IDWBE -Chapter 249 When to Cut Ties, Cut Ties

Wei Yishan smiled and said, “They’re just a disorderly bunch—where’s the real combat power? Their only advantage is a slightly stronger guard than ordinary households due to the martial arts lineage. On a real battlefield, they’d collapse at a single strike. Nothing to worry about.”

Bian Jing picked up a silver ingot, weighed it in his hand twice, and sighed. “There’s only two hundred thousand taels of silver here. Prince Qing’s family has accumulated wealth for generations—surely it’s far more than this.”

The initial excitement at seeing the silver had clearly worn off.

Liu Baixian hurriedly said, “Teacher, I thought we could visit Prince Qing in the dead of night for some advice!”

As Bian Jing said, Prince Qing’s family had been rich for generations—a top wealthy household in the Great Liang Kingdom!

In terms of silver, they surely had more than the national treasury used for minor expenses.

How could there be only two hundred thousand taels?

Clearly, Prince Qing’s family had stored the rest of their gold and jewels elsewhere.

He resolved to pay another visit to Prince Qing; he refused to believe there was no way to find silver notes from him.

“A cunning rabbit has three burrows, let alone a Prince Qing,”

Bian Jing nodded. “However, one should not act too hastily. This matter still requires the consent of the Prince He. No matter what, Prince Qing is a royal, and royal dignity must be preserved.”

“Teacher is right.”

Liu Baixian felt regretful.

He had been the magistrate of Qingyuan City for ten years, and two mountains loomed over him—one was the Provincial Treasurer Wulin, the other naturally was Prince Qing!

He had always been pressed down by these two, careful everywhere he went.

But the one he hated most was Prince Qing.

Wulin was a scholar; though competitive, he still left some respect and wouldn’t embarrass him too badly.

Prince Qing was different—anger him, and a slap to the face came instantly, sometimes in public, leaving him humiliated beyond words.

Ten years of diligent study, then to serve as an official only to get beaten?

Was the whole career meaningless?

Even Prince Qing’s heir, Lin Chun, was the same—any small displeasure, and he would vent, punching and kicking at him.

He was a fourth-rank official in the court!

What did they take him for?

Under the harsh authority of father and son, he lived no better than a dog.

Thinking back now, he could only get angrier.

He truly wished Bian Jing would make up his mind and just get rid of Prince Qing—settle his grudge and prevent Prince Qing from later retaliating.

“Where has Prince Qing gone now?”

Bian Jing gestured to the officers on both sides to move the boxes out.

Wei Yishan said, “Someone just reported that Prince Qing has rented out Chuntai Tower. Whether he stays or goes elsewhere is still unknown.”

Bian Jing asked, “What do you think?”

Wei Yishan cupped his hands. “Mr. Bian, it would be best if he stays. Yong’an is in chaos now. Knowing Prince Qing’s character, he would never return. The only possible places he could go are Sanhe or Hongzhou. Sanhe has the Prince He; reportedly, Prince Qing fears him greatly, so he cannot go there. That leaves Hongzhou. Although it’s our territory, there are Jin Bo and Wang Xu—men who only recognize money. They are not as careful as us. Wherever Prince Qing goes, he’ll need to pay, otherwise it won’t work. The Prince He is merciful and may agree to let them keep the money for Hongzhou. But beyond that, it’s no longer our concern.”

Jiang Zhen frowned and looked at Bian Jing. “Mr. Bian, you must not be biased. It’s better to leave the money in Nanzhou—our department hasn’t even paid the constables this month.”

Bian Jing sipped from his tea cup and said, “What if he goes out to sea?”

Wei Yishan said, “Jiang Kan is on our side and watches the sea—surely it’s safe. Most importantly, Jiang Kan has a grudge against Prince Qing. Even without orders, he will make trouble for him!”

Liu Baixian added, “The worry is the stormy sea. What if something happens to Prince Qing?”

He still hoped Bian Jing would make a decisive move, letting Prince Qing and his entire household die at sea—then all would be peaceful, no future trouble.

Bian Jing said calmly, “Liu Baixian, you are too impatient.”

“I acknowledge my fault.”

Liu Baixian knelt again, banging his head on the ground repeatedly.

Bian Jing laughed. “I am just a commoner. Such courtesy leaves me unsure how to respond.”

Liu Baixian respectfully said, “I am merely observing proper etiquette for my teacher.”

“Wei Yishan,” Wei Yishan personally helped him up, smiling, “If you keep bowing like that, the floor won’t hold. Since we are colleagues, we should treat each other with sincerity—no need to fuss over formalities.”

Jiang Zhen found it amusing and chuckled. “Exactly. We haven’t even discussed the main matters yet, just these empty formalities. Everyone is busy; better to be pragmatic.”

“Indeed,” Liu Baixian said, standing and cupping his hands.

Bian Jing said, “Liu Baixian, you still need to keep an eye on Prince Qing. He’s a big fat pig—letting him wander freely would be a waste.”

Being among trusted people, he spoke without restraint.

