Chapter 348: Chapter 338: Tension
Xie Xun said without hesitation, "Second Brother and I have always shared a tacit understanding since we were young."
Lin Helin was speechless, "..."
Even Fengyu couldn’t help but glance at him, silently thinking, *Second Young Master probably doesn’t want to share a tacit understanding with you.*
Lin Helin was genuinely curious as to how Xie Xun had received the news. No matter how he calculated the timing, Ting Feng shouldn’t have been in Zhongzhou yet—unless Xie Xun had sent the message back to Ningzhou the moment he learned about Ting Feng’s background. Even then, how had the information been transmitted? When he sent his letter to Ningzhou, all the gates of Jiaozhou had been closed.
How had the message been sent?
Lin Helin’s gaze fell on Fengyu. The Third Miss, knowing Lin Helin’s oppressive nature, tried to make herself invisible beside Xie Xun. She wasn’t afraid their secrets would be exposed, as the few trusted people around them had all been sworn to absolute secrecy under the harshest orders. These were matters neither she nor Xie Xun ever discussed openly. Lin Helin would never know their secrets.
The three of them remained silent. None of them spoke. The situation had already reached an irreparable stage, and both Lin Helin and Xie Xun understood there was no point in further argument.
Xie Xun’s resolve was unshaken.
Lin Helin said, "Zhixu, if you don’t kill me, the Twelve States can only fend for themselves this winter. The court has already issued strict orders cutting off all trade and grain supplies."
Fengyu, having already anticipated that the river routes to Zhongzhou would be severed, wasn’t particularly shocked by this. Xie Xun, however, let out a cold laugh and asked, "So, the court plans to abandon the Twelve States?"
"Due to geographic concerns, it’s easier for the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to control the Twelve States than for the court. If a peaceful settlement isn’t reached, the court will either cut off supplies completely—abandoning the region—or send in troops. But as you know, given the current situation, neither Ningzhou nor the court can afford to deploy their armies. No one wants a civil war. Instead of wasting financial and material resources fighting you over the Twelve States, it’s easier for the court to let them go."
"How flippantly you speak! To abandon our land so casually. Why has the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry been guarding the borders for decades? Why has Beiman failed to cross into our territory? It’s because the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry upholds a steadfast belief: ’Should anyone violate our borders, no matter how distant, they will be punished. As for our land, not an inch shall be surrendered.’" Xie Xun said coldly, "Even if the court forsakes the Twelve States, we absolutely will not!"
"Zhixu, your words make no sense. If you want the Twelve States, how do you expect the court to sustain them for you?" Lin Helin mocked. "If the Twelve States fall under Ningzhou’s control, Yanyang and Ningzhou would be divided by the Bei River, each going their separate ways. Surely you can’t expect the Southern grain supplies to continue feeding the Twelve States indefinitely. The court must also prepare for war and requires its own food supply."
Fengyu lowered her gaze. The Twelve States had been desolate for years. If trade were to be severed, how many people could remain? A large number of wealthy gentry would likely flee from Jinzhou, leaving nothing but an impoverished Twelve States for the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to inherit.
Yanyang possessed the most fertile Jiangnan, the most strategically critical Zhongzhou, and vast farmlands alongside its economic crops. The Twelve States were already barren. By relinquishing them, the court would no longer need to provide annual grain aid nor allocate funds from the state treasury. From the court’s perspective, abandoning the Twelve States might actually be a relief. But Lin Helin, who had traveled the land, should know better—The Twelve States were no burden.
Years ago, the Twelve States were prosperous and boasted Yanyang’s richest mineral resources. If the Twelve States were truly a burden, Lin Helin would never have risked his life to come to Jiaozhou.
While disconnecting trade and grain supplies might result in a few years of hardship for the Twelve States, in the long run, this was merely a case of "sacrificing a thousand to harm eight hundred."
Lin Helin was simply bluffing Zhixu.
"Then let’s rely on our own abilities to see it through!" Xie Xun retorted firmly. "If I can’t ensure the citizens of the Twelve States are fed and clothed, then I’m not worthy of holding them."
Fengyu comfortingly grasped Xie Xun’s hand, lightly rubbing his palm as if to reassure him silently, *Don’t worry. With me and Second Young Master by your side, we’ll overcome this hardship together.*
Lin Helin closed his eyes, refusing to speak further with Xie Xun. It was the first time he had ever resisted engaging in conversation with him.
Zhongzhou.
When General Chen Ming received Xie Xun’s letter, he was furious. "He’s actually taken Lin Helin hostage? How dare he? Xie Jue isn’t even in my hands—what leverage do I have to exchange with him?"
If Lin Helin were to die, the entire Zhongzhou political landscape would be implicated.
"Deploy the troops immediately to find him. Turn the entire place upside-down if needed, but find Xie Jue!" Chen Ming ordered, dispatching men to search every household. Xie Jue had to be found, though Chen Ming suspected Xie Jue might not even be in the city and that the Su Family’s Trading House had created a smokescreen.
"Someone did see Xie Jue that day when we surrounded the Su Family’s Trading House," a soldier reported. "Those who’ve served in Ningzhou recognized the Second Young Master of the Xie Family. There’s no mistake—he was in the city, preparing supplies. He must be hiding somewhere now."
General Chen Ming frowned. The city had already been searched thoroughly, yet Xie Jue was nowhere to be found. Where could he be?
"General, Junior General Fang grew up with Xie Jue and shares close ties with him. Could it be..." someone hesitantly suggested, referencing Fang Chuning. Given Fang Chuning’s unique status, none dared to implicate him without solid evidence.
"Was his mansion searched?"
Chen Gui replied, "It was searched, but nothing was found."
"Search it again!" General Chen Ming commanded coldly. "We’ve combed every inch of Zhongzhou. If Xie Jue is still in the city, I refuse to believe he could have grown wings and flown away. Fang Chuning is the most likely to be harboring him."
"But Fang Chuning is, after all, the Marshal’s son. If—"
"What are you afraid of? Let the Marshal blame me if it comes to that!" General Chen Ming declared resolutely. "Before Xie Xun brings his forces to the city gates, we must find Xie Jue."
"Understood!" General Chen Gui took the order and led his men to search Fang Chuning’s mansion once more.