Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 119: Cross-examination
“Zhang Pengfei, how dare you come back!” In Zhongshan County, Governor Shi Chengsong looked at Zhang Pengfei, his anger flaring up.
It turned out that Zhang Pengfei was the one delivering the letter to Zhongshan County, and this was specifically arranged by Xu Ren.
Many of the people around Shi Chengsong looked at Zhang Pengfei with anger. No matter how they viewed it, Zhang Pengfei’s previous actions seemed “dishonorable.” Shi Chengsong had entrusted him with delivering a letter to Zhao Guoshan, the governor of Luliang County, but he had fled midway. Fleeing was one thing, but he had delivered the letter to Anyang instead!
This incident had turned Shi Chengsong into a joke. Delivering messages was a crucial task, so every messenger was expected to be utterly loyal.
Given this, it was clear that such an event happening under Shi Chengsong’s watch made him the laughingstock of the other governors and officials. It was no wonder Shi Chengsong was now furious.
Zhang Pengfei, however, calmly handed the letter to a nearby guard. Suddenly, he pulled open his shirt to reveal a hideous scar on his chest. “Governor, I didn’t just come back to deliver a letter; I’ve also come to demand justice. How do you explain this scar?”
Instantly, the surrounding people fell silent, their eyes turning to Shi Chengsong.
Shi Chengsong narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly, “I’ve always known you were disloyal. Back then, I gave you a light punishment, yet you still refuse to repent!”
Zhang Pengfei was stunned—how could someone be so shameless? Shi Chengsong completely ignored his own wrongdoing, instead using such an excuse to defend himself. Faced with such a person, what more could Zhang Pengfei say? He simply tidied up his shirt and said, “The letter has been delivered. Farewell.”
Watching Zhang Pengfei’s carefree departure, Shi Chengsong angrily snorted and slammed his fist through the table.
A squad leader stepped forward, “outraged”: “My lord, allow me to crush this traitor!”
Shi Chengsong glanced at the squad leader but said nothing, taking the letter and reading it. After finishing, he snorted again, “So, Anyang has finally shown its claws! But you’re three or four months too late. Your actions are too slow! I won’t move—let’s see what you can do, what you’re bold enough to attempt!”
Despite saying he wouldn’t act, Shi Chengsong still wrote a letter to the Second Prince: “Your Highness, we are being harassed by Anyang! You must stand up for us; Anyang is bullying us terribly. Boohoo…”
Following Shi Chengsong’s example, Luliang County’s Governor Zhao Guoshan did the same. The two were now “comrades in arms.”
Three days passed in a flash. In Anyang, Beichen Yuqing led a false army made up of reservists and other units, advancing toward Zhongshan County.
At the same time, Kaiping County to the north of Zhongshan County, controlled by Li Xian’s older brother Li Liang, also dispatched troops, pressing down on Zhongshan County from the north. The two brothers of the Li family raised a loud banner—”To protect the king!”
But this protection was not about purging traitors from the court, but rather maintaining the emperor’s dignity. They also put forth a political slogan—to capture Shi Chengsong and Zhao Guoshan and deliver them to the imperial capital, Wuyang, for the emperor’s judgment.
As soon as Beichen Yuqing made a move, Shi Chengsong and Zhao Guoshan “understood”—Anyang was indeed preparing to attack Zhongshan County, and the Li brothers were acting together!
Shi Chengsong immediately led his troops north, closing off the passage between Zhongshan County and Anyang. From the city walls, he faced Beichen Yuqing from a distance, engaging in a direct confrontation:
“Beichen Yuqing, how dare you lead troops to attack Zhongshan County? Are you trying to start a civil war? Do you not care about the emperor’s authority?”
Beichen Yuqing smiled slightly. “Governor Shi, three months ago, we ordered you to come to the capital to see the emperor, but you remained unresponsive. Over three months have passed!
Now, Her Highness the Princess and General Li Xian are furious, which is why I’m here to question you!”
