684

The land close to where the Huangshui river flowed was called the Huangshui District. It was built along the borders of Chenzhou.

Ever since the imperial court issued the imperial order for all the powerful leaders in the land to join forces against their shared enemy and protect their king, armies from every placed imaginable had responded to the call and congregated there.

The assembled armies had set up their tents near Huangshui district until the campsite spread across 200 miles. The sight of their powerful combined forces was magnificent to look at.

From high-ranking magistrates to low-ranking district magistrates, there were at least twenty groups represented. A fighting force of over 40,000 men had been assembled.

Prince Changshou’s heart was troubled. He hadn’t been able to sleep in the last few days.

Who could have guessed that the armies that responded to the emperor’s call for military aid would be so shockingly numerous? From which corner of the earth had all these people come from?

Seeing as they were prepared to invade Chenzhou in collaboration with the Mengs of Cangzhou, the odds had been in their favor. But who knew that his imperial brother would be bold enough to humble himself and shamelessly ask for his people to protect him… When had he done anything like that before?

This had originally been a simple private affair between two brothers. No matter how ugly it turned, it should have stayed a private affair. However, since his elder imperial brother could not overcome him, he’d shamelessly sat on the ground and whined pitifully to the nation to send reinforcement troops… Hehehe!

Ugly family affairs should not be aired in public. These imperial brothers had made fools of themselves. Their dispute was known throughout the world!

Prince Changshou ordered his scout to continue surveying So far, the number of reinforcement troops in Huangshui District was 40,000. Their might was to be feared.

“Quickly invite County Chief Meng over for a discussion…”

Prince Changshou was encumbered with so many frustrations that he was going bald. He’d also become much skinnier since he’d last been seen.

He didn’t even know the cause of his unluckiness. Every time it seemed like his luck was about to change for the better, he was reduced back to his original state almost instantaneously.

The soldiers carefully ushered in a sullen-looking, middle-aged man dressed in conservative clothing.

When Prince Changshou saw him, he felt like he was seeing his savior, a resurrected parent. His eyes lit up immediately.

The middle-aged man had a fine complexion. His beard neatly framed his face. His dark pair of eagle eyes appeared malicious.

When he used this pair of eyes to look at others, the menacing aura they gave off made others feel uneasy.

Once he stepped forward, the middle-aged man asked gloomily, “What is the prince anxious about?”

Prince Changshou downplayed the unhappiness within his heart. Left with no alternative, he smiled bitterly. “How can I, the prince, not be anxious? Those rebels have congregated in Huangshui with 40,000 men. If they formed an alliance with the remaining troops in Chenzhou and attack us… When the time comes, it will be hard for even me to escape. Master, how do you think I could calm down at a time like this?”

The middle-aged man was the clan leader of the Meng family from Cangzhou. He was Meng Zhan, Liu She’s latter wife’s ex-husband.

When he heard Prince Changshou’s “heartfelt words,” he laughed mockingly. “An immoral gathering of men with evil intentions. You do not need to be mindful of them. The best move now would be to remain still. They will be defeated even if we do nothing. Back when Dongqing, Zhongzhao, Beiyuan, and Xichang came together to send reinforcements to Nansheng as they fought against Nanman, didn’t the four factions of Nanman go through cycles of attacks followed by retreats to allow conflicts to arise within the four countries? Didn’t this eventually cause the alliance between the four countries to break down? Against this force that serves to protect the emperor, it wouldn’t hurt to sit back and watch them fight. This unorthodox coalesce will eventually turn to chaos.”

Having listened to these words, Prince Changshou’s anxiety was somewhat relieved.

Except… when he thought of the vast barracks covering more than 200 miles, his heart trembled uncontrollably.

No matter how logical Meng Zhan’s words were, he was still worried.

Meng Zhan internally despised him. However, he could not reveal his intentions verbally. “My prince, please let your heart be settled. Even if I do not consider the prince’s interests, I must consider the interests of the Meng family. After all, the prince and the Mengs’ fates are tied together. Only when the prince is safe and well will the Meng family rise with you to prominence. Moreover, Liu She and his family are still well and alive. No matter what, I will not meet my death before him.”

The murder of his son must be avenged.

