Several burly generals swore as they walked away.
Prince Jin watched their backs and nodded with satisfaction.
’These are all skilled in leading troops. Settling them means the matter is half done!’
’Excellent!’
He stood by the window for a long time.
The sky remained overcast with dark clouds pressing down.
The air still carried the chill of decay, with everything seemingly lifeless.
Prince Jin clenched his fists, grinding his teeth in thought.
’Soon!’
’Soon things will change!’
First seize military power, then attack the Great Chu.
In spring and summer, with lean times, the starving wolves have been hungry for far too long.
The Chu Dynasty may be strong, with robust soldiers.
Yet the warriors of Western Xia are fierce, each worth ten men in battle.
Moreover, the desperation for survival when facing death is irresistible.
Especially since Fengfeng has already set up everything in Great Chu.
This time.
If they can’t kill this fat pig, they’ll at least take a generous slice of fat.
To let his people and warriors feast well!
When sitting idle leads only to death.
A blaze of war becomes the sole path to survival.
They’re so starving there’s no other choice!
Prince Jin narrowed his eyes, pulled his golden fox-fur cloak tighter, and returned to the inner chamber.
...
The Crown Princess Consort was still unconscious.
Prince Jin looked at her keenly, with a barely perceptible hint of sarcasm in his eyes.
’This woman only dreams of becoming Western Xia’s Empress!’
’To achieve her goal, she’s willing to drug the Crown Prince for it!’
’In the Great Chu Dynasty’s Imperial Palace, there’s a type of man called eunuchs. Men who take that kind of drug are no different from eunuchs, only that they become emasculated men with a title!’
’Her methods are truly as venomous as serpents!’
’Such a woman should not be kept!’
Having thought this, he turned to summon a confidant official and whispered a few words in his ear.
The confidant’s eyes flashed with a harsh glint.
Then, he agreed with a smug expression and left, his face brimming with satisfaction!
Probably... too many people can’t stand the Crown Princess Consort!
Prince Jin smiled.
’Nephew, killing this woman counts as avenging you on behalf of your uncle!’
’From now on, we shall part ways without owing each other!’
...
The Sunny March.
Right amidst the flourishing prosperity of the Capital City.
Countless young men and women, ladies and misses, dressed in the most fashionable spring attire, either riding horses or sitting in exquisite carriages.
Leaving the city to enjoy the greenery, light incense, appreciate flowers, and drink tea, with the city and suburbs, streets and alleys, teahouses and taverns all bustling with lively activity.
An urgent dispatch of 800 miles arrived, sent overnight from the southwest and northwest into the Capital City, appearing in the King’s Imperial Study Room by nightfall.
By that time, Zhao Junyao had received the news.
In the southwest and northwest, several rebel disturbances are harming the people, proving difficult to suppress.
At worst, they simply loot grain and money.
At their worst, they engage in arson and slaughter, leaving not a single survivor, grabbing everything of value, leaving a wake of destruction.
Even some villages and towns are pillaged, leaving bodies everywhere, houses empty, not even livestock left behind.
The news spread rapidly, leaving the populace in panic.
The whole southwest and northwest are in chaos...
Zhao Junyao read the report and clenched his fist to suppress the urge to tear it apart, his face already dark as the bottom of a pot.
’Daring to openly harm the people like this! They must be courting death!’
’He had better start regretting his existence in this world!’
Early the following day.
The matter became the hot topic of the court.
Civil and military officials buzzed, offering various opinions.
The Minister of Revenue grieved deeply:
"These bandits are completely devoid of conscience; those disaster victims are truly pitiful and should be given relief quickly..."
The Minister of Justice’s face was black as iron.
"Emperor, this matter should be swiftly investigated to find the culprits, thrown into the Imperial Prison, and severely punished!!"
Finishing his speech, he secretly calculated in his mind, so many have died, they should face death by lingchi.
No, better yet, add branding iron and such!
Right, best to implicate their nine clans as well, let them suffer the loss of all their kin.
Yes, that’s about right.
The Minister of Justice, with a grim face, kept his head down, a secret smile of satisfaction on the corners of his mouth.
The Minister of Works listened for a while, thinking this had nothing to do with him.
Decided to refrain from speaking, instead, to think about Jiangnan’s river issues.
He sighed again:
Lord Xia and his party went to Portland Country to seek methods for reinforcing the riverbanks, why haven’t they returned yet? It’s been so long!
If they don’t return soon, Jiangnan will flood again this year, and the common people will suffer!
Feeling a burden on his heart...
The Minister of Rites also felt this had nothing to do with him.
Likewise, he kept his head down, having nothing to worry about.