If it hadn’t been discovered in time, this instance, a daughter bearing the crime of patricide would have been ruined for life.

Bai Qingyan pondered for a moment before saying: “Is there any involvement from that person called Puliu in fanning the flames?”

If Bai Qingyan remembered correctly, this person called Puliu… was also a clever person, but she feared that after becoming pregnant, her cleverness was being used in the wrong ways.

“Bai Qingping is still investigating. Since Puliu is currently pregnant, Bai Qingping only ordered to confine her to her courtyard.” Wei Zhong said.

Bai Qingyan nodded, hoping this Puliu was innocent.

·

“Your Highness!” A subordinate of Prince Hancheng hurriedly entered the upper room where Prince Hancheng resided. Seeing through a screen that Prince Hancheng was donning armor, he cupped his hands in salute and said: “This subordinate heard that Your Highness intends to go to sea with the naval forces today. This subordinate requests Your Highness to reconsider!”

Now that the Dongyi naval forces repeatedly provoked trouble, the Great Zhou Emperor had ordered their naval forces to escort fishermen out to sea. Each time they departed with the mindset of not returning. There had been several occasions when they nearly came to blows, with both armies standing on their respective ships, hurling insults, just short of shooting arrows at each other.

Moreover, the naval forces hoped they could fight. After fighting, they could show those supposedly invincible Bai family troops and Great Zhou forces just how formidable their naval forces were!

At this critical juncture where fighting could break out at any moment, Prince Hancheng wanting to go to sea with the naval forces made all these former Great Liang subordinates uneasy.

Prince Hancheng fitted his armguards properly, emerged from behind the screen, and said while adjusting his armguards with lowered eyes: “Going to sea is only for three or four days… at most five or six days. I’ll take this opportunity to see just how obstinate Dongyi country has become. Currently, Lord Liu is still in Dongyi country, and Dongyi country is at the critical moment of succession struggle. Dongyi country may not dare to fight with our Great Zhou. Rest assured!”

Seeing Prince Hancheng’s calm and untroubled manner, his former subordinate gritted his teeth and asked: “Your Highness, is it because… that Cheng Yuanzhi of the Great Zhou Bai family army has a foul mouth, so Your Highness you…”

Before the subordinate could finish, Prince Hancheng raised his stern eyes to look at the subordinate: “Are you trying to sow discord between our two armies with those words?”

“This subordinate wouldn’t dare!” Prince Hancheng’s former subordinate immediately knelt to beg forgiveness.

General Cheng Yuanzhi of the Bai family army had a fiery temperament. Upon hearing that Dongyi country had repeatedly provoked them, he was so angry that he kept clamoring to fight. But Prince Hancheng kept restraining him. Cheng Yuanzhi originally looked down on Prince Hancheng, and with his pent-up anger having nowhere to vent, he cursed Prince Hancheng as a coward.

This made Prince Hancheng’s former subordinates unable to tolerate it, suspecting this Cheng Yuanzhi was greatly mocking their Prince Hancheng’s past act of surrendering to Great Zhou’s Prince Gaoyi, and they nearly came to blows.

In the end, it was Prince Hancheng who suppressed both sides, asking them whether they wanted Great Zhou’s own forces to fight each other before even fighting Dongyi country.

This incident had only passed a few days ago, and now Prince Hancheng wanted to go to sea. Prince Hancheng’s former subordinates naturally thought Prince Hancheng had been bullied by the Bai family army and the Great Zhou army generals, with no other option.

“I tell you, now… our naval forces receive Great Zhou’s provisions, so we are Great Zhou’s naval forces. Whether it’s the Bai family army or our naval forces, we are all one country, one family! Family brothers bickering behind closed doors doesn’t matter, but if we fight Dongyi country… although the Bai family army isn’t skilled in naval warfare, they’re our naval forces’ strong support. At least when we’re fighting for our lives at the front… we don’t need to worry about no one protecting the people in the rear!”

“This subordinate acknowledges his error!” Prince Hancheng’s former subordinate frowned tightly, admitting fault verbally but still feeling unconvinced in his heart.

“I’m going to sea to observe what exactly Dongyi country’s stance is. Just hearing from others makes it difficult to have a clear picture in my heart. After seeing with my own eyes… I can better arrange defenses in the future!” Prince Hancheng helped his subordinate up as he spoke, his voice becoming gentler. “During my absence, I’m entrusting the naval forces to your command. Never have conflicts with our brothers. Always remember that the Bai family army brothers also came to protect our coastal people. We all have the same goal!”

“This subordinate will remember!”

“Alright! Don’t look so gloomy! In at most six days, and I’ll return. If anything goes wrong with the naval forces during this time, I’ll hold you solely responsible!” Prince Hancheng patted his subordinate’s arm and stepped outside.

Prince Hancheng had just arrived at the naval camp and given a few instructions, preparing to accompany the naval forces in escorting fishing boats, when someone came to report… saying that General Cheng Yuanzhi of the Bai family army and Military Advisor Master Cai Ziyuan had come together.

Prince Hancheng hurriedly went out personally to welcome them.

Cheng Yuanzhi, in full military attire, followed beside Cai Ziyuan. Seeing Prince Hancheng coming to welcome them regardless of past grievances, Cheng Yuanzhi gave face by cupping his hands toward Prince Hancheng: “Prince Hancheng!”

“Master Cai, General Cheng!” Prince Hancheng’s expression carried a gentle smile.

“Prince Hancheng…” Cai Ziyuan smiled and saluted Prince Hancheng before saying, “General Cheng heard that Prince Hancheng intends to go to sea with the naval forces to escort fishermen, so he also wants to go to sea together with Prince Hancheng!”

“Master Cai! Please don’t speak for me here!” Cheng Yuanzhi was a straightforward person. He cupped his hands toward Prince Hancheng and said, “Prince Hancheng, I, Old Cheng, am a rough man who only knows how to fight. The words I spoke a few days ago were harsh. Please be magnanimous! After returning that day, I was severely scolded by Master Cai. Master Cai heard that Prince Hancheng was going to sea with the naval forces and had me follow Prince Hancheng to spend a few days at sea, saying that only by experiencing it personally could I understand the naval forces’ difficulties. So here I am following Master Cai!”

The naval officers following behind Prince Hancheng immediately felt much better upon hearing these words.

This Master Cai of the Bai family army was quite sensible. The naval forces were indeed having difficulties. This General Cheng kept saying their naval forces were cowardly and afraid of death – he should indeed follow Prince Hancheng to experience the hardships involved.

“General Cheng is also an honest person!” Prince Hancheng said with a smile.

Master Cai could only smile and say, “Once on the ship, General Cheng will follow all of Prince Hancheng’s commands. If General Cheng shows any disobedience to Prince Hancheng’s orders, Prince Hancheng may record it. If we can’t discipline him… His Majesty can!”

Prince Hancheng smiled and said, “That day was just a misunderstanding. When words led to words, General Cheng didn’t mean it that way. I understand in my heart!”

Cai Ziyuan smiled and nodded, then turned to look at Cheng Yuanzhi: “General Cheng, you must remember why you were beaten with boards by His Majesty at Wude Gate. Once on the ship, obey Prince Hancheng completely!”

“Master Cai, rest assured, I remember everything!” Cheng Yuanzhi said.

The naval officers behind Prince Hancheng were puzzled about why this Cheng Yuanzhi had been beaten.

However, the more they didn’t explain clearly, the more these naval officers wanted to know, and they would naturally find ways to investigate thoroughly.

Cai Ziyuan understood people’s hearts very thoroughly, so he had already made arrangements.