Chapter 19

The summer heat was blazing. Beyond the oasis, the vast desert was shrouded in waves of heat, without a blade of grass in sight, suffocating to the point one could barely breathe.

During Da Yue’s summer and winter seasons, no caravans traveled outward, and it was even more impossible to transport large quantities of water and grain.

Hooves sounded in waves, sweat flying in the heat. First Prince Erzan led a group of people along the riverbed, following imperial orders to inspect the drought.

Only then did he discover that large numbers of poplar trees within the various tribes’ territories had been chopped down, all of them turned into farming and grazing areas. Wheat, highland barley, and even large quantities of grapes and other fruits had been planted.

For the sake of profit, the various tribal chieftains had cut down the windbreak forests, seized large amounts of water, and privately dug channels. Over years and years, combined with severe desertification and water seepage through the soil, the middle and lower reaches of the river could only shrink continuously, until they dried up completely.

Erzan even discovered that his own Ercha clan’s territory had acted in the same way. He drew his curved blade and cursed angrily, “You bastards! Who allowed you to do this?”

“First Prince, please calm your anger. Everything was done for your sake. Without money, there is no way to recruit soldiers and buy horses. The various tribes are fighting openly and secretly. Even if our Ercha clan obeys the law, the Jidi clan and the others won’t. In the end, we would only fatten other people’s warhorses and personal guards for nothing.” The clansman’s face was deathly pale as he spoke, not daring to look at the bright curved blade hanging over his head.

In the face of enormous profit, who could remain unmoved?

Erzan’s face darkened. His gaze landed on the dried-up riverbed. He could only withdraw his blade and turn to examine the water-region map.

The entire river running through Da Yue had not only its upper and lower main stream, but also many branching tributaries. Different locations belonged to different tribes, and the division of power followed the same pattern.

The imperial capital occupied what had originally been the widest stretch of water in the middle of the river. After that, the Ercha and Jidi clans occupied the fertile oases upstream.

But now, the situation was that almost more than half of the main river system was on the verge of drying up. The water in the side branches was probably even worse off.

Clearly, there definitely was not enough water. Erzan’s face remained dark, and killing intent rose in his heart.

Before the news spread, he could still strike first and gain the upper hand. Otherwise, the imperial family would become even more passive.

“Hyah!” Hooves sounded urgently, sand and dust flying.

At this time, within the Jidi clan’s territory, Commandery Princess Jiqiong had secretly come under the empress’s orders to investigate the situation.

She had not expected to learn that the situation was this severe, so she could only gather her personal soldiers in preparation for emergencies.

“You all carried out such a huge business behind your masters’ backs, and now that you’ve caused trouble, you still won’t explain yourselves?”

“Commandery Princess, spare us! We bought and sold grain crops with the Zhuo clan. The other side offered three times the price. Every year, that money was transported back to the imperial capital by your personal guards as tribute treasure. We absolutely did not pocket it for personal gain.”

Jiqiong frowned. Thinking of that group of her personal guards who had gone missing, her expression changed slightly. The teacup in her hand fell to the ground as she said, “Fools. Zhuo Mingke would never be this kindhearted. Someone, prepare the horses!”

In an instant, the tea on the ground seeped into the sand and quickly evaporated, leaving no trace behind.

On the other side, inside the study of the main courtyard of the Zhuo residence in the imperial capital, tea tilted, and hot mist steamed upward. Madam Zhuo drank her tea, her gaze slowly moving from the complicated documents and contracts on the desk to Zhuo Mingke, who had entered. She said, “You wanted to avenge yourself on Commandery Princess Jiqiong for what happened back then. Did you think the empress would let you off?”

Zhuo Mingke stood quietly in the room. Her fingertips toyed with the bodhi flowing beads, and her expression remained as usual. “They were greedy on their own. It has nothing to do with me.”

“Da Yue is extremely important bailiantales.com to the Zhuo clan’s operations. I am warning you, you are not allowed to make any further moves!”

“A mad dog that cannot be tamed, yet Mother believes it can be controlled. I am only cutting our losses in time.”

Over these years, Da Yue had repeatedly sent troops outward to harass other kingdoms. The various kingdoms were exhausted from fighting them off, and the Zhuo clan had profited from many sides in the process, but it had also become more deeply bound to them.

Madam Zhuo understood this perfectly. She looked at Zhuo Mingke with contempt and threatened, “Do not think I will believe this explanation. If unrest breaks out in Da Yue, the Da Liang hostage prince will absolutely not be able to leave the imperial capital by even half a step.”

Right now, Zhuo Mingke would rather cause mutual destruction than give up her decision to sever the mother-daughter relationship and break free from control.

The importance of that Da Liang hostage prince to her future comeback went without saying.

