IDWBE -Chapter 566 Nine Provinces Settled

In his memory, Prince Nanling and Prince Jin were the same—always selfish and arrogant, surely putting their own survival above all else. How could they possibly care about wives and children?

“Thank you for your kind words, Regent,” the Prince Nanling said through his tears. “I have committed a grave mistake, deserving of death. I only beg the Regent to spare them, to let them live ordinary lives like commoners.”

“Why are you crying again?” Lin Yi picked up his teacup, sipped, and spat into the spittoon held by a maid. Then he continued, “You know perfectly well, I even spared Third Brother, so how could I ever make things hard for you? If you keep crying like this, it just shows you don’t trust me.”

Prince Nanling lowered his head. “I dare not.”

Indeed!

Old Nine had spared Old Three—but he had not spared Old Four!

He had promised only three kowtows, but along the way, he overheard the guards saying it was three kowtows every day!

When would Prince Jin ever truly repent? Only then would he stop kneeling!

If that were the standard, when would Old Four ever get relief? So it wouldn’t be surprising if he ended up with the same fate as Old Four.

Lin Yi only glanced at the roast goose, and the nearby maid, as if reading his mind, immediately cut two slices, dipped them in sauce, and placed them on a small dish in front of him.

Previously, Lin Yi disliked this troublesome attention, but now, probably out of exhaustion, he found himself enjoying it, leaning back in his chair, chewing slowly, and then said, “Stand up. You know my temper; if you keep this up, I’ll really get annoyed.”

“Yes.”

Hearing this, the Prince Nanling quickly rose and sat properly across from Lin Yi again.

Lin Yi said lightly, “You, sometimes, are really annoying. To be honest, I don’t like you. But compared to Old Three and Old Four, your level of annoyance is still far below theirs.”

Prince Nanling couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time.

Was that a compliment or an insult?

Yet, he had to feel grateful.

“You are benevolent, Regent. I have no way to repay you.”

“Don’t just pick the nice words. Over time, you might even start to dislike me,”

Lin Yi raised his cup toward him. “Drink a cup.”

“I dare not,” the Prince Nanling replied obediently.

“I said it before: after returning to Ankang City, I will provide for you. But you know, things can never go back to how they were. At most, I can give you food and drink—nothing more,” Lin Yi said sincerely.

“As for your family assets, they will be absorbed into the state treasury, taken from the people and used for the people’s welfare. Do you understand?”

“I am willing to hand over all my family wealth to the treasury,” the Prince Nanling answered without hesitation.

He had already anticipated this.

This younger brother of his was famously fond of money!

Moreover, he was now a prisoner.

How could he be allowed to retain any surplus wealth?

Merely surviving was already a great achievement.

“And another thing: I sincerely hope my sisters-in-law and nephews go to Ankang City,” Lin Yi said leisurely. “So you won’t be bored living alone.”

The Regent had already said this twice, and Prince Nanling knew that refusing again would be deliberately provoking him. He gritted his teeth and said, “I obey your orders.”

“Eat. Don’t sit there with such a stiff face; it’s boring,”

Lin Yi said to the maid. “Serve the Prince Nanling.”

“Yes.”

Another maid attended to Prince Nanling.

News of the Regent persuading Ping City and Prince Yong’s retreat beyond the frontier spread throughout the land, shaking all Nine Provinces.

Though expected, the reality was still incredible.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye!

Too fast!

Even more surprising, the proud Prince Yong and Mei Jingzhi were persuaded as well!

Moreover, the Regent even spared them—there was no massacre, no carnage as everyone had imagined.

The northern regions—Yongzhou, Jinzhou, Shuozhou, Daizhou, the northern frontier, and Liangzhou—were now unified. Lin Yi had, at least formally, completed the unification of the Liang Kingdom.

No one doubted that the Regent would become the new ruler of Liang.

“Clouds come, mountains improve; clouds leave, mountains are like a painting.
Mountains darken and brighten with clouds, clouds rise and fall with the mountains.
Leaning on the cloudy sand, turning back I see my mountain home, wild deer sleep on the grass, mountain apes play with wildflowers.
Clouds and mist—I love mountains pricelessly; seeing, walking, even the mountains love us below.”

Lin Yi stood atop the high wall, gazing at the distant mountains and clouds, reciting slowly.

