IDWBE -Chapter 158 Stirring Up Trouble

“Prince,”

Shan Qi said seriously, “I truly had no knowledge of Shan Jin’s matters!”

“What a big deal,”

Lin Yi laughed. “He is him, you are you—it doesn’t concern you.”

“Prince is wise,” Shan Qi hesitated for a moment, unsure of Lin Yi’s meaning, and smiled awkwardly. “Although our Shan family has long resided on Dongyang Island, we’ve already branched out and established separate households.”

“Then that’s fine,” Lin Yi spread his hands. “I understand your meaning now.”

“Thank you, Prince,” Shan Qi continued. “Someone reported seeing a red-crowned crane in the south.”

“A red-crowned crane?”

Lin Yi didn’t understand. “A poison?”

“No,”

Shan Qi bowed slightly. “The red-crowned crane is the emblem of Ayu Kingdom, a huge bird. It has a long beak, with yellow below the mouth. Prince, you even kept one recently, but disliked its terrible voice, so you released it.”

“You mean a hornbill,”

Lin Yi realized. “Embroidering a hornbill onto the flag is actually quite tasteful.”

This bird’s call is harsh, dog-like, endless and annoying.

That’s why it was released within two days of capture.

Shan Qi said, “Ayu was originally a small tribe, but later conquered nearby tribes and became powerful. It’s said that when Li Fo’s father, Li Cuo, was born, a red light shone in the sky and red-crowned cranes all cried. Since then, the red-crowned crane became a royal symbol. Only the royal family could wear red-crowned crane robes; otherwise, only military flags could bear it.”

Lin Yi said, “Red-crowned crane… that’s a rather elegant translation of the name.”

“Prince, it’s not a translation,”

Shan Qi smiled. “Ayu Kingdom shares the same script as our Liang Kingdom, and the people look almost identical, only slightly darker skin. But their language is very different.”

“No wonder,”

Lin Yi continued. “How far is Baiyun City from the Ayu border?”

Shan Qi said, “I haven’t personally surveyed the border, but I inquired. After the southern campaign, General Mei Jingzhi set the boundary with Ayu at the Hundred-Thousand Mountains, about eight hundred li. By sea, it’s faster. Since the beginning of the year, my Sanhe ships occasionally reach Ayu ports for supplies.”

Lin Yi asked, “Where was the red-crowned crane flag spotted?”

Shan Qi said, “After more and more refugees from Sanhe arrived, most stayed around Baiyun City, the farthest no more than a hundred li. But someone reported that further south, rice can be planted three seasons a year. More people headed south to avoid taxes. Settlements gradually appeared, but trade still came through Baiyun City. That morning, three people arrived at the Administration Office, claiming to see a hundred-odd people in a formation. At first, they thought they were Sanhe soldiers, but upon seeing the flag, realized it was wrong. They asked nearby villagers and discovered it was Ayu Kingdom’s red-crowned crane flag. They then hurried to report it to me.”

Lin Yi asked, “Has anyone investigated?”

Shan Qi said, “Chen Xinluo personally led people there. Li Fo of Ayu Kingdom has always been ambitious. Since ascending the throne, he has repeatedly crossed the border. I fear he will seize the chance if he hears of turmoil in the court and rebel again.”

“Hmph,”

Lin Yi pressed a hand to his forehead. “Everyone thinks I’m a pushover, always picking fights for no reason.”

Shan Qi said, “Prince, it’s better to prepare early.”

Lin Yi said, “Do you think this time Ayu will invade, my Crown Prince brother would let General Mei Jingzhi and my uncle come save me?”

“Well…”

Shan Qi hesitated, then said gravely, “Given the current situation, General Mei may not obey the Crown Prince’s orders.”

“Damn it, recently nothing goes right,”

Lin Yi paced the courtyard. “Have Wang Xing rebuild the militia. Baiyun City will implement universal conscription. Everyone above sixteen trains as a standing army. Pull them out for drills regularly.”

Returning to the capital is impossible; south is Ayu Kingdom. If one runs, it’s only by sea.

But Lin Yi had no plans to run yet; he would gamble with all he had.

“Universal conscription?”

Shan Qi, afraid of misunderstanding, asked directly, “Prince, do you mean all of Baiyun City will be militiamen?”

“Everyone sixteen and above must serve,”

Lin Yi said fiercely. “Any deserters are forcibly sent to labor reform. Including the wealthy families—no exceptions.”

The benefit of militias: no salaries needed. But the downside: limited combat ability without regular training.

“Prince, these young masters are all spoiled,”

Shan Qi worried. “I fear—”

“Fear what?”

Lin Yi laughed. “In Sanhe, I decide. If I can’t handle this small matter, what can I handle? Tell them, they must set an example. No one can refuse service unless physically or mentally unfit.”

A sudden sense of crisis arose in him.

“Understood, Prince!”

Shan Qi straightened, saying nothing more.

He acted decisively, issuing the announcement the same day.

Commoners in Baiyun City didn’t react much. Not only did they comply, they helped spread the word to new refugees. Sanhe’s militia did not interfere with farming or fishing.

Run a few laps, practice fighting techniques, three meals a day with meat and fish, saving family grain—good deal!

But for Sanhe’s elite families, this was troubling.

Who wanted to give up three meals?

The next morning, the Administration Office doors were lined with carriages from prominent Sanhe families.

Shan Qi stayed closed, only a note: this is Prince’s order.

Clear meaning: disobey, and go face the Prince at the mansion!

Yet no one did.

Without at least ten or twenty thousand silver, would they dare enter the Prince’s mansion?

They realized it’s just joining the militia!

Hardship for children, not death. Nothing serious.

The happiest were the older students at school. Excited to wield swords and guns like soldiers, they jumped around.

That evening.

Ye Qiu, almost fully recovered, was training in the courtyard.

Lin Yi glanced at him. “Why aren’t you leaving? I’m merciful—I won’t force you. You can go now.”

“Prince,”

Ye Qiu said loudly, “I like it here. I decide to wholeheartedly serve you.”

He had already offended Jingzhao Hermitage!

Where else could he go in such a big world?

Better to stay with the Prince’s mansion—it’s safer, with two Grand Masters!

Besides, Hong Ying is in seclusion. If Hong Ying doesn’t say he can leave, how dare he!

Talking to the Prince doesn’t count.

“Huh?”

Lin Yi said irritably, “Serve me? You sure you’re not serving me by stirring up trouble? Damn it, who gave you the guts to chase me to Chuanzhou!”

If Ye Qiu hadn’t gone to Chuanzhou on his own, Hong Ying wouldn’t have chased after him.

If Hong Ying hadn’t chased him, he wouldn’t have been injured.