The Xiang Army suffered defeat at Dongyu City. According to the original strategy, once Dongyu City was captured, Western Xiao’s troops from various routes would be unable to regroup. No one anticipated that the enemy reinforcements would arrive so swiftly.

This completely disrupted the Xiang Army’s plans.

To resume their advance now would no longer be a simple matter.

Within just a few days, Western Xiao`s reinforcements steadily arrived. Using Dongyu City as a camp, they gradually pushed outward in both directions, shifting from defense to offense.

The Xiang Army retreated to Yongning City to regroup briefly.

Western Xiao`s forces came with fierce momentum. Pressing forward now would surely be more costly than the gains. Watching as Dongyu City transformed into an impregnable fortress, the Xiang Army’s generals couldn’t help but face a dilemma.

“We were a step too late…”

“Losing the key stronghold of Dongyu City will make the battles ahead much harder.”

“Western Xiao actually gathered over two hundred thousand troops in such a short time. That was indeed something we didn’t anticipate.”

“Why were they so fast…?”

This was the question puzzling everyone.

What they didn’t know was that Western Xiao’s national strength had grown increasingly powerful in recent years. Imperial Roads had been rebuilt between its regions. The journey from Ximing to Dongyu now took only five or six days; if pushing hard, perhaps even three days.

In previous years, following the old roads, it might have taken half a month to arrive.

This very efficiency was what saved Dongyu City.

“Gentlemen, we must first figure out how to breach Dongyu City…”

Those gathered in the tent all furrowed their brows. Besides a head-on assault, they couldn’t devise a sound strategy.

But if they attacked directly, Western Xiao definitely had the strength to fight back. The odds of victory were only fifty percent – they couldn’t afford such a risk.

And so, the matter of advancing further was shelved due to the failure to capture Dongyu City.

…

The sudden outbreak of war wasn’t the real fear; the most worrying thing was a protracted stalemate.

Grain provisions, military expenditures – all this consumed gleaming silver. Initially drawn from the national treasury, it meant someone would face hardship once those coffers ran dry.

For many years, Da Xiang had been plagued by continuous internal unrest. Suppressing the Rebel Army had long since depleted the treasury. The funds required for this campaign against Xiao were scraped together from various sources.

The initial plan was that capturing Dongyu City would allow the expended funds to be slowly replenished. But contrary to expectations, the war had deadlocked, making it clear that the current funds and provisions were insufficient.

They needed to find more!!

When Zhao Zhen learned of this, a flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes. “Da Xiang is never short of silver or provisions!” 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

A secret order was issued instantly.

Immediately, a storm erupted in Shangjing City.

Overnight, several dozen officials had their homes confiscated.

The Shadow Guard swiftly moved south, seizing properties one by one according to a list.

Zhao Zhen, during his southern campaign years prior, had already uncovered rampant corruption. But rebellion took precedence then; he had no time to deal with it. Now, the time had come. With silver needed, he was naturally coming to collect.

In a single night, confiscations yielded nearly one million taels of silver. The national treasury, previously strained, suddenly brimmed with abundance.

However, Zhao Zhen’s actions stirred deep resentment among the officials.

Shortly afterward during court, dozens of officials petitioned one after another.

Zhao Zhen’s expression darkened to an extreme. His gaze fell upon the figure standing foremost among the assembled officials.

The man stood there calmly. Upon seeing Zhao Zhen look his way, he slowly stepped out from the ranks of officials.

“Your Majesty, war has already begun. It is crucial for the rear to remain stable and secure to prevent unforeseen upheavals,” the Chancellor standing at the head of the procession stated firmly, without a trace of fear.

“This servant concurs.”

“I also concur…”

“This servant…”

The Chancellor pressed on: “I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!”

A jolt ran through Zhao Zhen as he saw every official in the hall kneel.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

Not a single person remained standing in the hall; all stood behind the Chancellor.

Zhao Zhen found himself momentarily dazed.

He naturally knew when to stop, but the scene before him was hard to believe.

Watching the sea of kneeling officials, Zhao Zhen felt as if the Da Xiang court was no longer truly his…

His eyes fixed on the Chancellor, he uttered calmly: “Very well…”

Over the years, he had focused wholeheartedly on the grand ambition of unifying the realm. Little did he realize the court itself had become riddled with decay. Now, the military officers were off fighting the war, and it seemed this court had effectively become the Chancellor’s domain.

Zhao Zhen drew a long breath. In the end, he had been negligent.

This Chancellor was truly formidable. Under his very nose, he had managed to unite the entire civil service system.

This filled Zhao Zhen with profound unease and concern for Da Xiang’s future….

He simply lacked the energy now to engage in conflict with these civil officials. Even if he fought, it would result in mutual ruin. But that didn’t mean Zhao Zhen was afraid.

No, Zhao Zhen was not afraid.

But after his death, how would his son contend with these officials?

In the Imperial Study.

Zhao Zhen sighed heavily, overwhelmed by a deep sense of helplessness.

He realized, in a moment of clarity, that he had truly grown old.

Because of the turmoil in the court, the confiscation campaign, barely begun, died aborning.

…

Late that very night.

Zhao Wushuang, the Crown Prince, was summoned to the Imperial Study by the Chief Eunuch. He was somewhat surprised that his father had summoned him so late.

Zhao Zhen dismissed all the attendants from the Imperial Study.

Only father and son remained in the room.

Zhao Wushuang spoke: “Father summoned me to the Imperial Study late at night. Is there an urgent matter to discuss?”

Truthfully, there wasn’t much father-son affection between them. Zhao Wushuang had grown up in the palace but rarely saw his father. For him, though they were family, their relationship felt more like that of ruler and subject.

Zhao Zhen had poured every shred of his being into securing the realm. He was long accustomed to his son’s formal tone.

And he no longer cared.

Those who achieve great things cannot be perfect in every respect.

Zhao Zhen gathered his thoughts and said bluntly: “Come with me.”

The Crown Prince was slightly taken aback by Zhao Zhen using ‘I’ but asked no questions.

Zhao Zhen led him to the great throne hall. The vast space lay empty, illuminated only by candles flickering in the gloom.

“Father brought me to the great hall. For what purpose?” Zhao Wushuang inquired.

Zhao Zhen asked: “Do you wish to sit on this seat?”

Zhao Wushuang felt a jolt within. He remained silent.

“Afraid?” Zhao Zhen pressed.

Zhao Wushuang shook his head. He wasn’t afraid, yet offered no explanation.

Zhao Zhen asked: “If not afraid, then why not sit?”

Zhao Wushuang met his eyes. The latter’s gaze initially seemed impassive, but as Zhao Zhen stared intently, Zhao Wushuang’s eyes dimmed slightly.

“Speak,” Zhao Zhen commanded.

Zhao Wushuang looked towards the Dragon Throne and said simply: “Your Majesty…”

“Trouble.”

His answer comprised only two words: Trouble.

Back when his father had gone south to suppress the Rebel Army, and Zhao Wushuang served as Regent, he had seen firsthand the problems within the court.

Even then, he knew that ascending that seat would be something he would regret.

Zhao Zhen was stunned.

His lips parted slightly as if he wanted to say something.

Then, his expression flickered with dark rage: “You fear trouble?!”

Zhao Wushuang remained calm and countered: “Exactly how much trouble it truly is, doesn’t Your Majesty understand better than I do?”

Zhao Zhen’s eyes widened. He roared: “How dare you!!”