freenovelworld Chapter 1204 - 1193: The Wealthy Merchant
Chapter 1204 - 1193: The Wealthy Merchant
"Big Brother, the person I want to recommend to you really has excellent Martial Arts. Even though she’s a woman, aren’t you the one who appreciates capable women the most? You’ll definitely put her to good use. And she even says she understands marching and formations. I do think that might be a bit exaggerated, but I feel like she’s not the type to lie."
Ye Qiu looked at Ye Cheng with a half-smile that made Ye Cheng’s scalp prickle before he finally said, "It’s really rare to hear you praise someone like this."
Ye Cheng’s face flushed slightly. "That’s because she really is incredible."
"Since she’s such an incredible person, did she say why she wants to defect to us? Have you checked her background? Is she a spy?"
Ye Cheng was stunned. "Uh... Big Brother, I’ll go check as soon as I can."
"Since you say she’s that impressive, take me to meet her. What’s her name?"
"Bai Xianyi."
"Bai Xianyi?" Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow.
"Big Brother, you know her? Don’t tell me she really has a problem?" Ye Cheng suddenly felt uncomfortable; mainly because he truly thought highly of this woman.
"No. If the Bai Xianyi you’re talking about is the same one I know, then she’s fine." Something stirred in Ye Qiu’s heart. It seemed the plot really had undergone a major change. This woman, who in his previous life got entangled with Prince Linsan and fought Ye Lu to the bitter end, had actually come to him instead.
This life, with Prince Linsan, Chen Gaoxuan, losing such a capable right-hand like Bai Xianyi, wouldn’t that save him a lot of effort?
It really was the God helping him. In the last life, it was a pity Bai Xianyi wasted herself fighting Ye Lu. Not only was her personal combat power high, she had studied the art of war thoroughly. Just like Second Brother said, although Bai Xianyi was a woman, she was especially skilled at marching and fighting battles.
The Ye Family Army’s current combat strength was high, but Ye Qiu had always been worried he didn’t have enough Generals. If he could obtain Bai Xianyi’s assistance, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.
"Take me to see her."
Ye Cheng looked even happier than Ye Qiu, and even went completely against his usually steady and taciturn nature, talking non-stop: "Big Brother, you’re definitely going to admire her. And Big Brother, aren’t you committed to improving women’s status? If Bai Xianyi is capable and you promote her, everyone will be convinced, and naturally the prejudice against women will lessen in the future."
"You really do get it." Ye Qiu teased him.
Ye Cheng scratched his head. "That’s all because you taught me well, Big Brother."
"You’re praising her so hard—did you fall for her?" Ye Qiu’s smile grew even wider.
Ye Cheng grew even more embarrassed and stammered, "Big Brother, what are you talking about? I just think she’s very capable, so I don’t want us to miss out on such a talent."
"Then what are you embarrassed about? You’re my blood brother, Ye Qiu’s own younger brother. In the future, when I’m the emperor, you’ll at least be a Prince. Under heaven, what kind of woman would be unworthy of you? If you like her, go after her. I support you." Ye Qiu patted his shoulder encouragingly as he spoke.
But Ye Cheng was still somewhat reserved, though he was no longer that shy. "Big Brother, I don’t want to force her, but I will try my best."
"Mm. Once you win her over, I’ll grant you the marriage myself and hold you a grand wedding."
Ye Cheng grinned broadly. "Thank you, Big Brother!"
When Ye Qiu saw Bai Xianyi, she was still dressed in men’s clothing. The way she looked at Ye Qiu was blazing hot—not the affection of a woman for a man, but the admiration one has for a leader.
"This commoner pays respects to Prince Ye." Bai Xianyi spoke without the slightest sense of clinging to her status. Ever since she left the capital, she had cut all ties with the Li family. Now, she was just an ordinary person coming to pledge herself to a leader she believed had prospects, boldness, and wisdom.
"Your father is Li Jian?" Ye Qiu asked bluntly.
Bai Xianyi’s heart trembled. Her escape had been so secretive; logically, that stepmother of hers wouldn’t go airing family scandals. Besides, the capital and Xindu were thousands of miles apart. How could Prince Ye recognize her at a glance? Could it be that Prince Ye’s influence had already permeated the entire World?
She could hardly suppress the fear in her heart, but thinking about it, it made sense. If Prince Ye didn’t have real ability, how could he have so easily taken three cities from Prince Donghe? How did he make several groups of rebels nearby surrender? How did he manage his territory so well?
From this moment on, Bai Xianyi was completely convinced by Ye Qiu, and she swore that she would definitely work under him and realize her revenge at his side.
"Yes, this commoner’s father is indeed Li Jian. But I have already left home and now have nothing to do with the Li family. If Prince Ye trusts me and puts me in an important position, in the future, even if I have to face the Li Family Army or even my own father, I will never show favoritism because of personal Emotion." Bai Xianyi spoke forcefully, without a hint of falseness.
"You lied to me? Your surname is Li, not Bai?" Ye Cheng said, somewhat shocked and disappointed, as if accusing her of having betrayed his sincere trust.
"Second Master, this commoner did not lie to you. From the moment I left home, I had nothing to do with the Li family. I now follow my mother’s surname, Bai." Bai Xianyi explained.
"You say you’ve studied the art of war thoroughly?" Ye Qiu continued to question her.
"Yes." Bai Xianyi was very confident.
"And you also know how to march and fight battles?"
"That’s right. This commoner grew up in the army. Before my stepmother entered the household, my father personally taught me hand in hand. He said I was very talented, it’s just a pity I wasn’t born a man."
"I naturally trust General Li’s eye for people. So, Bai Xianyi, are you willing to pledge your loyalty to me from now on? Even if, in the future, I have you stand against your father, you won’t retreat in the slightest?"
Emotion surged inside Bai Xianyi. "Yes. As long as Prince Ye believes in me, I will never let you down."
"You’re very confident." Ye Qiu looked straight into her eyes. When Bai Xianyi grew more and more uneasy under his gaze, he continued, "Although most people wouldn’t believe what you’ve said, I want to believe you this once."
"Thank you for fulfilling this wish of mine, Prince Ye. This commoner will definitely give everything and spare nothing." Without the slightest hesitation, Bai Xianyi knelt to Ye Qiu to express her gratitude.
"Can you tell me why you chose me?"
"Because I’ve heard that Prince Ye’s army is very strong, and your governance is excellent. The people living under your rule are all very happy. Another reason is that you do not discriminate against women and are committed to elevating women’s status." Bai Xianyi said without hiding anything.
"In the future, you’ll understand even more clearly how right your decision today is." Ye Qiu personally helped her up. "However, although it’s simple for me to want to promote you, it will be hard to convince everyone. So at the beginning, things will be a bit tough for you."
"I’ll follow Prince Ye’s orders."
"We’ve recently accepted the surrender of two groups of rebels. Some of them are refugees, some are mountain bandits. I haven’t been able to find a General to command them. I’m handing them over to you. Can you help me train them into an army?"
"I have that confidence." Bai Xianyi frowned slightly, but still accepted this Task.
"Mm. As long as you’re willing to take it on. Only if you show your ability will I have grounds to persuade others to let you go on campaign in the future. I hope you won’t disappoint me. If you need anything, you can contact my second brother at any time. He’s in charge of all logistics."
"I will definitely not fail the trust Prince Ye has placed in me." Bai Xianyi’s voice was powerful and sonorous.