Chapter 1 Chang Huaiyin Arrives in Yuhang

Chang Huaiyin’s arrival in Yuhang at this time puzzled the two princes. What puzzled them even more was that Ye Tao’s people were welcoming her. The close relationship between Chang Hongquan and Dongping made them very wary. When they learned that the Juxian Prince's Mansion would be on his side, the Second Prince didn’t know what to say. He knew that he had absolutely no influence over Juxian Prince Chang Hongquan; no matter what, he had to accept this favor.

After settling down, Chang Huaiyin felt that the current state of Yuhang seemed quite good for someone like her who had no interest in politics. In the past, when she came to Yuhang, she always had to pay respects to the lord of the country and others before she could do her own things and find like-minded friends. But now, it wasn’t appropriate to visit anyone, so she simply ignored all of them, which was quite pleasant. The journey had been rather arduous, so Chang Huaiyin didn’t plan to look for Tan Weishi immediately. Instead, she went up to a high building, enjoyed the night rain and the lights of the city, and had a little wine with her husband over a few dishes of snacks. That was quite enjoyable.

The middle-aged man who was the captain of this trip's guard team was called Chen E. Half of his excellent martial arts skills came from his training in the army. Although it was a bit mixed, he might suffer a considerable loss against a real expert. But anyway, most people who could truly be called experts wouldn't provoke a guy with such a strong background. They had to consider the strength of the Juxian Prince's Mansion. There was absolutely no problem in taking on the task of guarding. This time, Chen E was able to independently lead the team to protect the princess, which could be regarded as the most important task he had undertaken in recent years. Juxian Prince's intention to promote him was very obvious, and Chen E became more and more cautious at this time.

Finding the right opportunity, Chen E still told Chang Huaiyin some of his concerns, especially that the Juxian Prince's Mansion was now on Dongping's side and was preparing to act accordingly when the time came. Apart from directly sending troops, everything else would cooperate with the Dongping army. Chen E, who was born and raised in Chunnan, found this a bit difficult to accept. Chang Huaiyin just smiled at this statement.

"Chen E, if we fully assist His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, or His Royal Highness the Second Prince, even if we stake all our military and financial resources, can we really let Chunnan retreat completely?" Chang Huaiyin asked.

Chen E was silent. In Jinzhou, although the cooperation with Dongping was mostly carried out privately through some merchants and other personnel, it wasn't out in the open. But everyone in Jinzhou could feel how big the changes were, and they could also feel how powerful Dongping, which was going much further than them, had become. The total number of Dongping’s armies that could be counted now was about the same as Chunnan’s, but Dongping had a comprehensive professional military system, completely controlled by the imperial court. Ye Tao’s use of some family soldiers dispatched by various families in Tianmeng City was an exception. Unlike Chunnan and the current Xiling, once large-scale mobilization of troops was required, the family soldiers of various families, or the troops directly or indirectly controlled, accounted for a considerable part. The fact that the state-level chief officials in Dongping did not have direct military power now seemed quite ingenious. The quantity was roughly equal, but what about the quality? Although Dongping’s army building was also divided into several echelons, it was impossible for them all to be elite, but at least they were professional soldiers. Their job was to train and wait for battle. And the gap was even greater in terms of management and morale. For example, the Dongping delegation specifically emphasized the problem of extortion by the army and local authorities along the way. The same regulations were notified to the armies of both countries. But Dongping didn't reiterate it, but there hasn't been a single breach of contract in so many years. The difference was obvious. The supply of Dongping’s army made them not care about these extra income at all. They cared more about honor. Only when the granary is full can people know etiquette, which has always been the case. On this point, the Juxian Prince's family saw it very clearly. By standing on Dongping's side, the Chang family could continue to survive, and with their deep roots in Chunnan, they could definitely become one of the most important families in Dongping after unification. Although they lost the position of the lord of Chunnan, they also gained something in other aspects. Anyway, it was better than the entire family being razed to the ground.

"To be a pawn, you must have the value and awareness of being a pawn. My father understood this a long time ago. Over the years, rather than accumulating strength and waiting for opportunities, it is better to say that he is letting everyone in Jinzhou see clearly what is going on. If everyone feels that it is better to cooperate with Dongping, then my father will not be difficult to do. Otherwise, it is hard to guarantee that some people with ulterior motives will do something drastic." Chang Huaiyin said lightly, "Chen E, the reason why I asked you to come to Yuhang is also because, even if you have this or that dissatisfaction, you will still do your best to carry out my orders without fail. And you have a calculation in your heart, knowing that it is contrary to my thoughts and my father's thoughts, you will still ask like today, hoping to get an explanation, hoping that we can convince you. And you also want to convince yourself. Among my father’s team, there are not many people who can lead the guard team like this. This is also normal, after all, in Chunnan, family lineage is a tradition and a matter of course. However, some people can’t be allowed to be willful now." Chang Huaiyin tilted her head, looking a little helpless: "Everyone knows that Dongping is very strong, and they may not be disgusted by Dongping's approach. To be honest, those who are confident in their own intelligence, ability and character will be more comfortable in Dongping. My father is working hard to learn, but the atmosphere and environment formed over hundreds of years are not so easy to change. The able go up, the mediocre go down, it sounds simple, but it is as difficult as climbing to the sky. Therefore, the most uneasy and apprehensive are those deeply rooted and stagnant families."

