IDWBE -Chapter 250 Standing on the Moral High Ground

Lin Chun stood up and said, “Father, are we really going to just swallow this? I cannot accept it!”

Prince Qing shot him a glare and said, “It’s not your fault—it’s because you’re too useless! Otherwise, how could I have ended up so embarrassed?”

“….”

Lin Chun had no idea how to respond.

What did this have to do with him?
What did “useless” mean?
Wasn’t it because you were useless?

Both being vassal princes, how was it that Prince Qing was completely overpowered by Prince He?
Why was the gap so huge?
Who was really the one losing face here?

Despite his dissatisfaction, he didn’t dare to speak his mind.

“Hmph.”

Prince Qing was about to continue, but suddenly a commotion came from outside.

The mansion steward burst in with a thud, practically tumbling over the threshold, gasping as he ran in: “Your Highness! Something terrible has happened! Your Highness! It’s a disaster!”

“I’m perfectly fine!”

Prince Qing barked, “What is it? Why the panic? Have some decency.”

“Your Highness,” The steward, out of breath, stammered, “They’ve… they’ve arrived.”

“Arrived? Who?”

Prince Qing shouted, “Speak clearly! Stop stalling!”

“Your Highness, please calm yourself,” backed by a dozen or so armed men, Liu Boxian walked in with hands clasped behind his back, stepping with the official eight-character stride. “Anger harms the body. Your Highness is already advanced in years—there’s no need for this.”

He had never imagined he would one day stand proud in front of Prince Qing—far more satisfying than that morning.

“You… Liu, what exactly are you trying to do? What right do you have to speak in front of my father?”

Lin Chun leapt forward, hand extended, just short of poking Liu Boxian in the nose—but Ma Jie blocked him.

Ma Jie patted his hand away and said with a smile, “Your Highness, there’s no need to get upset. We mean no harm.”

“Ma Jie…”

Lin Chun’s mouth twisted in anger.

In the past, Ma Jie would only kneel like a dog before him; he wouldn’t dare to come this close and pat him!

Liu Boxian glanced at the chest rising and falling with Prince Qing, and said with a smile, “Your Highness, I’ve received news that the rebel army is returning from Yong’an and may very well head back to Qingyuan City. For the sake of your safety, it’s best to make arrangements. I’ve decided to escort Your Highness to a secure location.”

Lin Chun fumed, “Nonsense! The rebel army is clearly marching north, almost reaching Wuzhou. How could they suddenly turn back? You’re only trying to fool an ignorant child.”

Liu Boxian smiled, “We cannot predict the rebels’ intentions. Your Highness’s delicate frame should avoid danger. Please, come with me.”

“Come with you? Where?”

Prince Qing’s anger turned to a bitter laugh. “Liu Boxian, you truly have the courage of a bear and a leopard!”

“Your Highness,” Liu Boxian spoke calmly, “It’s best not to put me in a difficult position. For your safety, I have no choice but to use this measure. Guards, escort His Highness to the carriage!”

“Yes, sir!”

The soldiers surged forward into the Prince Qing Mansion. Father and son stamped their feet, and the women screamed.

The small inn erupted into chaos.

“Liu Boxian! How dare you!”

Prince Qing, hair disheveled, was lifted into the air—his dignity in shreds. “I will wipe out your entire family!”

The shouting faded as he was carried off.

Liu Boxian snorted and sat at a table, picking up a pot and pouring two cups of wine. He said to Ma Jie, “Advisor, please!”

“Thank you, sir!”

Ma Jie lifted the cup, sipped, and exclaimed in delight, “Excellent wine! Truly excellent! If I’m not mistaken, this should be Chuanzhou’s Bamboo Leaf Green.”

“Correct. It is Bamboo Leaf Green,” Liu Boxian nodded, shaking his head in admiration, “I may not be a connoisseur, but I don’t drink wine this good every day. That Prince Qing, even in flight, indulges so extravagantly—unexpected indeed.”

Ma Jie glanced around and lowered his voice, “Sir, the Sanhe forces are mobilizing for Yong’an. Are we also going all-in?”

Liu Boxian sighed, “It’s too late.”

“Sir?” Ma Jie asked, confused.

“Earlier today, Bian Jing instructed us to set out tomorrow. While escorting Prince Qing to Baiyun City, we must also take our families to study. The laws of Sanhe are different, and we must learn them properly to qualify.”

“Ridiculous! You’re a brilliant scholar with vast knowledge, and you still need to study?”

Ma Jie frowned, “Sir, you agreed to this?”

Liu Boxian said helplessly, “Could I say no?”

“Seems not.”

Ma Jie frowned, “If the family is sent, we’ll have no retreat.”

They were not like Wulin, famous and influential. If they angered Prince He, it might mean death for all.

“Retreat?”

Liu Boxian snorted, “Why need a retreat? We can advance fearlessly, scaling this ladder to the heavens.”

