Chapter 1187: Chapter 1181: Blades and Arrows Know No Mercy “Once these Xiliang civilians leave today, it’s estimated that the Xiliang famine victims will arrive in less than ten days…” Bai Qingyan’s words made Bai Qingqi immediately understand. He nodded. Initially, Bai Jintong raised the prices of jade silks and furs, causing the civilians to abandon farming. Together with the Eight Great Families of Xiliang, they prevented the news from reaching the Emperor’s desk and hoarded grain, planning to use food to strangle the citizens… harvesting the hard-earned money the civilians made from selling jade silks and furs, which severely depleted Xiliang’s food supply. Later, when Tianfeng Kingdom arrived in Xiliang, they plundered the granaries across the land, making life unbearable for the people of Xiliang. Not only did it lead to an increase in displaced persons, but in some places, famine had already broken out, and it was said that wherever people passed by, no grass grew, and even the bark on trees was stripped away. But since Ye Shoucheng had always been Ye family’s territory, and Ye Shouguan often had the final say, although he couldn’t prevent most civilians from abandoning farming, at least there was plenty of grain stored in Yecheng Pass! Moreover, because Ye family’s influence had been entrenched for generations in Yecheng Pass, neither the Xiliang court nor the Tianfeng Kingdom dared to come to Yecheng Pass to plunder food, allowing the citizens there to survive. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝓷𝓮𝓽 However, the rest of the Xiliang civilians weren’t as lucky as those in Yecheng Pass, relying on the local official government to get through the famine. “When famine struck Yanwo, Ah Jue led the people to the Southern Borders, thus forming the small portion of Bai family army under Ah Jue! The Yan Kingdom… also knew the importance of people, so at that time, they secretly led disaster victims to the Yan Kingdom!” Bai Qingyan, watching her steps, supported her abdomen with one hand and walked downstairs with Bai Qingqi. “If I’m not mistaken, the reason Yan Kingdom chose to split their troops and attack Yunjing was not to seize territory from our Zhou, but to lead a larger number of Xiliang civilians to the Yan Kingdom!” “Armies… are drawn from the people, and to build a strong and powerful Zhou military, we must have a large population. Although our Zhou has secretly reached an agreement with the Yan Kingdom to compete over national policies and possibly merge into one country, we need to prepare in advance and not put all our eggs in one basket!” Bai Qingyan’s voice was calm and measured. A faint smile appeared on Bai Qingqi’s lips: “But today, Eldest Young Lady released the civilians from Ye Shoucheng to let the Xiliang people spread word about the situation inside Ye Shoucheng and how our Zhou treats the Xiliang civilians!” She nodded: “Compared to the various promises the Yan Army makes to the Xiliang civilians, which do you think the Xiliang people are more inclined to believe… coming to Yecheng Pass, or going with the Yan Army?” “Naturally, words from their own compatriots are more trustworthy!” Bai Qingqi’s eyebrows carried a deeper smile, Eldest Young Lady has always, after seeing through human nature, used the most fair and open strategies. Its essence is vast and strong. If one raises it with righteousness and without harm, it fills the space between heaven and earth. With an emperor like Eldest Young Lady in Zhou, it will surely become what the Bai family ancestors and grandfather hoped for: with righteousness inside and outside the court, the whole nation will operate by fair and open strategies, without intrigue or deceit. “If, by that time, there are civilians returning from Yecheng Pass, it would attract more Xiliang civilians from everywhere to come to Yecheng Pass.” Bai Qingqi said. “That’s right…” Bai Qingyan nodded with a smile, “Just as the boundless river and ocean can accept it all, they achieve their vastness! The people are the foundation of a nation, if a country can accept the people of many nations, it can achieve a prosperous and flourishing era for the ages.” Walking down from the city walls, Bai Qingqi released Bai Qingyan, and leisurely followed beside her: “So, Eldest Young Lady plans to stay here until the displaced population is led to Yecheng and settled… perhaps even relocating them to other cities before heading back to Dadu?” “Yes, I’ve already sent someone back to Dadu to deliver a message. I plan to return before the Grand Examination and set it on March 15th.” Bai Qingyan gazed up at the bright sunny sky, exhaling a thin mist, “By then, I hope we will have pacified Xiliang, and if… if we siblings return to Dadu City together, our grandfather will surely be gratified.” Upon hearing this, Bai Qingqi lowered his eyes and pursed his lips in thought, then after a distance, he said: “Eldest Young Lady, before March 15th, I will spare no effort to pacify Yunjing! Capture Li Tianjiao alive!” “Don’t rush into it!” Bai Qingyan thought of General Cui Shanzhong leading the army and was still worried, “What you’re facing is the resourceful General Cui, and our grandfather often said… General Cui Shanzhong is full of deceit, and will stop at nothing in battle! He’s not like Ye family generals, who are honest and upright, Yun Poxing’s tricks are insignificant before General Cui Shanzhong, so always remember to be cautious and prioritize the overall situation, don’t hasten recklessly for time!” Bai Qingyan didn’t want her casual lamentation to prompt Ah Qi into hastily annihilating Xiliang before that date, doing something reckless that could injure him and his siblings, which would truly not be worth the price. “Ah Qi understands, Eldest Young Lady, nothing is more important… than having the family safe and sound!” Bai Qingqi smiled, “Eldest Young Lady, I’m really happy… also happy that our brother is alive, happy that A Yu is still alive! Happier than anything!” “Eldest Young Lady knows!” Bai Qingyan raised her hand but could no longer reach Bai Qingqi’s hair, gazed at Bai Qingqi’s white hair, and her heart ached, if one’s eyes showed no departure grief, they wouldn’t believe earth holds gray hair. Since Bai Qingqi’s return, except for his first return at the imperial ceremony, he never spoke his mind to anyone . She smiled and patted Bai Qingqi’s shoulder: “You all returning safely, Eldest Young Lady is also… happier than anything!” That day, there were many Xiliang civilians leaving Yecheng Pass. At first, Bai Qingyun had individuals process them one by one, but realizing the large number of people, Bai Qingyun simply had them line up at the city gates to receive travel funds to leave. Throughout the day, Zhou was distributing travel funds until nightfall, and the queue continued endlessly. Zhou showed no intention of stopping, and many Xiliang civilians, originally hesitant to leave due to fear that Zhou might kill them in secret, were swayed when they saw their neighbors leaving, and began discussing with their families the idea of leaving. Unexpectedly, before more civilians in Xiliang could line up to leave, some who had received travel funds and left in the morning returned, wanting to enter the city but were stopped outside Yecheng Pass gates. The gatekeeping General of Ye Shouguan looked sternly at the Xiliang civilians trying to enter: “You are not citizens of our Zhou, leave quickly and do not linger at the edge of our Zhou cities, or don’t blame us for blind swords and arrows!” As soon as the General finished speaking, soldiers immediately drew their swords and pulled their bows. These ordinary civilians had never seen such a scene, they immediately fell to the ground, their knees too weak to stand up.