Lu Fenglang raised her eyes to look at Liu Rushi, whose expression remained deeply composed and calm, and asked: “My lord, before departing, did His Majesty… give you any other instructions? If this alliance cannot be established… how should we respond? If there are any, please inform us two days in advance so we can prepare accordingly.”

Lu Fenglang had always deeply admired Bai Qingyan. After all, Bai Qingyan was their Great Zhou’s founding emperor, and in just two short years since ascending the throne, she had accomplished many things others deemed impossible. She knew Bai Qingyan was someone who thought three steps ahead while taking one, always making dual preparations. Therefore, she was certain Bai Qingyan must have given other instructions, impossible to pin hopes solely on making Dongyi Nation compliant through “threats and inducements.”

Liu Rushi lowered his gaze, staring only at the glass lamp before him…

Before departing, Bai Qingyan had indeed given instructions: if Tianfeng Nation and Yan Nation’s actions became too aggressive, then the treasures they brought to demonstrate sincerity should be used as resources to support Dongyi Nation’s First Prince to ascend the throne.

Now, seeing how Yan Nation and Tianfeng Nation were jumping up and down trying to support the Second Prince’s ascension, Liu Rushi realized he probably couldn’t hide this from these two young people anymore. This matter would require their united efforts to accomplish.

“Dongyi Nation is probably quite fearful now. After all, our Great Zhou’s Bai Family Army has already reached the coast. They only dare to be eager to try because they think Prince Han Cheng, this Third Prince of Great Liang, who surrendered to us and leads the naval forces, probably doesn’t share the same heart as our Great Zhou.” Liu Rushi knelt behind the low table, hands clasped in his sleeves, slowly speaking to Lu Fenglang and Fan Yugan. “Thus, the treasures we brought this time will be used to… support the First Prince who holds reverence for our Great Zhou to ascend the throne!”

Lu Fenglang and Fan Yugan exchanged glances, suddenly straightening their backs as if their spirits had been roused: “This means… interfering in another nation’s succession matters.”

“I’m afraid it’s no longer just about succession!” Liu Rushi raised his eyes, looking solemnly at his two students. “If my guess is correct, the old emperor probably can’t hold on much longer! During today’s court audience, that old emperor nearly couldn’t maintain his composure at the end. A eunuch beside him, under the pretense of serving tea, secretly supported him with all his strength, barely allowing the old emperor to sit upright on the dragon throne. Afterward, when the old emperor left the court, he was supported by two people. Though it appeared he was walking by himself, his feet beneath his robes were practically dragging along the ground.”

Liu Rushi knew this mission to the Dongyi Nation was of great importance, so he paid attention to everything.

“Since we want to push the First Prince to power, our primary task is to first reach an agreement with the First Prince… we cannot blindly support his ascension! We must establish a value exchange with the First Prince, where each can take what they need!” Lu Fenglang, being Grand Marshal Lu’s granddaughter, quickly grasped the key point with clear reasoning. “My lord, do you know about the factional struggles in Dongyi Nation, in which ministers support the First Prince? Who are the important ministers besides the emperor? Are they pure ministers or do they lean toward which prince? Also, the ministers who control the Imperial Guards in Dongyi Nation’s capital – we probably need to understand them as well, to guard against the unexpected!”

If the old emperor truly couldn’t hold on much longer, as Liu Rushi said, then… this Dongyi Nation might not be free from palace coups. They should prepare early!

It seemed… that Second Prince who desired Dongyi Nation’s imperial throne had probably already made early moves. For them, these outsiders from Great Zhou, taking action would likely be very difficult!

“That’s no problem. You needn’t worry too much. We have people in the Dongyi Nation’s court, though they’re hidden quite deeply. We can work through them and make contact with Dongyi Nation’s First Prince!” Liu Rushi remained quite steady. “We’re currently being watched, making it inconvenient to act. My intention… is to secretly contact the First Prince, while on the surface…”

Liu Rushi paused mid-sentence, his gaze turning toward Fan Yugan…

Fan Yugan immediately bowed deeply to Liu Rushi, saying: “Minister Liu, please give any orders you have. This student will spare no effort!”

Now, Sima Ping and Lu Yuanpeng, who used to play with him, had already made names for themselves in the military through their abilities, while he… his father was still a criminal minister. If not for Minister Liu’s promotion, he would not have made anything of himself by now.

Throughout this journey, Fan Yugan had been stimulated by Sima Ping and Lu Yuanpeng’s achievements, determined to succeed through his efforts, so that when staying with childhood friends, he wouldn’t feel ashamed.

“Now, both Yan Nation and Tianfeng Nation want to support this Second Prince, who likes to engage in militarism, to ascend the throne, so you should use your advantages to approach this Second Prince. I hear this Second Prince enjoys secretly visiting pleasure quarters, which is known throughout the court, but no one dares mention it. This matter can only be entrusted to you.” Liu Rushi said to Fan Yugan.

Rather than saying the Second Prince secretly visited pleasure quarters, it would be more accurate to say… he went there openly, but everyone knew it, yet no one dared speak of it.

Eating, drinking, and pleasure-seeking were originally things these capital city playboys all did. Only after the Fan family’s troubles did he study diligently and never set foot in such places again.

Liu Rushi handed Fan Yugan the records about this Second Prince, asking: “Are there any difficulties?”

Fan Yugan shook his head, took the records, and glanced through them, discovering that the Second Prince’s destinations were unpredictable, seemingly without any pattern to follow, just following his whims.

Fan Yugan quickly finished browsing, and at the end… noticed the records mentioned the Second Prince enjoyed listening to qin music. He paused momentarily, then closed the records and respectfully returned them to Liu Rushi with both hands, saying: “Minister Liu, rest assured. I will… first befriend Dongyi Nation’s playboys, then inconspicuously connect with this Second Prince. To avoid appearing deliberate, I’ll visit the places this Second Prince has frequented tonight.”

“Good!” Liu Rushi nodded and took back the records. “We must make dual preparations. No matter what, you must connect with the Second Prince. We can also exchange values with the Second Prince for mutual benefit, but we must be careful… what we’re doing is trying to maintain connections with both sides, so we absolutely cannot let word leak out!”

Liu Rushi wasn’t blindly trying to maintain connections with both sides. Since he could tell during today’s court session that the old emperor was already overwhelmed, then the factional struggle between the Second Prince and First Prince must already be approaching white-hot intensity, with both sides incompatible as fire and water…

Having Fan Yugan first connect with these playboys meant that if there ever came a day when Great Zhou’s simultaneous connections with both the First Prince and Second Prince became known, they could blame it on Fan Yugan’s loose lips for leaking information. They could tell the First Prince… the Second Prince was deliberately sowing discord, and tell the Second Prince… the First Prince’s people were causing trouble.