AWB Chapter 474 Please
Chapter 474 Please
The only outcome of being swallowed up is the destruction of the nation.
Once Yunli falls, it will be divided up by other countries, and all Yunli people, whether commoners or nobles, will become fish to be slaughtered.
Such a tragic situation was something Shen Tianjiao did not want to see, nor did Yu Po want to see.
Over the years, Yu Po has stayed in the northern frontier. She has witnessed the cruelty of war firsthand and how the Marquis of Zhenbei led his soldiers in a bloody battle, risking their lives to protect Yunli's beautiful land and its people.
Therefore, if she could exchange her death for the greatest benefit, becoming a sharp blade in Shen Tianjiao's hands to open up the path to the six kingdoms of the Nine Provinces, then Yu Po would not hesitate to offer her life.
She was willing to be the first to sacrifice herself for Shen Tianjiao's grand plan.
"Master, Madam Duan has arrived."
Chun Chao rushed in from outside and reported to Shen Tianjiao that Duan Qingning had arrived.
Shen Tianjiao looked back at Yu Po, and for some reason, her unease suddenly intensified.
Yu Po is a well-known workaholic; she's the kind of person who'd risk her life to complete a mission.
Shen Tianjiao was genuinely afraid of Yu Po. She feared that once in Nan Chu, Yu Po would stop at nothing to complete his mission, even risking his own life.
But her decision had already been made, and it was no use taking it back now. Yu Po wouldn't listen to her; she would abandon the mission and stay obediently.
Shen Tianjiao knew how stubborn Yu Po was.
"Master, Madam Duan has arrived. It's time for us to set off."
Seeing that Shen Tianjiao was staring at her without saying a word, Yu Po could roughly guess what Shen Tianjiao was thinking.
To avoid any complications arising from the trip to Southern Chu, Yu Po spoke up to divert Shen Tianjiao's attention.
Shen Tianjiao looked at Yu Po, then took out a white jade safety buckle from her bosom.
This safety buckle was made by the Marquis of Zhenbei when Shen Tian was a child, and she wore it for many years without ever leaving her side.
Now Shen Tianjiao wants to give this white jade safety pendant to Yu Po, hoping it can also bless Yu Po to return safely.
"Wear it on your body, and you'll know the origin of this white jade safety buckle."
"This is my treasure. I want you to wear it to Southern Chu, and I also want you to wear it back safely and return it to its rightful owner."
“If you fail to keep your promise and bring it back, I will not forgive you.”
After saying these words, Shen Tianjiao turned and left without waiting for Yu Po's reaction.
Yu Po looked down at the white jade safety buckle in her hand, her eyes welling up with tears. She didn't make any extra movements, but simply put the white jade safety buckle around her neck.
Then he followed closely behind Shen Tianjiao's retreating figure.
"Madam Duan, you've arrived early."
Shen Tianjiao saw Duan Qingning as soon as she went out. Duan Qingning's outfit today was clearly carefully chosen.
She must have a lot of expectations for returning to Southern Chu.
Good morning, Your Majesty the Empress.
Duan Qingning bowed slightly and greeted Shen Tianjiao.
"This humble woman dares not delay the matters entrusted to her by Her Majesty the Empress, so naturally she must make preparations in advance."
Duan Qingning lowered her stance in front of Shen Tianjiao at this moment. She accepted Shen Tianjiao's conditions, so her relationship with Shen Tianjiao was now both a cooperative one and an employer-employee relationship.
As an employee, you still need to recognize reality and know how to bow your head in front of your employer.
Shen Tianjiao smiled and said, "Chaoyun has arrived and is resting in the back courtyard."
"The things you need for your journey will be prepared soon, and this is also a good opportunity to let Chaoyun rest for a while longer."
"Since Madam Duan is here, why don't you sit down and have some tea first?"
The courtyard where Shen Tianjiao lives is more special than the other courtyards in Ziyun Manor.
Stepping out of the house, there was a corridor next to it, which had been turned into a greenhouse due to the cold weather.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Duan Qingning arrived so early, actually to find out about her daughter.
