IDWBE -Chapter 103 News

Of course, if you’d learned a move or two of “Lingbo Weibu” on the school grounds or at the garrison drill field, you could try running — and see whether you run faster, or the blackskins’ blades are faster.

After all, you wouldn’t be the only one going to labor reform with injuries.

How many people in this world could withstand a group beating from Third-, Fourth-, or Fifth-Rank fighters?

In short, no matter your rank, anyone who acted arrogantly in Sanhe or Baiyun City ended badly.

Even the so-called masters were left utterly frustrated.

Being pointed at and cursed by ordinary people — unable to win the argument and forbidden from striking back — it was humiliation piled upon humiliation!

There was simply no way to settle grudges with heroic flair.

The most miserable were those accustomed to “business without capital.” Easy money came fast — and went fast. They always felt short on cash. After arriving in Baiyun City, that feeling only intensified.

When low on funds, they’d usually scout wealthy households and “visit” at night.

Unfortunately, during the crackdown, there was a curfew.

At night, they couldn’t even step outside!

They could only shrink inside inns.

So poor they were almost reduced to begging on the streets.

They had never imagined their lives would become this tragic.

Looking at the peaceful Baiyun City, Lin Yi was naturally very satisfied.

In just a few short days, the road-building crew from Bianjing had gained another hundred or so free laborers — all martial artists, far more capable than ordinary men.

Lin Yi personally watched one man carry loads of three to four hundred jin and split a tree as thick as a waist with a single slash.

Perfect candidates for bridge and road construction!

Shan Qi said, “Those who flaunt power, abuse authority, form private factions, and use martial force to defy the law deserve execution. Your Highness merely sending them to labor reform is true benevolence.”

Lin Yi smiled. “They’re arrogant, sure — but not guilty enough to die. Better not incur Heaven’s displeasure.”

“Your Highness is wise.”

Leaving the Provincial Administration Office, Lin Yi encountered Jiang Chou at the entrance, sword in arms.

He had come to Sanhe with Shan Yin.

Because he was taciturn, Lin Yi didn’t have much impression of him.

“Standing under the blazing sun — aren’t you hot?” Lin Yi asked casually.

Jiang Chou smiled. The scar on his face crumpled together, making him look even more frightening. “Your Highness jests. With the scorching sun overhead, how could it not be hot?”

“Then why not stand in the shade?”

“I’m waiting for Brother Shan Yin to return.”

“Then keep waiting.”

Lin Yi didn’t even know where Shan Yin had gone — as if he’d vanished into thin air.

But he couldn’t be bothered to ask.

If the man wasn’t around, that meant less trouble for him.

When the road from Baiyun City to Yuezhou was half completed, news reached Lin Yi:

Wadan’s army of one hundred thousand had occupied Yongzhou.

The Prefect of Yongzhou, Zhao Zhan, had been surrounded by Wadan troops and fought to the death.

“Damn it — Wadan’s that ferocious? Zhao Zhan was a civil official, but also a fierce general.”

Lin Yi looked at Qi Peng.

Qi Peng’s intelligence always arrived a day or two earlier than even Lin Yi’s own sister’s.

Qi Peng bowed. “The Supervising Commissioner of the Northern Garrison, Chen Yao, stood by and did nothing.”

“Where is Prince Yong?” Shan Qi asked, a flicker of joy flashing across his face before it was replaced by grief.

Qi Peng glanced at Lin Yi. Seeing him silent, he answered Shan Qi:

“Prince Yong remains in Hongzhou. He requested permission to return to Yongzhou to quell the rebellion, but His Majesty did not approve. Instead, he reinstated Yang Changchun — undefeated in all campaigns — as Governor-General of Yongzhou’s military affairs, dispatching one hundred thousand troops.”

“Yang Changchun?”

Shan Qi’s brows knitted tightly.

Lin Yi smiled. “Who’s that?”

Shan Qi cupped his hands. “Your Highness may not have heard of him. He was a jinshi graduate — essentially a scholar, unskilled in martial arts. In the tenth year of Delong, he served as Vice Minister and fought Wadan ten times — ten victories. Later, he fell out with Zhao Zhan and feigned illness to retire. His Majesty, angered by what he saw as malingering, demoted him to commoner and imprisoned him awaiting judgment. Who would’ve thought he’d be reinstated now?”

“Impressive?” Lin Yi asked.

Shan Qi replied, “Perhaps only Your Highness’s maternal grandfather, the Pillar of State, could compare.”

Qi Peng added, “He is on good terms with Prince Yong.”

Lin Yi sighed. “That’s what I have to admire about Third Brother — he can humble himself to befriend anyone. But losing Yongzhou like this — won’t he be furious?”

Shan Qi said confidently, “Once Yang Changchun arrives, Yongzhou will surely be saved without danger.”

“Yang Changchun? That amazing?”

Lin Yi stood, yawning. “Don’t engage in hero worship. There’s no such thing as a truly undefeated general.”

He couldn’t stand hearing good news about Third Brother.

Deep down, he hoped the man would have more bad luck.

He agreed wholeheartedly with Prince Dai:

Whoever ascends the throne is fine — just not Third Brother.

That man had the same temperament as their imperial father — ruthless even toward kin.

Fortunately, their father still wouldn’t devour his own children.

Three days later, a letter from Princess Lin Ning arrived.

After reading it, Wang Qingbang said directly, “Your Highness, it concerns Yongzhou.”

Lin Yi smiled. “Reply that she needn’t send information about court affairs anymore. Whatever needs knowing — I already know.”

Wang Qingbang nodded and went to write the reply personally.

He could have delegated it to his disciple Fang Bin.

But while the Prince trusted him, he might not trust the disciple.

Some matters required personal handling.

Sun Yi entered and bowed. “Your Highness, Lord Zhang has arrived.”

“Which Lord Zhang?”

“Lord Zhang Mian.”

Lin Yi snorted. “That old fellow. Let him in.”

“Yes.”

Sun Yi turned to leave, but Lin Yi noticed he was limping.

“Stop.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“What happened to your leg?”

“I… slipped accidentally.”

As he answered, Sun Yi subtly glanced at Chief Steward Hong, who stood expressionless.

How could he possibly tell the Prince that Hong had beaten him?

All because he failed to guard the lychee tree properly!

If he told the truth, he probably wouldn’t die.

The Chief Steward would at least spare him for the Prince’s sake.

Prince He’s residence couldn’t just lose someone inexplicably and arouse suspicion.

But living might be worse than dying.

Lin Yi waved irritably. “Watch where you’re going next time. Stop being so careless.”

After Sun Yi withdrew, Lin Yi muttered, “So many people slipping lately. Roads too slippery after rain?”

From Shen Chu to Bao Kui to the two fools — none of them could walk normally.

Even Mingyue, though walking fine, hadn’t worn her gauze skirt for days.

“Your subordinate greets Your Highness! Long live Your Highness!”

Zhang Mian knelt before Lin Yi, looking utterly lifeless.

“Lord Zhang, long time no see,” Lin Yi said cheerfully. “Sit, sit. We’re old acquaintances — no need to be so formal.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Zhang Mian stood without hesitation, grabbed a teacup, and gulped it down.

Lin Yi smiled. “I haven’t congratulated you yet. Naval Commissioner — that’s a Fourth Rank post.”

Zhang Mian forced a smile. “Your Highness jests.”

As if he wanted this Fourth Rank!

Back in Ankang City, he had been Commander of the South Gate Garrison — merely Seventh Rank, but with real authority!

Even high officials had to greet him with smiles!

Now he was far from wife and parents, alone and miserable.

He truly didn’t know whom he had offended to end up like this.