“It seems Mother’s methods are only this much after all. Da Yue is already nothing more than a broken shell, about to fall apart. If the Zhuo clan does not withdraw in time, it will be dragged into the abyss. Excessive greed often leads to self-destruction.” Zhuo Mingke’s expression was indifferent as she answered.

“You’re insane. What benefit would damage to the Zhuo clan’s foundation bring you?” Madam Zhuo met Zhuo Mingke’s icy, lacquer-dark eyes and only then belatedly realized that her bargaining chip had never been the Da Liang hostage prince, but the entirety of Da Yue. Even the Zhuo clan was included in it, and she did not hesitate to destroy it.

Zhuo Mingke quietly looked at the angered Madam Zhuo. Fear flickered in the woman’s furious eyes. Zhuo Mingke’s fingertips toyed with the bodhi flowing beads. Her thin lips lifted, and her smile carried a cold indifference as she murmured, “Perhaps. [bailiantales.com]In any case, the matter is now set in stone. Water is the lifeblood of everything. Since Mother is a merchant, then before the storm of blood arrives, you should make your decision early.”

Seeing this, Madam Zhuo froze slightly. The tea in her hand trembled, ripples spreading across the surface. Who could have thought that a single drop of water would destroy Da Yue, a kingdom that had been valiant and skilled in battle for hundreds of years? It was truly far too mad.

In the silence, Zhuo Mingke turned her head to look at the blazing sun outside the window. Where the light was dazzling, it made one dizzy.

The scorching sun in the sky burned like fire. Sand and dust rolled everywhere. Carriages and horses traveled along the long streets of the imperial capital, leaving the city one after another.

The desert could not be crossed, but one could leave Da Yue along the rivers at the border and seek a new place with water.

Beside the window of an inn, He Xiu discovered that most of the shops in the imperial capital had closed. Only carts and horses loaded with luggage, along with bound captives, passed through the long street.

For people to flee the imperial capital in this season, clearly, the water sources could no longer sustain the people’s survival.

After a while, the Da Liang envoy Yang Zhaoxing pushed open the door and entered from outside. He saluted and said, “This official greets Your Highness.”

“Lord Yang, there is no need to be polite. ​bailiantales.com​Please sit.” He Xiu gathered her thoughts and answered reservedly.

“Your Highness has suffered in Da Yue for many years. The left prime minister specially sent this subordinate to Da Yue to discuss the matter of your return.” Yang Zhaoxing’s gaze landed on He Xiu’s face. Her appearance was no different from the portrait, but he was somewhat puzzled.

The Da Yue people had always been savage and crude. They treated the hostages sent from the various kingdoms like livestock. After several years, injuries, deaths, and illness were common.

It was precisely because of this that this Prince He Xiu had been appointed crown prince and sent to the enemy kingdom as a hostage. The Da Liang imperial family probably had never thought he could return alive.

Yet the Highness before him had delicate skin and tender flesh, not at all like someone who had been a hostage in an enemy kingdom. Clearly, the Zhuo clan had secretly contributed a great deal.

“Thank you for the left prime minister’s concern. Lord Yang has traveled a long way and must be exhausted. After we return to Da Liang in the future, I will repay this great kindness properly!” He Xiu recited the lines arranged by the beautiful older sister, not daring to make a mistake.

Yang Zhaoxing took his seat and wiped the hot sweat from his face. Looking at the clever He Xiu, he said, “Your Highness is too courteous. The Imperial City Bureau is responsible for captive slave records. This official has already submitted the documents and smoothed things over with Da Yue’s officials. It only requires time.”

He Xiu felt something was strange, but she did not ask further. She took the initiative to pour tea and said, “Good. Also, I have taken a wife. Can she be brought back to Da Liang with me?”

“If Your Highness’s wife is a Da Yue person, I’m afraid it would be inappropriate.”

“Don’t worry. She isn’t.”

Speaking of which, He Xiu was not actually clear on which kingdom the beautiful older sister was from.

Damn it. Knowing this little about her newlywed wife could easily make people suspicious!

Fortunately, this Lord Yang did not ask further, and He Xiu secretly sighed in relief.

In the afternoon, He Xiu returned to the east courtyard of the Zhuo residence, sweating all over from the heat, and entered the room to soak in a bath.

Water rustled softly. Behind the screen, Zhuo Mingke flipped through a book and asked about the conversation.

“Don’t worry. I answered everything according to what you told me. But Sister Zhuo, where are you from?”

“The Zhuo clan does business everywhere and has ​Read on BaiLianTales​no fixed kingdom of origin. But since I am your wife, from now on, I will follow you into Da Liang.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the area behind the screen suddenly went quiet. He Xiu’s face heated, and she sank into the water, silently blowing bubbles.

Those words sounded strangely embarrassing!