Chapter 12: The Lord of Qingshui City
That afternoon, Rushou returned from Qingqiu. Upon seeing him, Xiaoyao asked, "Did Tushan Jing give you a hard time?"
"Replying to the Princess, no, he did not. Clan Leader Tushan said he would begin preparations immediately, and estimates the supplies will be delivered within the next few days. Clan Leader Tushan also asked me to pass along a message: he is sending some jade marrow along with the shipment for you to smash for fun when you are bored. He said the shattered pieces will pile up as high as a small mountain!"
"Hmph!" Xiaoyao couldn't help letting out a laugh.
"How are things with the fiefdom? I've been too busy lately to attend to it."
"Replying to the Princess, rest assured, this subordinate has been keeping a close eye on the fiefdom. As you requested, we have already begun clearing mountains, opening up wasteland, leveling the ground, and taking a census. We expect to move to the next phase in another month or two. I wonder what arrangements the Princess has in mind for the future?"
"When you go back, help me find a group of craftsmen—the kind who know how to build houses. I want to build a city in my fiefdom," Xiaoyao said with narrowed eyes.
"Understood. People are easy to find, it's just that..." Rushou looked hesitant.
"Go ahead and handle it; I'll figure out the money. Royal Father's mountain of gold certainly won't be enough at this rate of spending. I'll make a trip back to Xiyan later to ask my brother and Grandfather for another mountain of gold. I can't just hold the empty title of Princess without reaping some actual benefits. Once my new city is built, it will be able to make money."
"Understood. Does the Princess have any other instructions?"
"Tell Royal Father to dispatch a portion of the army to be stationed around my fiefdom so that nearby mountain bandits and water bandits cannot exploit any vulnerabilities. I will also go to Xiyan to request troops. Of course, in the future, I must rely on myself to cultivate an army. Since we are just starting out, I need to make good use of my noble status as a princess of these two nations."
"Understood."
While acknowledging the order, Rushou inwardly muttered: What an unorthodox princess she is, shearing every passing goose! Even though Tushan Jing is about to have a grand wedding, he still spoils her to this abyss. Without even showing his face, with just a single word, he sends cartloads of ice crystals and jade marrow for her to smash for fun. I heard she also wreaked havoc on Yushan before; truly, anyone who crosses paths with her gets skinned alive. How come I never noticed this all these years?
In the blink of an eye, nearly two months passed, and the epidemic finally began to subside. Thanks to Qingyu, the Chenrong Army on the mountain had a few infected, but the military physicians were fully equipped to handle it. However, Xiangliu had been extremely busy during this period. Aside from military affairs, he had made another trip to Zhongyuan, so he had not shown his face since.
Miaopu moved quickly and had already found a large residence in the town. Occupying a vast area, the estate was brand new, originally prepared by the Tushan Clan as a new dwelling for their clan leader in Qingshui Town. When the person in charge of the estate heard that the Grand Princess of Haoling wanted to acquire it, he dared not delay. A few days later, that person took the initiative to seek out Miaopu and sold her the estate at a remarkably low price.
Xiaoyao did not decline. Miaopu led a crew to renovate the estate inside and out to suit the Princess's preferences. When the work was finished, Xiaoyao went to inspect it and was extremely satisfied. Security for the Imperial Princess Mansion was entrusted entirely to Miaopu. She stationed all the covert guards sent by Rushou around the perimeter, and even transferred a few personnel from Xuan's Tavern to handle daily affairs.
First, Miaopu was already an old acquaintance with several people there, and they naturally knew the relationship between the Princess and their master; second, because of Qingyu earlier, these people held a very favorable impression of the Princess and naturally threw themselves into their duties with utmost dedication. However, Xiaoyao knew in her heart that relying solely on these few covert guards for protection was not enough; she needed high-level spiritual experts guarding her side. In addition, learning martial arts with Xiangliu needed to be put back on the schedule—relying on oneself is always the most dependable path.
Gradually, a rumor began to circulate in Qingshui Town: Doctor Liu, the miraculous physician of Huichuntang who brought the dying back to life, was none of other than the Grand Princess of Haoling. The Princess had lived in Qingshui Town for decades in the past and held deep affection for the place. This time, she had even built a residence in the town, intending to settle down for the long term. The Princess was kind-hearted, saving lives and countless people, treating the God Clan, Human Clan, and Demon Clan with absolute equality. Word had it that she had previously traveled personally to Haowu Mountain to diagnose and treat hundreds of demons in the mountains, dedicating herself completely to the task.
The Princess possessed a noble status and maintained close ties with both Haoling and Xiyan. If she could become the Lord of Qingshui City and protect the region, it would be a tremendous blessing for Qingshui Town, the surrounding villages, and even the deep mountains and ancient forests inhabited by demons on Haowu Mountain.
