sbdcsierra Chapter 570: Ginger is still spicier when old
Chapter 570: Ginger is still spicier when old
It turns out that old ginger is still spicy.
Lu Yangyang only guessed that Chief Li was letting her off the hook, but she didn't realize that the other party had been watching her from the very beginning.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint Chief Li,” Lu Yangyang said, looking at Chief Li. “I don’t have any special status; I’m just a doctor. So even if I did, this matter in Miao territory is of great importance and would probably have to be reported to the imperial court. I can’t make decisions for the civil and military officials or the emperor. In addition, there are the Crown Prince’s cronies and the interests of various factions in the court involved. No one can protect the fact that we’re colluding with the enemy.”
Chief Li's expression changed slightly.
It wasn't that he was desperate and trying anything; it was just that Miao territory had been isolated for years, and had no connections, not only in the imperial court but also in the officialdom of the southwest region.
In this situation, if the imperial court intends to make things difficult for them, let alone the crime of treason, even if they just arbitrarily pin a charge on them, the Miao region will suffer greatly.
He really didn't want to risk the entire Miao region unless it was a fight to the death.
The young woman in front of me was telling the truth. Even if she was of noble birth, she was just a girl and had no right to get involved in court affairs.
Moreover, he had already heard that since the Crown Prince's death, the princes had been fighting fiercely. The reason why the First Prince had his eye on Miao territory was probably not only because of the Longevity Gu, but also because he wanted to make Miao territory work for him.
This is not the outcome he wanted to see.
Entrusting the safety of the entire Miao region to one person is far more dangerous than guarding the secrets of the Yuechuan Kingdom.
When Chief Li thought of Lu Yangyang's request, he gritted his teeth and solemnly bowed to her: "If you wish to go to Yuechuan Kingdom, I, as the chief of the thirteen Miao villages, will do my utmost to help you. I only ask that you give me some guidance. As long as we can preserve the bloodline of Miao, we old folks will do anything, even die."
Lu Yangyang looked at Chief Li with some surprise.
Granny Yin stepped forward and solemnly said, “Miss Lu, since Miao Jiang submitted to Da Zhao, we have anticipated that one day we would be caught in this dilemma. We were prepared and willing to pay the price for our faith and beliefs. But when it really came down to making a choice, we couldn’t help but have selfish motives. As for bearing the blame, we old folks are enough.”
"Grandfather, Second Elder, what are you saying!" Li Shisan clenched his fists, but his voice was exceptionally firm: "Miao Jiang is our home. If there is any guilt, if there is any punishment, we should all bear it together!"
Hua Rui also knelt down in front of Lu Yangyang: "Miss, all the mistakes are mine. Once we find Miss Sheng, I will leave my life to you. Please, Miss, show us the way."
Lu Yangyang never expected that things would come full circle and she would have to make the decision.
Unless she becomes the emperor, can her word really matter?
Lu Yangyang thought to herself, "If only His Highness were here, he would definitely have a plan."
Lu Yangyang was at a loss for what to do and couldn't help but turn to look at Mingruo. Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed in her mind. "There is a way, but we'll see if Chief Li can persuade the entire Miao region to cooperate."
Everyone immediately turned to look at her, even Mingruo's eyes showed surprise.
Lu Yangyang pointed at Mingruo: "He is a member of the Salt Gang. He came to Miaojiang to discuss salt mine business with Chief Li. If you cooperate in secret, it is smuggling salt, which is a serious crime. But if the salt well matter is handled openly by the government and Miaojiang is transformed into another salt mine, then this will turn a serious crime into a great achievement. The crime can be reduced to a minor one."
When Lu Yangyang looked at Mingruo just now, she suddenly realized something. If Mingruo was able to find the news about the Miao salt well by following the clues, what about the Crown Prince?
What will His Highness use to make Miao Jiang work for him? Miao Jiang's Gu techniques are one option, but that alone might not be enough to entice him.
To destabilize the southwest, we need a breakthrough point.
Salt is one of them.
Once His Highness gains control of Miao territory, it's as if he's acquired a private salt mine. He can operate it at will, and in a few years, Miao territory will become another cinnabar mine in Yuzhou.
Chief Li seemed to be deep in thought.
The Miao people have lived in Crescent Mountain for generations. Neither he nor the Miao people want to disrupt the existing peace. However, he also knows that for a place to develop, it must eventually expand outwards.
That's why he hasn't opposed the young people in the village going out over the years; the Miao region can't remain isolated forever.
However, this move has always been opposed by some clan elders, so the Miao region has never really traded with the outside world, only occasionally exchanging some convenient daily necessities.
Once this path is opened, there is no turning back.
However, this would not only resolve the current crisis but also bring another possibility to Miao territory.
He couldn't think too far ahead, but one thing was certain: the bloodline and heritage of Miao territory would not be easily severed again.
Bloodlines will merge into a wider world.
Instead of this crescent-shaped mountain.
He cannot make this decision alone; he needs to discuss it with his clansmen.
Chief Li bowed and thanked Lu Yangyang: "Thank you for your advice, Miss. However, this matter is of great importance and cannot be decided by me alone. What I just said to you is absolutely true."
"The Kingdom of Yuechuan lies beyond Mirror Lake, where Huoyin Mountain meets the dense forest. One must cross a waterway to enter." Chief Li stretched out his hand, and a vibrant green bamboo-leaf vine crawled from his wrist. "This is Green Bamboo, the natal Gu of the Miao people's high priests throughout history. The natal Gu perishes with each high priest's death, and this one's time is near. The Miao people have worshipped the Gu God for generations, and only then can they receive the Gu God's protection. Green Bamboo can help you find the way to the Kingdom of Yuechuan. I wish you all your wishes come true."
Upon hearing his words, Yin Caiping, Li Shisan, and Hua Rui all looked at Chief Li in shock.
Li Shisan blurted out, "The High Priest is not..."
Then he tightly closed his mouth.
The high priest has disappeared; this couldn't possibly be his natal Gu.
That could only mean that the previous high priest is still alive.
Lu Yangyang naturally understood the meaning behind Chief Li's words. After thinking for a moment, she took out a small seal from her bosom, which was engraved with the name of Mingxin Academy. It was the seal of Mingxin Academy.
Lu Yangyang handed it to Chief Li: "Chief Li, please keep this seal for now. If there is an emergency in Miao territory, have someone take the seal to Tiancheng Trading Company in Jinzhou Prefecture and ask them to help you find a girl named Mingxiu. She will help you."
Chief Li gratefully accepted the seal and took out a small bottle, handing it to Lu Yangyang along with Qingzhu: "This is a snake-scented pill, Qingzhu's favorite food. Feed it one a day, and it will listen to you and won't attack you."
Lu Yangyang took the small bottle, poured out a fragrant pill the size of a mung bean, and placed it in her palm. Sure enough, Qingzhu crawled over, snatched the fragrant pill in its mouth, and then affectionately wrapped itself around Lu Yangyang's hand.
“Grandfather, I want to go to Yuechuan Kingdom with Miss Lu.” At this moment, Li Shisan suddenly spoke up.
Chief Li frowned: "Why? Your Gu techniques are not proficient. Even if you wanted to go, you wouldn't be able to..."
Li Shisan, however, was very determined: "I want to know what kind of Gu God we worship is."