He needed to behead Liu She personally. Then he would offer Liu She’s son’s flesh and blood to appease Meng Liang’s spirit in the heavens.

To achieve this goal, Meng Zhan placed a huge bet on Prince Changshou.

Only a victory was acceptable. He must not fail.

40,000 troops and horses had been sent to defend the king. This indeed presented a challenge. However, these powers had some weaknesses that wouldn’t be impossible to overcome.

If Prince Changshou followed his plans, he could guarantee that Dongqing’s imperial family would not live beyond that year’s spring season.

With Meng Zhan’s assurance, Prince Changshou was finally at peace.

Meanwhile, at the Huangshui river barracks…

The chilly wind blew mercilessly. The soldiers’ spirits were soaring with the anticipation of war. Although the tents around looked like they were connected, they actually functioned to protect and defend against each other. The camp was not completely in harmony.

Huang Song had arrived in Huangshui District half a month before. He’d set up his camp and settled down with Liu She as his neighbor. He dropped by Liu She’s camp frequently. If one observed his posture when he paid respects to Liu She, if not for the campsite with its weapons and armory, Liu She would have thought he was in the wrong place.

On this day, Huang Song finished training the soldiers before going to visit Liu She.

As Liu She warmed himself with the heat bag, he listened to reports from outside and sighed helplessly.

As part of the assembly with the common goal to protect the king, they were bound to meet. He felt bad for dismissing Huang Song.

Therefore, Liu She told the soldiers who guarded his tent, “Invite County Chief Huang over.”

Did you hear that?

County Chief Huang!

If any of his family members had been officials, this process would have been much easier.

Huang Song’s grandfather, Huang Tan, served as a capable, trustworthy eunuch by the emperor’s side. He helped the emperor to secretly sell official titles and ranks to turn some profit. The money he “earned” was all given to the emperor to spend lavishly and build his private accounts. After learning this, Huang Song had decided to ride the opportunity given to him by his grandfather and secured an official title for himself.

Consider the short time it had taken for Huang Song to be promoted from Diyang District Magistrate to Chief of Maode County.

He was a youth with great accomplishments and much success.

Initially, he’d expected Huang Song to drop in, but he’d never expected to see a follower behind him.

Liu She sat on the seat of prestige within the tent. He briefly knitted his brows together as he glanced at the youth beside Huang Song.

Cheng Jing, Cheng Youmo.

A humble gentleman, tall and slender, he exuded upright energy and honor.

Even though the young man was adorned in plain, mature clothes, standing next to Huang Song, he held a commanding presence. It was as if he was born to be a star.

He glanced at Huang Song, then at Cheng Jing. Liu She secretly curled his lips.

When he saw Cheng Jing, he immediately knew that Huang Song had come for other reasons. It wouldn’t be easy to make him leave.

Indeed, this was expected…

“Uncle Liu, your nephew has come today because I have matters to discuss with you.”

Huang Song displayed the proper mannerisms as a junior. He was neither rude nor overly humble. He behaved as a neighboring junior who was paying respects to an elder.

He furrowed his brows. “What’s the matter?”

Huang Song discreetly shot a glance at Cheng Jing who was behind him. Liu She noticed this and signaled to Cheng Jing.

“Pardon your junior, Cheng Jing. I would like to ask the magistrate a question.”

He considered this matter extensively and vaguely understood what Cheng Jing meant. However, he still wanted to test his threshold.

“Go on and ask.”

Without beating around the bush, Cheng Jing asked him directly, “From the Magistrate’s viewpoint, do you think the upcoming meeting can salvage the coming disastrous situation?”

Liu She sneered. He was neither provoked to anger nor did he express any emotions. He only evaded the matter.

“Powers from all across the land have congregated together. It is a coalesce of almost 30% of Dongqing’s total military strength. Isn’t that enough to save the country?”

Unexpectedly, Cheng Jing replied, “By inciting conflict in peaceful times, responding to the call to protect the emperor is legitimate. But the armies are disunited, Prince Changshou. This betrayer of the country has ceased to act. Instead, he chose to sit back and watch them fight internally… If we don’t find a solution to unite their hearts, when disunity already abounds coupled with Prince Changshou sowing discord, I’m afraid that the call to defend the emperor will end in naught. Does Magistrate Liu think this outcome is an impossibility?”

