186: Chapter 0186 Scenery

The capital, within the imperial palace.

Inside a hall in the Imperial Garden, Emperor Hong was watching two eunuchs fiddle with a stove.

"Your Majesty, it's lit. It's hot! Truly hot!"

Eunuch Zheng, the Chief Eunuch, walked over, reached out to test the heat, and turned back to speak to Emperor Hong with a smile.

Emperor Hong walked over, placed his hand near it for a moment, and then waved his hand through the air.

"Hiss... this honeycomb coal truly doesn't have much of a pungent smell."

"Isn't that the truth?"

Eunuch Zheng said with a beaming smile, "I heard that in the Northern Border, the price is less than thirty percent of charcoal. The commoners are flocking to it!"

"Even in the capital, this item would have no trouble finding buyers."

Emperor Hong nodded and said, "No wonder this Lin Xiao can be self-sufficient and sustain the Zhenbei Army. It truly is a good thing."

"The Crown Prince has arrived!—"

Just as the eunuch outside announced him, Crown Prince Li Chenghao's loud shout was heard.

"Father! Good news! Great news!!"

Crown Prince Li Chenghao strode into the hall with a military report in his hand.

"Is it from the Northern Border?"

Emperor Hong's gaze narrowed, and he immediately guessed something.

In the current state of the world, it felt like no other place besides the Northern Border could break the deadlock, so naturally, there wouldn't be any good news from elsewhere.

"Father is wise! It is indeed a victory report from the Zhenbei Army!!"

Crown Prince Li Chenghao said with a joyful expression, "Lin Xiao has finally made his move. He took Lincang, Qin Water, Yangquan, and other commanderies in one fell swoop. Cang Province is close to being reclaimed!"

"Not only did Prince Bai lose five thousand elite soldiers, but the rebel He Yu, Earl of Anyang has been killed!!"

Emperor Hong's powerful frame trembled, and his eyes lit up. If not for his imperial dignity, he would have wanted to rush forward and snatch the report.

"Zheng Yangwei!"

Eunuch Zheng tactfully stepped forward, took the report from Crown Prince Li Chenghao's hand, and presented it to Emperor Hong.

After taking it, Emperor Hong hurriedly scanned through it.

"Haha... Haha..."

Emperor Hong was overjoyed. "Well done, Lin Xiao! To remain silent is one thing, but once he acts, he startles the world!"

"The likes of Inspector General Jiang Shengyuan are one thing, but the Earl of Anyang was actually killed by him. My fifth brother's heart must be bleeding from the pain!"

Eunuch Zheng's eyes crinkled into slits as he smiled. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! If this continues, reclaiming the Northern Border is just around the corner!"

"It's too early to say!"

Emperor Hong waved his hand, his eyes filled with intrigue. "This report has some suspicious points. How Lin Xiao sank those ten warships in one go, and how the Earl of Anyang was killed by Lin Xiao alone... it's all too bizarre."

"Father is absolutely right. And that Mu Wanying, she supposedly killed Master Gao Jinyi with a single spear and took Qin Water by herself; that's clearly unreasonable."

Crown Prince Li Chenghao said, "Many masters in the capital have tested Mu Wanying's aptitude. Although she is Earth Grade, it would be impossible for her to kill Master Gao Jinyi without thirty years of bitter cultivation."

"I believe reclaiming Cang Province is real, but the details of the battle are exaggerated, likely to claim more credit."

Emperor Hong chuckled softly. "No matter. Everyone in the world seeks fame and fortune. They are young, after all. Taking advantage of the poor communication from the Northern Border to exaggerate military merits is quite normal."

"Father is quite right. As long as it strikes a blow against Prince Bai, these things are insignificant!"

Crown Prince Li Chenghao smiled. "I also learned that Lin Xiao had Prefect Sun Zhao of Qin Water personally write a declaration against prince bai. It has now spread throughout the north."

"Sun Zhao? I remember... was he not a Jinshi scholar personally selected by the late Emperor? He's still in office?"