Although Chaoyun's health is slowly improving, she almost lost her life before.
She traveled a long way last night, and I don't know if her body can handle it.
Now that Duan Qingning heard Shen Tianjiao say that Chaoyun had arrived and was resting, her worries were not so great.
Since Chaoyun was able to arrive safely, it means that her physical condition is good and there is no major problem.
Shen Tianjiao was about to turn around and go to the greenhouse when she looked up and saw Li Ziyan standing in the distance.
She paused for a moment, then remembered the agreement she had made with Li Ziyan the night before.
Shen Tianjiao's mind was now filled with all sorts of things, and she had forgotten that she had promised Li Ziyan that she would ask her father's opinion on whether he would agree to let Li Ziyan come along.
If Li Ziyan hadn't been there, something terrible would have happened.
"Chun Chao, you stay here and have tea with Madam Duan. I have some important things to do."
After giving instructions to Chun Chao, Shen Tianjiao hurriedly turned to leave, and Yu Po followed without thinking.
"You stay here, I'll be right back."
Shen Tianjiao instructed Yu Po to stay behind and not to come with her.
The moment she saw Li Ziyan, she made a plan, but she had to keep it a secret from Yu Po, otherwise it would be difficult to succeed.
Upon hearing Shen Tianjiao's words, Yu Po obediently stopped and ceased following.
Shen Tianjiao then walked up to Li Ziyan and said, "Let's go, you come with me to see the Marquis of Zhenbei."
Li Ziyan followed behind Shen Tianjiao with his head down, and the two of them left the courtyard together.
The place where the Marquis of Zhenbei lived was only one courtyard away from Shen Tianjiao's, so they arrived very quickly.
When Shen Tianjiao arrived, she heard a servant report that the Marquis of Zhenbei had not yet gotten up.
This news surprised Shen Tianjiao, as her father never slept in late.
No matter the weather, he would get up immediately to practice martial arts when the time came. Why is he still not up at this hour?
"Is Your Excellency unwell?"
Shen Tianjiao couldn't think of any other reason besides this one.
"Your Majesty, the Marquis is in good health. The reason why the Marquis has not gotten up so late is that he discussed matters with the Second Young Master yesterday, and the Second Young Master left just before dawn, after which the Marquis rested."
"May I ask Your Majesty, would you like to wake the Marquis?"
Hearing that the reason why Marquis Zhenbei hadn't gotten up so late wasn't because he was unwell, but because he had been discussing matters with Shen Tingzhi late into the night, Shen Tianjiao finally felt a little relieved.
However, she still had to give Shen Tingzhi a good talking-to later.
Marquis Zhenbei is old now, how can he compare to a young man?
Even if we need to discuss something, there's no need for such a long talk that lasts all night.
What family matter is there that Shen Tingzhi cannot decide, yet still insists on discussing with the Marquis of Zhenbei all night?
"There's no need to wake the Marquis. Let him rest a little longer."
Shen Tianjiao waved her hand, dismissing the servants on either side.
After everyone had left, Shen Tianjiao looked at Li Ziyan and said, "Since you've already made up your mind to go to Nan Chu this time, I will naturally lend you a hand."
"But while you're going to Southern Chu, there's something else I need your help with."
Li Ziyan quickly stood up straight, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, please feel free to give any instructions. As long as it is within my power, I will do my utmost to accomplish it for Your Majesty."
Shen Tianjiao nodded and said with a smile, "The matter I asked you to handle is actually not a big deal."
"You saw it just now, the one who was with me."
"She is my head bodyguard, and she is also the one who accompanied you to Southern Chu to protect you. Her name is Yu Po."
"The only thing I need from you is to protect her and ensure that she returns safely and unharmed."
"I wonder if you can help me with this favor?"
Li Ziyan, whose heart had been pounding in his throat, immediately calmed down after hearing Shen Tianjiao's words.
Li Ziyan originally thought that the favor Shen Tianjiao asked him to do must be something very difficult, but who would have thought that it was just to help protect someone.
This was an incredibly easy thing for him.
