A brief exchange of pleasantries revealed the intricacies of human relationships.
It is not difficult to see from their deliberate attire, speech and behavior that Prince Liu Xinwu of Wuning did not put on airs because of his age, and Chen Huai'an was also humble and polite, acting as a junior.
Amidst laughter and conversation, the two got down to business.
Liu Xinwu said, "Nephew, a secret report from Youzhou states that Emperor Zhao Gan's 200,000-strong anti-Japanese garrison arrived in Youzhou yesterday and will set off after resting there for three days."
"How is it? Your Dragon City Pacification Army has gone on a long and arduous campaign. Even today, they only have one day to rest. Can you guarantee the morale and combat effectiveness of the troops?"
Chen Huai'an said, "Your Highness—"
"Nephew, stop!"
Before Chen Huai'an could finish speaking, Liu Xinwu rudely interrupted him, saying somewhat angrily, "Nephew, there's no such thing as a prince here, just a decrepit old man with one foot in the grave!"
"Logically speaking, you are the heir apparent of the Prince of Jin, and should inherit the title of Prince. I am merely the Prince of Changshan. If you continue to address me as Your Highness, shouldn't I be expected to perform the court etiquette towards you?"
"I humbly request that from now on we address each other as uncle and nephew, and you call me Uncle Shi!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Huai'an smiled awkwardly, inwardly unleashing a torrent of profanities at the black-robed old monk, Dongfang Xiao.
He thought to himself, "It's all because of that old monk's suggestion of a marriage alliance. Now, when I'm talking to Prince Wu Ning, I always feel like a new son-in-law meeting his father-in-law."
But we still need to keep talking about this.
Chen Huai'an cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Uncle!"
Um!
Liu Xinwu nodded in satisfaction, signaling Chen Huai'an to continue.
Chen Huai'an said, "Uncle, the troops that have detoured through the northern desert to enter Wuzhou this time are the elite of the Longcheng Jingnan Army under my command. On the way north, the infantry are equipped with two horses, the light cavalry with three horses, and the heavy cavalry with four horses."
"Now, the horses are full of energy, the soldiers are in high spirits, the generals have no fear of battle, and the soldiers have no desire to live—"
At this point, Chen Huai'an changed the subject, saying with an air of dominance, "To whip the second emperor, a tyrannical ruler, and to intercept and kill the treacherous officials of the court, is as easy as taking something out of a bag!"
Hahaha!
"good!"
"very good!"
"very good!"
Liu Xinwu laughed heartily and exclaimed "Good!" three times. Then he stood up from his chair, paced around the study, and looked at Chen Huai'an with an approving and appreciative expression, continuing:
"A true man born between heaven and earth should possess such heroic spirit and domineering courage, and should have the boldness and courage to go forward even if there are thousands of people against him!"
"Nephew Huai'an, after seeing you today, your uncle is even more convinced that he did not misjudge you. A golden carp is no ordinary fish; it will transform into a dragon once it encounters wind and clouds—"
"You, Chen Huai'an, are not the useless heir apparent in the eyes of those nobles and powerful generals in the Great Xin court!"
"Instead, it is that extraordinary talent that can turn the tide of the world, the unpredictable strategies of gods and demons, and the ambition that encompasses the universe!"
At this point, Liu Xinwu's eyes shone brightly, and he said firmly and sincerely, "Nephew, I'm relieved to hand over the Wu Ning Prince's Mansion and my daughter Shujun to you. Hahaha!"
Chen Huai'an: "......"
......
Inside the temporary camp of Zhao Gan, the second emperor of the Daxin dynasty, in Youzhou City.
Sun Heling, the imperial groom, struggled to carry hay into the stables in the biting cold wind, while shaking his head and sighing as he looked at the emperor's camp filled with the sounds of women laughing and playing.
Emperor Xin'an of the Great Xin Dynasty completely treated his personal military campaign as a child's play.
Since setting out from the capital, the army has not forgotten to seek pleasure along the way, recruiting concubines everywhere to join their camp, and indulging in revelry every night, living a life of debauchery.
Local officials along the way, eager to curry favor with the emperor, embarked on massive construction projects in their territories, deliberately creating a false image of a prosperous and peaceful world where the people lived in peace and happiness.
For example, Youzhou City, under the rule of General Li Jingyu, is now a bustling scene with merchants gathering.
Sun Heling was too lazy to point it out. It was already close to winter, and the streets, which were usually deserted, were now full of merchants and tourists.
Beneath those brocade robes and silks were clearly faces that had long since become numb and indifferent, like puppets on strings.
For example, Emperor Zhao Gan's Grand Canal project, which he intended to rival that of Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, continued without pause even as winter approached.
Countless laborers and corvée workers went hungry, toiling day and night in the cold wind, and many died from serious illnesses.
All of this was merely a result of local officials pandering to Emperor Zhao Gan's preferences, completely disregarding the lives and deaths of the common people.
Sun Heling, who had long since become a groom in the imperial court, could only feel sorrow in his heart again and again: "When the dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when the dynasty falls, the people suffer!"
On several occasions, Sun Heling unconsciously compared Chen Huai'an, the heir apparent of the Prince of Jin, with the reigning emperor Zhao Gan.
Compared to Chen Huai'an's benevolent treatment of the people in the fiefdom of the Prince of Jin and the cities occupied by the Jingnan Army in Longcheng, Emperor Zhao Gan's personal expedition can be summed up in eight words: "Tyrant's conquest, the people suffer!"
The various sights and experiences encountered during the campaign began to gradually shake Sun Heling's beliefs.
Many times, the sentimental man silently cheered for Chen Huai'an in his heart, hoping that the army of Longcheng to quell the rebellion could defeat the imperial army and deliver a heavy blow to the muddle-headed tyrant.
Perhaps, only in this way can Emperor Zhao Gan realize his mistakes and repent?
at the same time.
In Emperor Zhao Gan's temporary camp, a group of beauties selected from various regions continued to perform energetically in the magnificent and extravagant camp.
It has everything from playing wind and string instruments to singing, playing musical instruments, playing chess, singing, and dancing.
Emperor Zhao Gan, looking quite pleased with himself, leaned against his favorite concubine Wenren Yu, indulging in fine wine and sensual pleasures.
Outside the camp, Minister of War Shen Guangming had been waiting for a long time, but he was unable to receive an audience with the emperor.
At this moment, Shen Guangming, who held urgent military intelligence, could no longer sit still. He stood up from his kneeling position and made a move to force his way into the emperor's camp.
"Lord Shen, what are you trying to do? Are you rebelling?!"
A sharp voice rang out as Liu Zhen, the favored eunuch beside Emperor Zhao Gan, raised his hand to stop Shen Guangming, the Minister of War, who was trying to force his way in.
"Eunuch Liu, there is an urgent military situation in the Four Garrisons of Anxi; we cannot delay!"
Shen Guangming looked anxious, his voice trembling with tears, and said, "Please let me go see the Emperor first!"
snort!
The chief eunuch Liu Zhen snorted coldly and said with a look of disdain, "Lord Shen, what urgent military situation could be more important than the Emperor's rest?"
"Imperial Guards, protect the Emperor!"
"Anyone who disturbs His Majesty shall be killed without exception!"
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