Not going to Daming Prefecture?
Miss Jun was momentarily startled, then soon understood.
The **** conversation with the shopkeeper did not exclude Madam Yu. Although Madam Yu did not inquire further, she should also be aware that there was a problem with the military situation.
For instance, the hundred thousand Jurchen soldiers, or the demand to cede the prefecture offices.
If a hundred thousand Jurchen soldiers attacked southward, the northern lands would fall into even greater chaos, and Daming Prefecture would not be spared either.
And by negotiating and ceding the prefecture offices, Daming Prefecture would no longer be the secure rear but would become a border area close to the Jurchen people.
If it were for seeking refuge in Daming Prefecture, it would no longer be necessary. Better to choose another place.
"Changing locations will mean an additional cost," Miss Jun said.
Madam Yu laughed.
"Of course, the price needs to be renegotiated," she said, sitting down.
Miss Jun also sat down again, waiting for her to speak.
"The dynasty intends to negotiate peace, right?" Madam Yu abruptly asked.
Miss Jun hummed in affirmation.
"Indeed it is so," Madam Yu said, "Then there's no point for me to go to Daming Prefecture either."
Miss Jun hummed again.
"Madam should leave Jingdong West Road. It might be better on the Capital City West Road," she suggested.
"Miss Jun, I am not going to Daming Prefecture to seek refuge," Madam Yu said, "I need to meet someone."
Only then did Miss Jun look at her.
To meet someone, for family or social visits?
"Is the dynasty about to cede Baozhou, Xiongzhou, and Bazhou?" Madam Yu changed the subject and asked.
Miss Jun frowned slightly and again responded affirmatively.
"The population of the three prefectures is not insignificant," Madam Yu said, "Are we to simply give them to the Jurchen people? From then on, they will no longer be Han People; this truly is a bolt from the blue."
She simply couldn't face the ancestors, Miss Jun exhaled although she was no longer Chu Jiuling, she felt her face burning.
"Madam need not worry; negotiations do not guarantee success," she did not want to continue this topic, "Besides, I believe that Duke of Chengguo will find a way."
Madam Yu laughed.
"What can he do, it's merely stubborn resistance," she said.
Stubborn resistance? Not to mention the woman's casual tone when speaking about Duke of Chengguo, using the word 'death' in relation to Duke of Chengguo made her uncomfortable.
"Madam Yu, where would you like to go?" Miss Jun asked.
But Madam Yu hesitated and did not speak.
"Just who exactly are you people?" she suddenly asked.
Miss Jun stood up.
"Madam Yu, what exactly are you trying to say?" she asked directly.
Madam Yu gestured with her hand.
"Miss Jun, do not be hasty," she said, "It's that I don't know how best to express it, so my words might seem a bit jumbled."
This woman was always calm and collected, whether it was about negotiating and ceding prefectures or the important matters of the dynasty; Miss Jun sighed softly.
"Madam need not be hasty either; whatever you want to say, just say it," she said, "We are both straightforward people. If I can do it, I will agree; if not, I won't delay you, Madam."
Madam Yu nodded.
"Very well," she said, "I would like to ask Miss Jun to take your people here and accompany me northward to help the people of the three prefectures cross to Hejian."
What?
This lady was being too forthright; Miss Jun felt that it was somewhat incomprehensible.
What does that mean?
Go northward, escort the people of the three prefectures, to Hejian?
Madam Yu looked at the girl with her dazed expression and laughed.
"I told you this matter is a bit chaotic," she said, her laughter fading, "We have known about the Jurchen people wanting to negotiate peace with the dynasty for a while. The dynasty may not know, but we who have been dealing with the Jurchen people for years are very clear: the Jurchen cannot be trusted, and peace with them is unreliable."
We?
Knew early on?
Has been dealing with the Jurchen people for years?
Miss Jun looked at Madam Yu, increasingly astonished.
"Thus, harboring a glimmer of hope to prevent it, I decided to go to Daming Prefecture to meet Uncle Qinghe," Madam Yu continued, "Miss Jun, you should know of Uncle Qinghe, right?"