Chen E didn't say a word. Chang Huaiyin was a very outstanding and competitive princess when she was a child, and her talent was also top-notch, but gradually, everyone felt that she had become ordinary. Even the people in the Juxian Prince's Mansion felt that she didn't seem to be very interested in anything on weekdays. She just focused on managing her family and indulging in landscapes, calligraphy and painting, which was a bit too detached from the world. But Chang Huaiyin's words made Chen E realize that this princess was so smart that others couldn't imagine. She understood these layers of connections very well, without a doubt. However, although she understood, was it necessary to publicize and show off these things that were not suitable for others to say?

"There is one more thing that is convenient for you to handle when you come to Yuhang." Chang Huaiyin said with a smile, "Do you know a person named Mu Ying? A disciple of Jianming Villa, who served as a guard in the palace for more than three years."

Chen E quickly replied: "I know him. Until last year, we were still in contact by letter. This guy used to travel with me when he was young. But that was all when we were young."

"That's good. More than three months ago, Mu Ying was accidentally rescued by my father's men outside after being seriously injured. After that, he has been recuperating in the villa in Gusu. Originally, our people there had not revealed their identities, but this guy found out on his own. Then he asked about you, but asked us not to tell you about him first. He was previously absorbed by an organization called Fuhu Tang (Tiger Taming Hall), but Fuhu Tang is too deeply hidden, and what it is doing seems to be a bit unclear, and he has some doubts. That time he participated in a cargo transport job, but found that Fuhu Tang transported a large number of Chunnan's imperial treasures out of Yuhang. And when he questioned the leader... the result was..." Chang Huaiyin explained in detail what she knew. These were what Chang Hongquan let her see, only the simple process and results. But she also knew that there were countless bloody storms hidden in it.

"Fuhu Tang... how could they get involved in the inner court's secrets?" Chen E found this too unbelievable.

"It's not surprising. Fuhu Tang was founded by Jiang Yan, and last year... when the old lord was still alive, with his consent, what couldn't be taken? The Crown Prince probably knows a thing or two about this part of the secret treasure, and the Second Prince probably doesn't know. The old lord and Jiang Yan probably also felt that the Chunnan country should not be able to be kept, and were leaving a way out for their descendants."

Chen E asked again: "Where is Mu Ying now?"

"Speaking of this matter, I want to tell you that Mu Ying is now in Yuhang. He was originally the deputy owner of the villa in Gusu, responsible for the security affairs of the villagers, which can be regarded as a leisure activity. But a month and a half ago, when he was purchasing supplies outside, he accidentally discovered the contact signs of Fuhu Tang in various places. It should be said that recently Fuhu Tang will have a series of actions in Yuhang, which should be quite a big deal, and it seems that many people will participate. Mu Ying reported to my father. Originally, my father wanted Mr. Du to take action, but thinking that you and Mu Ying knew each other, he still felt that it was best for you to come. In the current situation, only everyone can trust each other. No matter how capable a stranger is, there is no way to quickly enter this situation. The so-called actions of Fuhu Tang now seem to be nothing more than two aspects, one is the position of the lord of the country, and the other is Ye Tao. Mu Ying is now in Changfeng Inn, and he is also carrying some manpower from Gusu. Anyway, this matter is left to you to handle. If you think we can do it independently, let me know, and then you can let go and do it. If not, then you must quickly inform Ye Jinglue (Ye Tao). The most urgent thing is to figure out what Fuhu Tang wants to do. Anyway, don't let them succeed, and we shouldn't get too involved. If Fuhu Tang treats us as a major enemy and focuses on causing trouble for my father, it will be quite a headache."

Chen E agreed. "Your Highness, why don't you directly inform Ye Jinglue? He has plenty of manpower in his hands, and with his participation, it is not easy to have problems."

"Dongping has a lot of manpower, but after all, they are outsiders, and no matter how much they pretend, they don't look like locals, and it is easy to startle the snake. Also, have you forgotten... pawns also have to have the value of pawns." Chang Huaiyin said with a smile. "Go according to what I said."

This conversation dispelled Chen E's doubts, and at this moment, the Juxian Prince's Mansion also plunged into this storm without hesitation.