Last year, when Helian Jue attacked Jiaozhou and Huangzhou, he didn't dare to make a big show of it.
Princess Xie even knew to place a body double in the palace to avoid suspicion.
A few months earlier, Helian Jue went into the mountains to attack those mountain strongholds, also claiming to be "hunting."
Whether or not anyone believes it, at least the couple provided an excuse.
This time, Princess Xie didn't even bother to hide it and directly told Zhou Wencheng: "The prince has gone out to fight again!"
Where is it this time?
Zhou Wencheng closed his eyes and silently recalled the surrounding map in his mind.
To the east of Yuezhou is Guangcheng, and to the west is Luozhou.
Guangcheng was the most prosperous prefecture in Lingnan and an important administrative center in Lingnan.
The imperial court still attached great importance to it.
The selected governors were mostly capable ministers trusted by the emperor.
Guangcheng also has a garrison, including an army camp and a navy.
The total number of people reached more than 5,000.
In fact, it's just that Helian Jue hasn't completely crossed the sage's bottom line yet.
If Helian Jue were to directly raise the flag of rebellion, the Emperor would order the troops of Guangcheng to attack Yuezhou.
Five thousand men doesn't seem like much, at least not as many as Helian Jue's rapidly expanding forces.
But these troops include marines and large ships.
They could attack Yuezhou to the south by sea, or transfer troops from Fujian and Zhejiang to the north.
It is estimated that Helian Jue and his wife also considered this point, which is why they did not go too far.
Helian Jue was still wary of Guangcheng and would not attack it easily.
Then, it's only Luozhou!
Zhou Wencheng thought carefully and remembered that three years ago, the imperial court had selected a prefect, who was said to be from a prominent family.
However, upon hearing that it was Luo Prefecture, the man was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he would rather defy the imperial decree than go to take up his post.
Enraged, the sage found fault with the man and had him strangled.
Even his family was implicated.
The sage displayed his thunderous wrath, which indeed intimidated the powerful families.
However, the position of governor of Luo Prefecture remains vacant.
Luozhou also has a most critical location: there is no garrison camp there, only local powerful families and a few retainers and private soldiers recruited by the county magistrate.
These people, if added together, probably number two or three thousand.
Zhou Wencheng's position in the Yue King's mansion was very awkward; he had no access to the real secrets.
For example, Zhou Wencheng didn't know exactly how many troops Helian Jue brought with him this time, or roughly how much food and supplies he had.
However, Zhou Wencheng could guess that Helian Jue had no shortage of men, and if he wanted to send troops, he probably wouldn't be too "stingy".
There should be at least three thousand people, and maybe more.
Helian Jue's troops had also participated in two campaigns and could be considered a strong and fierce army.
The outcome for that rabble that attacked Luozhou is predictable.
Luozhou will soon fall into Helian Jue's territory.
He will be even more "worthy of the title" as the King of Lingnan.
Thinking about all this, Zhou Wencheng's heart sank.
The situation in Yuezhou, or rather, in Lingnan, is becoming increasingly tense.
Can a sage continue to tolerate this?
Will the imperial court send troops?
At that time, the land of Lingnan will once again be engulfed in continuous warfare.
"well!"
Zhou Wencheng sighed softly.
He was a traditional scholar-official, inheriting the most basic compassion for humanity and patriotism of his predecessors.
He simply couldn't bear to see war reignite on this land.
“Chief Secretary Zhou, I have just received news that Cui Boyong’s henchmen, in collusion with the Liao and Li people, are attempting to attack Crescent Moon New City.”
Xie Yuan ignored Zhou Wencheng's distraction and relayed the information that Li Baozhu had sent him.
"What? Attack the new city?"
Xie Yuan's words instantly brought Zhou Wencheng back to his senses.
He suddenly raised his head and looked at Xie Yuan in astonishment.
His guess was: was this trouble caused by the so-called Cui family's henchmen, or was it another scheme set up by Princess Xie?
You can't blame him for being suspicious; he was genuinely scared after being tricked once.
"Yes. They want to avenge Cui Boyong. They don't dare to confront the prince directly, so they can only sneak around like a bunch of rats, attacking the prince's mansion when he's not around."
When Xie Yuan spoke, he couldn't help but speak with obvious sarcasm in his tone.
Zhou Wencheng frowned. Princess Xie's words were somewhat contradictory.
She had just said that the Cui family's henchmen were going to attack Xincheng, but then she added "sneakily" in the next sentence.
Is it a high-profile attack or sabotage in secret?
These are two different concepts.
As if sensing Zhou Wencheng's doubts, Xie Yuan slowly dropped a bombshell: "Oh, and there's also Xie Ze, the magistrate of He County. He's also colluding with those traitors, trying to communicate with foreign enemies from within!"
Zhou Wencheng's pupils suddenly contracted.
It's here!
here we go again!
That strange feeling washed over Zhou Wencheng once again.
A similar feeling, a familiar taste.
Is Xie Ze going to follow in Cui Boyong's footsteps?
At this point, Zhou Wencheng finally understood.
He also knew why Princess Xie had summoned him again.
So they're making him a "witness" again?
As Zhou Wencheng thought about these things, his eyes became somewhat mournful.
Even if someone is just a tool, they shouldn't be used repeatedly.
Even a tool has dignity!
Xie Yuan seemed oblivious to the accusation in Zhou Wencheng's eyes and continued, "Chief Secretary Zhou, the Prince is not here, and I am but a woman."
"In addition, I have some old grudges with Xie Ze. If I take him down in advance, outsiders will suspect that I am 'settling personal scores'."
"Fortunately, there is still Chief Secretary Zhou. Although you are an official under the Prince's Palace, you were once an Imperial Censor."
"Whether it's the people of Yuezhou or the imperial court, they all trust your character..."
Xie Yuan slowly stated his goals.
That's right, she wanted Zhou Wencheng to be a witness.
Zhou Wencheng: ...I'm so tired. He doesn't want to be caught between the Sage and Helian Jue anymore.
Being caught in the middle is really unpleasant.
Looking up at Princess Xie, whose smile was radiant and whose eyes were sincere, Zhou Wencheng suddenly had an impulse: Why not just give in to the Prince of Yue?
Just like Helian Chen, become the prince's confidant and manage things well in Lingnan.
"No! Didn't you say you wanted to be a wise minister? How can you go against the grain?"
"What rebellion? The King of Yue is still a prince appointed by the imperial court; he has not rebelled."
"In any case, we cannot betray our sovereign."
"But I really don't want to be guarded against or taken advantage of. I want to make something of myself."
Two voices rang in Zhou Wencheng's mind, arguing fiercely.
Zhou Wencheng's face showed struggle and hesitation.
Xie Yuan saw all of this. She had laid so much groundwork and finally waited for the right opportunity.
She said slowly, "Actually, both the Prince and I deeply respect Chief Clerk Zhou. We believe that you are the most suitable Prefect of Yuezhou!"
Zhou Wencheng looked at Xie Yuan again, his gaze intense.
What does this woman mean?
Why didn't you appoint me as Chief Clerk, but instead recommended me as Governor?
Wow, this suggestion is damn tempting...
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