Chapter 1808: Chapter 1793: Do Not Bring Ruin Upon Yourself
"Commander Ye, today’s matter is actually a complete misunderstanding. Could you give Prince Huan’s Mansion some face and temporarily set this matter aside, allowing Commander Ye and Lord Guo to sit down and discuss it slowly?" Chief Steward Mao of Prince Huan’s Mansion said with utmost confidence.
After all, the name of Prince Huan’s Mansion is indeed a golden signboard.
Prince Huan Ji Ao is the Crown Prince and is known for his wisdom. He listens to good advice and has the demeanor of a wise monarch, among the princes qualified to vie for the throne, he is the most popular. He is currently handling affairs in the Ministry of Personnel and enjoys a good reputation.
Now, as Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long ages and begins to show signs of senility, the voice of the public is getting stronger.
The name of Prince Huan’s Mansion, wherever it is taken, is a golden signboard. As long as the name of Prince Huan’s Mansion is mentioned, except for the Eight Council Princes and entities like the Western Patrol, others must give some face.
Ye Zhen has been mingling within the Heavenly Patrol Department Western Patrol for years, rarely getting involved in court affairs and without the qualification to participate, but that does not mean Ye Zhen is unaware of the court’s news.
The name of Prince Huan Ji Ao is one Ye Zhen has heard of.
The matter of the princes competing for the throne is also known to Ye Zhen.
Ye Zhen even participated once in the affairs of the princes contending for the throne, which was when Ye Zhen was on the True Profound Continent and decided the heir to the throne of the Black Dragon Empire in one move.
Countless histories and Ye Zhen’s personal experiences have taught Ye Zhen that getting involved too early in the struggle for the throne is too risky. Especially for a small figure like Ye Zhen, one wrong move could result in becoming cannon fodder.
Moreover, the struggle for the throne is mysterious and unpredictable. The prince showered with accolades and support does not necessarily attain the throne.
The larger the country, the more factions it has, and the more complex and unpredictable the struggle for the throne becomes.
Therefore, Ye Zhen’s principle regarding the struggle for the throne is to stay respectfully distant.
Never participate, nor offend any prince.
Yet Ye Zhen has another principle in dealing with matters: he keeps a respectful distance from the struggle for the throne and can give face to Prince Huan’s Mansion without offending it, but the premise is that his interests must not be hindered.
Ye Zhen has long seen through things like the struggle for the throne and reliance on official backing - relying on personal strength is the most dependable.
To put it simply, look at West Patrol Xio Qiangu, who has been powerful over the reigns of two emperors. Despite the hatred from Ren Venerate Emperor, they could do nothing against him.
Not to mention that the Xio Family behind West Patrol Xio Qiangu has remained unshaken through dozens of generations of emperors.
What did they rely on?
They relied on the strength of the Xio Family.
Although Ye Zhen and West Patrol Xio Qiangu do not get along, having even been mortal enemies, Ye Zhen still admires this aspect.
Therefore, Ye Zhen’s current goal is simple: focus all efforts on developing his strength and enhancing his power.
In due course, no matter which prince ascends to the throne, they would not dare move against Ye Zhen lightly.
Even if they truly wish to act against Ye Zhen, as long as he has strength, be it the Three Great Water Palaces of the North Sea, the Market of Dulong Island, or even the Ancestor God Temple, Ye Zhen will have a place to stand.
Under these circumstances, until then, Ye Zhen’s attitude towards Prince Huan’s Mansion is respectfully distant. If you want face, I’ll give you some.
"Chief Steward Mao, the face of Prince Huan’s Mansion, I must give. Thus, this Shadow Capture Jade Slip will be destroyed here and will not be sent to the Western Patrol and the Headquarters of the Heavenly Patrol Department." As Ye Zhen finished speaking, the Shadow Capture Jade Slip in his hand turned to dust.
From the beginning, Ye Zhen never planned to send that Shadow Capture Jade Slip; it was just a bargaining chip.
