IDWBE -Chapter 308 Diverting the Trouble

His heart felt like a splinter stuck in his thumb.

He didn’t even know where he had lost!

In terms of family background, his father was a famous cloth merchant in Sanhe, wealthy beyond measure—his entire life would be free from worry. In terms of skill and ability, he was a company commander in the army with a boundless future.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say he was close to the Prince.

And Wei Yishan? Orphaned, from a small family with no wealth, no power, nothing.

Compared to him?

He felt deeply unfair.

Back at the military camp, he pushed all such thoughts aside. After drinking a pot of tea, he began assembling people to leave the camp. Today, the Prince had arranged for a troupe to perform at the mansion, and he needed to stand guard outside.

The troupe was local to Jinling City. Though they were already familiar with the ways of the Sanhe people, seeing the large contingent of soldiers still made them tremble.

Liu Kan bowed to the troupe leader and said, “No need to be nervous. As long as nothing prohibited is present, you may enter the mansion directly.”

“Yes, sir.”

The leader was a small old man with a goatee, constantly bowing.

The soldiers went forward, thoroughly inspecting the five carriages. Only after Liu Kan confirmed nothing illegal was inside did he wave his hand, “Enter.”

Led by a guard, the troupe of twenty-plus people proudly entered the Prince’s mansion.

Afterward, under Mingyue’s guidance, they meticulously began learning all the rules—no wandering, no touching things.

Soon, they were performing on the mansion’s stage.

Consort Yuan watched with delight, occasionally tossing a handful of golden melon seeds onto the stage.

Lin Yi, however, yawned repeatedly. His knowledge was limited—he couldn’t understand a single lyric.

After hesitating a while, he seized the chance while his mother was distracted, tiptoed up, and slipped out.

By the lotus pond, he crushed the red bean cakes from the nearby table, scattering them in pieces across the water. The koi fish swarmed, splashing water everywhere.

Xiao Xizi led Pan Duo over. Lin Yi said lightly, “Something wrong?”

Pan Duo said, “The Wadan army, two hundred thousand strong, moved south and captured Kalachin three days ago.”

Lin Yi asked in surprise, “And Prince Yong?”

Pan Duo said, “Prince Yong fled without fighting, leading twelve thousand troops into Jinzhou.”

Lin Yi snorted coldly. “A classic ‘diverting the trouble eastward’—he’s ruthless, even willing to abandon his own stronghold. Any news from the court?”

Pan Duo said, “The Emperor ordered General Yuan Qing to lead 100,000 troops north to resist the enemy. Additionally, some ministers suggested that the various feudal lords enter the capital to aid the throne.”

Lin Yi smiled. “If my father didn’t want to be a doomed ruler, he would probably agree. Keep watching and act when the opportunity arises.”

He had to consider whether, when his father’s orders arrived, he would go north or not.

“Yes.”

Pan Duo continued, “The shopkeeper has arrived in Jinling City, wishing to see the Prince.”

“Qi Peng?”

Lin Yi said irritably, “He’s always full of nonsense. Let him come—stop all the pomp.”

Having said that, he ignored him.

Pan Duo smiled awkwardly and stepped back, secretly sighing. He had never received even a single month’s salary from Sanhe while handling these matters—and daily endured scoldings from the Prince’s mansion. He couldn’t understand why he did it at all.

After leaving the Prince’s mansion, Lin Yi headed straight to the Tiantai Tavern. Like Sanhe’s Jinfu Tavern, it was also part of the Shadow’s holdings.

“You’re here, boss.”

A waiter ran over eagerly, dusting him off with a towel.

Pan Duo asked, “Has the shopkeeper woken up?”

The waiter said, “Yes, he’s in the backyard drinking tea.”

Pan Duo nodded. “I’ll go now. Brew me some tea.”

In moments like this, he suddenly realized the benefits of working for the Prince. Parts of the Shadow’s business could openly move to the front, allowing him to enjoy the privileges a Shadow second-in-command deserved.

No longer would he scurry about like a rat in the gutters.

Everywhere under the Prince’s rule was their Shadow’s domain.

If needed, they could request assistance from soldiers or constables.

Whether hidden guards, court guards, or partridge sentinels, no matter how many came, it was useless.

Walking under the sunlight felt amazing.

He even began thinking about when to get a wife and have children—after all, he now had the ability to provide them a safe environment.

Passing through the tavern’s main hall, he went straight to the second floor, walked to the corridor’s end, opened a small door, and found a staircase. Descending, he found a courtyard filled with colorful flowers, vibrant and beautiful.

“Shopkeeper,” Pan Duo pushed Qi Peng’s wheelchair from behind, speaking as he went, “I just left the Prince’s mansion. The Prince said you may come anytime.”

Qi Peng smiled. “What’s the situation in Ankang City now?”

Pan Duo said, “Two porters have gone missing in Ankang City.”

Qi Peng said, “Send more people. I promised the Prince that any information he wants, he will have.”

Pan Duo said, “Yes. I’ll also arrange some barbers and midwives to go. Shopkeeper, any other instructions?”

“Keep a close watch on Hu Banquan,” Qi Peng snorted, “The Hu family’s been unruly lately. That old fool is really hopeless.”

“Don’t worry, shopkeeper. That old man is being watched,” Pan Duo smiled. “Once we catch him red-handed, Lord Shan Qi surely won’t let him off.”

The cold spell in Jinling City had just ended, and the rain had begun, relentless.

Out of a month, ten clear days were considered lucky.

Still, this didn’t stop the Bureau of Revenue from large-scale demolition in the city.

Jinling City was an ancient city with a thousand years of history, a place of wealth and commerce. Naturally, there were both rich and poor.

The poor, struggling for shelter, built houses and shacks indiscriminately. Without proper drainage, rainwater would overflow, occasionally reaching waist-deep.

Having just collected taxes, Officer Xing Keshou decided, like in Baiyun City, to demolish all structures that failed sanitation regulations.

There was no forced demolition—by the rules, compensation was provided.

Once demolished, vast tracts of land became available. The wealthy in Wuzhou didn’t understand and didn’t participate.

Ultimately, all the successful bids went to the Sanhe people.

The biggest winner was Tian Sixi, who constructed shops and residences in Jinling City with land deeds, unafraid they wouldn’t sell.

In this way, the Bureau of Revenue covered the deficit, and the first batch of residents to be relocated became rich.

What does it feel like to become rich overnight?

At least they deeply understood it.