IDWBE -Chapter 564 Prince Jin

Then, almost absentmindedly, he glanced at the growing number of Prince Yong’s soldiers streaming out from the city gate. Except for the cavalry who had initially gone out with the Prince Yong, the further back he looked, the more the soldiers resembled starving civilians.

Many of them wore tattered clothes, emaciated to the point of looking like walking skeletons; some supported each other, some leaned on their spears.

Several horses collapsed halfway, front hooves raised before falling completely. The grooms leading them didn’t show a hint of grief—instead, their faces lit up with joy. Before he could react, someone with a long knife hacked the horse into pieces, and soon a group of people rushed over to devour it.

“Raw meat… they’re literally eating raw meat? How hungry must they be?”

Lin Yi stared in shock.

Jin Bo stepped forward to explain, “Your Highness, the city’s provisions ran out long ago. The Prince Yong had no choice but to slaughter many warhorses. The ones left in front of you are likely the last few struggling to survive.”

Lin Yi sighed, “Set up the cauldrons and serve porridge. Once everyone has eaten their fill, those who wish to return home will be given silver; those who want to continue north may do so.”

Most of Prince Yong’s soldiers came from hereditary military households—they were fathers, sons, members of families.

On the battlefield, whether they became butchers or cannon fodder was never their choice.

In this era, most people could not control their own fate.

He had even let the Prince Yong escape; there was no reason to make things harder for ordinary soldiers.

“Yes!”

Jin Bo responded loudly.

The laborers from Sanhe had already withdrawn to the mountain valleys behind, but upon hearing that porridge would be served, they ran back—not out of altruism, but to profit from the situation by trading with Prince Yong’s soldiers.

It would take at least an hour or so to get the cauldrons ready: lighting the fire, adding water, and putting in the rice.

Many of Prince Yong’s soldiers wouldn’t survive until the porridge was fully cooked. The laborers were willing to exchange anything for a bite—three catties of millet for an heirloom jade pendant, a spear for a hard yellow bun, armor for dried meat. Such exchanges were common.

“Damn, if they don’t get rich from this, nothing makes sense,”

Lin Yi noticed many familiar faces among the laborers.

A dozen messengers rode high horses, waving the mouse banner and running in chaotic directions among Prince Yong’s troops, shouting, “The Regent Prince commands: Those who repent and surrender, wholeheartedly pledge allegiance, and bring along their subordinates from the pseudo-official army and civilians, shall have all previous offenses forgiven, be recorded favorably, granted positions, and properly settled.”

Other messengers translated in local dialects: “Those who want to return home, stand left; those going north, stand right. Eat your fill and leave quickly; no dinner for laggards.”

Lin Yi strained to listen. Apart from the standard Mandarin, he could not understand a single word—especially the dialects of Yuezhou, Hongzhou, and Nanzhou.

General Chu Liang, hair and beard bristling, rode forward and shouted at Jin Bo, “General Jin, what is the meaning of this?”

Jin Bo smiled, “General Chu, don’t you see? Even the Prince Yong no longer wants to take them. They’ve become a burden. I imagine the Prince Yong has already gone far; you should catch up quickly.”

“You—”

Although Chu Liang gritted his teeth, he had to admit that Jin Bo was right.

This unit had lost morale and was now mostly old, weak, or sick. Even if they were brought back, they could no longer fight.

“General Chu,” Lin Yi strolled up slowly, “I admire you, a true warrior. Why not stay? I will ensure a bright future for you.”

Chu Liang cupped his hands in respect, “I thank Your Highness, but I am unworthy. Farewell.”

He rode away.

“This Chu Liang is headstrong; no need to worry, Your Highness,” Jin Bo said cautiously.

“You actually believed what I said?”

Lin Yi smiled, “Chu Liang is a native of the Prince Yong’s household. His parents are well cared for by the Prince Yong. If he stayed behind today, tomorrow he’d be paying respects at their graves.”

“Your Highness speaks truly,” Jin Bo grimaced. Lin Yi always spoke in half-truths and cryptic logic, yet he commanded respect.

After all, the previously unconquerable Ping City had opened its gates to the Prince Yong at Lin Yi’s arrival with just a few words—truly unbelievable!

Before, General Shen Chu had even entered Ping City alone, pleading tirelessly, but the Prince Yong, the Nanling Prince, and even Mei Jingzhi remained unmoved.