After all, Ye Zhen’s fundamental goal is to control the Ancient Teleportation Formation of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, not to push Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom into the spotlight.
If this Jade Slip were indeed sent out, Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom would have a difficult time, and Ye Zhen, the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy, would also be unable to smoothly seize control of this Ancient Teleportation Formation.
Seeing Ye Zhen so forthcoming, even directly destroying the Shadow Capture Jade Slip, Chief Steward Mao smiled confidently, his face glowing with satisfaction. When others give face to Prince Huan’s Mansion, it is also when Mao Yongcheng enjoys himself the most.
A monarch of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, Guo Zhang, stood to the side, regretting his earlier actions.
If he had known that Chief Steward Mao’s effortless intervention would resolve the issue so easily, there would have been no need to force Xuanzhi National Master into action, leading to his resignation with the token and seal.
His regret was so deep, it almost made him vomit blood.
But in the next moment, Ye Zhen’s tone changed, "In light of the face of Prince Huan’s Mansion, this Shadow Capture Jade Slip will be temporarily set aside. However, Lord Guo, you must give the Heavenly Patrol Department, and I, an explanation for today’s affair!"
"Why did you send troops to occupy the Ancient Teleportation Formation of Haiyuan City and refuse to hand it over? Not only refusing to hand it over, but also boldly attacking, breaking the legs of five hundred patrols from my Heavenly Patrol Department.
Lord Guo, you are tarnishing the reputation of the Heavenly Patrol Department! If you do not give me an explanation for today’s affair, it will not end here!"
On hearing this, the monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, Guo Zhang, immediately became furious.
You, Ye Zhen, are acting like the villain who complains first.
Indeed, Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom did break the legs of Ye Zhen’s five hundred patrols, but the issue now is that Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom’s elite troops were killed nearly two thousand, another five thousand had their legs broken on the spot, and even Right General Wu Chong had his legs broken.
Is that not enough?
"Commander Ye, haven’t you already vented your anger? My Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom’s ten thousand elite soldiers have five thousand with broken legs, nearly two thousand dead and injured, isn’t that enough?"
"Commander Ye, you can’t push people too far!" Complained Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom.
After the incident of Xuanzhi National Master leaving in a huff, Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, also realized that Ye Zhen was not an ordinary Wind Patrol Envoy, and his attitude was no longer as strong as before.
"Is it I who pushed people too far?"
Ye Zhen let out a cold laugh, "Or is it your Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom that pushed people too far? Ignoring the laws of Great Zhou, gathering troops against my Heavenly Patrol Department’s forces, and even attacking my Heavenly Patrol Department’s personnel? If it were an ordinary person, it would be enough to exterminate your family and clan...."
"Commander Ye, it was just a misunderstanding, I am not easily frightened....."
"Cough, cough!"
Chief Steward Mao’s two soft coughs interrupted Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, and he bowed and smiled, "Commander Ye, as I just said, this matter is actually a misunderstanding, could you give Prince Huan’s Mansion some face, not pursue this matter, and we go to the Palace of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom to sit down and discuss it slowly?"
Chief Steward Mao’s meaning was simple: to smooth out this matter first, and in the Palace of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, use Prince Huan’s Mansion to pressure Ye Zhen and share the benefits of the ancient teleportation formation of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom among Ye Zhen, Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, and Prince Huan’s Mansion.
At that time, how it would be divided would be completely up to him.
However, Ye Zhen did not pick up on this topic, but instead nodded again and said, "Alright, Prince Huan’s Mansion deserves this face, so I will no longer pursue the matter of my five hundred patrolmen having broken legs."
Upon hearing this, Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, rolled his eyes heavily; you’ve taken all the benefits, avenged the enmity, vented your anger, what more is there to pursue?
"Since this matter is settled, and coincidentally Lord Guo is here, I will perform my duty on the spot."
