“Yes, Your Highness.”
Everyone’s voices were impassioned, and the tea on the table seemed to tremble.
At this moment, the officials and generals in the government office were all boiling with enthusiasm, because the young man in front of them was not only the ruler of the fief, but also the future monarch of Great Yu Empire. However, for this path to monarchy, they still needed to assist him.
After briefly discussing the last will with everyone to gain the moral high ground, Xiao Ming said to Niu Ben, “Commander Niu, the situation is urgent. Military training must not be relaxed. War could break out at any time.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I have already moved the Qingzhou Army to Yunzhou. Yunzhou is the gateway to the fief. If the Prince of Zhao attacks, he must pass through Yunzhou. We can block the invading enemy outside the fief there.” Niu Ben said.
Xiao Ming nodded and then said to Pang Yukun, “Chief Grand Councillor Pang, now you must immediately inventory the reserve grain in all prefectures and counties. Grain is the lifeblood of the army and there must be no mistakes.”
Then he turned to Zhan Xingchang, “This time, the Prince of Zhao and the barbarians are in collusion. The Prince of Zhao might use barbarian soldiers to sweep across Great Yu Empire. You will go to Youzhou tomorrow to take charge of the command and must hold back the barbarians. If necessary, use offense as defense.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Zhan Xingchang said loudly.
After giving these instructions, Xiao Ming dismissed everyone. The situation in Chang’an was still unclear, and he didn’t know what the Prince of Zhao and other vassal kings would do next.
However, in this situation, he could not be idle. In the next two days, he would dispatch Fiji and Luo Quan to Jinling City and Jizhou City respectively.
He needed to ascertain the attitudes of the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Yong to determine his strategy towards them.
As he was deep in thought, a charming voice suddenly rang out, “Nephew, what are you thinking about?”
“Aunt?”
It was Princess Pingyang who had arrived. Xiao Ming was slightly surprised. He hadn’t seen Princess Pingyang disembark at the pier earlier and thought she had remained in Chang’an.
“What? Did you think Aunt was captured by the Prince of Zhao?” Princess Pingyang said with a smile on her face.
Xiao Ming chuckled awkwardly, “I didn’t see Aunt on the ship, so I really thought Aunt had stayed in Chang’an.”
“Aunt isn’t that foolish. How could the Prince of Zhao treat me well if he entered the capital?” Princess Pingyang sighed, then she said, “Alas, now that Great Yu Empire has suffered this calamity, Aunt has nowhere to go. I wonder if nephew can take Aunt in?”
As she spoke, Princess Pingyang looked at Xiao Ming with a pitiful expression.
Li San had already told Xiao Ming about Princess Pingyang’s role this time. It could be said that if Princess Pingyang had not discovered the Crown Prince’s conspiracy in advance, Concubine Zhen and a group of ministers would not have been able to escape Chang’an at all.
So he said, “This time, Aunt deserves great credit for rescuing Mother Concubine. I am grateful beyond words, so how could I not welcome Aunt?”
“At least you have some conscience.” Princess Pingyang said in her usual languid manner, “Since that’s the case, Aunt will give you another gift.”
With that, Princess Pingyang clapped her hands, and Yang Zhen was escorted in by Ouyang Mu from outside.
“Nephew, do you recognize this person?” Princess Pingyang said.
“Of course, isn’t this Commander Yang Zhen of Lijinmen? This Commander Yang betrayed Father Emperor and sided with the Crown Prince. I remember it clearly.” Xiao Ming said bitterly.
Yang Zhen was already in despair. In Chang’an, Princess Pingyang had used his identity to escape Chang’an City in the middle of the night, and now she was giving him to King Qi as a gift.
Princess Pingyang smiled, “Nephew, how’s this gift?”
“Aunt, this gift is too grand. How can I repay Aunt?” Xiao Ming said. Princess Pingyang’s gesture of goodwill must mean she wanted something. This aunt was a shrewd person.
“Aunt has no other requests, just wishes for a place to settle in Qingzhou and live a peaceful life here from now on,” Princess Pingyang sighed.
Xiao Ming understood. He said to Princess Pingyang, “The mansion Aunt requested last time is already prepared. If Aunt doesn’t mind, you can move in tonight.”
Princess Pingyang had only just escaped to Qingzhou today, and was both tired and exhausted. Hearing this, a broad smile appeared on her face. She said, “In that case, Aunt will trouble you. With so many officials fleeing to Qingzhou, you must be having a headache.”
Xiao Ming indeed needed time to sort things out now. He didn’t try to make her stay and said, “Aunt, please.”
Nodding, Princess Pingyang and Ouyang Mu were led by guards to her mansion.
At this time, Xiao Ming sent someone to call Li San over.
“Yang Zhen! Princess Pingyang has arrived?” Li San was a bit surprised.
“That’s right, she just left, and she even left Yang Zhen for me.” Xiao Ming said. This Princess Pingyang indeed had some ability, and this time, judging by her appearance, she seemed to be planning to stay in Qingzhou permanently. If so, he would have to send secret guards to keep an eye on her, lest she cause any trouble in Qingzhou.
Li San exclaimed, “Her Royal Highness Princess is indeed an extremely shrewd person. By sending this Yang Zhen to Qingzhou, she is essentially giving Lijinmen to Your Highness. After all, only Yang Zhen knows how to contact the members of Lijinmen, and Yang Zhen holds a large amount of confidential information.”
This was exactly what Xiao Ming was thinking. Lijinmen was spread throughout Great Yu Empire, and it had been developing secretly since the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Gaozu. Although Xiao Ming was very confident in his secret guards, he had to admit that in terms of coverage, they were inferior to Lijinmen.
Hearing Li San and Xiao Ming’s conversation, Yang Zhen hurriedly said, “Your Highness, spare my life, Your Highness, spare my life! As long as Your Highness spares me, I am willing to hand over Lijinmen to Your Highness.”
“Hmph, whether your dog’s life can be spared depends on whether you can reveal Lijinmen and the secrets of Great Yu Empire.” Xiao Ming said, then he said to Li San, “Yang Zhen is yours.”
Li San excitedly said, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Yang Zhen was also full of gratitude, “Thank Your Highness for not killing me, thank Your Highness for not killing me.”
Waving his hand, Xiao Ming dismissed Li San with Yang Zhen as if shooing flies. He could spare Yang Zhen’s life, but he didn’t say he would free him. Life imprisonment was still an option.
After dealing with these complicated matters, Xiao Ming then headed to the royal residence. Concubine Zhen and the others were still waiting for him at the royal residence. Moreover, some princes and princesses had also come with Concubine Zhen this time, and he still had to comfort them.
After all, he was now the most authoritative person in this large family.
Under the protection of Zhao Long and Zhao Hu, Xiao Ming arrived at King Qi’s residence. At this time, Lu Luo and Ziyuan were waiting at the gate.
Upon seeing Xiao Ming, Ziyuan said, “Your Highness, Her Highness and the princesses and princes are all waiting for Your Highness in the main hall.”
Xiao Ming nodded and walked straight to the main hall. In the main hall, Concubine Zhen was sitting below the main seat, and the princes and princesses were gathered around Concubine Zhen. Fei Yue’er was also accompanying Concubine Zhen, saying something.
Upon seeing Xiao Ming, Princess Xiangcheng was the first to cry and run towards him, shouting, “Seventh Brother!”