They all displayed a determined, all-or-nothing stance.

The Prince Yong even declared: “As long as the city stands, its people stand; if the city falls, the people perish.”

In other words, he did not trust these people—or even the Emperor Delong’s letters.

Yet with Lin Yi’s arrival, the Prince Yong believed!

After all, Lin Yi had a reputation for being unreliable—how could the Prince Yong trust him?

Moreover, the Sanhe army had not even withdrawn, and the city gates opened in a rush?

In the words most repeated in today’s schools: “Not scientific!”

“Trust” and “character” truly are, as Han Jin said, a form of metaphysics.

The sun set, casting long shadows over broken people.

Lin Yi glanced at the still resentful Prince Jin.

“Fourth Brother, you’re upset, aren’t you?”

“Ninth Brother, if you have the courage, let’s have a proper fight! What kind of skill is this?”

Prince Jin’s neatly trimmed mustache was now coated in dust, and he looked utterly disheveled.

“I have no such courage. Everyone knows you are capable in both civil and military matters. Facing you one-on-one would be unbearable,”

Lin Yi felt no shame, only pride. He, a man unskilled in both literature and combat, had subdued men proficient in both. Was that not something to boast about?

“You—”

Prince Jin, held by two soldiers, leaned forward, teeth gritted, “You are utterly unworthy of being a man, bringing shame to the Lin family ancestors!”

Lin Yi snorted coldly, “If you speak like this, I won’t sleep at all. As a prince of Liang, you are cruel, kidnapping women and harming innocent civilians—a litany of crimes. Isn’t this even more disgraceful to the court, bringing shame to your father? And you still dare call yourself a scholar? I see your learning went straight into a dog’s belly.”

“You vile commoners… am I to yield everywhere?”

Prince Jin fumed further, struggling for breath.

“I’ll be blunt—I won’t pretend. To me, you are an ant,” Lin Yi yawned lazily, “So tell me, how shall I deal with you?”

Jin Bo and the generals were stunned.

Must he really speak so directly?

They tried to suppress their laughter but ultimately could not, turning slightly to hide it from Lin Yi and Prince Jin.

Unfortunately, some laughter escaped anyway.

Prince Jin’s face reddened, eventually turning a dark liver color.

Lin Yi waved, “Take Prince Jin to the city gate.”

“Ninth Brother!”

Prince Jin roared, “Even if you harbor grievances against me, do you not respect royal dignity?!”

If he had to kneel before these commoners today, how could he face the world?

“Dignity?” Lin Yi sneered, “Liang has rotted to the point of losing even its undergarments. There’s no face left—what dignity remains?”

Two soldiers forcibly dragged Prince Jin down.

He stood straight inside the city’s earthen walls, surrounded by sacks and bricks.

A captain whispered, “Your Highness, a wise man knows his limits. If I act, it would be embarrassing for you.”

Prince Jin gritted his teeth, knees hitting the ground, forehead slamming into his chest.

More citizens poured into the city.

Gaunt, haggard faces surged toward the steaming cauldrons, ignoring the kneeling Prince Jin.

“Such a pity,” Lin Yi had expected the citizens to attack him for his cruelty—but they were too hungry. The aroma of porridge consumed their senses.

“Your Highness,” Jin Bo looked puzzled.

Lin Yi sighed, “The army enters the city to take over defense, guard the treasury, and check households. No petty criminals are to take advantage. Laborers serve porridge; every home must be checked. The sick must be cared for.”

“Yes!”

The generals responded loudly.

Lin Yi dismounted his chariot and rode a donkey, ignoring Prince Jin’s murderous glare, and entered the city surrounded by his generals.

Looking over the devastated Ping City, he felt uneasy and headed straight to Prince Jin’s residence.

Pavilions, corridors, winding paths, streams flowing gently, intricately carved eaves pointing to the sky—it was excessively luxurious.

Lin Yi couldn’t help but remark, “No wonder people say my brother is rich. Look at these soaring eaves, gold decorations, and these purpleheart pillars—truly makes one jealous!”

In later times, a single pillar could be considered a small fortune.

Beyond a screen wall, a group of women knelt, slender or plump, each with their own charm.

His gaze fell on a woman in a bright yellow dress, her face framed by hibiscus, brows like willows.

