Chapter 533 - 458: King of the North

Chapter 533: Chapter 458: King of the North

Bai Yuan leaned back.

"Lord Zhou, we all serve the Court. Why talk about money?"

He had a magnanimous and righteous air about him.

Zhou Xianhai’s heart skipped a beat.

He was an exceptionally shrewd man.

For someone of his status, talking about money was the most practical and efficient solution. What he feared most was discussing other things. If Bai Yuan made an exorbitant demand, he truly couldn’t afford it.

"Not money?"

’This kid wants even more, doesn’t he?!’

Zhou Xianhai cleared his throat. "Lord Bai, you must know that the foundation of our nation is unstable right now. The Court doesn’t have much to offer."

When Li Kang sent him to Ling Province, he had no intention of letting him fail.

The only question was whether the price to be paid would be great or small.

If he could haggle the price down, he would earn considerable merit for himself.

The war in the Central Plains was, in the end, a contest of financial strength.

Now was a critical juncture, so it was best to save wherever possible.

Bai Yuan waved his hand. "Lord Zhou, as I said, I don’t want money."

"Then what does Lord Bai want?"

"I want the right to mint currency in the Northern Thirteen States."

"Oh, minting... What? Minting rights?"

Zhou Xianhai nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood. And not just for the Four States of Shuofang, but for all of the Northern Thirteen States!

’Is he trying to carve out his own kingdom?’

"This, I..."

Zhou Xianhai hesitated.

Li Kang had sent him to Ling Province this time with a great deal of authority, but what Bai Yuan was asking for was something he dared not grant, nor could he afford to.

As a Jiedu Envoy, Bai Yuan already wielded immense power. The late Emperor, Li Chengyuan, had also promised him the right to recruit soldiers and forge weapons. If minting rights were added to that, Bai Yuan would be practically equivalent to a Prince.

And not a Prince of a single state like the King of Qingzhou, but the King of the North!

Bai Yuan chuckled. "Lord Zhou, you can rest assured. I am a loyal subject and would never harbor dissent. I guarantee that as soon as the Demon Sect’s rebellion is quelled, I will immediately return the rights."

Zhou Xianhai shot Bai Yuan a sidelong glance.

He muttered to himself inwardly.

’Have you ever seen a "loyal subject" who commands the Thirteen States and an army of three hundred thousand?’

Everyone knew that the Northern Garrison Army and the Zhenxi Army were already secretly siding with the Northern Territory.

With the right to mint currency on top of that, Bai Yuan’s power would be terrifyingly immense.

As for that nonsense about returning it, Zhou Xianhai didn’t believe a single word.

Never mind the huge potential for manipulation—tales of generals intentionally prolonging conflicts to retain their power were common throughout history. Besides, once peace was restored to the realm, even if Bai Yuan dared to return the rights, the Court probably wouldn’t dare to take them back.

"This matter... I must discuss it with His Majesty before I can give you an answer."

Bai Yuan nodded.

"Please convey my request to him, Lord Zhou."

Zhou Xianhai didn’t try to persuade Bai Yuan any further.

At their level, there were no fools. The interests were crystal clear. He had come to Ling Province simply to determine what Bai Yuan truly wanted.

Now that he had his answer, the subsequent decisions were naturally up to Li Kang and Liang Yuan Kang.

He was just completing his mission.

Having been an official for a hundred years, Zhou Xianhai naturally knew how to proceed.

He glanced at Situ Nan, who was standing behind him.

Ever since they left the provisional capital, Situ Nan had been very quiet, barely speaking. After arriving in Ling Province, he hadn’t said a word at all.

’His fated nemesis.’

Zhou Xianhai shook his head.

This former Grand Scholar had lived a smooth and successful life, yet he consistently suffered setbacks at Bai Yuan’s hands, overshadowed by him in both martial prowess and literary talent.

The last time he came to Ling Province to persuade Bai Yuan, he had returned covered in injuries.

’"Since Yu was born, why was Liang also born?"’

...

After leaving the city, Zhou Xianhai finally turned to Situ Nan and asked, "Lord Situ, what are your thoughts?"

Situ Nan finally spoke. "This is not for you or me to decide. It is better to let His Majesty make the final judgment."

"Reasonable."

Zhou Xianhai nodded.

Ever since that trip to Ling Province years ago, Situ Nan had returned a much more taciturn man, completely devoid of his former scholarly idealism. And yet, his official rank just kept rising.

This was what people meant when they said someone had "wised up."

In the business of being an official, once you found the right path, the road ahead became much smoother. Situ Nan was now on that path.

"The younger generation is truly formidable."

Zhou Xianhai sighed deeply. "I’m getting old."

He planned to finish this assignment, then settle down in the provisional capital. In a few years, he would retire to his hometown. At least that way, he could secure a more dignified end to his career.

Dealing with either Bai Yuan or Situ Nan was exhausting.

「Three days later.」

Zhou Xianhai and Situ Nan returned to the provisional capital of the Zhenyuan Dynasty.

They didn’t bring the matter up during the court assembly but went straight to Emperor Zhenyuan’s study.

"Minting rights..."

Li Kang’s brow was tightly furrowed.

He had originally expected Bai Yuan to ask for things like provisions, gold, or silver. He never imagined it would be minting rights.

For him, at this moment, the right to mint currency in the Northern Territory had almost no value.

It was equivalent to getting something for nothing.

It was an easy concession to make now, but if he truly managed to return to the Capital City one day, reclaiming those rights would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

His reputation would surely be ruined as well.

But if he refused... Bai Yuan was definitely capable of holing up in the Four States of Shuofang and letting the Demon Sect push south. If that happened, his dream of vying for control of the realm would be completely shattered.

"Summon the Grand Tutor."

Li Kang sighed softly.

The consequences of this decision were too great, possibly even affecting the invisible currents of fate. He had to have Liang Yuan Kang’s endorsement.

Soon, Liang Yuan Kang arrived in the study.

Zhou Xianhai relayed Bai Yuan’s demands to Liang Yuan Kang in full detail.

Liang Yuan Kang’s expression didn’t flicker in the slightest.

He looked calmly at Li Kang. "Your Majesty, just grant it. When the matters before us are still uncertain, how can we concern ourselves with the tongues of future generations?"

Hearing Liang Yuan Kang’s words, Li Kang’s eyes became resolute once more.

"The Grand Tutor’s words are reasonable."

The Grand Ancestor Emperor himself once offered up territory in exchange for Ximo’s military aid. How could he expect to avoid such measures?

History is written by the victors.