IDWBE -Chapter 70 Fighting Costs Money

Lin Yi happily took the letter from Wang Qingbang’s disciple, Fang Bin.

But when he opened it, it was just more matters of the court.

“What does Old Eight being assassinated have anything to do with me?”

Lin Yi said, tossing the note onto the table. No interest.

Wang Qingbang cupped his hands. “According to the letter from Princess Huaiyang, after a rough analysis, it seems Eighth Prince leans toward Prince Yong.”

Lin Yi smiled. “Old Eight follows Old Three? Unlikely. He’s a year older than me, set in his ways. The people he despises most, besides me, is Old Three. Why would he side with him?”

Among siblings, if there’s someone he hates, it’s surely Eighth Prince Lin Zhanchu.

Wang Qingbang laughed. “You can’t just look at appearances. In the capital, even your reputation isn’t flawless.”

Rumors painted Prince He as a fool, yet anyone who spent time with him knew he was far from simple.

Lin Yi frowned. “Could he have been pretending all along? But he doesn’t look smart; he’s always been rather dull.”

Wang Qingbang smiled. “Princess Huaiyang’s last letter said the emperor wants all princes to take up their fiefs as soon as possible. With all this trouble, Eighth Prince can’t go to Chu for now.”

Lin Yi pursed his lips. “Could it be a self-inflicted ploy? Just like Old Three. Going to his fief is fine—Chu is rich, much better than Sanhe. This guy really doesn’t think straight; staying in the capital doesn’t benefit him at all. I really don’t understand it.”

Wang Qingbang shook his head. “Chuzhou, Yuezhou, and Liangzhou have suffered disasters and rebellions for years. Rebels never stop. It is said that Cao Datong in Chuzhou feigned surrender, but rebelled again while being escorted back. This time, with thirty-six rebel groups joining forces, Cao Datong was proclaimed ‘King Sheng.’ General Mei Jingzhi set a net of traps—whether they can be defeated is still uncertain.”

“Lin Ning mentioned it in the letter… almost forgot,” Lin Yi smacked his head and laughed. “Looks like staying in the capital instead of going to Chuzhou was the right decision.”

And with that, he ignored it. Floods raging outside were none of his concern.

Mingyue and Zixia were each calculating numbers on paper with charcoal sticks.

Lin Yi glanced at the figures casually—and his scalp tingled.

He Jixiang’s so-called “anti-bandit” operations were insanely expensive!

The He Mansion only had 1,500 guards—how could it cost this much?

If it weren’t for his trust in these two girls, he might suspect someone was deliberately trying to skim money from his pocket!

Leaning back in his chair, he drank two cups of tea in one go, and out of curiosity, finally picked up the ledger and skimmed it.

1,500 guards, ignoring their monthly pay, one day’s rough rice consumption was 200 hu—enough for a month, that’s over 240 dan of rice.

And they couldn’t just eat rice—they needed meat, cattle, and sheep. Surely over a hundred head?

There were horses for riding, carts for transport, clothes for changing, raincoats, sickles and grass knives for clearing paths, shovels, armor, swords, and spears for combat.

Additionally, there were 2,000 elderly laborers accompanying the army, helping transport food and feed, start fires, cook, and dig trenches.

These auxiliary personnel were a massive expense as well.

If there were casualties, there would be compensations, all needing prepayment.

Everything added up; nothing could be spared.

But on reflection, it made sense.

It’s not just modern warfare with guns and cannons that costs money—any war, in any era, is expensive!

Even in his previous life, two groups of people clashing, each recruiting dozens of men for appearances—whether a fight happened or not, a cigarette per person and a meal, tens of thousands of coins gone in no time!

“Going on a campaign like this, it’ll cost at least ten thousand taels,” Lin Yi said, returning the ledger to Mingyue and sighing. “Tell Old He I won’t do a losing trade. All spoils must be confiscated and later rewarded properly.”

Mingyue smiled. “Of course, Your Highness. It’s already been arranged. Moreover, Mr. He is careful and capable—he’ll handle it properly.”

Lin Yi asked, “I hope so. How much wealth do we have left?”

Zixia replied, “After sending off Mr. He, we still have 40,000 taels of silver and 100,000 taels in bills.”

“That’s it?” Lin Yi almost couldn’t believe it.

Along this road to taking up his fief, relatives like Prince Qing gave some gifts, plus local gentry contributions—nearly a million taels. And just a few months later, it’s almost gone?

Mingyue said, “Your Highness, we accounted for the mansion, school, and orphanage. The biggest expenses are still road construction—buying this, preparing that, three hundred taels daily. Plus the guards, schoolchildren, and orphans—food and fodder—over a hundred taels daily.”

Lin Yi said, “Roads cost money, but if we don’t build them, prices won’t drop—a vicious cycle. Either way, the roads must be built. Once finished, things should improve. But this money won’t last long. We need to open revenue streams.”

At that moment, Sun Yi came in, saying someone requested an audience.

“Du Yinniang? And she brought a big man?”

Before Lin Yi finished speaking, Tian Shiyou burst in, panting.

“Your Highness—”

“Speak properly,” Lin Yi frowned.

“Du Sanhe!” Tian Shiyou was excited. “I saw Du Sanhe!”

“Where?” Lin Yi asked.

“At the gate! Right at the gate!”

Tian Shiyou shouted, “Your Highness, send someone to capture him immediately!”

Lin Yi said coldly, “Such an important task—if you don’t trust others, then why not go yourself?”

“Ah—”

Tian Shiyou grimaced. “Your Highness, Du Sanhe is Ninth Rank. Even if a hundred of us attack together, it’s suicide. He can’t be beaten!”

Lin Yi waved impatiently. “Go away. Don’t obstruct my view. Sun Yi, bring them in. Where’s Wen Zhaoyi?”

He glanced at Mingyue.

With Nie Youdao and the emperor holding a deep grudge, any failure could backfire—having a grandmaster like Wen Zhaoyi nearby gave him reassurance.

Hong Ying said, “Wen Zhaoyi went out early; I didn’t see her. Rest assured, Your Highness, Du Sanhe wouldn’t dare act rashly in your presence.”

Lin Yi remained silent, sipping tea and crossing his legs.

After finishing, Mingyue refilled his cup. As he lifted it again, he saw three people entering with Sun Yi.

One man and one woman were the previously visiting Du Yinniang and Wen Qian.

This time, they brought a massive, muscular man with a rugged, dark face—no doubt, Du Sanhe.

Lin Yi glanced at the stunningly beautiful Du Yinniang—genetically speaking, it was impossible.

“Greetings, Prince He!”

Du Yinniang and Wen Qian cupped their hands toward Lin Yi.

Du Sanhe remained motionless, staring intently at Lin Yi.