The land close to where the Huangshui river flowed was called the Huangshui District. It was built along the borders of Chenzhou.

Ever since the imperial court issued the imperial order for all the powerful leaders in the land to join forces against their shared enemy and protect their king, armies from every placed imaginable had responded to the call and congregated there.

The assembled armies had set up their tents near Huangshui district until the campsite spread across 200 miles. The sight of their powerful combined forces was magnificent to look at.

From high-ranking magistrates to low-ranking district magistrates, there were at least twenty groups represented. A fighting force of over 40,000 men had been assembled.

Prince Changshou’s heart was troubled. He hadn’t been able to sleep in the last few days.

Who could have guessed that the armies that responded to the emperor’s call for military aid would be so shockingly numerous? From which corner of the earth had all these people come from?

Seeing as they were prepared to invade Chenzhou in collaboration with the Mengs of Cangzhou, the odds had been in their favor. But who knew that his imperial brother would be bold enough to humble himself and shamelessly ask for his people to protect him… When had he done anything like that before?

This had originally been a simple private affair between two brothers. No matter how ugly it turned, it should have stayed a private affair. However, since his elder imperial brother could not overcome him, he’d shamelessly sat on the ground and whined pitifully to the nation to send reinforcement troops… Hehehe!

Ugly family affairs should not be aired in public. These imperial brothers had made fools of themselves. Their dispute was known throughout the world!

Prince Changshou ordered his scout to continue surveying So far, the number of reinforcement troops in Huangshui District was 40,000. Their might was to be feared.

“Quickly invite County Chief Meng over for a discussion…”

Prince Changshou was encumbered with so many frustrations that he was going bald. He’d also become much skinnier since he’d last been seen.

He didn’t even know the cause of his unluckiness. Every time it seemed like his luck was about to change for the better, he was reduced back to his original state almost instantaneously.

The soldiers carefully ushered in a sullen-looking, middle-aged man dressed in conservative clothing.

When Prince Changshou saw him, he felt like he was seeing his savior, a resurrected parent. His eyes lit up immediately.

The middle-aged man had a fine complexion. His beard neatly framed his face. His dark pair of eagle eyes appeared malicious.

When he used this pair of eyes to look at others, the menacing aura they gave off made others feel uneasy.

Once he stepped forward, the middle-aged man asked gloomily, “What is the prince anxious about?”

Prince Changshou downplayed the unhappiness within his heart. Left with no alternative, he smiled bitterly. “How can I, the prince, not be anxious? Those rebels have congregated in Huangshui with 40,000 men. If they formed an alliance with the remaining troops in Chenzhou and attack us… When the time comes, it will be hard for even me to escape. Master, how do you think I could calm down at a time like this?”

The middle-aged man was the clan leader of the Meng family from Cangzhou. He was Meng Zhan, Liu She’s latter wife’s ex-husband.

When he heard Prince Changshou’s “heartfelt words,” he laughed mockingly. “An immoral gathering of men with evil intentions. You do not need to be mindful of them. The best move now would be to remain still. They will be defeated even if we do nothing. Back when Dongqing, Zhongzhao, Beiyuan, and Xichang came together to send reinforcements to Nansheng as they fought against Nanman, didn’t the four factions of Nanman go through cycles of attacks followed by retreats to allow conflicts to arise within the four countries? Didn’t this eventually cause the alliance between the four countries to break down? Against this force that serves to protect the emperor, it wouldn’t hurt to sit back and watch them fight. This unorthodox coalesce will eventually turn to chaos.”

Having listened to these words, Prince Changshou’s anxiety was somewhat relieved.

Except… when he thought of the vast barracks covering more than 200 miles, his heart trembled uncontrollably.

No matter how logical Meng Zhan’s words were, he was still worried.

Meng Zhan internally despised him. However, he could not reveal his intentions verbally. “My prince, please let your heart be settled. Even if I do not consider the prince’s interests, I must consider the interests of the Meng family. After all, the prince and the Mengs’ fates are tied together. Only when the prince is safe and well will the Meng family rise with you to prominence. Moreover, Liu She and his family are still well and alive. No matter what, I will not meet my death before him.”

The murder of his son must be avenged.