Blushing under Lin Yi’s stare, she boldly said, “Your Highness, humble servant greets the Regent Prince! Long live, long live, long long live!”

“No need for formalities, rise,” Lin Yi remembered—she was a side concubine of the Prince Jin he had seen in the palace long ago. Many years had passed, yet she remained beautiful.

“Those wishing to return to Ankang City may do so; the rest, as you wish.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” All the women responded in unison.

Lin Yi noticed trembling children among them. Approaching one, he whispered reassuringly, “No matter what, I’m your uncle. Don’t be afraid. Eat, drink, and sleep well.”

Without looking back, he entered the main hall of Prince Jin’s residence.

The hall was spacious; the most prominent feature was a central table made of purple heart, adorned with a calligraphy scroll.

“For three hundred years, this scroll has drawn scholars to compete in inscription,” Lin Yi allowed Jin Bo to unroll the scroll and read aloud, then laughed, “I must say, my elder brother’s poetry and calligraphy are remarkable. But as a person… not so much.”

When Chen Yan served as his tutor, he had praised the Fourth Prince endlessly.

The implication was that every son of a dragon is different, each unique.

Even for Lin Yi, Chen Yan had been generous with praise—especially for Lin Yi’s calligraphy, said to be rich in ink and vigor.

Looking back now, Lin Yi realized Chen Yan had overpraised.

Had it not been for people like Shi Quan and Xie Zan, he might never have realized how poor his calligraphy truly was.

Jin Bo smiled politely, “Your Highness, I dare request your calligraphy.”

“Very well,” Lin Yi rolled up his sleeves and loudly commanded, “Grind the ink.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Jin Bo obediently ground the ink, respectfully handing over the brush.

After Lin Yi wrote, Jin Bo eagerly looked at the characters:

“Whom shall I unbind the embroidered robe for, hibiscus curtains warm the spring night.”

Jin Bo furrowed his brow, trying to decipher the meaning—was Lin Yi hinting at the women of Prince Yong’s household?

Before he could figure it out, Lin Yi said, “Stop dawdling here. Go check the treasury. See if this trip made a profit or loss.”

As Jin Bo stepped forward, Lin Yi added, “Don’t forget, the wealthiest here is Prince Jin. Even digging three feet deep, make sure to get some benefit.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Jin Bo hurried off.

Only Tan Fei and Lei Kaishan remained before Lin Yi.

Lei Kaishan boldly said, “Wherever Your Highness goes, even criminals bow their heads. I am truly in awe.”

“You think I have a protagonist’s aura too?”

Lin Yi looked up.

Lei Kaishan laughed, “I believe so.”

He was well-acquainted with the concept of a protagonist aura, given its frequent mentions in books about Lin Yi.

Lin Yi scoffed, “I am far from a true protagonist. Those with great fortune are born of Heaven itself. I’m nowhere near that level.”

Even in books, overpowered protagonists have systems, spaces, or rings with grandfathers as standard equipment—regardless of gender.

Just then, Shen Chu entered, bowing deeply, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Lin Yi asked, “Where has Prince Yong gone now?”

Shen Chu replied, “According to scouts, the Prince Yong has ridden fast and already left Ping City’s borders. However, while passing Daxing Town, he allowed his soldiers to plunder two households.”

Lin Yi asked, “Did they kill anyone?”

Shen Chu, “No one was harmed.”

“He deliberately tarnishes his own reputation, showing off for me,”

Lin Yi snorted, “My elder brother is indeed clever.”

Though he ordered Prince Yong’s soldiers to leave behind gold, silver, and jewels, Prince Yong himself wasn’t searched. He must have had money for food, so there was no need for plunder.

Shen Chu, “Your Highness is wise.”

Lin Yi continued, “Keep an eye on Mei Jingzhi and Yang Changchun; don’t let them escape.”

“Your Highness, rest assured,” Shen Chu shouted, “They are in the city under strict guard.”

Lin Yi said, “The greatest risk in the city is the people. Starving, they’re capable of anything. Calm them carefully; don’t escalate tensions.”

Shen Chu, “Following Your Highness’s orders, I have sent laborers and local officials to visit every household and address the people’s difficulties.”

“Very well. Proceed as you see fit.”

Lin Yi waved, “You may withdraw.”

Sitting in the enormous Prince Jin residence, it still felt unreal.