Beside him, Prince Nanling’s expression was indescribably strange.

He knew his younger brother’s abilities.

To compose such a piece?

After Lin Yi finished, he still loudly said, “Regent, your talent is impressive. I admire it.”

“If you weren’t lying, we could still be friends,” Lin Yi rolled his eyes and said, “I overheard this song once in the fireworks district, secretly memorized it, and I still don’t know who wrote it.”

Apologies, Zhang Yanghao!

After coming to this world, Lin Yi had spread many poems, mostly attributed to anonymous sources or his sister.

It was his contribution to the flourishing literary culture of the Liang Kingdom.

Prince Nanling hurriedly said, “Whoever wrote this must be a genius. Once I return to Ankang City, I must investigate.”

Lin Yi turned his gaze back to Prince Jin, kneeling inside the city, under guard, pointed at by the citizens. Frowning, he said, “Your kowtow is not proper. Clearly, your heart is not sincere, your understanding is not deep enough. Seventh Brother, would you kindly give him some guidance?”

“Ah—”

Prince Nanling was caught off guard.

“Any difficulty?”

“No, no.”

The Prince Nanling clasped his fists toward Lin Yi, then hurriedly ran down the wall.

Prince Jin, hair disheveled, finished three kowtows, secretly relieved, thinking today’s humiliation was over, only to notice a long shadow in front of him.

He looked up—it was Prince Nanling.

“Seventh Brother.”

Prince Jin felt an indescribable mixture of emotions—envy or jealousy?

Why could Old Three just leave, while Prince Nanling swaggered so freely?

And he had spent half a month living like a pig or dog!

Kneeling in the cold, enduring insults!

These lowly people!

In the past, would they have dared to lift their heads in front of him? Now, they had the audacity to throw stones and clods, even spit at him, insulting him!

“Fourth Brother, you’ve suffered.” Prince Nanling looked at the pitiful Prince Jin and, instead of pity, almost laughed.

So this is what you get today!

“Did the Ninth Brother send you to see me?” Prince Jin asked hopefully.

“Yes, exactly.” Prince Nanling nodded firmly.

“Now can I leave?” Prince Jin was a bit excited.

Unfortunately, just as he stood, two guards pushed him down again, smashing his knees into the ground.

He glared at the guards.

“Fourth Brother, you misunderstand,” Prince Nanling hurriedly said. “The Regent said your kowtow is improper, showing your heart is not sincere. He specially sent me to guide you.”

“Heart not sincere?” Prince Jin finally realized, snorting coldly. “How will you guide me?”

Seeing Prince Jin’s grim face, Prince Nanling stopped holding back—they didn’t get along well.

He snorted coldly. “Three kneels, nine kowtows is the ancient ritual. Brother, just follow it.”

“Three kneels, nine kowtows?”

Prince Jin looked at the onlooking citizens, teeth gritted. “These lowly people deserve it?”

“Er…”

The Prince Nanling hesitated, then looked up at Lin Yi on the city wall and loudly proclaimed, “The Regent says: The people are precious, the state is secondary, the ruler is least. How can that not be obeyed?”

Lin Yi, standing on the wall, whispered to Shen Chu, “He gets it. My Seventh Brother is the truly wise one. Even Old Twelve and Old Six, following me for so long, can’t say this.”

“Your reasoning is sound, and Prince Nanling surely remembers it,” Shen Chu smiled. “I’ve already sent a message to Nanling, ordering the local officials to send Prince Nanling’s family to the capital. If all goes well, they’ll arrive in one and a half months.”

Lin Yi glanced at Prince Jin performing the three kneels, nine kowtows ritual, and said, “Send them to my mansion afterward, and have them washed; I can’t stand that smell near my nose.”

Shen Chu cupped his hands. “Yes. And what of Mei Jingzhi and Yang Changchun? Please advise, Regent.”

As for the Princes Jin and Nanling—they weren’t his concern.

He was just a military commander; meddling too much would shorten his life!

“What do you think?”

Lin Yi retorted.

“General Mei is a key minister; I dare not speak rashly. But as for Yang Changchun staying in Jinzhou, it’s like letting a tiger return to the mountain. I think it’s improper,”

Shen Chu said boldly. “I believe he should also be escorted to the capital and tried by the three offices.”

