Chapter 74: Returning to Shanxia County

Song Anbang smiled and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Jiang Yichen on the dragon throne. "If it is Your Majesty's request, I will gladly die for it."

Jiang Yichen: "..."

Why are you two dragging a puppet emperor like me into your power struggle?

Fortunately, the old prime minister didn't expect him to be able to answer this difficult question. "Marquis Enyi, then you should go on His Majesty's behalf."

Song Anbang suppressed his emotions and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the person above him, saying, "Your humble servant obeys."

After saying that, he left the main hall.

The old prime minister sneered, "Pretentious."

Jiang Yichen: "..."

You seem to be even more fake than him, don't you?

As soon as Song Anbang got into the carriage, he told his advisors about it.

"Do you think I should go to the border region?"

The strategist pondered for a moment, then said, “My lord, the Prime Minister’s mention of the border region at this time might be because he has received some prior information and wants to use this as an opportunity to eliminate you.”

Song Anbang narrowed his eyes. "How can this old codger live so long?"

The strategist's expression was enigmatic. "My lord, what matters most right now is what you think. If you only wish to live a life of leisure and wealth, we can pledge our allegiance to the Prime Minister; the resources of our noble families will be enough for you to enjoy a life of luxury and honor for the rest of your days. But if you wish to..."

The strategist pointed upwards, "Then we need to have troops at our disposal."

Song Anbang suddenly laughed, "In your opinion, it would be better to go on this trip to the border region and take the opportunity to consolidate military power?"

The strategist bowed, "We will act according to Your Lordship's wishes."

Song Anbang changed the subject, "How did you handle the matter I asked you to handle?"

The strategist paused for a moment, then said, "I am incompetent and have made no progress whatsoever."

"It's alright, no news is the best news. I should also make a trip to Bianzhou. It's been twenty years, and I wonder how my nephew has grown up."

The strategist seized the opportunity to flatter him, "Your Excellency has great foresight and made plans long ago. Back then, you opened the city gates to let the rebels into the city while secretly allowing the generals to take the young prince north. No matter how the aristocratic families manipulate the puppet emperor today, the legitimate authority is still outside. As long as we bring the young prince back, the power of the imperial family can be used by Your Excellency."

The Jiang family dynasty has lasted for thousands of years, with its members spread throughout the land. It's not that these powerful families didn't want to be emperors themselves, but wouldn't that make them traitors and rebels? Their reputation in future historical records would be terrible.

Besides, finding a puppet emperor from the imperial clan would ultimately bring just as much benefit as directly becoming emperor.

Just as Song Anbang was planning his trip to Bianzhou, Hensheng and his group returned to Shan County.

Seeing that Hensheng had brought back more than 5,000 men, Old Man Bai realized for the first time that his son, whom he had raised for more than 20 years, had finally grown up.

"It's good that you're back. Miss Su, the bok choy has sprouted. I'll go cook for you."

Su Zhenzhen was still wondering where the rice came from when a graceful young woman walked out of the house.

"Jiang Sijin?" Su Zhenzhen's eyes widened. "How did you grow up so much?"

Jiang Sijin rolled her eyes in annoyance. "None of your business."

Su Zhenzhen laughed jokingly, "A royal princess would never use such an impolite word."

"You!" Jiang Sijin was furious, but considering there were many people around, she turned around and calmly went into the house.

Old Man Bai looked at Su Zhenzhen somewhat embarrassedly, "Miss Su, when you weren't around, the princess brought out all the food. She's just a child at heart and likes everyone to pamper her. Please don't take it personally."

Su Zhenzhen didn't relax. Jiang Sijin could teleport to any place she had been. But where had she been?

Bianzhou? Bianzhou is almost gone. Chunzhi has taken everything edible. Where can she get food from?

Huzhou? Hensheng and I went to Huzhou. Jiang Sijin wouldn't be that stupid.

That leaves only the capital city.

The original Jiang Sijin did indeed go to the capital, but it's hard to say about this little monster now.

Su Zhenzhen was still thinking.

Hensheng had Old Man Bai bring out food to treat the soldiers, and after everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, he led them to repair the city wall.

As for the materials needed, Su Zhenzhen purchased them all from the system shop.

That night, the group witnessed the ghostly soldiers passing through. They were all men who had fought on the battlefield, so they were not frightened, but rather curious.

Qingshan and the others recognized the brothers from Huo Jiajun, and their eyes all reddened.

"Can't they...can't they be reincarnated?"

Su Zhenzhen told them the answer very bluntly, "No, they will be trapped in this city because of their obsession until they are completely washed away by heaven and earth. I can make the Yin soldiers disappear by passing through, but they will also be completely gone from this world without a trace."

"No!" Qingshan hurriedly stopped them. "Let them stay here. We're not afraid."

Su Zhenzhen nodded. "That's what I think too. With them around, ordinary people won't dare to easily set foot in the mountain county, which is advantageous for us right now."

In the days that followed, Hensheng led his men to clean the streets and repair the city. Su Zhenzhen had nothing to do for a while and began to think about the series of events that had happened before.

The main issue is that Miss Huo. Why would a woman surnamed Huo flee to the border region? If she is truly General Huo's sister, why doesn't she go directly to the Northwest Army to find her relatives?

Su Zhenzhen had a strong feeling that there was a conspiracy involved.

"Hey!" Jiang Sijin suddenly shouted over.

Su Zhenzhen looked at her speechlessly, "Don't worry, I'm not that timid."

Jiang Sijin stuck out her tongue; anyone who saw her would only think she was a lively and adorable girl.

"Help me comb my hair."

"I'm thinking about something, I don't have time." Su Zhenzhen ignored her.

But Jiang Sijin clung to her, saying, "Do you understand? Why don't you tell me? Maybe this princess can answer your questions right away."

Su Zhenzhen's lips curled slightly. "Did you know that we met General Huo's sister on the way to Huzhou?"

"General Huo's sister?" Jiang Sijin asked, puzzled. "His family has only had one son for three generations, where would he get a sister? A relative?"

Su Zhenzhen understood immediately. Jiang Sijin didn't even know Huo Rouzhen existed, so it seemed she knew even less about that Miss Huo.

"That's not right. The Huo family didn't have many people to begin with. General Huo's grandfather joined the army because he was so poor that he couldn't afford to eat. He eventually rose through the ranks based on his military achievements. Emperor Chang even wanted a woman from the Huo family to be the Crown Princess, but the Huo family has no daughters."

Jiang Sijin looked certain.

This made Su Zhenzhen convinced that something was amiss.

Logically speaking, given Jiang Sijin's special circumstances, she should have no chance to know some things hidden beneath the surface.

This proves that the Huo family may indeed have a Miss Huo.

As for why Miss Huo went to the front line in the border region back then, was she fleeing from disaster, or did she know something and go to inform others?

The Huo family and General Huo were certainly an important line of defense on the front lines, but weren't they also a major threat to the emperor?