Springtime in Dongning is filled with radiant smiles.
The people are happy.
Soldiers, be happy.
Li Xin was even happier!
However, unlike the joyful scene in Dongning, some people in the capital were unhappy!
The Eastern Palace.
Crown Prince Li Ming smashed the porcelain cup in his hand in anger, and said with a face full of rage, "Dongning has become so powerful?"
"No news for only one winter? How is that possible!"
Since the heavy snow blocked the roads in Dongning, news from Dongning has been temporarily cut off.
Moreover, under the strict investigation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard under Li Xi's command, the secret agents of the Crown Prince's faction were unable to spread the news.
Especially throughout the winter, it seems like there are always people watching the sky.
Once a pigeon is spotted taking off, it is shot down immediately.
In a short time, no further news from Dongning City was reported to the capital.
News didn't come until spring had arrived in Dongning.
However, upon seeing these messages, Crown Prince Li Ming simply couldn't believe they were true.
The Dongning army repelled the grassland bandits and recovered the lost territory of Dongning, and that was that!
Cannons and muskets were things Li Ming had never heard of or seen before!
What angered Li Ming even more was that these cannons and muskets were incredibly powerful!
The city was like tofu in front of cannons!
Is this still the same Dongning?
Most importantly, the Prince Xin's palace guards numbered as many as 20,000 men!
With such a massive army and such formidable weaponry, if Prince Xin's army were to march into the pass, they probably wouldn't be able to stop them!
For a moment, Crown Prince Li Ming sensed a sense of crisis!
Even now, Prince Xin has a cooperative relationship with him.
The Qingyu Trading Company, located in the capital, is doing fairly well!
Each month, they are able to receive a substantial profit.
However, as the saying goes, "Possessing a treasure is a crime!"
It's hard to guarantee that Prince Xin won't "possess a sharp weapon and harbor murderous intent," and whether he can still be a law-abiding vassal king.
This is what Crown Prince Li Ming is most worried about!
The current Crown Prince Li Ming feels extremely insecure!
Mr. Song,
Li Ming paced back and forth in the room somewhat anxiously, and finally couldn't help but ask, "You said last summer, can we believe what Li Xin said?"
Is he really not interested in the throne?
"hehe!"
Song Xianze sneered and said indifferently, "Can you believe that he has no interest in the throne?"
I'm afraid everyone would be interested in the throne!
I wasn't interested at the time, but I was constrained by my abilities and dared not have any other thoughts.
The current Li Xin is different.
With 20,000 elite troops under his command, as well as new weapons and equipment such as gunpowder, muskets, and cannons, he was a force to be reckoned with!
How could they not be interested in the throne?
Besides, we targeted Prince Xin quite a bit, both before and after he took up his fief!
Will Prince Xin forget this matter?
"Your Highness, how can you think this is possible? Especially after that incident!"
"Um!"
Crown Prince Li Ming frowned and his expression turned cold.
Yes!
Recently, he has been cooperating with Prince Xin through the Qingyu Trading Company, and the considerable profits have made him feel that the two sides can coexist peacefully.
However, the most fundamental issues have not yet been addressed!
That was a matter of life and death!
It seems we still need to plan this matter carefully!
Gradually, Li Ming calmed down and carefully considered how to deal with the potential threat from Dongning!
Mr. Song,
After a long silence, Li Ming asked, "The strength of Dongning is gradually increasing, and the threat they pose to us is also growing."
Regardless of how well we cooperate now, he will always be a potential threat to us!
Moreover, they are also the competitors we worry about the most!
Mr. Song, we still need to find a way to eliminate this threat!
At the very least, we must mitigate this threat!
Do you have any good ideas?
The grassland bandits are out of luck!
The relationship between the Prince of Liao and the Prince of Xin is quite close. It would be difficult to leverage their power. Alas!
As he spoke, Crown Prince Li Ming sighed.
Song Xianze stroked his chin, pondering the question carefully.
How should we deal with the threat from Dongning?
After pondering for a long time, an idea flashed through Song Xianze's mind. His pupils lit up, but then dimmed again.
"Mr. Song, have you come up with a good idea?"
Crown Prince Li Ming also noticed the change in Song Xianze's expression and quickly asked.
"There is a way."
Song Xianze glanced around the hall, and after confirming that no one was around, he said in a low voice, "Your Highness, I heard that last winter, the Prince of Liao caught a cold..."
"Um?"
Li Ming was somewhat surprised, not understanding why Song Xianze had brought up the King of Liao.
"Mr. Song, what do you mean by this?"
Li Ming asked the question.
Song Xianze did not answer the question, but stared at Li Ming and said, "Your Highness, the Prince of Liao's heir has not been distant from Your Highness during his time in the capital; on the contrary, they are quite close."
"If Your Highness could cultivate a stronger relationship with the Crown Prince of Liao, we could then use Liaodong as leverage in our struggle against Dongning once the Crown Prince ascends the throne."
"Will the Crown Prince of Liao inherit the throne of Liao?"
Li Ming was taken aback, and instantly realized why Song Xianze had mentioned the Liao King's illness.
He stared wide-eyed at Song Xianze and said, "Mr. Song, you mean..."
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