Liu Baixian said, “Don’t worry, Teacher. I have already stationed people to watch him, ensuring no mistakes occur.”

Ma Jie walked in and handed a note. Wei Yishan took it and personally gave it to Bian Jing.

Bian Jing unfolded it, read carefully, and sighed. “Prince Yong and Prince Jin have raised troops. I didn’t expect them to act so hastily.”

Liu Baixian and Ma Jie looked shocked.

Jiang Zhen remained expressionless.

Wei Yishan immediately knelt before Bian Jing. “Teacher, please make the decision! Hesitation now will only invite chaos!”

Liu Baixian, Ma Jie, and the others quickly followed and knelt.

Why did they kneel?

Who knew—they were simply out of habit.

Under the eaves, one must bow.

Bian Jing stroked his beard. “Prince must have received the news by now. In your opinion, how should he and Lord Shan Qi decide?”

Wei Yishan did not hesitate. “Naturally, they should march on Yong’an and advance to the capital to support the king!”

Liu Baixian, Ma Jie, and Jiang Yi exchanged glances, completely speechless.

“Why such a course?” Bian Jing asked with a smile.

Wei Yishan spoke plainly. “Sanhe and Prince Yong are irreconcilable. Moreover, Prince He’s biological mother, Consort Guifei, remains in the palace. For her safety, they must enter the capital.”

“Exactly,” Bian Jing nodded approvingly. “Even in school, you were brilliant. Now you are even sharper. Prince He is compassionate and dislikes unnecessary bloodshed, but I believe—for the sake of the people—he will ultimately march on the capital.”

Even if the Prince He was somewhat indecisive, with Shan Qi and others’ advice, he would make the final decision.

Wei Yishan said excitedly, “In that case, we should prepare in advance, so that when the order comes, we are not caught off guard.”

Bian Jing said gravely, “Send a letter to Shen Chu to organize the troops and horses. Once the order comes, they can move through Chuzhou into Yong’an. Also, send a letter to Ji Zhuo. When encountering Nanling Prince’s forces, do not yield. The Jiangnan territory is ours to take!”

“Teacher!”

Liu Baixian finally lost composure. “The army in Yuzhou is commanded by Mei Jingzhi!”

Having sided with the Prince He, he had prepared for rebellion—but didn’t expect it to come so soon.

Moreover, rebellion requires judgment—Mei Jingzhi was a battle-hardened general, his fame preceding him.

Ji Zhuo had only two thousand troops at the Yong’an–Nanzhou border. How could he oppose her?

It was egg against stone—utterly reckless.

As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Yishan snorted. “So what? Could the Sanhe army fear him?”

In his mind, no city could resist the Sanhe army.

Liu Baixian was rendered speechless. Ignorance breeds fearlessness!

How could a fool understand someone like Mei Jingzhi?

Ma Jie couldn’t help but say, “Mei Jingzhi is wise and courageous, with countless battle achievements. Rarely anyone can match him.”

“Enough, I’ve made up my mind,” Bian Jing waved his hand. “Wei Yishan, send word to Jiang Kan to prepare supplies and enter Yong’an by sea when the time comes.”

Wei Yishan cupped his hands. “Yes.”

As Liu Baixian shook his head and smiled wryly, Bian Jing looked at him, and he hurriedly said, “Teacher, please instruct me. I will do my utmost to fulfill your trust.”

Afraid his earlier words had offended Bian Jing, he was extra cautious now.

Bian Jing said gravely, “Liu Baixian, arrange to send Prince Qing’s family back to Baiyun City.”

He truly did not know how to handle Prince Qing, so he could only return him to Baiyun City under the Prince He’s authority. Whether Prince Qing retained any royal dignity was the Prince He’s matter.

They were close to the Prince He, but ultimately outsiders—foreign officials.

Royal affairs were not theirs to decide.

Otherwise, consequences would be severe.

This was a lesson Bian Jing had learned after decades of drifting in exile.

Never assume the seemingly “merciful” Prince He would not act decisively in the future.

Once, Emperor Delong in the army was merciful and righteous, loved by the soldiers.

He Jixiang scolded him like a grandson.

What happened in the end?

He didn’t execute the entire family out of concern for army morale—not because the emperor was merciful.

“Yes,” Liu Baixian said happily, “I will make arrangements immediately!”

He thought, once Prince Qing fell into the Prince He’s hands, could he fare well?

Even if he survived, he’d never leave Baiyun City again.

After all, the Prince He wanted Prince Qing’s money, and Prince Qing would want the Prince He dead. The Prince He would not let him remain a threat—an entirely rational action.

After recovering from the war, Qingyuan City gradually returned to its former prosperity.

But the nonstop bustle of day and night, the lights and activity of the past, were gone.

Curfew was now enforced—after midnight, no one was to be on the streets.

The only exception was officers and constables.

Prince Qing looked at the cramped guest room before him and suddenly smashed his wine cup to the ground.

The concubines on either side turned pale, shrinking back in fear, not daring to speak.