Lu Qingwan, after careful consideration, offered her opinion, "If that's the case, then I also support relocating the capital."
While building a new capital would indeed require significant manpower, resources, and finances, these could be disregarded compared to the stability of the new dynasty.
Cheng Nanliu's external injuries were mostly treated, and the necessary medications were applied. Subsequently, Lu Qingwan began to address his most severe injury: his kneecap.
The people in the room were quite curious about how Lu Qingwan would enable someone with a shattered kneecap to stand again. Their eyes widened with anticipation.
Lu Qingwan, unhurriedly, sliced open the flesh around Cheng Nanliu's left kneecap. The bloody scene caused the others to avert their gaze, though she herself seemed oblivious.
She still had the presence of mind to ask Si Fengwu, "Since Prime Minister Wen proposed relocating the capital, he must have also suggested a new capital city, right? Where do they intend to establish the capital of the new dynasty?"
"Jincheng, Cangwu City, Qingtang City... there are many options, twelve in total. However, apart from Huaiyuan and Jincheng, the others are all within the territory of Da Qian."
Lu Qingwan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "Prime Minister Wen is an elder of Da Qian, so it's understandable that he would want the new dynasty's imperial city to be within Da Qian's borders. Moreover, speaking factually, if the cities within Xiliang, Yun Qiang, and Bei Wei had the conditions to be the capital, they wouldn't be harassing Da Qian's borders every winter and surviving by plundering Da Qian's citizens, would they?"
Lian Yu, who had been sitting quietly, observing Lu Qingwan treating the patient while listening to their discussion of state affairs, suddenly brightened at Lu Qingwan's words. He was so excited he almost clapped his hands, even raising them slightly, but seeing that Lu Qingwan was still treating the patient, he sheepishly lowered them. His voice, however, could not conceal his excitement. "This is excellent. What the Princess Consort said is excellent. When the capital is established in the future, if the people of Xiliang, Bei Wei, and Yun Qiang have any objections, use these words to silence them!"
Si Fengwu also looked at Lu Qingwan with approval, saying with a sense of pride, "Is this what the Princess Consort often calls 'facts speak louder than words'?"
"You could also say that in the face of absolute strength, all sophistry is merely a paper tiger."
After cleaning the area and implanting the artificial kneecap, Lu Qingwan began to stitch it up. The other kneecap was treated in the same manner.
By the time the treatment was complete, all the necessary information had been gathered. Just as she was about to finish, the door to the ward was gently pushed open. Ying Yi entered with a serious expression. Seeing that Lu Qingwan had stepped away from the operating table, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He then stated solemnly, "Reporting to Your Highness, a group of ruffians has appeared out of nowhere, wearing the armor of our Xuanjia Army and impersonating Your Highness and the Princess Consort, committing murder and arson throughout the city. Several generals have dispatched their elite troops to apprehend these villains, but they are as slippery as loaches, and no one has been captured yet. Furthermore, urgent letters have arrived from Shangjing, Xiliang City, and Qiangdu, requesting Your Highness and the Princess Consort to review them."
Three envelopes, all sealed with red wax. Si Fengwu snatched them over and, after opening one, his face contorted into a grimace that was difficult to look at.
Lu Qingwan, curious, inquired, "What happened?" She leaned in to look. "Hmph, we haven't even bared our teeth or shown our might at them yet, and they're already in such a rush?"
That letter was written by Wen Rusong to Si Fengwu, stating only one matter: the appearance of individuals within Da Qian extorting taxes under Si Fengwu's name. These people first claimed to be from the government, demanding amounts so exorbitant that any normal person would be suspicious. Whenever the common people questioned them, they would proceed to beat them without mercy and even forcibly seize their property.
Concurrently, extremely negative rumors had begun to spread throughout Da Qian. The rumors were simple and crude, directly stating that Si Fengwu had been poisoned and controlled by Emperor Jingyou, causing him to remain in Da Qian. Now that the poison was resolved, he intended to retaliate against Emperor Jingyou and Da Qian. Initially, such absurd claims would have been disbelieved, but with the presence of these imposters posing as government officials and forcibly collecting taxes, the rumors began to gain some credibility.
Lu Qingwan couldn't help but laugh in anger as she read it. Taking the remaining two letters, she sneered, "Let me see what other mischief they've been up to in Xiliang and Yun Qiang?" She casually handed the letter from Qiangdu to Lian Yu, and with a sense of curiosity, opened the intelligence from Xiliang. Upon reading it, she was left speechless. "To think that your Great Xiliang is seeking revenge for Xiao Jing'an crippling your legs, and the reckoning for the people of Xiliang has not even begun. Can these people not come up with any fresh tricks? Is their intelligence so lacking that they cannot devise any other method of sowing discord?"
Lian Yu waved the letter in his hand. "Mine is actually a bit different. Who wants to see it?" His smug tone suggested he wasn't plotting anything good. Si Fengwu snatched the letter and read it, and Lu Qingwan also sidled over to take a look. Upon seeing it, she chuckled wryly. She quietly retreated, mocking herself, "What are you still waiting for? Aren't you going to congratulate me on my newly acquired reputation as a demoness?"
Compared to the rumors in Xiliang and Da Qian, which at least had some basis, the situation in Yun Qiang was utterly preposterous. Yun Qiang had also experienced forced taxation, but because Yun Qiang had no personal vendetta against Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu, the rumor-monger had fabricated a love triangle involving her, Si Fengwu, and Hu Yan Che. The story was told with convincing detail: Hu Yan Che, having been saved by Lu Qingwan, fell in love with her at first sight. When his advances were rejected, he colluded with Bei Wei to target Si Fengwu. Si Fengwu, settling old and new scores, directly annihilated Yun Qiang. As long as Hu Yan Che lived, Si Fengwu would not spare the people of Yun Qiang.
Si Fengwu's face immediately darkened. "Hu Yan Che, that coward who prides himself on enduring humiliation and harboring grand ambitions for revenge, is actually capable of coveting you?"
Lu Qingwan's painstakingly crafted "demoness" persona instantly crumbled. "Are you incapable of grasping the main point? Is this the main point? Shouldn't you be angry that these people are resorting to such desperate measures to turn the populace against us?"
Si Fengwu let out a mocking laugh. "They have already exhausted all their tricks and are reduced to this state. I only see their desperate struggle, like a cornered beast. Anger? Wouldn't that give them too much credit?"
"That is indeed the case," Lian Yu couldn't help but nod in agreement. "If they had even a shred of a method to restrain us, they wouldn't resort to such despicable tactics. We should indeed be happy."
In principle, their words were certainly logical. However, when one felt truly disgusted by something, it was difficult to simply ignore it. Lu Qingwan was huffing, about to retort, when Ying Shi, who had arrived in a hurry, delivered another blow. Ying Shi brought back only a slip of paper, about an inch wide. Lu Qingwan opened it and recognized Duan Yue's handwriting: "Confirmed with the person in charge of Hansiao Hall. The statements made by the person in charge of Sansheng Tower are all factual."