RWNEFE -Chapter 267 The Northwest King Offers Allegiance, the Balance in Dongchuan Breaks!

That night, ten newlyweds returned their wedding clothes along with silver hairpins and bracelets.

“Thanks to all senior and junior brothers and sisters for your help!” Shen Lanxi smiled as she accepted the items. These could be reused when the next batch of relocated villagers arrived.

The people from Peach Blossom Valley and Ghost Valley chatted briefly with Shen Lanxi before quietly leaving.

Without their leading example, the others definitely wouldn’t have dared to step forward.

Within a couple of days, fifty more couples were gathered. Shen Lanxi also went through the motions as a witness, handing out gifts.

Che Mingyuan seemed to have suddenly unlocked some hidden energy; he was lively and cheerful every day, a stark contrast to his previously inscrutable demeanor.

Zhou Yunyue had tried several times to see Zhou Ruan but was blocked with the excuse that he was out.

Shen Yuanjing, annoyed by all the commotion, turned to Shen Lanxi.

“Big Sister, ever since Zhou Ruan arrived, Zhou Yunyue has been making little moves. Should we warn her?”

Shen Lanxi, busy as ever, frowned when her brother brought such a trivial matter to her: “Zhou Yunyue is from your backyard. If you can’t manage your own backyard, how can you command your soldiers?”

Shen Yuanjing felt a chill and immediately went to restrict Zhou Yunyue’s movements.

The three Tujue tribes were regrouping, constantly testing the defenses. Shen Lanxi personally directed the elite Northern Garrison troops in drills at the city gates every day.

The Tujue remained thirty miles outside the city, watching like predators. Shen Lanxi was contemplating whether to strike their imperial court again when a secret letter arrived from Dongchuan.

After reading it, Shen Lanxi pondered for a long time and immediately wrote to Wei Dongzhu.

That night, Feng Wu came quietly.

“Sun Qian went out. The person meeting him should be Yan Huai.”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes flickered: “Spread the news that the Wei army’s supply escort officer has appeared in the northwest and is heading to the capital.”

Feng Wu frowned and thought: “You want to use Yan Huai to lure out the mastermind?”

Shen Lanxi smiled mysteriously: “Who says it has to be Yan Huai? It could also be Zhang Youde or Wen Huaishan.”

Feng Wu raised an eyebrow. That name sounded familiar. Beside him, Cheng Zheng wrote: “Dead.”

Feng Wu twitched at the corner of his mouth, understanding her meaning.

“Then we’ll lay out several baits and see how many fish we can catch!”

…

After receiving the secret letter, Wei Dongzhu acted immediately and strictly.

Within a few days, Shen Lanxi received a reply from Wei Dongzhu: Zhou Ruan was to marry Sun Miaoling, the daughter of Xiling’s city commander, and had promised the Northern Garrison one thousand loads of grain—five hundred were already en route, with the remaining five hundred to arrive after the wedding along with Zhou Ruan.

Council Hall

“Trading a prince’s consort for just a thousand loads of grain seems like a bad deal!” Liu Yanhui shook his folding fan, calculating the value of a prince seriously.

Che Mingyuan said meaningfully: “Not a prince’s primary consort—just a secondary consort.”

Liu Yanhui tapped his forehead, remembering Zhou Ruan already had a primary consort and a few secondary consorts.

Shen Lanxi smiled: “A prince has only one primary consort, but secondary consorts can be many!”

Cheng Zheng casually wrote: “Brilliant!” Using a prince to exchange for grain—no one could have imagined it.

At this moment, Zhou Ruan was probably still basking in his cleverness.

Shen Lanxi: “A thousand loads of grain aren’t enough. I remember the commander of Hailing City has a daughter too, right?”

Che Mingyuan: “General, aren’t you worried they might side with Zhou Ruan? If so, it could backfire on us.”

Shen Lanxi, very serious: “Making alliances with provincial officials isn’t my concern; there will naturally be people more anxious than I am!”

Everyone nodded, acknowledging her point.

“General, Abu Khan has sent envoys again. He threatens that if we don’t comply with his demands, he will go hunting and slaughter the people of the northwest.”

Shen Lanxi sneered: “If he dares, we’ll cut him down!”

Che Mingyuan worried: “General, with our current supplies and troops, we can’t match the three Tujue tribes. If they besiege us, the northwest will be devastated!”

Shen Lanxi handed him the secret letter: “Our reinforcements are arriving soon!”

Che Mingyuan, confused, read the letter and furrowed his brows even tighter.

“The northwest army was doing fine in Dongchuan—why are they coming here?”

Qian Feng also expressed concern: “The three Tujue tribes are already enough for us to handle. Now the Northwest King comes—what’s his purpose?”

Shen Lanxi: “The secret letter says the Northwest King Liang Shao is coming to help the Northern Garrison drive out foreign invaders.”

Che Mingyuan calmly summed it up in four words: must be cautious.

Liu Yanhui suddenly exclaimed: “The Northwest King comes to the northwest—won’t Dongchuan fall into chaos?”

Everyone in the council hall looked at Shen Lanxi.

“Let it fall into chaos. Dongchuan is under Zhou Ruyuan’s command. If something goes wrong, it’s his concern.”

Although her words sounded casual, everyone felt Shen Lanxi was secretly enjoying the spectacle.

Without the Northwest King’s restraint, if King Cheng and the Eastern Liao King allied, Zhou Ruyuan would be attacked from both sides.

Qian Feng sneered: “Serves him right!”

Liu Yanhui nodded vigorously: “Just wait, it’s going to be entertaining!”

Shen Lanxi chuckled: “Zhou Ruyuan is the emperor’s most favored son. Let’s see how capable the emperor’s favorite really is this time.”

The council hall erupted in low chuckles before returning to business.

…

Shen Lanxi had already prepared to meet with Liang Shao. Unexpectedly, upon arriving, the first thing he proposed was to enlist.

“Our northwest army, to put it politely, is self-proclaimed as a kingdom; to put it harshly, we’re a band of rogue outlaws. Now, with the recruitment and relocation in the northwest, we ignore origins and pardon minor crimes. For the sake of my men’s lives, I’m willing to bring them to join the Northern Garrison. From then on, let General Shen deploy us as she wishes!” Liang Shao said earnestly.

Shen Lanxi didn’t let the sudden offer cloud her judgment. Although his troops could strengthen the Northern Garrison, there could also be risks.

If she couldn’t control his soldiers, she might be replaced.

“Your dedication to your soldiers is admirable, Northwest King, and your integrity and heroism truly earn my respect,” Shen Lanxi said politely.

Liang Shao looked at the woman before him and sincerely admired her.

“As a woman, you stand at the front, commanding troops in the northwest. In terms of integrity, courage, and fearlessness, I can’t compare to General Shen. You truly have my respect!” Liang Shao said sincerely.

Shen Lanxi: “Northwest King, your loyalty is admirable. But your troops’ enlistment must be approved by the court. Only after imperial permission and official pardon arrangements can they be formally incorporated.”

Liang Shao agreed that following proper procedures was necessary.

He hadn’t expected Shen Lanxi to be so traditional and rule-abiding—quite different from her letters!

“Then I will wait with my army outside the city for your good news, General!”