Chapter 129: Being Tricked

In the southern part of Luliang County, near Dongyuan County, there flows a truly magical river known as the Xian Dai River. The Xian Dai River, aptly named, is as clear as a crystal belt, meandering between green mountains and white clouds. Within the Xian Dai River lies a famous lake called Cui Yan Lake.

According to legend, the Xian Dai River was formed from the clothing belt of a heavenly fairy, and Cui Yan Lake is the tears shed by the fairy, who was reluctant to leave the mortal world. Of course, the legend is beautiful, or rather, melancholic. But it must be said that the most beautiful scenery in the eastern part of the Great Xia Kingdom is indeed Cui Yan Lake.

This place is a gentle refuge, but it is also a gathering spot for prominent figures. Cui Yan Lake is a pearl between Luliang County, Yuan’s Dongyuan County, and Kong’s Nanyang County.

Naturally, His Highness the Crown Prince had to come here, whether to enjoy the scenery, appreciate the charm, or for political purposes. Here, the Crown Prince “unexpectedly encountered” the eldest son of the Kong family, Kong Yingzhi!

In truth, Xia Shu knew in his heart that this was not a chance encounter at all, but rather Kong Yingzhi was specifically waiting here for him! 

But that wasn’t important; what mattered was that Kong Yingzhi represented the Kong family and was attempting to make contact with the Crown Prince. That was the most important thing.

After a few days of leisure, the two finally found some common topics to discuss and became a bit more familiar; their conversation gradually deepened. Kong Yingzhi took the lead and threw out a bait, “Are you still troubled by the situation in Anyang, Your Highness?”

Xia Shu sighed, “Yes, it’s clear that Li Xian has developed disloyal intentions, but I cannot alleviate my father’s worries. Sigh…”

Kong Yingzhi took the opportunity while pouring wine to lower his head, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes; when he raised his head again, he immediately switched to an approving expression. “Yes, we have long seen through Li Xian’s ambitions, but unfortunately, Li Xian has managed Anyang with meticulous precision.

Your Highness, how about we join forces? To address the matters concerning Li Xian, or rather, the Li family.”

Xia Shu pondered for a moment and felt a stir of interest, “How do we join forces?”

“It’s simple. If Your Highness can allow someone from the Kong family to re-enter the court, then we can use this person to team up with you to pressure the Li family. In the end, we can at least drive Li Yulong out of the imperial capital. Without Li Yulong, Li Xian and Li Liang will be like grasshoppers after autumn—unable to jump for long.”

“You want to return to the court?!” Xia Shu closed his eyes and worked hard to calculate. The Kong family had been driven out of the imperial capital; although on the surface, it appeared that Grand Preceptor Kong Xiang had voluntarily resigned, the essence was that they had been expelled. But now there was indeed an opportunity—the position of prime minister!

To be precise, the prime minister’s position had been vacant since Ouyang Wubing was imprisoned! 

However, for the Kong family to return to the court, this was a bit tricky! Moreover, Xia Shu had already allied with Grand Tutor Yuan Yong, which posed another obstacle.

Seeing Xia Shu deep in thought and hesitating, Kong Yingzhi raised his voice slightly, “Your Highness, our Kong family will absolutely not betray the Emperor. We swear to Heaven. To show our sincerity, we have prepared another 100,000 taels of gold to accompany the royal tombs.”

While saying this on the surface, Kong Yingzhi’s inner thoughts were different: the current Emperor likely wouldn’t live much longer anyway; waiting two more years was no trouble for them! 

However, with this guarantee and the promise of 100,000 taels of gold, Xia Shu finally felt tempted! With these two justifications, things would be much easier to manage; if he could pull the Kong family back into the court, it would surely benefit him!

Xia Shu’s family strength couldn’t compare to the Third Prince Xia Guang, and his status wasn’t on par with the First Prince Xia Xu, which forced him to navigate carefully; thus, he was swayed by the Kong family’s assurance.

Kong Yingzhi’s expression brightened, knowing he had persuaded Xia Shu.

Just as Kong Yingzhi was about to take things further, a guard approached to report, “Your Highness, Deputy Guo Xiaolin of Luliang County urgently requests an audience, saying it’s extremely urgent.”

“Extremely urgent?!” Xia Shu was taken aback at first, then suddenly recalled Yuan Yong’s warning—this letter must not be delivered! Otherwise, it would spell disaster!

Could it really be as Yuan Yong said?

