Chapter 533: Chapter 24: Three People in the Army

After adjusting his expression, he finally looked up to meet Consort Qian’s gaze.

He muttered softly.

"Mother’s teachings are right, I will remember them."

"Remembering alone is not enough; you must also act. Otherwise, if you hold the power of the world in the future, it is no joke."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Spirit King became even more respectful.

He stepped forward to support Consort Qian, helping her out of the Buddhist Hall, and headed towards her courtyard.

Along the way, the mother and son did not speak.

Only after entering the room did Consort Qian express her discontent.

"The Crown Prince truly has a stubborn life. The incident with the black bear during the autumn hunt didn’t kill him but instead caused heavy losses to our people planted in Shengjing City. I imagine the Emperor will soon suspect us."

Mentioning this, the hatred in Spirit King’s eyes became more apparent.

Since childhood, he never believed there would be harmony between him and the Crown Prince.

Even though he had retreated to Ce State, far away from Shengjing City.

The Crown Prince was devious and kept plotting to kill him for peace of mind.

If that’s the case, don’t blame me for taking action!

He then gritted his teeth and said.

"Mother is right. The few dogs around the Crown Prince are loyal, especially Nanny Wang and the two brothers from the Lin Family. They guard him day and night. If it weren’t for their tight watch, we would have succeeded long ago, without needing to plan the black bear incident, which did not yield satisfactory results."

"Yes, rather than waiting here to be besieged, it’s better to strike first. We should not stay idle while the Eastern Palace is arranging people. Let’s discuss a date with Vice Marshal Zhang and take action."

Upon hearing this, Spirit King nodded.

Yet he struggled to find a good excuse to justify a rebellion against the current regime, so he asked.

"Mother, what excuse do you think we should use for our uprising?"

"An excuse? Since ancient times, how many who rebelled truly ascended using just an excuse? Don’t worry about these trivial issues. Once you ascend to that supreme position, you will naturally rewrite history. By then, what excuse will even matter?"

Hearing this, Spirit King found it quite reasonable.

He nodded and said.

"I understand, I will arrange it."

"Hmm."

A hundred thousand soldiers might indeed seem few.

But if they can act unexpectedly, they can catch them off guard.

Ce State is quite far from Shengjing City, hence besieging the Imperial City is impractical.

Therefore, Spirit King’s current idea is to take control of a few surrounding prefectures first.

After expanding the forces, plan the next step.

He had already rehearsed countless times in his mind the scene of ascending the throne.

As if in the next moment, he will be the victor in this struggle for legitimacy.

Alas, a Prince raised by Consort Qian, absurdly thinks that a mere hundred thousand men can capture Shengjing City.

It’s utterly a fool’s dream.

The scout hidden in Ling Prince Mansion swiftly dodged all tracking and hurriedly transmitted the news.

White snow covered all traces; some immersed in dreams, while others scoffed at this rebellion that held no chance of victory.

Huazhou.

Located between Shengjing City and Ce State.

The Imperial Armor Army has been training day after day for decades.

Winter has its training methods, and summer has its own.

In a word, they never rested.

In the military tent, a few people were seated.

Leading them was the aged Fourth Prince, looking much older than ten years ago.

But his voice was still strong.

Despite being old, on the battlefield, he could easily take down a dozen or so enemy soldiers.

On both sides of him were Jiang Huanqing, the current Commander of the Dark Guard Camp, and Prince Xiao, assigned to Huazhou.

One with the sly nature of a fox, the other a calm youth resembling an elder.

The trio, having just received the news, couldn’t help but laugh.

"Spirit King once had brains, yet as he grew, he became foolish, attempting a rebellion on a woman’s advice?"

Jiang Huanqing couldn’t help but comment.

"Even the Liu Family’s sixty thousand strong army failed back then, yet he dreams with just a mere hundred thousand? Truly laughable."

Fourth Prince and Prince Xiao exchanged glances, feeling the situation was unexpected.

When the Third Prince was sent to Ce State, it was the Empress Dowager’s decision.

The intention was to be educated by great scholars, with virtuous aides and the Zhang Family Army supervising to prevent problems.

But unexpectedly, Vice Marshal Zhang from the Zhang Family Army ended up colluding with Spirit King.

Considering how the Empress Dowager has been stirring up politics over the years, both Fourth Prince and Prince Xiao felt it was like a grand scheme laid out by the Empress Dowager years ago.

If Spirit King was sensible, he could do much beneficial for the people with Ce State officials’ help.

But if he harbors ill intent, it helps the Empress Dowager in rooting out harmful elements in her family.

Like Vice Marshal Zhang of the Zhang Family Army is a living example.

Pursuing this line of inquiry further can eradicate harmful ones within the Zhang Family Army.

The Empress Dowager’s strategy was truly killing two birds with one stone.

Neither fearing Spirit King being virtuous nor rebellious.

Thinking of this, Fourth Prince said.

"Huanqing."

"At your command, my lord."

"Have the scouts keep a close watch on the Zhang Family Army, find all with treacherous intent. It’s high time they awaken from their dream."

"Yes."

Jiang Huanqing’s eyes flashed with disdain. These fools think themselves far more capable than they really are.

Not to mention plotting against the Emperor and Crown Prince, they couldn’t even handle the three of them present!

So, he went outside to arrange the task.

In the tent, only Fourth Prince and Prince Xiao were left.

Fourth Prince, with a gaze like a torch, looked at Prince Xiao. His youthful appearance remarkably similar to his own in the past.

Although he was more valiant, Prince Xiao was much steadier.

"What do you think, Your Highness?"

"Since Grand Empress Dowager has made arrangements, we shouldn’t let her efforts go in vain. The stability of the nation must be sustained with the Royal Family’s blood."

His calm words sounded casual.

One might think he was speaking of trivial affairs, not realizing he was discussing the life and death of one person or even a city.

Upon hearing this, Fourth Prince’s eyes deepened.

He immediately instructed.

"If that’s the case, handle Spirit King’s rebellion. The Crown Prince is soon to ascend, so this battle shall be your gift for his enthronement."

"Yes, Grand Uncle!"

After receiving the order, Prince Xiao rose and left the tent.

Armor-clad, face serious.

Every step he took marked the beginning of a hunt for the disloyal in Ce State as well as for Spirit King himself.