Shi Chengsong narrowed his eyes, his mind racing with ideas. “Beichen Yuqing, are you here to demand an explanation, or are you here to attack Zhongshan County?”
“Of course, I’m here to demand an explanation!” Beichen Yuqing answered without hesitation.
Shi Chengsong burst into laughter. “Good! Since you’re here to demand an explanation, I shall provide one. I have already written to His Highness the Crown Prince admitting my mistakes; we are now waiting for his reply.”
With that, both sides faced each other at the pass, neither side initiating an attack. It seemed they were both waiting for the Crown Prince’s response.
The situation in Zhongshan County mirrored that of Luliang County. Governor Zhao Guoshan was fortifying the northern border while simultaneously strengthening communication with Zhongshan County—preparing to unite against the Li brothers when the time was right. Eventually, Zhao Guoshan also sent a letter to the Crown Prince, the Second Prince.
Just two days later, the letters from Zhongshan County and Luliang County reached the Crown Prince.
Crown Prince Xia Shu was seething with rage after reading the letters—Li Xian and the Li family had taken the first move! Though Li Xian’s pretext might seem reasonable, anyone with clear vision could see that he was initiating civil war! However… that pretext was so good that it was hard to refute! From actions to justifications to objectives, Li Xian had the moral high ground, while the governors of Zhongshan and Luliang were left in a passive position. Naturally, the Crown Prince was also feeling helpless.
With limited allies to consult, Crown Prince Xia Shu first turned to his uncle, Yue Qingfeng.
Yue Qingfeng rubbed his temples in frustration, unable to come up with a good plan. While he was skilled in business, governance was not his forte! Left with no other option, the Crown Prince sought the advice of the Grand Commander, Yuan Yong.
Yuan Yong was a political veteran who quickly presented the Crown Prince with three strategies.
“Three strategies?!” Xia Shu sighed inwardly. Indeed, a political stalwart was not to be underestimated. “May I ask what those three strategies are?”
Observing the indecisive and somewhat flustered Crown Prince, Yuan Yong felt a slight disdain but maintained a respectful demeanor. “Your Highness, the first strategy is called ‘sacrifice the chariot to save the commander’: abandon Zhongshan County and Luliang County. As the Crown Prince, and from the perspective of the Great Xia, punish the two counties severely to gain the trust of His Majesty.”
Xia Shu frowned, “If we do that, wouldn’t Zhongshan County and Luliang County fall under the control of the Li family? Once they control both counties, the Li family would dominate the northeast, claiming a quarter of the Great Xia. That’s absolutely unacceptable!
Can’t we take advantage of this opportunity to seize control of Zhongshan and Luliang ourselves?”
Yuan Yong frowned, realizing the limited scope of the Crown Prince’s thinking. Didn’t he consider the broader implications? Would the Li family dare extend their influence into both counties? Would others and His Majesty really sit idly by? Seeing Xia Shu’s outright rejection, Yuan Yong couldn’t help but sigh internally—while the Crown Prince possessed cleverness, his true political acumen paled compared to ordinary individuals.
“The second strategy I propose is to allow the Li family to control Zhongshan County while we take charge of Luliang County. This would establish a mutual interest with the Li family, making them our political allies.”
“That won’t do! The Li family is insatiable; I don’t want to bend to them! I am the Crown Prince! What’s the third option?”
Yuan Yong lowered his gaze, “The third option is for Your Highness to go directly to Yunding Mountain, to the construction site of the imperial tombs, and confront Li Xian in person. As Crown Prince, you would press him to make concessions. Be cautious, though; this matter must not involve His Majesty or Li Yulong, or else things could get complicated and difficult to manage.”
Upon hearing this suggestion, Xia Shu’s spirits lifted. “If we do this, can we also take the opportunity to further win over Zhongshan County and Luliang County?”
“Yes!” Yuan Yong was too weary to explain further.
Crown Prince Xia Shu was overjoyed. “Lord Yuan, this third option is truly the best strategy! I shall set off immediately to confront Li Xian!”
Ad
