Chapter 184: Chapter 103: Arbitrary! (Seeking subscription!) _1
In the spacious carriage, a charcoal brazier burned, occasionally emitting a faint crackling sound.
A middle-aged man sat by the brazier, warming his hands over it.
Dujuan sat on the other side, holding a pair of tongs and roasting a sweet potato over the flames. A sweet aroma gradually permeated the carriage.
The carriage was in motion, yet inside, there was not the slightest sway.
"Is it confirmed?"
"My Lord, it’s confirmed. In all the fortresses of Yinlang County, only Green Willow Fortress is short four hundred cavalry."
"That boy?"
"Yes."
"So, after the incident at Huaiya Academy, he didn’t return to Green Willow Fortress."
"Yes, my Lord. Based on the intelligence from our informants in Qian State, it can be inferred that he likely led his men directly to Qian State immediately after the Huaiya Academy incident."
"Heh."
"My Lord, why would he do such a thing?"
"Why? The young man feels aggrieved. He was saddled with the academy incident, felt wronged, and didn’t dare vent his frustration on me—the one who arranged it all. So, he decided to take it out on the people of Qian State."
"Just like that?"
Lord Jingnan shook his head and said, "Of course, it’s not just that. In this world, there are indeed fools who act rashly—quite a few, in fact—but a fool cannot become a Commander. I believe this boy has likely sensed something in the wind. We’ve eliminated so many people in Yinlang County and dealt with numerous family cliques. He’s probably realized we intend to deploy troops to the south. As for him, he’s trying to get a head start, to place his bet early."
"My Lord, I suspect it’s not that simple."
"Have you discovered something else? Ah, that’s right—who helped him build his fortress? Have you found out?"
"My Lord, you will be quite surprised."
"Alright, let me guess. For it to surprise me, it certainly isn’t connected to the Earl of North Border’s household. That boy, though he shamelessly declared himself one of the Earl of North Border’s dogs right to my face, I imagine Li Liangting has so many dogs he can’t even keep track of them all. At the very least, the leash on this boy certainly wasn’t held by Li Liangting himself. The boy isn’t important enough for Li Liangting to personally bother leashing him. It couldn’t have been his own money either. He just arrived in the south from the north for his post. Even if he had silver, he wouldn’t have the connections to procure everything and make all the arrangements so quickly. Nor could it be one of the major family cliques. It’s hardly surprising for such a clique to support a local military commander, seeing his potential and wishing to recruit him."
At this point, Lord Jingnan looked at Dujuan, turned his palm over the charcoal fire, continuing to warm it, and said, "A prince."
"My Lord is wise."
Lord Jingnan reached out and took a roasted sweet potato from Dujuan. It was too hot, so he tossed it back and forth in his hands.
"The Eldest Prince commands the Tiancheng County garrison, so it can’t be him. The Second Prince nominally commands the capital’s Imperial Guard, so it’s not him either. Neither of them has even managed to properly organize their own military affairs; they wouldn’t be so ambitious as to extend their reach beyond their current domains. The Third Prince walks the path of a scholar and enjoys a distinguished literary reputation; he is the most erudite among the princes. He wouldn’t involve himself in military matters; doing so would shatter the persona he has carefully cultivated. The Fourth Prince’s maternal family is the Deng Family of Sanshi, a renowned military family. If he wished to interfere, the Deng Family would support him; he wouldn’t need to seek outside help. The Fifth Prince was punished with a year of confinement to reflect on his errors after his misbehavior before the throne earlier this year. He wouldn’t make any moves during this period; he’s not that foolish. Chengsu is still too young. That leaves... Chengjue."
"Indeed, it is the Sixth Prince."
"Heh, it’s certainly been difficult for him. I wonder what bewitching potion that Zheng boy fed Chengjue to make him actually lose his composure like that."
"My Lord, do you believe the Sixth Prince..."
"When Chengjue was just seven, His Majesty summoned me to the palace for wine. Chengjue was in attendance, and His Majesty remarked to me, ’Among all the princes, Chengjue most resembles his father.’"
Dujuan lowered her head.
"Actually, I agree. Chengjue was exceptionally bright from a young age. In him, I can indeed see glimpses of our current Emperor in his youth. It’s just a pity Chengjue isn’t as fortunate as our Emperor. The late Emperor was a mediocre sovereign. Perhaps the most noteworthy achievement of his life was emerging victorious in the struggle among his sons to seize the throne, but that was the extent of it. Consequently, our Emperor didn’t face such immense pressure. But Chengjue is different. He is too much like His Majesty. And our Great Yan... a nation cannot accommodate two such sovereigns in successive generations."
Lord Jingnan peeled the skin off the sweet potato, took a bite, and said, "Sweet."
"The Sixth Prince made no effort to conceal his actions. Isn’t he afraid?"
"He isn’t afraid. That boy knows his father, the Emperor, trusts me and has delegated all matters concerning Yinlang County to my discretion. He’s well aware that Yinlang County’s Spy Bureau is under my command. If I wished to investigate him, I certainly could. Yet, he’s confident I won’t publicize it, and might even help him keep it quiet."
"Why?"
"I owe him."
"My Lord, you’re referring to...?"
"In the autumn of the third year of Wu’an, the Min Family was accused of treason, and the Imperial Court issued an edict for their punishment. It was I who led a thousand Jingnan soldiers to annihilate the Min Family—our Sixth Prince’s matriarchal clan."
"That was an edict from His Majesty; it had nothing to do with you, my Lord."
Lord Jingnan took another bite of the sweet potato, chewing it slowly, and said,