The emperor is biased and wants to kill me, but you chickened out when the army is at the city gates

The Imperial Palace of Daqi.

Emperor Qin Tian of the Great Qi Dynasty had just finished court when he summoned his third son, Qin Zhen, and several officials, including the Minister of Personnel, to the Imperial Study.

Yesterday, Sun Wei was escorted to the capital and temporarily imprisoned in the imperial prison.

The Emperor of Daqi was furious about the defeat. Except for Liu Zhizhong, who was protected by the Third Prince, almost all the generals of the Qingyun Army were punished.

"What's the situation in Beining City now?"

The Emperor of Daqi asked with a gloomy expression.

Minister of Personnel Fan Jin hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, the city is short of food and winter supplies. The Ministry of Personnel has ordered all prefectures and counties to prohibit any commercial dealings with Beining City."

"Yes, but that's not enough."

A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the Emperor of Daqi: "Isn't Qin Xuan arrogant? Then send another envoy to inform the Jurchens, Khanates and other countries to sever all trade relations with Beining City. I want to see how he gets through this winter."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Furthermore, send people to keep a close eye on those people. If they dare to go to Beining City, kill them all." The "those people" that the Emperor of Daqi was referring to were naturally Qiu Xingzhi, the four major merchant guilds, and the eight major escort agencies who had supported Qin Xuan in the past.

"Father, please rest assured, I have already dispatched the Imperial Guards to secretly monitor them. As long as they dare to leave the city, they will surely die."

The Third Prince, Qin Zhen, spoke with murderous intent.

On the other hand, with the Great Qi Kingdom's decree, Beining City was completely surrounded by enemies.

Previously, Qin Xuan had only predicted that Daqi would inevitably take such measures, but when it was actually implemented, Qin Xuan still felt the terrifying power of this vast empire.

How difficult it is for a single city to fight against an entire nation!

The Chu Prince's Mansion in Beining City.

Zhao Luoying angrily slammed a secret report on the table and shouted, "The Emperor of Daqi is utterly shameless! He actually resorted to such despicable means!"

"Isn't this what we expected?" Qin Xuan smiled, not angry. "Luo Ying, you can no longer treat Beining City as just a city, but as a country. If we want to survive, we must consider everything from a longer-term perspective."

"But I just can't swallow this insult. It's just too much." Zhao Luoying was a heroine among women, skilled in military campaigns.

But this kind of underhanded political maneuvering is not something she is good at.

Qin Xuan chuckled and shook his head, gently pulling her into his arms: "Don't be angry. Haven't we already started refining salt and upgrading farm tools? As long as we get through this winter, neither the Great Qi nor the Jurchens will be able to suppress us in trade."

Mentioning this, Zhao Luoying's eyes lit up and she smiled: "I almost forgot, didn't you say that the coal stove you had the blacksmith make was finished? Let me try it out."

"Look, this is what I've been waiting for you all along!" Qin Xuan pointed to a yellow copper coal stove in the corner, and Zhao Luoying immediately ran over excitedly.

Then, Qin Xuan ordered people to bring coal briquettes and start a fire.

"Hey, why are there holes in these coal briquettes? Why not use coal balls?" The people of Daqi have long been accustomed to using coal for heating, but coal balls are extremely expensive to produce and burn too quickly, resulting in low utilization. Therefore, only high-ranking officials and nobles have ever been able to use them.

However, the coal briquettes developed by Qin Xuan are made by mixing fine coal slag with a certain amount of clay, shaping them into cylinders, and then punching holes in them to improve their flammability and make them more durable.

These coal briquettes are inexpensive, making them affordable even for ordinary people.

"Your Highness, just how many wonderful ideas do you have in your head? How can you turn such ordinary things into something magical?"

Zhao Luoying watched as the coal briquettes she had just placed on the coal cake gradually turned red-hot, and unlike the coal balls she used to use, they didn't emit a lot of black smoke. She couldn't help but feel happy.

Qin Xuan smiled, his gaze falling on the coal stove, but he was thinking that if the coal stove were made of copper, although it would save time, the cost would be too high.

It seems we need to get the blacksmiths to find a way to develop cheaper and thinner iron sheets, otherwise it will definitely not be able to be promoted among the people.

As for this copper coal stove, its appearance alone is extremely exquisite and elegant, making it a high-end product that can be sold to the powerful and wealthy.

As time went by, Beining City's grain reserves gradually dwindled, but at the same time, cheap coal stoves, coal briquettes, and precious fine salt were all put into production on the assembly line and began to be produced in large quantities.

But even the best things can't buy the most important food right now.

Grain prices in Beining City have begun to soar, rising higher every day, leaving many people with nothing to eat.

"Your Highness, grain prices have risen again."

The next day, Zhao Luoying found Qin Xuan with a worried expression and sighed.

Qin Xuan nodded slightly. He had anticipated this in the past few days, but since Hu Xu had not yet returned, he could only use the warehouses of Beining City to purchase the goods and then distribute them to the people.

But he knew that this was merely a case of drinking poison to quench his thirst.

If no new grain arrives in a few days, it's likely that even with money, it will be impossible to buy grain.

"Is there still no news from Hu Xu and Guan Xingsheng?"

Zhao Luoying asked with concern.

Qin Xuan frowned slightly, about to speak, when he suddenly heard footsteps outside the hall, and Zhuge Xuan, looking ecstatic, ran in.

"Your Highness, a message has been sent by carrier pigeon; it's from Hu Xu."

Zhuge Xuan hurriedly handed a small letter to Qin Xuan.

Qin Xuan quickly opened it, his face initially lighting up with joy, but the next second his expression immediately darkened:

"Hu Xu has already obtained food and supplies, but he was intercepted by the Daqi army on the way and is waiting for our rescue."

"What? Where are they? I'll lead the troops to rescue them right away."

Zhao Luoying jumped up, her face full of murderous intent.

Qin Xuan shook his head and said, "You stay in Beining City and work with the strategist to stabilize the people. I will personally lead the team there this time."

As Qin Xuan spoke, both Zhao Luoying and Zhuge Xuan clearly felt a terrifying aura erupting from him.

The prince is truly enraged this time!

"Should we bring Ning Yuanfeng and Du Manjiang along?" Zhuge Xuan asked.

"No need. Hu Xu and the others are trapped in Helan Mountain, which is only a hundred miles away from here. I can take Monkey and a troop of cavalry there."

The monkey had taken a detour from Tianshan City and was most familiar with the surrounding terrain.

Moreover, he is best suited for scout or assassination missions, so he is not suitable for management in the city.

"Safe travels."

Zhao Luoying didn't hesitate. She knew that this arrangement was the most reasonable at the moment, and she also felt that Beining City was severely lacking in management personnel.

Du Manjiang and Ning Yuanfeng were both outstanding generals, but they were also somewhat troubled by political affairs.

As for the original officials of Beining City, there were far too many corrupt individuals, and very few who could be appointed.

"wait me back."

Qin Xuan smiled gently at Zhao Luoying, then turned and left the hall.