Li Ziyan didn't take protecting the Jade Soul to heart, not because he was particularly capable or had exceptional martial arts skills that allowed him to protect the Jade Soul while also taking care of himself.
The reason he was so confident and thought the matter was simple was because he was now the master of Ziyun Manor and had a large number of skilled martial arts masters under his command.
His original plan for this trip to Southern Chu was to select some people from this group and bring them along.
Those who can enter Ziyun Manor as guards are all carefully selected. They are not only skilled and highly proficient in martial arts, but also possess unquestionable loyalty.
If it weren't for this, Li Ziyan wouldn't have dared to tell Shen Tianjiao that he was going to Nan Chu this time.
After all, he knew his own limitations.
When Li Xian was alive, he was indeed very good to his grandson, Li Ziyan.
Therefore, Li Ziyan, who was well protected, actually had no other skills besides being good at studying.
He was nothing more than a useless scholar.
Without the protection of those guards, once he left the gates of Ziyun Manor, he probably wouldn't survive more than three days.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, Ziyan will definitely do what you have asked me to do."
"Ziyan assures you that he will protect Lady Yupo and ensure that she returns safely and unharmed."
"If Lord Yu Po were to lose even a single hair, Zi Yan would not have returned to see you."
Li Ziyan dared to make such a vow because he had too much confidence in his guards.
If it weren't for these guards, Ziyun Manor wouldn't have survived until now.
"That's good, then I can rest assured."
The reason Shen Tianjiao entrusted the Jade Soul to Li Ziyan was not because Li Ziyan had any special ability to protect the Jade Soul.
It was because she knew that if Li Ziyan went to Southern Chu this time, he would definitely bring a lot of guards with him.
These guards were all personally trained by her father, the Marquis of Zhenbei; they were both capable and loyal.
Yu Po herself is an extremely skilled martial artist, and she can protect herself no matter what danger she encounters.
What Shen Tianjiao fears is that Yu Po will risk his life to complete the mission and gain the greatest benefit.
That's why Shen Tianjiao came up with the idea of having Li Ziyan's guards protect Yu Po.
Getting Yu Po to obey and not take risks is simply impossible. The only thing we can do now is to ensure her safety by having enough people around her to protect her.
Although this wasn't the best way to solve the problem, it was the best solution Shen Tianjiao could think of in such a short time.
"Your Majesty, there is one more thing that Ziyan needs to report to you."
Knowing that he could go to Southern Chu with her this time, Li Ziyan naturally wanted to explain everything to Shen Tianjiao.
"Just tell me what's wrong."
Having resolved the matter of the Jade Soul, Shen Tianjiao's mood was no longer as depressed as it had been before.
As a way of repaying Li Ziyan for protecting Yu Po, Shen Tianjiao would agree to whatever Li Ziyan wanted to say or ask, as long as it wasn't too unreasonable.
"Your Majesty, actually, Ziyun Manor also has some properties in Southern Chu."
"When I go to Southern Chu this time, Ziyan would like to ask you how to deal with those industries."
Li Xian was a business genius; during his lifetime, he expanded his business to every corner of the nine provinces and six kingdoms.
It can be said that wherever there are people, there will be businesses that Li Xian is involved in.
Li Ziyan asked Shen Tianjiao this question because he was only the nominal owner of Ziyun Manor, while Shen Tianjiao was the true owner behind Ziyun Manor.
He naturally had to ask Shen Tianjiao for her opinion on how to handle those industries.
Li Ziyan's words stunned Shen Tianjiao.
Why didn't she think of using Li Xian's industries, which spanned the entire Kyushu and six kingdoms, to develop Yunli's intelligence network?
If we use the assets left by Li Xian to develop an intelligence network, we can definitely save a lot of trouble and danger.
Moreover, since Li Xian was able to expand his business to all six kingdoms of the Nine Provinces, he must have had his own intelligence system. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to do business all over the Nine Provinces and Six Kingdoms.
Thinking about this, Shen Tianjiao was already starting to feel a surge of excitement.
She could almost see the gates of the six kingdoms of Kyushu opening and beckoning to her.