Chapter 208: Chapter 57: The General becomes King, takes command in times of crisis, and the Crown Prince receives the support of the people and their incense offerings_3
Translator: 549690339
The soldier guarding the gate, taken aback by his assertive manner, hesitated for a moment before calling for Song Zhishu.
Song Zhishu, being the grandson of Song Heqing, was young, energetic, and incredibly capable. He had been appointed to work alongside Zhao Huai, effectively serving in a role equivalent to that of a registrar.
In modern terms, he was similar to a secretary. However, being the secretary for the Crown Prince carried a lot of weight – many desired for this position but few were granted the opportunity.
Song Zhishu arrived at the city gate, facing the middle-aged man, he expressed in an emotionless voice: “I serve the Crown Prince. What news do you carry?
The Crown Prince had always maintained that order came first. For someone like this, it would be a surprise if Song Zhishu showed any sign of goodwill.
The middle-aged man’s demeanor grew slightly more restrained upon seeing Song Zhishu, but he still exuded an air of arrogance: “I am an official from the six departments of the Xia Country. I am here to offer my services to the Crown Prince. I bring news from the capital and can contribute to the strength of Yan Country.”
“Really?”
When Song Zhishu learned that the other party had inside information about the Xia Country, he couldn’t help but take it seriously.
“Be specific about what news you have. It will be the same as if you tell me.”
Song Zhishu responded indifferently.
“No, I must meet the Crown Prince personally.”
The middle-aged man insisted stubbornly, resolved to meet the Crown Prince of Yan Country.
“Also, get these scum out of my way. I’ve been on the road for several days, I’m starving.”
He glanced with disdain at the unwashed common people near him.
Faced with such a situation, Song Zhishu could not afford to lose his temper considering the gravity of the matter and had to wait for the Crown Prince’s verdict.
“Wait a moment.”
Zhao Huai, while in the backyard garden, was listening to a briefing from his subordinates. With his Divine Insight, he was aware of the situation unfolding at the city gate.
Not long after, Song Zhishu returned.
“Your Highness, outside…”
“I saw it all.”
Zhao Huai squinted his eyes, displaying a clear look of displeasure.
With a large stride, he headed towards the city gate.
Upon seeing the Crown Prince’s demeanor, all of his subordinates observing carefully shut their mouths. Song Zhishu stopped talking and just followed behind Zhao Huai.
“Alas, I thought we’d have food once we entered Yan Country’s territory, but who knew we’d encounter something like this right at the gate.”
“Indeed, I hope the Crown Prince can deliver justice. This can’t be allowed to happen again in the future.”
“That’s right, if things like this are happening now, it’s likely that we won’t have an easy time moving forward.”
The commoners near the middle-aged man were murmuring among themselves.
Apparently, they were all dissatisfied with his queue-jumping behavior.
He, along with his family and servants — more than a dozen people in total, had barged in without a care – this kind of behavior was utterly shameless.
All of them had traveled long distances, braving the cold winds of December to get here. They were already extremely hungry. Anyone in this situation would have to grumble and complain a bit.
Soon enough, a man in white appeared in the sight of everyone, surrounded by a large group of people.
His position was obviously something important.
“Is he the Crown Prince of Yan Country? He looks so young!”
“Indeed, I thought he would be at least thirty years old. Turns out he’s about the same age as my son.”
“According to the rumors, the Crown Prince of Yan Country is a great person.
He shouldn’t favor this man, right?”
The refugees around, upon seeing Zhao Huai’s figure, started discussing animatedly.
The middle-aged man, initially seated on the carriage, stood up upon noticing the approaching party.
Zhao Huai arrived before the middle-aged man, looked at him, and asked coldly: “So you are the official from Xia Country?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
The middle-aged man exchanged his face with a flattering one, trying to curry favor with Zhao Huai.
As long as he earned the Crown Prince’s favor and paired it with the news he brought, high-ranking positions and rich rewards would undoubtedly be within his reach!
“Speak. What exactly is the matter?”
Zhao Huai asked with a frown, after examining the man’s face. His facial features carried a purple hue, indicating his high status was genuine. The middle-aged man leaned in, whispering, “The Emperor of Xia has died.”
“The new Emperor is dead?”
Upon hearing this news, Zhao Huai’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
His surprise was shared not only by him but also among his surrounding subordinates.
Song Zhishu was the first to react, frowning, “How could the new Emperor suddenly die?”
