingyan’s plan, Bai Qingyan had already gone to sleep to conserve her energy.

The Crown Prince stood on the city wall, watching the fifty thousand soldiers he had brought with him leave the city in batches, heading to the battlefield. He silently prayed to the heavens for victory in this battle.

Although the Crown Prince had never led an army into battle, he knew that ever since the Bai family of the Duke of Zhen Residence had perished, Jin’s morale had plummeted. Only by winning this battle with fewer forces could they restore morale and intimidate Nanyan and Xiliang.

After sending off the last batch of troops, the Crown Prince turned and asked his personal eunuch, Quan Yu, “What is Miss Bai doing at the moment?”

“Your Highness, I’ve heard that Miss Bai went to bed right after returning.” Quan Yu smiled, “This must mean Miss Bai is confident of victory; otherwise, how could she dare to sleep! Rest assured, Your Highness, this battle will surely end in victory! From now on, Your Highness will be renowned throughout the world!”

The Crown Prince’s fist clenched tightly within his sleeve. He hoped so.

The Crown Prince thought for a moment and instructed Quan Yu, “Send someone to wait at the city gate. If the Bai family’s Huying Camp returns, stop them and have them await orders outside the city. They are not to enter the city!”

Upon hearing this, Qin Shangzhi understood that the Crown Prince wanted to prevent Miss Bai from encountering the Huying Camp.

“Your Highness! I believe we should follow the suggestion that Miss Bai proposed last night: mobilize the Pingyang City garrison, have a small squad raid the Xiliang army’s provisions, and head towards Feng County to intimidate Nanyan!” Qin Shangzhi clasped his fists in salute.

“Impossible!” An elderly counselor beside the Crown Prince shook his head, “The Pingyang garrison is meant to deter Yan. If we redeploy them, Yan might seize the opportunity to take a share, knowing Jin is in a fierce battle with Xiliang and Nanyan! So the Pingyang garrison must not be moved!”

Frustrated, Qin Shangzhi argued, “Yan has been driven to barren lands by Jin. Last year, Yan first suffered from floods and then droughts, resulting in a failed harvest. It’s hard to say if Yan’s people can survive this winter. They were asking for aid from various countries earlier this year. How can they have the strength to share in the spoils?”

The elderly counselor stroked his goatee, casting a haughty glance at Qin Shangzhi, and spoke calmly, “One mustn’t underestimate the ambitions of Yan’s ruler. Moreover, it was you, Mr. Qin, who repeatedly reminded His Highness of this! Now, why do you say it’s uncertain whether Yan can survive this winter? Your words are contradictory, Mr. Qin. Such are the follies of youth!”

Qin Shangzhi gritted his teeth and looked directly at the Crown Prince, “Your Highness! You must decide!”

The Crown Prince remained silent for a long while before finally addressing Qin Shangzhi, “Mr. Qin has Jin’s best interests at heart—I know that! But Mr. Qin is young and still needs to learn more from Elder Fang.”

Qin Shangzhi: “…”

When Bai Qingyan awoke at noon, continuous reports from the front line were coming in.

Bai Jinzhi, eager to check the battlefield herself, was firmly held back by Bai Qingyan to finish her lunch properly.