Only someone with extensive knowledge and connections could be aware of the dynasty's negotiations and obtain the most detailed information at the earliest possible time.
Miss Jun certainly knew of Uncle Qinghe.
Duke Cheng was ennobled for military merits, and Uncle Qinghe Zou Jiang was also ennobled for his military achievements. With seniority even greater than Duke Cheng, Uncle Qinghe was known for quelling bandits and eliminating thieves across the Southern Domain, his formidable reputation earning him the moniker of Protector of the North and South, safeguarding the peace and stability of Great Zhou.
During this incursion by the Jurchen people, it was natural that Uncle Qinghe was also summoned to command the troops of Jingdong West Road as the Jingxi Envoy.
Perhaps it was due to his advanced age, her father did not seem to be as closely related to Uncle Qinghe as he was to Duke Cheng, so Miss Jun had not met him during her childhood.
However, she had heard from Lu Yunqi that Uncle Qinghe was haughty and extremely avaricious.
The fact that Madam Yu could meet with Uncle Qinghe indicated her extraordinary status, one of great significance.
"As I said earlier, what can Duke Cheng do? He can only desperately resist," Madam Yu said, "Unafraid of the Jurchen people, regardless of how the war fluctuates, he can maintain control. But it's our own people who are hardest to control, particularly this time, with many changes among the generals in the northern lands and constraints on troops, provender, and fodder everywhere."
Is it really so? Miss Jun looked at Madam Yu.
But how does she know this?
Could she be a family member of a northern general?
"It's not surprising that there are advocates for negotiations within the court. From the multiple incidents of rear garrisons retreating without orders and disobeying commands, to the fall of Kaide Prefecture, it's evident that someone no longer wishes to engage in war," Madam Yu stated.
This time, Miss Jun did not remain silently listening; she stood up.
"Are you suggesting that someone is colluding with the enemy?" she asked.
Madam Yu smiled.
"Colluding with the enemy might be a stretch, it's just that their thoughts and intentions regarding the Jurchen people differ," she said, "It's normal for people to harbor different thoughts. To resolve these disparities, a resounding victory is needed, with overwhelming suppression, not allowing these thoughts to fester and spread. That's why I must meet with Uncle Qinghe, to persuade him to ensure the security of our rear."
Persuasion, who could persuade Uncle Qinghe, and what kind of person would that be?
Miss Jun looked at Madam Yu.
Familiar...
That sense of familiarity, could it be...
Suddenly, Miss Jun felt a numbness spread from her feet to the top of her head.
It couldn't be.
Madam Yu spared no further thought to her expression.
Madam Yu was very clear about how alarming her words were, so she tried to keep it simple, to make it understandable for the young lady.
What mattered most was to make the young lady comprehend exactly what she needed her to do.
"But it's already too late now, His Majesty has been persuaded," she added, "It's impossible for me to persuade Uncle Qinghe now, the cession of three prefectures can no longer be halted, and Duke Cheng's temperament will complicate matters."
She spoke as she gently pressed her forehead, fatigue appearing in her eyes and brows.
"I can't help with anything else and can't do much more. Now, my only concern is for the tens of thousands of civilians in those three prefectures. Once the peace treaty is reached, the northern garrisons will surely withdraw. The garrisons may leave easily, but the civilians will have a hard time."
She lifted her head, weariness dissipating, her expression solemn and resolute.
"Land can be forsaken, but not our people. Great Zhou may abandon them, but as long as they still cling to Great Zhou, I will protect them and take them with us," she looked at Miss Jun, "so, I need Miss Jun's help to escort these tens of thousands safely across Hejian. For this task, how much would you charge?"
Miss Jun looked at her.
"Who are you?" She moved her lips, asking.
She had already said that her surname was Yu and her given name was Lan.
This query 'Who are you' evidently sought not her name, but her background.
Madam Yu looked at her and smiled.
"I am Duchess Cheng," she said, "My husband is Duke of Chengguo Zhu Shan."
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Thanks to page 11's famous and southern Ice for rewarding with He's Bi (*^__^*) hehe...
Thank you, everyone, it's Thursday again.