novelraw Chapter 1010 - 567: Staying Out of It? Mu Prince Manor Soldiers Arrive!
Chapter 1010 - 567: Staying Out of It? Mu Prince Manor Soldiers Arrive!
Prince Huaian sat on the Taishi Chair, the bright candlelight in the room casting over his well-off, slightly reddened face due to anger. This wealthy Vassal King stared firmly at Zhao Douan. Clearly, this was his domain, clearly, so many masters from the Royal Mansion surrounded outside, yet he felt as if he were the turtle caught by Zhao Douan, blocked firmly within the inner hall, a sense of helplessness rising in his heart.
Given the intelligence capabilities of Huai’an Prince Mansion, he naturally recognized the identities of the few people beside Zhao Douan.
A full five individuals from the Worldly Realm, a force formidable enough to sweep through the entire Royal Mansion.
Thus, even though due to Zhao Douan’s schemes, the mansion suffered the wrath of Xu Jingtang’s anger, he still dared not order action.
He could only glare angrily at the other party!
Zhao Douan smiled and said, "Your Highness’s words don’t seem right. Back in Yongjia City, I had initially wanted Manager Feng to help transport military supplies to Linfeng. It was Manager Feng who refused on behalf of Huai’an Prince Mansion but insisted on showing goodwill to me, which is why I reluctantly gave Your Highness an opportunity. Why is it now blamed on me?"
He sat on the cold stone stool, his right hand constantly gripping the Commandery Princess’s delicate white neck — though this gesture wasn’t a threat.
Under the feedback of Divine Thought, relying on the martial artist’s keen perception, he determined that though the number of Royal Mansion guards around was many, there were very few masters.
They posed no threat.
Rather than saying he was using the Commandery Princess to coerce the Prince Huai, it was more about maintaining the Prince Huaian’s dignity. If not even taking hostages, how could the Prince show any compromise without losing face?
Prince Huaian took a deep breath, suppressed the bitterness in his heart, and said solemnly, "No need for idle words. I have no intention of entangling with you over the Yongjia City matter. Why don’t we just get straight to the point, what brings the governor here late at night?"
Zhao Douan’s lips curved up: "Why pretend not to know, Your Highness? Now, with the court’s army advancing south, the Yunfu rebel army is on the verge of defeat. According to law, Huai’an Prince Mansion’s collusion with rebels should lead to a public trial and execution..."
As these words were spoken, the faces of those in the courtyard changed dramatically.
The Commandery Princess kneeling on the ground trembled!
"However..." Zhao Douan’s tone shifted as he smiled:
"Fortunately, Your Highness did not raise an army amid the chaos. There was a contribution during the opening of the market at Hu Ting. Today, as the Grand Governor, I can offer Your Highness a chance. As long as Your Highness leads the entire mansion to serve the court, like Zhao Shixiong, I promise leniency!"
Directly laying cards on the table!
He sought to recruit the influence of Huai’an Prince Mansion!
In the Capital, Zhao Douan originally intended to start with Peng Wenliang’s backing, the Peng Family, but having failed, he simply chose Huai’an Prince Mansion.
He believes that despite Prince Huaian’s weakness, after years in Huai River’s territory, his reach must indeed be deep!
This was evident when Feng Xiaolian knew he was sneaking into Yongjia.
Once Prince Huaian is recruited, on one hand, his status as a local tyrant can help subdue Xu Jingtang.
On the other hand, it will greatly aid in dealing with Prince Jing entrenched in the eastern front of Huai River!
Of course, apart from that, there’s an even bigger aim: to divide!
If Prince Huaian can be recruited, it will to some extent destabilize the "Eight Princes Alliance"!
This would undoubtedly have a tremendous strategic impact on the overall picture.
"Father—" In the hall, Princely Heir Xu Qian overheard these words, unable to resist turning to look at Prince Huaian, feeling somewhat stirred.
Prince Huaian showed no surprise and calmly asked:
"You want me to help the court quell the rebellion? Are you so certain Xu Jingtang will be defeated?"
Zhao Douan confidently laughed:
"Zhao Shixiong has turned, half of the Yunfu army is destroyed, Xu Jingtang’s death is imminent, can Your Highness not see? Haha, let me remind Your Highness, the court army is nearing Jingchuan City. Discussing with me now can still earn some bargain, but when the court army occupies Jingchuan City and Your Highness seeks to surrender, you may not have this chance."
Jin Jian suddenly glanced at him, feeling these words were somewhat familiar...
"Father, what he says is right..." Princely Heir Xu Qian whispered.
"Shut up!" Prince Huaian glared at this foolish son, with a stern face, staring at Zhao Douan:
"From the beginning, I never intended to be embroiled in the royal power struggle. My actions are merely for ’self-preservation.’"
He didn’t want to nod!
Though the current situation on the western front is indeed extremely unfavorable for the Yunfu army.
But...
Prince Huaian sees more clearly.
If he surrenders to the court, he not only offends Xu Jingtang but betrays the entire "Eight Princes Alliance"!
This signifies that.
Should this sweeping conflict across the Great Yu dynasty end with the Empress defeated, irrespective of who ascends the throne in the end, even if it isn’t Mu Prince but Jing Prince...
He, as a betrayer of the alliance, is destined to have no burial ground.
Therefore, outwardly it seems Zhao Douan lets him choose between the court and Mu Prince.
In actuality, he’s forcing him to make a final bet!
No longer allowing him to bet across multiple sides, to be indecisive, but requiring him to resolutely stand with the Empress!
While the court has won several battles consecutively, but looking at the entire Great Yu chessboard.
The Empress is still in a disadvantageous position!
Before the chessboard becomes clear, how could he gamble his life and property in a bet?
Xu An still remembers, during his childhood, his maternal grandfather once took him to a family gambling den, went repeatedly for twenty-one days.
Not allowed to join the table, only watch.
Watching those gamblers revealing their ugliness at the table, observing their superficiality during brief winnings, their unwillingness and disgrace in losses, seeing one after another lose their fortune, kneeling like dogs at the gambling den to plead, even those red-eyed bringing wives and daughters from home, staking at the table, seeking one final turnaround...