What they would discover… would certainly include the twelve generals led by Cheng Yuanzhi who knelt outside Wucheng Gate requesting the Emperor to revoke Prince Hancheng’s military authority, but the Emperor trusted Prince Hancheng without doubt and even had Cheng Yuanzhi and the other eleven generals beaten with boards.

This time, Cai Ziyuan came to the coast also to help Bai Qingyan win over the hearts of these naval officers.

Bai Qingyan was responsible for securing Prince Hancheng’s loyalty, while Cai Ziyuan was responsible for securing the loyalty of these naval forces for Bai Qingyan.

Cai Ziyuan followed the naval officers to see Prince Hancheng, Cheng Yuanzhi, and several accompanying naval officers board the ship, watching until the vessel sailed far away before returning with the naval officers.

On the way back, sure enough, some naval officers couldn’t contain themselves and asked Cai Ziyuan… whether His Majesty beating Cheng Yuanzhi with boards at Wude Gate was because Cheng Yuanzhi spoke without restraint.

Only then did Cai Ziyuan sigh and tell the naval officers about how the twelve generals knelt requesting Bai Qingyan to revoke Prince Hancheng’s military authority, and how His Majesty trusted Prince Hancheng without doubt. He also shared Bai Qingyan’s words… that ascending to the throne was to prevent the Bai family’s tragedy from repeating on other generals who sacrificed their lives for the country!

“This time, His Majesty specifically sent these twelve generals and privately had someone deliver the golden token to Prince Hancheng, precisely so these twelve generals could build comradely bonds with Prince Hancheng! We must not have our people suspecting our people again!” Cai Ziyuan said quietly. “His Majesty comes from a military background and best understands comradely bonds. He only hopes General Cheng and the others won’t disappoint His Majesty! With the gambling nation approaching and Dongyi frequently causing trouble, our Great Zhou should unite from top to bottom to see the day of unified mountains and rivers and peaceful times!”

“Master Cai! Master Cai!” Lu Yuanpeng came running from afar, carrying a small bundle on his back. “Have Prince Hancheng and General Cheng already left?”

“General Lu, what are you doing?” Cai Ziyuan looked at Lu Yuanpeng in surprise.

Lu Yuanpeng gritted his teeth: “It’s all Sima Ping’s fault for delaying me! Didn’t Master Cai say the naval forces have it hard, and that General Cheng should experience it to understand? I… also want to experience it and see exactly how the naval forces have it harder than us!”

Lu Yuanpeng was still unconvinced in his heart. Who hadn’t been on a ship… how comfortable it was, unlike their Bai family army, constantly jolted on horseback.

“Don’t join in the commotion!” Cai Ziyuan looked at Lu Yuanpeng’s small bundle. “If General Lu has too much free time, during leisure after daily training, you might as well follow Lord Lu Fenglang’s advice and read more books!”

After speaking, Cai Ziyuan saluted the naval generals and left.

“Hey, Master Cai! I don’t like hearing those words…” Lu Yuanpeng adjusted his small bundle and followed Cai Ziyuan’s steps. “That General Cheng can barely recognize a few characters, how can he go to sea while I, who at least came from the Lu mansion and am not illiterate, have to read books! I’m at least better than that Bai family’s Little Four. Why must I read while General Cheng gets to go to sea!”

Cai Ziyuan walked with his hands behind his back. Seeing Lu Yuanpeng blocking his path, he turned to walk the other way, but Lu Yuanpeng caught up again: “Master Cai, tell me honestly, do I have to cause trouble and fight with those naval people?”

The naval generals gathered together, watching Lu Yuanpeng persistently pestering Master Cai, even saying things about fighting with the naval forces, and fell into deep thought.

“I think maybe the Bai family army doesn’t look down on us. These Bai family army generals can fight, but… their brains don’t seem very good!”

The other naval generals nodded in agreement.

“Looking at this, it seems so. Maybe the Bai family army is all brave in battle, but rely on this military advisor, Master Cai Ziyuan, for anything requiring brains!”

“Probably so!”

·

Dongyi Country.

At the end of the Yin hour, someone secretly approached the embassy, heading straight for the courtyard where the Great Zhou envoys stayed, requesting to see Liu Rushi.

Fortunately, Liu Rushi had the habit of rising at the end of the Yin hour for reading. Upon hearing that someone from his agent in Dongyi country had come, he immediately had the person brought in. Before he could even tie up his hair, the visitor entered.

As soon as the person entered, Liu Rushi smelled blood. The disheveled man in black tight-fitting clothes knelt, swaying as if about to fall, and cupped his hands: “Lord Liu, the matter of Great Zhou colluding with the palace Empress to promote the Seventh Prince has been discovered. The Second Prince flew into a rage and launched a palace coup. Our lord’s mansion was massacred. Our lord ordered this humble one to risk life and limb to escape and report to Lord Liu, telling Lord Liu to quickly return to Great Zhou. The Second Prince has already promised Tianfeng country and Yan country that once he ascends the throne, he will wage war against the Great Zhou!”

As he spoke, the subordinate reached into his bloodied chest and pulled out a token, handing it to Liu Rushi: “This is a travel pass token. Please don’t delay, Lord, and leave quickly!”

“Lord Liu!” Fan Yugan also rushed over upon hearing the news.

Liu Rushi’s mind was instantly in chaos upon hearing this, but he quickly grasped the key point and asked: “How is the old Emperor now? Has he… already passed away?”

“This humble one doesn’t know. Please don’t delay, Lord, and leave quickly, so as not to waste our lord’s life-sacrificing efforts!” The subordinate looked up urgently at Liu Rushi. “Any later, and the Second Prince’s people might bring forces to surround the embassy!”

Liu Rushi gripped the token tightly in his hand. If the Second Prince knew that their Great Zhou, after allying with him and the First Prince, still wanted to promote the Seventh Prince, and the Empress began whispering in the old Emperor’s ear again, the Second Prince could go mad and launch a palace coup. But this way… Great Zhou would have made an enemy of Dongyi!

Fortunately, Liu Rushi had prepared early, having readied a ship long ago for emergencies.

Liu Rushi looked up at Fan Yugan, who was tying his clothing sash with a bewildered expression: “Fan Yugan, you and Lu Fenglang immediately take the other Great Zhou envoys and leave Dongyi country, bringing this news back to Great Zhou!”

Fan Yugan looked at the token Liu Rushi handed him and widened his eyes: “What about you, Lord?”

Liu Rushi pressed his thin lips tightly together and said nothing…

“Lord!” Lu Fenglang also rushed over upon hearing the news.

“Don’t say more, quickly go dress properly. Don’t bring other things! Depart immediately!” Liu Rushi stared at Lu Fenglang. “Go quickly notify the other ministers!”

“Yes!” Lu Fenglang responded.

“What about you, Lord?” Fan Yugan grabbed Liu Rushi’s arm.

“I am the chief envoy responsible for this diplomatic mission from the Great Zhou. I’ll temporarily not leave. This matter might still have room for maneuver!” Liu Rushi pushed away Fan Yugan’s hand and instructed: “Protect our other colleagues! Go quickly!”

“No! Lord, you’re the one who absolutely cannot stay in Dongyi country! His Majesty has always valued you highly. If you stay, Dongyi country might use you to threaten the Great Zhou! To threaten His Majesty! Can’t you even think of this, Lord!” Fan Yugan’s expression was grave.