“If he wants to stay in Jinzhou, let him. Just guard him strictly,”

Lin Yi said calmly. “He, like Zhen Sanbei, will be useful eventually.”

If nothing unexpected happened, his biggest enemy would be the Western Barbarians.

In future large-scale wars, a brave and capable general like Yang Changchun would be invaluable. Killing him now would be a huge loss.

“Regent, you are wise.” Shen Chu had no argument left.

Autumn winds rose, grass and trees yellowed, geese flew south.

The newly groomed Prince Jin stood before the Jin Palace gate, full of emotion.

Beside him, Prince Nanling smiled. “Brother, inspired for poetry? Shall we hear one?”

Prince Jin sighed. “Seventh Brother, you were not harsh with me before; why be so cruel today?”

“Brother, that’s because you treated me too well in the past.” Prince Nanling snorted. “Go ahead, don’t keep the Regent waiting.”

“I misjudged you,” Prince Jin waved his sleeves and strode into his familiar palace.

This had once been his home!

Now it was a bird’s nest occupied by others!

From afar, he heard the sound of suona horns, followed by singing.

“Early morning I went to pick manure,
Returning home,
Couldn’t find my woman,
Searched east and west yards,
All neighbors I have checked,
Called you Li Huzi, but you didn’t hear,
Your woman hates your face, wants a divorce.”

Prince Jin frowned incessantly.

His grand mansion had never echoed with such vulgar songs!

Entering the hall, he saw that the singer was none other than his ignorant younger brother—Lin Yi, the Regent.

That made sense.

After finishing, Lin Yi waved to the nearby troupe. “Well done. Go claim your silver rewards.”

The revival of Ping City’s entertainment began with him.

“Thank you, Regent.”

The troupe, dressed like commoners, bowed and left.

“Your servant pays respects to the Regent,” the Prince Jin said obediently, though resentful.

“Ah,” Lin Yi said loudly, “Seems Seventh Brother’s guidance is effective. Now you can perform the proper ritual? Good, very good. A promising child.”

Prince Jin twitched his lips. “Regent, sorry to trouble you.”

Lin Yi cheerfully said, “Stand up and speak.”

“Thank you, Regent.”

Prince Jin finally straightened up.

Lin Yi noticed that his elder brother was half a head taller. Though he had suffered for half a month, his once refined and handsome face now carried an indescribable weariness.

Ah! Damn that aura!

Seeing Lin Yi frown, Prince Jin quickly bowed again.

Lin Yi smiled satisfactorily. “Ping City is stable now. I’ve been busy to the point of exhaustion. I hope you understand, brother.”

“The Regent handles countless matters daily; how can we compare?” Prince Jin said sincerely.

Lin Yi waved. “Ah, sit. Don’t be polite. We’re brothers. Someone, serve tea.”

The Prince Nanling, seeing no one paying attention to him, tried to slip away, but was suddenly called.

“You stay too. Today, no one else is here—just us brothers, let’s have a family meal.”

Lin Yi suddenly remembered something. “Call my sisters-in-law and nephews as well. They’ve worked hard these past days.”

Prince Jin said, “Thank you, Prince.”

Cheng Duor led the family to kneel before Lin Yi first, then began to cry and fuss before the Prince Jin. The old and young, all noisy.

“What a disgrace in front of the Regent!” Prince Jin roared, and the hall finally quieted.

The side concubine Suxin, seeing Lin Yi staring at her again, grew even more embarrassed, wiping her tears and bowing. “We were rude. Please forgive us, Regent.”

The Prince Nanling glanced at Lin Yi, then at Suxin, as if realizing something extraordinary.

“You all must have much to discuss; talk amongst yourselves,” Lin Yi waved. “I’ll go feed the birds nearby.”

Prince Jin shared this hobby with him—raising fish and birds. There were many rare flowers, birds, and goldfish in the palace, which he planned to take when leaving.

The Prince Nanling followed closely behind.

Lin Yi whistled, teasing the parrot in its cage.

“Regent is wise! Regent is wise!”

The parrot kept shouting.

“You taught it?”

Lin Yi looked at Prince Nanling.

“I was idle, so I taught it a few phrases,” the Prince Nanling said respectfully, personally brewing a pot of tea for Lin Yi and raising it before his brow.