Hua Zhi's resolute words finally made Lu Peiyu look squarely at this woman who had maintained an unnerving composure throughout their journey. She was utterly different from those narrow-minded women who would quarrel over trivial matters, obsessed with proving themselves right.
Courage, vision, strategy, and responsibility—traits typically associated with men—she possessed them all, and seemingly without inferiority to anyone. This was why the head of the Seven Constellation Bureau had entrusted Jin Yang's affairs to her, not merely out of personal affection as he had assumed.
"What do you intend to do with the intercepted silver?"
"Whatever use it's put to would be better than letting the Emperor pour it into the bottomless pit of canal repairs." Hua Zhi stood facing the direction of the viewing platform, her gaze calm as she looked over. "My grandfather, who holds the position of Minister of Revenue, once confided in me that the national treasury is currently depleted. Yet, armies cannot march without provisions. General Lu surely doesn't believe that after years of preparation, the Chao Li Tribe would simply abandon the rich lands of Daqing and remain holed up in their barren, frigid territory."
Everyone knew they wouldn't. Even though Lu Peiyu was a general who had never experienced large-scale warfare, his ancestors had risen through military achievements. He understood the Chao Li Tribe better than most—their ruthlessness and brutality were recorded in blood by his forebears.
Yet, "This is a charge you cannot bear. He won't care whether your intentions were good or not."
"If I cannot bear it, the Seven Constellation Bureau certainly can. And General Lu should not forget why Yan Xi has gone there. Even if the Chao Li Tribe has been gradually transferring the silver, it's unlikely they've moved everything. After all, Yanzhou is Daqing's territory."
Lu Peiyu followed her gaze toward the viewing platform for a moment before speaking gravely, "For your words alone—that armies cannot march without provisions—I agree with you. Once war breaks out, none of us can remain untouched. We must have full bellies to wield our blades, ride our horses, and cut down our enemies."
Hua Zhi bowed to him deeply, saying nothing more. Nothing needed to be said.
Neither of them was acting selflessly, yet how was this matter not intimately connected to themselves? Only when the nation stands can families exist; only when families are stable can loved ones be safe.
Moreover, what she intended to do went far beyond this. If handled properly, this matter could also provide Yan Xi with the most suitable reason to leave the court. It was better to cut off one's own path than to have others seize the opportunity to dig up old grievances later. No matter who ultimately sat on the throne, they would be unable to use this matter against him. And in these critical times, everyone would have to acknowledge that he had acted for the greater good—that he had sacrificed himself, not abused his power recklessly.
There was no time for melancholy. Hua Zhi prepared to return to the city. "Just station trustworthy guards by the silver. Don't let anyone else go down there."
"I know what to do." Lu Peiyu gestured toward the viewing platform with his chin. "What about those people?"
"Let them return tomorrow morning. The weather won't freeze anyone to death at night now." Hua Zhi's expression remained placid. "Given how far Jin Yang has developed, which of them is truly innocent?"
Watching her walk away, Lu Peiyu suddenly laughed. How fascinating—a woman who should have been protected had instead assumed the role of protector. It made him blush with shame on behalf of all men.
"Hua Ling!" someone shouted from the viewing platform.
Hua Zhi looked up. It was Wang Yu.
With soldiers guarding below, Wang Yu didn't dare descend. Instead, he jogged along the lowest empty row of the viewing platform, moving from the right side where he had been to the left where the men were gathered—the spot closest to Hua Zhi.“Hua Ling, what exactly happened? Why aren’t we allowed to leave?”
At a time like this, knowing full well her identity was questionable yet not asking directly, but instead trying to glean information through her—this was the cunning typical of a daughter from an influential family. Unfortunately, she had no intention of letting her succeed.
Hua Zhi adjusted her cloak and took a few steps forward, tilting her head slightly to meet Wang Yu’s gaze. “I am Hua Zhi, from the Hua family of the capital.”
Though one stood above and the other below, Hua Zhi’s presence did not diminish in the slightest. Instead, her forthrightness made it impossible for Wang Yu to question why she had used a false name to socialize with them.
Even though Wang Yu didn’t ask, Hua Zhi answered anyway.
“Jin Yang was once known as the ‘Little Capital.’ When I first came here, I heard the young master of the Zeng family proudly say that Jin Yang had its East and West markets by day and its southern night market after dark. Jin Yang also had a Lotus River lined with lotus flowers, offering scenic views during the blooming season and edible lotus seeds when they ripened. Jin Yang also boasted the largest horse racing track in the entire Daqing Empire. Just hearing this, one could imagine its prosperity. But only after truly understanding did I realize this was the past, not the present.”
As she spoke, Hua Zhi walked toward the spectator stands, lifting the hem of her skirt slightly as she ascended the steps. “In today’s Jin Yang, over half of the workshops have closed, and nearly half the shops serve merely as gambling dens, constantly changing hands among families. Merchants suffer immensely, forced to cut their losses, leading to more and more shuttered storefronts. The markets and night markets grow increasingly desolate. The Lotus River is far from its former cleanliness, and the lotuses wither year by year. Meanwhile, the horse racing track, now used for gambling, grows ever more bustling.”
Her gaze swept from left to right, recognizing many familiar faces, yet their eyes regarded her as a stranger. Hua Zhi paid it no mind—she could imagine the look in her own eyes, likely no warmer than theirs.
“Since gambling took hold in Jin Yang, what have any of you done besides gamble? Search your hearts—have you accomplished even one meaningful thing in these years?”
“This is our own business. What right does an outsider like you have to interfere?”
Hua Zhi looked at the woman who had spoken. She recognized her—a daughter of the Zhu Family, Zhu Ling’s daughter.
“Guards.”
“At your command.” Liu Zheng immediately stepped forward.
“Escort Miss Zhu to another location for questioning.”
The Zhu daughter’s face paled. If she were taken away by men, what would become of her reputation? She shrieked, “How dare you! My father is Zhu Ling, the Jin Yang magistrate! Who among you would dare lay a hand on me?”
“You’re precisely the one we’re targeting. The Jin Yang magistrate’s true identity is a remnant of the Chao Li Tribe. And you—do you truly not know?”
The Zhu daughter’s heart skipped a beat. “The… the Chao Li Tribe? How is that possible? Don’t you dare falsely accuse me!”
Hua Zhi ignored her further. Liu Zheng led four soldiers toward her.
The Zhu daughter’s seat was near the aisle. She stepped out, retreating a few steps, but was ultimately seized unwillingly and escorted down from the stands.
The stone steps were narrow. Two of the four soldiers descended first. Seizing the opportunity, the Zhu daughter erupted into action, kicking both soldiers down the steps before bending low and slipping backward between the remaining two to break free. The moment her hands were loose, she snatched a hairpin from her head and lunged at Hua Zhi.
Amid the gasps of shock, Hua Zhi pushed aside Bao Xia, who had moved to shield her. Instead of retreating, she advanced with a dagger in hand. Having faced off against men, why would she fear a woman’s hairpin?After just a few moves, the hairpin in the Zhu Family daughter's hand was mostly shaved away. She glared resentfully at her weapon, then reached out and produced a short blade. Its tip was curved and sharp, appearing exceptionally keen.
Unfortunately, she was facing a dagger forged of dark iron.
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