Kong Yingzhi wisely stepped aside, and Xia Shu met Guo Xiaolin, who looked pale. Although using talismans was less exhausting than casting spells directly, it still consumed spiritual awareness; Guo Xiaolin had flown here and was already on the verge of exhaustion.

Xia Shu didn’t pay attention to that, taking the letter and glancing at it. Instantly, his face turned pale, and he nearly stumbled. Then, in a fit of rage, he shouted, “Li Xian, how dare you play me for a fool!”

Guo Xiaolin lowered his head but was still startled by the Crown Prince’s fury—what tremendous anger and resentment! What could possibly have happened to provoke such a response from the Crown Prince that he disregarded etiquette and erupted in curses?

After venting his anger, Xia Shu had to face reality. He immediately ordered a return to the administrative seat of Luliang County, Naliang Prefecture.

Why was Xia Shu so furious? It wasn’t just because he felt tricked by Li Xian; it was a series of blunders! He had delivered a letter for Li Xian, but it was a letter that effectively delivered his own punishment. Li Xian had assured him it was a letter of persuasion, but the end result revealed it was actually a letter encouraging conflict!

Not trusting the Grand Commander Yuan Yong will inevitably lead to serious consequences.

Later, Xia Shu ran to Zhongshan County and Luliang County, shouting—“The Crown Prince has already made Li Xian back down, and Anyang will cease hostilities.” However, just after he left, Anyang launched an attack! Luliang County, caught almost completely off guard, immediately fell into crisis! 

This series of events can be summed up in one sentence—Li Xian played Xia Shu like a fool! How could this not infuriate Xia Shu? It wasn’t just a one-time trick; he was played repeatedly, and in the process, a rift emerged between him and Yuan Yong!

Running wildly, Xia Shu was determined to demand an explanation from the people of Nanjing and Anyang—“Why are you doing this?” At that moment, Beichen Yuqing led his massive army southward, poised to besiege Nanjing!

General Guo Guibang of Luliang County finally took a shortcut and was the first to arrive at Nanjing with his remnants of troops.

Moments later, Nanjing completely sealed its gates; Zhao Guoshan, following Li Yuanming’s malicious scheme, began to take control of Nanjing!

In a dark underground prison of Nanjing, Wen Cheng of Luliang County and Li Yuanming, the strategist for Zhao Guoshan, smiled as they looked at the thirteen merchants bound in a line in front of them. All these people were from Anyang.

“Gentlemen, I won’t waste more words. Now, if you accept the conditions and come forward to identify the various crimes of Anyang, everything can be negotiated. If not, then things could get tricky. So, have you thought it through?” 

The thirteen merchants said nothing, glaring angrily at Li Yuanming.

Li Yuanming suddenly pointed at the first merchant, “Zhang Yunhai, you are the most esteemed among these thirteen. How about you take the lead and make a statement?” 

Zhang Yunhai was furious, “Li Yuanming, I conduct business in Anyang, and everything follows the law. Yet in your Luliang County, I face oppression everywhere! And now you expect me to accuse Anyang? To hell with you!” 

Li Yuanming wasn’t angry; instead, he smiled slightly. “Then I hope you can remain this tough later. Come, bring in all the people from the ‘Peng Cheng Wan Li Trading Company.’” 

In the next moment, soldiers marched in, forcing more than two hundred people from Zhang Yunhai’s trading company into the room. After entering, they were kicked to the ground, and fearsome soldiers stepped on the backs of the traders, holding knives with their blades pressed against the traders’ necks. 

Li Yuanming continued smiling as he addressed Zhang Yunhai, “Now, say it again; I’ll give you a chance. Their lives are in your hands. Go on, make a statement.”

Zhang Yunhai gritted his teeth, “Brothers, I’m sorry for you. Li Yuanming, you want me to tarnish Anyang’s reputation; I can’t do it! I can’t! I just can’t!” 

“Good, you have some guts. I like people with guts,” Li Yuanming said, waving his hand. The first soldier dragged a person from the trading company to Zhang Yunhai’s feet and chopped off his head. Blood soaked Zhang Yunhai’s calves.

Li Yuanming stepped in front of Zhang Yunhai again, “Now, say it again. You still have two hundred and seven chances left.” 

Zhang Yunhai fell silent.

Li Yuanming began the countdown, “Five, four, three, two, one! Kill another one!” 

Another soldier dragged a person from the trading company to Zhang Yunhai’s feet…

“Wait!” Zhang Yunhai finally spoke, his voice hoarse and weak.

Li Yuanming waved his hand, and the soldier continued, chopping off that person’s head. “Sorry, you were too late. Well, you can speak now.”

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