He needed to behead Liu She personally. Then he would offer Liu She’s son’s flesh and blood to appease Meng Liang’s spirit in the heavens.

To achieve this goal, Meng Zhan placed a huge bet on Prince Changshou.

Only a victory was acceptable. He must not fail.

40,000 troops and horses had been sent to defend the king. This indeed presented a challenge. However, these powers had some weaknesses that wouldn’t be impossible to overcome.

If Prince Changshou followed his plans, he could guarantee that Dongqing’s imperial family would not live beyond that year’s spring season.

With Meng Zhan’s assurance, Prince Changshou was finally at peace.

Meanwhile, at the Huangshui river barracks…

The chilly wind blew mercilessly. The soldiers’ spirits were soaring with the anticipation of war. Although the tents around looked like they were connected, they actually functioned to protect and defend against each other. The camp was not completely in harmony.

Huang Song had arrived in Huangshui District half a month before. He’d set up his camp and settled down with Liu She as his neighbor. He dropped by Liu She’s camp frequently. If one observed his posture when he paid respects to Liu She, if not for the campsite with its weapons and armory, Liu She would have thought he was in the wrong place.

On this day, Huang Song finished training the soldiers before going to visit Liu She.

As Liu She warmed himself with the heat bag, he listened to reports from outside and sighed helplessly.

As part of the assembly with the common goal to protect the king, they were bound to meet. He felt bad for dismissing Huang Song.

Therefore, Liu She told the soldiers who guarded his tent, “Invite County Chief Huang over.”

Did you hear that?

County Chief Huang!

If any of his family members had been officials, this process would have been much easier.

Huang Song’s grandfather, Huang Tan, served as a capable, trustworthy eunuch by the emperor’s side. He helped the emperor to secretly sell official titles and ranks to turn some profit. The money he “earned” was all given to the emperor to spend lavishly and build his private accounts. After learning this, Huang Song had decided to ride the opportunity given to him by his grandfather and secured an official title for himself.

Consider the short time it had taken for Huang Song to be promoted from Diyang District Magistrate to Chief of Maode County.

He was a youth with great accomplishments and much success.

Initially, he’d expected Huang Song to drop in, but he’d never expected to see a follower behind him.

Liu She sat on the seat of prestige within the tent. He briefly knitted his brows together as he glanced at the youth beside Huang Song.

Cheng Jing, Cheng Youmo.

A humble gentleman, tall and slender, he exuded upright energy and honor.

Even though the young man was adorned in plain, mature clothes, standing next to Huang Song, he held a commanding presence. It was as if he was born to be a star.

He glanced at Huang Song, then at Cheng Jing. Liu She secretly curled his lips.

When he saw Cheng Jing, he immediately knew that Huang Song had come for other reasons. It wouldn’t be easy to make him leave.

Indeed, this was expected…

“Uncle Liu, your nephew has come today because I have matters to discuss with you.”

Huang Song displayed the proper mannerisms as a junior. He was neither rude nor overly humble. He behaved as a neighboring junior who was paying respects to an elder.

He furrowed his brows. “What’s the matter?”

Huang Song discreetly shot a glance at Cheng Jing who was behind him. Liu She noticed this and signaled to Cheng Jing.

“Pardon your junior, Cheng Jing. I would like to ask the magistrate a question.”

He considered this matter extensively and vaguely understood what Cheng Jing meant. However, he still wanted to test his threshold.

“Go on and ask.”

Without beating around the bush, Cheng Jing asked him directly, “From the Magistrate’s viewpoint, do you think the upcoming meeting can salvage the coming disastrous situation?”

Liu She sneered. He was neither provoked to anger nor did he express any emotions. He only evaded the matter.

“Powers from all across the land have congregated together. It is a coalesce of almost 30% of Dongqing’s total military strength. Isn’t that enough to save the country?”

Unexpectedly, Cheng Jing replied, “By inciting conflict in peaceful times, responding to the call to protect the emperor is legitimate. But the armies are disunited, Prince Changshou. This betrayer of the country has ceased to act. Instead, he chose to sit back and watch them fight internally… If we don’t find a solution to unite their hearts, when disunity already abounds coupled with Prince Changshou sowing discord, I’m afraid that the call to defend the emperor will end in naught. Does Magistrate Liu think this outcome is an impossibility?”