Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 175 - 174: Alliance Formation

When Zhu Yu posed that question, she was already mentally prepared for Lu Qing to possibly evade the issue.

During this period, she felt that, on the whole, Lu Qing still trusted her and displayed no evident defensive actions.

But to say that he was entirely candid would not be accurate either.

Whenever the conversation involved many of his past experiences or the key elements of his plans, he would suddenly become ambiguous in his responses, swiftly diverting Zhu Yu’s attention elsewhere, thus smoothly ending the topic.

So this time, if Lu Qing suddenly started joking with her contrary to his usual manner, Zhu Yu would not be surprised.

However, she was indeed wrong this time, as Lu Qing appeared not the least bit playful but rather extremely serious.

"The Holy Emperor intends to restrain not just Shuo Country." He shook his head at Zhu Yu, his fingers seemingly idly tracing the map on the table, "One year at the start of the year, the Holy Emperor held a banquet in the palace to entertain the ministers. Presumably, in high spirits, he drank a few more cups than usual, and amidst the intoxication, he remarked something.

He said, when faced with wolves surrounding on all sides, the most perilous mistake is rash and thoughtless action, as it could lead to dealing with trouble on multiple fronts, encircled by enemies.

If one desires peace of mind, the best strategy is to let these wolves stay obediently in their territories, neither starving nor satiated.

As long as they are kept in a state of constant hunger, slowly, these wolves will grow too weak to bite due to malnourishment. Over time, they will lose their ferocity, their claws will dull, their teeth will fall out, and they’ll end up wagging their tails and begging for scraps, eventually becoming nothing more than dogs."

Zhu Yu’s expression turned grave.

Before she came here, she wasn’t aware of what Shuo Country was like.

But after arriving here, the Shuo Country she saw was nothing like the "wolves" lurking all around as described by Emperor Jin.

Besides, Zhu Cheng harbored no ambitions for territorial expansion, and speaking only of the people of Shuo Country, half were engaged in smelting and forging for a living, while the rest toiled to cultivate limited land trying hard to maintain a meager harvest.

All they wanted was to grow a bit more grain to fill their bellies and sell some to buy meat with the money earned.

Or to mine more ores, craft more metal weapons, selling them to buy rice and flour to stave off hunger.

Regarding bigger ambitions, as Lu Qing mentioned, they are impossible to foster in such a state of "semi-starvation."

"You do not agree with this method, do you?" Zhu Yu looked at Lu Qing, her tone phrased as a question but carrying a certainty.

If he agreed with Emperor Jin’s approach, he wouldn’t now be risking the Emperor’s displeasure by urging Bai Qihong to excavate the Black Stone Mountain, channel water, and bring it into Shuo Country’s territory.

"During the day, Bai Qihong mentioned that his worry and haste to finish the canal construction stemmed from a fear of famine resulting from flooding. Displaced hungry people could be the root of unrest," Lu Qing sighed lightly, "On this matter, I share the same view as him.

When the people have ample food and clothing and live peacefully, if a Vassal King for personal ambition calls upon the land’s people to rise with him and seize the world, few would respond, and even with coercion and enticement, dissenting thoughts would cause them to scatter like loose sand.

If the people cannot eat their fill or dress warmly, their days worsening by the day, suffering greatly, on the verge of survival, at such times should someone raise the banner of revolt, others might follow suit, united in purpose, and hard to defeat."

His finger traced a circle on the map, returning to the point where Jin and Shuo meet: "Lu Chao and I have never agreed with the Holy Emperor’s ’Taming Wolves Strategy,’ seeing it as a poor decision, not advisable.

As the Sovereign of the World, one should ensure that all people live at peace with ample food and clothing. Then if anyone stirs up war for personal ambition, as the saying goes, ’the righteous gain more support while the unrighteous lose it,’ the victory and defeat become easy to discern.

Conversely, weakening a vassal state’s military force by depriving the people of food and clothing indeed can achieve short-term objectives but is like hanging a sword over one’s own head, which could fall any time, more detrimental than beneficial.

Currently, in the court, there are more powers brewing restlessly, and various previous incidents were mere probes in disguise; thus, someone might eventually aim to shake the sword suspended above the Holy Emperor’s head.

Even today, though the sword hasn’t fallen, I must consider proactively, planning for prevention."

"Bai Qihong’s plan to construct a great canal, directing abundant water from the source-rich counties to the drought-stricken areas to alleviate droughts and drain during floods, can greatly benefit the people of Da Jin, with immediate achievements bringing long-lasting benefits," Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu understood Lu Qing’s intent, "You have facilitated solutions for the canal’s ultimate drainage, also solving Shuo Country’s long-standing water shortage limited by the times.

Are you hoping that through this, my father will form an alliance with you, ensuring Shuo Country stands on your and Lu Chao’s side should things change in the future?"

"That is indeed my hope," Lu Qing admitted frankly and openly, "But whether it’s achievable might depend on your assistance."

Zhu Yu smiled, her smile tinged with a slight helplessness, yet still nodded: "Alright, I will do my best, however, whether or not I can fulfill the trust... let’s leave it to human effort and heaven’s will!"

At this moment, Yan Daoxin had carefully organized his trunk, listening in on Lu Qing’s candid explanation to Zhu Yu; waiting till their discussion was about done, he stood up, stretched, and strolled to the table.

"I am a proper Taoist practitioner; it is inconvenient to lodge in the same room with a lady at night. I will make do in the side room for the night," he said while placing a porcelain bottle on the table, pointing at Lu Qing, addressing Zhu Yu, "Though the injuries on this fellow are recovering, with the continued exposure to damp clothing and rain these days, it might cause sores, and if the fire poison intensifies, disperses into the body, attacking the viscera, resulting in septicemia, all previous efforts would be for naught, and his life could be in danger.

Apply this ointment on his sword wounds, wrapping it with dry cloth strips, then it won’t be a concern for tomorrow’s travel."

With that said, he yawned and leisurely walked out.

Once outside, he whispered something into Fu Lu’s ear, prompting Fu Lu to turn around and shut the door from outside.

"Master, we are standing guard outside," his muffled voice drifted in from outside the door, "Tomorrow requires an early start, so both of you should rest early tonight."