The Crown Princess is busy fishing

Lin Yuge gently tugged at Xiao Yunqing's sleeve and whispered:

“Yunqing, this person’s words are sincere, and his behavior does not seem to be deceitful.”

The situation in Garan is complex; having more assistance might not be a bad thing. It would be worthwhile to probe their strength and weaknesses.

Xiao Yunqing pondered for a moment, his gaze still cold and stern, but he nodded slightly:

"In that case, I'll go with you, but if anything goes wrong, don't blame me for being impolite!"

The middle-aged man quickly thanked him, stepped aside to lead the way, and the group headed towards the dock.

On the shore, a large ship with carved beams and painted rafters is quietly moored, its hull brightly lit.

As everyone boarded the ship, the cabin door opened, revealing an elegant and exquisite interior, with tables and chairs made of the finest wood.

The table was laden with delicacies, but the mysterious host was nowhere to be seen; only the aroma of tea and wine wafted through the air.

Everyone waited quietly inside the cabin for a moment, and Xiao Yunqing stood with his hands behind his back.

Behind him, Mo Nan and his companions, their eyes sharp as hawks, vigilantly surveyed their surroundings.

Lin Yuge frowned slightly, pondering the mysterious patriarch's intentions.

Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, a steady and rhythmic sound of footsteps slowly broke the silence.

A middle-aged man dressed in traditional Garan attire appeared steadily.

He was tall and strong, wearing a deep purple robe embroidered with gold thread patterns.

The man had a resolute face with deeply sculpted features.

"Lord Xiao, Madam Xiao, I have long admired your name. I am Wutu Batel, the patriarch of the Batel family."

I apologize for inviting you two here, but the current situation is critical and concerns the very survival of the temple.

This also involves many future matters concerning the Great Qian Dynasty and the Garan Temple, so it is unavoidable.

The man bowed slightly, performing a traditional Buddhist greeting, his movements fluid and respectful.

Xiao Yunqing raised an eyebrow slightly, scrutinized Wutu Batel, and said bluntly:

"Chief Wutu, we are already somewhat aware of the mess that Garan is in now."

With McQueen's scheming, Curry's counterattack, and other forces taking advantage of the chaos, things were in complete disarray.

"Your appearance now suggests you also want a piece of the power struggle, using us as pawns?"

Utu Batel smiled gently and sat down calmly.

He gestured for everyone to sit down and said slowly:

"Your Highness is overthinking it. My Ulan family has been a prominent family in the temple for hundreds of years, and we value the well-being of the people and the stability of the country."

Prince Maikun abused his power for personal gain, causing widespread suffering among the people of the temple.

Prince Curry is a military man, and after seizing power, he is unlikely to have any good strategies for governing the country.

If this continues, Garan will inevitably fall into utter ruin.

The real reason I invited you two here is to join hands with the Great Qian Dynasty to find a way to break the deadlock.

The peace and prosperity of the temple also paved the way for the smooth trade routes of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Lin Yuge nodded slightly and asked softly:

“Since Chief Wutu has this intention, he must have a well-thought-out plan. He may speak frankly so that my wife and I can consider it.”

Seeing this, Utu Batel didn't keep him in suspense and said directly:

“My Batel family is based here, with a wide network of informants, and we know many secrets that are unknown to others.”

Just like how Maikun secretly hoarded grain and military supplies, Curry exchanged letters with foreign forces.

These crucial pieces of evidence could all become sharp weapons to check and balance, or even bring them down.

As he spoke, he took out several rolls of parchment from his sleeve and solemnly pushed them in front of Xiao Yunqing and the other person.

Lin Yuge picked up a scroll, unfolded it, and examined it closely, his expression gradually hardening.

The document was filled with detailed information, truly a top-secret document.

She looked up at Utu Batel and asked softly:

"Now that Chief Wutu has these leverages, what are his plans? And what does he expect us to do?"

Utu Batel looked at him earnestly, leaned forward, and tapped his finger lightly on the table, saying:

"I intend to unite with all the forces in the galaxy that still retain loyalty and righteousness, and use this evidence to force Maikun to step down, while also dissuading Curry from his reckless actions."

Then, a virtuous and capable person was selected from the collateral branches of the royal family to succeed to the throne.

