missnovel Chapter 1192 - 1181: Wealthy Merchant
Chapter 1192 - 1181: Wealthy Merchant
The Ye Family is one of the top wealthy merchants in Nanxu Country, and many vassal kings have their eyes on this rich asset. Therefore, when both Prince Linsan and Prince Donghe sent people to recruit them, everyone was watching to see whom the Ye Family would ultimately choose.
However, when the news came that Prince Donghe’s forces were completely wiped out and Prince Linsan’s people fled back in embarrassment, everyone was incredulous. How could this be?
Even if it was a case of mutual destruction, with Prince Donghe’s forces gone, the Ye Family should have chosen Prince Linsan. Why did Prince Linsan’s people return without recruiting the Ye Family?
Quickly, spies found out that when Prince Linsan’s general left, he took two people from the Ye Family, and then the news came out that the Lady of the Ye Family and the third legitimate daughter of the Ye Family had been killed by mountain bandits. Was it just a coincidence?
Thus, every household developed a conspiracy theory. Was this all part of Prince Linsan’s plot? Did they deliberately release false information claiming they hadn’t recruited the Ye Family, when in fact, the Ye Family had already secretly pledged allegiance, creating an illusion that Prince Linsan’s power wasn’t strong enough? Otherwise, how to explain all this?
Alas, Prince Linsan is still too young. Although his schemes are good, there are too many flaws. It’s a pity for Prince Donghe’s forces though. Liao Heishan was a fierce general, yet he died so inexplicably. It seems Prince Linsan really went all out.
"That little brat dared to trample on me; he’s incredibly audacious!" Prince Donghe slammed the table and stood up. After this incident, how many people would laugh at him? To have been thwarted by a small vassal king, he would not let this slide.
"What explanation does Liu Dong have? As the City Lord of Jing’an City, he’s under my jurisdiction. How could he just stand by and watch my people be killed?"
"Your Highness, City Lord Liu sent someone to say that his wife was unwell, so the whole family went to the countryside to recover. Before leaving, he instructed the servants to guard the gate faithfully, not expecting such loyalty would result in delaying Your Highness’s major affairs." The subordinate answered cautiously, fearing to anger Prince Donghe.
"Just claiming sickness and he thinks that excuses him? Someone, deliver my order: immediately remove Liu Dong from his position as City Lord and bring him back to me. If he refuses, execute him on the spot." Prince Donghe said with a fierce expression.
"Your Highness, I believe this matter requires further discussion. The timing of Prince Linsan’s people was too coincidental. Liu City Lord saying he went for sickness is only one side of the story. We certainly can’t trust it, but I suspect City Lord Liu may have already colluded with Prince Linsan. Sending our people there now would be a dead end."
"Mr. Li is right. Your Majesty, reconsider!"
Hearing this, Prince Donghe became even more enraged: "Then send people to attack. I must make an example of betrayal for everyone to see!"
"But Your Majesty, Jing’an City is easy to defend and hard to attack. If we dispatch a massive force now to take Jing’an City, Prince Linsan and the King of Xichuan, along with all the rebels, might not hesitate to take advantage. I think we should reconsider."
Prince Donghe swept everything off the stage in anger: "This won’t do, and that won’t do. So what do you suggest I do? Am I supposed to swallow my pride and let the whole world laugh at me?"
"Your Highness, endure for a moment, and the waves will calm. Take one step back, and the sea and sky will open up."
"Yes, Your Highness, you must not act impulsively at this time!"
"Impulsive? Fine, I’ll listen to you all about not attacking Jing’an City for now, but I cannot swallow this anger. Didn’t we discuss whether to attack Prince Linsan’s Miyun State before? Issue my decree now: dispatch fifty thousand troops immediately. First, to teach Prince Linsan a lesson, and second, to take Miyun State’s grain store." Prince Donghe said glaringly.
His ministers and generals thought, attacking Miyun State indeed seemed more worthwhile than attacking Jing’an City. Most importantly, Miyun State has always been rich in resources, so even if it costs a lot to conquer, possessing that grain depot would be worth it.
Moreover, they had already gone against Prince Donghe twice today. If they tried to dissuade him a third time, it might anger the prince, risking their own lives.
As Ye Lu arrived at Lishan Prefecture, Prince Linsan had no time to meet her despite being attacked inexplicably by Prince Donghe. He was at a loss, but he was determined not to lose Miyun State.
"Report, Your Highness, Prince Donghe’s troops have already reached the gates of Miyun State. Villages along the way were massacred by Prince Donghe’s forces, and our scouts suffered heavy casualties."
"Bang!" Prince Linsan, Chen Gaoxuan, slammed the table, gritting his teeth, "That madman Prince Donghe, he didn’t even spare ordinary people."
"We cannot let Prince Donghe prevail. If someone like him were to rule Jiang Shan, what future would the people of the world have? It would be even more hellish than now," his strategist said, troubled.
"Yes, Your Majesty, Miyun State cannot be lost. Please issue orders for me to lead troops to assist at once. Losing Miyun State would deplete half of our military’s rations. At any cost, I must block Prince Donghe’s forces."
"But Prince Donghe’s forces have already reached the gates of Miyun State. Wouldn’t we be late sending troops now? What if Prince Donghe goes all the way and massacres the city’s residents and burns the soon-to-be-harvested fields?"
At this, the hall fell silent, as this was indeed something Prince Donghe might do.
"Report to Your Majesty, General Zhao Xiong requests an audience." A reporting figure suddenly appeared in the quiet hall, making Chen Gaoxuan frown.
"Isn’t General Zhao supposed to be recovering? Let him rest well and not worry about military matters for the time being."
"But General Zhao says he has a strategy to counter Prince Donghe’s forces."
"Oh?" Chen Gaoxuan raised an eyebrow, and the officials and strategists in the hall also showed surprised expressions. It wasn’t their fault for being so surprised; Prince Linsan had no shortage of talented individuals. Zhao Xiong was known for his brute strength, yet his mind was not lacking either, but planning was typically not his strong suit. What plan could he have?
That said, desperate times call for desperate measures, and since no better plan was in sight, a meeting wouldn’t hurt.
Chen Gaoxuan nodded: "Summon General Zhao inside."
"This humble servant pays respects to Your Highness." Zhao Xiong knelt and saluted humbly. Though Prince Linsan Chen Gaoxuan was young, he knew how to command subordinates such that no one dared be impertinent before him.
With a smile on his face, Chen Gaoxuan said: "General Zhao, I appreciate your efforts. You’re still injured, please stand."
"Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness. I am ashamed for not living up to Your Majesty’s trust."
"Who could have known the Ye Family Master would be so stubborn? It was our oversight, not General Zhao’s fault. Earlier you mentioned a method to resolve the siege of Miyun State. What is this method?"
"Your Highness, though this method wasn’t devised by me, I firmly believe it’s feasible." Zhao Xiong declared resolutely.