She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

His thoughts scattered like leaves blown by the wind, drifting between the past and the future, difficult to settle.

The words of Ping Chuan echoed repeatedly in his mind, like an invisible thread pulling him towards a predetermined fate.

”What the Prince did was for the people of Canzhou, for the future of Da Jing.”

This sentence was like a key, unlocking the doubts and unease buried deep in his heart.

He recalled the years since Emperor Jing ascended the throne, the tumultuous changes in the court, with officials across the land being replaced like flowing water. Former esteemed ministers and generals had become victims of power struggles one by one.

Especially Zhao Zun, the former Marshal of Beiguan with outstanding military achievements, who ultimately ended up humiliated and trampled upon.

Two generations of Zhao Zun’s family guarded the frontiers for the Da Jing Dynasty, loyal and devoted, but what did father and son receive in return?

One died on the battlefield, the other was distrusted by the Emperor, even driven to desperation.

Luo Hai’s fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of the desk, a wave of bitterness rising in his heart.

What about himself? In the position of County Magistrate, he was diligent and hardworking, dedicated to benefiting the local people.

But now, since Emperor Jing ascended the throne, the court was no longer what it used to be.

One day, would he also be replaced by Emperor Jing?

One day, would he be discarded like an old shoe by Emperor Jing, just like Zhao Zun?

In the eyes of Emperor Jing, only the stability of imperial power and the balance of interests mattered. What were achievements, meritorious officials, or the people, but mere pawns in the emperor’s eyes?

Luo Hai felt a wave of powerlessness, as if his years of effort had been in vain.

He was over fifty years old, and more than half of his life had passed.

His former ambitions and aspirations now dissipated like smoke in the wind, gradually fading into the air.

He once thought that as long as he worked diligently in office and achieved outstanding results, he would eventually gain the emperor’s recognition and rise step by step.

But now, he realized that in the eyes of a ruler who did not value meritocracy, his efforts would forever remain buried in the dust.

With this thought, a sense of determination suddenly surged in Luo Hai’s heart.

Instead of struggling to survive in this hopeless officialdom, it would be better to join Zhao Zun’s camp, and together with him, do something great for the people of Da Jing.

In the future, even if he couldn’t leave a name in history, at least he could proudly face his ancestors.

A favorable wind shall help me!

Beside Zhao Zun now were talents like Han Lei as assistants, along with a group of loyal trusted aides. Zhao Zun himself also had rich experience in leadership, knowing how to manage troops and how to appoint the right people.

Just by looking at the management methods he and Han Lei employed in the wasteland project, and how they treated wounded soldiers who couldn’t return to the battlefield, Luo Hai could see that Zhao Zun was by no means ordinary.

Furthermore, with the existence of that mysterious weapon, Luo Hai could almost be certain that before a formal confrontation, the court had already lost.

With Zhao Zun’s character and abilities, he believed Zhao Zun would become a formidable hero, perhaps even an enlightened ruler of his era.

With this realization, Luo Hai’s heart became clear. The road ahead might be fraught with danger, but he no longer hesitated.

He stood up, walked to the desk, and packed all ten or so walkie-talkies into a bundle, then headed out the door carrying it.

He walked out of the study, the sunlight shining on his face, warm and bright.

Having returned to the front of the government office, he once again instructed, ensuring all messages sent out of Canzhou were guarded, then called upon several trusted government officials.

He instructed his trusted aides to go to the neighboring counties to purchase wastelands and shops, recruit craftsmen and laborers, and prepare to replicate and expand the wasteland project of Qingshui County.

Next, he headed towards the direction of the cells, preparing to release Wei Dabao and others.

In the past, as a military officer, when Zhao Zun undertook livelihood projects, people criticized him for currying favor with the people.

But now, as the Vassal King of Canzhou, Zhao Zun promoting wasteland projects and vigorously developing livelihoods was only right and proper.

So, detaining Wei Dabao and others had become meaningless. Keeping them in prison would only waste the food of the county government office.

The sky over Qingshui County, the long-lost sunlight shone down onto the bluestone pavement outside the prison, so dazzling that one could hardly open their eyes.

Wei Dabao stood at the prison door, squinting slightly, raising his hand to shield himself, as if this long-lost light was a gift from another world.

He had lost much weight, his once plump cheeks sunken, his eye sockets deep, making him appear haggard and embarrassed.

More than three months of imprisonment had ground away his spirit and physique like a dull knife, bit by bit.

After adjusting to the outside light, Wei Dabao stretched his sore waist, preparing to go home.

After walking a few steps, he heard a creaking sound from behind.

”Creak!”

”Get out, the County Magistrate has shown mercy and released you, behave yourselves in the future.”

Wei Dabao turned his head and saw the prison door open again.

A government official, pushing at a prisoner with one hand, shoved them roughly out from the prison door.

The two prisoners stumbled outside the prison door, their bodies leaning forward, hardly standing steady. Another government official then pushed out two more prisoners from the large prison door.

Subsequently, yet another government official. A total of three officials pushed out six prisoners.

The staggering body of the last prisoner toppled the ones in front, causing them all to fall into a heap like a tumbling human pyramid.

In the past, seeing such a scene would have provoked a hearty laugh from Wei Dabao, yet today he had no such feeling, giving them a mere cursory glance before turning to leave.

At that moment, he heard Zhang San’s voice.

”Master, Master, is that you? How did you end up here?”

Zhang San’s voice trembled slightly, as if squeezed out from the depths of his throat.

Wei Dabao’s eyelid twitched, and he looked carefully, asking uncertainly.

”Zhang San?”

”Ah, it’s Master.”

”Truly, it’s Master.”

All six hurriedly scrambled up from the ground, staring intently at Wei Dabao, as if in disbelief that the thin man before them was their once plump and round master.

Wei Dabao also stared at them, equally incredulous.

They were all in rags, faces pale. Their beards grew in a chaotic mess, hair resembling a tangled clump, covering their features.

They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with complex emotions – surprise, anger, helplessness, and a touch of post-calamity relief.

After a while, Wei Dabao snapped out of it.

”So, you were also locked up by that scoundrel Luo Hai. I thought you had disappeared.”

”Master, we found their lair, discovered many Luminous Pearls, and...”

Zhang San said urgently, lowering his voice as though afraid of being overheard. His eyes flickered, carrying a hint of excitement and fear.

”No wonder! Luminous Pearl.” Wei Dabao furrowed his brow sharply, a flash of sharpness in his eyes. ”You were indeed caught for discovering Luo Hai’s secret.”

Wei Dabao’s voice was low, brimming with suppressed anger. He had long suspected that the servants he sent out to gather information must have stumbled upon some unspeakable secret, leading to their mysterious disappearance.

But he had thought they were killed for their silence; never did he think they were detained by Luo Hai.

Li, too, leaned in to speak, ”Master, their lair uses Luminous Pearls for lighting and is heavily guarded. There must be hidden treasures inside. Unfortunately, we were captured as soon as we got close.”

Hidden treasures?

The other four servants also approached, just about to recount their encounters. Suddenly, Wei Dabao put a finger to his lips, signaling them to be silent.

”Hush!”

This was beside the government office, Luo Hai’s territory, with many eyes around.

Wei Dabao cautiously surveyed their surroundings, ensuring no one was noticing them before gesturing.

”Let’s go, we’ll discuss this back home.”