IDWBE -Chapter 263 Doing Business

All the generals were startled. Leading troops south without authorization was already a grave crime. Entering the palace now would almost certainly bring disaster.

If they had to enter the palace, then naturally the entire army should go in together with Prince Yong!

But Yang Changchun suddenly said, “Your Highness is wise!”

The other generals were stunned. They all knew Yang Changchun’s ability and character—he was not one to speak recklessly. Yet Chu Liang, a senior general under Prince Yong, could not help but ask, “General Yang, what do you mean by this? The situation in the palace is unclear. How can we let His Highness risk himself?”

At worst, they could retreat back to Yongzhou!

Yang Changchun unfolded the folding fan in his hand and began fanning himself as he spoke calmly,

“If this were earlier, I would not dare to be certain. But now that we have contended with Prince He and suffered total defeat, it only highlights how powerful and domineering Prince He’s forces are. Compared to Prince Yong, think about it—who would His Majesty fear more?”

“Of course Prince He!”

Chu Liang blurted out, then suddenly understood.

In terms of threat, Prince Yong could not compare to Prince He!

Prince He now controlled seven provinces—half the territory of Great Liang.

Yang Changchun nodded. “If Your Highness enters the palace tomorrow, it will show your pure filial piety and open-hearted integrity. If His Majesty’s suspicion is reduced even by half, Your Highness may rest easy for now—and plan slowly thereafter.”

“You speak well, sir,” Prince Yong sighed. “What I resent most is Prince Jin’s incompetence. He doesn’t even have farsighted strategists at his side. This morning, when he heard that Father Emperor was holding court again, he directly led thirty thousand troops back to Jinzhou.”

Even the various ‘Clear the Emperor’s Side’ forces he had painstakingly gathered had mostly dispersed!

This was the “tiger’s might” of his father—even without appearing in person, merely the mention of his name was enough to frighten people into retreat.

Now in the great camp before him, only his own forty thousand troops remained, along with twenty thousand led by Ma Lin from Liangzhou—a total of just over sixty thousand men.

The grand cause was lost. He had no choice but to make new plans.

He had underestimated his father’s influence!

Yang Changchun said, “Your Highness speaks truly.”

Prince Yong snorted coldly. “He never considered that if Father Emperor regained control of the court, where could he go? Would he really become like those rebels—hiding everywhere? I leave the army to you all. Tomorrow morning, I will enter the palace.”

“Yes!”

Yang Changchun knelt first. The other generals followed, kneeling together and shouting,

“Long live Your Highness! Long live, long live!”

Early the next morning, Prince Yong removed his armor and dressed in a plain white robe. He knelt long outside the gates of Ankang City.

He knelt until noon. At last, with a rumbling roar, the gates of Ankang City opened. The broad drawbridge crashed down across the Juma River.

And so Prince Yong slowly stepped into the city.

Standing atop a hill in the distance, Lin Yi watched from afar and said to He Jixiang beside him,

“Third Brother really has courage. He said he’d go in, and he went in. Not like Prince Jin—usually so arrogant and domineering. Who would’ve thought at the critical moment he’d turn coward and run? What a disappointment. Prince Yong must be furious right now. It’s not the godlike enemy you fear—it’s the pig-like teammate.”

He Jixiang said, “His Majesty’s authority has accumulated over many years. Prince Jin’s actions are understandable.”

Lin Yi said, “What do you think—should I go in too?”

“Absolutely not!”

He Jixiang trembled. “If His Majesty is enraged, the consequences would be unimaginable!”

“I can’t not go,” Lin Yi sighed. “My mother and sister are in the palace. Who knows if he’ll take out his anger on them? Besides, the main reason I came to Ankang City was to take them away. I can’t come for nothing.”

The Eldest Princess, whose cultivation had been sealed and who had remained silent, suddenly snorted coldly.

“You are not Prince Yong. The person your father hates and resents most right now is probably you. Prince Yong may come out unharmed. You, however, might not.”

Lin Yi sighed. “I always wanted to keep a low profile, but my strength won’t allow it. Now I’m the one most in the limelight. Tell me—Father wants me to return Yong’an, Nanzhou, and the other territories. Should I return them or not?”

Those places had been put in order. In time, they would generate endless wealth. He truly hated to give them back.

The Eldest Princess sneered. “I advise you for your own good—withdraw your troops and obediently return to your Three Harmonies. Do not stir up more trouble. Otherwise, even if your father does not kill you, you will never live freely again.”

“Sigh, who says that isn’t true? But Aunt, you may not know—I’m afraid of death, yes, but I’d rather die with dignity. If I slink back in disgrace, I’ll have no face left. If I’m mocked by the whole world, I might as well be dead. So I’m definitely going to the palace.”

The Eldest Princess said, “Then take care of yourself.”

Lin Yi suddenly shouted, “Men!”

“At your command!”

Everyone responded, though inwardly sighing. They knew their prince well—once he made a decision, not even ten oxen could pull him back.

Lin Yi looked at the towering walls of Ankang City.

“Prepare a donkey. Prepare a carriage. I’m taking Aunt back to the palace.”

“You dare!”

The Eldest Princess’s face changed instantly, her breathtaking beauty flushing crimson with fury.

Lin Yi smiled. “If Aunt doesn’t go, how can I exchange her for my mother and sister? My old man has always been good at calculations. Surely he’ll make this deal.”

Ye Qiu stepped forward. Before the Eldest Princess could speak, he struck the back of her neck with a chop. She went limp and collapsed into his arms.

He placed her into a carriage that had been brought forward.

Lin Yi mounted a donkey. Hong Ying drove the carriage. Together they headed toward the gates of Ankang City.

From atop the city wall, the defending general saw the approaching donkey and carriage and shouted loudly, “Who goes there below the city? State your name!”

The sun blazed fiercely.

Lin Yi yawned. Only when he drew closer did he lazily reply, “Han Long, have I beaten you too little? You don’t even recognize me?”

“You—”

The burly man on the wall, Han Long, narrowed his eyes. Connecting the voice and the recent events, he hesitated before saying,

“Prince He?”

Lin Yi waved at Hong Ying. Hong Ying and Ye Qiu helped the person from the carriage.

“The Eldest Princess!”

Han Long was shocked when he saw the white-robed woman clearly.

Lin Yi said impatiently,

“Whether the gates open isn’t your decision. Go report it quickly. Don’t waste my time.”

“Please wait, Your Highness!”

Han Long spoke in a deep voice, then whispered a few words to his deputy general, who quickly ran off.

Lin Yi waited beneath the city wall, occasionally glancing at the slowly flowing waters of the Juma River.

It had been a long time since he fished here.

He found himself strangely missing it.