The Demon Lords

Chapter 553 58 Crown Prince_2

"What should we do then?"

"Unless we're willing to give Tian Wujing's Jingnan Army a share of our workshop's profits."

"For a thousand Jingnan Army soldiers... My lord, it might not be worth it. Besides, our workshop hasn't even been built yet."

"I know, I know."

To gain something, one must pay an equal price.

"If it really comes to that, our only option is the 'nurture bandits to bolster our own position' strategy."

Zheng Fan squinted and continued, "This time in the Skybreak Mountains, troops from the Situ Family also appeared. Although their main forces are in the northeast defending against the wild people, it's clear that the Situ Family generals remaining in places like the former Jin State capital or Geda Mountain are still eager to stir up trouble."

"My lord, are you planning to deliberately provoke a border conflict?"

"Deliberately provoke a border conflict? Hehe, don't you think this method is quite good? After all, the Situ Family's main force isn't here. We can conquer their cities one by one without suffering significant losses. Who knows, we might even gain something from it. Besides, don't you remember we did the same thing back at Green Willow Fortress?"

"But last time, Yan State was already planning to go to war, and My lord, you were merely going with the flow. This time, it's obvious Yan State doesn't want to wage war against the Situ Family at this moment."

"If there's no opportunity, we'll create one ourselves."

"However, skirmishing in the Skybreak Mountains won't have a major impact. But if we start friction with the Situ Family, our trade routes will be cut off."

"We just need to control the scale. We can either wipe out one of his units or capture one of his cities. Yan State is strong, and the Situ Family is weak. As long as we snatch a quick victory and then retreat, wiping our mouths clean, they won't dare to escalate the war. Counting the days, Liang Cheng should be back by the day after tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, My lord."

"Alright, we'll discuss it further after Liang Cheng returns. We still have two months before the three-month deadline agreed upon with the Lord. There's no rush."

"My lord, should I keep a closer watch on Gao Yi?"

Zheng Fan waved his hand, saying, "No need. He's not Hong Chengchu, and I don't want you playing Da Yuer."

Just then, the blind man approached with a letter in his hand.

He said, "My lord, news has arrived from Yanjing. The Second Prince is to be officially invested as Crown Prince on the third of next month."

Hearing this, Zheng Fan put down his chopsticks and sighed.

He said, "What's destined to happen will happen."

"There's also a letter from the Sixth Prince."

"Which channel did it come through?"

"The post station."

"Oh, what does the letter say?"

Using the post station meant the letter couldn't contain any heartfelt words, much like how a prisoner's mail would be inspected.

"The Sixth Prince says we shouldn't send the next batch of cornmeal. It's just him and a few eunuchs in his mansion now; they can't eat it all."

Zheng Fan chuckled. "Prepare a carriage full of valuables and have someone deliver it to the Sixth Prince's Mansion in Yanjing. No need to cover our tracks."

"Yes, this subordinate understands."

"No, someone needs to make the trip personally. You go..."

Zheng Fan pointed at the blind man.

The blind man's expression remained calm.

However, Zheng Fan hesitated. The blind man hadn't advanced in rank yet, and it seemed a bit inhumane to send him out on a mission at this time.

"Go call A Ming. Have him take the valuables to Yanjing, and while he's there, take over all the shopkeepers who were previously under the Sixth Prince."

A faint smile touched the blind man's lips. "Openly?"

"Openly and aboveboard."

"This subordinate understands."

Siniang looked somewhat worried. "My lord, won't this be too blatant?"

Zheng Fan shook his head.

"The Emperor dislikes his sons colluding with military commanders from outside the court, but he'd dislike it even more if someone his son showed kindness to dared to be an ungrateful wolf."

「...」

Yao Zizhan had been experiencing a peculiar feeling lately.

In the past, he always felt like a boatman, his boat sailing on the lake.

Now, he suddenly realized that water truly can carry a boat.

"Master Yao, you seem to have found a new lease on life lately," Zheng Fan said with a chuckle, holding his teacup.

Outside, the sound of reading aloud filled the air as a large group of children attended class. Frankly, across the entire Yan State, including the New Jin territory, Zheng Fan could be called the pioneer of public education.

Under the old education system of the hereditary aristocratic families, not everyone had the opportunity to study.

Yao Zizhan nodded, smacked his lips, and said, "It has a unique charm, a unique charm indeed."

"I'm glad you like it, Master Yao."

"Brother Zheng, what brings you to see this old man?"

"Now, now, Master Yao. Since you're teaching here, as your host, it's only right for me to pay my respects every now and then."

"Out with it. There's no need for us to beat around the bush."

"The Second Prince of our Yan State will be officially invested as Crown Prince on the third of next month."

Hearing this, Yao Zizhan made a quick calculation with his fingers and said, "Judging by the time it took for the news to reach you, Brother Zheng, the Situ Family's envoy likely won't make it to the investiture. My Qian State's envoy won't make it either. Lord Jingnan is in Li Tian City, not far from the Horse Hoof Mountains, so he'd have enough time to return. However, the Earl of North Border probably won't attend. Therefore, Lord Jingnan likely won't return for it either."

"Yes, the Earl of North Border only recently returned to Beifeng Prefecture."

"Correct. Even though Yan State's Second Prince is Tian Wujing's biological nephew, if the Earl of North Border doesn't attend, it would be awkward for Lord Jingnan to return for the investiture ceremony."

This was a matter of political consideration. The Crown Prince was the bedrock of the nation, representing the continuity of political interests and policies. Currently, Lord Jingnan and the Earl of North Border clearly represented two opposing poles.