Emperor Hong asked curiously, "How was the proclamation written?"

Crown Prince Li Chenghao pulled it out from his sleeve like a prized treasure.

"Shall I read it for Father?"

"Granted!"

Crown Prince Li Chenghao cleared his throat and began to read with great emotion...

By the time he was halfway through, Emperor Hong was laughing so hard he couldn't close his mouth, shouting how satisfying it was!

"Well done, Lin Xiao! This plan is brilliant!!"

"Sun Zhao as well, he wrote it excellently! I must reward him!!"

Eunuch Zheng quickly added from the side, "Your Majesty, this shows that the officials of Great Gan still have their hearts with you. You are the one destined by heaven!"

"Yes, I am deeply comforted..."

Emperor Hong shook his head and sighed. "If not for my failing health, I would also like to visit the Northern Border again to see this miraculous Lin Xiao and see how that girl from the Mu Family is doing..."

"Back then, if General Mu Tiexin hadn't insisted on seeking death, given the bond between us, how could I have moved against him? It's truly a pity."

Crown Prince Li Chenghao's eyes darted. "May Father restrain his grief. General Mu relied on his military power to act arrogantly, putting Father in a dilemma; he only reaped what he sowed!"

"If Father truly wishes to see the Northern Border, I am willing to go in your stead to reward the Zhenbei Army and demonstrate the vastness of imperial grace!"

Emperor Hong narrowed his eyes and smiled. "The Crown Prince wants to see Lin Xiao?"

Crown Prince Li Chenghao was about to say "yes," but upon seeing Emperor Hong's gaze, a sudden chill ran through his heart!

He hurriedly shook his head. "I only wish to share Father's burdens and have no other thoughts."

"Hehe... I know you are filial, but you are the Crown Prince. Going to the Northern Border is too dangerous."

Emperor Hong said, "If you want to share my burdens, find someone to bring back some more soap."

"Ever since your mother used it, they've all gone mad, clamoring for it every day. I am tired of the nagging!"

Crown Prince Li Chenghao thought to himself that even his own women didn't have enough; this stuff had to be fought for, okay?

But he had no choice and could only nod in agreement.

"Zheng Yangwei... draft a decree for me. Lin Xiao, Mu Wanying, and Prefect Sun Zhao should all be rewarded!"

This winter grew heated because of the series of victory reports from the Northern Border and the 'declaration against prince bai'!

A few days later.

Qin Water.

Prefect Sun Zhao swaggered over to the harbor.

Ever since the Zhenbei Army arrived, Lin Xiao had ordered the expansion of the harbor, demanding it be at least tripled in size!

Because Lin Xiao said that before long, Qin Water and Lincang would become important economic centers.

From here, the goods of the Northern Trade Alliance would be shipped to the south, northwest, and northeast.

The current throughput was simply not enough!

"Lord Sun is here!"

The workers laboring at the harbor and some passing citizens of Qin Water were all excited upon seeing Prefect Sun Zhao.

Everyone bowed one after another, looking at Prefect Sun Zhao with faces full of admiration.

Having been an official for decades, Prefect Sun Zhao had never received such affection. His face was glowing, and he kept greeting the commoners warmly, fully embodying the persona of a 'parent official.'

"Who is this? Why are you all so excited?"

There were also passing merchants who didn't know and asked the locals.

"You don't know Prefect Sun? He's the one who wrote the 'declaration against prince bai'! I heard Prince Bai was so angry he coughed up blood!"

"Oh! So it's that Lord Sun!? No wonder... he looks so awe-inspiringly righteous!"

"Not just righteous, the key is his courage! Who would dare to curse a Prince before the whole world? Only our Prefect Sun!!"

Hearing the discussions and gasps of surprise around him, Prefect Sun Zhao's heart felt like it was about to take flight!

This was why he had taken to appearing in public lately; at his advanced age, he had never been so glorious!

"Lord Sun, have you been able to sleep lately? Are you still worried about being assassinated by Prince Bai's people?"

Just then, a teasing female voice came from behind.