AWB Chapter 129 Bai Jing Believes in Jia Xiaoyan
Chapter 129 Bai Jing Believes in Jia Xiaoyan
The sharp sound instantly drew everyone's attention. He tilted his head slightly, a hint of smugness in his eyes, as if he felt he had delivered a crucial piece of information that could turn the tide of the battle.
These words caused an uproar in the court. The crowd whispered and discussed amongst themselves. "Yes, she's just a woman, yet she managed to defeat two emperors, and all she did was attach a small object to her bow and arrow to make it explode," someone murmured in agreement. This woman is no ordinary person!
At this moment, Bai Jing, who had come to help the Nanzhao Kingdom, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have handed over the cannons to Miss Jia and now it is time to return and report!"
The elderly minister frowned upon hearing this: "Lord Bai, how could you entrust the Divine Cannon to a woman?"
Bai Jing remained calm and unhurried, stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a composed expression: "My lord, you may not know this, but although Miss Jia is a woman, she possesses a strong sense of righteousness and extraordinary courage. When she first came to me, she explained in detail her plan to deal with the American and Japanese emperors. Her logic was clear and her thinking was thorough, which I greatly admired. Moreover, she assured me that her mission was solely to eliminate evil and uphold justice, and that she would not misuse this divine cannon."
A young minister couldn't help but interject: "But this Divine Cannon is a secret weapon of our dynasty, concerning the safety of the nation. How can we entrust it to someone else so easily? What if she has ill intentions and leaks this technology? Wouldn't our Xijing Kingdom be in imminent danger?"
Bai Jing smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "I'm sure you gentlemen are all aware of Miss Jia's identity. She is the daughter of a wealthy merchant from Southern China, and has been well-informed and knowledgeable since childhood, frequently interacting with various countries, yet she has never done anything to harm the interests of other nations. Furthermore, she has a deep friendship with the princess, so how could she possibly do anything to harm our Xijing Kingdom?"
At this moment, the pro-war military officer spoke up again: "I don't care what weapon she uses, or where it comes from. Now the United States and Japan will certainly not let this go. Our top priority is to gather our forces and strengthen our defenses. Although the Shenji cannon is good, we cannot place all our hopes on it."
Jiang Liushen, who had remained silent, finally spoke up: "Lord Bai, do you know what the consequences will be for our Xijing Kingdom if we hand over the Divine Cannon to Miss Jia and it triggers a furious retaliation from both countries?"
Bai Jing knelt on one knee, his expression solemn: "Your Majesty, I am well aware of the gravity of this matter. However, Miss Jia's killing of the American and Japanese emperors was also for the sake of the common people. The people of both countries are already full of resentment towards these two tyrannical emperors. Miss Jia's actions are in fact in line with the will of the people. If our Xijing Kingdom can take this opportunity to unite with other righteous nations to jointly resist the hegemony of these two countries, perhaps we can create a new era of peace and prosperity."
One civil official scoffed, "Easy for you to say. How easy is it to unite with other countries? The interests of different countries are intertwined, and people's hearts are unpredictable. If we are not careful, we will fall into an abyss."
The court was once again engulfed in heated debate, with each side sticking to their own version of events and refusing to yield. Jiang Liushen listened to the ministers' arguments, his heart filled with increasing turmoil. He knew all too well that the matter of the Divine Cannon had become a hot potato; if not handled properly, the Western Jing Kingdom would inevitably fall into an unprecedented crisis.
Just then, a guard rushed into the court and knelt down to report: "Your Majesty, the United States and Japan have jointly dispatched envoys who are requesting an audience outside the palace."
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, their eyes all turning to the king. The king's face darkened, thinking to himself: What was bound to happen has finally happened. He took a deep breath and slowly said, "Summon them in."
A moment later, the envoys from the United States and Japan walked into the court with their heads held high.
The head envoy, with an arrogant expression, scanned the crowd and then loudly proclaimed, "Your Xijing Kingdom harbored a criminal and murdered the emperors of both our countries. Such a heinous crime is unforgivable! Now, our two countries demand that you immediately hand over Jia Xiaoyan and compensate for the enormous losses. Otherwise, our armies will immediately press on our borders!"
Before Jiang Liushen could speak, a pro-war military officer couldn't help but jump out: "Hmph, your two emperors are tyrannical. Miss Jia killed them to rid the people of a scourge. You want us to hand over the people and pay compensation? That's wishful thinking! If you have the guts, come at us! We, the Xijing Kingdom, are not afraid of you!"
The envoy sneered, "You? The combined armies of our two countries are enough to flatten your Xijing Kingdom. By then, you won't even have time to regret it."
Bai Jing stepped forward and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "You two envoys, please do not be so arrogant. During the reigns of the American and Japanese emperors, they wantonly launched wars and harmed the people, and have long lost the hearts of the people. Miss Jia's actions are in accordance with the principles of Heaven. If you insist on avenging these two wicked people, I'm afraid you will find it difficult to convince the public."
The envoy's expression changed, and he was about to retort when he was stopped by another envoy. This envoy's eyes flickered, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, "This matter is of great importance, and we need to consider it carefully. But your Xijing Kingdom must give us a satisfactory answer, otherwise, you will bear the consequences."
Having said that, the two envoys turned and left. Jiang Liushen watched their departing figures, his brows furrowed, lost in thought.
The atmosphere in the court was unusually heavy. All the ministers turned their gazes to the king, awaiting his decision. Jiang Liu knew that this decision would determine the life or death of the Western Jing Kingdom. He weighed the pros and cons in his mind, pondering a countermeasure.
After a long silence, he finally spoke: "My lords, the situation is critical, and we must unite as one. Lord Bai, immediately send men to protect Jia Xiaoyan. At the same time, strengthen border defenses and gather troops to prevent a sudden attack from both countries."
After receiving his orders from the imperial court, Jiang Liushen's steps were hurried yet firm. He knew in his heart that finding and protecting Jia Xiaoyan was the key to stabilizing the current situation, and also the steadfastness of his commitment to the trust placed in him.
"Men!" Jiang Liushen gave the order, and his most elite guards quickly assembled. "This mission is extremely important. You must protect Miss Jia Xiaoyan at all costs and ensure her safety. There can be no mistakes!" His gaze was sharp as he swept over each guard, his eyes filled with unquestionable authority.
On his journey to find Jia Xiaoyan, Jiang Liu was lost in thought. He recalled the unwavering light in her eyes when they first met—a pure and unyielding pursuit of justice. Her confident and composed demeanor as she explained her plan, and her precise attention to detail, all demonstrated wisdom and courage far exceeding that of ordinary people.
"In the court, many ministers questioned whether it was appropriate to entrust the Divine Cannon to her, but I firmly believe that she is the most suitable candidate." Bai Jing's tone was firm. "Miss Jia is meticulous, and you have received a letter from the Crown Princess, who is also your own sister. She asked you to trust Miss Jia completely, and there is a reason for that! Besides, if I were to hand the Divine Cannon over to the ministers in the court, would they know how to use it? Would they be able to unleash the cannon's maximum power? These are all questions!"