Ma Jie said cautiously, “Sir, you might as well just say it directly.”

Liu Boxian said, “At first, when Wei Yishan spoke of occupying Yong’an, I thought it was wishful thinking. But now I realize—Prince He can seize five provinces in one stroke, not by luck. Most importantly, the Sanhe forces block Ayu’s people from leaving the Ten-Thousand Mountains. Their strength cannot be underestimated. If they truly capture Yong’an, most of the wealth of the realm will fall into their hands. Sharing power wouldn’t be impossible. Then you and I will rise with the tide, our names ringing through history, fortunate our entire lives—how glorious!”

“Sir,” Ma Jie carefully said, “everything has an order. We might not even get a chance.”

“Hmph, what do you know?”

Liu Boxian sipped again, “Prince He’s foundation is weak. No one else can manage, or would a woman be made chief constable? Ridiculous.”

“Now that you mention it,” Ma Jie smiled, “if there were someone capable, they wouldn’t rely on an old man like Bian Jing. And this Jizhuo, leading troops in the south, was only an ordinary guard before. Truly, fortune favors us.”

“Exactly,” Liu Boxian nodded. “It’s good we go to Baiyun City first, at least to observe and wait for the right opportunity.”

Ma Jie smiled, “Sir, your insight is unmatched.”

“Come, don’t just drink—eat some dishes too,”

Liu Boxian said as he ate, “Life is short, enjoy it while you can; never mind the frost on another’s roof.”

Ma Jie sensed something odd but decided not to correct the drunken man.

Prince Jin and Prince Yong mobilized—the world was in an uproar.

Even Lin Yi was shocked. He expected they would rise, but not this soon.

He stretched and said, “Speak freely. What shall we do?”

Shan Qi cupped his hands, “Your Highness, Bian Jing has sent orders to Minister Shen to organize the troops. Once you give the command, we can enter Chuzhou and Yong’an. Jiang Kan has already mobilized the navy, ready to enter Yong’an. Supplies are prepared and can be transported by water at any time.”

Lin Yi sighed, “Are you rushing? Prince Yong and Prince Jin are my brothers. I feel a bit embarrassed.”

Shan Qi spoke loudly, “Your Highness, rest assured. The proclamation was personally written by Minister Xie Zan. Minister Xie is a master of the world’s letters; his words will move Prince Yong and Prince Jin, making those who read weep.”

“Good,” Lin Yi said with admiration, “We must ensure I stand on the moral high ground. Otherwise, leading this army would be without justification, and I would lose face.”

“Your Highness is wise!”

Everyone knelt, speaking in unison.

Lin Yi said, “Then issue the orders. I will go to Wulin City under the bright Mid-Autumn moon to enjoy the flowers, the moon, and the autumn fragrance.”

In Jiangnan, the land of beauty, he even felt a little nervous.

He feared making the mistakes men often make.

“Yes!”

Everyone responded in unison again.

Sanhe was boiling with excitement—unlike anything before.

Yong’an—Jiangnan!
The richest land in the realm!
The capital—Ankang City!
The most powerful place in the realm!

They used to call the Sanhe people “barbarians.”

Now, they were determined to crush them completely, to show what true “barbarians” were.

Each person was fired up, ready to vent northward.

This time, Sanhe’s army advanced along land and water.

Bag after bag of grain moved north on carts and boats.

The more they sent, the more strained the suppliers’ finances.

Still, they pressed on, believing victory would bring immense profits.

As for defeat? That wasn’t even considered.

They even imagined, if Prince He didn’t interfere, one supplier could capture a city and become incredibly wealthy.

Liu Boxian and Ma Jie escorted Prince Qing’s family south, astonished at the endless lines of laborers.

When they saw the Qian people’s elephant corps, moving north like small mountains, they turned pale.

Seeing wave after wave of troops brimming with morale, they realized they had underestimated Sanhe.

Once the Qian forces passed, Liu Boxian asked Liu Kan, commander of the escort to Baiyun City, “Commander Liu, are those elephants?”

Liu Kan smiled, “Indeed, Sir. Your knowledge is impressive.”

Liu Boxian said, “I’ve only heard their name, but seeing them is truly extraordinary.”

Passing troops greeted Liu Kan, who returned their bows each time.

Midway, they met Liu Kan’s grandfather, Liu Banzi.

Shirtless and smoking a pipe, Liu Banzi looked at Liu Kan, then Liu Boxian, and said with a smile, “Stay a few more days at home, so your mother and grandmother won’t worry.”

“Yes, sir.”

After bidding farewell, Liu Kan mounted again, leading the troops toward Baiyun City.

After ten days of swift travel, they reached Baiyun Mountain, overlooking the west bank of the river with houses scattered like stars.

Liu Kan joyfully said, “Sir, we’ve arrived.”

“Baiyun City… has no walls?”

This was Jiang Yi’s first remark upon seeing Baiyun City.