After eating the hot meal, the nagging hunger was finally appeased. Hua Zhi laughed at herself in her heart, thinking that she was lucky to be born into the wealthy Hua family. If she was born into a poor family, what would have happened
Seeing her tired face, Yu Mu said softly: "Jin Yang is under control now, why don't you go and rest for a while?"
Hua Zhi shook her head. She was just afraid that there wasn't enough time, and that the arrangements were not detailed enough and would hold Yan Xi back. How could she relax and rest at this time
However, she did feel sleepy after sitting down after eating, so Hua Zhi got up and left the house. The cold wind blew away most of the drowsiness and she immediately felt refreshed.
"Where is Zhu Ling?"
"I tied him up and threw him into the next room. He has been doing business in Jinyang for many years. I can only feel at ease if he is under my watch."
"Take me there." Whether it was the history books or everything about the Chaoli people passed down from generation to generation, this ethnic group had become a myth. She wanted to meet them in person and see what made them so special.
However, when Hua Zhi saw Zhu Ling, who was of ordinary height and looked no different from the people of Daqing, she knew that she had assumed it for granted. Zhu Ling was not a pure member of the Chaoli ethnic group, and was trained to be an insider because his appearance was similar to that of his mother's ethnic group.
Although Zhu Ling was tied up at this time, he did not struggle. He sat on the ground leaning against a pillar. His appearance was still maintained well. He did not move when he saw several people coming in.
Baoxia dragged a chair over and helped the young lady sit down. She looked vigilantly at the man who was imprisoned opposite her. Today's experiences made her dare not take it lightly.
After looking at him for a few seconds, Hua Zhi asked, "Zhu Ling, are you from Daqing on the same maternal side as Yuan Shifang?"
Zhu Ling snorted and laughed, "The girl knows who I am, but I don't know who the girl is. Isn't that too unfair?"
"I am Hua Zhi, Hua Yizheng's granddaughter."
"The former head of the Imperial Academy, Mr. Hua?"
Hua Zhi pretended not to know the other implications of his words, and her expression did not change at all. It was obvious that Zhu Ling was not someone who was easy to get along with. She had not intended to get anything out of him, but she heard him say, "Yes, my mother's family is from Daqing."
"Oh? I'm curious. You all have half Daqing blood in your bodies, so why did you choose to stand on the side of the Chaoli tribe in the end? You were born and raised in Daqing, and everything you eat, drink, and use is from Daqing, so why did you choose the side of the Chaoli tribe in the end?"
Zhu Ling looked at the roof and was silent for a moment before saying, "It's very simple, because even if we choose Daqing, we have no way to survive. The Chaoli people will not keep those who don't obey them, and Daqing can't tolerate us who are half Chaoli. As long as we reveal our identities, the people will stone us to death. Who wants to die when they can live?"
"How do you know that the Chaoli tribe will still tolerate you after they take over the world?"
"We have actually discussed this issue before." Zhu Ling smiled. "Yuan Shifang said that if we can live to see that day, we will definitely survive. The Chaoli Kingdom was destroyed because they were too ruthless. If they want to rebuild the country, they will definitely need people like us who are experienced and smart to take charge and prevent it from happening again."
Hua Zhi was speechless. She felt so helpless and innocent. They could not choose their own birth, nor their own future. They could only be pushed forward. To Daqing, they were unforgivable criminals, but to themselves, they were just trying to survive.
They only have this one choice.
National justice, loyalty and filial piety, these have nothing to do with them, because they are neither Chaoli nor Daqing. They lean on both sides, but recognize neither side. They don't even have a choice between justice and loyalty and filial piety.
Hua Zhi suddenly felt an urge in her heart, "What if I can let you live openly?"
Zhu Ling was stunned, then shook his head, "You don't have to set a trap for me like this, just ask whatever you want to ask. Yuan Shifang is probably dead, I'm not as stubborn as him, as long as you promise to get rid of me as soon as I'm no longer useful, I will tell you everything I know."
"It's not a trap." After the impulse, Hua Zhi had already thought about it countless times. This is not impossible, right? Daqing is a vast country, and it's just a matter of allocating a piece of land to them. Why not? As for other problems that come with it, can't we just manage them like ordinary people? Some things are so difficult and complicated when you think about them, but they may not be so difficult when you really want to solve them.
Zhu Ling subconsciously wanted to stand up, but when his hands and feet were pulled, he remembered that his hands and feet were still tied together.
"Untie him."
Yu Mu obeyed the order without saying a word and stepped forward. He not only untied the man, but also kicked a chair in front of him and motioned for him to sit down. However, he did not return to his original position, but stood beside Hua Zhi to protect her.
Zhu Ling didn't want to appear too anxious, so he sat down and took his time before saying, "You said it wasn't a trap, how can you guarantee that you mean it?"
Hua Zhi took out the seal of the leader of the Qisu Division and said, "Just rely on this."
Zhu Ling recognized this order, but, "When did the Qisusi have a female official?"
"The leader of the Seven Suks is my fiancé."
If it were any other woman, the weight of a fiancée would not be that important, but to dare to hand over the seal at this time was equivalent to handing over the entire Jinyang City to her. This was not just a simple trust, but also showed that the woman herself was capable enough to bear this trust.
The words of such a person carry more weight than those of ordinary people.
"If I agree, what will you do?"
"From now on, you are Daqing people. You have a country to serve, compatriots who are willing to protect you, your own land, and a household registration that truly belongs to you. No one will use your identity to coerce you. You will not be awakened from your sleep or live in constant fear. You can live a stable life, just like all other people in Daqing."
Hua Zhi's powerful words struck Zhu Ling's heart word by word. What he had secretly thought about in his heart for half his life was now right in front of him. It was even more than he had wanted, so much that he couldn't believe it. He was afraid that it was just his imagination.
Hua Zhi lowered her eyes and added another weight to herself, "I am the Sixth Prince's husband. As long as he eventually takes that position, what you expect will not be difficult to achieve. Of course, the premise is that we are still alive under the invasion of the Chaoli tribe, and then I can fulfill my promise."
"What if the one who finally ascends to the throne is not the Sixth Prince?"
"This will never happen." Hua Zhi looked up, her expression calm, but her eyes were clearly filled with fear and turmoil. If it really came to that time, even using extraordinary means would make the impossible possible.
Zhu Ling understood the unspoken meaning in her words, and it was because she understood that her unsettled heart that she calmed down. Who would want to die if they could live, let alone live a life that was so satisfying.
Zhu Ling stood up and bowed, "This is all I've ever wanted in my life. From now on, I will obey your orders."
PS: Merry Christmas Eve, and stay safe everyone.