The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was thoughtful. Cui Hongyu frowned upon hearing this, "Yes, fruit trees are an important source of income. It's too strenuous to carry them back from the mountain. It would be much easier to move the trees down from the mountain."
Upon this thought, he became excited. Looking at Qiu Mei, he said with gratitude, "Sister-in-law, thank you. I know what to do now. I'll write to Brother Xiaobei right away."
Watching Cui Hongyu excitedly go to find Liu Ziming and Liu Ziliang, Qiu Mei was a bit bewildered. What had she said to make Cui Hongyu so excited?
The next morning, Chen Xiaobei received Cui Hongyu's letter. In it, Cui Hongyu proposed to Chen Xiaobei to move the apple trees from the mountain.
Chen Xiaobei's eyes lit up upon reading it. He secretly admired Cui Hongyu for helping him find a good way out.
With this thought, he said to Liu Rumei, "I really didn't expect it. Hongyu has come up with a perfect solution for us. Now the people of Hetou Village will have something to do."
Chen Xiaobei took up his brush and wrote a reply to Cui Hongyu. In the letter, besides affirming Cui Hongyu's idea of organizing villagers to move some fruit trees down from the mountain,
Chen Xiaobei also asked Cui Hongyu to move down the small fruit saplings from the mountain.
Planted at intervals of ten feet, he believed that in time, these would grow into sturdy fruit trees, bringing huge benefits to the villagers.
After writing the reply and handing it to Liu Ce to send, Liu Rumei, who was standing nearby, spoke up, "Brother Xiaobei, why don't we just invite Sister Hongyu to the capital? Wouldn't it be better for our family to reunite in the capital?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled and shook his head, "No, I grew up in Hetou Village. If Hongyu leaves too, wouldn't that mean I've forgotten my roots and don't plan to return? It's better not to move her for now..."
Facing Chen Xiaobei's reasoning, Liu Rumei had no choice but to give up. She knew that Chen Xiaobei was speaking the truth; Hetou Village truly couldn't do without Cui Hongyu in the short term.
Even more exciting news arrived. This time, it was good news from the Great Tu Kingdom.
And the news was delivered by someone sent by Liu Xiangnan.
Liu Xiangnan personally wrote a letter to the princess, stating that the Great Tu Kingdom had contacted him and intended to send envoys to Wannian City. From then on, the two countries would cease hostilities. He asked for clarification from the imperial court.
After reading the letter, Fang Zheng was overjoyed. The ongoing conflict with the Great Tu Kingdom had greatly depleted Da Cang's finances, and the people near the border lived in constant insecurity, with large numbers displaced annually.
Chen Xiaobei also breathed a sigh of relief after reading the letter. He had taken a gamble, and it seemed he had won. Duo Bang had indeed accomplished something significant.
Chen Junyu was even more ecstatic, "Something we've wanted to do for years but couldn't is now achieved. We should report this major event to the princess."
Upon hearing this, everyone snapped back to reality. After deliberation, the five of them went to see the princess together.
These days, Princess Zhaoning was recuperating and seeing no one, not even Chen Xiaobei.
Therefore, Chen Xiaobei was worried about the princess's condition. In fact, after so many days of rest, Princess Zhaoning had recovered significantly and could sit up to receive them.
The five entered, each with their own manner. Chen Xiaobei merely nodded and stood aside. Liu Rumei simply bowed.
Fang Zheng, Feng Pengju, and Chen Junyu, however, performed a solemn kowtow. After they finished their bows and paid their respects, Princess Zhaoning waved her hand.
"Summon them, grant them seats!" Su Dan Novel Network
Chen Xiaobei stepped forward and sat next to Princess Zhaoning. Liu Rumei sat below Chen Xiaobei, followed by Fang Zheng, Feng Pengju, and Chen Junyu, who were arranged in a line.
Princess Zhaoning looked at them with a slight smile on her face. This indicated that her health had improved considerably. "Do you have any urgent matters to see me about?"
Fang Zheng glanced at Chen Junyu. Chen Junyu, understanding him, stood up, cupped his fists, and said, "Reporting to Your Highness, we have just received news from Marquis Liu at the border. The Great Tu Kingdom has officially notified us that they will send envoys to Wannian City soon to formally present their credentials and establish eternal friendship and peace with our Da Cang."
Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoning was quite surprised. Her gaze moved from Fang Zheng to Chen Xiaobei.
Fang Zheng quickly stood up, cupped his fists, and said with a smile, "Your Highness, this is all thanks to驸马 Chen.驸马 Chen strongly advocated for Duo Bang's return to the Great Tu Kingdom and also wrote a letter to Emperor Qiaopusen of the Great Tu Kingdom, hoping for mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. Unexpectedly,驸马 Chen's plan has truly worked."
Hearing this, Princess Zhaoning nodded slightly, and her gaze towards Chen Xiaobei held a trace of admiration.
"Brother Xiaobei, how did you come up with this idea? It's truly amazing!"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "What's so amazing about it? It's a simple principle. Duo Bang killed my father and elder brother. We wanted revenge, and it would have been easy to have your master and Senior Sister Ziyan wreak havoc in Qingguang City."
"However, vengeance only breeds more vengeance. If we kill their people, and they kill our people, there is no benefit for either side."
"Only when our two countries cease hostilities and stop their constant warfare can the border people live peaceful lives."
"Only by ensuring the people have a good life can we officials achieve the greatest merits."
Chen Xiaobei's words were met with silence. Suddenly, Fang Zheng clapped his hands and praised,
"Well said, 驸马 Chen! I remember when our teacher taught us, he often said that if we become officials in the future, we should not pursue fame or fortune, but rather strive for peace and ensure that the common people are no longer displaced. The people living and working in peace is the foundation of a nation's prosperity!"
Hearing Fang Zheng's words, everyone present was silent for a moment, and then Chen Jianyu also stepped forward.
"Good, Master Fang, well said. When we first entered officialdom, we also harbored the dream of ensuring the people's well-being. But now it seems we have forgotten our original intentions!"
Hearing him say this, Feng Pengju also became enthusiastic and chimed in, "Yes, it is truly admirable that 驸马 Chen can set aside personal grievances and prioritize the welfare of the common people."
Listening to the various compliments, Chen Xiaobei appeared very calm. He bowed to everyone present before slowly speaking, "Everyone, since the Great Tu Kingdom has agreed to send envoys, we should now discuss how to receive them and what matters to negotiate."
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Princess Zhaoning nodded in approval.