During this process, we will need to rely on the two of you to use the name of the Great Qian delegation to deter those wavering individuals who are trying to take advantage of the chaos.

It is also hoped that the Great Qian Dynasty will provide support to the Garan commerce sector after the new emperor ascends the throne, helping Garan to revitalize.

Xiao Yunqing tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, pondered for a long time, and said in a deep voice:

“Chief Wutu, words alone are not enough.”

Even with this intelligence, every step was fraught with danger, and the slightest mistake could lead to utter destruction.

After the deed is done, what tangible guarantees will the Great Qian merchant caravan receive in Garan? And how can we be sure we won't be discarded after we've served our purpose?

Utu Batel was prepared; he took out another contract from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Yunqing:

"Your Highness, rest assured, this contract stipulates that once the situation in Garan is stabilized, the Great Qian merchant caravan will enjoy a ten-year tax exemption."

Trade routes will be prioritized in planning, and warehousing land will be allocated with priority. The Batel family is willing to guarantee with the reputation of the entire clan that they will not break their promise.

"Going forward, in all dealings between Garan and Daqian, my Batel family is willing to act as the strongest bridge, wholeheartedly striving to promote a win-win situation."

Xiao Yunqing took the file and carefully read it with Lin Yuge.

Their eyes met, and they both saw the weighing and decision in each other's eyes.

After a long pause, Xiao Yunqing raised his eyes and looked directly at Wutu Batel:

"Chief Wutu, since you are so sincere, then this cooperation is worth discussing."

However, in future actions, you must be completely honest with each other. If there is any deception, don't blame me for turning my back on you without mercy.

"Let's wade through this murky water together, hoping that, as you said, we can restore peace to Garan and promote a win-win situation for both places."

At this moment, the previously heavy and tense atmosphere inside the cabin quietly changed.

As everyone sat around discussing, and cups of tea were drunk, details of the cooperation were gradually finalized.

After disembarking from the boat, Xiao Yunqing gave the following instructions:

"Mo Nan, go and investigate the background of the Batel family and see if what Wutu said is true."

Mo Nan accepted the order and led the group to quickly disappear into the bustling streets and alleys of Garan.

Xiao Yunqing and Lin Yuge returned to their residence, and although they breathed a sigh of relief, they did not dare to relax completely.

After all, being in a foreign country vortex of power struggles, one must be careful and verify everything.

Two days later, Mo Nan returned, his expression hurried but his eyes filled with unwavering determination:

"Your Highness, Your Highness's Consort, the investigation is complete. The Batel family is indeed a long-established and powerful family in Garan, with deep roots."

The family controls many key trade routes and hubs, with docks and warehouses scattered throughout the coastal areas, and possesses substantial wealth.

He enjoyed a high reputation among the people and often helped the poor, earning high praise from the populace.

Moreover, after making inquiries from various sources, it was found that Utu Batel was a generous and trustworthy person with a history of upright conduct, and he enjoyed high prestige among the powerful and influential figures in the monastery.

The family members are mostly loyal, righteous, and virtuous; there has been no record of any acts of betrayal or treachery.

Xiao Yunqing nodded slightly, her tense expression easing somewhat:

"In this light, what Utu Batel said is true, which puts me at ease."

However, the situation in Galan is unpredictable and volatile. Curry and Michael will not stand idly by and allow us to join forces with the Battier family; we must prepare for this as soon as possible.

Lin Yuge frowned slightly:

"What my husband says is absolutely right. Curry has been making a lot of moves lately, and I've heard that he's recruiting refugees to expand his forces."

Maikun has also strengthened the palace guards and is extra vigilant about any unusual activity in the city. There are quite a few people keeping watch around our base these days.

Xiao Yunqing's gaze was cold and stern as he immediately gave the order.

"Pass down the order: the warships and crossbows must be cleaned and tested diligently every day, and the stockpile of crossbow bolts must be sufficient. The soldiers must be on high alert at all times and must not be negligent in the slightest."

The cargo on the merchant ships was reorganized, and valuable and fragile items were properly secured to prevent unforeseen circumstances.

Send more people to keep a close watch on McQueen and Curry's movements, and report back immediately if anything unusual happens!

"Yes, Your Highness!" Upon receiving the order, the camp instantly sprang into action.