Yin Nanyu contemplated, “It’s very likely to be true, as there’s no need to forge this type of news which would only demoralize the troops. Probably, it is kept secret by the Xia Court, presumably to resist an attack from the Northern wolf.”
Since the raven sect’s base in the capital had been uprooted, her updates about the capital were limited.
“You can ask those who came from the capital. What I said is absolutely true. Besides, with the young lord assuming power and the Queen Dowager calling the shots, Xia Country is in a leaderless situation. This is undoubtedly a great chance for Van Country to counterattack in the North!”
The middle-aged man declared spiritedly.
“Your Highness, if this is true, it could indeed be a good opportunity.”
Song Zhishu found it hard to disagree with the middle-aged man’s view.
The Emperor of the Xia Imperial Court has died, leaving the country headless. Under the attack from the Northern Wolf, its situation looks gravely perilous, with no power to resist.
At this moment, if Yan Country heads north, lending their side an extra strength, they should be able to take back a large amount of land.
After hearing this, Zhao Huai fell into silent contemplation for a while before addressing the middle-aged man.
“Is there anything else?”
“I’m an official from the Military Department, so I know the distribution of Xia’s military forces. As long as I act, Yan Country can take Xia’s territories as swiftly as possible.”
The middle-aged man proclaimed with a smug expression.
His tone was fierce, as if he harbored a deep grudge against Xia.
Zhao Huai nodded, saying, “I see, then I thank you.”
“Guards, seize him.”
Those surrounding them were perplexed. The prince was having a peaceful conversation and then unexpectedly issued an order, leaving even the soldiers in a state of confusion.
“What are you waiting for? This man is a spy sent by Xia. Why haven’t you seized him?”
Zhao Huai instructed again.
It was then that the soldiers reacted, coming forward to arrest the middle-aged man.
“Your Highness, what are you doing?
The middle-aged man was stupefied, completely failing to understand Zhao Huai’s action.
On seeing Zhao Huai’s order, Song Zhishu expressed his concern in a low voice: “Your Highness, this man might still be useful. He is an official of Xia. If we kill him now, when we invade Xia in the future, the other officials might hesitate to surrender, which could affect our subsequent war strategy.”
Zhao Huai had naturally considered this point.
But he felt that the will of the people is more important than anything else.
If they allowed this life-fearing, country-selling, glory-seeking creature into Yan Country, there was no telling how much trouble he might stir up.
Rather than waiting for that moment to come, it’s better to nip the problem in the bud right now.
At this moment, a communication from Yin Nanyu enters Zhao Huai’s ear.
“Don’t worry, leave him to me. I can make him confess the troop distribution. The problem concerning Your Highness will be no issue.” Upon hearing these words, Zhao Huai felt more at ease. It still felt more comfortable depending on the military counsel.
“Take him away.”
Zhao Huai waved his hand, effectively declaring the verdict.
Song Zhishu had to give up. His job was to advise, but the final decision still lay with the Crown Prince.
“I came to join Yan Country, you can’t do this to me!”
The middle-aged man and his carriage, along with servants, were all detained. He could only howl in helplessness.
“Ugh!”
The man, bound up like a dead dog by the soldiers and his mouth gagged with cloth, awaited his incarceration in the dungeon.
The people at the city gate, watching this, all wore broad smiles on their faces.
“Haha, serves him right! He got what he deserved for cutting the line!”
“I thought the Crown Prince was going to let him pass after such a long conversation.”
“Yan Country truly is different from Xia, the Crown Prince is such a good person.”
The refugees inside and out of the city gate each held a bowl of porridge, drinking it with satisfaction.
Though not much, they were extremely content.
A feeling of belonging to Yan Country was beginning to form in their hearts.
Seeing Zhao Huai’s fair and just actions, their impression of Yan Country was improving.
This sense of belonging turned into an ocean of power, birthed from countless tiny particles.
Zhao Huai, standing at the city gate, as if sensing something.
In his destiny mind, the [Dragon-shaking Heavenly Mandate] destiny illuminated subtly.
A faint stream of power gathered from these refugees was being absorbed by him.
This power was unique and indescribable.
It was very warm, very pleasant. “Could this be the power of perpetuation?”
Zhao Huai couldn’t help but speculate.
The [Dragon-shaking Heavenly Mandate] destiny can convert the power of perpetuation into his own strength.
Since it was taking effect, then it must be the power of perpetuation.
Soon, this power transformed into a small stream, pouring into his body. This made his cultivation rise rapidly at an extraordinary speed!
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