At this point, Ye Zhen formally displayed his token as the West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy of the Heavenly Patrol Department, "According to the Law of Great Zhou, the ancient teleportation formations within all enfeoffed nations must be managed by the Heavenly Patrol Department of the respective enfeoffed nation."
"From now on, the ancient teleportation formation in Haiyuan City will be managed by the West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy of the Heavenly Patrol Department. I ask Lord Guo to immediately hand over the defense, warehouse, barracks, accounts, and the teleportation tokens of the ancient teleportation formation in Haiyuan City."
These words were spoken formally by Ye Zhen, leaving both Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, and Chief Steward Mao of Prince Huan’s Mansion stunned.
Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, looked toward Chief Steward Mao of Prince Huan’s Mansion.
Ye Zhen was serious, and according to the Law of Great Zhou, this was indeed the case; Ye Zhen was now officially performing his duty, and he couldn’t pick any faults nor dare to refuse on the spot.
After all, Ye Zhen had just taught him a vivid lesson—what it meant to be awe-inspiring within the Heavenly Patrol Department.
With just a small piece of evidence and identity, it not only forced his national master to flee, but also made him swallow his broken teeth and blood.
However, the Chief Steward Mao of Prince Huan’s Mansion was infuriated.
Only now did he realize that the Wind Patrol Envoy Ye Zhen before him was pretending to be ignorant, treating him like a fool!
Claiming to give face to Prince Huan’s Mansion, but in reality not giving any face at all, strategically aiming to gain control of the ancient teleportation formation in Haiyuan City.
Chief Steward Mao instantly became enraged.
Immediately, Chief Steward Mao’s face sank, and with a fake smile, he said, "Commander Ye, are you treating us like fools?"
"Commander Ye, let me be clear with you, the ancient teleportation formation in Haiyuan City has already been taken over by His Highness Prince Huan. Your Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy can station personnel to inspect travel and commerce, fulfilling your Heavenly Patrol Department duties, but other matters are entirely unrelated to you!" Chief Steward Mao said coldly.
Having said that, Chief Steward Mao looked at Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, "Lord Guo, deploy elite guards to operate the ancient teleportation formation. If Commander Ye wants to station people for supervision, let him do so; everything else proceeds as usual, let’s go!"
Saying this, Chief Steward Mao, along with over a hundred eunuchs, turned and left.
Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, couldn’t withstand the momentum of Chief Steward Mao, and what Chief Steward Mao said was precisely to his liking, so he also turned and left.
Ye Zhen’s gaze turned cold; Prince Huan’s Mansion had already interfered with his interests, but Ye Zhen restrained himself, as the urgent task was to take control of the ancient teleportation formation.
"Lord Guo, if you don’t hand over control here and leave now, I assure you, you will regret it!" Ye Zhen said with a cold and stern face, "At that time, Lord Guo might beg me, the Wind Patrol Envoy, to take over, and you’ll have to watch my mood!"
Frightened by Ye Zhen, Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom showed some hesitation.
After all, the reputation of the Heavenly Patrol Department was not built out of nothing.
Just as Chief Steward Mao who was about to turn around and leave, he spun around like a whirlwind, "Commander Ye, your words may scare Lord Guo, but you can’t frighten Prince Huan’s Mansion."
"Lord Guo, let’s go. With His Highness Prince Huan above, even if Ye Zhen had three heads and six arms, he wouldn’t be able to do anything to you!" As he spoke, Chief Steward Mao led Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, away.
"Lord Guo, Chief Steward Mao, do not mislead yourselves."
Ye Zhen’s voice sounded from afar. Upon hearing the voice, Chief Steward Mao spat, "A mere fledgling dares to threaten Prince Huan’s Mansion; even if you summon a storm, you wouldn’t stir up any waves!"
Watching the disappearing figures of Guo Zhang, Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, and Chief Steward Mao, Ye Zhen’s gaze suddenly turned extremely fierce, "Hmph, refusing a toast only to drink the penalty wine, do they really think my Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy is made of paper.
This is what you asked for!"
