Chapter 13: Stirring Up the Capital City

Chapter 13: Stirring Up the Capital City

Yin Weiyong’s face showed a hint of admiration as he said, “Hahaha, he is not rebelling. Didn’t you hear what he said?”

“The Crown Prince declined several times just now, but the Second Prince clearly stated that Your Majesty’s rewards were unchanged in amount; it was the lower government offices that disobeyed the decree and did not deliver them! Therefore, the Crown Prince went to demand them, and he had both reason and evidence!”

Yin Pan’er’s eyes lit up slightly as she said, “So, this is a chain of schemes?”

Yin Weiyong nodded and said, “Pan’er, you are right! We were all tricked by the Crown Prince! Let’s go back.”

Yin Pan’er looked at Yin Weiyong, somewhat surprised, and said, “Go back? Aren’t we going to watch?”

Yin Weiyong nodded and said, “No need to watch. No matter what, the Crown Prince has won this round. Pan’er, I will prepare your luggage for you.”

Yin Pan’er was a bit surprised. “Father, you agree to let me go? And, he is not the Crown Prince anymore.”

Yin Weiyong’s gaze was sharp. “Even if he is not now, he definitely will be in the future! Pan’er, your judgment is very accurate!”

After speaking, Yin Weiyong had the carriage turn around and head back immediately.

…

Xiao Ce took the three thousand death row prisoners straight to the Treasury Department.

The Director of the Treasury Department was Rong Heping.

Hearing the commotion, he was already waiting at the door.

Rong Heping was not tall, about one hundred and sixty centimeters in height, and his weight was surely over two hundred pounds.

So the whole person looked like a ball.

“King of Northern Desert, you… you… what are you doing? Are you trying to rebel?”

In terms of relations, this Rong Heping was Xiao Yang’s maternal uncle.

Xiao Ce smiled and took out the IOUs from his pocket, walking up to Rong Heping and saying, “Director Rong, did you write these IOUs?”

Rong Heping did not deny it. “Yes, King of Northern Desert! Yes, I wrote them. King of Northern Desert, you also know that currently…”

Xiao Ce did not give Rong Heping a chance to plead poverty. “I don’t know. Does my Imperial Father know about you giving me IOUs?”

Xiao Ce’s words made Rong Heping choke instantly.

“Director Rong, I am not here to trouble you. Earlier, the Second Prince told me that your government offices cannot produce the money… I also expressed understanding. I originally planned to forget about it! But the Second Prince said that Your Majesty’s word is law. Once something is given, it cannot be taken back. If I do not accept it, I am disobeying the decree!”

“Since that is the case, I have no choice but to accept. However, since I have to accept, these IOUs will not do. News of the reward His Majesty gave me has already spread. Now the soldiers and people of Northern Desert are waiting for me. Especially the soldiers guarding the border in Northern Desert, they are all waiting. If I go there with IOUs, they might tear me apart with their bare hands.”

“Therefore, I ask for Director Rong’s understanding! Either produce my Imperial Father’s written order, so I have something to show! Or, let my Northern Desert Army follow Director Rong to see if the Treasury Department of our Great Xiao Kingdom truly cannot produce this money!”

Xiao Ce paused briefly before continuing, “Or is it… that Director Rong is deliberately withholding it!”

Rong Heping’s face turned ugly. “It’s not that there is no money or grain, but that the money and grain have already been allocated. Prince, do not trouble me.”

Seeing many commoners gathering around, Xiao Ce said, “Isn’t the allocation for my Imperial Father’s decree also an allocation? Director Rong, I am not trying to make things difficult for you. I am not insisting on this money. If the Treasury Department has difficulties and no money, as long as my Imperial Father agrees to give me the reward in the form of an IOU, I will accept it!”

With that, Xiao Ce looked at the death row prisoners behind him and called out, “Han Da, which one of you is Han Da?”

Soon, a burly man with a full beard emerged from one side of the group.

“Prince, I am Han Da.”

“This Prince appoints you as Grand Commander, in charge of a thousand men!”

Xiao Ce said to Han Da.

Han Da looked surprised and said, “P…Prince… are you sure?”

From the registration information, Xiao Ce saw that this Han Da was previously a minor commander leading five hundred men. He was on leave when he saw local nobles bullying his younger sister and elderly mother at home. In a fit of anger, he broke one leg of a noble’s son.

For this, he was sentenced to death. During his time in the army, he had many achievements and was known as the “Hundred-Man Slayer,” exceptionally brave and fierce.

When Xiao Ce saw this person’s information earlier, he was deeply impressed.

Now looking at Han Da’s build and appearance, he seemed like a talent fit for a general or minister.

“What? Do you think you are not capable? Or do you dare not take the position?”

Han Da cupped his hands and said, “Prince, Han Da accepts the order! I will definitely not fail your appreciation.”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “Good, then I order you to lead a thousand men and guard the Treasury Department! Either Director Rong hands over His Majesty’s written order, or Director Rong hands over the money and grain promised by His Majesty. Otherwise, you must follow him closely without leaving a step.”

Han Da cupped his hands and said, “I obey!”

Rong Heping was so angry that the fat all over his body trembled. “You… you… you… Prince… what are you trying to do?”

Xiao Ce said to Han Da, “Remember, do not be rude to Director Rong. Do not start any conflict with him!”

Han Da bowed and said, “I obey!”

Han Da had led troops before and immediately selected a thousand men.

Xiao Ce looked at the remaining two thousand men and said, “You come with This Prince. You are the treasures His Majesty rewarded me. How can we go on like this…”

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

The Director of the Military Affairs Department, Nan Changfeng, was already waiting.

Xiao Ce stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Director Nan, why are you waiting here?”

This Nan Changfeng was one of the few neutral factions in the court and had a good relationship with the Prince of Zhenguo.

Nan Changfeng smiled bitterly and said, “Prince, you just went to the Treasury Department. You are stirring up the Capital City like this, even if I didn’t want to know, I couldn’t help it! Naturally, I know the next target is here.”

Xiao Ce bowed and repeated the excuse he used to shift blame onto Xiao Yang.

“Since the Second Prince said the Imperial Edict cannot be violated, I originally wanted to solve it by my own means. But, I also dare not disobey the Imperial Edict. Look at my soldiers, wearing these death row prisoner clothes—it’s not a solution… It also damages the royal family’s dignity, right!”

“I ask Director Nan to issue three thousand sets of armor, along with weapons and military supplies to us! Same as with the Treasury Department: if His Majesty agrees to an IOU, as long as there is His Majesty’s written order, I certainly will not trouble Director Nan.”

Seeing that Xiao Ce had finished his formal speech, Nan Changfeng bowed and said, “Prince, I understand your situation. Could we speak privately?”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “Of course.”

Nan Changfeng moved to the side and said, “Prince, aren’t you playing with fire like this? You should know, this is actually His Majesty’s intention.”

Seeing Nan Changfeng speak bluntly, Xiao Ce also got straight to the point. “Director Nan, how could I not know? But, if I don’t cause this stir, after I go to Northern Desert, those people in Northern Desert will come to ask me for the reward. Tell me, can I calm them down with your IOUs! But with my Imperial Father’s written order, it would be my protective charm.”

Nan Changfeng nodded and said, “Prince, aren’t you afraid that by doing this, His Majesty might get angry and have you…”

Nan Changfeng did not finish, but made a slitting motion across his neck.