Speaking of the Three-No-Man's Land, on the surface it meant no one governed it, but the reality was that everyone wanted to govern it. In the past, inexplicable forces always came to collect rent and taxes, and mountain and water bandits frequently came to harass the locals. Later, after the Chenrong Army arrived, the deterrent presence of the army improved the situation somewhat. Yet without a legitimate title, one's words lacked authority. Word was that the Princess was currently building a fiefdom to the north. If she could incorporate Qingshui Town into her fiefdom this time, the residents of the town could live and work in peace from then on, no longer afraid of being bullied. Especially for the Demon Clan, Qingshui Town would become a safe haven. Looking across the Great Wasteland, survival was difficult for the Demon Clan. Even powerful Great Demons were despised and marginalized everywhere, let alone low-level minor demons who could be dragged into the Death Arena at any careless moment, fighting until death.
One day, more than a month later, Xiaoyao was in her mansion reading a letter from Royal Father. Previously, she had given him a general report of the situation in Qingshui Town. Upon seeing that Xiaoyao had won over the hearts of the people in Qingshui Town in such a short time—with even the demons in the mountains willing to give her their unconditional support—the King of Haoling was not only shocked but deeply gratified.
He promised to give her his full support in taking control of Qingshui Town, offering people and money as needed, and dispatched Rushou to her side to assist her in stabilizing the situation. Grandfather was right: if you want something, you have to go get it yourself. Having won the hearts of the people herself and accumulated her own sphere of influence, backed now by Royal Father's support, Xiaoyao felt even more confident.
Someone from outside reported: Several elders from Qingshui Town requested an audience with the Grand Princess. Xiaoyao smiled and answered with a single word: "Invite them in."
Previously, she had feigned indisposition and already declined them twice. Her purpose was threefold:
First, to let the rumors spread longer and farther. Relying on Liuzi's operational capacity in the town, coupled with his group of brothers, the calls for the Grand Princess of Haoling to become the City Lord of Qingshui Town grew louder and louder;
Second, Xiedan and Asheng's relationship grew increasingly close, so naturally Xiedan learned the news about inviting the Grand Princess to take control of Qingshui Town. It would take some time for him to spread this news to every mountain peak in Haowu;
Third, one must never be rash in anything; it was better to proceed step by step, letting them eagerly seek her out on their own before she reluctantly consented so that everything would appear entirely logical.
Xiaoyao chuckled secretly: These little tricks were carved into her blood; she didn't need to study them to use them with complete ease.
Though called elders, they were actually representatives of the Human Clan, God Clan, and Demon Clan from the town and surrounding villages, numbering a dozen or so in total. Their purpose for coming was blindingly obvious: to invite the Grand Princess to become the City Lord of Qingshui Town and protect the region. Xiaoyao demurred according to customary etiquette, and finally, under the repeated pleas of the elders, she reluctantly agreed.
"Since you all honor me with your affection and the elders of Qingshui Town trust me, Haoling Jiuyao officially takes charge of Qingshui Town starting today. Qingshui Town and the surrounding villages will be merged and renamed Qingshui City, and I shall serve as its City Lord.
Next, I must ask you all to work together in full cooperation, united as one, to forge Qingshui City into a prosperous, safe, and stable paradise."
"We await the City Lord's commands, and we shall not fail our mission!"
"I will issue various administrative decrees one by one, to be carried out in an orderly fashion. There are two urgent matters at hand:
First, form an army. You will return to your clans, select the young and strong—making no distinction among the Human Clan, Demon Clan, and God Clan, treating everyone with absolute equality—and hand them over to General Rushou for military training;
Second, raise funds. In addition to paying taxes, influential families are required to make donations of money and goods. Those truly without money may donate labor for free service; a new city needs people everywhere. In short, it cannot just be shouting slogans of loyalty with your mouths and dropping it the moment the shouting stops; I want your loyalty displayed where it can be seen."
"Understood!"
On their way back, the elders could not help discussing how the Grand Princess, despite looking gentle and fragile, issued commands with absolute crispness.
After sending off the elders, Xiaoyao sipped her tea while pondering: Most residents of Qingshui Town were impoverished, so expecting them to contribute money was out of the question, but contributing labor was feasible. The Tushan Clan's assets in Qingshui Town that she had previously sent Miaopu to investigate had already been fully mapped out. If she could gather all of the Tushan Clan's properties into her own hands, this wealth would continuously flow into her own pockets. Tushan Jing, you broke your promise; what good is it to merely apologize with empty words? You cannot blame me for being ruthless and greedy for wealth. The Tushan Clan is wealthier than a nation; compensating me with a Qingshui City shouldn't be a big deal, right? Besides, since I've become the City Lord of Qingshui City, shouldn't you send me a gift? It seems I must find an opportunity to meet this Clan Leader Tushan.
"Princess, Lord Xiangliu is outside requesting an audience."